Chapter 189: Strange Rumors

One of Europe's three major financial giants, going bankrupt?
Say that out loud, it would be laughable.
But his intuition was clearer than ever before, strongly warning him:
An unprecedented financial tsunami was about to hit!
“…Sister Huilin, go check how many CDSs related to Deutsche Bank are currently available on the market.”
“Huh? You…you want to check…Deutsche Bank CDSs?!”
Li Huilin was completely stunned, standing there like a wooden puppet, only her eyes blinking rapidly.
Normally, she would execute any order Su Hao gave without hesitation.
But this time, it was far beyond her capabilities.
Because she knew better than anyone that buying CDSs of a “too big to fail” company wasn't an investment, it was gambling—
Gambling on the end of the world!
"I...I...I'll get right on it!"
Li Huilin jolted, her movements almost unsteady, her steps stiff and robotic, "click, click, click" as she walked out.
Su Hao watched her retreating figure, a bitter smile creeping onto his usually serious face.
"Shouldn't...it be that bad? Am I overthinking it?" he muttered to himself.
Even if it was because of the large amount of dangerous assets they held, it was still one of Europe's three major financial giants.
How could Deutsche Bank possibly collapse?
It simply didn't make sense.
But for some reason, the chaotic years of 2008 suddenly flashed before his eyes.
He clearly remembered that, although he was young then, all the media outlets around the world were shouting the same thing in unison:
【Lehman Brothers will never collapse!】
***
Meanwhile, at the Jiangjin Group headquarters.
Chairman Qin Han had an unwavering habit—exercising every morning.
He was sweating profusely on the treadmill while watching the morning news on the TV screen, keeping up with the latest developments overseas.
"!?!"
Suddenly, a face appeared in the headline news, causing Qin Han to stumble and nearly fall off the treadmill!
"Wait, who is this guy…!"
He recognized the man on TV, the one in the global spotlight! He recognized him all too well!
"Jho Low?!"
Isn't this the fat guy who came to him a while ago, claiming to be affiliated with the 1MDB fund, trying to establish connections with him and the Jiangjin Group?!
The news clearly stated: the so-called Malaysian sovereign wealth fund was nothing more than a massive money laundering tool!
Huge sums of money that should have been used for national development were all laundered by this guy, then squandered on US dollars in Hollywood, the real estate market, and luxury yachts.
Now, the US authorities have officially intervened, accusing him of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and engaging in illegal influence operations through the purchase of US assets, committing multiple serious financial crimes.
The US government has issued a public arrest warrant for Jho Low and exposed the entire 1MDB scandal!
"Holy crap, this madman—"
Qin Han's heart skipped a beat, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
Just how much money did this damned swindler embezzle to make the US government so furious that it's personally tearing him apart?
The figures revealed in the news sent chills down his spine—the preliminary investigation revealed a staggering five billion US dollars in embezzled funds!
If you included the money laundering involved, the figure would be astronomical!
Thinking about it, Qin Han felt a wave of fear wash over him.
If only he hadn't listened to that kid Su Hao and had actually invested his money in that bottomless pit of 1MDB…
"Damn it, just thinking about it makes me want to suffocate."
Su Hao, how did he know all this?
How far into the future did he foresee?
No, now wasn't the time to dwell on that!
"…In our group, has anyone privately accepted money from Jho Low, or been entertained by him? Tell me the truth!"
At the emergency board meeting, Qin Han's gaze swept across the faces of every executive like a hawk.
Jho Low, this notorious swindler, had met with countless entrepreneurs in China, lavishly spending money on entertainment. Now that his crimes had been exposed, the domestic business community was in a state of panic.
"No? Speak up now, and I might still find a way to protect you. This is your last chance."
The conference room was deathly silent.
Qin Han knew perfectly well that several people in this group had definitely been fooled by Jho Low's rhetoric and were desperate for investment.
But now, not one dared to step forward and "confess."
"Fine, very well. I believe everyone here." Qin Han nodded, his tone icy.
"However, I'm warning you all. I've given you a chance today. If anyone doesn't cherish it, and it gets discovered later…
Then don't blame me for turning my back on you."
The implication was clear:
If you're going to hide, hide it well!
Don't let outsiders get any leverage over you!
“Now, just how far does this matter extend?”
“Chairman, that Jho Low, starting from the US, has practically traveled all over Asia, trying to persuade people to invest in his sovereign wealth fund.
The US has issued a global arrest warrant; they're determined to catch him.”
“Has he been caught?”
“Not yet, his whereabouts are unknown. But the most crucial thing is that the US's attitude this time is very firm. Any company connected to this scandal will face a severe investigation.”
Hearing this, Qin Han once again patted his chest in relief.
The executives present also breathed a sigh of relief.
Luckily, the chairman withstood the pressure and didn't fall for their lies.
"From another perspective, this is actually beneficial for Jiangjin," an executive analyzed.
"After we rejected that fund, the current Malaysian government has been making things difficult for us.
Now, the scandal has broken, the current prime minister is also deeply involved, and public opinion in Malaysia has exploded."
The reason this scandal has blown up so much is because the current prime minister is implicated in the money laundering scheme using the national fund.
Taking the people's money to line his own pocket is utterly humiliating to the entire nation.
"So, the Malaysian government might change hands?" Qin Han astutely grasped the key point.
"The possibility is very high. The current prime minister is very likely to be forced to step down."
Moreover, with the United States watching closely this time, the Malaysian government can't pretend to be dead.
“Very well, then we need to find a way to cultivate good relations with the new government.
For the sake of our business, we must secure Malaysia as a bridgehead!”
“What about Europe? Is Deutsche Bank still holding us back?”
“Yes. We want to establish our European headquarters in Frankfurt, but the land we're interested in is in Deutsche Bank's hands, and their stance is clear: they will not budge.”
This situation is extremely frustrating. If they can remove that obstacle of Deutsche Bank, they can enter the European market with overwhelming force!
“Chairman, may I say something?”
At this moment, Wang Ming, the investment director of Jiangjin Group, suddenly raised his hand.
“Speak.”
“Right now, there's a very strange rumor circulating about Deutsche Bank.”
“What rumor?”
“Someone said… Deutsche Bank might go bankrupt.”
“…?”