Chapter 907
A Plan to Turn the Tide
7 month 3 number.
In the morning, after leaving the villa on Old Peak Road, Lin Haoran went to Kwun Tong to inspect the laboratory and chat with Morris Chang for a while.
At noon, I visited the project site of the world's tallest building in Central to learn about the progress of the project.
He thought that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, nothing would happen today, and the day would pass by just like that.
However, as expected, something unexpected still happened.
In the evening, Lin Haoran returned to the villa on Shi Xun Road, had dinner with Guo Xiaohan, watched TV for a while, and then went to his study to read for a bit.
Just as he put down his book and was about to go back to his bedroom to take a shower and go to bed, a phone call made him stop in his tracks as he walked out of the study.
Lin Haoran glanced at the caller ID; it was Cui Zilong's number.
He frowned slightly, sat back down in his chair, and answered the phone.
"explain."
“Boss, something’s happened.” Cui Zilong’s voice carried an unusual seriousness. “The latest front-page headline of the Wall Street Journal this morning in the US is: Eastern Capital and Wall Street Vultures: Lin Haoran and Soros’ Secret Alliance.”
Lin Haoran's gaze sharpened slightly.
"anything else?"
"The Financial Times and The Economist also published similar articles, both implying that you and Soros were colluding to short Mexico."
Furthermore, the Wall Street Journal article quoted an unnamed insider as saying that during your meeting with Soros in Hong Kong, you reached a consensus on the risks of emerging markets, and that your funds were coordinated to some extent.
Cui Zilong paused for a moment, then continued, "In addition, according to our investigation, a total of 38 media outlets in the United States and Mexico simultaneously published related reports this morning North American time."
Although the wording differs, the core message is highly consistent, all implying a secret collaboration between you and the Quantum Fund to jointly short Mexico.
Lin Haoran tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.
Thirty-eight media outlets.
What a coincidence!
Unsurprisingly, there must be someone behind the scenes stirring things up, trying to exacerbate Mexico's debt crisis.
Lin Haoran could guess who this person was even with his toes.
It must be Soros!
Only he has the motivation, the resources, and the ability to mobilize such a massive media network in a short period of time to launch this public opinion war simultaneously.
Thirty-eight media outlets.
A cold smile appeared on Lin Haoran's lips.
That's quite a grand gesture.
"How's the news spreading?" he asked.
"Soon, it's now 9 a.m. New York time, and Wall Street has just opened. These reports have already started circulating in the market."
Our staff reports that several institutions have begun adjusting their exposure to Mexico, the peso fell 2.8% in early trading today, and Mexican bond yields rose 15 basis points.
Cui Zilong paused, then continued with a hint of worry in his voice, "Boss, there must be someone behind this. Although I don't know who is behind it, they are obviously targeting you. If we don't do something, your reputation will be completely ruined."
The Mexican Ministry of Finance has held an emergency press conference, making it clear that they demand an explanation from you, Boss. If this matter is not handled properly, it will have a huge impact on your businesses in Mexico!
Lin Haoran frowned slightly.
Mexican Ministry of Finance?
You jumped out so quickly?
If the rumors that Lin Haoran participated in shorting Mexico's financial crisis are confirmed, even before the crisis has truly erupted, his image will collapse instantly.
The Queen of England just officiated his wedding, and the global media just hailed him as a god, but now it's been revealed that he colluded with Wall Street's "financial vultures" to short a developing country. The contrast is too great.
Big enough to destroy a person.
Most importantly, if this is confirmed, it would directly offend the Mexican government.
Mexico is also a significant market. If he offends the Mexican government, his 711-Eleven business in Mexico will inevitably suffer a fatal blow.
More than 700 stores, thousands of employees, and considerable annual profits could all vanish overnight.
The Mexican government could find all sorts of reasons to make things difficult for him—tax inspections, health inspections, labor inspections—any excuse could paralyze his business.
In more extreme cases, assets may even be confiscated directly.
This is not alarmist.
For governments in distress, finding a foreign capitalist as a scapegoat is a common political tactic.
If it was just a covert, preemptive move to address the Mexican debt crisis, it would be a normal financial investment, and no one would blame him.
However, if he uses public opinion to trigger a financial crisis in Mexico, then he would be committing a crime in Mexico!
This constitutes financial plunder and taking advantage of someone's misfortune!
This property is completely different.
Lin Haoran understood the difference all too well.
If it's just normal financial investment, like when he buys Mexican government bond CDS through an offshore account, that's called risk hedging, asset allocation, or international capital flow.
Even if the Mexican government knew, it could only watch helplessly, because it was legal.
But if he gets involved in the information war and instigates the crisis, then the nature of the situation changes.
That would become "malicious short selling," "financial attack," or "interference in internal affairs by external forces."
The Mexican government could easily use this as an excuse to take extreme measures against him.
Soros's move was not only to use his reputation to ignite a crisis, but also to drag him into the fire.
At that time, public opinion will say that he joined forces with Soros, and the Mexican government will also believe that he is the mastermind behind it all.
That's a really ruthless move.
Fortunately, he was wary of Soros and secretly recorded the conversation.
Looking back now, the preparations made that day were incredibly wise.
A cold smile appeared on Lin Haoran's lips.
If he hadn't recorded that day, he would be facing an onslaught from dozens of media outlets and questioning from the Mexican Ministry of Finance, leaving him utterly speechless.
No matter how he explained, it was no use.
Because no evidence can be provided, it's just empty talk.
When they met with Soros, it was just the two of them present.
In this situation, if he hadn't recorded the conversation, he would have truly fallen into Soros's trap.
Soros thought he had no evidence and that he would suffer in silence.
But he was wrong.
He recorded the entire meeting that day.
Every word Soros said, every probe, and every invitation was clearly recorded in it.
Of course, there was also his own answer.
"I will not enter an unfamiliar market rashly."
"My roots are in Hong Kong and in the Asia-Pacific region."
"Business ethics and long-term partnerships are more important than short-term profits."
"I don't do anything illegal."
These words, at this moment, sound like a tailor-made talisman for his own protection. He will release this recording only after Soros's propaganda war reaches its climax and the market truly panics because of his "joint efforts" with Soros.
Soros's expression at that time will surely be quite interesting.
"boss."
On the other end of the phone, Cui Zilong's voice brought Lin Haoran back to his senses.
"Boss, what should we do now?" Cui Zilong's voice was tinged with anxiety. "The media in Hong Kong will definitely follow up tomorrow. Reporters will be blocking the entrance of the Kang Le Building, and your every move will be magnified and interpreted."
As the chairman of Oriental Media Group and Lin Haoran's top intelligence agent, Cui Zilong naturally understood the power of the war of public opinion.
After all, he was quite an expert in this field.
Therefore, he was still very worried about his boss.
Lin Haoran did not rush to answer.
He naturally understood the principle that "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down."
Today, Lin Haoran's status in the Hong Kong business community, and even in the global business community, is vastly different from what it used to be.
Leaving aside his past achievements, the fact that Queen Elizabeth II personally officiated at the wedding, with global political and business elites gathering at the Peninsula Hotel, was enough to make his name known in every corner of the world.
Citibank Executive Director, Berkshire Hathaway's second-largest shareholder, Walmart's major shareholder, Hong Kong's richest man, Queen's wedding officiant...
These titles combined make him an undeniable figure.
The tree catches the wind.
Lin Haoran understood this principle better than anyone else.
The more successful he becomes, the more people will be watching him.
Those who want to see him fall, those who want to take a piece of his flesh, those who are jealous of him and hate him, are all lurking in the shadows, watching him intently.
If these people seize an opportunity, they will swarm him and tear him to pieces.
"President Cui, you don't need to worry. Let them block, let them ask, let them write, I know what I'm doing."
Cui Zilong was stunned for a moment.
"Boss, aren't you going to respond?"
In Cui Zilong's view, this matter could be a big deal or a small deal, but if it is not addressed in time and the rumors are allowed to fester, it will cause incalculable damage to Lin Haoran's reputation and career.
"A response?" Lin Haoran chuckled. "A response to what? To those lies told by insiders? Or to the baseless accusations made by the Mexican Ministry of Finance?"
He paused, then continued.
"In short, I am confident that I can handle this matter. Mr. Cui, just keep an eye on the latest developments for me. If there is any emergency, please report to me immediately."
Cui Zilong sensed the composure and confidence in his boss's tone. Although he still had doubts, he knew that his boss never fought an unprepared battle.
"Understood, boss, I'll keep an eye on it."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Haoran leaned back in his chair.
He no longer needed to specifically investigate whether Soros was behind this.
Since the other party has done such a thing, he certainly cannot admit it, nor can he leave any evidence for Lin Haoran to arrest.
As long as he releases the recording, this matter will have nothing to do with him.
However, Lin Haoran was not in a hurry; he wanted to wait for the right opportunity.
The best time.
It's too early to play the recording now.
Soros's propaganda war has only just begun, the market has only just started to react, and the Mexican government can hold on for now.
Playing the recording now would prove my innocence, but it would also expose my true intentions prematurely.
Moreover, his plans for Mexico amount to a staggering $15 billion!
Since Soros wanted to use him to exacerbate panic in Mexico, why didn't Lin Haoran play along?
Let Soros's propaganda war continue to escalate, let market panic continue to spread, let the Mexican peso continue to depreciate, and let Mexican government bond yields continue to soar.
When Mexico can no longer hold on, when Soros thinks he has won a great victory, he will release the recording to prove his innocence.
At the same time, they quietly closed out their $15 billion position.
What will Soros's expression be then?
He painstakingly waged a propaganda war, utilizing dozens of media outlets, leveraging his connections in Washington, and uniting with Middle Eastern tycoons and European bankers. After months of planning, he finally ignited the Mexican crisis.
The results of it?
He wanted to share his earnings with Lin Haoran—no, not share, but Lin Haoran earned more, more safely, and more cleanly than him.
He was branded a "financial vulture" and a "market disruptor," while Lin Haoran remained the "builder" blessed by the Queen of England, the clean and respectable Eastern business leader.
Lin Haoran's smile deepened.
This is a worthwhile deal no matter how you look at it.
Lin Haoran stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the night view of Victoria Harbour was still dazzling.
The lights were reflected on the sea, swaying gently with the ripples.
On the distant summit of Victoria Peak, a few stars twinkled in the night sky.
This city, this land, is the result of his five years of hard work.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, Soros is setting up a very big scheme.
But what he didn't know was that there was another unseen player in this game.
Lin Haoran turned around, walked back to his desk, opened the drawer, and took out the small recorder.
He pressed play, and Soros's voice came through the recorder again.
"Mr. Lin, besides offering my congratulations, my main purpose in coming here is to discuss with you... The situation in Mexico has reached a very dangerous critical point... We believe that a drastic adjustment is likely inevitable... But within the risks lie opportunities..."
Lin Haoran listened for a few minutes and then turned off the recording.
enough.
That's enough.
He doesn't need Soros to admit "I'm shorting Mexico" in person, although Soros did say many similar things in the recording.
He only needs to prove one thing: that Soros had invited him, and that he had refused.
"I will not enter an unfamiliar market rashly."
"My roots are in Hong Kong and in the Asia-Pacific region."
"Business ethics and long-term partnerships are more important than short-term profits."
"I don't do anything illegal."
These words were his best protection.
He will release the recording once Soros's propaganda war reaches its climax and the market is genuinely panicked by his "joint efforts" with Soros.
In time, everyone will know that it wasn't Lin Haoran who teamed up with Soros, but rather that Soros tried to drag him down, and he refused.
The rumors that he "colluded with Wall Street vultures" will fall apart on their own.
Those who wanted to see him fall would be dumbfounded.
The Mexican government will also be speechless.
Lin Haoran put the recorder back in the drawer and sat back down in his chair. (End of Chapter)