[Chapter 600: Financial Predation]
Even though Linton was already a mega-billionaire with close to a hundred billion dollars, hearing that $1.5 billion had transferred in less than a day still sent waves of excitement through him.
After hanging up the phone, he returned to his bedroom and joyfully announced the blockbuster news to his harem. Immediately, their admiring gazes intensified, their desires ignited -- each of them wishing they could melt into Linton's very being.
Li Xiaoran, fortunate to be closest to him, was the first to throw herself into his arms, planting a tender kiss on his lips. "Darling, you're incredible. I love you to death."
Naturally, the celebration party that followed grew even more thrilling and passionate. The chorus of voices rose again, even louder than before, filled with electric energy and ecstatic allure.
...
The next morning, only after much effort did Linton manage to slip away from the eager embraces of shimmering limbs and soft warmth. By the time he arrived at Skycrest Hedge Fund, it was already 9 a.m.
Inside Skycrest, the fifteen-person team including Richard and Willix had red-rimmed eyes and unshaven faces -- clear evidence of a sleepless night -- but their faces radiated with exhilaration.
Linton opened the conversation. "Looks like you've brought in a big haul. How are things?"
Richard responded joyfully, "Boss, things are excellent. Yesterday before midnight, we used all $25 billion at hand to short the Thai baht. By 1 a.m. this morning -- 10 a.m. local time in Thailand -- the government was completely out of ammunition and powerless to resist. They officially held a press conference to announce the end of the fixed exchange rate regime, transitioning to a floating one.
The baht plunged immediately. So far, the exchange rate to the dollar has dropped to 30.5, over a 17% slump. We hit the jackpot this time. If we close now, our profits would exceed $3 billion."
Hearing such good news instantly lifted Linton's spirits. "Good work, everyone. My previous promise still stands: I'll allocate 15% of this operation's profits as bonuses. When the boss makes money, we all do. We get rich together."
"Boss! Boss!" the team cheered in unison.
"And what's the plan moving forward?"
Richard and Willix exchanged a glance before Willix spoke. "Boss, the baht might fall further, but not by much more. We've savored the sweetest reward. I suggest we gradually close our positions to lock in profits."
Linton nodded in approval. "Right. This haul itself is already astonishing."
"But we're not stopping here. I believe Thailand is just the beginning. The collapse in Thailand's currency market will inevitably spread to the rest of Southeast Asia -- countries with export-driven economies and fully liberalized financial markets like the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.
There's over $500 billion already flooding into Southeast Asia, and that number is sure to skyrocket to trillions. These funds won't be content with just Thailand. Especially since George Soros is leading the charge."
Linton didn't recall the exact details from his previous life, but he broadly knew these places had been thoroughly exploited by international speculators before. "That's a strong choice of targets. What's the strategy?"
"The main risk is the ongoing fierce battles between Soros's financial raiders and local governments. If we jump in too early, we risk being trapped by Quantum Fund's countermeasures, who could suddenly flip their positions and wipe us out.
But with the baht's collapse opening the floodgates to over a trillion dollars in short positions, it's impossible to pick the perfect entry point. Waiting for a clear victor means we'll be late to the party.
So, we will adjust leverage to around 10x to reduce risk, operate steadily to avoid being cleaned out by the Big Players led by Quantum Fund, while still sharing in the spoils."
"Fine, proceed as you say."
...
With Willix issuing a series of orders, the traders sprang into action. By midday, all baht short positions were successfully closed. Skycrest Hedge Fund's profits from the Thai market alone hit an astonishing $3.3 billion.
The victory exhilarated not only Linton but the entire Skycrest team. The boss made a fortune, and per his promise, the team's collective bonuses amounted to nearly $495 million.
Even the lowest-level operators were set to receive more than $10 million each. Excited and bewildered, in just one day, every person had joined the millionaire ranks -- with countless more opportunities and enormous sums awaiting on the horizon.
Seeing their exhausted yet ecstatic faces, Linton realized they still had long nights ahead. To keep the team alert, he handed out a box of his special energy tea.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a time to celebrate. Usually we'd pop champagne, but with battles continuing, there would be no alcohol -- I wouldn't want it to dull our edge. I got you this rare tea to help boost energy and keep fatigue at bay."
Richard's eyes lit up as he snatched the box. "Boss, is this the magical tea you drink yourself?"
"Yes. Since we're celebrating, this box is your reward today."
"Thanks, boss. Everyone, this is the real deal -- grown on the boss's own farm. Annual yields don't exceed ten pounds, never for sale. Even top Washington elites and crazy-rich billionaires like Bill Gates can't get their hands on it. I am surprised at the boss's generosity to gift us a box. Let's all thank the boss together."
"Thank you Boss!" they shouted, their voices ringing with adoration.
...
Wall Street, New York. Quantum Fund Headquarters - Conference Room.
"I was born into poverty, but I refuse to die poor." -- George Soros.
This phrase, hung prominently in the room, was Soros's life credo.
A group of renowned fund managers and financial analysts sat upright and attentive, waiting for their boss, the infamous financial titan Soros, whose name stirred fear and envy worldwide.
Despite their composed postures, their faces burned with excitement.
Like Skycrest, Quantum Fund had struck gold today.
The idea to short Southeast Asian currencies was pushed by Quantum Fund.
As early as March, Soros had keenly spotted vulnerabilities across Southeast Asia, drafting plans to short their currencies.
He raised $30 billion and allied with Tiger Fund, Chris Fund, and numerous others who had previously collaborated on shorting the British pound and Argentine peso.
Collectively, they amassed over $100 billion, preparing to plunder Southeast Asian wealth.
Their financial raid had the tacit blessing of the White House, State Department, and Treasury.
After careful selection, they chose Thailand as the entry point. Starting in late May, they began shorting the baht.
Naturally, the Thai government fought back with all they had, but their foreign reserves barely topped $5 billion.
With financial policies fully liberalized under Western pressure in the name of free markets, the gates were wide open. Financial predators marched in unchallenged.
When Thailand tried to tighten controls and regulate the exchange and capital markets, the U.S. State Department intervened swiftly with a blunt warning: "Not allowed."
Unable to establish regulatory firewalls, Thailand was left to pit their meager reserves against the ruthless raiders led by Soros.
At first, ASEAN countries lent $2 billion to help Thailand's resistance, but once Soros expanded attacks to other ASEAN nations, no one else lent support.
By early morning, Thailand's foreign reserves were exhausted; the resistance collapsed.
Twenty years of rapid growth and vast wealth accumulated by Thailand were now completely exposed to the traders' merciless grasp, ready to be plundered.
This spectacular victory and immense fortune naturally filled the raiders and their backers with ecstasy.
...
The sound of footsteps approached as the conference room door swung open.
The managers and analysts rose to greet their boss, Soros, the man many around the world both feared and despised.
"Alright, everyone, have a seat. Let's hear the fruits of your labor," Soros said, for once cracking a rare smile.
Carlos, the lead financial analyst seated to his left, stood to report: "Boss, since mid-May, Quantum Fund invested $10 billion with 10x leverage to short the baht. After over a month of pressure, this morning the Thai government abandoned the fixed rate system. The baht plunged -- so far down 17% against the dollar. If we close positions now, our profits exceed $15 billion."
Applause broke out immediately around the room.
Soros clapped, nodding encouragement. "Excellent, very good."
Buoyed by praise, Carlos's face beamed with excitement.
Soros asked next, "The baht's collapse has surely attracted massive inflows from global speculators. Have you tallied the amount flooding Thailand's forex market today?"
Carlos glanced at his notebook. "Boss, since Thailand's announcement, the major Wall Street giants -- Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns -- and hundreds of smaller firms have poured massive capital into the Thai forex market. Our data shows at least $500 billion has flowed in so far, and this number is rising. We predict it will reach over a trillion within a week."
Five hundred billion dollars -- a staggering sum.
To put it in perspective, many small Southeast Asian nations could not be sold off at that price.
And with leverage, these speculators could mobilize tens of trillions.
Clearly, with the Thai government drained, they were powerless to stop the red-eyed financial predators.
Worst of all, this legal plunder was sanctioned by international law frameworks and backed by the U.S.
Thailand couldn't resort to backdoor measures. Not only were exchanges forbidden from closing, but attempts to regulate or limit foreign capital by tightening policies faced stern American warnings.
Under such ruthless rules, Thailand's people could only lie vulnerable, their wealth stripped bare as if on a butcher's block.
Thailand, once one of Asia's Four Tigers, had bequeathed its riches on a silver platter.
The Thai government and people faced disaster on an unprecedented scale.
Meanwhile, Quantum Fund's team sat smiling in cold satisfaction.
"Five hundred billion, a decent figure," Soros said with a sinister smile.
"The collapse of Thailand's forex market will send shockwaves through the rest of Southeast Asia's export-driven economies. Their currencies will tremble; resistance will weaken. If we press the advantage, these countries' wealth will open wide to us. Moreover, with Thailand's precedent, global free capital will flood in. Then, the inflows won't be mere billions. I estimate rolling capital will expand tenfold -- to $5 trillion."
Five trillion dollars!
The conference room collectively drew breath in shock.
Soros's forecast was terrifying.
Five trillion in international funds could topple most nations' economies.
Back in 1992, when the 12 European Community countries signed the Maastricht Treaty to create the euro, Britain opted out to keep the pound, causing a currency shock.
Soros noticed the chance. Quantum Fund poured in $12 billion, joined by hedge funds to short the pound.
Global speculators swarmed in with fewer than $500 billion in market inflows, but still demolished the British economy.
The pound plummeted 15%, and Soros earned $1.5 billion personally, $5 billion for the fund.
The downside for Britain: losses exceeding hundreds of billions.
Now, with potentially $5 trillion, the scale made the UK crisis seem minor.
Carlos, excited, stood again. "Boss, given this, I suggest we ramp up attacks on the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. We need to break them quickly."
"Agreed. Proceed as you say."
At that moment, Rocky, a financial analyst seated next to Soros, also rose.
"Boss, one more thing to report."
"Go ahead. What's the situation?"
"Since yesterday, a new massive fund has poured over $20 billion into shorting the baht under cloak of secrecy. And with Thailand's government capitulating this morning, this fund reaped huge profits in record time. Should we try to locate them?"
"What? That's unusual. Any funds requested to join the coalition recently?"
"No."
"Looks like a lone troublemaker who doesn't understand the rules. Alright, mobilize all contacts. Find them, see if they pose a threat to our future operations. If they're naive, we'll know how to deal with them ahead of time."
"Understood. We'll let them safeguard the wealth for now."
*****
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