Chapter 53: Systemic Risk

"Let's go, to the study."

Lu Chen spoke in a gentle tone and led the way toward the room.

After returning to the study, Lu Chen casually took the industry investigation report from the table and placed it on the coffee table.

He pulled a Cigar from the cigar box and began to preheat it.

Shen Wanyu followed him in and opened the window in the room.

Only then did Lu Chen open his mouth to ask a question.

"Besides you cleaning the study, who else comes in here?"

Lu Chen's tone was calm; after all, the entire second floor had effectively become an office area now.

"Other than me, only Butler Wang is responsible for cleaning the conference room. Generally, no servants come up, except occasionally to deliver coffee."

Shen Wanyu sat on the sofa to Lu Chen's side, a trace of confusion on her face; she paused before speaking.

"You can take out the file on Fei Ge from Jiu Chang Jie and put it into another safe."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and continued to toast the Cigar, though his tone carried a hint of coldness.

"This person has gone to feed the fish, but the news hasn't been confirmed; it's just that Jiu Chang Jie has indeed become chaotic."

"Ah?"

A look of surprise appeared on Shen Wanyu's face, her pupils trembling; it took several seconds before she spoke again.

"Understood, BOSS."

"What is your take on the textile industry?"

Lu Chen took a slow puff of his Cigar and exhaled the smoke.

He picked up his coffee, took a sip, leaned back against the chair, and crossed his legs.

"BOSS, I don't recommend that we invest a large amount of capital into this industry. Although various signs indicate that the textile industry is developing vigorously and has a certain amount of potential, the competition in Xianggang is still too intense."

Shen Wanyu paused, leaned forward slightly, and placed her hands in front of her.

"Since the industry outlook is good, then why not invest heavily?"

Lu Chen nodded slightly and then continued to ask.

He took a puff of his Cigar, his eyes turning profound as he looked at Shen Wanyu through the smoke.

"The outlook is good because there have been new breakthroughs in textile machinery recently, and the main customers are from Europe and America."

Shen Wanyu paused, her pupils lifting slightly, and after a few seconds, she spoke again.

"The market there doesn't just involve Xianggang; there are also their local textile enterprises, and we don't have much of a competitive advantage."

"Then where do you think we should invest our money?"

The corners of Lu Chen's mouth lifted slightly.

Although this was not quite the same as the history he was familiar with, the actual situation still required practical analysis.

Lu Chen could not simply rely on so-called information advantages to dump all his assets into a field where he held no edge.

Of course, this was currently just Secretary Shen's one-sided opinion; the real reason one could judge whether an industry was worth investing in was not just a single industry investigation report.

"BOSS, in the entire Xianggang industry right now, only land is worth our investment, but its cycle is truly too long."

Shen Wanyu sipped her coffee, and after a while, she spoke cautiously.

"Also, recently in other companies, I have vaguely heard some rumors saying that the financial innovation created within Crown seems to be quite substantial, and you are a shareholder of Crown..."

Lu Chen waved his hand, took a puff of his Cigar, looked at Shen Wanyu, and then spoke.

"What do you want to say? You can ask it all."

"Is that securitization a sure-fire way to make money?"

A glint flashed in Shen Wanyu's eyes, and her tone became a bit more relaxed.

"This is just workplace gossip; you can just listen to it, I'm just curious."

"I heard that Crown might launch that financial innovation at the end of the year or early next year. Do you think we have a chance to follow along and make a profit?"

"Your Li Ge is the one handling this matter. If you all want to make money, leave it to the company. Later, send a telegram to Li Ge, and tomorrow you go to the company to ask how many people want to participate, and let Li Ge handle it all."

Lu Chen paused, took a puff of his Cigar, and then continued.

"Our company is not a financial firm. All employees, including you, are not allowed to open private financial accounts, nor are they allowed to have any loans."

After saying this, Lu Chen's tone softened.

"Your Li Ge is preparing to go to Piaoliang Guo to find a professional financial team; they are much stronger than you scattered soldiers. With their professional management, you can work with peace of mind. Even if there is a loss, the company will take the brunt of it, and even if it's all lost, the company will still cover for you."

"Understood, BOSS. I will go to the company tomorrow to announce this news. However, regarding the issue of loans you mentioned, are we helping them solve that, or..."

Shen Wanyu paused, then asked with some hesitation.

"Some employees do indeed have some loans..."

Lu Chen did not speak immediately; he tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, smoked his Cigar in silence for two puffs, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"Call Chen Mo up."

Shen Wanyu nodded slightly, got up and left the study; before long, Chen Mo and Shen Wanyu returned to the study.

"Chen Mo, I have a task for you: investigate the backgrounds of all company employees and their loan information. All loans for living expenses will be paid by the company; bring their IOUs back to the company."

Lu Chen looked up at Chen Mo, who had just walked in, and tossed him a Cigar.

Then he looked at Shen Wanyu.

"As for those financial loans, issue a notice tomorrow: they must all be cleared on their own within a week. For those who truly lack the ability, the company can help pay them off, but the money will be deducted from their subsequent wages, leaving them with only their most basic living expenses each month."

"Wanyu, notify the finance department to set up an emergency loan channel at the company. Employees who have worked for more than a year can take out temporary loans, with a cap of no more than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars. If there is a major illness in the family, after the company verifies it, medical expenses can be provided. Of course, these will all be deducted slowly from their monthly wages; if one year isn't enough, then deduct for 10 years."

Lu Chen paused, then continued.

"For those who have made major contributions to the company, just like Liu Xiaofeng's mother, they will be sent to Piaoliang Guo for treatment personally."

"Of course, the rewards will certainly not be limited to just this. If there is a need, within a reasonable scope, I will agree to it."

After Lu Chen took a puff of his Cigar, he added one more sentence.

"There is one more point: tell them that the company does not allow them to invest privately for their own good. If they trust the company, they can invest their money into the company's overseas financial account. Depending on the investment ratio, they can withdraw their principal and profits from the company's finance department at any time."

After saying these words, Lu Chen waved his hand to let Shen Wanyu leave, leaving Chen Mo behind alone.

Chen Mo had been listening silently to Lu Chen's speech from the side.

He lit the Cigar directly, took a puff, and let out a suppressed, low cough.

However, it did not affect Lu Chen and Shen Wanyu at all.

Only then did Lu Chen turn his head to look at Chen Mo and pointed to the seat beside him.