The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

As the laughter subsided, the previously tense atmosphere instantly relaxed considerably.

Everyone took their seats around the conference table and began discussing the formation of a joint investment team to short international crude oil futures.

"Cough cough"

Mr. Kong cleared his throat and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the edge of the table.

"We're in a meeting now. As everyone has seen, international oil prices have been plummeting recently, almost like a waterfall plunging three thousand feet."

"For airlines, the plunge in international oil prices should have been a good thing, as it could significantly reduce fuel costs."

"However, because of the hedging strategies that various airlines signed with Goldman Sachs, the plunge in international oil prices has become a sword hanging over our heads..."

In closing, he directly stated the main purpose of the meeting.

By pooling the resources of various airlines and forming a joint investment team, they managed to carve out a path to survival amidst the turbulent waves of the international crude oil futures market.

After finishing his opening remarks, President Kong changed the subject and turned his gaze to Ling Yun beside him.

"Xiao Ling, after careful discussion and in-depth research into your past investment performance, the airlines have unanimously agreed to invite you to lead the joint investment team."

"In the field of international crude oil futures and financial derivatives trading, you are not only an experienced professional, but also a rare investment genius."

He paused, seemingly weighing the weight of his words.

"The miracles you have created at Yuanta Group, and the fact that you still remotely control Yuanta's Hong Kong Island branch and continue to profit from the international financial market, are the most powerful proof."

"That's why we chose you, hoping to witness another miracle, hoping you can lead the joint investment team to victory and clear away the dark clouds hanging over the airlines...!"

Ling Yun sprang to his feet with a swift and decisive movement.

His gaze swept over everyone present, and he responded decisively.

"Thank you for your recognition and trust! I accept this task, and I will do my utmost to lead the joint investment team to successfully complete it!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power.

"I'm absolutely confident that within a few months I can help all the airlines escape the trap carefully laid by Goldman Sachs, and even make a hefty profit!"

They exchanged glances, their eyes full of admiration, but they couldn't help but mutter to themselves.

Will international oil prices really continue to plummet? Will a global financial crisis really erupt? Is Goldman Sachs really that easy to deal with?

In the delicate silence, Ling Yun picked up his backpack and unzipped it.

Then he took out three folders and handed them to Director Li, General Manager Kong, and General Manager Sun of China Aviation Oil.

"Distinguished leaders, this is the detailed investment plan I have developed based on the previous investment proposal, combined with international oil prices and financial market dynamics."

"There's also a document inside that details many aspects of my collaboration with the joint investment team. I would appreciate your review and guidance."

He paused, his gaze sharpening.

"These two documents are extremely important and sensitive. Regardless of whether a cooperation ultimately occurs, I hope they remain only at the decision-making level and must be kept strictly confidential!"

The investment directors' eyes widened immediately, all turning to the folders in the hands of the three leaders.

Unfortunately, they do not have access to these two documents for the time being.

"Oh, you're taking this so seriously, I'll have to read it carefully."

Mr. Sun chuckled and flipped open the folder with a flick of his finger.

General Manager Kong and Director Li exchanged a smile and then opened the folder to browse through it.

In just a few seconds, their movements stopped almost simultaneously.

Director Li was the first to look up, his face full of surprise.

"Huh! You're personally preparing to invest 300 million RMB in this joint operation, Xiao Ling, why are you doing this?"

Then, President Kong and President Sun looked up and stared intently at Ling Yun.

Ling Yun nodded gently and explained with a smile.

"I did this out of consideration for sharing risks and benefits with the various airlines!"

"Because there are personal interests involved, you don't need to worry that I'm not putting in the effort or that I'm just paying lip service."

He paused, then said, word by word:

"I would never joke around with my own hard-earned money, nor would I treat the money of other airlines as worthless. We are all in the same boat."

A brief silence fell over the conference room; you could hear a pin drop.

No one expected Ling Yun to play like this, and on such a big scale!

This is not just confidence, but also a resolute determination to win.

But undeniably, his move reassured everyone.

Yes! Who would willingly throw 300 million down the drain?

After a brief silence, Director Li nodded appreciatively.

"Excellent! Xiaoling, you've thought this through very thoroughly! This definitely strengthens the foundation for our cooperation."

"It seems you're very confident in your investment plan, which is why you dared to make such a large bet!"

Ling Yun bowed slightly, his tone resolute.

"I am indeed very confident in this investment plan; otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to take on this task."

Director Li nodded, said no more, and continued to peruse the documents.

Both General Manager Kong and General Manager Sun refocused their attention on the documents in their hands.

However, the calm lasted for less than two minutes.

"Huh?"

Mr. Kong suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

He then leaned over, pointed to a line of text on the document, and asked in a low voice:

"Xiao Ling, why did you drag Yuanda Group into this? This has absolutely nothing to do with them."

"Are you doing this to take care of your former employer, or do you have ulterior motives?"

Upon hearing this question, Director Li and General Manager Sun immediately turned to look at them.

They noticed this too, and were equally baffled.

Ling Yun glanced at the text in the document, chuckled softly, and then explained a few words in a voice that only President Kong and the other two could hear.

"I dragged Broad Group into this to use them as cover for this operation and to divert some of Goldman Sachs' attention."

"Our actions at Yuanda Group in June and July had already attracted the attention of Goldman Sachs, but we withdrew in time, leaving Goldman Sachs with nothing."

He paused briefly before explaining further.

"As expected, Goldman Sachs has been keeping a close eye on the five futures accounts we were operating at the time. After the operation was over, I suggested that Chairman Zhao put those five accounts into a dormant state."

"Once this joint operation begins, we can secretly cooperate with Yuanda Group to restart those five futures accounts and do some things to attract Goldman Sachs' attention."

At this point, Ling Yun's lips curled into a sly smile.

"The trading volume of those five accounts must be strictly controlled, like a carrot dangling in front of a donkey, tantalizing Goldman Sachs' appetite so that they can't resist but are reluctant to devour it all at once."

"Goldman Sachs' attention has been successfully drawn away. In addition, we are going to use a large number of domestic and foreign futures accounts to diversify our trading. In a short period of time, it will be difficult for Goldman Sachs to detect our actions..."

Mr. Kong and his colleagues were stunned, but their eyes grew brighter and brighter.

When they heard Ling Yun compare Goldman Sachs to a donkey pulling a millstone, only knowing how to stare at the carrot in front of it in circles, the three of them could no longer help but burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

Mr. Kong slammed his hand on the table and laughed heartily.

"Wow! A feint attack while secretly advancing – that's the art of war! Brilliant!"

Director Li smiled and shook his head, pointing his finger lightly at Lingyun.

"You're too clever, kid. That was a brilliant move. How about you use a mix of real and feigned to completely confuse those Goldman Sachs guys?"

Ling Yun picked up the conversation smoothly, with an expression of sudden realization and admiration.

"Brilliant insight! Your move of using feints to appear real, and then feints to appear real, is a stroke of genius! It has broadened the scope of your strategy!"

"In case Goldman Sachs realizes what's happening and starts targeting the joint investment team, we can have Yuanda suddenly increase its investment, catching Goldman Sachs off guard and leaving them unable to cope!"

Hey! They're getting into tactics now!

You're really good at flattering people, but those words really do sound nice!

Director Li glanced at Ling Yun with amusement before smiling and shifting his gaze back to the documents in his hand.

More than an hour has passed in the midst of our busy work.

After in-depth discussions, the basic framework for cooperation was determined, and the meeting moved into a more crucial stage of detailed consultation.

As soon as this segment began, Lingyun raised the most crucial question.

"I would like to ask the leaders, how much money are the airlines prepared to invest in this joint operation?"

"Only by having a precise understanding of the amount of capital can I formulate detailed investment strategies and determine the scale of investment and leverage ratios."

Mr. Kong chuckled softly and exchanged glances with Director Li and the others.

The next moment, he smiled and gave his answer.

"Through coordination, the airlines have determined their investment ratios: Air China and China National Aviation Holding Company will each contribute 200 million yuan, the General Administration of Civil Aviation will contribute 200 million yuan, and the profits will be used for the Civil Aviation Development Fund."

"China Eastern Airlines will contribute 150 million yuan, the other three airlines will each contribute 100 million yuan, and China National Aviation Fuel Group will contribute 400 million yuan to this joint investment."

"Add your personal investment of 300 million, and the total comes to 1.75 billion. I believe that will make some waves, but..."

Even though he was mentally prepared, Ling Yun was still shocked when he heard that the total amount was as high as 1.75 billion!