Chapter 391: Harvest Season

"Have...all the people been evacuated?"
Qin Han's voice carried an uncontrollable weariness. He rubbed his temples, as if trying to expel the gloom and despair lingering there.
"Yes, Chairman, they've all returned."
The secretary's voice was also somewhat hoarse.
"The brothers did their utmost to minimize the losses, but those factories and equipment...there's nothing we can do; we can't bring them back."
Expanding territories overseas doesn't cost a small amount; it costs astronomical sums!
The various favors and infrastructure projects—the amount of money poured in would be higher than a mountain.
Jiang Jin Group and several other giants invested heavily to seize that vast market of nearly 140 million people.
In their eyes, it was a land of immense opportunity.
"But who the hell could have imagined that war would come so suddenly? All the hard-earned empire we built could vanish overnight!"
Qin Han slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
All the initial investments, all the meticulously planned risk mitigation, were as fragile as paper before the all-consuming beast of war.
To be honest, even now, he felt like he was living a bizarre nightmare.
War!
These two words, to people in peacetime, sound like something from ancient mythology.
If it weren't for this mess, their overseas companies wouldn't have lost almost everything!
The secretary cautiously added:
"Chairman, there's something I'm hesitant to say…
No one expected the small country to be so resilient, withstanding this thunderous offensive.
If things had gone according to the initial script, the major power would have been taken down within a week, and we'd probably just have made a show of withdrawing, and then everything would have returned to normal once the storm passed."
This, too, was another shocking reality.
"It seems this 'powerful nation' label is incredibly misleading.
We thought it would be a tiger descending the mountain, sweeping everything aside, but it turned into a disgraceful brawl."
This war was undoubtedly a crippling blow for the major power.
The economic losses were secondary; the most fatal blow was that it shattered its own myth of a "military superpower."
In the past, weren't major powers always portrayed as ruthless villains?
But now, unable to even handle a small country, its pathetic state has caused a complete reversal in global perception.
“What about the others? Are they in the same boat?” Qin Han rubbed his temples, changing the subject.
“Chairman, it’s more than just bad; it’s a scene of utter devastation.
The first to be hit is food. Wheat prices skyrocketed by 40% overnight—it’s devastating.
This year’s inflation rate is likely to reach a record high.
And energy and raw materials—prices have been soaring like rockets. Many industries are struggling to survive.”
“So, the only sector that’s made a killing is the military industry?”
“Yes. Military stocks have skyrocketed, making them the sole winners.
Furthermore, the energy, food, and shipping sectors are expected to see explosive growth.”
Aside from these few sectors, the rest was devastated, barren and lifeless.
Jiangjin Group's internal injuries this time were crippling, arguably the most comprehensive systemic blow the group had ever suffered since its founding.
"However, Chairman, those military industrial groups aren't actually doing so well either.
Although they made a fortune from arms orders, their other business segments are also losing money. At best, they're using the profits from the military industry to cover their losses, robbing Peter to pay Paul—it's hardly a comfortable situation."
"So, in this catastrophe, there are no real winners?"
"No," the secretary paused, her voice extremely low, "there is one exception."
"Who?"
"Fang Huan Investment."
Fang Huan?
Qin Han frowned, Su Hao's young yet profound face flashing through his mind.
That's not right. Fang Huan's business is so vast, spanning the globe; how could they possibly escape unscathed in this storm?
"Of course, Fang Huan wasn't immune to losses either. Several of their overseas projects suffered significant impacts.
However, the biggest beneficiary of this storm was precisely Fang Huan.
Chairman, do you remember?
Last year, Fang Huan, risking huge losses, almost frantically stockpiled commodities like grain, natural gas, and nickel ore…"
Qin Han certainly remembered!
At the time, it was a laughing stock in the industry.
During internal meetings at Jiangjin Group, some executives used it as a negative example, saying Fang Huan's investment was a terrible mistake, and some even mocked Su Hao for his youthful impetuosity, making him a "scapegoat."
Even if the purchase price was extremely low, the storage costs were astronomical!
Why didn't anyone dare to stockpile unlimited quantities of oil when it was cheap?
It was precisely because of the outrageously high storage and maintenance costs!
While all companies were pursuing the "zero inventory" Just-In-Time (JIT) model, Fang Huan went against the grain.
"But they did it anyway, stubbornly persisting, even spending lavishly to acquire and lease large warehouses around the world.
And now, it's their harvest season.
As the war reached a stalemate, the previously aloof and prideful European Alliance finally crumbled.
It's said they've completely chickened out and proactively sought out Fang Huan to negotiate."
In Xia Country—no, while all the world's corporate giants were paying the price for this sudden disaster—there was this oddball who not only didn't lose money, but was quietly making a fortune!
A chill ran down Qin Han's spine, and a thought that sent shivers down his spine rushed into his mind.
"You mean... Fang Huan... Su Hao foresaw this war a year ago?!"
"Chairman, I can't think of any other explanation.
Otherwise, who would take such a huge risk, hoarding those supplies like a madman?
Have you forgotten? Back then, how many people in the industry mocked Fang Huan, calling them the epitome of foolish greed."
Qin Han certainly remembered.
When Fang Huan was sweeping through major grain merchants in Canada, frantically expanding warehouses, how many people in the business world considered it a joke, ridiculing Fang Huan for doing such pointless and foolish things.
The feeling was akin to Noah building the ark before the apocalyptic flood, while the whole world stood on the shore, laughing at him.
However, when the monstrous flood called "War" swept the globe, all those who had mocked him became pitiful drowning victims, scrambling to board "Fang Huan," the only ark.
"Chairman..." the secretary hesitated before speaking,
"Chairman Su...didn't he even whisper a word to you?"
"No, not a single word."