Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

"I've read the agreement carefully more than a dozen times. The structure, clauses, details... it's all very professional. It's not something someone your age could write," Zhou Mingyu said in surprise.

"I asked Professor Wu and a senior from the law school for help," Jiang Haoran said.

"I know," Zhou Mingyu said. "Shen Mo, the lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. I asked around, and he's quite capable, but for someone so young to come up with this kind of collaboration is truly remarkable."

He opened the agreement and pointed to a page: "What were you thinking when you designed this structure?"

Jiang Haoran put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"You didn't choose the conventional operation cooperation, where I provide the capital and you provide the operation, and we collect management fees plus performance-based commissions," Zhou Mingyu said, frowning.

"At the same time, this model is the safest for traders, guaranteeing profits regardless of market conditions."

"But the interests of the traders and the safety of the funds are not closely linked, so I changed my approach," Jiang Haoran said frankly.

"I'll contribute five million as subordinated capital. If there's a loss, it'll be mine first. I won't take a penny of management fees, I'll only take a share."

Jiang Haoran paused briefly, his gaze remaining unwavering.

"In this way, my interests are completely tied to yours. Only if I make money for you will I get a share. The more money I make, the more I get. Of course, your profits will also increase accordingly."

"But all the risks are on your side." Zhou Mingyu stared at him. "If you lose money, your five million probably won't last long."

"That's right." Jiang Haoran replied quickly, "So I have no way out but to go all out. Putting my funds on the line is the most reliable form of risk control."

His words revealed an almost arrogant certainty.

That wasn't recklessness, but rather the confidence to put the chips on the table after carefully calculating every step.

Zhou Mingyu remained silent for a moment.

The private room was silent for a few seconds. Faint chirping of insects came from outside the window.

"You are very confident," Zhou Mingyu said slowly.

"It's not confidence, it's that I've figured it out." Jiang Haoran said, as he pulled the investment strategy framework out of the file bag, casually turned it on the table, and pushed it in front of the other person.

"This is my analytical framework. Commodity futures are just one part of it; the core is judging macroeconomic cycles and industry trends."

Zhou Mingyu took it and quickly flipped through it. Five pages, logically clear, covering everything from asset allocation to risk control design.

"The framework is good, but it's a bit too general," Zhou Mingyu said directly.

"I will gradually unfold the specific strategies after the cooperation is finalized," Jiang Haoran replied calmly.

The next thought remained in my mind; after all, the cooperation wasn't finalized yet, and I couldn't reveal all my cards.

He then took out the stack of self-made market charts and spread them out on the table one by one.

"But I can show you these—these are traces of my past combat experience."

"This is the daily candlestick chart for the soybean meal 1301 contract. I marked the key levels of 3100, 3200, and 3300 to correspond to the market sentiment and fundamental changes at the time."

"This is a chart showing the changes in open interest, which reveals the rhythm of major funds entering and exiting the market. I add to my position when open interest rises rapidly and reduce my position when open interest stagnates."

"This is the trend of the futures-spot price spread. The spot market leads the futures market to rise, and a widening basis is a characteristic of a bull market. I adjusted my position size based on changes in the basis."

"The most important one is this one." Jiang Haoran pulled out the last chart, which showed the weather model forecast for the US soybean producing region. "The drought continues, and the expectation of a downward revision in yield per unit area is strengthened. This is the starting point for all the logic."

Zhou Mingyu carefully examined each one.

Each chart is meticulously labeled, the data source is clear, and the analytical logic is rigorous. More importantly, the operational markers on the charts closely match the actual market trends.

"When were these forecasts made?" he asked, pointing to the weather model chart.

"Early June," Jiang Haoran said, "The market was still hesitant at the time, but I judged from the model that the drought would continue. So I dared to go all in at the low point."

Zhou Mingyu put down the charts, and the look in his eyes as he looked at Jiang Haoran changed.

"Brother Jiang," he said, "you remind me of someone."

Jiang Haoran waited for him to continue.

"My father had a business partner in his early years who started out in the steel trade," Zhou Mingyu recalled.

"In the late 1990s, steel prices plummeted, and everyone panicked and sold off their stock. He did the opposite, mortgaging all his assets to buy up hundreds of thousands of tons of inventory. People said he was crazy."

"And then?"

"Six months later, the housing reform plan was introduced, infrastructure construction skyrocketed, and steel prices more than doubled," Zhou Mingyu said. "He made 80 million yuan from that wave."

"My father later asked him how he dared to gamble like that. He said he wasn't gambling, he had calculated it." Zhou Mingyu paused, his gaze falling squarely on Jiang Haoran's face.

"He had a thorough understanding of the national inventory, steel mill trends, and policy bottom lines. What seemed like a desperate gamble was actually a choice with an extremely high probability of success after calculating all the probabilities."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice deepening.

"You're a lot like him. You appear aggressive on the surface, but you're extremely cautious at heart. You dare to take big bets not because you're bold, but because you've calculated things thoroughly enough."

With a soft "snap," Zhou Mingyu closed the agreement in his hand, his movements swift and decisive.

"So I accept this cooperation arrangement." He looked up, his tone carrying a seasoned decisiveness.

"If you're willing to bet your hard-earned money, it would seem like I, Zhou Mingyu, lack vision if I hesitated."

As he finished speaking, he tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"But there are a few details we need to clarify," he said, changing the subject.

"Go ahead," Jiang Haoran replied.

"First, you have the decision-making power, but I have the right to know. It's fine for you to send me the monthly report afterward, but for major position adjustments, you must communicate in advance. This is not interference, but to let me know what's going on."

"Reasonable. A monthly summary of the previous month will be sent before the 10th of each month, and a phone call will be made before any major portfolio adjustments."

"Secondly, risk control is the bottom line. If an account drawdown exceeds 30%, the forced liquidation mechanism will be automatically triggered. There are no exceptions."

"agree."

"Third," Zhou Mingyu paused for a moment, his eyes sharp, "this is no small sum. Where do you plan to start?"

"Currently, we are focusing on commodity futures. But the opportunities are not limited to that—stock indices, bonds, and cross-market arbitrage are all worth considering."

Zhou Mingyu stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled. The smile contained no exaggerated praise, but rather a knowing and decisive understanding, as if he were seeing a kindred spirit.

"Very good." He extended his hand, his movements steady and powerful. "Then let's go with your pace. Since I dared to throw, I'll trust you to the end."

Zhou Mingyu stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

That smile didn't contain any exaggerated praise, but rather a kind of understanding and decisiveness, as if seeing a kindred spirit.

"Okay." He extended his hand. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure to work with you." Jiang Haoran shook hands.

Their hands clasped firmly, and they could feel the composure contained in each other's palms.

The two then discussed some more details.

Details regarding account opening, fund transfers, and many other aspects have been finalized one by one.

Zhou Mingyu's reaction was within Jiang Haoran's expectations, yet it was even more decisive than anticipated.

This agreement itself is a filter; those who can handle it naturally understand the true weight of risk and reward.

The statement deep inside the file folder was never taken out. Some assets, whether revealed or not, are no longer important.

Before leaving, Zhou Mingyu escorted Jiang Haoran to the door.

Night had fallen, and the streetlights outside the courtyard cast a dim yellow glow, dappling the shadows of the trees.

"Brother Jiang," Zhou Mingyu suddenly said, "you just said that you should take what you like yourself."

"Yes."

"Then hold on tight." Zhou Mingyu patted his shoulder, his words carrying a heavy sense of approval. "I'll wait and see."

Jiang Haoran nodded without any further pleasantries.

The streetlights cast his shadow long. He knew that this collaboration was only just beginning.