I'm back in 1990

Chapter 446: Want to Participate

While accompanying Yu Xiang during her pregnancy, Huang Xiaochuan continued writing his thesis, while the Southeast Asian financial crisis continued to spread.

The economies of Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries have been severely damaged to varying degrees, with banks collapsing, businesses going bankrupt, and unemployment soaring. In an effort to salvage its economy, Thailand was forced to accept a $172 billion bailout, but was also compelled to sign a series of unequal treaties and implement austerity measures.

In his paper, Huang Xiaochuan pointed out that, inspired by this crisis, he found that there are defects in the financial systems of emerging markets, and he suggested that measures such as strengthening foreign exchange reserve management and improving financial supervision are needed.

In the conclusion of the paper, Huang Xiaochuan points out that although international capital is accused of being a "crisis driver," its actions are essentially about profiting from market imbalances, which is consistent with the logic of economics and finance. The deeper reason is the economic imbalances and policy mistakes in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.

To put it simply, in order to make it easier for themselves to come and go, Thailand didn't even build a wall around their houses. While this made things convenient for them, it also made things easier for robbers and thieves.

As our Chinese ancestors said, we should learn from history to understand the rise and fall of dynasties, and use history to correct our mistakes and gain insights.

After completing the thesis, Huang Xiaochuan turned his attention back to Hong Kong.

However, this time he and the capital he represents are not the harvesters but the defenders.

As the Southeast Asian financial crisis develops, it will transform into a financial crisis across Asia next year, at which time Hong Kong will also be affected.

This is mainly because Hong Kong operates a linked exchange rate system. Hong Kong's financial market has several characteristics, including fully open capital markets and huge foreign exchange reserves. According to data provided by Zhang Sui, as of August 1997, Hong Kong had US$928 billion in foreign exchange reserves.

In addition, Hong Kong has a mature financial derivatives market, such as the active trading of Hang Seng Index futures. In previous years, Huang Xiaochuan took advantage of Hong Kong's financial attributes to seize the opportunity and earn his first real pot of gold.

Hong Kong is precisely because of these characteristics that it has become the next target for international capital to exploit.

After reaping profits from Southeast Asian countries, Huang Xiaochuan has amassed a massive amount of capital. Now, he can rely on Hong Kong to reap a wave of international capital, which is a move that is in line with the trend.

He personally instructed Zhang Sui and formulated the next action plan. Because Zhang Yun suddenly took leave, all the work fell on Zhang Sui alone. Fortunately, Zhang Yun sent her team to cooperate with Huang Xiaochuan's next action. With the addition of Zhang Sui's own team, the preliminary work of the Hong Kong defense battle proceeded in an orderly manner.

Apart from Zhang Sui and Zhang Yun, no one knew Huang Xiaochuan's real next plan. Their teams were just following orders. Their current task was to consolidate the gains from the previous victories and gradually transfer funds to Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States.

Back at her headquarters, Zhang Sui asked her assistant to call a short meeting.

The team consisted of more than sixty people, and they all gathered in the conference room in no time.

Zhang Sui succinctly addressed everyone: "Today's meeting topic is just two words: 'paying out.' Everyone has done a great job recently, and hasn't been able to go home to rest until now. The big boss knows you've all worked hard, so he specifically instructed me to add 30 to your existing bonuses."

Dozens of people cheered excitedly, "Yay!"

The sound almost shook the ceiling down.

Zhang Sui smiled and pressed her hand down to quiet everyone down before continuing, "I've already had the money deposited into your accounts, but you all need to hang in there a little longer. Once this phase of work is completed, I'll give you all a long vacation. Okay, everyone, let's get back to work."

After saying that, Zhang Sui left the meeting room.

After everyone returned to their seats, they immediately called their respective banks to confirm whether the money had arrived in their accounts.

"Hello Mr. Li, your account has received a deposit of $1.4 million today."

"Are you sure it's one million four hundred thousand US dollars?"

"Yes, Mr. Li, the deposit of $1.4 million has been confirmed. Is there anything else you need help with, Mr. Li?"

"That's all! Thank you!"

"You're welcome. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now. Thank you for your call."

"Ms. Guan, a sum of two million US dollars has been deposited into your account today. Our bank has top-notch financial advisors who can provide a variety of financial services. Would you like me to transfer you to our account?"

"Thank you, no need, this is fine!"

"Okay, Ms. Guan, have a nice day!"

"Kerry, where are you planning to go on vacation after you get out of quarantine?"

"Caribbean Sea, what about you?"

"Me? Of course I'm going to Paris! It's the city of romance; who knows, I might even find love!"

"Paris? Forget it! It reeks of urine everywhere. Is that the romance you're looking for?"

The group was either checking their bank account balances or discussing where to go on vacation or planning to buy sports cars or yachts. With such a large sum of money, many of their ideas could finally come true.

After Zhang Sui returned to her office, her assistant told her, "Dina, Chairman Min of HSBC wants to meet with you."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Sui said to her assistant, "Judy, call Chairman Min back and ask her to make an appointment for tonight! I'm free tonight, so I'd like to invite her to dinner. Could you book a table at Caprice for me?"

"Okay, I'll call right away!"

That evening, Zhang Sui met with Min Huifen as promised.

Zhang Sui warmly took Min Huifen's hand and complimented her, "Chairwoman Min, you look so radiant! How do you usually take care of yourself?"

Min Huifen said reproachfully, "Dina, you're making fun of me again. How old am I? I'm old and past my prime!"

"I'm telling the truth. At your age, you're at the peak of your physical and mental well-being, radiating charm from the inside out."

After the two women flattered each other for a while, Min Huifen asked directly, "Dina, you two have gained quite a bit this time, haven't you?"

Zhang Sui picked up her wine glass and said, "Thanks for your kind words, it's alright, isn't it?"

Min Huifen also raised her wine glass: "Could you include HSBC in the fun?"

Zhang Sui paused slightly in her wine glass for a moment, then subtly clinked glasses with Min Huifen.

"Chairman Min, as you know, I'm just a maid who takes the keys; I only do the work, not run the household."

Zhang Sui's subtle movements did not escape Min Huifen's eyes, and she had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

"Mr. Huang, do you have any plans to come to Hong Kong soon? If you do, could you please introduce me to you? I'd like to meet with you."

Zhang Sui slowly and deliberately put a small spoonful of creamy mushroom soup into her mouth, chewed it a few times, and then swallowed it.

Then he said, "Chairman Min, you have Mr. Huang's contact information, why don't you just call him and make an appointment?"

Without Huang Xiaochuan's permission, Zhang Sui would not reveal his whereabouts to anyone.

Seeing that Zhang Sui spoke so tactfully, Min Huifen told Zhang Sui about Huifeng's thoughts and asked her to pass them on to Huang Xiaochuan.

Zhang Sui neither confirmed nor denied this. Just then, the main course was served. Tonight's main course was roasted blue lobster with vanilla butter.

Zhang Sui explained to Min Huifen: "Actually, their Wellington Wagyu beef steak with black truffle sauce is quite good, but the Wagyu beef didn't arrive today, so the chef suggested using Brittany blue lobster instead."

Min Huifen smiled and said, "Their Wellington Wagyu beef steak with black truffle sauce is excellent, but the blue lobster is also good. Both dishes have been recommended by Michelin."

After the final dessert was served, Min Huifen, on behalf of HSBC, extended an olive branch to Zhang Sui.

"Dinah, if you'd like, HSBC can offer you a position with an annual salary of two million."

"Oh my god? Really?" Zhang Sui responded to Min Huifen with an exaggerated expression and tone, but that was all. She didn't continue the topic at all. Min Huifen tried to bring up the topic several times, but Zhang Sui skillfully deflected each attempt.

Zhang Sui knew very well what HSBC wanted, but she wouldn't go to HSBC. HSBC wouldn't trust her like Huang Xiaochuan did, nor would they casually reward her with twenty million US dollars.

The next day, Zhang Sui told Huang Xiaochuan about HSBC's idea, represented by Min Huifen.

After hearing this, Huang Xiaochuan did not immediately express his opinion. He needed to think about this matter carefully. He understood HSBC's idea. They were simply envious and wanted to make a quick profit. However, the second phase of the Southeast Asian financial war was nearing its end. Huang Xiaochuan's main plan at present was to prepare for the Hong Kong financial crisis next year.

Huang Xiaochuan was unsure whether HSBC would cooperate with him in countering his plan to short Hong Kong next year.

Moreover, he couldn't reveal this to HSBC too early. After all, HSBC is an international bank with many clients. If the news got out, it might cause Huang Xiaochuan's plan to fail, and Hong Kong's financial sector would also suffer a severe blow.

However, with HSBC, a global bank, joining the fray would greatly increase their chances of success, leaving Huang Xiaochuan in a dilemma.

He didn't actually mind HSBC getting a piece of the pie; after all, having more friends is better than having more enemies.

However, this is not something to rush. The most important thing right now is that Yu Xiang is about to give birth.