The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

In the early morning, golden sunlight bathed the capital city, giving the entire city a vibrant and energetic feel.

The headquarters of China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the office area for the joint investment team.

Ling Yun and Deputy Director Li entered the conference room, sat down at the conference table, and began to discuss the sudden surge in market activity that had occurred earlier that day.

Although it was called a discussion, Mr. Kong and the others all focused their attention on Ling Yun, waiting for him to answer their questions.

Ling Yun stopped keeping him in suspense and, as soon as he sat down, immediately got to the point.

"The reason why international oil prices plummeted today is the result of a combination of factors, and these factors were foreshadowed."

"The most fundamental reason is the extreme panic in the market about declining oil demand, a typical sell-off during a financial crisis."

"The subprime crisis originating from Wall Street has entered its most severe stage, and it is a foregone conclusion that it will trigger a devastating financial crisis."

"Market concerns about a global economic recession that would severely impact oil demand have reached their peak. This is a macroeconomic factor and the fundamental basis for the collapse in oil prices..."

Just then, a cheer suddenly erupted from the trading area outside.

"International oil prices have fallen below $108. At this rate, it's almost certain they'll break $106 today!"

"Wow! Our profits from this short selling have exceeded 58 billion, that's incredible!"

As soon as the cheers rang out, Ling Yun immediately stopped talking and looked towards the conference room door.

Deputy Director Li and the others also turned to look at the door at the same time, each with a look of surprise on their faces.

Several investment directors stood up in unison, so excited they were almost dancing with joy.

"As expected, it has fallen below $108. If I had known this super rally would be this amazing, I should have invested more yesterday!"

"Our investment department is expected to earn over 400 million in profit this time, which is almost as much as our airline's net profit for the entire year last year. It feels so good to make so much money."

"No, I need to call back and ask, in case someone takes it upon themselves to delay closing the position and miss the best opportunity to close it."

As he spoke, the investment director of China Eastern Airlines took out his phone, got up, and went to the side to make a call to inquire about the situation.

The other investment directors followed suit, taking out their phones and calling the investment departments of their respective airlines.

Ling Yun smiled and continued to pause his analysis of the reasons for the sharp drop in international oil prices.

Just then, Deputy Director Li leaned closer and whispered:

"Xiao Ling, with various airlines' investment departments focusing on clearing out their holdings at $108, will this attract special attention from international capital giants?"

"There are also actions from the joint investment team and the Yuanda crude oil investment team; the combined amount of liquidation by all parties is considerable!"

Ling Yun looked at this vice-ministerial-level official, smiled, and shook his head.

"Don't worry about that, Director Li. The daily trading volume of the New York WTI crude oil futures market is as high as one to three million lots."

"With today's incredibly hot market, breaking the three million trading volume mark is a certainty, and the trading volume for London Brent crude oil is about the same."

"In a global market with millions of lots, our small short positions probably won't even make a ripple, let alone since we're selling in small, dispersed orders."

"Aside from the Yuanda team, which was already being targeted by Goldman Sachs, the joint investment team's operation this time was somewhat risky, but the probability of them being targeted is almost non-existent."

He paused for a moment at this point.

Then he turned to look at the director of Shanghai Airlines' investment department, hesitated for a moment, and then lowered his voice to the lowest level and quickly introduced the situation.

"This special operation targeting the mole within Shanghai Airlines' investment department involved the activation of several new crude oil futures trading accounts and the operation of external investments."

"So on the surface, it seems that Shanghai Airlines Investment Department went long on international crude oil futures this time, and lost a small amount of 20 to 30 million yuan due to timely closing of the position, but this was all just an act."

"The actual situation is quite the opposite. Through those newly opened crude oil futures accounts, Shanghai Airlines Investment Department's actual investment profits should be over 400 million!"

Upon hearing his explanation, Deputy Director Li was stunned for a moment.

Once he realized what was happening, he immediately gave a thumbs up.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! You've pulled off a series of stratagems, combining the feint of repairing the plank road while secretly advancing through the Chencang pass—truly masterful!"

"Those cunning foreigners at Goldman Sachs are really unlucky to have you as an opponent!"

"Hahaha"

Mr. Kong and Mr. Sun laughed in unison and nodded repeatedly.

Before long, Director Xie and his team returned after finishing their calls and excitedly reported the situation.

Several airline investment departments have begun liquidation operations, and the process is progressing very smoothly.

Taking advantage of this super market trend, the investment departments of several airlines made huge profits by shorting international crude oil futures.

The total investment profit was almost the same as Lingyun's estimate, reaching as much as 2.8 billion.

Upon hearing the result, Deputy Director Li and the others beamed with joy.

Mr. Li, the general manager of China Eastern Airlines, who arrived last night, immediately stood up, stepped forward, and shook Ling Yun's hand, expressing his gratitude repeatedly.

"Thank you, Xiao Ling. You've really woken me up. If it weren't for your timely intervention, China Eastern Airlines would have faced enormous trouble!"

"Today's sharp drop will not only wipe out all the hedging profits we made before, but will also plunge China Eastern Airlines into a loss-making situation."

"Now things are great. Not only did we not suffer any losses, but we also made a huge profit. We have safely exited this insidious hedging contract from Goldman Sachs without any problems."

Ling Yun smiled calmly and exchanged a few polite words.

"You're welcome, Mr. Li. This is a win-win situation!"

"As a Chinese citizen, knowing that Goldman Sachs' hedging contract harbored malicious intentions, I absolutely cannot stand by and watch the airlines be scammed!"

"Besides, I've long disliked those bastards at Goldman Sachs. Now that I have this opportunity to screw them over, I can't let it pass."

"Hahaha"

The meeting room erupted in laughter; everyone was thoroughly amused.

While bursting into laughter, everyone secretly made sarcastic remarks.

That kid is so vindictive and has such a strong desire for revenge. We must never offend him in the future!

Otherwise, given this kid's vengeful nature and cunning, he would definitely try every means to get revenge.

From Shanghai to Beijing, and then to New York, from China to abroad.

The sheer number of people who have been scammed by this guy and are left heartbroken, and the countless individuals and organizations that have fallen into his traps, is the best proof of this.

After a few jokes and casual conversations, everyone returned to their previous topic.

After a moment's thought, Lingyun continued his analysis with great enthusiasm.

"Besides the fundamental factor of the global financial crisis, there are several other reasons that contributed to the recent plunge in international oil prices, which can be considered direct triggers."

"Firstly, the damage caused by Hurricane Gustave was far less than expected, oil production in the Gulf of Mexico recovered rapidly, the risk premium disappeared, and the market began to focus on the weak fundamentals."

"The second point is a familiar one: the continued strengthening of the US dollar and the continued depreciation of the euro. A strong dollar suppresses the cost of crude oil purchased in other currencies, leading to a price drop."

"The third point is the massive exodus of speculative funds. Against the backdrop of an impending financial crisis, many hedge funds and investment banks are facing enormous redemption pressure and deleveraging pressure."

"To cope with the ever-increasing wave of redemptions, these hedge funds and investment banks had no choice but to sell frantically regardless of cost, in a race to the finish, which amplified the drop in oil prices..."

Deputy Director Li and the others listened intently, their admiration growing stronger.

While figuring out the real reason for this round of plunge in international oil prices, Lingyun's brilliant performance once again refreshed their understanding.

Just then, Secretary Zhou suddenly pushed open the door to the conference room and excitedly brought some good news.

"International oil prices are about to hit $107; it's time to start reaping the rewards!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a burst of excited cheers erupted outside, nearly lifting the ceiling off the building!

"$107, begin closing positions!"