Chapter 357: Persecution Mania

"The previous president's actions at the time were indeed considered crazy, but in retrospect, they did have their underlying logic.
It was precisely that drastic measure that brought the financial markets back from the brink of collapse."
More importantly, the European Union later adopted this approach almost verbatim, successfully reviving their ailing European financial markets.
John explained,
"Of course, Fanghuan Investment reaped astronomical profits during this stock market frenzy, a fact no one can deny."
"So that settles it? You still say they're not in cahoots?"
"They may have cooperated, but according to our intelligence, the former president... was extremely wary and suspicious of 'Fanghuan'.
In fact, he ordered the use of all available intelligence resources in our country to conduct the most in-depth background investigation of 'Fanghuan'."
It's extremely rare in history for the White House to directly order an investigation into a specific company, or even an entrepreneur, using the national machinery of state.
However, if the company is involved in countless earth-shattering conspiracy theories, especially during a sensitive period like the pandemic, directly intervening in the US stock market, then it's no longer a commercial issue, but a serious national security issue.
Therefore, the previous president's order to investigate is perfectly reasonable.
"Judging from the investigation records, that operation was like digging up every inch of the place."
John's expression was very grave.
"They dug up almost every conspiracy theory circulating, trying to find any clue to prove Fang Huan's connection to these events."
"Oh? Not bad, the previous president finally did something decent; he's handed us a knife!"
Aiden's lips curled into a cold smile, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
“They must have found plenty of leverage to use against us.”
However, faced with the president's expectant gaze, Secretary John remained silent, like a statue.
“Why aren't you saying anything?”
John swallowed hard, his voice dry. “The investigation results are… nothing.”
“What?!”
Aiden's half-closed eyes widened in disbelief.
“John, I may be old, but I'm not deaf!” His voice suddenly rose.
“I know exactly what those people on Wall Street are saying about ‘Fang Huan’!
I’ve even heard that those fearless wolves on Wall Street now dare not even mention the name ‘Fang Huan’ lightly, for fear of getting themselves into trouble!”
Initially, on Wall Street, people treated the conspiracy theories about Fang Huan as a joke.
But gradually, the joke became anything but funny.
Especially after a major British investment bank was torn to shreds by a mysterious force simply for quoting a high price to Fang Huan, everyone began to fear that name!
What is Fang Huan?
He is an invisible giant hand!
A mysterious entity known as the "Ultimate Black Hand"!
To date, Fang Huan's shadow has lurked behind countless major events around the world.
Even if some are innocent, there are undoubtedly a few in which he cannot escape involvement!
"But now you're telling me you found absolutely nothing?"
"Yes, Mr. President. Nothing at all. It's as clean as a blank sheet of paper."
"The former president just accepted it like that?"
"It's said that after seeing that report, he immediately halted all investigations against Fang Huan.
Since then, he hasn't mentioned that name in any setting."
This isn't right!
The former president wasn't the type to let things go so easily!
Even Aiden couldn't accept the conclusion that "Fang Huan is innocent." How could that stubborn, arrogant old man just let it go like that?
“According to a staff member who was present at the time, who privately revealed a little information…”
John’s voice lowered further, as if revealing a secret,
“The previous president, after hearing the report, seemed… to be frightened.”
“Frightened?”
“Think about it carefully, Mr. President. A report like this, such a watertight result, only means two possibilities.
The first, and least likely one:
All of Fang Huan’s previous god-like maneuvers were just pure luck, mere coincidence and chance, and those conspiracy theories are all just Wall Street’s persecution complex!”
“But is that realistic?” Even Sleeping King himself found it absurd.
“Yes, Mr. President, from a probabilistic point of view, it simply doesn’t make sense!
Unless there really is someone in this world who can foresee the future!
But even if they could foresee the future, it’s impossible to orchestrate such a flawless scheme.
So, only the last possibility remains.”
Eden didn’t even wait for John to finish before feeling a dryness in his throat and subconsciously swallowed.
“…The second possibility, a possibility that would unsettle anyone…”
A deep fear flickered in John’s eyes.
“Fang Huan is no longer the Fang Huan we knew.
It has transformed into that legendary monster—the ‘Deep State’!”
The Deep State!
It was a secret entity, wielding immense power, transcending nations, and independent of any government—a shadow empire!
It possessed its own will, wielding a scepter of iron and blood, dragging the entire world onto its predetermined path!
"We mobilized such a massive intelligence network to dig to its core, yet we found not a single trace.
This only proves one thing:
Someone, before they even acted, had already wiped away all traces!
Even the intelligence agencies responsible for investigating Fang Huan themselves have very likely been infiltrated and corrupted!"
"!?!"
"The former president must have realized this, which is why he was so alarmed.
Because it means that the American intelligence agencies he once trusted most, his most trusted confidants, may no longer be reliable!"
"Wait..." Aiden suddenly realized something, "You mean, the investigation report itself also..."
"Yes." John's eyes were incredibly grave,
"If Fang Huan really wanted to perfectly conceal itself, it could have deliberately left some insignificant clues, causing the former president to waste all his energy on those trivial leads."
But Fang Huan refused; they chose the most blatant method:
to erase all traces completely, and then place a report of 'exceptionally innocent' brazenly on the former president's desk…
This in itself was a naked, blatant warning!
Aiden felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, almost losing his balance.
Could such an unfathomable force have been lurking within the American government and its institutions?
Could a terrifying force exist in this world, capable of infiltrating the core institutions of the United States?