Returning to his senior year of high school, he went all in and made billions by buying at the botto

After hanging up the phone, Shen Zhennan did not immediately return to the private room.

The typhoon wind was cold. He stood there, a cigar between his fingers, a bit of ash falling and sticking to the edge of his black leather shoes.

My phone vibrated again.

This email came from the CFO.

The title is jarring.

[Summary of Temporary Risk Control Inquiries Regarding Offshore USD Bond Refinancing Projects]

Shen Zhennan clicked on it.

The first line made his eyelids droop.

The Hong Kong lead brokerage firm has requested additional cash flow stress tests for East China Mining over the next twelve months.

Singapore Resources Fund suspends signing off on investment committee decisions.

European family offices are demanding a re-examination of the priority of domestic mining rights mortgages.

The custodian bank has requested Huadong Mining to explain the source of funds for its recent acquisition of the western province, as well as the impact of the new deposit payments on liquidity.

One by one.

Although it's not a direct rejection, this kind of inquiry is more annoying than a rejection.

A refusal allows for a change of topic, but risk control inquiries feel like a hand on your throat.

I won't let you die, but I won't let you breathe freely either.

Shen Zhennan placed his phone face down on the balcony railing, and the cold wind quickly dimmed the screen.

Laughter could still be heard from inside the private room, and Zhao Qiming seemed to be saying something flattering again.

He couldn't hear clearly, he just thought it was noisy.

Gao Peng pushed open the door and walked out. The smell of alcohol on his face was blown away by the wind, and the redness on his face faded considerably.

"President Shen."

Shen Zhennan did not turn around.

"What about domestically?"

Gao Peng's throat moved.

"There's a problem with that too."

Shen Zhennan finally turned around.

Gao Peng handed over the phone.

"The risk control department of Huaguo Bank's headquarters has asked us to resubmit the funding plan for the merger and acquisition project in west Province."

"Several provincial banks in Changhu also asked similar questions."

"There are also two trust companies that originally agreed to provide bridge financing, but now they say that the approval process will be slowed down during the Spring Festival and they will have to wait until after the holiday for review."

Shen Zhennan looked at the screen.

In the upper right corner of the screen, the battery level was down to six percent. He stared at that red bar and suddenly chuckled.

"Is the approval process slowing down?"

Gao Peng did not respond.

Everyone understands these four words.

It's not that we can't approve it, it's that we dare not approve it now.

Huadong Mining expanded too quickly, and its debt ballooned too much.

When things are going smoothly, everyone is willing to add to the good fortune.

Once someone lays bare the risks, even if it's just on the risk control table, those financial institutions will immediately back off.

No one wants to take the blame for Huadong Mining at this time.

"Who did it?"

Shen Zhennan asked.

Gao Peng said in a low voice, "We're still investigating. That credit risk memorandum from overseas seems to have originated from a private bank, but it wasn't publicly released; it was from an investment risk review channel."

"This report, 'Risk Observation of Mining Mergers and Acquisitions in Western Province,' was commissioned by Xingchen Technology."

Star Technology.

Shen Zhennan pondered those four words.

"The company behind Xingxin?"

"right."

Gao Peng nodded.

"Zhao Qiming mentioned before that Xingxin has a young boss behind it who made his fortune through stock speculation. He didn't reveal who it was at the time."

Shen Zhennan returned the phone to him.

"Go ask now."

"Yes."

"Also, notify the headquarters' finance, legal, and investment departments that an emergency board meeting will be held tonight."

Gao Peng was taken aback.

"tonight?"

Do you think we have time to wait until tomorrow?

Shen Zhennan pushed open the terrace door, and the warmth and smell of alcohol from the private room rushed out.

The lively atmosphere just moments before suddenly quieted down a bit the moment he entered.

Zhao Qiming, holding his wine glass, smiled slightly stiffly: "President Shen, what happened?"

Shen Zhennan glanced at him.

"Mr. Zhao."

"Yes, please tell me."

"What's the name of the young man behind Xingxin?"

The cup in Zhao Qiming's hand wobbled slightly.

The wine almost spilled.

He didn't expect Shen Zhennan to ask this question suddenly.

"It seems... his surname is Chen."

Full name.

Zhao Qiming swallowed.

"Chen Mo."

The name was uttered, and the private room fell silent for two seconds.

Cao Guosheng sat beside him, his brows furrowed.

This was the first time he had ever truly heard the name.

Chen Mo?

He only knew that Xingxin Mining had a young boss behind it.

I didn't expect such a young name to sound like a student's.

Shen Zhennan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He put the wine glass back on the table.

That's all for tonight.

Everyone at the table was stunned.

Just a few minutes ago they were saying they wanted to take over the Beihe mining area.

The event suddenly ended?

But no one dared to ask.

Shen Zhennan picked up his coat, turned around and left.

Gao Peng followed closely behind.

Zhao Qiming stood there, still holding half a glass of wine in his hand.

Cao Guosheng stared at the doorway, a strange tightness gripping his heart.

He vaguely realized that the phone call he had just received was not simple.

……

1:20 a.m.

The East China Mining Headquarters video conference has begun.

When Shen Zhennan returned to his hotel suite, his shirt collar was already undone.

On the table sat a glass of cold, strong tea, and in the ashtray were several cigarette butts.

On the projection screen, the portraits of the directors lit up one by one.

Some were in their offices, some in their home studies, and one independent director was wearing pajamas with a suit over them; his face was even paler than the screen.

The CFO reports first.

"The $180 million overseas mezzanine financing was originally scheduled to be confirmed by the investment committee this week, but we have now been asked to provide supplementary materials."

"Even in the most optimistic scenario, it will be delayed by one to two weeks."

"If investors further request a reassessment of the credit rating, the process could take more than a month."

No one spoke in the meeting room.

The CFO continued scrolling down.

"Domestically, Huaguo Bank, Donghai Bank, and two local city commercial banks in west Province have all requested us to provide supplementary explanations regarding the use of funds for the west Province merger and acquisition and the source of debt repayment."

"New credit lines and loans issued before the Spring Festival are basically unable to be implemented."

"The company currently has ample cash on hand, but after deducting deposits, short-term debt repayments, funds tied up in projects under construction, and working capital for daily operations, the amount of funds available for free use is not abundant."

One director frowned: "Isn't there still over two billion in the account?"

The CFO looked up at him.

That's the total cash.

His tone was somewhat harsh.

"There are restricted funds, project deposits, and project funds that cannot be misappropriated."

"The amount that can actually be used to continue acquiring assets in the western province is less than 500 million yuan."

On the screen, the expressions of several directors changed.

Less than 500 million.

This amount of money would be a lot for an ordinary company.

But for a company like Huadong Mining, which is involved in mergers and acquisitions, it's only enough to keep things going.

Should we keep pouring money into Beihe? The risk is too great.

The legal representative took over the conversation.

"There's one more question."

"We've already signed several exclusivity agreements with minimal penalties for breach. However, if we proceed with the formal acquisition, we'll need to reach the payment stage."

"With financing delayed, continuing to sign contracts would lock the company into a dead end."

The head of the investment and financing department also spoke up: "External institutions have suddenly become more concerned about our leverage ratio. If they continue to make large-scale moves, it may affect all subsequent financing."

One board member couldn't help but ask, "Who did this?"

No one answered, but some people had a vague idea in their hearts.

Shen Zhennan leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the armrest.

An older independent director spoke up directly: "The issue now is not about who did it, but about ensuring cash flow. Huadong Mining's layout is not limited to the western province; projects in other regions are also underway. At this time, financing cannot be interrupted, and cash flow cannot be interrupted either."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I suggest we suspend the acquisition of mineral resources in the western province for now."

"For projects where a deposit has already been paid, we will maintain exclusive negotiations, but will not proceed to the next payment stage."

"All formal M&A agreements will be discussed after overseas financing and domestic credit lines are restored."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Zhennan's face darkened, and he clenched his right fist.

He personally spearheaded the project in the western province.

From the meeting in the provincial capital to the preliminary investigation of the Beihe mining area, and then to the large-scale deposit payment in the past few days, he set the entire pace.

The board's decision to "suspend" this expansion is tantamount to putting the brakes on it in front of everyone.

But that independent director had an unusual background, and his words carried great weight.

After a moment of silence, Shen Zhennan spoke up: "Chairman Zhou, if the project in the western province is stopped now, the momentum we've built up will be disrupted."

"I know. But if we keep going and the cash flow dries up, Huadong Mining won't just lose its rhythm, it will lose its legs."

Another director then spoke up: "President Shen, it's not that we're not going to do it in the Western Province, it's just that we'll postpone it."

"Yes, let's explain the overseas financing clearly first."

"We also need to stabilize the domestic banking sector."

"Continuing to sign contracts now is like tying up even more capital. If the financing is delayed for another half month, the company will be in a very passive position."

"Those mines in Beihe are not worth gambling with the entire group's credit."

Each sentence is distinct and not repeated.

To Shen Zhennan, it sounded like a dull knife.

He did not immediately refute.

The secretary brought in a document and placed it beside him.

The cover reads: "Market Risk Observation of Mining Mergers and Acquisitions in Western Province".

Client: Xingchen Technology Co., Ltd.

Shen Zhennan turned to the first page.

The writing is very clean, without a single insult or name-calling, and the words "East China Mining" do not even appear.

But after reading only the second page, he knew who this report was aimed at.

Highly leveraged foreign capital is rapidly acquiring local mining rights in a short period of time.

Multiple mergers and acquisitions projects in different locations have resulted in overlapping use of funds.

The acquiring entity relies on short-term financing to cover long-term resource assets.

Some mines are still in the stage of environmental rectification, safety production review or ownership consolidation, and the acquisition may create additional cash flow pressure.

When providing M&A loans, bridge loans, and mining rights mortgage financing, banks should pay attention to the closed-loop use of funds, the priority of mining rights mortgages, the assumption of historical debts, and the local industrial support capabilities.

Each one seems to be written in the shadow of East China Mining.

But it was written in an objective and professional manner.

At that moment, Jay Chou was also reading the same report.

He turned to one of the pages and tapped the screen.

"This piece is very venomous."

The head of the investment and financing department whispered, "Mr. Zhou, there is no fabricated content in it; all the cited industry cases and financial models are publicly available."

That's why it's poisonous.

Zhou Mingde raised his eyes.

"It doesn't spread rumors or exaggerate; it simply lays the risks out on the table."

"This is what bank risk control fears most. Nobody wants to pretend they can't see something that's clearly written down."

Shen Zhennan remained silent, his fingertips pressing on the paper.

Finally, someone couldn't help but ask, "What kind of interstellar technology is this? How can they have such methods?!"

No one responded.

At this moment, a name kept flashing through Shen Zhennan's mind.

Chen Mo.

"President Shen," Chairman Zhou's voice softened slightly, "I'm not against the Western Province project."

"You're optimistic about resource integration, and so am I. But East China Mining can't just throw a dozen projects at once when financing is tightest."

"Now all banks, funds, and trusts are watching us."

"To charge forward any further is not courage, it's defiance."

Shen Zhennan raised his head.

On the screen, several board members were watching him.

Everyone's attitude is clear: the project in the western province must be stopped.

At least for now, we need to stop.

Shen Zhennan suddenly felt a little tired.

He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.

He didn't speak for a long time.

"New mergers and acquisitions in the western province are suspended."

Gao Peng sat to the side, his fingers tightening slightly.

Shen Zhennan continued, "We have already signed an exclusive project agreement, are maintaining negotiations, and are not proceeding to the payment stage."

"The investment department has stopped contacting new mining rights."

"The finance department will conduct a cash flow stress test within 24 hours to stabilize overseas investors first."

"The legal department and investment and financing department are preparing to respond to the banks and trusts."

After saying this, he paused for a moment.

Our attention returned to that market risk observation report.

"Also, thoroughly investigate Star Technology and Chen Mo!"

The meeting ended at 2:30 a.m.

The screen went dark one by one.

Only Shen Zhennan and Gao Peng remained in the room.

Gao Peng asked in a low voice, "President Shen, how are we going to explain things to Beihe?"

"To be carried out in accordance with the board resolution."

Gao Peng shut his mouth, took the documents, and quickly left.

……