Qi Tongwei at the start: Not relying on Liang Lu, but winning by a single move against Heaven.

It's still quite convenient to travel from Jingzhou to Shanghai; the express train takes just over four hours, and even faster in later years.

Qi Tongwei walked out of the station exit at exactly one o'clock in the afternoon.

Stepping out of the station, the unique atmosphere of Shanghai hits you, unlike anything you'd seen in Bianxi or Handong.

If the character of Bianxi is desolate, then that of Handong is gloomy.

His impression of Shanghai was one of extravagance and superficiality; everything he saw was glitz and glamour.

The Bund was a bustling commercial hub.

Santana, Crown, and all kinds of cars shuttle back and forth on the road.

Even the pedestrians on the street exuded an air of superiority and arrogance.

Looking at the street scene, which already resembled a metropolis of later generations, Qi Tongwei sighed inwardly.

Sure enough, there are only wrong names, not wrong nicknames.

The Paris of the East truly lives up to its name.

Although there was still plenty of time, Qi Tongwei dared not relax in the slightest.

He had already experienced the popularity of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and he figured the Shanghai Stock Exchange wouldn't be much different.

In his plan, leveraging the funds accumulated through Shenzhen Development Bank and Yuyuan Mall is a crucial move.

Even the slightest mishap could affect the rest of the story, so he dared not gamble.

Upon arriving at the exit, a row of taxis were parked on the roadside waiting for fares.

Qi Tongwei picked out a Xiali car, opened the door, and got in.

"Master, go to the nearest securities brokerage."

Taxi drivers in the 90s were like living Baidu encyclopedias of a city.

From national news to all sorts of gossip, there's nothing they don't know.

This was even more true in later generations.

When you first arrive in an unfamiliar city and want to know which bathhouse is the best, just ask a taxi driver; you can't go wrong.

As soon as the Xiali started moving, Qi Tongwei asked the driver about the stock market situation in Shanghai.

The driver immediately became interested upon hearing the word "stocks" and began talking animatedly.

Listening to the driver's account, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but frown slightly.

According to the driver, the stock market in Shanghai is even hotter and more popular than that in Shenzhen.

It has almost reached the point where everyone is investing in stocks.

Qi Tongwei was somewhat worried, fearing that this trip to Shanghai would be in vain.

The Xiali drove through the streets and alleys before finally stopping in front of the Wanguo Securities branch.

Qi Tongwei opened the door and got out of the car.

Looking at the crowded people at the entrance, he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

The entrance to the business office was packed with people, completely blocking the doorway.

The queue stretched from the entrance all the way to the street corner, numbering well over a hundred.

Qi Tongwei frowned slightly, realizing that the queue was too long.

Just as he was worrying, a scalper approached.

"Boss, want a seat? 30 yuan each, you can get in right away..."

Qi Tongwei turned his head to look at the newcomer; he was a young man.

He considered it in his mind.

At this rate, even if he waits until the end of the workday, he still won't get a turn, so he might as well spend some money.

He took out three 100-yuan bills from his wallet and handed them over.

"I don't want a seat that's not near the front..."

The scalper took the money and held it up to the sun.

After confirming that everything was correct, he shouted to the crowd in line, and they immediately made way.

The young man led Qi Tongwei along the way, greeting the crowd as they went.

During this time, some people even joked with him.

"Boss Bao, you've helped someone else rise to the top again? I'll treat you to some drinks tonight..."

Ah Bao wasn't annoyed and responded to each question with a smile, clearly enjoying himself in this area.

Qi Tongwei frowned slightly; A Bao's demeanor didn't resemble that of a scalper at all.

Arriving at the front of the line, Abao smiled at a woman sitting on a small stool.

"You can go home now..."

The woman saw that it was Abao, and without saying a word, picked up her stool and left.

After the woman left, A Bao gestured with her chin, and Qi Tongwei immediately took that spot.

Even after buying a seat, it still took more than half an hour for Qi Tongwei to get a turn.

Upon entering the business hall, Qi Tongwei, having experience opening accounts in Shenzhen, didn't need any reminders.

Handing over my ID card, filling out forms to open an account, filling out a subscription form... it was all done with ease.

After completing all the formalities, Qi Tongwei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the salesperson's next words chilled him to the bone.

"You're asking for too much; we don't have enough to go around."

"There are five shares of Yuyuan Mall available now, do you want them?"

Qi Tongwei was taken aback and muttered to himself, "No sellers?"

In an instant, he understood the true situation in the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

In Shanghai right now, there are more buyers than sellers, and it's gotten to the point where tickets are extremely hard to come by.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Five pieces it is. Even mosquito meat is meat. I'll eat it first."

"I want it! I'll take as many of them as there are at Yu Garden Shopping Mall."

He paused slightly, glanced at the sales clerk, and tentatively began to speak.

"Can I place a request?"

The sales clerk didn't even look up, but handed over a form, sounding somewhat impatient.

"That's how everyone buys them now."

"Yuyuan Mall is currently priced at 320 yuan. What price will you list it at? How many shares do you want?"

Last time in Shenzhen, Qi Tongwei bought initial public offering (IPO) shares and did not engage in any entrusted transactions.

He only learned today that the stock market in 1990 already allowed placing orders.

He considered it for a moment, quickly filled out the request form, and handed it over.

"360 yuan, I'd like 100 shares first..."

The sales clerk glanced at the order form and spoke with a cold smile.

"Your price...it's not easy to close the deal..."

Qi Tongwei frowned slightly but didn't respond.

He listed it at a high price, exceeding the current price by 10%, and he didn't believe no one would sell it.

But reality taught Qi Tongwei a lesson.

By the close of trading, Qi Tongwei had only managed to buy 10 shares of Yuyuan Mall.

The market is too hot. Although there is a 3% daily price limit, no one is willing to sell.

Qi Tongwei walked out of the Wanguo branch and frowned slightly as he looked at the long queue.

The market has already closed, but the queue is still there; they are waiting for the market to reopen tomorrow.

He looked down at the stock certificate in his hand.

After a busy afternoon, I only managed to buy 15 shares of Yuyuan Mall.

Based on the market price of 320 per share, he has enough money to buy more than 600 shares.

At this rate, fifteen shares a day, it would take him more than a month to buy them.

He couldn't even wait twenty days, let alone more than a month; his vacation was about to end.

He even started considering whether to give up on this unprecedentedly volatile stock and buy other stocks instead.

Anyway, all the old stocks will rise; it's just a matter of how much.

But he dismissed the idea as soon as it crossed his mind.

In his memory, Yu Garden Market went completely crazy in mid-1992, with prices soaring to 10,000 yuan per share.

In his memory, all the other stocks had gone up, but this seemed to be the only one worth 10,000 yuan...

As he was thinking, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder, startling him.

Qi Tongwei suddenly looked up.

Standing in front of me was none other than A Bao, the scalper who had sold seats that afternoon.

Ah Bao glanced at the voucher in his hand, a smirk playing on his lips as he offered him a cigarette.

"Boss, you want to buy Yu Garden Mall?"

Qi Tongwei didn't take the cigarette, waving his hand, "No."

Being in an unfamiliar place, he dared not accept a cigarette from a stranger.

In his past life, he handled many cases involving drugs hidden in cigarettes and poisoned drinks.

Ah Bao didn't mind, lit a cigarette, and spoke with a smile.

"You just arrived in Shanghai, right?"

Without waiting for Qi Tongwei's reply, he took a deep drag of his cigarette and spoke again, his words carrying a profound meaning.

"Shopping spree, that's not how you do it..."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, realizing that there was something more to A Bao's words.

He began to re-examine the young ox in front of him.

The young man was handsome and very clean.

His suit was custom-made, his shoes were polished to a shine, and his hair was styled with hair wax...

In Shanghai dialect, it's very stylish.

After looking him over, Qi Tongwei's suspicions deepened.

This Abao is definitely not an ordinary scalper.

Qi Tongwei hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Brother, what's your suggestion for sweeping? Do you have a solution?"