Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

A week flew by in a flurry of activity.

Jiang Haoran sent the final version of the meticulously crafted and data-rich report, "Multi-dimensional Analysis of the Soybean Meal Market and Construction of Position Building Strategies," to Chen Jingge.

A concise reply: "Received, I've already verified it on-site. Keep communication channels open."

The progress on campus is going more smoothly than expected.

My several exchanges with Professor Wu Weizhen have long since moved beyond the stage of simply students asking questions.

When class ended on Friday, Professor Wu deliberately slowed down a few steps, waited for Jiang Haoran to finish packing his things, and then took out a not-too-thick folder from his briefcase and handed it to him.

He said in a very casual tone, "There are some minutes from internal seminars here that haven't been made public. The industry case studies discussed there match the analytical framework you mentioned earlier. Take a look; it might give you some inspiration."

Jiang Haoran accepted it and thanked him. The two walked side by side out of the college building, and Professor Wu casually remarked, "Your way of thinking and the solid foundation you have are unlike those of an ordinary undergraduate."

"Have you considered pursuing a master's degree directly after graduating with your bachelor's degree, and delving deeper into industrial economics or financial engineering? I have some interesting research topics every year."

Jiang Haoran understood the implication in those words.

This is not just about providing some materials; it's a clear signal that this professor, who is influential in both academia and industry, has seen his potential and is willing to offer him a ladder to advancement in academia.

Jiang Haoran answered confidently, "Thank you, Professor. I have indeed been considering this and am making preparations. It would certainly be a rare opportunity to learn from you."

The feedback from Professor Sun Zhigang of the School of Materials Science and Engineering was also officially transmitted through his assistant.

Professor Sun carefully read the analysis section of his report on the evolution path and cost reduction curve of monocrystalline silicon wafer technology, and was particularly interested in his deduction of the key "critical point" assumption for monocrystalline to replace polycrystalline and the underlying process basis.

"He has a clear grasp of the inherent logic of technological iteration and a sensitivity to industry turning points that surpasses that of the average student," Professor Sun said.

Therefore, Professor Sun formally invited him to participate in the research group's subsequent thematic seminar on "Technological Evolution and Industrialization Bottlenecks of Crystalline Silicon Materials," and he could start by observing the seminar.

The invitation was still worded with scholarly caution and politeness, but the underlying meaning was different.

This means that Professor Sun no longer sees him as an undergraduate who has only submitted good assignments, but as a "potential candidate" who may understand and even participate in discussions on cutting-edge technologies.

Even just "listening in" is the first step into a circle that truly focuses on core R&D in materials and devices. It is a valuable ticket to get in touch with the prototype of future technology roadmaps and to establish initial connections with R&D personnel who may determine the direction of the industry.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Haoran immediately asked his assistant to convey his sincere gratitude and affirmative reply.

For him, this is not just an academic interest, but a crucial step in connecting the technological trends proven in his previous life with the top R&D resources of this life.

All the clues were progressing quietly along the path he had set, even more smoothly than he had anticipated. This rhythm of having everything under control gave Jiang Haoran a long-lost sense of calm and pleasure, a feeling that belonged to a hunter.

Chen Jingge made a trip and brought back news that confirmed Jiang Haoran's idea.

Chen Jingge's first stop was a medium-sized feed mill that supplied feed to two large-scale farms in southern Jiangsu.

Instead of contacting the boss, I went directly to the warehouse manager, offered him a cigarette, and chatted about the market.

Inside the warehouse, the soybean meal stacks were lower and sparser than Chen Jinge had expected, and large areas of the concrete floor were empty, with only some bulldozer tracks remaining.

The supervisor pointed to the empty space and said, "In previous years, this area would have been piled up long ago at this time. Now, firstly, the output is quite fast, and secondly, people dare not hoard soybeans because the price changes every day."

"The key issue is that if you want to stock up, the upstream traders are all hesitant and can't give a stable delivery commitment. They all say it depends on the shipping schedule."

"We're considered lucky here. Some smaller factories are reportedly running out of beans and about to shut down. They have to find beans as needed, which puts them at a disadvantage in terms of price."

Immediately afterwards, Chen Jingge drove to a large grain and oil port near Shanghai and, through old connections, entered the bonded storage area.

Chen Jingge contacted acquaintances and used his connections to find a familiar dispatcher. He entered the office and glanced at the electronic shipping schedule on the office wall.

The list of soybean vessels arriving in Hong Kong over the next fifteen days is indeed conspicuously sparse, with several berths that should have been occupied marked as "pending" or "postponed".

The dispatcher lowered his voice and said, "Mr. Chen, as you can see, the shipments from South America are almost finished, but there's still no sign of the new American soybeans."

"We're selling more than we're buying, and many of our long-term clients are urging us to release more stock, so we're under a lot of pressure."

The most crucial evidence came from some "informal" channels.

While chatting and smoking with some familiar transport drivers in the dock rest area, the drivers complained that recently, the unit price for short-haul delivery of soybean meal to inland feed mills has not increased much, but the waiting time for loading has obviously increased, sometimes waiting at the port for most of the day.

"It seems like the warehouse is picking up goods more slowly than before. I heard that some goods were 'numbered' before they were even unloaded from the ship, and the bills of lading are being processed very quickly."

Another old colleague who works as a cargo handler at the port chimed in, saying, "Just a few days ago, several groups of unfamiliar people from trading companies came to look at the goods. The quantities weren't large, but they offered quick prices and specifically asked about spot goods that could be picked up soon."

After piecing together information from various sources, the conclusion is crystal clear: inventory at the end of the industrial chain is extremely low, the distribution links in the midstream are already secretly accumulating liquidity, and there is a visible shortage at the source of supply.

The entire spot market is like a taut hose that is being slowly drained.

"The situation might be a bit more urgent than the report says." On the phone, Chen Jingge's voice was tired from traveling, but his tone was very firm.

"It's not a question of whether there will be a shortage, it's that things are already a bit tight. Your assessment is correct."

"Judging from the spot market situation, the logic behind the rise in soybean meal prices has been established."

Chen Jingge's voice was steady on the phone: "Now we just need a clear signal from the production area. I've read your report carefully; the logic is sound, and some of the risks were even more comprehensive than I had thought of."

"Uncle, what should we do now?" Jiang Haoran asked, holding his phone on the dormitory balcony. The campus was quiet in the distance.

"Do it." Chen Jingge's answer was just one word, "But follow your plan, in batches, and control the position size."

"The first investment will be made near the lower edge of the 'positioning range' you mentioned in your report. Since you're at school, don't silence your phone; we'll keep in touch regarding the specifics of the operation."

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Haoran walked back to his desk.

The login screen for the futures account has opened.

Jiang Haoran did not hesitate and logged into the securities account that his uncle had helped him open.

Inside is "Keelung Shares," which Jiang Haoran recently bought using his accumulated New Year's money as principal.

I held onto this money for a while and made a small profit.

He decisively liquidated his positions yesterday, and today the funds are available. He withdrew a total of over 140,000 yuan, including principal and interest.

This sum, plus the 15,000 yuan that Fatty Li helped return a few days ago, brings the total principal to over 150,000 yuan.

He checked the amount and then transferred all of this initial capital, which he had complete control over, into the newly opened futures account.

He directly pulled up the chart of the soybean meal 1301 contract, and today's price is fluctuating slightly within a narrow range of 3060-3075.

This is it. Without the slightest hesitation, as if executing a program he had practiced countless times, he entered a buy order when the price jumped to 3060 points.

With over 150,000 yuan in the account, the leverage was maximized to the extreme, based on the agreed minimum margin ratio of 5%.

He had calculated it clearly: at this price, this amount of capital was sufficient to support him in establishing a long position of 100 lots. Instructions confirmed, order placed.

A transaction notification flashed on the screen. In just a few seconds, the account status changed: the position details clearly listed "100 lots of long positions in soybean meal 1301", and the available funds were instantly depleted, almost all of which were converted into margin.

Jiang Haoran stared at the screen, his face expressionless, only a faint glint of a hunter's sharpness flashing deep in his eyes after locking onto a target.

This is not arrogance, but a necessary move based on memories of past lives and rigorous verification in this life.

The snowball will start rolling from here.

Everything is ready. The real hunt is about to begin.