The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

11:00 AM, AVIC Group Top Floor Conference Room.

The atmosphere around the long conference table was so heavy it was almost palpable.

This closed-door meeting, debating whether or not to immediately cut losses, has been dragging on for a full hour, yet remains deadlocked.

The air conditioner was blowing cold air, but it couldn't dispel the anxiety and hesitation that permeated the air.

Several airline executives were either sipping tea, fiddling with their pens, or staring intently at the analysis reports in front of them, but none of them were willing to be the first to step forward and express their opinion.

"Gentlemen, this is like drinking poison to quench your thirst!"

Mr. Kong looked around the room, his voice filled with barely suppressed urgency.

"The analysis report clearly details how many pitfalls were hidden in Goldman Sachs' hedging strategy."

"If we don't get out of this trap now, when the time comes for it to explode, it won't just be a matter of taking a loss, it will be fatal!"

China Eastern Airlines' General Manager Li cleared his throat and gave a troubled smile.

"Mr. Kong, we understand the principles, but as of last Friday, China Eastern Airlines has made over 300 million yuan in profit thanks to this hedging strategy, which is undeniable."

"If we withdraw now, we will not only have to give up all our profits, but also pay a penalty of 1.6 billion yuan for breach of contract. Who will bear this responsibility and loss?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Mr. Wang, the general manager of China Southern Airlines, immediately took over.

"Yes, oil price fluctuations are normal. What if prices rise again in a few days? Wouldn't we lose over a billion dollars for nothing?"

"How will we explain this to the board of directors? How will we explain it to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission?"

Several investment directors echoed this sentiment, each looking troubled.

As investment professionals, how could they not be aware of the risks of this hedging strategy?

But compared to potential future losses, the huge penalty for breach of contract in black and white is the real sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

Even the leaders from the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission who attended the meeting remained silent and did not express their support for Mr. Kong's suggestion.

Seeing this, President Kong sighed inwardly.

He knew that the stalemate could not continue.

"Since no one can make up their mind..."

Mr. Kong suddenly raised his voice, breaking the silence in the conference room.

"Then I would like to invite a professional to analyze just how fatal Goldman Sachs' hedging strategy really is."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"This insightful analysis report was written by him; he is a very rare investment genius."

"More importantly, his accurate judgment of the international financial market has been validated by the market and has created amazing miracles."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

The investment directors of each airline looked up, their eyes filled with curiosity.

They are all industry elites, so they can naturally see the quality of this analysis report.

The person who produced such a report is no ordinary person.

Just as everyone was wondering what was going on, President Kong turned around and looked behind him.

"Xiao Ling, it's your turn to appear."

"Okay, Mr. Kong."

A confident and firm voice rang out.

Looking in the direction of the sound, a handsome young man stood up. He was about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, calm and composed, with sharp eyes and a maturity beyond his years.

"This is Ling Yun, a local from Beijing."

Mr. Kong began his introduction.

"He is a futures trader with extensive practical experience, primarily trading international crude oil futures."

"It was he who first discovered the fatal pitfall in Goldman Sachs' hedging strategy and promptly reminded me of the risks."

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion immediately broke out in the room.

The investment directors exchanged quick glances, all looking on in surprise.

They never expected that the person who produced that accurate analysis report would be so young.

Director Li of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission adjusted his glasses and looked at Ling Yun with great interest.

"Hello, Xiaoling, Mr. Kong just said that you have achieved amazing investment results? Could you elaborate?"

Mr. Kong immediately took over the conversation.

"Director Li, for confidentiality reasons, Ling Yun's personal information cannot be disclosed. However, I have prepared some materials that you can take a look at first."

Secretary Zhou quickly took out three documents and strode forward.

They were handed to Director Li, the Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and the Executive Deputy Director, respectively.

The three leaders opened the document, and at first their expressions remained normal.

But as they read on, their expressions gradually became serious, and finally they all showed expressions of disbelief.

Director Li suddenly raised his head and stared intently at Ling Yun.

"I remember now! The Shanghai State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission gave a report before, mentioning a young man's series of amazing operations in the international crude oil futures market and financial markets."

"Not only did you prevent significant losses for your group and the Shanghai State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, but you also generated huge profits. Was that you?"

Ling Yun bowed slightly, his tone calm.

"You flatter me, leader. It was all the result of teamwork; I was just going with the flow."

This humble statement further confirmed Director Li's judgment.

He took a deep breath and looked around the room.

"As you may not know, Comrade Xiao Ling's investment performance is not only rare in China, but also extremely rare in the international market."

"His predictions about the international financial market are so accurate that even the professional team at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) is impressed."

These words were like a bombshell.

The CEOs and investment directors of the various airlines looked at each other, their faces filled with shock.

The fact that this young man received such high praise from the director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission clearly shows that his importance far exceeds their expectations.

"No wonder President Kong values ​​his opinion so much; he's a hidden master."

"Mr. Li from China Eastern Airlines said in a low voice to Mr. Wang from China Southern Airlines."

"To achieve so much at such a young age, the younger generation is truly formidable!"

Mr. Wang murmured, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Director Li leaned forward, looking at Ling Yun expectantly.

"Comrade Xiaoling, what are your thoughts on the predicament we are currently facing?"

Ling Yun looked directly at Director Li, his hands lightly resting on the shiny tabletop, his gaze firm and sharp.

At this moment, the aura he exuded was completely unlike that of a young man in his twenties.

"Since the leader has given me the freedom to speak my mind, then I'll just say it."

His voice was clear and firm, each word striking the hearts of the attendees with a powerful impact.

"Everyone is currently focused on the immediate profits and huge penalties for breach of contract, which is a bit short-sighted. It's like sitting on a time bomb while counting money."

"I can confidently assert that the plunge in international oil prices has only just begun, and within two months, international oil prices will definitely fall below $100!"

"boom"

The meeting room erupted in chaos.

"Breaking below $100 within two months? That's impossible!"

"Oil prices are currently at $126, down $21 from the peak of $147. How could they drop another $20 or so so quickly? That's outrageous!"

"Young man, you can't just say things like that!"

A cacophony of questions, exclamations, and discussions erupted, turning the entire conference room into a chaotic mess.

Ling Yun remained unfazed and continued to drop his bombshell.

"By then, according to Goldman Sachs' hedging strategy, the losses of each airline will not be hundreds of millions or billions, but tens of billions!"

"If international oil prices fall below the agreed-upon put option strike price, the losses will be magnified infinitely; compared to that, the penalty for default is merely a drop in the ocean!"

He paused, letting this startling prediction ferment in everyone's minds, and then said, word by word:

"Although exiting this hedging strategy now will incur some penalties, the cost is worthwhile, and a decision should be made as soon as possible."

"At the same time, we can completely recoup this money, or even earn more, by operating in the opposite direction on the international crude oil futures market!"

These words were like a final, devastating blow, completely shocking the entire audience.

Everyone stared at Ling Yun in disbelief, as if they were looking at a mad prophet.

Director Li suddenly stood up, his expression unusually serious.

"Comrade Xiao Ling, do you know what you're saying? This involves tens of millions of barrels of aviation fuel and hundreds of billions of yuan."

Ling Yun met Director Li's gaze, his eyes unwavering.

"I know exactly what I'm talking about. Next, I will provide the analysis and specific solutions to resolve this imminent crisis."

The meeting room was deathly silent; everyone held their breath.

This sudden turn of events instantly filled the previously stalemate with endless possibilities.

Mr. Kong took a deep breath and spoke up to smooth things over.

"Director Li, what do you think...?"

Director Li's gaze lingered on Ling Yun's face for a long time before he finally spoke slowly.

"Tell me your specific plan."

Ling Yun's lips curled into a slight smile. He knew the most crucial moment had arrived...