Guo Shengli frowned and said, "Japan's economy is almost catching up with that of the United States, so why would it suddenly run into problems? Mr. Shen, what is the basis for your judgment?"
Shen Dong chuckled and said, "Your first sentence is the basis."
Guo Shengli's expression changed, and he said, "Is the United States going to take action against Japan?"
Shen Dong said, "The United States is the suzerain state of Japan. How could it allow itself to be more powerful than itself?"
Li Ka-shing pondered, "How can I allow others to sleep soundly under my bed? This year, Japan's GDP is likely to reach more than 80 percent of that of the United States. If I were the government of the United States, I certainly would not allow a country in the world to challenge me economically."
Li Zhaoshan said, "Following this logic, wouldn't Japan be doomed?"
Li Ka-shing looked at Huo Yingdong and said, "Mr. Huo, you said before that the Huo family has no working capital. Are you also planning to enter the Japanese stock market?"
Huo Yingdong said, "It's not that they're preparing to enter, but that they've already entered. I sent someone to Wall Street and discovered that many financial institutions are secretly targeting Japan. It's possible that Wall Street will make its move in two months."
Li Ka-shing, Li Zhaoshan, and Guo Shengli exchanged glances and fell silent.
Shen Dong and Huo Yingdong knew that the three of them needed to think things over carefully, so they remained silent.
After about five minutes, Li Ka-shing spoke first, asking, "Mr. Shen, how much do you plan to invest?"
Shen Dong held up his thumb and forefinger and said, "It's around eight billion US dollars."
Eight billion US dollars?
Li Ka-shing couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Li Zhaoshan swallowed hard and said, "Mr. Shen, have you ever considered that if your judgment is wrong, it could be a catastrophe?"
Shen Dong laughed and said, "You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Eight billion US dollars, leveraged five times, as long as the Japanese stock market drops by 20%, I can double my money. I don't want to let go of such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If it turns out that my judgment is wrong, so be it, I can just start over. Anyway, I have plenty of time."
Impressive!
confidence!
Effortless mastery!
Showing off its sharp edge!
A boundless sense of pride!
Countless adjectives appeared in everyone's minds.
Guo Shengli revealed a bitter expression and said, "Mr. Shen, based on what you just said, I have to admire you. Hehe, I finally understand why you were able to become the richest man in Hong Kong before you were even thirty years old. It's just that this matter is too big. After I go back, I need to send people to do some market research before I can decide whether to get involved."
Li Ka-shing looked at Guo Shengli and asked, "Mr. Guo, are you withdrawing from the acquisition of Hang Seng Bank?"
Guo Shengli said, "Sir Li, just as Mr. Shen said, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once it's finalized, I will withdraw immediately and invest all the funds in Japan."
Li Zhaoshan said in a deep voice, "I think we should discuss this matter again in a week."
Li Ka-shing nodded and said, "Very well. Mr. Shen, you have really given us a very difficult problem."
Shen Dong smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps you will thank me for this in the future."
Huo Yingdong's birthday banquet was not attended by anyone other than Shen Dong and the three major families.
However, all four of them are leading figures in Hong Kong's business community, and finding a fifth person of equal stature is no easy task.
After a satisfying meal, Li Ka-shing, Li Zhaoshan, and Guo Shengli bid farewell and left.
The choices made by Shen Dong and Huo Yingdong threw the three of them into a state of confusion.
They need to organize professionals as soon as possible to conduct research in Japan and Wall Street, the United States.
Shen Dong remained until the end.
Huo Yingdong asked, puzzled, "Mr. Shen, why did you tell them such an important thing?"
Shen Dong took a sip of tea and smiled, "Recently, the newspapers in Japan said they could buy four 'beacons of light' (referring to Hong Kong's largest economies). Just think about it, that's a huge fortune. Let alone the three major families, even if you included all the business conglomerates in Hong Kong, we couldn't handle it. In that case, we might as well do them a favor. Otherwise, all the money will end up in Wall Street's pocket. Between the three major families and those foreign devils on Wall Street, I'd still choose the former."
Huo Yingdong nodded and said, "Mr. Shen is very righteous. The inland government is extremely short of foreign exchange. I would like to report this matter to the higher authorities. What do you think?"
"Not very good."
Shen Dong directly refused, saying, "Mr. Huo, the problems in Japan are all based on our predictions, and do not mean they will definitely happen. The mainland currently only has a little over five billion US dollars in foreign exchange reserves. If our predictions are wrong, then the government will be in big trouble."
Huo Yingdong said, "I will call the old man and explain the pros and cons. The choice will be up to him."
Shen Dong shrugged and said, "Do as you please."
To Shen Dong's dismay, the old man called him immediately after receiving Huo Yingdong's call.
"Xiao Shen, did I disturb your rest?"
"No. I just finished showering and was getting ready to work hard for the next generation. Luckily you called now; if it had been five minutes later, I probably wouldn't have been able to answer."
"Pfft"
Upon hearing Shen Dong's words, the old man laughed heartily and said, "You're still as humorous as ever."
"Grandpa, did Mr. Huo tell you about things in Japan?"
"Yes. I'd like to know how confident you are."
"Japan's economic problems have reached their peak. Its decline is inevitable; it's mainly a matter of time. I'm 100% certain within two years. Within a year, only 80%. Within six months, only 60%. Old man, I'm not a god; I really can't be sure."
The old man remained silent for a long time before continuing to ask, "You want to invest eight billion US dollars, what is your target?"
Shen Dong said, "With a leverage of five times, the target is 25%, and the final profit will be around 10 billion US dollars."
The old man chuckled and said, "You've got quite the ambition. Xiao Shen, I've approved three billion US dollars for you on behalf of the government. Can you help us with the process? I can give you thirty percent of the profits as commission."
Shen Dong smiled wryly, "Grandpa, the reason I disagreed with Mr. Huo reporting this matter to you before was because I was worried that you would get involved. It doesn't matter if I lose my own money. But if we lose all our money in the mainland, then I will be in big trouble. Otherwise, you should let Mr. Huo handle it. He is a conservative, and his advantage is his stability. I am a radical, and I might be completely ruined if things go wrong."
The old man said, “I’ve always believed that financial warfare and real warfare have many things in common, with the choice of opportunity being the most crucial. As long as we seize the opportunity, we must eliminate as much of the enemy’s manpower as possible. The stock market and real estate market in Japan have huge bubbles, which our government professionals saw two years ago. Once they collapse, they will probably be in a downward trend for the next ten or even twenty years. This is our opportunity. Xiao Shen, do your best. Whether you succeed or fail, the mainland government will not blame you.”
Since things had come to this point, Shen Dong really couldn't refuse, so he agreed.
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