How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 702

702. Listen to Me, Short the Island Nation Now

Chapter 702 Listen to Me, Short the Island Nation Now

Representatives from various departments echoed Yang Chen’s concerns. Citing road information security and other critical factors, they insisted that Cabbage Express be recalled immediately. Furthermore, they proposed that Qian Du Group’s autonomous driving business be spun off into a separate, government-controlled entity for thorough evaluation before any potential re-entry into the market.

Regardless of Qian Du’s influence, it couldn’t withstand the collective pressure from these functional departments. Chairman Li, ever the pragmatist, recognized the shifting tides. Seeing that the departmental representatives aligned with Yang Chen’s views, he felt compelled to demonstrate his patriotic stance as a citizen of Dragon Country [a fictional country, likely meant to represent China].

“After listening to the representatives, I am deeply moved,” Chairman Li declared. “It’s no exaggeration to say that my ideological awareness has been greatly enhanced. Compared with the safety of the country and its people, what does making money even matter? I’ll state my position clearly: I absolutely support spinning off the autonomous driving business to form a new government-controlled company. If any other executives or shareholders have dissenting opinions, please voice them now.”

With the chairman having firmly planted his flag, the company’s executives predictably followed suit, expressing their unwavering support.

Most shareholders were pragmatic, prioritizing profit above all else. After all, their shares afforded them limited influence in such matters anyway.

“We also believe that launching this business was too hasty, and there are numerous details that require further refinement. Let’s recall it and thoroughly discuss how to improve it.”

“Spinning off the autonomous driving business into a separate company is indeed a brilliant idea. Perhaps we can even pursue a separate listing for the autonomous driving business in the future! Haha…”

“Now that you mention it, I believe President Yang’s suggestion holds immense value. I think we should proceed exactly as President Yang advises.”

……

Chairman Li inwardly scoffed, *”A bunch of sycophants.”*

However, in the prevailing circumstances, embracing sycophancy was the most prudent course of action. To oppose Yang Chen and the departmental representatives would be an act of sheer folly.

Chairman Li inquired with a disarming smile, “President Yang, what percentage of equity are you seeking to hold? After all, you’ve invested considerable effort in advocating for the spin-off of the autonomous driving business to create this new company, so you rightfully deserve a substantial share.”

Clearly, Chairman Li suspected that Yang Chen was acting out of self-interest, but he couldn’t have been more mistaken. Yang Chen simply had no interest in this particular venture.

Yang Chen shook his head dismissively. “I have no intention of holding shares separately. Qian Du Group can retain them. Frankly, I’m not particularly interested in this. My Star Chen Automobile already boasts its own autonomous driving R&D team. I see no need to hold shares in Qian Du Group’s autonomous driving business as well. My motivation is purely to safeguard road information security and provide a safety net for drivers.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly. I still have much to learn from President Yang in the future. My ideological awareness clearly needs improvement. Haha…” Chairman Li said with forced joviality.

Yang Chen chuckled, “Hehe… Spare me the sarcasm if you’re displeased.”

“No, no, I sincerely believe that my ideological awareness pales in comparison to President Yang’s. I have much to learn. President Yang, are there any promising investment opportunities on the horizon? Please enlighten us,” Chairman Li pressed, his smile unwavering.

Yang Chen responded with a knowing smile, “As a matter of fact, there is an intriguing investment opportunity. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t divulge such information. However, I’m willing to share this particular opportunity with you. Wall Street is poised to harvest the Island Nation [likely referring to Japan or Taiwan, depending on the context] to alleviate their staggering debt burden of over 30 trillion. The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and others resulted in the write-off of substantial deposits, but that was merely a drop in the bucket. More banks are destined to face similar crises, perhaps through conveniently timed ‘accidents’ like fires that destroy deposit records while leaving loan data miraculously intact.”

The other shareholders immediately perked up, their ears twitching at the mention of Star Chen Investment’s involvement. They knew Yang Chen wouldn’t make such a bold claim without solid justification.

“President Yang, do you possess inside information? Are they truly capable of such outrageous acts as destroying deposit data? If they were to do such a thing, who would ever dare to deposit money there again?”

“That’s right! It’s a self-destructive act that undermines the very foundation of trust. I refuse to believe they could be so foolish.”

“Why short the Island Nation?”

“Didn’t you say they were planning to harvest *us*? Shouldn’t we be shorting the A-shares [Chinese stocks]? Why target the Island Nation?”

……

Some were even contemplating shorting the A-shares, a move that bordered on financial suicide.

Yang Chen rolled his eyes in exasperation. “I can’t divulge too much. Suffice it to say that if you seek to profit, heed my advice and short the Island Nation now, particularly their currency, which is poised for a precipitous decline. This is a straightforward case of harvesting the Island Nation. I wouldn’t extend this invitation if it were any other investment.”

Confusion and skepticism rippled through the group.

“President Yang, surely you jest. Investing in the Island Nation is the current trend. Everyone is going long, buying real estate, buying stocks. As long as you invest, you’re guaranteed to make money. You’re suggesting we short now?”

“While contrarian investing can be profitable, you can’t completely defy the prevailing sentiment. Everyone anticipates a rise, yet you’re advocating a reverse short position. Is this the hallmark of an investment guru?”

“Are you planning to mobilize significant capital to short the Island Nation’s currency once again?”

Yang Chen smiled enigmatically. “I won’t need to this time. Their American daddy [a metaphor for the Island Nation’s reliance on the United States] will handle it. After all, children are raised to support their parents in old age. Now they must donate blood to their aging benefactor, and they have no choice but to comply. Just watch, if they dare to resist, their American daddy will swiftly discipline them. The current international economic and financial currents dictate this course of action, and I’ve already scripted their roles in this unfolding drama. You all seem so fond of shorting; this time, short the Island Nation together. Harvesting foreigners is a skill. What skill is there in preying on tied-up compatriots retail investors?”

Yang Chen’s words stung, but none dared to retort, given his superior operational acumen, social standing, and personal wealth.

Yang Chen held these practices in utter contempt. All they do is act ruthlessly at home, fixating on the meager holdings of retail investors. The crux of the matter is that they exploit securities lending and quantitative trading to short, tools unavailable to ordinary retail investors. Hence, Yang Chen’s disdain for their exploitation of vulnerable compatriots.

Now, Yang Chen was explicitly instructing them to short the Island Nation, to patiently await the United States’ harvest, and then to close their positions and reap the rewards. Yet, they hesitated.

Chairman Li, ever the opportunist, pressed further, “Thank you, President Yang, for sharing this invaluable investment opportunity. Are there any other projects you might be willing to share? It’s a rare privilege to have President Yang in our presence; please, impart more of your investment wisdom.”

“Shorting the Island Nation is the only opportunity I’m willing to share; other projects are off-limits. Seize this opportunity and short aggressively. We can’t allow Wall Street to monopolize the entire harvest. We must claim our share of the pie. This is a once-in-thirty-years feast; miss this one, and who knows when the next will arrive,” Yang Chen said with a knowing smile.

Chairman Li chuckled noncommittally. “Okay, I understand.”

However, their words were mere lip service. They remained unconvinced by Yang Chen’s pronouncements.

First, they struggled to believe that American banks would deliberately tamper with deposit data while safeguarding loan data. Such an act would irrevocably shatter their credibility.

Second, with the Island Nation currently experiencing an investment boom, they couldn’t fathom how to short it. Moreover, harvesting allies was considered a treacherous act, and they doubted Wall Street would stoop so low.

But it mattered little. Yang Chen didn’t need their validation. Those who believed would follow his lead and profit from the Island Nation’s misfortune. Those who remained skeptical could simply watch from the sidelines, their envy a silent testament to their missed opportunity.

According to Yang Chen’s calculations, this wave of harvesting was inevitable. Even if the entire world joined in the shorting frenzy, Wall Street would proceed with its plan to harvest the Island Nation, driven by the imperative to alleviate its crushing debt burden. A little over half an hour later, Lucas’s video call connected once more.

“I reported to the group’s senior management. We convened an emergency meeting and have unanimously agreed to Mr. Yang’s proposal to spin off the autonomous driving business into a new company, which will be controlled by the Dragon Country government. All related information and servers will be housed within Dragon Country. Our investment is solely for profit, and we have no desire to collect Dragon Country’s intelligence. Please be assured of that,” Lucas stated.

Chairman Li chimed in with a smile, “Okay, since everyone supports President Yang’s proposal, we will formally approve it. Effective at 12 o’clock tonight, all Cabbage Express vehicles will be recalled, pending a future opportunity to re-enter the market. I will instruct the board secretary to issue an official announcement shortly. Does anyone have any further proposals?”

Everyone shook their heads in unison.

Chairman Li turned his gaze towards Yang Chen.

Yang Chen responded with a smile, “I have no further proposals either. Let’s conclude the meeting. Everyone has worked diligently today.”

Everyone quickly echoed his sentiments with polite smiles.

Chairman Li nodded in agreement. “Okay! Then we will adjourn here. Meeting adjourned! Everyone has worked hard.”

Yang Chen, accompanied by Chairman Li and the departmental representatives, exited the meeting room.

Chairman Li inquired in a hushed tone, “President Yang, how confident are you in your earlier pronouncements? Can we truly short the Island Nation’s currency at this juncture?”

“Absolutely! This is a straightforward case of harvesting the Island Nation; otherwise, I wouldn’t have extended the invitation. We all have a patriotic duty to reclaim the wealth owed to us by the Island Nation. After all, they owe us,” Yang Chen asserted.

Chairman Li nodded with a knowing smile. “I understand perfectly. Then, goodbye, President Yang. Please visit us again when you have the opportunity.”

Yang Chen waved farewell to Chairman Li, exchanged parting gestures with the representatives from the information security department and other agencies, and then entered his car and departed.

An hour later, Qian Du Group released an official announcement, highlighting two key points:

First, the autonomous driving business would be spun off from the group to form a separate company, under the control of the Dragon Country government, with Qian Du Group and other investors retaining minority stakes.

Second, Cabbage Express would cease operations after 12 o’clock that night.

Predictably, the topic of “Cabbage Express Recall” swiftly ascended to the top of the trending topics list, sparking a flurry of comments from netizens, with drivers expressing their heartfelt gratitude to Yang Chen.

“Boss Yang is truly awesome; when he says stop, he stops.”

“Thank you, Boss Yang, for ensuring we still have a means to earn a living. We can finally sleep soundly tonight.”

“I wish more of the wealthy possessed the same vision and national pride as Boss Yang, and would turn their attention to grander ventures. Stop preying on the industries that provide livelihoods for ordinary citizens.”

“It turns out that this industry also implicates national road information security. That explains why Boss Yang has garnered official recognition. His ideological awareness and strategic thinking are truly unparalleled.”

……

After dinner, Yang Chen posted a message on Weibo [Chinese social media platform, similar to Twitter].

“I have kept my word. Furthermore, I am planning to acquire a courier company. In the future, middle-aged unemployed individuals can find opportunities as delivery drivers, courier personnel, and online taxi drivers. As long as I am still here, you will always have these three avenues for employment. If any courier company is willing to sell, please contact me. If no one is willing to sell, then I will be forced to establish my own courier company. At that point, competing for your market share will inevitably lead to a decline in your business and profitability. If you then decide to sell, you won’t be able to command a favorable price.”

Netizens promptly flooded the comments section.

“Boss Yang, don’t acquire an existing company; just launch your own courier company, and we will exclusively use your services in the future.”

“Those who win the hearts of the people win the world. Just launch your own courier company, and we will wholeheartedly support it.”

“Boss Yang, launch your own courier company, and I will immediately apply for a job. I can’t stand another day working for my incompetent boss.”

……

Initially, Yang Chen had intended to acquire an existing courier company, simply buying it and putting it to use.

However, the overwhelming support from netizens for him to start his own venture sparked a new idea.

Yet, given Yang Chen’s ambition and vision, he would never settle for merely running a conventional courier company. If he were to embark on this path, he would aim for something far grander, setting his sights on the stars and the sea.

Shortly after, Yang Chen posted another message on Weibo.

“Thank you for your unwavering support. Originally, I intended to acquire a courier company, but your overwhelming encouragement has convinced me to pursue a different path. I won’t buy an existing company; I’ll build my own. However, I certainly won’t create a purely conventional courier company; that would be far too mundane. I plan to establish an express delivery company with a business scope encompassing not only daily online shopping parcel delivery, but also transporting goods to the heavens, such as sending supplies to our space station, delivering provisions to the moon, and so on. If I’m going to do it, I’ll create a company with genuine technological prowess. Stay tuned for exciting news; in the near future, you will undoubtedly receive greetings from our Star Chen Express Moon Base.”

Comments poured in.

“666, Boss Yang is truly audacious; a cross-planetary courier company?”

“Awesome! I can buy gifts for Chang’e [Chinese moon goddess] and have them delivered in the future.”

“My ex-boyfriend claims to be from Narnia; when Boss Yang’s interstellar express delivery service is operational, I can send him things. I’m so excited.”

“My wife claims she ran off to Mars, and I don’t know if it’s cold or hot there. When Boss Yang’s interstellar express delivery company opens, I have to send her an air conditioner, to warm her when it’s cold and cool her when it’s hot.”

“Boss Yang, are you trying to emulate Max’s ambitions? Are you also planning to engage in interstellar immigration? By the way, how is your bet with Max progressing? Is the robot girlfriend ready?”

……