Chapter 905
Go, let's make history!
After listening to David's words, Soros couldn't help but think.
David's point is simple: to use Lin Haoran's reputation and influence to endorse the Quantum Fund's short-selling actions.
The Quantum Fund is not yet strong enough to trigger Mexico's debt crisis, but with Lin Haoran added, it might just become a catalyst.
This idea made Soros think deeply.
He had to admit that David's offer was indeed very tempting.
Lin Haoran is now a global figure of great interest, far more influential than George Soros!
The first non-American executive director of Citibank; successfully predicted the decline in US stocks at the end of last year; just a few months ago, the Queen of England officiated his wedding, which brought together political and business elites from around the world!
It can be said that Lin Haoran's reputation is at its peak.
If the market believes that Lin Haoran is also shorting Mexico, the impact will be far greater than if the Quantum Fund itself shouts itself hoarse.
But the question is, how will Lin Haoran himself react?
Soros looked up at David: "Go on, how exactly do we do it?"
Encouraged, David gradually increased his speaking speed.
“Mr. Chairman, this is my idea. We don’t need to say directly that Lin Haoran is cooperating with us. That would be too easy for others to use against us. We can proceed in several steps.”
Soros nodded, signaling him to continue.
David held up one finger.
"The first step is to have some financial media publish some retrospective reports, reviewing your recent itinerary, highlighting your trip to Hong Kong and your meeting with Lin Haoran."
The reporting should be neutral, stating the facts objectively, but subtly implying the importance and secrecy of the meeting. For example, it could state that Soros traveled all the way to Hong Kong for a two-hour private meeting with Hong Kong's richest man, Lin Haoran, the content of which was unclear.
He raised his second finger.
"The second step is to have another group of media outlets publish some analytical articles in a few days, analyzing the changing attitudes of international capital toward emerging markets."
The article could list the recent activities of some well-known figures in the international financial world, such as what Buffett reduced his holdings in, who Soros met with, and what recent fund flows Lin Haoran's Renaissance Fund has made.
Present this information side-by-side, but without providing direct connections or interpretations, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.
He raised his third finger.
"The third step, when we are ready, is to have some sources close to us reveal to the media that, according to inside information, Lin Haoran and Soros reached a consensus on the risks to the global economy and certain emerging markets during their meeting in Hong Kong."
What is this consensus? There's no need to spell it out; let the market guess.
He withdrew his hand, a confident smile spreading across his face.
"Once the market starts to speculate, we will release the fourth step: through some channels, we will get the local Mexican media to notice these international reports."
Mexico's elite are inherently sensitive to international public opinion. When they see international media discussing the meeting between Lin Haoran and Soros, and when they begin to speculate whether the two are colluding to short-sell Mexico, what will they do?
David paused, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
"They will panic because they know that Lin Haoran is backed by the Hong Kong Chinese business community, the Queen of England's endorsement, and the power of Eastern capital."
Behind Soros are Wall Street speculative capital and the keen sense of hedge funds.
If these two join forces, what does it mean? It means that the smartest money is bearish on Mexico, so what are ordinary wealthy people waiting for?
A low murmur arose in the conference room.
Soros remained silent, clearly considering the feasibility of David's suggestion.
At this point, fund manager Richard raised his hand and questioned, "What if Mr. Lin Haoran personally came out to refute the rumors?"
This question was like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of some people who were secretly excited.
The chatter in the meeting room abruptly ceased, and all eyes turned to Richard, then back to David.
David, however, remained calm, as if he had anticipated that someone would raise this question.
"Richard, that's a very good question."
David calmly closed the notebook in front of him and looked at the other person, "But I would like to ask a question in return. The meeting between the Chairman and Mr. Lin was on the news, and there were even reporters who took pictures. In this situation, even if Mr. Lin denies it, will everyone believe it?"
Perhaps people simply believe that Mr. Lin's denial is only because the matter is unethical. He reportedly has a lot of business in Mexico, such as the 711-Eleven convenience store, and Mexico is one of his important markets.
Therefore, once the media reveals this matter, everyone will inevitably believe that Mr. Lin's denial is merely for commercial gain, rather than a denial of the facts.
As soon as David finished speaking, the atmosphere in the conference room became even more subtle.
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Think about it, what does Lin Haoran have in Mexico? 711-Eleven convenience stores. That's an important business segment he established globally after acquiring shares in Southern Company."
Mexico is one of 711-Eleven's most important markets in Latin America. According to our research, they currently have over 700 stores in Mexico, employing thousands of people and contributing substantial profits annually.
A more confident smile appeared on his lips.
"If he publicly refutes the rumors and says that he did not short Mexico, what will the market think?"
They would think, of course he'd deny it. He has such a big business in Mexico, how could he possibly admit to short selling? Wouldn't that be contradicting himself? Wouldn't that put his business in Mexico in trouble?
Most importantly, he certainly has no evidence whatsoever that he spoke with the Chairman!
David's voice became more certain, as if he could already see Lin Haoran in trouble.
"On that day, only he and the Chairman were present at the meeting. There were no third parties, no recordings, no notes, and no memorandums."
He says they talked about something, and that's what it is; he says they didn't talk about anything, and that's also what it is. Who can prove it? Who can testify?
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"He said we didn't discuss Mexico? Okay, then what did you discuss? Two hours, there must have been some content, right?"
He said we were just chatting? Who would believe that? Mr. Soros flew all the way to Hong Kong just to chat with him?
A cold smile appeared on David's lips.
"Therefore, every word he refutes becomes a clue for the media to ask questions. The more he explains, the more loopholes there are. The longer he remains silent, the deeper the speculation becomes."
In the end, he had no choice but to keep quiet, and keeping quiet was the best form of acquiescence.
David's words immediately plunged everyone in the conference room into deep thought.
Soros leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.
His gaze drifted to the Manhattan skyline outside the window, clearly deep in thought about the strategy David had proposed.
It must be said that David's analysis was indeed accurate.
Lin Haoran's current situation is like that of a tightrope walker.
He wanted to profit from the Mexican crisis while maintaining his perfect image as a "builder." David's plan, however, was to push him off this tightrope—not actually, but to make the audience think he was about to fall.
Once the market believes that Lin Haoran, Soros, and the Quantum Fund have reached some kind of agreement to short the market together in Mexico, then Lin Haoran's image as a "builder" will be torn open.
The market doesn't care about the truth; all they see is that the Eastern paragon blessed by the Queen and adored by the media is actually standing on the same ruins as the vultures of Wall Street, waiting to devour the carcasses of their prey.
This was the "icing on the cake" that Soros had always dreamed of.
The cleaner Lin Haoran's reputation, the bigger the commotion when it's smashed, and the more intense the panic it causes.
“So,” Soros said slowly, his fingers ceasing their tapping, “you mean that whether Lin Haoran remains silent or retaliates, as long as we forcibly link the name Lin Haoran with the shorting of Mexico, we have already won.”
David nodded emphatically: "That's right, Mr. Chairman. The essence of information warfare is not persuasion, but connection. Once the connection is established, the truth becomes irrelevant."
A murmur of admiration rippled through the conference room once again.
Soros nodded as well.
If things are really as they think, then Lin Haoran will definitely be dragged down with them.
At that point, no amount of explanation from the other party will be of any use; it will only make things worse.
A slight smile appeared on Soros's lips.
This plan is truly ingenious. No matter how Lin Haoran reacts, he cannot escape the trap they have set.
As for whether the other party has evidence to prove that he did not reach any agreement with Soros?
Soros believed that Lin Haoran could not possibly have any evidence.
Only he and Lin Haoran were present at the time!
As for whether there will be a recorder?
Soros was even more convinced that this was impossible.
After all, he figured that a business tycoon like Lin Haoran must frequently meet with all sorts of people, as evidenced by the luxurious reception room.
Recording every meeting is not only a sign of distrust, but also a potential way to gather evidence against someone.
If the recording were leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable. Given Lin Haoran's cautious nature, he shouldn't do something that would give others leverage against him.
Soros was very confident in his judgment.
Moreover, although Soros is a figure on Wall Street, his influence in the financial world is not that great, and the other party probably doesn't know much about him.
Since we don't understand him, it's impossible to take too many defensive measures.
Who would have thought that a businessman from Hong Kong would be so wary as to record a conversation with the chairman of a Wall Street fund company he was meeting for the first time?
This is illogical.
Moreover, he had investigated Lin Haoran and had never heard of him having a habit of secretly recording conversations.
Soros's gaze regained its composure.
He glanced at everyone present, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“David’s plan can be executed. As you said, it will be done in four steps. Robert, you will be in charge of the media channels to ensure that the messages at each step are delivered accurately and that there is no visible connection between them.”
Robert Johnson nodded solemnly and quickly took notes in his notebook.
Soros then turned to Victor Harris: "Victor, do you have any confidence in the local media channels in Mexico?"
The goal is to make the international news visible to the elite, and to give them the illusion that their own people are also on the move.
Victor pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "There are two financial media outlets in Mexico City that have indirectly cooperated with us. It shouldn't be a big problem to operate through intermediaries. The key is to seize the right timing and seamlessly connect with David's third and fourth steps."
Soros nodded: "That's good."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"Everyone, the core of this plan is to use Lin Haoran, but we can't let him realize that we're using him. So, all operations must be carried out through intermediaries and in the form of market rumors."
We neither admit nor deny, and we take no responsibility, understand?
Everyone responded in unison, "Understood!"
"In that case, let's adjourn the meeting and go prepare. We've invested so much this time, we must fight this battle brilliantly. Quantum Fund, it's time to make a name for ourselves!" Soros stood up, placed his hands on the table, and swept his piercing gaze over everyone present.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are standing at a historic juncture. This battle in Mexico is not just about making money, but also about announcing to the world that the Quantum Fund has arrived!"
We are not those law-abiding pension fund managers on Wall Street; we are the real predators.
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that made one's blood boil.
"When Mexico falls, the world will remember the Quantum Foundation. By then, we will have a larger fund, greater influence, and a wider network of connections."
Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela… the whole of Latin America will become our hunting grounds, and everyone here today will become a part of this legend.”
The atmosphere in the meeting room became lively.
“Go,” Soros waved his hand. “Let’s make history.”
One by one, everyone stood up, and this time, no one hesitated.
The sounds of footsteps, conversations, and the opening and closing of elevator doors gradually faded into the distance.
The meeting room finally quieted down.
Soros did not leave immediately.
He walked to the window and opened the blinds completely, letting the Manhattan sunlight flood in without any obstruction.
The spire of the Empire State Building gleamed in the afternoon sun. Countless office buildings, just like this building, were bustling with activity, filled with countless people like him, striving for their ambitions and desires.
A slight smile appeared on Soros's lips.
He thought of Lin Haoran.
It must be nighttime in Hong Kong at this time.
That young man must be enjoying the bliss of married life right now, right?
Perhaps he is embracing his newlywed wife, enjoying the night view of Victoria Harbour from the terrace of his villa on Sham Road.
Soros raised his water glass and gently swirled it in front of the night view outside the window, as if offering a toast.
"Mr. Lin, sweet dreams."
He said softly, "When you wake up, you'll find that the world has changed." (End of Chapter)