Chapter 240: A Group of Cunning Rabbits

"Reporting to Chairman Huang, breaking news: the global shipping giant Maersk Group suffered a severe blow in the WannaCry virus outbreak, and it seems... it can't hold on much longer."
At the Fanghuan Group's board meeting, a senior executive's report caused Chairman Huang Fengwen's eye to twitch almost imperceptibly.
"Can it really be that bad? Even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse!
Maersk used to be known as the world's largest shipping company, managing over 450 ships, right?
Such a behemoth, collapsing just like that?"
"Chairman Huang, that number is inflated," the executive quickly explained,
"They don't actually own that many ships; many are leased from leasing companies to round it up.
The actual number is definitely less."
"Even with the discount, it's still Maersk!
Just because of a stupid ransomware virus, it can't just shut down completely, can it?"
Huang Fengwen still clearly found it somewhat unbelievable.
“The virus was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” the executive continued, explaining.
“The key is reputation! Their systems were shattered by that wave of the virus, and a large number of orders couldn’t be delivered on time.
Their business reputation collapsed overnight, and all their customers fled.
Orders flooded into Fanghuan Shipping like snowflakes—that was the most fatal blow.”
Indeed, the global shipping industry experienced a brutal winter reshuffling, with only the well-funded, well-established giants barely surviving.
Maersk, initially the largest survivor, was now facing a crisis.
But who could have imagined that a hacker frenzy would cause their reputation and assets to explode, ultimately forcing them to close down.
“So, the Danish government is now in a real bind.
They're torn between intervening to bail them out, becoming the sucker, or simply letting Maersk go bankrupt and liquidate, breaking it up and selling it for a good price.”
Everyone present was shrewd; the implication was clear immediately.
This meant that the last significant obstacle facing Fanghuan Shipping was teetering on the edge of a precipice, and it all depended on whether they would offer a sufficiently tempting price to push it into the abyss.
Huang Fengwen turned his gaze to Du Yuanhang, the head of the shipping company: "Old Du, what's your thinking on the shipping side?"
"Chairman Huang, what I mean is... if possible, of course, it would be best to acquire it entirely!"
Du Yuanhang's eyes gleamed, his tone filled with barely suppressed excitement.
"Right now, our orders are overflowing, we're almost bursting at the seams, we don't have enough manpower and ships, we're desperately short of shipping capacity.
If we could acquire Maersk entirely, at least 60% of the global shipping business! Would all be under our Fanghuan banner!"
Sixty percent globally!
This figure, when it dropped, made everyone in the conference room hear the echo of money!
This wasn't just a number; it represented a massive cash flow of tens of billions annually!
"However, Chairman Huang, we must proceed with caution," Du Yuanhang added calmly, changing the subject.
"Once our market share exceeds 70%, or even approaches 80%, it will be dangerous.
Anti-monopoly laws in various countries are not to be underestimated. At that point, we will become the target of everyone's criticism."
"So, my plan is to support a few more shipping companies, precisely control their market share, and stabilize it within the most favorable range."
"Okay, you're in charge of this." Huang Fengwen waved his hand, displaying the demeanor of a big boss. "If you need more money, just ask. The group will fully support you."
"Yes, Chairman Huang!"
After handling this "minor matter," Huang Fengwen's gaze subtly drifted to a somewhat silent figure in the corner:
Lin Fan, the vice chairman of Fanghuan Investment.
Logically, Su Hao is the "top leader" of Fanghuan Investment.
But these kinds of group-level senior management meetings are usually attended by Lin Fan, the vice chairman.
The reason is simple: Su Hao's world revolves around only two things:
Investing, and figuring out how to invest.
All the miscellaneous administrative tasks naturally fell to the hardworking Lin Fan.
“Chairman Lin, I didn’t ask Chairman Su directly about this, afraid of bothering him.
But I’m still a little itchy with curiosity.”
Huang Fengwen spoke slowly, his tone like a friendly neighbor chatting, but it instantly made all the executives prick up their ears, like a group of cunning rabbits.
“Didn’t he suddenly open a new account in our company a while ago and transfer a large sum of money from the group?”
“Ah, yes, Chairman Huang.” Lin Fan immediately sat up straight.
“That… was it legal? Legally, there’s nothing wrong with it, right?”
“Don’t worry, we paid special attention to this, checked it repeatedly, and ensured that all procedures were foolproof and absolutely compliant.”
"That's good, that's good. I knew I could trust you guys."
Huang Fengwen nodded, then changed the subject, seemingly casually asking,
"But... I'm just genuinely curious, what exactly did Chairman Su buy with that money?
Logically, I shouldn't interfere with what he invests in, but this time...
Sigh, getting old, I just love to meddle."
Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the executives in the conference room lit up!
Their focused expressions were even more fervent than when they were discussing the merger and acquisition deal earlier.
This was probably the gossip that everyone present wanted to know most today!
Just recently, this group of financial elites racked their brains and poured their hearts and souls into creating what they considered a flawless investment portfolio plan. And what was the result?
According to Chairman Huang's later "unintentional" revelation, that investment plan they were so proud of was thrown directly into the trash by Su Hao!
The slap in the face was resounding, and it still stings to this day.
Then, this investment guru who dismissed their painstaking efforts as worthless turned around and opened a new account, transferring tens of billions of yuan from the group!
Those were the safest and easiest money-making opportunities in the current stock market!
But they were all rejected. So what was he planning?
Right now, the VIX index (fear index) in the US stock market is practically flat. In this calm market, where could he conjure up money from?
“He…has already started building his position?” Huang Fengwen pressed.
“Yes, the moment the account was opened, Chairman Su had already completed building his position,” Lin Fan answered calmly, but every word was like a bombshell.
“Including the funds subsequently injected by the group, all of them have been invested.”
"As far as I know, he's used over six billion US dollars to establish short positions in various derivatives and blue-chip stocks…."
"Wait a minute!" Huang Fengwen's voice suddenly rose. "What did you say? Short positions? Short selling?! He thinks… the US stock market is going to crash?!"
"Yes." Lin Fan's answer remained concise.
"Moreover, Chairman Su has already discussed it with me. He plans to use short-term, high-frequency trading to quickly enter and exit the market and maximize profits once the real downtrend begins."
"Short-term?!"
"Wait a minute! Chairman Lin, do you mean Chairman Su is now planning to use approximately 50 billion RMB to engage in short-term trading?! And in the US stock market?!"
"No, no… is that even possible?!"
The conference room erupted in chaos.