Chapter 038: Singing the National Anthem in the Exchange, the Huo Family's Invitation

For the next two days, Zhang Tianfeng didn’t step out again. He had Gao Ran buy him a large stack of foreign newspapers, which he pored over on the sofa. Before the 21st century, his investment company still focused primarily on overseas markets. After all, the internet boom had already started abroad, giving rise to a host of renowned tycoons. What Zhang Tianfeng needed to do was invest in these people before they became famous, letting these future magnates make money for him. If he found someone truly promising, he wouldn’t mind giving them a word or two of advice.

At present, the foreign tech industry was thriving. Although Google hadn’t been founded yet, its core members were already toying with similar ideas. As for Apple, it was still locked in a fierce rivalry with Microsoft.

“Just wait a little longer,” he thought.

...

August 2nd, 1993. The weather was clear.

In the height of summer, a walk outside at six in the morning was enough to drench one’s clothes in sweat. After an hour-long morning run and a refreshing wash, Zhang Tianfeng changed his clothes, ate breakfast, and headed to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Gao Ran and Qin Yuelan were still asleep. In the past two days, the girls had been having the time of their lives, touring and shopping all over the city, and buying plenty of goodies.

After two days of closure, the investors were already waiting outside at dawn. Zhang Tianfeng’s appearance immediately attracted attention.

“Well, would you look at that—even this country bumpkin dares to show his face again.”

“Last time he left in a Crown limo, but today he took the number 11 bus? Did he lose everything?”

“What if the market drops today? Will he jump off the building?”

“Oh, relax. The patriotic lad will get a flag from the state; he’s already well-fed in spirit. He doesn’t need money and certainly won’t be jumping off anything.”

Hong Kong’s investors were famous for their sharp tongues—always ready with a biting remark, but never vulgar.

“Uncle,” Zhang Tianfeng called out with a smile, “you seem so sure of yourself. If the market rises after opening, can you sing the national anthem for me?”

The elderly man, skin mottled with age spots, shot him a sidelong glance. “Sing the anthem? Hah! If you can really make the index rise, I’ll run naked through the hall!”

“Deal!” Zhang Tianfeng grinned. “Just remember to bring some ID, so people will know who you are.”

“Son, did the state really send you to save the market? Can you do it?” The old man pressed on. “Word is the great leader’s health isn’t good.”

“Don’t believe those rumors. The great leader will live to a ripe old age, and the market will recover. Just wait and see.”

As they chatted, the market opened.

The doors swung wide, and the crowd surged inside, more frenzied than housewives at a vegetable sale. Everyone rushed to their stations, and silence fell.

Jason, dressed in a suit and tie, strolled over with a wine glass in hand, his expression arrogant. This was his turf now. With no one from Hengsen Investments present, as long as he didn’t provoke this country bumpkin, there’d be no trouble.

“Mr. Zhang, I’ve already decided on your forfeit.”

“Sorry, I’m not interested. Because I’m certain I’ll win.”

“So confident, are you? If the market falls—”

He was interrupted by an excited shout: “It’s up! It’s really up!”

“God bless! I’m finally out of the red—ha ha ha!”

In that instant, the entire trading floor erupted in excitement. After two months of decline, the Hang Seng Index finally rebounded on the morning of August 2nd.

Some laughed, some wept, some sat in stunned silence, while others dashed about madly—the full spectrum of human nature on display.

“What do you have to say now?” Zhang Tianfeng asked with a smile.

Jason’s face was ashen, his eyes burning with fury. “Check for me—find out where that capital just came from!”

It didn’t take long to get an answer: “American funds!”

In this era, American funds represented the might of global finance. Their entry signaled that the word was out: the Hong Kong market would rise, and nothing could stop it.

As the news spread, the Hang Seng’s rally grew even more frenzied. In just ten minutes, it surged 200 points. All the major players jumped in, and message after message followed.

“American capital entering the market…”

“HSBC’s mid-term results released…”

Soon, even more bizarre rumors began circulating, but all were uplifting.

The screens were awash in green, the mood electric.

“Green Knight Jason, what do you have to say for yourself?” Zhang Tianfeng pressed again.

Jason grunted, “The day’s not over yet—the bet isn’t settled!”

Even the greenest novices in the market didn’t buy it. After two months of decline, with the market finally rebounding, what capital would let the index fall again? It wouldn’t just rise today, but tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that.

Anyone could see Jason was preparing to bolt. Several burly men blocked his path and turned to Zhang Tianfeng.

“Mr. Zhang, looks like this guy’s about to run. Want us to keep an eye on him? We don’t want money—just tell us who you really are.”

“Let him sing the national anthem first. After that, I’ll answer you.”

“No problem!”

These fellows had come prepared; worried Jason might not know the anthem, they’d even brought a tape recorder.

As the familiar melody sounded in the trading hall, Zhang Tianfeng suddenly felt his eyes well with tears.

He’d always sung the anthem at school, at home, in the bustling heartland. Now, back on August 2nd, 1993, in this complicated era, standing in a place where he was still a little unwelcome, the song sent a shiver through his soul—a feeling he’d never known before.

When the song ended, Zhang Tianfeng wiped away his tears and glanced at Jason, now sprawled on the floor. “I told you: lose, and you sing the anthem. That’s all—now get lost!”

The men tossed Jason out and blocked Zhang Tianfeng’s way again. “Mr. Zhang, you haven’t answered our question.”

“I came to save the market. Are you satisfied with the result?”

“Very satisfied. Where are you headed, Mr. Zhang? We can escort you.”

“No need, I’d like to walk alone for a bit.”

As he left the trading floor, reporters swarmed him again—this time, much more respectfully.

“Mr. Zhang, was what you said inside true? Has the state come to rescue Hong Kong?”

“Mr. Zhang…”

Zhang Tianfeng took the microphone and said, “As I’ve always said, Hong Kong has always been an inseparable part of the motherland. The nation has never given up on a single blade of grass or a single flower here.”

“Mr. Zhang, we’re more concerned about the index. How long will the state support the market?”

“It will continue. If you don’t believe me, just watch—the Hang Seng will soon break through 7,500 this month.”

Two days earlier, no one believed in this country bumpkin from the mainland. But today, in just two hours after opening, this young mainlander had trampled the famed Green Knight and more than thirty seasoned analysts—many self-styled “stock gods” idolized by tens of thousands of investors.

Who would dare contradict him now? Who would dare block his way as he left?

After leaving the exchange, Zhang Tianfeng decided to take a taxi home. Halfway there, a black sedan pulled up in front of him.

The window rolled down, and a square-faced middle-aged man said, “Mr. Zhang, my employer wishes to invite you to dinner. Would you do us the honor?”

Zhang Tianfeng hesitated for a moment, then got in and left.

Jason, who had just crawled out, witnessed the scene and shouted, “See? I told you he has powerful backers! He’s working with capitalists to fleece your hard-earned money!”

“Jason, did you see the license plate on that car? That was the Huo family’s car.”

Th… the Huo family!

Jason was left speechless, as though something was stuck in his throat.

Everyone regarded him as if he were an idiot, shaking their heads in disbelief.

This man had lost his mind—he deserved no sympathy.