Chapter 188: A World‑Shaking Gamble Begins

At 6:30 a. m., Lu Qingshan was still asleep when a rapid phone ring jolted him awake. Groggily picking up the handset, he heard Huang Chaowen's excited voice.

"Mr. Lu! Great news! The 80 million agency investment funds from several big bosses have all been credited!" Huang Chaowen's tone could not hide his excitement. "In a moment they will send people to your VIP Trading Room to sign the formal agency investment contract!"

Lu Qingshan snapped awake, sat up and glanced at his watch: "Credited this early?"

"Yes, Mr. Lu! The efficiency of those big bosses is truly astonishing! Your words last night completely won them over; boss Li Fuying called me at 3 a. m. saying the money must be in place early today!" Huang Chaowen said with a smile. "But Mr. Lu, they also have a request…"

"What request?" Lu Qingshan was fully awake.

"They would like you to report the operation status regularly—not because they distrust you, but because the amount is large and they feel a bit uneasy," Huang Chaowen said cautiously.

A spark of cleverness flashed in Lu Qingshan's eyes, and he asked lightly: "Can we use margin financing for this capital?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, and Huang Chaowen's voice sounded awkward: "Mr. Lu, this… is probably not feasible. The scale of capital you are already handling is already huge, and on top of that you are investing on behalf of several big bosses; we have to be more cautious with risk control."

"However," Huang Chaowen quickly added, "the big bosses have each promised you a 20% agency investment return, which is already quite substantial! With an 80 million principal, if the operation succeeds, your profit will be an astronomical figure!"

Lu Qingshan did a quick mental calculation. Twenty percent of 80 million is 16 million as a base management fee. Based on the decline percentages he recalled from a past life, how much could the 80 million ultimately become?

"Alright, I understand. Manager Huang, have a pleasant day!" Lu Qingshan hung up, a inscrutable smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

After ending the call, Lu Qingshan stretched lazily, feeling unusually relaxed.

The 80 million agency investment capital being credited meant his operation scale would reach a brand‑new height.

With five‑times margin leverage, a 400 million index contract purchase size, plus his own 280 million previously, this would be a earth‑shaking gamble in Hong Kong Island's financial history!

"Second brother, whose call was that?" a sleepy voice called from the next room, belonging to Lu Qingjun.

"From the bank, saying the money has been credited," Lu Qingshan replied, getting up and heading to the bathroom. "Hurry up and freshen up, we have big things to do today!"

"What big thing?" Lu Qingjun sat up with a sudden jerk, "Are we going to the exchange just to take a look?"

"Not just a look, we'll be there all day," Lu Qingshan said without turning his head. "Today we will be Creating History."

Lu Qingjun's mind was still a mush: "Creating what kind of history?"

"You'll find out in a moment."

In less than half an hour, the group finished packing up.

Ye Ning was already waiting at the door, dressed in a crisp black suit, her short hair neatly styled, her eyes showing the calm and sharpness typical of a professional trader.

"Mr. Lu, I have verified the account funds; the full 80 million HKD is in place," Ye Ning reported. "Additionally, the representatives of the big bosses are already waiting at the exchange to sign the contract."

Lu Qingshan nodded, then looked at Lu Qingjun: "Qingjun, your task today is to assist Ye Ning and the others, recording data. Watch the operation closely; this is a textbook‑level practical lesson."

"Second brother, what are you up to?" Lu Qingjun sensed the unusual atmosphere.

"Making money," Lu Qingshan said succinctly.

After a quick breakfast in the hotel restaurant, the group hurried off to the exchange.

The morning air on Hong Kong Island was fresh, Victoria Harbour glittered, but Lu Qingshan's thoughts were nowhere on the scenery; his mind held only one idea: today he would pull out the big move!

When they arrived at the exchange's VIP Trading Room, several middle‑aged men in suits were already waiting; they were the representatives of the business magnates from last night.

The contract signing proceeded unusually smoothly; these seasoned veterans clearly had unwavering confidence in Lu Qingshan's capability.

"Mr. Lu, all our bosses have said they absolutely trust your operations!" one representative said respectfully. "Whenever you think it's appropriate, you may close the position at any time!"

"However," another representative added, "if possible, we'd like you to give us a heads‑up before any major operation—not to interfere with your decisions, but to give us peace of mind."

Lu Qingshan smiled and waved his hand: "Rest assured, I'll make your bosses satisfied."

After the contracts were signed and the representatives left, the large VIP Trading Room was left only with Lu Qingshan's team.

Li Zhi'an and Wang Yuyun were already stationed at their respective workstations, and Ye Ning was performing a final system check.

"Ye Ning," Lu Qingshan said as he approached the main console, his voice unusually calm, "At the opening, use the full 80 million agency capital with the maximum five‑times leverage to short the index entirely!"

Ye Ning's fingers trembled on the keyboard as she looked up at Lu Qingshan: "Mr. Lu, are you sure? Short the entire 80 million?"

"Exactly!" Lu Qingshan's gaze was as firm as iron. "Li Zhi'an, Wang Yuyun, coordinate with Ye Ning and ensure all trades are completed in the shortest possible time!"

Li Zhi'an inhaled deeply: "Understood! Mr. Lu, we will definitely complete the mission!"

Wang Yuyun also nodded nervously, sweat already forming on his palms.

Lu Qingjun, listening from the side, asked in a low voice, "Second brother, what does shorting the entire 80 million mean?"

"It means betting that Hong Kong Island's stock market will plunge," Lu Qingshan explained simply. "If we're right, the 80 million can become over a hundred million. If we're wrong…"

"What if we lose?"

"Then we'd lose everything," Lu Qingshan said lightly, as casually as if commenting on the weather.

Lu Qingjun inhaled sharply, finally grasping how reckless today's operation was.

The opening bell rang, and the Hang Seng Index opened at 1,389 points, down 8 points from yesterday's close.

But market sentiment still seemed hesitant, and the trading volume was not large.

Ye Ning's ten fingers, like dancing sprites, hammered the keyboard rapidly, each massive short order raining down on the market like a downpour.

Li Zhi'an and Wang Yuyun also operated simultaneously on different trading Terminals, the three coordinating flawlessly.

"First batch complete! Ten million!" Ye Ning reported, her voice trembling slightly.

"Second batch complete! Twenty million!" Li Zhi'an followed quickly, sweat already on his forehead.

"Third batch complete! Fifteen million!" Wang Yuyun's voice came as well, his fingers trembling faintly.

The atmosphere in the Trading Room was so tense it seemed ready to explode; each heartbeat was audible.

Lu Qingshan stood before the large screen, watching the numbers flicker in real time, his expression as steady as a mountain.

However, two hours after opening, the market entered a volatile swing.

Some retail capital began to enter, buying the dip, and the index oscillated repeatedly between 1,385 and 1,395.

This volatility made the short operation unusually difficult, as sufficient counterpart orders were needed.

"Mr. Lu," Ye Ning's forehead was already beaded with fine sweat, "there's still 30 million unfinished! The market lacks enough counterpart orders!"

Lu Qingshan frowned; this situation was within his expectations.

The 80 million capital amount was indeed massive; converting it all into short positions in a short time required ample market liquidity.

"Don't rush," Lu Qingshan's voice remained calm, "wait for the institutions to play with the retail investors enough, then an opportunity will naturally arise."

Lu Qingjun whispered beside him: "Second brother, are you really sure it will fall? What if it rises?"

"If it rises, I'll jump off the building." Lu Qingshan said without turning his head.

"Don't joke!" Lu Qingjun was startled.

"Who's joking with you? If eighty million is lost, I won't jump off the building; those big shots would also make me jump." Lu Qingshan said lightly, but the meaning of his words was chilling.

Sure enough, after another half hour, as some institutional funds began to withdraw, selling pressure in the market increased again.

The Hang Seng Index began a new round of decline, dropping quickly from 1390 points to 1380 points.

"The opportunity has come!" Ye Ning's eyes flashed, "the last thirty million, go all in!"

The three of them again launched frantic operations, huge short positions surging toward the market like a tide.

In the entire trading room, only the sound of keyboard clacking and the hum of the large monitors could be heard; everyone held their breath and focused.

Finally, at 11:30 a. m., all eighty million yuan of entrusted investment funds were completely converted into short contracts worth four hundred million.

"Done!" Ye Ning slumped into her chair, her whole body like she'd just stepped out of a sauna, "all eighty million bought short, five-times leverage, total scale four hundred million index contracts!"

Lu Qingshan breathed a sigh of relief, walked to the rest area and poured a cup of tea.

But Ye Ning and the others became even more anxious.

Li Zhi'an's voice trembled slightly: "Mr. Lu, do you know how large our position is now? Previously it was five million of our own money, financed to fifty-six million, plus five-times margin leverage reaching two hundred eighty million. Now we've added another eighty million, five-times leverage, and the total scale has already reached six hundred eighty million in index contract purchase size!"

Wang Yuyun also sucked in a breath of cold air: "This is simply a huge gamble! If the judgment is wrong, the consequences are unimaginable!"

Ye Ning even more tremblingly asked: "Mr. Lu, do you still... want to go out for a stroll today?"

Her tone was full of worry.

In the past few days, Lu Qingshan would just take a glance and leave each time, leaving several traders in the trading room to bear enormous psychological pressure.

Now the position is so huge; if Lu Qingshan comes again for just a glance and leaves, she feels she might be driven mad by the pressure!

Seeing everyone's tense expressions, Lu Qingshan couldn't help but laugh: "You all, your psychological quality still needs training. Since you've chosen this profession, you must be able to withstand this pressure."

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling crowd below, a glint of profound light flashing in his eyes: "But today I won't leave; I'll stay here with you to witness history!"

Hearing those words, Ye Ning and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With Lu Qingshan present, their psychological pressure instantly lessened considerably.

"Mr. Lu," Ye Ning asked cautiously, "what do you think today's market will do?"

Lu Qingshan curled the corner of his mouth with a mysterious smile: "You'll find out soon. Remember, today will be the most important day in Hong Kong Island's financial history! We not only want to make money, but also to create history!"

Lu Qingjun leaned close to his second brother: "Second brother, can't you give us a hint? I really have no idea."

"Not knowing is exciting." Lu Qingshan patted his younger brother's shoulder, "Just wait a moment and you'll know what is called heaven collapsing and earth splitting."

The atmosphere in the trading room tightened again, everyone waiting for that moment that would change everything to arrive…