Starting with a fully invested A-share portfolio to become a capital...

Chapter 14: Did Zhang Yang lead the cheating?

Beijing, China.

Huazhong University of Finance and Economics.

Huacai University is a national "Double First-Class" university and a "Project 211" university, and is known as the cradle of financial and management experts in China.

In the second round of academic evaluation that began in 2006, its economics, investment, and finance programs were rated A+.

What is professional rating?

This rating is based on the scores of the subjects applied for by universities, and A+ majors can be understood as top-tier majors.

For example, East China University of Political Science and Law is neither a 985 nor a 211 university, but it is one of the members of the "Five Institutes and Four Departments". Its recognition in the field of law can be said to far surpass that of most comprehensive universities that are 985 or 211.

The same is true for Huazhong University of Finance and Economics; its investment graduates are highly sought after by top securities firms every year.

The "national team" that stock market investors often talk about mostly comes from Huazhong Financial.

Meanwhile, at Huazhong University of Finance and Economics, Professor Shi Xinrong, an investment professor, was frowning and muttering to himself, "It's really strange that the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics students have outperformed us in the simulated trading competition."

Although they do not compete with students from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics for internships at Huaxin Securities, the annual Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition is a preliminary test open to all finance and economics colleges and universities, and it is related to the ranking of finance and economics majors.

Shi Xinrong considered Tsinghua University, Peking University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, and even C9 League universities, but he never expected that Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, a B+ university, could outperform all the others.

It's worth noting that Shanghai University of Finance and Economics' investment program has always been unremarkable; in the first assessment of the discipline, the state only gave it a B+ rating.

"strangeness!"

"How strange!"

Shi Xinrong couldn't understand it.

They have the best students, the strongest finance faculty, and the most educational resources; there's no reason they should lose to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

While Shi Xinrong was still puzzled, Peng Ge, Dean of the School of Finance at Huazhong University of Finance and Economics and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, walked into the office, holding a black thermos in his hand.

What is Xinrong thinking about?

Peng Ge greeted them first, then went to the water dispenser to get some water.

"Dean."

Once he came to his senses, Shi Xinrong quickly stood up and told him what he was thinking.

"Just now, the financial group was buzzing with news that the graduating class of investment majors from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics had achieved returns far exceeding those of other financial universities in the 'Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition.' The first-place winner achieved a return of 42.4% in just 20 trading days, and nearly 30 others broke the 25% mark."

"So outrageous?"

Peng Ge's eyes flashed with surprise.

He turned off the water dispenser, found a random spot to sit down, and asked, "What's our top-performing company in terms of returns?"

"Our top-performing return is Yu Tianyou's 36.17%, but it's a full 6% lower than his," Shi Xinrong replied quickly.

"So far behind?"

Peng Ge's brows furrowed slightly, almost unconsciously.

The fact that Huazhong University of Finance and Economics' investment program received an A+ rating is not only due to its excellent student body and strong faculty, but most importantly, it is because of the presence of this academician of finance.

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics?

To be honest, apart from accounting, no other subject catches Peng Ge's eye.

"Although he is lagging behind quite a bit, Yu Tianyou's return of 36.17% has already broken the best performance in previous years. After 13 trading days, he will definitely break the 50% mark."

Shi Xinrong defended himself.

Yu Tianyou is his prized student and the top scorer in Hangzhou's college entrance examination. His talent and ability are beyond question.

"We must urge the students to work harder; we can't let them fall behind."

Peng Ge seemed to be implying something.

For someone of his stature, his strength is beyond question, but what he fears most is his disciples embarrassing him.

There's a joke in the medical community that a certain academician had already retired from surgery, but then his apprentice called to say that he couldn't handle the situation and that it was extremely urgent, so the top medical academician, who was supposed to retire, was brought back to perform the surgery.

The apprentice can afford to lose face, but the master cannot!
"I told them to work harder."

Shi Xinrong nodded slightly.

He would not allow Huazhong University of Finance and Economics to be surpassed; he had to defend the school's honor.

……

And on the other side.

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

Wang Xingbang, Chen Jiafa, Chang Botao, and other professors of investment studies unanimously decided to go out for a couple of drinks tonight to celebrate.

However, just after they booked a private room at the hotel, Tao Yuang called Wang Xingbang's Nokia phone to inquire.

Why did Yu'ang suddenly call me?

Wang Xingbang inquired. "It's like this, Professor Wang," Tao Yuang hesitated, but since it concerned his own interests, he still voiced his concerns:

"Is it possible that our junior students in the investment program this year shared answers in their mock trading results?"

He spoke in a very subtle way, but he had already conveyed the meaning he wanted to express.

Although he promised that the top ten in the "Huaxin Securities Simulated Trading Competition" would be able to intern at Huaxin Securities, he was taking a risk. If ten mediocre people were admitted, he might have to leave Huaxin Securities himself.

"What are you saying? Does it mean that there's something fishy about our better performance at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics?" Wang Xingbang clearly disliked Tao Yuang's words, and his tone was tinged with anger.

"No no no."

Tao Yuang quickly denied it, and then said, "Professor Wang, you know that the recommender and the recommended person are connected. I also want to be careful so as not to give others cause for gossip."

"Alright, alright, I understand. I'll check it over the next couple of days and get back to you then." Wang Xingbang hung up the phone immediately, his expression turning extremely gloomy.

"what happened?"

Chang Botao sensed something was wrong and quickly asked what was wrong.

"It's nothing, it's just that Tao Yuang thinks we cheated as a group and that our mock test scores are inflated." Wang Xingbang recounted the whole story, his tone becoming increasingly unfriendly.

He was known for being fiercely protective of his students and couldn't stand anyone looking down on them.

He had just finished speaking when he looked at Chang Botao, Chen Jiafa, and the other main subject teachers and asked, "Do you know the hidden story behind this?"

"Um…"

Chang Botao thought for a moment and said, "Something interesting has happened recently."

"what's up?"

Wang Xingbang and Chen Jiafa spoke in unison.

Other professors of investment studies also perked up, waiting for the next installment.

You know Zhang Yang, right?

"I know, the top student who's number one in his major."

No sooner had Chang Botao finished asking than a professor eagerly answered.

The former nodded in affirmation and continued, "As far as I know, the reason he hasn't been trading recently is because he's been making market research reports to provide to other students for trading."

"what?"

"what?"

The professors were taken aback.

Wang Xingbang's heart skipped a beat, and a look of sudden realization flashed in his eyes.

"No wonder, no wonder this year's students' mock exam scores are record-breaking, it turns out someone provided them with market intelligence!"

"Does this... count as cheating?"

"I don't think so. Isn't buying market research reports a very common investment aid?"

"But the problem is that others don't think that way. Teachers and students from other universities will think that we can't take a joke and that we're letting top students share the answers to improve the overall ranking of our schools."

"Tch, who cares about them!"

Inside the investment studies office, the professors were divided on their opinions.

Some people think research reports shouldn't be used, while others think they can.

Wang Xingbang believes that market research reports should not be used because they are not conducive to cultivating students' information gathering skills.

“He doesn’t provide it for free; it seems to be 30 yuan per serving. I estimate he’s already made several thousand yuan,” Chang Botao added.

"You even made a profit?"

"How can this possibly make money!"

What exactly is Zhang Yang trying to do?

The professors were startled again and began to discuss the matter.

"Perhaps I should have a talk with him and tell him to stop acting so recklessly." Wang Xingbang said in a low voice, glancing at the other professors as if asking for their opinions.

next second.

The professors all expressed their opinions.

“I think we should let him tone it down. After all, this is a competition, and his profiting from selling research reports undermines the fairness of the competition.”

"There is no fairness in the financial market. I believe that not only should we not stop it, but we should also increase our support for it!"

"Well said, I support it!"

“You have to consider the impact. If other universities find out, it will be a laughing stock. This Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition is like a mini-exam in the industry, involving thousands of students.”

The professors still had differing opinions, and after much hesitation, Wang Xingbang decided to find time to ask Zhang Yang about the specifics.

(End of this chapter)