Chapter 243: Paid Service (6)
<The ‘Patriotic Investment Fever’ Sweeping Across China>
<20 Billion Dollars Poured into the National Rejuvenation Fund and the People's Currency Defense Fund...>
The moment I saw the headline, I couldn't help but smile.
‘Everything’s going according to plan.’
The patriotic investment fever currently sweeping China—this was actually part of a solution I had devised. ‘You can never underestimate the power of patriotism.’
I had experienced its power firsthand.
It reminded me of Korea’s gold-collection campaign during the IMF financial crisis.
Back then, my father willingly donated my mother’s gold necklace for the sake of the country—even though he’d never once hung the national flag on a holiday.
That’s what patriotism is.
Something people forget in daily life, but it flares up fiercely when faced with an ‘external enemy.’
It’s such a powerful force that it can even paralyze reason and compel people to part with their most precious possessions.
‘If it was that strong in Korea, imagine how intense it must be in China.’
China prides itself as an economic powerhouse.
Yet here it was, having suffered a crushing defeat in a financial war.
As a result, Chinese pride had taken a hit, and patriotism was spreading like wildfire among the people.
—Every country in the world attacked us, but we’re still ranked second.
—If things were fair, we’d already be number one.
—America had to rally the whole world because it couldn’t beat China alone. That’s how afraid they are of us.
—But the West always makes the same mistake: underestimating China.
Then and now, patriotism packs a punch.
‘Why let this go to waste?’
So I decided to harness that energy.
Following my advice, Chinese state media began referencing forced Western interventions and Korea’s gold-collection campaign, spreading the message that ‘we need patriotic investment too’ and fueling public sentiment.
That’s when they launched the ‘Patriotic Fund.’
Why not a gold drive?
Because China’s situation in 1997 was completely different from Korea’s.
‘They still have plenty of dollars.’
Back then, Korea’s foreign reserves had run dry, and gold was desperately needed.
But China still held over two trillion dollars in reserves.
So their fire wasn’t about foreign reserves.
It was about ‘capital flight.’
After recent events, foreign investors were dumping yuan assets, and even domestic corporations and the wealthy were starting to funnel money overseas.
What China really needed wasn’t to collect dollars—it was to lock money inside the country.
The ‘Patriotic Fund’ was designed exactly for that purpose.
In essence, it worked like this:
[China Rejuvenation Fund]
A Strong China—Built with Our Own Hands!
Investment: Chinese government bonds + strategic domestic projects
Duration: 10 years
[People’s Currency Defense Fund]
We Will Protect the Value of the Yuan!
Investment: Yuan-denominated bonds, gold, and FX reserve-linked assets
Duration: 5 years
The ‘Patriotic Fund’ only invested in yuan-based assets and forcibly locked up money long-term.
Early withdrawals were impossible, and even early termination came with harsh penalties...
<Patriotic Investment Boom! People’s Currency Defense Fund Hits 50 Billion Yuan Target Early>
<10 Million Subscribers Join the Chinese Economy Defense Fund>
Even so, it sold like crazy.
Social media was buzzing with investment proof posts.
—Just invested 10% of my salary in the People’s Rejuvenation Fund. (Screenshot)
—Even if the U.S. shakes our economy, we will rise together. 8,000 yuan invested in patriotic funds!
—While others buy designer bags, I invest in our nation's future.
—I just put half of our kids' college savings into the Currency Defense Fund! Because I know that the true future for our children lies in a strong nation...
Posting selfies and screenshots of small investments had become a trendy movement.
‘Not bad firepower.’
It’s a little different from the gold-collection campaign...
But the structure of the product isn’t the important part.
What matters here is just one thing:
The formation of a national atmosphere where ‘everyone must step up for their country.’
Of course, investments from average citizens alone can’t solve capital flight.
The real culprits behind large-scale transfers are corporations and the rich, not regular people.
Still.
This kind of social momentum is incredibly useful.
For example, it opens the door to launch ‘corporate patriotic funds’ as follow-ups.
Also, state media could publicly release the list of corporations joining the patriotic fund.
<Huaai Group Invests 22 Billion Yuan in ‘Yuan Stability Fund’... “Supporting the Chinese Economy”>
<Saw Electronics Contributes 510 Million Yuan to ‘China Industry Protection Fund’... “Safeguarding the Supply Chain”>
The media covered every contribution, no matter how small.
Then, companies not participating began to face criticism.
Social media posts like these started appearing more frequently:
—Today’s disappointment: Changdong… Why hasn’t a trillion-yuan revenue company joined the patriotic fund?
—Warning: These companies have yet to verify patriotic fund participation. Think twice before buying their products. #PatrioticCompanyList #ConsumeForTheNation
—Urgent Notice: The following companies have high foreign shareholder ratios and have NOT invested in the patriotic fund! (List attached)
When average citizens are doing their part, wealthy corporations doing nothing?
Of course they’d be shunned.
As signs of boycotts began to surface, companies rushed to join the patriotic fund.
This allowed us to effectively bind some of their capital within China.
Not only that, the patriotic investment wave made tightening regulations much easier.
<Government Lowers FX Outflow Limits Again... “Economic Stability is Top Priority”> <Considering Ban on Large Overseas Real Estate Investments... Total Block Except for Essential Purchases>
No one could oppose these new regulations.
As a result, capital outflow was being blocked in a fairly stable manner.
‘For just $500 million, this was more than worth it.’
Handling both cancer treatment and capital control strategy with that budget—Delphi Institute’s paid services had delivered immense value for China.
Just then, the waiting room door opened and a staff member peeked in.
“Sean! The set is ready.”
***
I was in the middle of a cover shoot for Time magazine.
We had already finished one concept, but since I was at the studio anyway, we decided to shoot one more set with a different concept.
As I headed to the set, the editor-in-chief—who had personally come on-site—approached me.
“I hope we didn’t push too tight a schedule on you. But since you’ll be even busier moving forward, I thought it would be better to get it all done in one go.”
Winking as he spoke, he added, “Unless something massive breaks, it looks like you’ll be on our April cover too.”
The April issue of Time is the ‘World’s Most Influential People’ special.
It wasn’t confirmed yet, but the implication was clear—I was being considered influential enough to top the world’s most powerful figures.
‘Well, I guess that makes sense.’
Right now, I was known as the man who brought China to its knees.
Anyway.
After the photo shoot, a brief interview followed.
“Did you know that ‘Sean’ is now being used as a verb these days?”
This was news to me.
“To ‘Sean’—to publicly engage in conflict and dominate the opponent, seize control of the atmosphere, humiliate them, or make a prophetic prediction that comes true...?”
“So many meanings—it sounds confusing to use.”
“It’s actually not too bad once you get used to it.
For example: ‘Our local pizza place launched a new item and totally Sean’ed the competition,’ or ‘I crammed for my exam last minute but got lucky and totally Sean’ed it.’”
There were plenty of amusing variations.
After giving me a few examples, the editor’s expression shifted.
“But of course, not all the news is good. What are your thoughts on being officially banned from entering China permanently?”
In China, I had officially become an enemy of the state.
Still, I simply shrugged and smiled.
“It’s a shame. I always wanted to see the Great Wall at least once.”
“You really don’t seem too worried. Aren’t you afraid of Chinese retaliation?”
I smiled and tilted my head slightly.
Toward the security detail waiting a few steps away.
But the editor laughed and waved it off.
"Not that kind of retaliation—I mean if they start pressuring you in your career or business."
Honestly, if China were determined to go after me, they absolutely could.
They could take extreme measures like banning any company I’ve invested in from entering the Chinese market.
But I wasn’t worried about that.
‘There’s no way a valuable client would go that far.’
After all, China recently subscribed to Delphi’s annual premium service.
Of course, there was a confidentiality clause that strictly forbade us from revealing it publicly.
“I think people are misunderstanding China. I truly don’t believe they’ll take things that far.”
“Huh, that’s unexpected. Then let me rephrase the question... Pareto Innovation has recently become one of the hottest funds. Do you have any specific criteria for hiring employees?”
“Criteria, hmm...”
I paused for a moment.
“Lately, adaptability is the most important quality.”
“Adaptability?”
“Yes, our office environment is... a bit unique. You need to be able to adapt to stick around.”
“What kind of environment are we talking about?”
I smiled and said,
“That’s a bit hard to explain in words.”
***
Back at Pareto Innovation after the shoot.
As soon as I walked in, all the employees jumped up from their seats.
One of them, Dobby, shouted out loud,
“Oh! Sean! You’re right on time!”
I glanced at the piece of art on my wrist...
It was 4 PM—market closing time.
“Today, you get to take the first glorious swing, Sean!”
Dobby led me to none other than an ATM machine.
It was something Gonzalez had acquired.
‘Where the hell does he even find stuff like this…’
Apparently, it had been purchased from a rural bank.
Where the bank’s logo should’ve been, it said “People’s Bank of China.”
“Come on! Quickly!”
Well, I had no reason to refuse.
I inserted the card Dobby handed me into the ATM, and a bundle of yuan popped out.
For reference, it was fake.
These guys had pre-loaded the machine with counterfeit yuan, and every day after market close, they held a sort of “yuan funeral.”
But today wasn’t a funeral.
“It’s an execution! Execution!”
Cheers erupted all over the office.
I turned my head...
A miniature guillotine was sitting on top of Gonzalez’s desk.
‘Seriously, where does he get this stuff?’
While I was still marveling, Dobby grabbed the freshly withdrawn fake yuan bundle and placed it beneath the guillotine blade.
“Off with its head!”
“It’s the end of the yuan!”
Thud!
The guillotine blade came down, slicing the stack clean in two.
The staff erupted in cheers, sweeping the shredded bills into a massive coffin in the middle of the office.
And there was one person watching the whole bizarre scene with extreme satisfaction...
That was Gonzalez.
‘That guy sure knows how to spend money creatively.’
Maybe people who were born rich just naturally get bored of ordinary luxuries.
I watched the strange ritual for a while before eventually losing interest and turning away.
As I headed toward the CEO’s office, I saw a guest waiting inside.
It was none other than Gerrard.
“Is your office always this... festive?”
Gerrard asked, staring at the guillotine spectacle through the glass wall.
I shrugged.
“Well, it was a pretty special occasion—worth commemorating.”
Truthfully, the staff must have been pretty nervous during the war.
Good thing we won.
If we had lost?
They wouldn't have just lost money—they could’ve ended up blacklisted by China, ruining their whole lives.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to give people a little fun to help them keep going.”
Gerrard looked conflicted.
He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
“Did things really have to escalate this much?”
Then he quickly added,
“Not that I’m complaining—it’s just... it all got way out of hand.”
I get it.
This whole ordeal started as a project to make Gerrard the CEO.
From his perspective, he had just asked me to help him secure the throne of a small kingdom.
But I dragged in global powers and sparked an international financial war.
The world flipped upside down because of him—of course he’d be shaken.
In fact, throughout the war, he called me several times a day to ask for updates.
He was so persistent, I had to block him at one point.
Gerrard sighed and continued.
“If I’d known it would blow up like this, I wouldn’t have asked. I thought we could resolve it more quietly…”
“There was, of course, a quieter way.”
“Huh? Then why didn’t you...?”
Actually, there were plenty of quiet ways to handle it.
I just didn’t choose any of them.
For a simple reason.
‘Why bother?’
I already said this, didn’t I?
A kingmaker doesn’t act for the prince’s happiness.
I was just helping Gerrard while pursuing the path that benefitted me the most.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Anyway, I got straight to the point.
“The fact that you’re here at this hour means tomorrow’s meeting probably won’t go smoothly.”
Tomorrow is the quarterly Marquis family council meeting.
That’s when the proposal to appoint Gerrard as permanent CEO would be officially introduced.
It needed a majority vote to pass, which meant securing the support of at least one of his uncles.
“Is your eldest uncle still opposed?”
I asked, puzzled.
I had already made it clear to him: “Delphi stands behind Gerrard.”
Considering what Delphi had just demonstrated, I assumed he’d back Gerrard without a second thought.
“Well… he’s actually against it. Said we shouldn’t partner with someone that insane—I mean, dangerous…”
So it had backfired.
That was definitely problematic.
Without his eldest uncle’s vote, I couldn’t keep my promise.
Still, it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.
I glanced at the art on my wrist.
“Does he stay up late?”
“Huh?”
“I was thinking of visiting him right now.”
“Right now?”
I gave a wide smile and nodded slowly.
“Yeah. Looks like a little persuasion is in order.”