"There are no bonus updates today."
"Alas, what use is there in saying these things? It's hateful that human effort is ultimately no match for fate. Here in America, I can't do anything at all. Moreover, my supervisor has started targeting me these past few days. I fear I'll have to return home in disgrace before long!" Hao Jianguo sighed.
"I suppose this is because of me!" Huang He said somewhat sheepishly. There was no reason for Hao Jianguo to be suddenly targeted by his supervisor, especially since he was someone who could be arranged to attend Buffett's charity gala.
Now that he was being targeted, the reason was simple: Hao Jianguo had bought his dinner and, coupled with his Chinese identity, he was being collectively ostracized by the entire circle. This was all perfectly normal.
"Fine, I originally said that today's meal would be strictly for discussing problems and not business, but it seems I must make an exception today!" Huang He sighed. "How about this, if your fund still can't accommodate you, you can come to my Western Mustang Fund and help Little Swift with some things."
"Is that appropriate?" Hao Jianguo asked hesitantly.
"If I say it's appropriate, then it's appropriate. Furthermore, we are both Chinese and have a fervent heart dedicated to serving our country. Talent like yours cannot be buried. I think very highly of you!" Huang He patted Hao Jianguo's shoulder.
"Boss, may I ask you one more question?" Hao Jianguo asked, biting his lip.
"Of course, today's meal was intended for you to ask questions!" Huang He smiled.
"I must have revenge on Johnson Group for the great harm they've done. After I join the company, if I lack the ability and cannot contribute any merit to the company, then I will say nothing and leave on my own accord."
"But if I am fortunate enough to contribute some merit to the company and earn some funds, then I hope you will authorize me to acquire Johnson Group in the future, and I will definitely erase the name Johnson from the world."
"He blocked my Meijialing, and I will make sure there is no longer a Johnson in the world!" Hao Jianguo said through gritted teeth.
"That is certainly not a problem, and I fully support your decision!" Huang He nodded. "However, this is not for your revenge, but because Johnson Group holds many famous brands. These brands can be used to enter the American luxury market. You know, our Jiangnan Group will also have major moves in the luxury goods industry in the future. So, rest assured and do it boldly. As long as you have the ability, I will never let you down!"
"Yes! Thank you, boss!" Hao Jianguo said excitedly.
"Alright, let's eat quickly. I didn't expect to find such authentic Chinese cuisine in New York!" Huang He said with a chuckle. Hao Jianguo nodded vigorously, a hint of crystal tears welling up in his eyes, clearly moved.
Half an hour later, Hao Jianguo had consumed almost all the dishes on the table by himself. Huang He didn't mind, merely observing Hao Jianguo silently.
When the two hours were up, Huang He stood up. Hao Jianguo quickly followed him, saying, "Boss, since I've decided to work for you, I think it's best if I resign from my current fund directly, to avoid any lingering complications!"
"Excellent!" Huang He nodded. "As a Chinese person, you have no prospect of development there. Don't waste any more time. Come and help me!"
"Yes!" Hao Jianguo nodded vigorously. Then, the two discussed that after Hao Jianguo completed his resignation procedures, he would go to the Western Mustang Fund to assist.
Huang He had originally expected it to take about a week, but on the third day, Hao Jianguo reported to Little Swift. It turned out that Hao Jianguo was an intern and had not signed a formal employment contract with the fund, so resigning only required submitting a resignation letter and didn't take much time.
Little Swift also greatly valued Hao Jianguo, giving him a small supervisor position. Hao Jianguo quickly demonstrated his abilities, assisting Little Swift with a lot of work. However, some of the existing employees at Western Mustang Company were very dissatisfied with Hao Jianguo, their sudden superior, leading to some minor conflicts, all of which were forcefully suppressed by Little Swift.
Huang He naturally had no intention of dealing with these matters. He predicted that crude oil futures would hit bottom and rebound in ten days, and this prediction had already set the entire market ablaze. Everyone was watching the operations of Little Swift and Western Mustang Company, curious to know the outcome for Little Swift and Buffett.
Of course, the vast majority of people firmly stood with Buffett, believing that Little Swift had no ability to surpass Buffett. Everyone was waiting to see Little Swift make a fool of himself.
Meanwhile, Little Swift and the Western Mustang Fund were undertaking a series of preparations.
On March 10, 2003, as international crude oil prices on the futures exchange fell to $19.32 per barrel, it seemed only a step away from the $18 price in 2001.
Just a few more days, and it could reach that bottom line.
"That's enough, prepare to cast the net!" Sitting in the company's trading room, Little Swift was in the uppermost soundproof room, watching the operations of his dozens of traders through the glass, and the constantly jumping data on more than a dozen screens. Finally, Little Swift issued the command.
Soon, more than a dozen operation teams under him began to work. Trading orders were sent to various futures trading centers via computer networks. The low-priced futures orders were rapidly absorbed by Western Mustang Fund.
Since all the fund company's trading accounts were public and subject to regulation, Little Swift's operations could not be concealed, nor did he have any interest in concealing them. Thus, he acted with great speed. In less than three minutes, all orders below $20 per barrel on the market were absorbed. Western Mustang Fund quickly spent about $5 billion of its remaining over $19 billion, leaving $14 billion.
However, Little Swift did not order further purchases but entered a wait-and-see mode.
Instead, Little Swift posted many orders to acquire oil futures at $20, actively waiting for others to sell their orders to him.
Simultaneously, Little Swift's operations and related intelligence were transmitted at an extremely rapid pace to the managers of various financial institutions.
Because of the prediction made earlier at the steakhouse, many people had already guessed that Little Swift would start acquiring oil futures in ten days. Otherwise, Little Swift's own prediction about the future oil futures market would become a joke.
At the very least, it would be a deceptive lie. If you said oil futures prices would rise in ten days, why wouldn't you buy them yourself? This was clearly misleading others to buy! Many people were waiting for Little Swift's actions.
Yet, Little Swift was slow to act. With the ten days nearing their end, Little Swift finally began to move.
Then, a new problem arose for these funds, especially for futures fund managers. Should they follow Little Swift in acquiring oil futures now, do nothing, or sell their current holdings?
"Since Mr. Buffett said the major increase will start after August, he's likely not wrong. Now is the time to sell the oil futures we hold; someone will take them anyway!" a fund manager mused.
"However, Little Swift is so decisive in his actions. Could he know some insider information? Perhaps it's possible to win by going the other way?" These cautious fund managers entered a state of hesitation. They had to evaluate multiple data sources before acting.
But for those ordinary futures traders who were not cautious enough, this was an excellent opportunity to act.
For the past few days, oil futures had been falling, making these retail investors' scalps tingle. They had been trying to escape. However, as the price continued to drop, the futures they held incurred more losses, making them somewhat resigned to their fate.
After all, no matter how much further it fell, it wouldn't go below $18, and the losses wouldn't be too great.
However, Buffett publicly stating that oil futures prices would only start to recover after August had made many users who had unwavering faith in Buffett's legend start to have second thoughts. And now, with someone suddenly posting a large number of acquisition orders at $20, these retail investors became tempted.
Instead of waiting for it to fall to $18, they could just sell at $20. And after the price dropped to $18, they could buy it back – a perfect maneuver!
Thus, a large number of retail investors began to sell their oil futures orders. Within an hour, with approximately another $3 billion in trading volume, Little Swift had only $11 billion left.
Seeing such a large trading volume, many fund managers who were cautiously observing also got drawn in. They were also bearing the losses of the oil futures they held, and they had been berated by their investors. Now, it seemed like the only chance to escape.
Immediately after, another piece of news arrived: two more large oil fields in Iraq had resumed production, and under the leadership of the United States, Iraq would rejoin OPEC.
This was very important breaking news, meaning that Iraq, which was in ruins and could only rely on selling oil to earn funds, had completely opened its oil sales channels. It seemed that large quantities of crude oil from Iraq would now continuously appear on the futures market.
Upon seeing this explosive news, the fund managers no longer hesitated. They quickly sold their holdings, fearing that Little Swift, the fool, would stop buying at $20 if they delayed any longer.
Thus, on March 10, 2003, on this day, known as Little Swift's Miracle Day, in just the morning's trading, Little Swift's $19 billion was all spent, turning into 950 million barrels of crude oil.
Yet, even so, crude oil prices in major trading markets continued to fall. Without Little Swift to absorb the supply, international oil prices soon dipped to $18.92 per barrel.
Well, as everyone knows, in the days following Little Swift's Miracle Day, this day is widely considered the day of Little Swift's downfall.