Chapter 423: Destroy it completely

“What’s the panic? Is the media spreading rumors again?” Markberg frowned in annoyance.
“How many times have I told you not to be swayed by public opinion? Just hold your ground…”
However, the executives didn’t answer. Instead, they turned on the huge television screen in the office.
A striking headline hit Markberg like a hammer blow.
[European Union Suddenly Announces! Passes the Strictest Social Media Regulation Bill in History!]
“…?”
Markberg was stunned.
The European Union? Are they just bored?
Why are they regulating social media all of a sudden?
"Boss...this is...this is a bill specifically tailor-made for FaceWeb by the European Union!
Under the guise of protecting personal privacy, it prohibits us from pushing any form of advertising without the authorization of each user!"
"What?! Why...why are they targeting us?!"
"There's a rumor...that Fanghuan Investment made a deal with the European Union!
After this bill was passed, Fanghuan immediately renegotiated with the European Union, supplying them with natural gas, nickel, and wheat at a lower price!"
"!?!"
However, the real nightmare had only just begun.
“This bill has effectively shut down all our operations in Europe! Even Outlook is no exception!
As soon as the news broke, advertisers who were working with us started cancelling their orders like crazy!”
“These lunatics!!” Markberg finally exploded, roaring with bloodshot eyes.
“Didn’t Fang Huan want to acquire us?! With this, FaceWeb will go bankrupt!”
An executive, his face ashen, said in an almost desperate tone:
“Boss, don’t you understand?”
“…What?”
“Fang Huan Investment… isn’t trying to acquire us at all. They want to… completely destroy us!”
At that moment, Markberg finally understood Fang Huan’s devilish intentions.
Since the city gates couldn’t be breached, since this castle was unattainable…
Then, along with the castle and its lord, we’ll blast them to dust!
Hmph, you think I can’t have it?
Then I’ll personally destroy it!!
***
"Hmm, well done."
In the Presidential Office, M Country, Aiden leisurely finished flipping through the last document, leaned back in his chair, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
It was a calm confidence, as if everything was under control.
His chief of staff offered timely flattery:
"Mr. President, once the 'Chip Act' is implemented, our semiconductor industry will be able to escape its current passive situation, and its scale will reach a new level.
Most importantly, the entire industry chain will be dominated by us, firmly in our own hands."
"Excellent, it must be so!" President Aiden's eyes sharpened.
"Everything else can wait, but on this matter, we absolutely cannot let those people from Xia Country snatch it away!"
Chips, semiconductors!
This was the sword of Damocles hanging over Aiden's head, and also the most crucial move in his political career.
The current semiconductor industry is almost entirely monopolized by a few Asian giants. This feeling of having one's lifeline held in someone else's hands is a thorn in the side of this great power's leader.
Therefore, his core strategy is to pour money and provide favorable policies, using both soft and hard tactics to force those factories to relocate to his territory, completely escaping the predicament of being "held hostage."
"However, Mr. President," the aide's tone suddenly became somewhat strange, "besides this matter, there is something more urgent that I need to report to you."
"Go ahead."
"It's about FaceWeb. All indications suggest that Fang Huan Investment is determined to devour it whole this time."
Aiden raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
He had heard about this before, but hadn't paid much attention to it.
“Didn’t they say before that this was a complete failure? That guy Mark Berg, didn’t he value his shares more than his life? Would he be willing to sell?”
“Yes, logically speaking, that’s correct. But now… the situation has become extremely strange!” The aide’s expression turned grave.
“Just a few days ago, those people in the European Union seemed to have collectively taken a hit. Without warning, they suddenly and unanimously passed a bill specifically targeting FaceWeb, completely severing all of its financial resources in Europe!”
The result was that FaceWeb's already precarious market capitalization plummeted from a barely surviving $250 billion, being halved twice and falling below the $100 billion mark!
Aiden's face instantly darkened:
"The European Union? Have those guys lost their minds? Why would they do something like this to FaceWeb?"
"It's said that right after the European Union passed the bill with lightning speed, Fanghuan Investment immediately supplied the European Union with massive amounts of natural gas, nickel ore, and wheat at 'cost price.'"
Aiden's eyes widened instantly:
"You mean...the European Union made a devil's bargain with Fanghuan Investment?!"
"Yes, Mr. President. This is a deal the European Union couldn't refuse!" the aide nodded.
"They traded FaceWeb's life for high-priced strategic resources from Fanghuan Investment.
Think about it, natural gas prices increased elevenfold during that period. That price was practically pushing Europe into a fire pit; industrial production was almost ground to a halt!
Faced with this life-saving deal, those people in the European Union had no other choice."
Aiden was stunned. This was utterly ridiculous!
But then, he had to admire the ruthlessness and precision of the move.
After all, natural gas prices had increased elevenfold, and nickel prices had soared by 500%. The entire European industrial system was on the verge of collapse.
If they had actually produced at that exorbitant price, not only European prices, but prices worldwide would have skyrocketed!
"So, in their eyes, the life or death of FaceWeb is utterly insignificant compared to the economy of the entire European continent."
"Exactly. Using FaceWeb as a sacrifice can normalize the entire European economy.
Passing one bill, let alone ten, would probably be a piece of cake."
What does this tell us?
This shows that the once invincible European Union, faced with an absolute survival crisis, bowed its noble head to that financial behemoth from the East!
You know, those Europeans previously considered Fang Huan Investment a thorn in their side, constantly clamoring for sanctions and restrictions. And what happened?
One well-timed combo punch left them utterly defeated, kneeling and begging for mercy, without even a chance to fight back.
"So now, isn't FaceWeb really going to be...?"
"Everything depends on Mark Berg's choice. Will he watch helplessly as the company's stock price plummets to rock bottom, ultimately leading to bankruptcy and liquidation;
or will he be a wise man, obediently surrendering and making a dignified exit?"
The question is, does he really still have a choice?