"Of course I know."
Chen Feng smiled faintly.
"Mayor Chen, I truly can't help but admire you. Not only did you predict I would come, but you also predicted Jones would come. Your grasp of power dynamics is too formidable! Well, since you know Jones is waiting outside, do you want to see him?"
Lin Fangning asked tentatively.
"Yes."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
Lin Fangning was once again dumbfounded.
Chen Feng had just stated that Hong Kong and Mingshan City would not compromise with the West for money and jointly target the xx system. Logically, shouldn't he refuse to see Jones?
"Mayor Chen, if I may ask, didn't you decide not to engage with the West in that manner? Why meet Jones?"
Lin Fangning probed.
"I'm meeting Jones to thoroughly outmaneuver the West."
Chen Feng said with a serious expression.
"What? Thoroughly outmaneuver the West? Did I hear that right? For nearly a century, it's always been the West that has outmaneuvered us. When have we ever outmaneuvered the West?"
Lin Fangning was astonished again.
This middle-aged man, Chen Feng, was definitely an extraordinary figure in China's political arena.
"Ms. Lin Fangning, as I said before, the China of today is no longer the China of the past. You cannot view China with old eyes. Previously, China's national strength was inferior to the West's, so naturally, we could only be outmaneuvered. Now, China's national strength is on par with the United States, and we have the capability to contend with Western powers. Of course, as I always say, Chinese people have always disliked direct confrontation. Dealing with the West is best done subtly through strategy."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"May I know the inside story?"
Lin Fangning asked with great interest.
"You are a member of China's high-level political circle, so you naturally have the right to know the inside story. How about this, go and call Jones in, and then you can listen beside me as I talk to Jones."
"Mayor Chen, you can let me listen beside you. However, Jones may not be willing... is the global financial center, and I deal with the West a lot. I understand Westerners' personalities well. Westerners look down on Chinese people from the bottom of their hearts and would never agree to let a Chinese person listen in."
Lin Fangning sighed deeply.
"It doesn't matter. Westerners' bad habits are all cultivated. It's time to address their bad habits."
Chen Feng smiled casually.
"But what if Jones gets angry..."
Lin Fangning asked worriedly.
"It's fine. If there's a problem, I'll take responsibility."
Chen Feng's expression was serene.
Seeing Chen Feng so calm, Lin Fangning wasted no time and went outside to call Jones into the hotel's VIP meeting hall.
As Jones entered the conference hall, he, by usual convention, prepared to take the head seat.
Little did he know, Chen Feng was already seated there.
Jones's heart sank. He had encountered a tough opponent.
In the past, when dealing with Chinese people, he usually felt superior. However, since China's economy caught up with the United States in recent years, Chinese people were no longer as... As before.
One had to admit the truth in the Chinese saying: money emboldens a person.
With money, one stands taller.
Over the past few decades, why has China always responded to any international crisis with strong opposition?
Ultimately, it was because of poverty.
The survival strategy of a poor country is to develop its economy discreetly.
As the saying goes, focus on economic construction, unwavering for a hundred years.
Now, it seemed China's wisdom was heaven-defying.
After decades of quiet economic development, the total economic output finally caught up with that of the United States.
It was at this moment that China began to change its low-key style.
Now, when facing international crises, China no longer hesitates and directly unleashes its power.
Because China, like the United States, is the world's largest trading nation, if this trading nation imposes sanctions on other countries, those countries cannot withstand it.
Thus,
After months of sanctions, the countries in crisis that China targeted surrendered obediently.
It could be predicted that the issue of the sanctions would be resolved soon.
And it would certainly be resolved peacefully.
From top to bottom, China's appearance was completely renewed.
"Mayor Chen, at your young age, to have reached the position of mayor of a direct-controlled municipality in China, your capabilities must be quite impressive. Guess what brings me here to find you and Ms. Lin Fangning this time?"
Jones cut straight to the chase.
"I know. Isn't it about discussing how the three of us can jointly target the xx system?"
Chen Feng replied directly, without any pretense.
"Since you already know, let me be frank. As long as your two cities agree, the Western alliance will definitely make you two cities incredibly prosperous. This is an unprecedented political achievement, with no reason to refuse."
Jones stated confidently.
As someone familiar with China, he understood the ecosystem of Chinese politics to some extent.
"If it were in the past, Ms. Lin Fangning and I might have done so. However, now, you should give up on this idea."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"What's the difference between the past and the present?"
Jones asked, bewildered.
"There's a fundamental difference. In the past, China was poor, and the poor had short ambitions. Since we couldn't confront you head-on, we could only compromise. Besides, when compromising brought such great benefits, there was no reason not to. It's different now. Present-day China can fully rival the United States. Since that's the case, there's no need to compromise. Besides, you should know what the Western xx system is for, even if others don't. Isn't it the final desperate struggle of the US dollar's collapse? In this situation, I can only answer you with a Chinese proverb."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"What proverb?"
Jones asked curiously.
"'Thirty years of the east river, thirty years of the west river.' Your country has been the aggressor for nearly a century; it's time to yield your position."
Chen Feng smiled faintly.
"Mayor Chen, aren't you perhaps blindly optimistic? It's undeniable that China's development in recent decades has been terrifying. It's like your own life; at first, you were just a driver for a deputy town mayor. In just a few decades, you've miraculously transformed into the mayor of a direct-controlled municipality. It's truly astonishing. But the problem is, even so, China must face a reality: your developmental foundation is still a bit unstable. Are you sure about completely severing ties with the West at this juncture?"
Jones threatened him.
"Jones, I apologize, but it's not that I don't know when to adapt; it's you who doesn't. The United States is at its end, and surrendering obediently is your final destination. Struggling madly is truly meaningless."
Chen Feng sneered coldly.
"At its end? Where do you see that?"
Jones asked, trying to maintain his composure.
"Some things are better left unsaid. If you know, and I know, that's enough."
Chen Feng smiled.
"Mayor Chen, are you perhaps trying to mystify things?"
Jones provoked Chen Feng.
"Forget it. Since you want to know, I'll tell you. The biggest reason the United States is at its end is that its global xx debt has been snowballing for decades, and by this year, you are unable to repay it. In simple terms, the interest you have to pay now is higher than your profits. It's like borrowing money online; when the interest exceeds the principal, there's only one choice: jump off a building, or go to jail. Yet, you naively think of extending your life by stifling the xx system. Is that possible?"
Chen Feng elaborated.
Chen Feng always believed that to be a qualified high-level leader in China's political arena, one must have a thorough understanding of both domestic and international situations.
Not only a thorough understanding but also the ability to predict future trends.
This is what a great nation's statesman should possess.
To be honest, Chen Feng had foreseen the collapse of the dollar system when he was a deputy mayor of a county-level city.
However, he had to admit that the xx was quite formidable, managing to prolong its existence until now.
If it were any other country, once its foreign debt exceeded a certain level, it would immediately collapse.
The United States, this perverted nation, whose interest on foreign debt exceeds its fiscal revenue, can still prolong its existence for so long.
It can be said that the United States is destroying itself.
"You... you... How do you know this secret?"
Jones exclaimed in shock.
The United States has always reported false information regarding its xx debt issues, and the outside world could not possibly know the real situation.
However, Chen Feng knew it with perfect accuracy.
He increasingly felt that this young man was too terrifying.
No wonder China had been growing like it was injected with chicken blood over the past few decades, growing madly and eventually catching up to the United States.
No matter which country, once it has terrifying talents like Chen Feng, it's impossible for it not to develop rapidly.
"Inferring the large from the small."
Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Inferring the large from the small?"
Jones was completely bewildered.
"Yes, inferring the large from the small. The scale of the US's foreign xx is vast, and many small details reflect it. No matter how much the United States tries to conceal it, it cannot be hidden. For example, the purchasing power of the dollar in the United States clearly shows this. When the dollar was strong, there was no change for a hundred years. A century ago, one cent could be used; a century later, one cent could still be used. However, in recent decades, the dollar has collapsed. Not only can one cent no longer buy anything, but even a hundred-dollar bill cannot buy anything. Why is this? It shows that the United States is madly x'ing the dollar. Hoping to repay foreign debt by frantically x'ing the dollar. However, the United States' thinking is too simplistic. No one is a fool. How can an inflated dollar repay foreign debt? Who would accept it? If it were an ordinary country, when its currency inflation reaches a point where a hundred-dollar bill is useless, it's not a big deal. Zimbabwe's currency is measured in billions, and Zimbabwe has not perished. The problem is, the United States is not an ordinary country. The United States is a world power, and the dollar is the world's xx. All countries reserve dollars as foreign exchange. This way, once the dollar depreciates, many countries will rush to sell dollars. No one is a fool, holding a large amount of dollar reserves and doing nothing, directly losing value. On the contrary, China's currency has been strong in recent decades. So strong that decades ago, a five-mao coin in China couldn't buy anything, and now, a one-cent coin can buy things again. Simply put, the Chinese currency is becoming more like gold, it can retain its value. The world sees that the Chinese currency is becoming more valuable and, without hesitation, reserves Chinese currency as foreign exchange. To use a Chinese idiom, the dollar's xx is gone, and the Chinese currency's xx is established. Besides accepting it, any small actions are futile."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"..."
Jones was stunned.
Heavens, to think that Chinese people possess such keen analytical skills, it was incredible.
"Jones, if I were you, I wouldn't consider destroying the xx system. Instead, I would..."
Chen Feng deliberately left him hanging.
"I am eager to hear more."
Jones said respectfully.
Chen Feng's successive earth-shattering pronouncements had already completely subdued Jones.
Truth be told, the United States had become arrogant over the past few decades, believing itself to be number one in the world, disregarding everyone else. Moreover, lacking exceptional talents to turn the tide, it had brought about its own demise step by step.
"If I were you, I would not let the South American xx system collapse. On the contrary, I would support the xx system's improvement."
Chen Feng stated calmly.
"Mayor Chen, did I hear you correctly? You want the United States to support the improvement of the xx system? Isn't that like slapping oneself in the face, hurting oneself? Once the xx trading system is established, won't it make the Chinese currency even stronger? The stronger the Chinese currency, the greater the damage to the dollar."
Jones retorted.
"That is the logic, but have you considered the problem that regardless of whether the xx trading system can be improved, the dollar has already collapsed. If you insist on ruining the xx system, it will only hasten the dollar's demise."
Chen Feng explained.
"What? Attacking the xx system, how could that hasten the dollar's demise?"
Jones asked, utterly perplexed.
Truth be told, all Americans believed that if the xx system collapsed, the dollar would make a strong comeback.
"Jones, you Americans think that if the xx system collapses, you will obediently use the dollar again, right?"
Chen Feng countered calmly.
"Isn't that the case?"
Jones asked doubtfully.
"I can only say that the United States is as naive as ever, as arrogant as ever, and still considers itself the number one in the world. Americans must understand one thing: the dollar's xx status is a thing of the past. Even if the xx system truly collapses, South America will no longer use the dollar. No one is a fool. The dollar is depreciating every day. If you use dollars, you lose a great deal without doing anything. Therefore, if the xx system truly collapses, they will directly use Chinese currency."
"..."
Chen Feng's in-depth explanation left Jones speechless once again.
Every word struck at the core; how could he refute it?
"Mayor Chen, I can understand your words. But how can I persuade other high-level officials in the United States?"
After a long silence, Jones asked gloomily.
"It's simple: explain the stakes to them."
"How do I explain the stakes?"
"Just tell them that if they forcefully engage in a currency war with the Chinese currency, xx will eventually be reduced to a third-rate country. If they accept the reality of the dollar's decline and acknowledge the Chinese currency's xx status, the United States will only drop to a second-rate country, and a powerful one among second-rate countries. Taking the xx system as an example, the United States can integrate into this system and build a unified xx system. This way, the inflation of the dollar will be curbed. Of course, this would officially declare the collapse of the dollar's hegemony and the official establishment of the Chinese currency's xx status. Frankly speaking, if I were an American, I wouldn't want to accept such a fact. But facts are facts, whether accepted or not, they are facts."
Chen Feng spoke with conviction.
"Alright, I will go back and try to persuade them."
Jones left with a disheartened expression, uttering those words.
Only Chen Feng and Lin Fangning remained in the hotel's VIP conference room.
At this moment, Lin Fangning was completely and utterly convinced by Chen Feng. Amazing, truly amazing.
"Mayor Chen, I am completely convinced by you. You have grasped the domestic and international situation without a single error. With you in China, becoming a superpower is definitely not a dream."
Lin Fangning said instinctively.
"You are too kind. I am merely stating the facts."
Chen Feng smiled humbly.
"By the way, Mayor Chen, do you think Jones will obediently persuade other high-level officials in the United States to accept the end of the dollar's xx status when he returns?"
Lin Fangning asked tentatively.
"No."
Chen Feng replied without hesitation.
"What? No? How is that possible? Just now, you analyzed the dollar's current situation so thoroughly with Jones. Honestly, even a three-year-old child could understand. How could Jones not go and persuade other high-level officials in the US government?"
Lin Fangning asked, baffled.
"Ms. Lin Fangning, your words indicate that you still don't understand Americans. Let me put it this way: Americans have been doing xx for a hundred years; can they be persuaded with a few words? It's impossible."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Then what should we do?"
Lin Fangning suddenly became anxious.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. If Americans are unwilling to believe the facts, then we'll add fuel to the fire and make them believe."
Chen Feng smiled calmly.
"How do we add fuel to the fire?"
Lin Fangning asked with curiosity.
"I need to go to the capital to discuss it with them before deciding on the final blow to the United States. Only when the United States suffers the final blow will Americans willingly accept reality. Otherwise, Americans will continue to fantasize."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Lin Fangning offered.
"Not for now. You, go back to Hong Kong and keep a close eye on Hong Kong's financial industry. In no time, a colossal pie will fall upon Hong Kong, and you must catch it."
Chen Feng said with a smile.
"A colossal pie? What pie?"
"Yes, a colossal pie. Think about it, when the Chinese currency deals a heavy blow to the dollar, it will inevitably collapse completely. Since the dollar is completely xx, the huge financial space that is vacated will naturally be powerfully filled by the xx, the world's financial center. Isn't this like pie falling from the sky?"
Chen Feng explained patiently.
Lin Fangning's heart was filled with joy upon hearing this.
In recent years, she had been worried about the stagnant development of Hong Kong's financial industry and how to ensure its continued growth. Suddenly receiving such a great surprise, she was determined to catch it properly.
Thus, Lin Fangning immediately returned to Hong Kong.
Chen Feng also rushed to the capital without delay.
Wang Jianshan, who was previously the top official in the capital's political circle, had directly entered the ranks of China's five-member group.
Major Chinese affairs were announced by the five-member group.
"Chen Feng, you intend to let the Chinese currency deliver the final blow to the dollar?"
Wang Jianshan asked Chen Feng with a cautious expression.