Chapter 388: A Startling Speculation

As the old year drew to a close, the annual board meeting of Fanghuan Group was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, the air thick with the pungent aroma of "year-end bonuses."
Last year, for Fanghuan, it was practically a year of easy money. A global event was transformed into leverage to influence the world, and the company's influence spread like wildfire. Coupled with Fanghuan's precise investment decisions and the outstanding performance of its subsidiaries, everyone in the company reaped huge profits.
However, amidst this jubilant atmosphere, Chairman Huang Fengwen took a sip of hot tea, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Recently, things seem a bit turbulent internationally."
His abrupt remark startled the executives present.
One executive chimed in, "Chairman Huang, you mean those news reports about military exercises? They've made quite a stir, but it's just flexing muscles, the same old thing."
"Exactly," another well-informed executive confidently explained. "In this day and age, major powers are deeply intertwined. No one can withstand the ravages of a full-scale war. Those moves are just bargaining chips at the negotiating table, meant to scare people, not to be taken seriously."
"Exactly! If a real war broke out, how many years would the economy regress? Only a madman would do that."
"Besides, there has to be a plausible reason for war, right? Starting an attack without cause is tantamount to making enemies of the whole world!"
"Don't worry, it won't happen."
This was almost the consensus of everyone in the meeting room, and also the view of mainstream global analysts.
In this era of economic globalization, full-scale war is considered an incalculably costly and foolish option.
“Alright, let’s hope so.” Huang Fengwen nodded, steer the conversation back on track. “Our operations haven’t been affected, have they?”
“Not significantly, Chairman Huang,” the CFO reported. “All of our group’s subsidiaries are operating normally. However, Fanghuan Investment is liquidating all its positions…”
Upon hearing this, the previously relaxed atmosphere in the conference room instantly froze.
All the executives’ eyes flashed like searchlights, fixed on Lin Fan, the vice chairman of Fanghuan Investment, their gazes filled with accusation.
Lin Fan's expression turned solemn as he slowly nodded:
"Yes. To avoid a drastic market impact from a one-time sell-off, we began gradually reducing our holdings at the end of last year.
We expect to complete the sell-off this month."
Huang Fengwen asked, "Given everyone's optimistic outlook, this complete sell-off must have been an order from our Chairman Su Hao, right?"
"Yes, Chairman Huang."
Upon hearing the name "Su Hao," the directors, who had initially intended to raise some questions, instantly fell silent, like ducks with their throats choked.
In Fang Huan, the name Su Hao was a sacred decree, a divine pronouncement!
"Chairman Su only mentioned selling off? He didn't explain the reason? Or... did he instruct you to do anything else?" Huang Fengwen pressed.
"Chairman Su didn't specify the exact reason.
However, while selling off, he did issue new instructions, instructing us to simultaneously buy heavily into several specific sectors."
"Oh? Which ones?"
"Military industry, energy, food, and... bulk raw materials."
"Pfft—" Huang Fengwen nearly spat out his tea. He couldn't help but laugh, as if he'd heard the funniest joke.
"I say, what kind of junk are we buying? Is war about to break out?"
It was meant as a joke.
However, Lin Fan's face remained completely expressionless.
His expression was more serious than ever before.
The air in the conference room seemed to freeze.
Huang Fengwen's smile also froze. He stared intently at Lin Fan, asking, word by word, "...No...can...it...be...right?"
Lin Fan took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice:
"Chairman Huang...I'm afraid, it's very likely.
Look at the stocks we're currently building our positions in, every single one of them is a standard...war-themed stock."
"What...what the hell!?"
This time, even the usually composed directors couldn't hold back anymore, each one nearly jumping out of their chairs in shock.
"A war?!"
"What a joke! How could that be?!"
The entire conference room instantly transformed into a chaotic marketplace.
"Who's fighting whom? There hasn't been a whisper of it!"
"Exactly! Didn't we just analyze it? Experts worldwide all believe a war is impossible; it's pure worry!"
This wasn't just the opinion of Fang Huan's executives; it was the consensus of top global think tanks and analysts.
Even the officials of several major powers publicly stated that the risk of a large-scale conflict was extremely low. "I suspect Chairman Su's plans might have started back with 'Game Station'," Lin Fan uttered an even more startling speculation.
"Game Station? What does that have to do with this?"
"Of course it does!" Lin Fan said decisively.
"On the surface, the battle at 'Game Station' was to target our competitor, 'Robin Man.'
But Chairman Su's real target is probably not that unfortunate guy at all, but... Canada!
He used the momentum from that battle to smoothly gain entry into Canada. Now, our resources and influence have fully penetrated that region!"
Everyone gasped in shock upon hearing this.