The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

New York time, 9:00 AM.

Pre-market trading for US stocks has already begun, and floor trading for New York WTI crude oil futures has also commenced.

As important components of the US financial market, these two sub-markets are experiencing a dramatic contrast between boom and bust!

Starting with pre-market trading at 4:00 AM Eastern Time, the US stock market immediately began a dramatic plunge, with bloodshed occurring even before the official opening of the market, a truly appalling scene.

The New York WTI crude oil futures market presented a completely different picture, with prices rising rapidly as soon as trading opened, showing an unstoppable momentum!

Goldman Sachs headquarters, crude oil trading department.

Looking at the ever-rising international oil prices, Tommy's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, looking as ugly as if his father had just died.

The next moment, the deputy director standing opposite him cautiously offered a reminder.

"Boss, our losses are still mounting, now exceeding one billion US dollars. Should we close our positions immediately to cut our losses?"

"The sentiment in the international crude oil futures market is reversing, with more and more bullish funds flocking in, and the balance is tilting towards the bulls."

"If we close our positions now, we can immediately control the losses. If we reverse our positions and go long, we might be able to quickly recover our losses!"

Tommy finally came to his senses after being reminded by him.

He glanced at international oil prices with bloodshot eyes, then gritted his teeth and spat out each word clearly!

"The entire international financial market is on the verge of collapse. I simply cannot believe that crude oil futures, the most important risk asset, will buck the trend and surge!"

"The rebound in international oil prices is just an illusion. In the current state of extreme panic, no positive news can support a rise in international oil prices."

"For example, with the weakening dollar, a senior Federal Reserve official told me very clearly that no matter how the financial crisis develops, the strong dollar policy will never change..."

Just then, the secretary knocked on the door and came in.

Behind this blonde, wavy-haired beauty was a white man in his early forties.

The next moment, the white man couldn't wait to drop a few bombshells.

"Good news, boss! Many major money market funds are experiencing runs, and the liquidity panic is escalating rapidly!"

According to reliable internal sources, the SEC has begun discussing implementing a ban on short selling, strictly prohibiting all naked short selling activities.

"Before this short-selling ban is issued, all short sellers will frantically dump their shares, hoping to make a fortune in this last bit of frenzy..."

Tommy's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had been resurrected from the dead.

The next moment, the guy issued a transaction command with an almost manic expression and a hoarse voice.

"The international financial markets are about to completely collapse. Apart from gold, no risky asset can escape a brutal crash!"

"This is a rare opportunity. I'll continue to short crude oil futures. I'm not only going to make back all the money I've lost, but I'm also going to send all the crude oil bulls to hell..."

His judgment was basically correct, but unfortunately the timing was wrong; it was a little too early!

"Okay, boss."

The deputy director and the white man exchanged a glance and nodded in response.

Then he turned and left the office to go out and arrange the operation!

Meanwhile, in the capital city.

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

As pre-market trading in the US stock market neared its end, the entire trading area gradually came to a fever pitch.

Moreover, the closer it got to the opening of the US stock market, the more exciting the atmosphere became.

"AIG Group's stock has fallen by more than 30% in pre-market trading. Should I close my position immediately to lock in profits?"

An analyst excitedly announced the market situation aloud.

Ling Yun glanced at AIG Group's stock price trend and quickly came up with a response strategy.

"No need to rush. Wait until AIG Group's stock price drops below 40% before gradually selling off your shares. Complete the sale before the price drops to -45%."

"Then I'll step aside and observe. I won't touch this stock again tonight. I'll give new trading instructions around 3 a.m."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Wang and the others, who were standing a few meters behind, felt a chill run down their spines.

They had no more doubts about Lingyun's investment decisions.

His accurate predictions and keen insight have earned him the utmost respect and admiration from everyone.

For example, he made four or five profits from AIG Group stock in just two days!

Even more outrageous is that, without using leverage, his profit margin on each harvest is at least 50%!

Today's sharp drop of 40% to 45% was actually the smallest profit I've ever made!

The more important question is, how could he possibly not leverage?

These rounds of profit-taking against AIG Group have resulted in at least five times leverage!

As a result, the joint securities investment team made billions of dollars from AIG Group, the world's largest insurance giant alone!

Add to that the Hong Kong branch of Yuanda Group, which shares the same interests, and the other state-owned investment teams, and the total profits are even more staggering!

Just as Mr. Wang and his team were secretly marveling, another analyst who was monitoring the market loudly reported the situation.

"Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are both down more than 10% in pre-market trading. Should I close my positions immediately, or wait and see?"

Before he finished speaking, a chorus of exclamations erupted from the crowd.

"Wow! This is outrageous! Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have been plummeting for several days in a row. These are the world's first and second largest investment banks."

"If even behemoths like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley go bankrupt, Wall Street's investment banking industry might be completely wiped out!"

Lingyun quickly located the stocks of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and checked their stock price trends and funding situations.

The next moment, he smiled and shook his head.

"A drop of only around 10% is far from enough. It's not time to liquidate yet. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley's stock prices will continue to plummet!"

"As the world's first and second largest investment banks, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley will not go bankrupt, but they are currently facing an unprecedented and enormous crisis."

"Not only these two global investment banking giants, but the entire Wall Street investment banking model is facing unprecedented challenges, and market confidence is rapidly collapsing."

"Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley must make changes to weather this unprecedented financial crisis; the old investment banking model will no longer exist..."

His explanation left everyone deeply impressed.

Meanwhile, the stock prices of numerous financial stocks, large and small, in the US stock market are collapsing one after another!

Judging from the magnitude of the decline alone, the 10% drops in Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are negligible; there are countless financial stocks that have fallen by more than 80%.

Not only that, the plunge in financial stocks quickly spread to other sectors.

The first to be dragged down were the stock prices of many star tech stocks, with the Nasdaq index quickly catching up with the S&P 500 in terms of decline.

Amidst this devastating plunge, the US stock market opened right on time!

The next second, the real massive sell-off officially began!

European stock markets, which were still in trading hours, were not spared from the disaster and all plummeted with high trading volume!

Within just over ten minutes of the US stock market opening, AIG Group's stock price plummeted by more than 40%, instantly triggering the liquidation line set by Lingyun.

This was like the sound of a starting gun; the numerous traders in the United Securities investment team sprang into action, gradually closing out their short positions in AIG Group stock.

Busy as we went, it was already three in the morning.

Lingyun, who was resting against the back of his chair, glanced at the time on his computer and then at the trends of the three major US stock indices.

The next moment, he suddenly grabbed the microphone and loudly issued the trading order.

"Listen up, all traders! From this moment forward, close all short positions in US stocks in batches and completely suspend short selling!"

"The 799 financial stocks in the US stock market are the highest priority, followed by star technology stocks. The liquidation process must be completed before 4 PM!"

When this trading order was issued, everyone was stunned!

Once they realized what was happening, the numerous traders reacted instinctively.

"Received, begin closing positions immediately!"

The others were a beat slower to react, but by then they had also realized what was happening.

Everyone was completely baffled by Lingyun's trading order and began to whisper among themselves.

"A complete halt to short selling? Did I hear that right? Shorting European and American financial stocks right now is like carrying sacks of cash! Why stop when it's so profitable?"

"Could it be that Ling Yun finds too much money too hot to handle? This isn't like his investment style!"

Aside from Ling Yun, the only two people in the know present, Chairman Lou and President Wang, exchanged a knowing smile!

They understand that the US government and the Federal Reserve are desperate and are ready to step in and deal with the global short sellers who have gone completely mad!