Chapter 98: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 98 I'm Back

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Two years later, spring of 1928.

Inside an apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, United States.

Fine snow drifted outside the window, while the fireplace inside burned brightly, driving away the winter chill.

Lv Muzhi put down the Wall Street Journal in his hand, walked to the window, and watched the pedestrians hurrying along the street outside.

A year ago, Doctor Smith had removed the shrapnel approaching his heart with superb medical skill, and clearly told him that his recovery was good and would not affect his continued military career.

However, after recovering, Lv Muzhi did not immediately return to the war-torn homeland, using the need for further recuperation and observing the American military as an excuse to stay.

Regarding this claim, the Principal and Minister Song thought it indeed necessary, so they did not force Lv Muzhi to return home, but ordered Lv Muzhi to exchange and study at various military academies in the capacity of Special Military Observer, with traces of Lv Muzhi at West Point Military Academy and Virginia Military Institute.

Moreover, during this period, the Principal also sent many students abroad for observation, such as Song Xilian being sent to Japan for study and observation.

The reason Lv Muzhi stayed in the United States was very simple: the Northern Expedition situation was settled, and he already bore the rank of general, but even if he rose higher, it would not help much for the future War of Resistance; the current Lv Muzhi needed capital, a large amount of capital, to invest in future War of Resistance preparations.

"Muzi, the phone, it's Dad calling from the West Coast." Zhu Sanxiang leaned against the back of the sofa, holding the phone, looking at Lv Muzhi.

That year, the two's feelings rapidly heated up, and with the tacit approval and even delight of Zhu Sanxiang's father Zhu Ji'an, they were already cohabiting in this apartment in New York.

Lv Muzhi walked over to take the phone. "Uncle~"

Zhu Ji'an's voice on the other end of the phone was loud: "Haha, Muzi Ah, I've looked at the business reports from that side recently, you've done well! The growth is faster than when I managed it myself! It seems my future son-in-law not only knows how to fight, but is also a good hand at business!"

Zhu Ji'an had visited Lv Muzhi and them several times; this wealthy merchant who operated import-export trade domestically was very satisfied with Lv Muzhi, this young Revolutionary Army Major General, especially after hearing he had a close relationship with Minister Song, he regarded Lv Muzhi as an important reliance for the family in terms of power and influence.

Only the combination of money and power made Zhu Ji'an more assured about his family business.

Because Zhu Ji'an had no son, only one daughter Zhu Sanxiang, he entrusted all the business in the United States, including import-export business with local Chinese merchants and foreign firms, entirely to Lv Muzhi and Zhu Sanxiang to manage, hoping they could accumulate connections and experience this way, while he himself was responsible for domestic business most of the time.

Zhu Ji'an could already look forward to: after Lv Muzhi returned home and met the Principal and Song Zhiwen, his business would very likely see further growth!

"Uncle is overpraising me, I'm just doing my best." Lv Muzhi said modestly.

Lv Muzhi had participated in the Zhu family's business for only two months; during this time, Lv Muzhi managed the Zhu family's business in an orderly manner, and indeed earned some money, no longer needing to telegram Song Zhiwen and the Principal to cry poor and ask for money every few days.

His small investments in the stock market also reaped some gains, but Lv Muzhi knew that this bit of accumulation, compared to the grand blueprint in his heart, was but a drop in the bucket.

"Work hard!" Zhu Ji'an encouraged, "When you come back, I'll hold the wedding for you and Sanxiang; I'm very satisfied with you, the Zhu family's industry will rely on you to carry forward and expand in the future... who let my only son die young... you and Sanxiang must be good..."

Zhu Ji'an said and said, then began to wipe away tears; he had been worrying about having no one to inherit the family business, and Zhu Sanxiang being a daughter, now having Lv Muzhi by her side, could be said to have solved Zhu Ji'an's double troubles.

"Don't worry~ Dad! I will definitely treat Sanxiang well."

After hanging up the phone, Lv Muzhi fell into deep thought.

His future father-in-law Zhu Ji'an's wealth was a huge treasure trove; if he could persuade him to invest funds into the stock market... it would definitely stir up the winds and clouds.

"What's wrong? Did Dad urge you to marry again?" Zhu Sanxiang walked over holding a cup of hot milk, asking with a smile.

Lv Muzhi shook his head, put his arm around her shoulders, but his gaze once again turned to the sky outside the window. "Sanxiang, I remember your father is in the country, and also does some financial investments?"

"Mm, mainly bonds and shares of several banks; he always feels the stock market is too risky, like gambling." Zhu Sanxiang replied.

Lv Muzhi felt relieved a bit; this way it showed Zhu Ji'an understood economics and the stock market, and he might be able to convince him with reason, letting Zhu Ji'an willingly take out a huge sum and allow him to make this grand gamble.

A few days later, taking advantage of Zhu Ji'an still operating import business on the West Coast of the United States and not having returned home, Lv Muzhi took the initiative to make a long-distance call to Zhu Ji'an, and the call lasted a long time.

Lv Muzhi did not directly mention short selling the stock market, but expanded around new phenomena he had observed in the United States: he detailed analysis of the serious overcapacity of American industry, the crazy expansion of consumer credit, and the crazy speculative frenzy on Wall Street.

Lv Muzhi used all the economic terminology he could think of, expressing his concern for the future plight of the United States.

The other end of the phone was silent for a long time; Zhu Ji'an was digesting this information. He trusted Lv Muzhi's ability and vision; the performance of these past few months was proof.

But such a subversive investment strategy, Zhu Ji'an had to be cautious.

"Uncle, what I just told you, do you think it makes sense?"

"Seems to make sense, but the American economy is indeed prosperous!"

"Dad, you can't be deceived by appearances; Coolidge's prosperity has many false bubbles, buy stocks inversely, villas by the sea!"

"If that's the case, I'll observe more; testing the waters is not unacceptable anyway, after all there's still over a year before the collapse you prophesied."

After hanging up the phone, Zhu Sanxiang leaned on Lv Muzhi's shoulder and asked, "Dad doesn't agree?"

"He wants to observe more..."

"It's okay; the American business is run by the two of us; the profits obtained then can be used to support your idea."

Lv Muzhi nodded; the most important thing right now was to establish some white glove companies, and try to transfer the future stock profits as much as possible, transferring as much as could be transferred; as for what couldn't be transferred, think of other methods then.

At the same time, Lv Muzhi informed Song Zhiwen of his idea via telegram; whether he believed it or not was his own business; anyway, if Song Zhiwen profited, he wouldn't get a single cent.

He didn't know how Song Zhiwen reacted, but his future father-in-law had already sent a telegram.

"Muzi, I've thought it through; anyway I have no son, and I don't know who to leave even more money to; even if I lose it all, Sanxiang following you won't suffer; I've decided to gamble once!"

The house, sold!

The ship, sold!

The wharf, sold!

The company, sold!

Relatives and friends, borrowed from all!

High-interest loans, borrowed!

More than a year later, 1929, the Great Depression arrived as scheduled.

Black Thursday swept across the Wall Street stock market; countless Wall Street Wolves jumped from high-rise buildings to end their lives, shocking the whole world.

Even the Principal, far away in Jinling, this former Wolf of the Huangpu River, was shaken by it, fortunate that he had not participated.

What shocked the Principal even more was that the United States sent a diplomatic note to Xia Guo, claiming that Xia Guo had a hand in the Black Thursday stock market crash.

The Principal looked completely confused: "I didn't do anything!"

In 1930, Lv Muzhi returned to his motherland once more, setting foot on the soil of Shanghai.

"The Three Years are up! I'm back! My motherland!"