Chapter 302: Retaliation

If anyone's been laughing the loudest lately, it's Singapore.
Trillions of dollars in capital, constantly flowing out of Hong Kong, Asia's biggest financial rival, are now pouring into Singapore.
However, this smug feeling didn't last long.
"What the hell is going on?!"
In the Prime Minister's office, Lee Long Hsien practically roared, his hand crumpling the report in his hand.
"Why are our financial markets so turbulent?! Can anyone tell me?!"
Singapore's stock market, like a runaway plane, plummeted straight to the ground, the candlestick charts a terrifying sight.
Even the subprime mortgage crisis that swept the globe couldn't compare!
"Mr. Prime Minister... it's... it's the result of multiple negative factors converging..."
An official answered tremblingly.
"Negative news? You mean the military standoff with Malaysia?"
"That's only part of it... The recent public health system data breach has also caused enormous public panic."
Not long ago, Singapore's largest public health group was hacked, and the information of three million people was leaked, including even Prime Minister Lee Long Hsien's own medical records.
This is a huge international embarrassment.
"But these things shouldn't have caused the entire financial market to collapse to this extent, right?!" Lee Long Hsien roared.
Indeed, while those incidents were serious and shook confidence in the financial market, they were at most superficial wounds, certainly not enough to cause such a cataclysmic collapse.
This is just a smokescreen.
There must be a deeper, more fatal reason behind this!
"It's...it's Fang Huan Investment."
The official's voice was barely audible.
"Fang Huan?"
"Yes. Isn't the EU currently forcibly dismantling Fang Huan's shipping group?"
Of course, Lee Long Hsien knew about this.
He not only knew, but he himself was a strong supporter of this action; in fact, he could be considered the EU's most important "cheerleader" in Asia.
Over the years, Fanghuan Shipping, with its powerful port control, had repeatedly hindered Singapore's trade, making it a thorn in his side.
This time, with the EU taking action, Singapore naturally offered its full support, cheering and adding insult to injury.
"Our core lifeline in Singapore is trade.
Countless cargo ships dock and transship here every day.
Our economy is highly dependent on this lifeline."
This is Singapore's geographical destiny, the foundation upon which they depend for survival.
"The problem is, right after Fanghuan Shipping was announced to be forcibly dismantled, they...they stopped all ships entering and leaving Singapore!"
"What?!" Li Longxian jumped to his feet.
"At first, it was just minor delays, so we didn't pay much attention.
But then they gradually escalated the situation, and eventually, they completely cut off all shipping routes!
Not a single ship could get in, and not a single ship could leave!"
"Outrageous! They signed a contract, and they dared to do this?!"
"Their claim is that their company has been dismantled, and the legal entity no longer exists, so the contract is naturally invalid, and it's no longer their responsibility."
"They said that since the EU, including our Singapore government, actively supports the breakup, they have no choice but to shut down.
When a new company will acquire and take over, and when shipping will resume, we…we'll have to figure that out ourselves."
"This…this bunch of scoundrels!" Li Longxian trembled with anger.
But Fang Huan's words weren't entirely legally flawed.
They were indeed forced to break up, and Singapore was indeed an accomplice.
You've ruined their company through your partnership, and you expect them to work for you? Dream on!
"Is this retaliation?"
"Retaliation is one aspect…but I'm afraid there's a deeper intention."
"What intention?"
"According to our intelligence, before this massive shipping disruption, an incredibly large short-selling force had already laid a vast, intricate web of short positions in the Singapore financial market."
Li Longxian's pupils contracted sharply:
"Wait! You mean... that force is Fang Huan?!"
"While we can't be 100% certain, the timing is too coincidental!
It's as if... a premeditated, precise assassination!"
The official's voice was filled with fear:
"This isn't just a conspiracy; it's an open and blatant plot!
They're using this method to short our entire country!"
Li Longxian's mind went blank; he instantly understood.
These damned bastards weren't just seeking revenge!
They're using this shipping disaster they created to short-sell the entire Singapore market, aiming for an unprecedented and monstrous profit!
These guys are trying to recoup their losses from the EU a hundredfold, a thousandfold, from Singapore!
"Even so, shouldn't the market be in such a panic?
Is there absolutely no way to restore trade?"
"Originally, there was. The trade standstill, while a severe blow, could be resolved by gritting our teeth and paying a higher price.
But the problem is… social media is too advanced these days!
A single event can be amplified infinitely, rumors flying everywhere!
Fang Huan exploited this, igniting panic among all investors, ultimately causing this stampede-like sell-off!"
And the social media platform fanning the flames and controlling public opinion…
Isn't it Fang Huan's "PicPic"?
That social media platform with absolute dominance!
"These… these beasts…"
Li Longxian's hands trembled like leaves.
A precise physical strike, coupled with an overwhelming media frenzy…
This wasn't business competition, nor a financial attack; this was a devastating blow!
Fang Huan was manipulating Singapore's economy like a puppet!
Just because he echoed the EU's sentiments a few times, he was to suffer such devastating retaliation?
"I'm afraid… Fang Huan wants to recoup the losses suffered by the shipping group from Singapore, doubling the profits!
Even more frightening is that because of this storm, all the capital that was originally intended to move from Hong Kong to us has now completely stopped flowing."
"Where did that money go? Did it flow back to Hong Kong?"
“Yes… Mr. Prime Minister…” The official closed his eyes in despair.
“The Xia government… just yesterday, suddenly announced a new, more relaxed financial regulatory policy for Hong Kong…
They promised the world to open their financial markets to the greatest extent possible and embrace overseas capital!”
“Wh-what?! So… the Xia government is in cahoots with Fang Huan?!”
Anger surged to his head, Li Longxian's vision blurred, and he nearly collapsed.
But he couldn't utter a single harsh word.
He knew he had struck first; he couldn't blame anyone else.
But he was unwilling! He was innocent!
“Damn it, it was clearly those bastards from the EU who attacked us, why are they targeting Singapore… why?!”
A piercing wail echoed in the deathly silent Prime Minister's office.
Damn it…
He couldn't understand it at all. He had only been standing next to the giant, helping to kick Fang Huan.
And yet, the giant was unharmed, while he… was almost crippled!