Chapter 339: The Only Correct Awareness

“Oh, by the way,” Su Hao suddenly spoke, interrupting everyone's daydreams about hundreds of billions of dollars,
“How's the situation at the Port of Beirut?”
Liu Bo paused for a moment, then quickly replied:
“The Port of Beirut is undergoing a difficult post-disaster reconstruction.
The port's functions are completely paralyzed. The Middle Eastern countries that previously relied on that shipping route are now scrambling to find alternatives, running themselves ragged.”
“Then our Fanghuan Shipping business must be very popular, right?”
“Yes. Chairman Su, I heard that Fanghuan Shipping has urgently opened several new shipping routes specifically to handle this overflow of business; it's practically…making a fortune every day.”
Su Hao nodded, remaining silent.
Hearing this, the faint unease in his heart finally found its source.
It turned out that his terrifying feeling was a premonition of this earth-shattering explosion.
A complex emotion welled up in his heart.
"Contact headquarters and donate to Lebanon through our charitable foundation."
"Ah, yes. Then... what's the approximate amount?"
"I heard the losses there are in the tens of billions of dollars. Let's donate 300 million, in three installments of 100 million each."
"Hiss~~"
A collective gasp filled the conference room.
Su Hao looked at his subordinates' stunned expressions and smiled faintly.
This sum of money was a drop in the ocean compared to the hundreds of billions of dollars in profits he was about to receive.
But it was enough to soothe the tiny, insignificant ripples in his heart.
"Why are you all staring at me like that? Just say what you have to say."
"Ah, no, no! Chairman Su is awesome!"
"We'll get on with it right away! Chairman Su, you're busy!"
The group of people, as if their butts were on fire, scurried out of the conference room.
Su Hao keenly noticed that the look in their eyes as they left was a mixture of awe, confusion, and a hint of...
an indescribable fear!
He shook his head, somewhat amused.
“What are these guys imagining now?”
***
Fanghuan Group, board meeting.
Huang Fengwen was listening to the executives' report.
“It seems the Lebanese government is preparing to use Levant Capital as a scapegoat.
The charge is ‘failure to properly manage hazardous chemicals.’
As soon as the news got out, all of Levant’s staff in Beirut vanished overnight.”
“What about the 30 billion operating rights?” Huang Fengwen asked.
“With everyone gone, what’s the point of talking about operating rights? They’ll definitely be forcibly taken back.
Besides, even if they aren’t taken back, that place is now a wasteland; whoever takes it over is doomed.”
Levant Capital will probably feel wronged until their last breath.
It’s clearly the Lebanese government’s fault, yet they’re being made to take the blame.
“According to Lebanon’s official statement, the explosion was caused by subcontracted workers in the Levant performing improper welding.”
“So, that’s the final conclusion?” Huang Fengwen raised an eyebrow.
“That’s the official Lebanese version.
Besides, nothing was left at the scene; even if we wanted to investigate further, there’s nothing to start.”
“…” Huang Fengwen fell silent.
A senior executive, observing his expression, tentatively asked, “Chairman Huang… are you worried about something else?”
Huang Fengwen’s eyes narrowed, and he asked:
“You think this was an accident, right?”
The executive's expression hardened, and he whispered:
"Of course it was an accident! It's just... the timing was too perfect.
Levante had just taken over when this happened. Just like the Tianjin port incident back then..."
"And," another executive added,
"This incident has essentially broken Levante's backbone.
If we hadn't driven the bidding price up to 30 billion US dollars, severely damaging them, they might still have had a chance to recover.
That blow was just the appetizer; this explosion is the final blow!"
"Furthermore, Chairman Huang, do you remember?
Chairman Su instructed Fanghuan Shipping to acquire a large number of idle oil storage tanks and warehouses around the world, especially in the Middle East?"
Huang Fengwen nodded.
At the time, everyone thought Su Hao gave this order to cope with negative oil prices and prepare to buy up oil at rock-bottom prices.
But later, oil prices even fell to negative $20, yet Su Hao remained inactive.
As a result, none of these warehouses are currently filled with oil.
"...Now, these warehouses have come in incredibly handy.
After the Beirut port explosion, goods scattered throughout the Middle East, with nowhere to go, became exorbitantly priced hot potatoes.
And Fanghuan Shipping's pre-planned warehouses perfectly absorbed all of this.
We became the region's only 'Noah's Ark'!
The timing was impeccable!"
The conference room was deathly silent.
One "coincidence" after another was laid out on the table, piecing together a chillingly perfect picture:
A precise financial attack, hollowing out the opponent.
An inexplicable "coincidence" explosion, destroying its foundation.
A precognitive warehousing strategy, devouring its market.
Every step was like a chess piece placed by the hand of God on a chessboard—calm, precise, and filled with a destructive, brutal beauty!
"So many coincidences coming together...it's a bit too much..." someone murmured to themselves.
"Shut up!"
Huang Fengwen slammed his hand on the table, his eyes sharp as knives, sweeping over everyone present.
His already imposing face was now contorted with rage!
"What the hell are you spouting?!"
The office temperature instantly plummeted.
"Are you saying that our Chairman Su sent people to set fire to that port and blow it up?"
"No... we wouldn't dare! We had absolutely no such intention!"
"Good! Remember, the Lebanese authorities have already determined this to be an unfortunate accident!
No one! Is allowed to utter any more nonsense about 'the timing being too coincidental' or 'it doesn't seem like a coincidence'!
If I hear any rumors about it, don't blame me for turning on you! Do you all understand?!"
"Understood!!" everyone responded in unison, cold sweat pouring down their backs.
Huang Fengwen then composed himself, leaned back in his chair, and slowly said, "Next item."
"It's...it's about the Fang Huan Charity Foundation, preparing to donate to Lebanon."
"Oh? A donation? How much?"
"As instructed by Chairman Su, a total of three hundred million, to be paid in three installments."
"What? Three hundred million?" Huang Fengwen was stunned.
But just a few seconds later, a hint of understanding and approval flashed in his eyes.
The executive beside him immediately understood:
"Chairman Huang, this is probably not a simple donation. It's more like...an investment under the guise of charity."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"This 300 million is enough for us to conduct any level of 'underwater operations' in Lebanese politics.
We'll win over the hearts and minds of the people, and the political will.
Once the port is rebuilt, thanks to the gratitude and influence of this disaster relief aid, the operating rights will naturally fall into our hands.
They might even use our money to rebuild the facilities we want; everything will fall into place."
This 300 million is a test stone, a sweet wine to win hearts and minds, and a golden bullet aimed at the future.
"Is this also... Chairman Su's intention?"
"Yes, Chairman Huang. All major fund transfers of the foundation are submitted by Chairman Su."
This is Su Hao's style.
He never explains, he only gives orders.
"Since it's his idea, then we'll cooperate." Huang Fengwen waved his hand.
"Immediately organize our subsidiaries to collect some living supplies and donate them as well.
The faster the reconstruction goes, the smoother it will be for us to obtain the operating rights in the future!"
"Yes, Chairman Huang!"
Everyone acknowledged the order and left, leaving Huang Fengwen alone in the office.
He closed his eyes, sitting there quietly, reviewing the entire sequence of events in his mind:
Using a $30 billion bid to drain the competitor's cash flow;
At the perfect moment, an "accident" wiped out the Port of Beirut;
Pre-planning warehousing to perfectly capitalize on the disaster's benefits;
Finally, using $300 million in "charitable donations" to secure the final victory without bloodshed…
Each step was meticulously planned and executed.
This…is this really just a coincidence?
Huang Fengwen's eyes widened suddenly, and a chill even ran down his spine involuntarily.
"What the hell am I thinking..."
He shook his head violently, as if trying to shake that terrifying thought out of his mind.
Yes, it was a coincidence.
It had to be a coincidence.
Huang Fengwen repeated this to himself, his tone incredibly firm, even carrying a hint of self-hypnotic obsession!
Even if it wasn't, in my mouth, it could only be! It had to be! A coincidence!
This was the only correct understanding the chairman of Fanghuan Group had!