Reborn in 1950: Shorting the Federal Reserve at the Start

In just a few short years, the world has changed.

In the early morning in Beijing, the aroma of douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) and jiaoquan (deep-fried dough rings) wafts through the alleyways. Grandpa Wang strolls over to a breakfast stall and orders two sets of jianbing guozi (Chinese savory crepes). Unlike usual, he doesn't fumble for change in his pocket; instead, he casually pulls out a black glass brick.

"drop!"

I lightly scanned a black and white QR code on the stall with my phone screen. A crisp electronic notification sounded instantly: "Payment credited to your account, three yuan."

"Old Li, you've done a really good job with this QR code! Now I don't even need to carry a penny when I go out. This life is like being an immortal!" Grandpa Wang said happily, carrying his pancake and casually opening the "Shenxin" app on his phone to send a voice message to his old friend.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean in Manhattan, New York.

Jack, a Wall Street elite in a suit and tie, stood at the coffee shop's cashier, sweating profusely as he rummaged through his heavy wallet for coins. A long line stretched behind him, filled with impatient murmurs of urgency.

Jack awkwardly slapped a handful of loose change on the table and quickly pulled out his China Mobile phone from his pocket. He expertly opened a short video app called "Shenyin," his fingers flying across the screen. Watching those catchy, addictive fifteen-second videos, his earlier embarrassment vanished instantly.

This is the terrifying gap caused by a dimensional reduction attack.

While Westerners are still painstakingly counting coins and using cumbersome credit cards, ordinary Chinese people have already fully entered a cashless society. They only need to carry a mobile phone to manage all their needs for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

Washington, D.C., the CIA's underground intelligence center.

On a giant circular screen, a global data flow map was flashing wildly. Countless red rays, representing information and capital, rose from North America, Europe, and the Middle East, ultimately converging on Beijing on the other side of the world, like rivers flowing into the sea.

The CIA director slumped in his chair, staring at the scene, feeling as if his blood was about to freeze.

"Chief, we're completely finished."

The chief intelligence analyst swallowed hard, his voice dry as if rubbing sandpaper: "Young people all over America are watching those short videos called 'Shenyin'! Our politicians are using 'Shenxin' to discuss private matters! Even Pentagon generals are using 'Shenfubao' to transfer money to their mistresses!"

He desperately clutched his hair, screaming in despair:

"Their servers are all in China! Our social relationships, financial flows, and even personal preferences are like a one-way transparent glass room in front of the Shenzhou Bureau's supercomputers!"

"We have no secrets anymore! The Chinese know what color underwear the president is wearing today even before he does!"

The CIA director smashed his coffee cup, his eyes bloodshot.

"Ban! Ban these damn Chinese software programs immediately!"

"It's impossible, sir!" The analyst shook his head with a wry smile. "These apps are completely intertwined with American lives. If we force a ban, Wall Street will be paralyzed tomorrow, and young people across America will tear down the White House!"

This is the most despairing form of murder—a subtle, insidious killing.

Shen Jinghong used a few free software programs to complete the ecological colonization of the entire Western world without bloodshed.

Beijing, Shenzhou Bureau Underground Information Command Center.

Shen Min'an, dressed in a white shirt, adjusted her black-rimmed glasses. Looking at the exponentially growing global user data on the screen, her cool eyes gleamed with absolute dominance.

"Dad, the number of daily active users worldwide has exceeded three billion."

Shen Min'an handed a data summary report to Shen Jinghong, his tone exuding an air of composure as if he controlled the entire planet: "The underlying financial logic and social networks of Western countries have been completely taken over by our 'Skynet' ecosystem. They are now like meat on our chopping block."

Shen Jinghong leaned back in the leather seat and slowly took a sip of tea.

"Well done, Min'an."

He stared at the fluctuating data on the screen, a chillingly dangerous smirk playing on his lips: "Industrial hegemony can only destroy their bodies, but information hegemony can utterly enslave their souls. These foreign devils will never rise again."

Just as the father and daughter were reviewing the results of their battle.

"Bang!"

The office door was kicked open. Chen Weiguo stormed in like a whirlwind, his dark red face contorted with barely suppressed rage.

"Chief! Those bastards in the US can't take a joke, they're starting to flip the table!"

Chen Weiguo strode to his desk, slammed a newly intercepted top-secret intelligence document onto the surface, and gritted his teeth in anger.

"They can't beat us in software, so they've started to strangle us with hardware like base stations! The White House just joined forces with several European countries to announce a complete boycott of the 3G and 4G communication standards set by our Shenzhou Bureau!"

"They not only banned the purchase of our base station equipment, but also threatened to build their own independent network to completely block our signals from the Western world!"

Lin Qinghan walked over carrying two cups of coffee. Upon hearing this, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Jinghong, this move is extremely ruthless. If they cut off the construction of base stations at the physical communication layer, our software ecosystem overseas will become like water without a source, and data transmission will be completely cut off."

Faced with this sudden physical blockade, Shen Jinghong remained completely calm.

He put down his teacup, stood up, and walked to the huge world map. His deep gaze swept across the ocean, fixed intently on the North American continent.

"Resisting our 3G and 4G standards?"

Shen Jinghong sneered, exuding an arrogant aura that seemed to look down upon the world. He turned his head, looking at Chen Weiguo and Lin Qinghan, his eyes flashing with the extreme excitement of a tech fanatic.

"Do they think that unplugging the internet cable will stop the tide of the times?"

"Since they think 4G is too slow and don't want to use it."

Shen Jinghong placed both hands on the table and slammed down a thunderous blow, each word deliberate and powerful:

"Then let's go straight for 5G!"