The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

It wasn't until after 7 p.m., when Goldman Sachs and Barclays executives were getting impatient, that they finally received a call from the Hong Kong branch of the Broad Group.

By the time Irwin personally led the negotiation and investment research team to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority building on Hong Kong Island, it was nearly 8 p.m.

After exchanging greetings, he immediately asked curiously:

"Mr. Wang, why did you choose to sign the betting agreement at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on Hong Kong Island, instead of at your company?"

"My second question is, is the amount of money you invested in stock index options betting really $3000 million? Why did it take you so long to decide to sign the contract?"

Wang Mian smiled as he looked at the arrogant foreigner and delivered the explanation he had prepared beforehand.

"The reason we chose to sign the stock index option betting agreement with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is twofold: firstly, to build mutual trust, and secondly, to ensure the interests of both parties are protected by the supervision of the HKMA and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)."

"The second reason is to facilitate the filing process. It's already past closing time on Hong Kong Island, and time is tight. After we sign the stock index option betting agreement, we can file it on the spot without having to wait until tomorrow."

"As for the option premium we invested, it is indeed $3000 million. As for why the signing was so late, it's mainly because the international financial markets are too lively today."

"We've received information from some sources that the US Congress and the White House appear to have reached a final agreement. We must take this factor into account and will have to redo the risk assessment..."

Upon hearing this, Erwin and the others felt their eyelids twitch violently.

They were terrified to hear that Yuanda Group considered the risks too high and abandoned the stock index options betting plan.

In that case, their dream of making a fortune by taking this opportunity will probably be dashed!

Considering this possibility, Erwin and his team were reluctant to sign the betting agreement immediately and wanted to finalize the matter as quickly as possible.

Just then, a senior executive from Yuanda Group knocked on the door and entered the conference room.

"Mr. Wang, the Barclays Bank signing team has arrived, led personally by the head of Barclays Hong Kong Island branch."

"They seem very eager to start talks and sign an agreement immediately!"

Wang Mian smiled and nodded, then continued in response:

"Understood. Tell them to have a coffee in the rest area and wait a moment."

"We can hold talks with Goldman Sachs after we finish signing the contract; there's still time, no need to rush."

"Okay, I'll go and inform them."

The executive nodded, turned, and left the conference room.

As soon as the door closed, Paul immediately pressed on with his question:

"May I ask, how much premium are you planning to invest in your bet against Barclays Bank on US stock index options?"

"Didn't you say before that you were also in talks with financial institutions like UBS and Morgan Stanley about performance-based agreements? Why haven't any people from Morgan Stanley come to sign the contracts?"

Mr. Wang looked at the guy and shook his head slightly.

"I'm very sorry, but these matters are trade secrets and cannot be disclosed at this time."

"What is certain is that Barclays is far smaller than Goldman Sachs, has a lower risk appetite, and therefore invests less than Goldman Sachs."

"As for Morgan Stanley and UBS, we will not participate in this betting due to risk control and other reasons."

This answer is perfectly acceptable; there's nothing wrong with it!

A hint of a smile flashed in both Erwin and Paul's eyes, only to disappear in an instant.

They were well aware of the scale of the bet between Yuanda Group and Barclays!

The reason is simple: before coming here, they had just spoken on the phone with the head of Barclays Port Island branch and reached a verbal agreement to stand together and make a stand!

Another reason is that they have eyes and ears in the Hong Kong branch of the Broad Group!

They also contacted Morgan Stanley and UBS, believing they understood why these two top financial institutions withdrew from the betting agreement.

In their view, Yuanda Group was clearly afraid and dared not engage in betting against multiple top financial institutions at the same time.

Based on this assessment, they immediately felt even more confident!

After a brief discussion about the bet with Barclays, Mr. Wang steered the conversation to the main topic.

"Gentlemen, we can begin discussing the signing of the performance-based agreement now. Hopefully, we can finalize it as soon as possible."

"You've already reviewed the performance-based agreement and accepted our terms, so there shouldn't be any obstacles to signing the contract!"

A look of delight flashed in Erwin's eyes, and he quickly nodded in response.

"Okay, Mr. Wang, we also hope to resolve this matter as soon as possible."

Subsequently, the two sides immediately began talks to discuss signing the stock index option betting agreement.

9 PM, CIC headquarters.

United Securities Investment Team, Office.

Lingyun chatted and laughed with Zhang Lu while waiting for news from Hong Kong.

Because of the US government's bailout plan needing to pass through Capitol Hill tonight, and the Yuanda Group signing a betting agreement with Goldman Sachs and Barclays, he will have to stay up all night here again.

Once the US House of Representatives votes, a magnitude 10 earthquake will occur in the international financial markets.

He must seize this golden opportunity and direct several investment teams to make a killing!

Attorney Zhang would stay up all night with him, so that if Yuanda Hong Kong Island Branch encountered any legal issues when signing the betting agreement with Goldman Sachs and Barclays, he could provide on-site consultation!

While they were chatting, two large-screen TVs in the office were broadcasting live footage of the scene outside the U.S. Capitol.

It was already morning in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Capitol Building, as seen in the live broadcast, was already packed with reporters from various media outlets.

Reporters set up their cameras and microphones and started snapping photos of the Capitol Building, while numerous television stations broadcast the event live!

Like countless investors in the international financial market, they are also waiting for the vote on the largest bailout plan in American history!

This is a historic moment for both the international financial market and the United States itself, and the news media naturally cannot miss this focus of global attention.

Lingyun adjusted the orientation of the several high-definition monitors on his desk, so that they faced the reception area!

The high-definition screens displayed real-time quotes from major European stock markets and pre-market trading data from the US stock market.

As they spoke, Zhang Lu glanced at the computer screens and asked curiously:

Why are European stock markets falling so sharply today? Most are down more than 2%, some even down over 3%!

"The US stock market was very stable in pre-market trading, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average even rising by about 50 points. Why is there such a discrepancy?"

"Aren't the European and American financial markets usually linked? Why are they behaving in opposite directions today? Could it be that the US government's bailout plan has limited impact on European countries?"

Ling Yun turned to look at the desk and smiled as he explained a few words.

"It's not that the US government's bailout plan has little impact on European financial markets, but rather that European stock markets are extremely unlucky; their domestic banking crisis just happened to erupt today!"

"For example, several banks in the UK, as well as several major banks in Germany and France, have defaulted today, either being nationalized or facing bankruptcy, etc."

"It was precisely because of the collective plunge in bank stocks that European stock markets fell sharply. If the negative impact of the financial sector is excluded, the decline in European stock markets was actually not that significant!"

"Compared to European stock markets, the risks in the US stock market's financial sector have been temporarily suppressed by the hype surrounding the $7000 billion bailout plan, but a collective surge is imminent..."

As he explained, Lawyer Zhang nodded repeatedly.

As we spoke, it was nearly 9:30 p.m., and the US stock market was about to open.

Just then, Ling Yun's phone beeped.

He quickly pulled out his phone and opened it to check the text message he had just received.

The text message was sent by Chairman Zhao, and it conveyed a sense of joy.

"Good news! Goldman Sachs and Barclays have both signed a performance-based agreement and completed the filing with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission!"

"The Hong Kong Island branch invested US$3000 million and US$1200 million respectively, betting against Goldman Sachs and Barclays, and now they're just waiting to reap the rewards!"

After reading the message, Ling Yun excitedly clenched his fist.

"Done! Those bastards finally fell for it. All that hard work and preparation wasn't for nothing!"

"In just a few days, Goldman Sachs and Barclays will be like pork on a chopping block, completely at my mercy!"

Just then, the US stock market opened on time!