Chapter 76: Huge Harvest
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Take me to meet a few traders,” Ling Chen led Zhou Chao and the others toward the conference room.
“These days, have all the supplies and necessities been prepared?” Zhou Chao asked as they walked, turning to Ling Chen at his side.
“Everything is ready, boss. You can rest assured.”
“Good.” Zhou Chao nodded slightly.
Pushing open the conference room doors, they saw four men in their thirties chatting.
As Ling Chen entered with his companions, the group immediately recognized the boss’s presence. Since Ling Chen had given them a heads-up, their surprise was tempered. Although they were momentarily startled by the sight of the boss, they swiftly composed themselves.
“Alright, everyone, take a seat. Are the confidentiality agreements ready, Ling Chen?” Ling Chen took out nine copies of the confidentiality agreements from his bag and distributed them to the eight people, including himself and Lin Wu. Each individual received the agreement, quickly skimmed through its contents, and affixed their signature. With their close-knit bond, the group had no intentions of disclosing any details. After all, the majority present were insiders. Ling Chen promptly gathered the contracts thereafter.
Zhou Chao turned his attention to the traders. “Have you updated your families and submitted reports? If not, please do so without delay. For the next two days, avoid any communication with the outside world.”
“Boss, we’ve already told our families that we’ll be working overtime,” one of the traders said.
“Alright, hand over your phones. We’ll have a meeting later.” Lin Wu swiftly collected everyone’s phones, of course, except for Zhou Chao’s.
“Let’s keep it brief. Just remember it in your heads.”
“Tonight, we’ll short a certain American stock. We’ve currently gathered 1.1 billion US dollars for this. I hope you won’t disappoint me. During this time, someone will accompany you to the bathroom, for meals, and even while sleeping. After this matter is concluded, each of you present here will receive a million. Of course, you traders will have additional bonuses. Do you understand?”
“We understand, boss,” the traders smiled. Even Lin Wu and the others couldn’t help but smile upon hearing about the bonuses.
“Rest for now; we’re in for a night of hard work.” Zhou Chao then turned and left.
At 9 o’clock in the evening, as it was winter, the US stock market opened half an hour later than in summer. By now, the trading room was fully prepared. The four traders were awaiting Zhou Chao’s orders. Around 200 accounts had been registered through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and were ready to be used.
Second by second, time passed until 930.
“Everyone, immediately short Coca-Cola. 2ox leverage. Enter with 200 accounts from various financial institutions. Place all of them with sell orders.” With 2ox leverage, around 20 billion, Zhou Chao believed he would take a chunk from Coca-Cola.
The trading room was suddenly filled with clicking and clacking sounds.
Meanwhile, at Coca-Cola’s headquarters, chaos had ensued. A multitude of sell orders appeared in the stock market, causing many uninformed retail investors to panic and sell. The trading room buzzed with various voices.
At Coca-Cola headquarters, Harris discovered that someone was absorbing a substantial amount of funds from the stock market. As a seasoned trader, he quickly realized that a big player was shorting their stock. Harris immediately dialed his boss’s number.
“Boss, I need funds. If you don’t provide them soon, the company’s stocks will plummet.” As a top trader for Coca-Cola, Harris’s available funds were running low, and he urgently needed the company’s cash flow support.
“Rest assured, Harris. We have sufficient funds. This is just a minor disturbance, nothing to worry about,” the president’s nonchalant voice came through. However, Harris couldn’t shake off his ominous premonition.
Meanwhile, on Wall Street, which had just started its workday, a storm was brewing. Various investment banks and financial institutions began to stir, as such a significant injection of funds into the stock market naturally piqued their interest. Numerous short sellers were poised to strike.
The clock struck midnight, with four hours left until closing. Zhou Chao had already invested $12 billion through continuous funding, market manipulation, and further funding. Coca-Cola had urgently mobilized an additional $20 billion to support its position. At the same time, the stock price had dropped from its original $55-63 to $54-73, a drop of nearly a point.
Both sides in the stock market were engaged in a tug-of-war. It wasn’t until 3 in the morning that Coca-Cola’s crisis worsened when Cristiano Ronaldo’s action in front of numerous reporters sent the stock plunging further. Many retail investors panicked and sold their stocks.
Wall Street’s investment banks and financial giants saw an opportunity and launched an attack on Coca-Cola. A tumultuous atmosphere enveloped the entire stock market.
Coca-Cola attempted to mitigate the damage with various announcements and public relations efforts, but it was futile. The aggressive short sellers descended upon Coca-Cola like a pack of wolves.
By half past four in the morning, just before the closing bell, Coca-Cola had dropped by 5.4%. Zhou Chao and his team had fully exited their positions. At that moment, they were basking in the fruits of their victory.
This time, Zhou Chao had amassed nearly $6 billion. The four traders in the trading room were exhausted, slumping in their chairs. The night had been exceptionally exhilarating.
All the funds, channeled through different financial institutions, ultimately flowed into the company’s accounts. Zhou Chao transferred his profits, bank loans, and interest to his bank account. His balance had reached $13 billion, while the company’s accounts held over $32 billion.
Zhou Chao clapped his hands and said, “You all worked hard today. Rest now; we’ll distribute rewards tomorrow.”
“Yeah!” Everyone was exceptionally cheerful. Wang Feng and the others were already numb, witnessing their boss amass $6 billion USD in less than a day, all thanks to his incredible determination.
This time, Zhou Chao’s exploits in the stock market frenzy translated to around $6 billion USD, approximately converting to over $38 billion RMB. It could now be asserted that his investment firm possessed the highest amount of liquid capital within the domestic market.
Unbeknownst to Zhou Chao, many financial institutions and investment banks on Wall Street were searching for the first company to initiate the shorting of Coca-Cola. While Zhou Chao had planned meticulously, some astute individuals managed to detect subtle clues.
“Boss, we’ve investigated thoroughly. This mysterious fund originates from Huaxia,” Soros listened to his subordinate’s report, nodded, and didn’t inquire further. After all, he had experienced a major setback in the enigmatic oriental country.
Morgan Stanley and Warren Buffett also received similar reports, but eventually, the matter faded away.
The group slept until past 1 o’clock the next afternoon. Seeing the expectant looks in their eyes, Zhou Chao didn’t say much. He led everyone straight to the conference room.
“Ling Chen, please summarize.”
“Sure, boss. This time, we invested a total of $6.6 billion and successfully gained over $38 billion. Among that, your initial investment was over $1.2 billion. After deducting your principal, profits, loans, and interest, you have a total of $13 billion. The current balance in our accounts is over $31 billion.”
“Alright, as promised, each of you will receive a million. Pass me your account details; I’ll transfer it to you. Secondly, for you four traders, there’s an additional bonus of $5 million each.”
“Yeah!” The four traders jumped up, having worked hard through the night and now gaining $5 million. Anyone would be thrilled in their shoes.
Seeing the joyful group, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s the matter, Lin Wu? If you have something to say, just say it.” Zhou Chao looked at Lin Wu standing beside him, hesitating to speak.
“Boss, we haven’t really done much, so isn’t this bonus a bit…” Lin Wu didn’t even finish his sentence before Zhou Chao interrupted.
“Take it when it’s offered. The company will need you in the future. Alright, this matter is settled.” Lin Wu didn’t say more after Zhou Chao’s response. However, Lin Wu and the three others behind him looked even more determined.
After dividing the funds among the team, Zhou Chao observed their excitement and felt compelled to issue a reminder, “Let’s put today’s events behind us. I’d prefer not to hear any rumors or external disturbances. Are we clear?”
“We understand.” A resounding chorus filled the conference room.
“Hush, can’t you all lower your voices?” Zhou Chao pressed his ears.
“Hahaha!” Ling Chen and the others burst into laughter.
“Let’s go, back home.” Zhou Chao then left the conference room..