Chapter 341: Financial Blow

"Discarding the millstone after it has served its purpose, burning the bridge after it has crossed the river."
This is a common tactic of politicians.
Fang Huan's funds were "locked up" in the US stock market for several months, during which time the European market did indeed recover.
As a result, the EU felt confident again and naturally no longer wanted to invite a "guru" to wield power on its turf.
"So, our plan to enter Europe has been unilaterally abandoned by them?"
"Yes, Chairman Su. Therefore, we have prepared a new investment portfolio for you.
Frankly, we suggest reinvesting the funds back into the US market.
After all, in terms of both returns and market vitality, the US stock market far surpasses Europe."
The current US stock market is practically a money-printing machine; throw money in, and you can double your money with your eyes closed.
While the European market is also recovering, compared to that frenzied bull market, it's at best a docile lamb.
“Especially with the massive monetary easing in the US, tech companies are springing up like mushrooms after rain, and the IPO market is booming like never before.
Although there's a serious bubble, it's the perfect time for people like us to make a quick buck and run before it bursts.”
Liang Haiyuan spoke with great enthusiasm, and everyone else present wholeheartedly agreed.
Throwing money back into the US stock market seemed like the safest, most naive choice at the moment.
“Wait.”
Su Hao suddenly spoke, and everyone immediately fell silent.
He closed his eyes, carefully savoring the feeling he had just experienced.
It was strange.
When he ordered the liquidation of US stocks, his mysterious intuition offered no resistance whatsoever; it even seemed to urge him on, encouraging him to leave decisively.
But now, to ask him to go back in…
A strange sense of unease lingered in his heart.
He reached out and gently placed his hand on the “Return to US Stocks” portfolio document.
No reaction.
Like a cold, lifeless stone, devoid of any energy fluctuation.
He crammed all the data, analysis, and charts from the report into his mind, yet his intuition remained as stagnant as a still pond, utterly unmoved.
“When we were preparing to enter the European market, shouldn’t the research department have prepared a corresponding investment portfolio?”
Su Hao asked.
“Ah, yes, Chairman Su. The research department did prepare one, but then the EU changed its mind, and that report…”
“Let me see it.”
“Yes, here it is.”
Su Hao took the “discarded” European market report.
However, the instant he opened the report—
A sudden change occurred!
His long-dormant intuition erupted at that moment!
It didn’t point to a particular stock or sector in the report.
It pointed to the entire report!
In Su Hao's view, the seemingly ordinary report was now radiating an invisible, dazzling aura, as if it contained a golden treasure map!
"If we still want to enter the European market, the channels aren't completely blocked, are they?"
"Ah, no, no. The EU opened a dedicated account for us in advance as a gesture of goodwill.
However… if we enter now, we'll definitely face many restrictions beyond what they promised.
If you insist on investing, we can abandon that account and open a new one through our broker, which will offer more freedom."
"The report contains information about the relevant accounts."
Su Hao's gaze fell on the mentioned "dedicated account" opened by the EU.
He extended his finger and lightly tapped the account number through the paper.
"!!!"
A powerful electric current seemed to surge from his fingertip through his entire body instantly!
Without any hesitation, Su Hao immediately gave the order:
"Transfer all our idle funds into this account."
"Huh?!" Liang Haiyuan's jaw nearly dislocated on the spot.
"All...all?! But Chairman Su, the EU has already backed out; they could unilaterally close this account at any time!"
Su Hao raised his head and glanced at him indifferently:
“So what? They've shut it down, we'll just move the money out.”
Liang Haiyuan wanted to persuade him further, but when he met Su Hao's deep gaze, the rest of his words caught in his throat.
He felt a chill rise up his spine and quickly lowered his head.
“Yes! I understand! I'll contact the asset management company immediately and execute it right away!”
Currently, a portion of the funds for the “Pangu” project of the Huaxia Strategic Investment Fund has been allocated and fully managed by Fang Huan's asset management company.
Although nominally still needing to follow the principles of sovereign wealth funds, in reality, after that earth-shattering battle, coupled with Wu Jianlin's covert mediation, Fang Huan was ultimately given sufficient discretionary power.
But… now, entering the European market?
A place that has clearly stated "We don't welcome you," and they still want to force their way in?
Could something earth-shattering happen that forces the EU to reopen its gates and beg Fang Huan to come in?
***
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Munich Re, Germany.
“This…this number, are you fucking sure it’s not wrong?!”
Tölsten, CEO of Munich Re, Germany’s largest insurance company, looked at the loss assessment report handed to him by his subordinates, feeling like he was about to have angina.
“We’ve calculated it repeatedly, Mr. Tölsten. According to our actuarial model, the total payout will exceed two hundred billion US dollars.”
“Damn it! How did they manage to pay out such an astronomical figure?!”
The world assumed that Lebanon was the biggest victim of the massive explosion at the Port of Beirut.
But they were wrong.
In this unprecedented disaster, Lebanon suffered physical damage.
Another industry is facing a devastating financial blow!
That industry is—the insurance industry!
The Port of Beirut is a massive insurance pool!
The related insurance policies are more numerous than the port's containers!
Insurance for the port itself, cargo insurance, personnel insurance, ship insurance… a dense and intricate web!
Now that the bombing has wiped out all the previous gains, it's time for the insurance companies to "bleed" a lot.
"Originally, even if the Port of Beirut had been bombed, the compensation would have been at most three billion US dollars."
"After all, 99% of Lebanese locals are uninsured, and the port's own insurance coverage is limited."
The subordinate explained,
"But the problem is, after a company called 'Levant' took over the port, things spiraled out of control!"
Their frenzied expansion led to a surge in the number of ships and cargo at the port, multiplying several times over!
So, they bought a whole host of enormous, all sorts of insurance policies, and then this explosion…
The payouts skyrocketed!
The final figure was a staggering two hundred billion dollars!