Two hundred billion?
"It's still US dollars," Lu Feng said casually, but on the other end of the phone, where was the leader going to find him 20 billion?
"Mr. Lu, we don't have a printing press. You can't spend money so recklessly. You're just throwing around two hundred billion US dollars. Even a mint wouldn't dare to make such a big demand." The person on the other end of the phone was startled by Lu Feng's tone.
In China today, let alone 10 billion, even 100 million RMB is a huge number. Lu Feng is used to starting with 10 billion in monetary and financial matters. If he told his superiors such a number, they would be terrified.
"I don't need this money, but I need to make a show of force, the more intimidating the better!" Lu Feng could tell that they really had no money, so he tentatively asked, "So how much can you come up with now?"
"Let me put it this way, there are only 18 billion in foreign exchange reserves left in the national treasury. This money is needed at any time. State-owned enterprises need to purchase equipment, import grain, and engage in international bulk trade. This money is absolutely untouchable." The person on the other end of the phone also revealed the truth.
Lu Feng was at a loss. He wanted to take the money first, but no one could bear the risk. This was the last bit of money the people of the whole country had saved up. If there was any slight disturbance in the international situation, it would be utterly disastrous.
"Then...can you take a smaller amount? You can submit an application and take 5 billion!" Lu Feng asked.
"Don't even think about it. It's impossible. This is a bottom line issue. It's about the livelihoods of the entire nation. Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance of losing it, or even a one in a hundred million chance, it's unacceptable!" the voice on the other end of the phone said firmly.
"Don't ask for too much, just three billion. I'll figure out the rest. Once we have the funds, we can win this battle in one fell swoop. Otherwise, if this drags on and they don't give up, this matter will never end." Lu Feng stated his thoughts.
Hearing Lu Feng's confidence in resolving the matter quickly on the other end of the phone, he began to take it seriously. After all, Hong Kong needed to stabilize as soon as possible and play its proper role. If things dragged on for a year or two, the losses would actually be greater.
"Let me report it to you, but I guess you'll need to explain it to me personally later." The person on the other end of the phone agreed.
"Okay, okay, thank you for your hard work!" Lu Feng said politely.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Feng let out a long yawn. He had originally wanted to continue making calls to raise more funds, but it was already almost nine o'clock in the morning, and if he didn't go back to rest soon, it would be too late.
After arriving home, Lu Feng collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Wall Street was also busy, raising funds as much as possible. Based on their estimate of how much cash Lu Feng had available, they currently had less than 20 billion Hong Kong dollars left. After raising a sum of money and leveraging it, they increased it to no less than 25 billion.
Their analysis suggests that if they hold HK$30 billion worth of Hong Kong dollars, the Hong Kong dollar will definitely collapse. Once it collapses, all previous losses will be meaningless, and they could even make a huge profit!
At five o'clock in the evening, Lu Feng barely woke up, took a quick shower, and immediately called Maha's assistant, asking him to schedule a call so that he could borrow some bridging funds from them in the name of the country.
Then Lu Feng called all the wealthy people he knew, and they all said they were also having difficulties. In the current economic situation, who wouldn't want to keep more cash on hand?
Lu Feng simply asked, "The international community is facing difficulties, are you going to help?"
The person on the other end of the phone was basically just stammering, and finally said that they couldn't offer much, maybe a million or two dollars. Lu Feng, for the time being, would have taken even a hundred or two dollars, let alone a million or two.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Feng called President Liu and briefly explained the situation during lunch. He hoped that any kind-hearted people in Zhongguancun who had US dollars would lend them to him, and he would pay interest at twice the bank rate!
At six o'clock in the evening, Lu Feng called Feng Zhiyao. After the call was connected, Lu Feng said, "Zhiyao, it's me, Brother Feng. I've never asked you for anything, but now I have a favor to ask of you. Will you help me?"
Feng Zhiyao, on the other end of the phone, was startled, unsure of what was going on. He didn't dare to agree rashly, but tentatively asked, "Brother Feng, are you having any difficulties?"
“I’m not in trouble, but Hong Kong is. If you have US dollars, lend them to me to get through this!” Lu Feng briefly explained the situation and told him not to tell anyone.
Feng Zhiyao readily agreed, but he couldn't make decisions for Sun Hung Kai alone; he still needed to discuss it with the senior management. The problem shouldn't be too big.
The reason Lu Feng didn't make a big show of it and set a precedent to get the bigwigs to bring in US dollars to bail out the market was because he was afraid of leaking the news. If Wall Street heard even a little bit about Lu Feng raising funds, the Hong Kong dollar would be doomed.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Feng called his superior again, saying that he wanted to borrow money from Maha in the name of the state. Why not from Thailand? Because Thailand didn't have the money either.
After receiving initial permission, Lu Feng urged Maha's assistant to help report the matter. After waiting for half an hour, the call was finally connected. During the call, Lu Feng explained the general situation: he would personally cover the bridge toll, and the government would cover the rest. The money could be returned within five working days at most.
At first, Maha was somewhat reluctant, after all, his assets were all in Switzerland and no one had ever borrowed money from him before. Lu Feng asked for two billion US dollars out of the blue, and even the royal family couldn't afford to borrow so much.
“Prince Maha, have you ever heard of how the Qin state during the Warring States period gradually conquered the other six states? The Treatise on the Six States says, ‘Today you cede five cities, tomorrow you cede ten, and then you can rest for one night. When you rise and look around, the Qin army is already at your doorstep!’” Lu Feng said into the phone, “To put it bluntly, this money isn’t a loan to me; it’s to protect the Thai baht. If Wall Street breaches the Hong Kong dollar, won’t they retaliate against the Thai baht? The principle of ‘if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’ needs no further explanation, right?”
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