Chapter 848: 838 Five Star: Sorry, we are gangsters by nature

The bombshell news that Taiwan had abandoned the New Taiwan Dollar exchange rate naturally could not be kept from Hong Kong.

The first to react were the most well-informed companies and bosses in Hong Kong.

"If Taiwan has such high foreign exchange reserves and still can't defend its exchange rate, can we in Hong Kong, with our 90 billion-plus USD in reserves, hold out?"

Once they thought of this, they began to worry.

Then they couldn't help but start dumping the stocks and Hong Kong dollars on hand, quickly cashing out.

Meanwhile, the George Soros fund's Rodney Jones team also took the opportunity to smash the market, and the Hong Kong stock market began to plummet.

The foreign exchange market also encountered significant selling pressure.

As the news spread, it soon reached the ears of ordinary citizens, though they didn't yet understand what it meant, so their reaction was a bit slower.

It's just like when the American tax-man makes some move; if you don't have the foundational knowledge and no one to analyze it for you, you have absolutely no idea what it means.

……

The top floor of Central Plaza.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu also received the news from Taiwan.

He was left speechless.

This Taiwan—should one call it smart, or stupid?

But it seems this event happened at this time in his past life, and Taiwan used this same tactic; although they tried to compromise to survive, they didn't end up well, getting harvested by those short-selling hot money funds again and again. Because they were too soft and too easy to bully, it would be a disservice to oneself not to bully them a few more times.

Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Zhanbo was nearby: "Brother Zu, the stock and forex markets are both falling now. Should we buy some back?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Buy. It can fall, but it cannot plummet, otherwise it will really trigger a panic-driven flight from stocks... Just focus on absorbing the index constituent stocks."

Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Zhanbo nodded: "Yes!"

Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Zhanbo went back and began to support the market.

Then Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu called for Da Tou: "Warn those media outlets, especially those losers at the *South China Morning Post*. I don't want to see any 'big brain' economic analysis in their papers."

What is freedom of speech?

It's like a spy; would you give a spy freedom of speech?

No!

All reactionaries must be met with heavy blows!

Da Tou: "Yes, Brother Zu!"

After Da Tou left, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu had Wu Wu Lianqian arrange for reporters from TVB and ATV to come for an interview.

This matter was still a bit too big; Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu needed to go on television himself to reassure the citizens.

Subsequently, during the morning and afternoon sessions, stocks began to see constant selling, but with the Five Star Group absorbing the shares, although the market fell back, it wasn't drastic, so it didn't trigger a panic.

Some stocks fell sharply, but they weren't index constituent stocks, so retail investors didn't notice.

……

In a flash, it was evening.

The reporters sent to Taiwan by ATV and TVB finally sent back detailed information.

Then they began to report.

"Good evening, dear viewers! Today, we received an important piece of financial news from the Taiwan region..."

"At 10:00 AM today, the Taiwan region's Ministry of Finance announced its decision to abandon the New Taiwan Dollar exchange rate."

"This decision has caused ripples in the financial market..."

"Although Taiwan is not the primary target for international financial speculators... (a bout of analysis)"

"However, Hong Kong citizens need not worry. There are many differences between Hong Kong and Taiwan in terms of financial systems and economic structures. As an international financial center, Hong Kong possesses a sound financial regulatory system, robust foreign exchange reserves, and extensive experience in dealing with financial risks."

"We interviewed Mr. Ren from the Monetary Authority, and he stated..."

(5-second clip)

"At the same time, we also interviewed Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan. The following are Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan's views on this Taiwan incident..."

The camera was steadily focused on Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu; he was in a suit, his expression calm and confident. (3-minute clip)

"Fellow citizens,"

"Regarding today's news of Taiwan abandoning the New Taiwan Dollar exchange rate, citizens are panicked. Hong Kong's economy is fundamentally different from Taiwan's; our foundation is solid and full of resilience."

"Hong Kong's economic structure is stable, with diverse industries such as finance, trade and logistics, tourism, and industrial services flourishing, supporting and coordinating with one another..."

"Our financial regulatory system is mature and comprehensive..."

"Hong Kong has the backing of the East, with the vast mainland market as our support. Investing north over these past two years has not only allowed many enterprises to expand their production scale but has also opened up the market of 1 billion people on the mainland..."

"Therefore, I have confidence in Hong Kong's economy. Citizens should not be swayed by temporary panic..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's words were resonant and powerful, giving people great confidence.

One word from Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was worth a hundred from Mr. Ren.

With the broadcast of the news, all Hong Kong citizens knew about the Taiwan incident, but because neither TVB nor ATV analyzed the impact of the event, and Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu had already spoken.

Listen to Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan!

If Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan says there's no problem, then there's definitely no problem!

Do you understand the gold content of an approval rating?

……

……

In the evening,

The person in charge of the *South China Morning Post*, Kairiqi, was sitting in a high-end Western restaurant in Hong Kong, enjoying a sumptuous dinner... his favorite was black pepper steak!

He was originally a veteran reporter from the United States, and last year he was sent by the Murdoch Group to Hong Kong to serve as the head of the *South China Morning Post*.

This position elevated his status in the news industry, and his income was quite generous; he was living very comfortably.

He was very satisfied with his life in Hong Kong.

After dinner, Kairiqi strolled toward the parking lot, preparing to drive home.

He had just sat in the driver's seat and hadn't even had time to close the door when he suddenly felt movement behind him.

Before he could react, two thick arms reached out from the back seat and quickly choked his neck.

Kairiqi was instantly terrified, his body instinctively struggling.

But those arms choked his neck tightly.

"Calm down, take a deep breath, don't make a scene."

A low, slow voice sounded in his ear,

"I just want to talk to you; you don't want to die here, do you?"

Kairiqi was terrified inside, trying his best to calm down. Through the dim light in the car, he caught a glimpse of two men in the rearview mirror.

One of them was smiling wickedly; one look and you knew he wasn't a good person.

This person was none other than Laughing.

Oh no, he wasn't even wearing a mask!

Kairiqi was even more frightened and hurriedly nodded: "Mmm-mmm-mmm~~~"

Only then did the arm let go, and Kairiqi gasped for air.

Laughing asked unhurriedly: "You know about the news of Taiwan abandoning the New Taiwan Dollar exchange rate, right?"

Kairiqi nodded: "I know."

Laughing: "How did the US side tell you to report it?"

Kairiqi hesitated for a moment and said truthfully: "The higher-ups required us to report it as serious. The general content is that Hong Kong's financial system is about to collapse, the stock market will plummet, housing prices will fall sharply, and the entire Hong Kong economy will fall into an economic crisis... Hong Kong is finished!"

"As expected~~~"

Laughing chuckled, then said with a cold face: "Now I'm giving you instructions; I speak, you do."

"Starting tomorrow, your newspaper should try to downplay the impact of this Taiwan incident; don't stir up panic."

Upon hearing this, Kairiqi hurriedly said: "That won't work. I can't oppose the reporting direction arranged by the higher-ups. This concerns my job, my future..."

"Future?"

Laughing suddenly let out a wicked laugh:

"You're not being obedient. Do you know how we deal with people who don't listen? Usually, it's getting hit by a car, or being sunk into the sea in a concrete block, or being sent to a crematorium..."

"Ah?"

Kairiqi's face changed.

It's just normal business news, and you want my life?

Laughing was dismissive: "We're a triad; this is our old trade, why couldn't we?"

"But if I don't report it according to the higher-ups' requirements, I won't be able to explain myself when I go back." Kairiqi was still trying to struggle.

"Come on, we're the bad guys who kill people! Is your boss meaner than us?"

Kairiqi: "…………"

Motherfucker, that makes so much sense!