My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 22 The Turmoil on the Huangpu River: All the Secrets Exposed

Shanghai, the Bund!
Hidden in a deep alley called "Dekangli", there is an inconspicuous shop with the guise of "Chen Ji Antique Shop".

In a secluded room on the second floor, heavy dark green velvet curtains blocked out all outside light. Only the heavy brass table lamp on the table emitted a dim, bean-like glow, illuminating the cramped space.

The air was filled with the mellow tobacco aroma of fine cigars, and an even cooler sandalwood scent.

The light illuminated a corner.

A slender, fair, and almost flawless hand, with long, delicate fingers, was holding a thin, few-page mimeographed document.

The edges of the paper were slightly yellowed, with the rough texture characteristic of an old-fashioned typewriter, and the writing was slightly blurry.

The document's heading, in black ink, reads: "Information and Risk Warning Regarding Recent Travel Restrictions on International Train K3/4 (Internal Reference)."

Shen Manqing, the president of the Qilin Chamber of Commerce and the true owner behind the ID "Qingyu Qilin" which ranks seventh on the wealth list, is staring intently at the content about "K3" on the page with her deep, well-like eyes.

The information provided was shockingly rudimentary: a shortage of transport capacity, a black market for tickets, inconsistent border controls, and most importantly, a single, seemingly insignificant description—

"Currently, a very small number of individual businesses are known to have attempted to use this route for small-scale cross-border trade of daily necessities. However, due to factors such as the long distance, frequent banditry, and strict foreign exchange controls, the risks are extremely high and the returns are unstable. The Chamber of Commerce has decided to postpone this as a key area for expansion."

Qilin Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest chambers of commerce in Shanghai, mainly engaged in import and export trade.

The Soviet Union line only came into consideration after China and the Soviet Union resumed diplomatic relations!

"Unstable returns?"

Shen Manqing tapped her fingertips lightly on the last line of text a few times, producing a crisp, monotonous tapping sound that was particularly clear in the silent, secret room.

She wondered: Did this Mr. Jing's ranking skyrocket because he went to the Soviet Union?

She had just checked the group chat, and the lively messages there hadn't escaped her notice.

She had no friends and no entertainment.

Or rather, reading these messages from all over the world in the group is her only form of entertainment.

Shen Manqing raised her eyes and looked at Ah Zhong, who was standing beside her: "Besides this, is there any other information about the K3 international train?"

Ah Zhong said respectfully, "Miss, the information is limited. This is the most detailed information about K3 that the Chamber of Commerce can currently find."

"However, the Chamber of Commerce's contacts in Yanjing have sent word that recently, there has indeed been some undercurrents on that line in the north."

"How to say?"

“There’s a Hong Kong businessman named Fang Minghai who’s very active and spends a lot of money. Rumors in the industry say he might be looking for a new path.”

"A new approach?"

"Yes." Ah Zhong said solemnly, "There are two main pieces of news circulating in Yanjing right now. One is that a gangster named Qin Yuan and his men went to K3 to fight for their lives. The other is that Fang Minghai is buying up leather products in Yanjing, preparing to do foreign trade with the Soviet Union, and Qin Yuan is his henchman."

"What a coincidence?" Shen Manqing smiled.

“Yes!” Ah Zhong replied in a deep voice, “It’s just such a coincidence.”

Shen Manqing is now somewhat interested in this Qin Yuan, regardless of whether he is the "I am Master Jing" or not.

Thinking of this, she opened the paper covered with messages from the Fang family of Hong Kong Island.

It was indeed written very clearly above.

Although Fang Mingyuan's main business in Yanjing was collecting antiques and cultural artifacts, he was even interested in exploring the depths of Yanjing's real estate business.

However, their family owns several brand stores on Hong Kong Island and controls several sizable garment factories in the Pearl River Delta, especially for leather jackets and jeans, with a stable supply capacity.

That makes sense now. There really isn't such a coincidence in the world!
"Do you understand how Qin Yuan and Fang Minghai have connected?" Shen Manqing's voice was cold.

“I understand now,” Ah Zhong said in a deep voice. “We’re taking advantage of the information gap between the K3 line and the shortage of supplies in Russia to buy low and sell high. The key is to open up sales channels between the southern supply sources and the snowy northern country.”

"With Fang Minghai's stable supply from the south, and with its price advantage and unique channels, it could even monopolize the clothing business to and from Moscow."

He paused, then continued, "If we can successfully return, we'll exchange all the goods we have for rubles, based on the current international exchange rate between the ruble and the yuan."

"This Mr. Qin has probably made a fortune."

"Hmm." Shen Manqing responded noncommittally, casually tossing the document in her hand onto the table as if the priceless intelligence was nothing more than waste paper.

Although Ah Zhong's eyes were full of surprise, he dared not say a word.

Information acquired at great expense is discarded like trash?

"These two people are classified as Category C."

Shen Manqing's voice carried a sense of superiority and decisiveness: "The overall structure is clear, but its limits are also limited."

"It's simply a matter of expanding the scale, making more trips, and bringing in more 'second-hand' and 'third-hand' transporters to increase the volume."

"Although the profits are substantial, they are still hard-earned money. Moreover... the K3 line will soon be crowded with sharks drawn by the smell of blood, and the risks will increase exponentially, making it a losing proposition."

Ah Zhong stood with his hands at his sides, without asking any questions.

Shen Manqing put down her coffee cup, her gaze calm and unwavering.
"Our battlefield is not here."

Her gaze fell upon the void that only she could see.

Although she didn't know how this Mr. Jing knew when the stock exchange opened.

And it's so precise, but... it doesn't matter anymore!
She looked into the distance, issuing a series of commands:

"Ah Zhong, review all the liquid funds that the Chamber of Commerce can use, including those under my name, and put them into the highest level of combat readiness."

"All short-term speculative projects in Hainan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and even Beijing should be withdrawn immediately if they can be withdrawn, and those that can be liquidated should be liquidated immediately."

"At all costs, we must recover the funds!"

Ah Zhong's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood his young mistress's goal: "Miss, are you about to make your move?"

“That’s right.” Shen Manqing stood up, walked to the window, and gently brushed her fingers through the heavy curtains. “The news has been confirmed. At the latest, the Shanghai Stock Exchange will open for business in December!”

Her voice wasn't loud, but it resonated like thunder in the secret room.

"How many new Guangdong elites were created by the five old stocks created by the securities companies in Shenzhen?"

"This time, it's Pujiang's turn!"

"At that time, the funds from Yanjing, the hot money from the south, and all the speculative capital from various places that smelled the meat... will pounce on us like sharks smelling blood!"

Shen Manqing turned around, the lamplight casting a deep shadow on her stunning profile. Her eyes were astonishingly bright, yet also astonishingly cold.
"Whether the Qilin Society can stand firm amidst the impending monstrous waves, or even advance further... depends on this battle!"

"Compared to this, the K3 line is utterly insignificant!"

"Capital! What I need is enough to manipulate the market... a massive amount of capital!"

Ah Zhong bowed his head deeply: "Yes, Miss! I will take care of it immediately. The Qilin Society will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Shen Manqing played with the jade in her hand, wondering how many of the monsters in the top ten of the wealth ranking would show up this time!
　Is anyone even watching? I'm panicking. No one's voting, no one's speaking.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)