Chapter 1386 - 1380: The Merchant
Jon said, "So, we believe that the current high price of iron ore is being artificially maintained. However, as China and other major steel companies compromise, such prices will gradually be accepted by default, and by that time, we'll really have no chance."
Lin Chuan suddenly realized their plan, "So, you intend to act before they stabilize the iron ore prices and bring them down?"
"That's right!" Chen said excitedly, "This time we're making a sudden move, and I think both the South Australian government and their companies will be caught off guard. Plus, their foundation was greatly depleted last time, and although they have received supplementary funds from China in the past two months, it's far from recovering their previous losses. It's the perfect time for us to act!"
Lin Chuan suggested, "If that's the case, we might as well contact domestic steel companies again and have them follow suit. As long as we can create a gap, they can make up for the short-selling, driving the iron ore prices down more sharply, and we can profit more."
Francis gave a thumbs up, "In your Chinese saying, this is 'great minds think alike,' we also had this idea and have already made contact in your country through Chen.
Lin Chuan finally understood. It seemed their eagerness to draw him "into the fold" had a true motive hidden within!
However, this time he was willing to be a 'pawn' for them, considering it would greatly benefit the domestic steel industry.
"Alright, I can use my relationships domestically to help you establish contacts, and we can all cooperate in action," Lin Chuan said with a smile.
After settling the matter, Francis and the others clearly became more cordial towards Lin Chuan.
However, Lin Chuan wouldn't let them reap the benefits effortlessly and immediately suggested they persuade some United States steel companies to participate in this action as well.
Although now the United States' demand for iron ore has significantly shrunk, it still plays an indispensable role in the international market. Plus, having forces from the United States involved could exert certain pressure on South Australia.
After brief discussions, Francis and the others felt there were no major issues, and both sides reached a consensus.
It's surprising that such a loose organization can coordinate such a significant action. Lin Chuan realized his previous judgment of it was somewhat off; this society's organizational capabilities are indeed stunning.
Perhaps in the future, he could also leverage these organization members for his own benefit, of course, provided he can offer them sufficiently enticing prospects.
Anyway, establishing good relations is never a mistake now.
He's now quite familiar with "Chen." His earlier suspicions were correct; Chen is indeed of Chinese descent, though he lost his Chinese citizenship from his parent's generation.
His real name is Chen Zhenyang, operating an investment company in the United States, which has grown to a modest scale—achieving "modest scale" in the financial kingdom of the United States is already slightly ahead of Lin Chuan's Sichuan University Group.
Of course, this superiority only pertains to investments. If considering Sichuan University Group's strengths in the electronics and pharmaceutical industries, Chen Zhenyang wouldn't suffice.
Due to family connections, Chen Zhenyang also has some network relationships in East Lu Province, though unrelated to Coastal City for now.
Furthermore, Chen Zhenyang's personality is relatively outgoing and open, friendly, which aligns with Lin Chuan. After a few days of interaction, they have developed into friends.
Through the Red Tea Society, Lin Chuan has gained a clearer understanding of the United States' financial sector.
In domestic analyses of U.S. capitalists, there's a saying that they dare to go to extreme lengths for enough profit.
This statement is somewhat biased. In fact, as a mature legal state, unless they can find loopholes at a legal level, most actions are more law-abiding than domestic enterprises.
Moreover, it's undeniable that a considerable portion of U.S. entrepreneurs are quite responsible, dedicating significant resources in the public welfare field and protecting their company's image.
However, if this comment is applied to the financial sector, it isn't too unfair.
They rarely engage in illegal activities, yet they truly use any means necessary for profit.
Of course, people like Francis are somewhat disapproving of such behavior; otherwise, its members wouldn't be relatively conservative investors—conservative relative to the mainstream in the current U.S. financial sector.
Many financial industry figures knowingly engage in higher leverage with significant risk, yet they still desperately sell those high-leveraged financial products, not merely for performance.
It's because once you're involved with such high-leverage financial products, you enter the gambling table, and if you want to avoid losing everything, you must keep upping your stakes until you've brought your opponent down.
The most ironic part is that even if you bring your opponent down, the losses and even debt defaults caused by doing so will damage the entire market, eventually dragging the winner down too!
There's a saying often quoted for those irresponsible people: "After I'm gone, who cares if floods engulf the world." But even these people have some foresight; at least they know the collapse mustn't occur until after they're gone, preserving stability as long as possible.
Yet the financial community people, blinded by short-term profits, completely ignore this massive risk, even deceiving themselves by hiring numerous financial experts to promote a prosperity never seen in decades.
Claiming that under "modern" and "mature" financial systems, the financial crises of the past have been fundamentally overcome. In other words, hurry into the financial market! It's a sure win! And although financial leverage is significant, it has been "scientifically designed" without any issues!
Over time, they'll probably have obscured even their own eyes!
Having realized this, Lin Chuan decisively chose to limit interactions with the U.S. financial sector to just this Red Tea Society, absolutely avoiding deeper connections; otherwise, during a crisis, he might also get swept away.
The only pity is in the Japan market issue; he can't find allies for now, and relying on Sichuan University Group's strength alone cannot contend against Japan's national capital—it's after all, the second-largest foreign exchange reserve country following China.
At this moment, Lin Chuan lazily leaned against the bedhead, holding Tang Yumeng's snow-white body against him.
Here in the United States, they finally finished their business affairs and went out for a day of fun, unexpectedly encountering a cold spell in North America! The cold wave here in the United States is far beyond anything domestically!
Without east-west mountain ranges blocking it, the cold wave can directly sweep across the entire North American continent overnight from the polar regions! Leaving you unprepared!
Finally having some alone time, it was like dry wood meeting a raging fire. This long period of longing instantly erupted.
Lin Chuan caressed Tang Yumeng's smooth bare back, thoroughly enjoying this sensation, which psychologically stimulates some human gene, transforming one into a beast instantly.
After the passion subsided, Tang Yumeng's face was still flushed as she leaned against Lin Chuan and said, "Lin Chuan, I'm finding it harder to understand you now; it feels like you've turned into another person."
Lin Chuan was taken aback and asked, "Why do you feel that way?"
Tang Yumeng replied, "I feel like you've become a thorough businessman."
Lin Chuan thought for a while, and laughed freely.
Yes, he had become overly fascinated with rapid development strategies due to Sichuan University's previous rapid expansion.
"Yumeng, there's a truth in this world—only the strong rule, so only when Sichuan University is powerful will no one dare to target you. Therefore, I have to make Sichuan University strong," Lin Chuan gave Tang Yumeng a kiss and said.
Tang Yumeng gazed at Lin Chuan with deep affection, saying, "Lin Chuan, isn't our rapid expansion a bit too much..."
With that, Tang Yumeng paused, and Lin Chuan asked, "Oh? What's the matter?"
"It's about the steel companies last time," Tang Yumeng said somewhat gloomily, "At the time, people naturally sided with China, believing China's current monopolistic market position should suffice to pressure South Australia. Unexpectedly, it ended like this! I've never been embarrassed like that before!"
Lin Chuan feigned indignation, "What? They actually dared to let my dear wife suffer? They're lucky they don't bother living anymore. Don't worry, this time I'll definitely avenge you."
Tang Yumeng saw Lin Chuan's antics and giggled, patting him, "Alright, stop clowning around. Remember that South Australia's two major iron ore companies are very powerful in their monopoly. If they indeed choose to hold, it's not that easy to bring them down."
"Hmm, I know; fortunately this time we have many helpers. If it truly is as they say, the previous conflict has consumed South Australia and its companies' funds significantly, then we have a great chance of succeeding this time!"
"Hmm, I certainly believe in my husband's capabilities. By the way," Tang Yumeng seemed to remember something and hesitated, "Lin Chuan, someone approached me about something, but I'm not sure if I should tell you."
Lin Chuan was puzzled; Tang Yumeng usually isn't procrastinating, curious about what it was, he playfully said, "Go ahead, as long as it's from dear wife, I'll agree to anything."
Tang Yumeng rolled her eyes at him but felt sweet inside upon hearing this.
Lin Chuan smiled and pulled Tang Yumeng into his arms; the slick feeling reignited his fire, but he quickly suppressed it, saying, "Yumeng, it's not that I'm afraid of others knowing our relationship. It's that I'm worried they might exploit this relationship."