Chapter 309: The Pace of Collapse

Three trillion!
Using three trillion RMB to short the global market?
Is this even a conceived operation?
However, in Su Hao's view, pouring this astronomical sum into the short market wasn't theoretically a pipe dream.
Just think of the Wall Street giants. Companies like BlackRock and Vanguard—aren't they behemoths with trillions of dollars in assets?
Those astronomical sums of money, and they still manage to thrive in markets worldwide.
They sometimes advocate for a bullish stance, sometimes for a bearish one, and the money they've poured into short selling alone amounts to trillions.
The secret to these giants absorbing such massive amounts of capital is simple:
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
They scatter their funds globally like petals falling from the sky, thus alleviating the pressure on any single market.
Therefore, Su Hao's plan is the same: he must, like those top Wall Street predators, place countless short-selling pieces on the global chessboard.
Of course, expecting the market to absorb a massive three trillion yuan in a single day is pure fantasy; it would directly collapse the market.
This is definitely not a one-off deal.
Therefore, this needs to be done slowly, like simmering a pot of old soup, taking several weeks to subtly build up the short positions.
Only then can this inescapable trap be laid without alarming the entire market.
“But, as a sovereign wealth fund, proactively constructing such a large short position—in the history of finance, we will be the first!”
In the chairman's office at Fanghuan Investment, Li Donglai said to Su Hao.
No one doubted the feasibility of this move.
However, for a sovereign wealth fund to deliberately lay out such a large short position was unprecedented!
Was it because they feared the market couldn't absorb it?
No! The real reason was that if things went wrong, the risk of a backlash would be unbearable!
This is the fundamental difference between Huaxia Strategic Investment Fund and those international financial giants.
Others short sell to hedge risk, as a defensive strategy.
But Wu Jianlin and Su Hao are betting the nation's next ten-year window of opportunity, all their glory and responsibility, on this one short-selling spree.
Solely for offense, to seize that fleeting historical opportunity, to rewrite the future landscape!
“Three months.”
Wu Jianlin, Chairman of Huaxia Strategic Investment Fund, said decisively.
“This is the fastest timeframe calculated internally by our ‘Pangu’ project team.”
Clearing out 30% of Huaxia Strategic Investment Fund's positions and simultaneously constructing global short positions—the maximum timeframe is three months.
“This is already the maximum speed; only in this way can the impact on the market be minimized.”
Su Hao nodded; the other party's analysis was basically consistent with the results of Fang Huan's team's predictions.
“Of course, three months is just an estimate.
After all, Chairman Su, you haven't told us exactly where this first shot will be fired.”
Su Hao smiled slightly and handed a pre-prepared document to Wu Jianlin.
“This is…” Wu Jianlin took the document.
“Your investment portfolio proposal.”
Wu Jianlin’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly unfolded the document, quickly scanning it.
“S&P 500 ETF…15%,
Nasdaq 100 ETF…10%,
Airline & Cruise Sector…10%,
VIX Volatility Index Futures…5%,
Euro Stoxx 50…10%,
German DAX Index…5%…”
After a moment, Wu Jianlin’s eyes were filled with shock.
"More detailed than I imagined...! It includes the Americas, Europe, Asia, even bank stocks from various countries..."
"Yes, the Singapore and Japanese markets are included too." Su Hao nodded.
"Furthermore, I've also allocated proportions to emerging market ETFs, energy sector ETFs, REIT ETFs, and so on."
"Good, good!" Wu Jianlin nodded slowly.
"So detailed, so diverse, we have no more worries about execution!
With the funds divided so finely, market impact can be minimized.
Our 'Pangu' project team is going to be very busy!"
For the next three months, the entire "Pangu" project team of the Huaxia Strategic Investment Fund will enter a frantic wartime state.
They will need to quietly sell off large positions while simultaneously borrowing and selling stocks in global markets to establish short positions.
This will not only test their trading skills but also their courage and willpower!
Such a massive project, let alone three months, even six months would be incredibly stressful.
“But it must succeed.”
Wu Jianlin’s voice carried an unwavering resolve, a determination to go against the tide.
“We have no way out. This is a battle that will slam the fate of the nation!”
Su Hao looked at him quietly:
“Are there no internal problems on your side? With such a large undertaking, the opposition must be enough to lift the roof off the building, right?”
“Lift the roof off the building,” Wu Jianlin chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Those guys have even filed complaints with higher-ups to stop this project.”
“Then…can you handle it?”
“Don’t worry. Even if they wanted to remove me from this position, it wouldn’t be that easy; the process is lengthy.
Besides, the arrow has been released, the pieces have been placed.
Even if they replaced the chairman now, it would be too late; everything is irreversible.”
His tone clearly said:
I’ve already removed the brakes from this chariot; no one can help me now!
“But even if we ultimately achieve a resounding victory and earn enough money to change the future of the country, someone still has to be held accountable.”
Wu Jianlin took a deep breath, his gaze becoming distant.
“This is, after all, a national sovereign wealth fund, yet we used it to ‘short-sell.’
No matter how noble the initial intention, someone must step forward afterward to accept organizational review and punishment.
Only in this way can we prevent others from following suit, quell domestic and international public opinion, and give the world an explanation.”
Su Hao remained silent.
“However, Chairman Su, rest assured, I will never extend this blame to Fanghuan Investment.
From beginning to end, you were merely ‘advisors,’ only responsible for providing advice. The one who made the final decisions and carried them out was me.”
Wu Jianlin’s voice was not loud, but every word was weighty.
“Once all this settles down, all the merits and demerits, the crimes and punishments, will be borne by me alone.”
Su Hao understood.
If this battle succeeds, in the eyes of the very few who know the inside story, he will be a hero who reshapes the Xia Kingdom.
But to the outside world, under the spotlight, he is destined to be a sinner.
Using national funds to short-sell globally, no matter how noble the reason, cannot escape the condemnation of "misusing national assets."
"At my age, I've reached the top. I've climbed to the position I could, and received all the honors I deserve.
Even if I leave in disgrace, if it brings about the Xia Kingdom's rise for the next few decades... it's worth it!"
As he said this, a fire ignited in his eyes, a fire called "belief."
He clearly understood his fate, yet he still chose this tragic and thorny path.
"Secretary Wu... your level of understanding is beyond my reach," Su Hao said sincerely.
"As long as this succeeds, my personal honor or disgrace is nothing!" Wu Jianlin waved his hand.
"To be honest, even now, I still can't see through it.
I've run every data model I could find to death, and the conclusion is always the same:
The global financial markets are brimming with the optimism of a golden age, a scene of peace and prosperity.
But you… Chairman Su, you just had to submit such a shocking, world-destroying plan to me at this crucial moment."
Yet, he still staked the future of the entire nation and his own fate on Su Hao's side.
"I just can't understand what earth-shattering event could happen that could cause so many countries and so many industries' stocks to collectively plummet at the same time?
This…this is practically a global market collapse!"