Chapter 243: HK$1.5 Billion Profit Within Reach

At 8:30 a. m., there was one hour left before the market opened. In the Xinghan Group conference room, Lu Qingshan was chairing a crucial conference call. The chairmen of the twelve member enterprises of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce were all online, each voice tinged with excitement and tension.

The conference room was simply yet solemnly decorated, with a massive solid‑wood table at its center holding the latest conference‑call system, and a huge Hong Kong Island map on the wall marking the locations of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce members. Morning sunlight streamed through the floor‑to‑ceiling windows, bathing the room in a golden glow, as if heralding the coming victory.

"Brothers, today's meeting concerns all of our interests," Lu Qingshan's voice came through the call crystal clear, his unhurried tone reassuring every listener. "After the past few days' positioning, our Long Position total has already exceeded HK$5 billion, and each of your book profits are close to HK$1.5 billion. But now, the most critical moment has arrived."

He lifted the tea cup before him and took a light sip, a deep gleam flashing in his eyes. Every step of the past few days' positioning had been meticulously calculated by him. Wilson thought he was hunting the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, yet he did not realize he had already become a piece on the board.

On the other end, Bao Chenggang was the first to speak, his voice unable to hide excitement and admiration: "Chairman Lu, whatever you say we'll follow. The money we've made following you these past days exceeds what we earn in a whole year of real‑business! Damn, I've been in business for thirty years and have never seen a deal this profitable! It's even faster than robbing a bank!"

His voice trembled, clearly still reeling from the shock of the huge profit. In three days, the HK$500 million he invested had already yielded over HK$200 million, a return rate that seemed like a fairy tale.

"Exactly, Qing Shan's vision is truly sharp," He Zhiqiang's voice came, his tone full of admiration. "Now Wilson's bunch of United Kingdom guys are still wildly driving the stock price up; they have no idea they're sending us money. I was so excited last night I didn't sleep a wink, constantly watching the numbers in the account, barely believing it's real!"

The owners of several other companies also voiced their excitement over the call. Li Zhaolong's voice rang with exhilaration: "Brother Qing Shan, you are our Chinese God of Wealth! The HK$800 million Hengji has invested now shows a book profit exceeding HK$300 million! I've never earned such a gratifying sum in my life!"

Guo Dongying's voice grew even more excited, almost changing pitch: "Hahaha, that old fox Wilson could never have imagined it in his dreams; the harder he scrambles to push the stock up, the more we earn! This feeling is exhilarating, almost more satisfying than exacting revenge!"

Lu Qingshan listened to these excited voices, feeling a warm surge within. These Hong Kong Island Chinese business elites, following his lead, had achieved unprecedented success. It was not merely a financial victory, but a moment for Chinese pride in the Hong Kong Island financial market.

But he knew the real challenge lay ahead. He tapped the table, his voice turning serious: "Brothers, what I'm about to say is crucial. We must complete the Settlement of all Long Contracts within the next two days, then swiftly switch to Short Selling. This is the most critical link of this war; a single misstep could squander all our gains."

The call fell silent instantly, the previously animated bosses now fell into contemplation. This sudden hush made the atmosphere in the conference room tense.

A few seconds later, Li Zhaolong's voice sounded, clearly confused: "Qing Shan, what does this mean? The stock is still rising, and the surge is strong; why should we settle the Long Buying positions? Isn't that giving up the juicy profit at our fingertips?"

"Because Wilson is about to discover our true intent," Lu Qingshan stood, walked to the window, and gazed at Victoria Harbour in the distance. In the morning light the sea glittered, a few cargo ships drifted slowly toward the port, everything appearing tranquil. Yet he knew that beneath this calm surface a financial tsunami was about to erupt.

"Once the over‑HK$5 billion Long Position is settled en masse, it will inevitably shock the market. Wilson isn't a fool; he will eventually notice the anomaly. We must liquidate before he reacts, then launch the fatal strike."

His voice grew deep and powerful, each word radiating unquestionable authority. This aura left the business magnates on the other end of the call stunned.

Guo Dongying asked anxiously, a hint of worry in his voice: "If we settle now, aren't we hitting Wilson right in the gut? He'd love for us to run now. If he discovers we're dumping, will he immediately stop buying? Then the stock could crash, and we'd lose all the profit from the last few days."

"That's exactly the effect we want," Lu Qingshan smiled, his grin full of wisdom and calculation, like a sage seeing through everything. "We'll make Wilson think we've truly been defeated and have fled. Then he'll pour even more capital in, continuing to drive the stock up. When people are extremely excited, they often lose Rationality and make the most foolish decisions."

He turned, a dangerous glint in his eyes: "When he pushes the price to its peak and pours all his capital in, that will be our moment to cast the net. By then he won't be able to run. It's what we call 'luring the lord into the jar, catching the turtle in the jar.'"

Huo Jianhua suddenly understood, his voice full of admiration: "Qing Shan means we first settle the Long Buying positions and cash out, then reverse into Short Selling? Let Wilson lift the price to its peak, and we strike from above with a single decisive blow? Brilliant, truly brilliant! This strategy is a classic of military art."

"Smart!" Lu Qingshan nodded, a approving smile appearing on his face. "This is the classic stratagem of 'making a show in the east and a strike in the west, openly repairing a road while secretly crossing the river.' Wilson thinks we're collapsing, but in fact we're preparing the final lethal blow."

His voice grew even more serious: "But brothers, this operation carries great risk; everyone must be mentally prepared. Moreover, unlike before, I cannot command centrally; each firm must act on its own and bear its own risk. If an accident occurs, Lu Qingshan will never shirk responsibility, but I hope everyone is mentally ready."

Bao Chenggang's voice rang out immediately, hearty and resolute: "Brother Qing Shan, we've made over HK$200 million following you these past days; what more could I desire? Fortune comes from risk; you can't get a tiger cub without entering the tiger's den! This time I trust you, and will see it through to the end!"

His voice carried a death‑defying bravado, clearly resolute. This attitude infected the others.