Chapter 539: Unreserved Trust and Pampering

Su Hao knew that everyone, from Huang Fengwen to the group's decision-makers, was acutely aware that the African project was a massive financial black hole for the company.
This stemmed from a simple thought on Su Hao's part—it's the 21st century, how can anyone still starve to death?
Such a simple, almost naive, act of kindness, under Fang Huan's terrifying execution, evolved into a grand project shaking the entire African continent.
And Huang Fengwen, without a single complaint, supported him.
On one hand, it was out of a corporate conscience of "when you're successful, you should help others"—the more money you make, the more you should contribute to the world.
On the other hand, there was also a degree of unreserved trust and doting from an older brother towards his "younger brother."
"By the way, Chairman Su. As per your instructions, we've been procuring grain globally.
But recently, prices have risen outrageously, and the meteorological department predicts that this year may see an even more severe global crop failure than the year before, and grain prices will likely skyrocket."
The devastating consequences of global warming are gradually eroding humanity's living space.
Where rain should fall, the land is parched and barren;
Where rain shouldn't fall, floods rage.
Warnings of potential catastrophic crop failures have been issued from major grain-producing regions worldwide.
"Are our grain reserves enough? Enough for humanitarian aid?"
"Enough. But prices have gone crazy, tripling in just a few months. Buying more would be too costly."
Su Hao took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
From a rational perspective, the warehouses are overflowing with grain, enough to meet the needs of a large-scale famine.
With grain prices soaring, immediately ceasing purchases is the wisest business decision.
But—
"…!"
In that instant, a barely perceptible arc of electricity shot from the back of his spine to the back of his neck, exploding into a tingling sensation.
His supercomputer-like intuition was frantically warning him.
It was as if a voice from the depths of his being was telling him:
Not enough, far from enough!
To help those struggling with hunger, we need far, far more food than we have now!
“Price…” Su Hao slowly opened his eyes.
“Don’t even think about it. Buy as much as you can, sweep up all the food circulating in the market!”
***
Meanwhile, in the Saudi Royal Palace.
Prince Hamd Salman, the powerful figure who controls the lifeline of Saudi Arabia, had a face so dark it could drip water.
Recently, one piece of news after another has been troubling him.
His ambitious “City of the Future” project is almost at a standstill.
His previously successful sports-driven national development strategy is now suffering a series of setbacks.
“You said… who the hell withdrew?”
“It’s the American S&G Construction Group. They just sent a letter stating they will terminate all cooperation with us.”
The string of bad news is slowly consuming Salman’s reason with rage.
The international construction giants who had initially pounced like sharks smelling blood were now fleeing as if they'd seen a ghost.
"Is that damned bastard Fang Huan pulling the strings again?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
The aides bowed their heads, avoiding the prince's gaze.
"Some companies switched to Fang Huan's projects in Africa, while many more, terrified after learning of our falling out with Fang Huan, fled."
The once-smoothly operating "City of the Future" project now faces complete paralysis.
The turning point began with Fang Huan's cold, hard rule—
Without passing an ESG assessment, don't even think about getting a single penny of investment.
"Those idiots! How dare they! Are Saudi Arabia's petrodollars less valuable than a worthless Fang Huan's name?"
Salman roared in fury.
"Your Highness...that's Fang Huan," the aide explained bitterly.
"Offending Saudi Arabia might at most mean losing a deal.
But offending Fang Huan...even a multi-billionaire could be wiped out overnight.
They...aren't afraid of losing money from you, but they're afraid of dying."
Once upon a time, the bullies of the global village might have been the bald eagle or the polar bear.
But now, that crown rests undisputed on Fang Huan's head!
How could a single company possess such devastating influence?
What's even more infuriating is that the white buildings of the US, which should have been restraining this behemoth, now act like Fang Huan's pet dog, allowing this terrifying phenomenon to escalate.
Once upon a time, a single word from Salman could make countless multinational CEOs bow and scrape, flying trembling with fear to Riyadh to kiss his ring.
But now, times have changed.
No one revered his immense oil wealth anymore.
What they revered was a more arrogant, bloodthirsty, and deadly terror—Fang Huan!
“Those who don’t want to work with us, get out! Go find another company!”
Prince Salman was overwhelmed by immense humiliation; his pride wouldn’t allow him to bow to anyone.
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, perhaps we should try…to negotiate with Fang Huan…”
“Shut up! Absolutely not!”
“But Your Highness, Fang Huan’s recent actions are very strange; I fear they have ill intentions.”
“What do you mean?”
“As you know, Fang Huan has been frantically acquiring grain companies worldwide for a long time…
and hoarding grain on the market at any cost. Their reserves have reached a…frightening level.”
That was clearly no longer simple commercial stockpiling; it was an almost insane, morbid hoarding!
“Right now, a terrible rumor is spreading like wildfire about their actions.”
“What rumor?”
The advisor leaned close to the prince’s ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
“Some say… Fang Huan is trying to artificially create an unprecedented famine by interfering with the climate, thereby causing food prices to skyrocket!”
“!?!”
Salman was startled at first, then scoffed:
“Absurd! Nonsense!”
“Your Highness, this is no nonsense!” The advisor’s voice trembled with fear,
“Have you forgotten Turkey and Morocco?
They tried to resist Fang Huan’s will, and then both countries experienced unprecedented earthquakes!”
Earthquakes are natural disasters! They are unpredictable and impossible to cause by human intervention!
But Fang Huan… managed to do it! This means…”
You mean… if they can control earthquakes, they can also…
Salman's breath hitched. A terrifying thought raced through his mind:
“Control the weather, create droughts and floods?”
“Yes, Your Highness!
If the worst famine in history truly breaks out this year, then Fang Huan, with his vast reserves of food, will become the god of the world!”
"And we, Saudi Arabia, a country with a food self-sufficiency rate of less than 10% and relying on imports for over 90% of our food, then…"
The aide didn't finish, but the terrifying consequences were already clearly etched into Salman's mind.
At that time, Saudi Arabia's prized oil would become worthless.
Because faced with the threat of starvation, no one would care whether there was fuel in their car.
Fang Huan only needed to use food as a weapon to tightly grip Saudi Arabia's throat, making them wish they were dead!
"These… madmen…"
Thinking of this, Salman's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, beads of sweat sliding down his spine.
He felt that his enemy wasn't a company, but a…
an ancient evil god who wielded wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, controlling the life and death of all things!