After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future

Chapter 381 -378: Questioning, The Fourth Rate Hike

“Wandering Earth?”

“Is there a soil for sci-fi movies in China?”

After seeing off Wu Jing, Lu Liang picked up the movie project proposal he recommended. The strength of the domestic industrial film was actually not bad, and they could make good sci-fi movies if they wanted.

But after all the filming, it always ended up focusing on love and romance, and besides, Guo Fan’s first two films were romance films.

Lu Liang was skeptical about this and didn’t plan to invest. Telling Wu Jing to consider it was just an excuse.

However, he didn’t expect to be proven wrong so quickly.

It was nearly midnight, and Lu Liang was still at the office, watching the movements of the Federal Reserve and various foreign exchange markets.

They used 40 billion US Dollars, divided into four groups, quietly infiltrating the foreign exchange markets of four countries, just waiting for the market to move and except for the US Dollar, the exchange rates of other currencies to fall.

Seizing the opportunity to close their positions and then enter the US Stock Market.

After all, as long as the dominance of the US Dollar existed, the logic behind the rise of the US stocks would not change, and it also became a temporary refuge for a large amount of capital.

When Lu Liang had no plans, their funds stayed in the US Stock Market, only to be pulled out when needed.

As the midnight chimes rang, a look of surprise appeared on Lu Liang’s face: “Is there really a soil for sci-fi movies?”

When “Wandering Earth” was taken down, with a box office of 4.687 billion RMB, it seemed like national sci-fi movies were about to rise.

The success of War Wolf led the military and patriotic-themed films set up in the past two months to surge to triple digits, with a large number of film companies following suit.

Although numerous poor-quality films would emerge, certainly a few good ones would benefit from this wave, and the same went for sci-fi movies.

The future success of “Wandering Earth” was bound to cause an explosive growth in Chinese sci-fi films.

“The estimated total production cost is 350 million RMB, and there is currently a funding gap of 150 million RMB.”

Lu Liang picked up the project proposal again and saw the investors column, China Film contributed 110 million RMB, clearly moved by the idea.

“The concept of a shared human destiny is indeed good, similar but different from the Belt and Road initiative, except it’s like Noah’s Ark, letting the rich and powerful escape first.”

Lu Liang laughed quietly, finding amusement in his own thoughts.

If the outcome was unknown, any speculation was unreliable, but if the outcome was known, even a piece of crap could be analyzed for its intricate benefits.

He called Xu Jiawei and instructed, “On the night of the 1st, at Shangri-La Hotel, add Wu Jing’s thank-you dinner to your schedule.”

Lu Liang wasn’t in a hurry to reply to Wu Jing. The film project still had a funding gap of 150 million RMB, and no one domestically, except him, could likely come up with it.

Those with money weren’t interested, those without money, even if interested, weren’t helpful, investing twenty or thirty million wouldn’t quench the thirst, but he had the financial power to fully fund it at once.

One shouldn’t seek multiple masters for a single affair, and the same went for being invested in.

Three to five investors were always better than seven or eight; fewer problems would arise.

As the night deepened, the non-farm employment data was published ahead of the Federal Reserve, exciting the foreign exchange market, with US stocks looking up.

This quarter saw an addition of 560,000 jobs, the unemployment rate falling from 4.7% last quarter to 4.15%, meeting expectations, good news for the stock market.

Lu Liang reflected and then suddenly realized, releasing non-farm employment index before the interest rate hike was deliberate, not wanting to interrupt the bull market due to the rate increase.

Because the interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve was bound to cause capital to flow out of the stock market, reducing the market’s liquidity and thus being bearish for the stock market.

Upon receiving the news, Lu Liang immediately called Wen Chao, saying succinctly, “Non-farm employment data released first, 80% of funds divided into four paths into the foreign exchange markets of China, Japan, Europe, and Britain, ready to go short, waiting for the real market movement.”

Simultaneously, Wen Chao received the news and swiftly issued the latest command, “80% of all capital positions, enter the foreign exchange markets of China, Japan, Europe, Britain, prepare to go short.”

“The Labor Bureau’s non-farm employment data is clearly above expectations, Mr. Lu, why go short on these four nations’ currencies?”

Ota Ling was taken aback, furrowing his brows. The non-farm employment data meeting expectations was clearly good news for the stock market, but why channel it into the foreign exchange market.

The US non-farm employment index is a fascinating figure. If it’s much higher than expected, the stock market could crash, just like last time with the Dow.

Maintaining a certain level of unemployed populace is beneficial, enjoying demographic dividends. If the unemployment rate is too low, employees lose their sense of crisis and begin demanding higher wages and benefits, thereby affecting corporate profits.

But if it’s lower than last quarter’s expectations, it indicates a large unemployed population domestically, indicating an economic downturn, similarly crashing the stock market.

Just like this quarter, releasing the non-farm employment data neither high nor low, perfectly meeting expectations, is the biggest boon for the stock market.

A moment ago, upon seeing the non-farm employment data, Ota Ling felt a surge of admiration for Lu Liang, like the continuous flow of a river, thinking they were about to enter the US Stock Market to go long.

Then suddenly, he’s told to turn the guns around and enter the international foreign exchange market excluding the US Dollar.

He even thought he was hallucinating.

The people who harbored this thought weren’t just Ota Ling; over sixty traders on duty that night felt the same.

Only a few acted, most of them looked to Ota Ling for confirmation of the order.

Most workplaces in Tokyo operate on a seniority system, and everyone here was over thirty years of age.

Why should Wen Chao, a 26- or 27-year-old kid, and Chinese at that, be directing them? freēnovelkiss.com

Agreeing to be commanded was one thing, but actually being commanded was quite another.

After all, it involved 4 billion US Dollars and the use of five times leverage, a slight misstep could lead to losses of several billions of US Dollars.

Wen Chao saw that of the 20 billion in the main account, less than two billion were following orders and entering the British-American foreign exchange market.

His face was as dark as water as he said sternly, “Mr. Lu’s orders do not require your doubt, just compliance.”

Although he said this, not a single person present moved, including those few traders who had initially acted.

At this moment, they all stopped and looked towards Ota Ling for his latest instruction.

Wen Chao could no longer maintain his composure and shouted loudly, “Mr. Ota, do I need to consult with Mr. Lu again?”

Having followed Lu Liang for over two years, he knew well Lu Liang’s trading methods and personality. Since he had detailed the next moves, it meant the market move was imminent.

Lu Liang was also selfish; knowing Mitsui Sumitomo’s position, he would never let them be ahead.

They should have entered the forex markets of the four countries the moment Lu Liang gave the order.

To build positions at the lowest price and maximize profits.

“Mr. Wen, don’t be upset, actually, we have absolute trust in Mr. Lu, it’s just…”

Ota Ling quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile, in fact, intending to make Wen Chao confirm the order with Lu Liang again.

After all, with the non-farm employment data released, and the stock market booming, entering the forex market now seemed to miss the momentum.

Before he could finish his sentence, someone suddenly shouted, “The Federal Reserve announces a rate hike, the fourth of this interest rate hike phase…”

As soon as the words fell, the trading room plunged into a deathly silence; they were veteran traders and understood what this meant.

Ota Ling suddenly became anxious like an ant on a hot pan, “Quick, quick, all funds into the forex market of the four countries.”

“US-Japan broke 124…”

“US-UK broke 0.73…”

“US-Euro broke 0.91…”

“US-China broke 6.68…”

As the Federal Reserve announced the fourth interest rate hike of this cycle, from 1.50% to 2.00%, up 50 basis points,

the rising US Stock Market was abruptly contained, and currencies worldwide fell in response by 0.09% – 0.32%.

Although it was only the first decimal point and insignificant, taking the RMB’s depreciation of 0.095% as an example, using last year’s central bank’s total currency issuance of 168 trillion as base, it represented the evaporation of 1.59 trillion in value within just a few seconds.

As time progressed, 18 billion US Dollars, nearly 90% of positions, surged into the currency markets of the four countries, joining this short-selling feast.

Ota Ling breathed a slight sigh of relief, his face full of smiles and nods; if judged only by appearances, one would never guess he was the helm of a trillion-dollar group.

He walked over to Wen Chao, warmly draping an arm around his shoulders, and complimented with a smile, “Mr. Wen, truly a man of talent and grandeur, truly deserving as Mr. Lu’s trusted belov…

Ota Ling’s flattery was unceasing, with only one purpose: to hope that Wen Chao would let this incident slide.

After all, they hadn’t missed the opportunity; just pretend nothing had happened. They had nearly missed the perfect entry point due to questioning Lu Liang’s decision.

It would be best if this news stopped with Wen Chao, it absolutely must not reach Lu Liang’s ears.

Otherwise, who knew what price would have to be paid.

“Mr. Wen, Mr. Guishan from Beidou, is my close friend and also a long-term partner of Mitsui Sumitomo.”

Ota Ling didn’t understand Wen Chao, assuming since Lu Liang fancied women, his subordinates would probably be similar, so he decided to cater to his tastes.

Beidou is Neon’s biggest adult video production group, owning prominent labels like S1, IP Society, among others in the industry.

“It’s quite coincidental, they are hosting a summer celebration soon; Mr. Wen, how about we go together?”

Ota Ling subtly observed Wen Chao’s reaction, unfortunately, the anticipatory gleam didn’t appear on his face.

Wen Chao just smiled and suddenly picked up his phone; his call with Lu Liang had never been disconnected.

Ota Ling was shocked and couldn’t help but say with a bitter smile, “Mr. Lu, we are truly sorry for doubting you.”