Material Empire

"After the price of steel in the domestic market climbed to 2,500 yuan per ton, the supply and demand have basically reached a balance. On the one hand, some users are waiting for the price to fall, and on the other hand, various steel mills are also actively exploring production capacity and increasing production. Currently There are 45 iron and steel enterprises that planning committees at all levels have applied to expand production capacity, and the cumulative capacity expansion plan has reached 12 million tons. All these signs show that the reform of liberalizing steel supply and marketing this time has basically achieved the expected results. The reform plan It's totally doable."

In the small meeting room of the State Planning Commission, Wang Hongsheng pointed to the slides on the big screen with a pointer and introduced the situation to a roomful of people.

Sitting below, there are several directors and deputy directors of the Planning Commission, several cadres of the Price Department, and some officials from other relevant ministries and commissions. The most inconspicuous but also the most special are Qin Hai and Xiao Weihao. Even more abrupt than Qin Hai.

"Hongsheng, tell me about the new situation that has emerged recently." The chief director of the planning committee said below.

"Okay." Wang Hongsheng nodded, changed a slide, and then said to everyone: "What I said just now was the situation of the previous week. Since this Monday, some bad trends have appeared in the market. First, some people Deliberately spreading rumors that the price of steel products will rise sharply in the market, followed by an obvious phenomenon of roasted seeds and nuts in the market. Within three days, the price was fried from 2,500 yuan to about 2,800 yuan, causing a certain degree of panic in the market. .

Many local material departments have asked us whether the country has the intention to further increase the price of steel products, and some units that were not in a hurry to purchase steel products also made purchases in advance because they were worried about further rises in steel prices. Further exacerbated the contradiction between supply and demand in the market, bringing greater pressure on prices. "

"Who is spreading such rumors, have you checked it out?" the chief director asked in a deep voice. When this happened, as the person in charge of the State Planning Commission, he was naturally extremely annoyed, but this matter was expected by the Planning Commission, so he was able to calm down and not panic.

A deputy director of the price department stood up and replied: "We did some preliminary investigations according to Director Wang's arrangement, and found out that some domestic private trading companies are spreading these rumors, and these are also the ones who have been speculating in the market recently. Companies.... Several of them have registered with us."

"Oh..." The head director responded lightly, but did not press on. The deputy director said "registered" means that the planning committee has long been eyeing these companies, and the background of these companies is well known by the chief director, so there is no need to say more on this occasion.

"How much money do they have?" The director asked the next question. He needed the help of his subordinates to evaluate the strength of these companies and see how far they could push the entire market.

The deputy director said: "We don't know much about the financial situation of these companies, especially they have obtained a large amount of loans from some local banks. Between 20 billion and 30 billion yuan, if it is used for roasting seeds and nuts, no less than 10 million tons of steel can be hoarded."

"10 million tons." The director repeated, then turned to Wang Hongsheng and said, "Hongsheng, can our reserves fill the gap of 10 million tons?"

"It's absolutely possible." Wang Hongsheng replied affirmatively, "We have long been prepared for the issue of these domestic trading companies frying seeds and nuts. Several large domestic steel companies, especially Comrade Qin Hai's Daqin Group, have followed the planning committee's instructions. A part of the spot steel is reserved for the layout, which can be put on the market at the right time to stabilize the price. But..."

"Why, do you have any concerns?" The chief director asked in surprise when he heard Wang Hongsheng's hesitation.

Wang Hongsheng said: "The situation this time is more complicated, and some situations have exceeded our expectations. Please ask Director Xiao to explain this issue to everyone."

Speaking of this, he gestured to Xiao Weihao who was sitting in the corner with his hand, and everyone seemed to have discovered this strange face, so they all turned their attention to Xiao Weihao.

Xiao Weihao stood up with a smile, bowed slightly to everyone to show his respect, and then said loudly: "Leaders, let me introduce myself first. My name is Xiao Weihao. I am engaged in the work of national economic security. I am not with you. One system, but the goal of the work is the same."

"Oh..." Everyone immediately understood Xiao Weihao's identity, and after being relieved, their hearts thumped again. Could it be that the matter this time involved the field of national security? Otherwise, how could Wang Hongsheng let an official of the security system appear here?

"The thing is like this..." Xiao Weihao answered everyone's questions. He said, "According to the information we have, there are several overseas funds that specialize in transnational speculative business. Trying to grab huge profits from it. Among them, the most critical fund is the internationally notorious Meson Fund. The financial turmoil in several South American countries in the past few years was related to the hype of the Meson Fund. This time, they targeted out of China."

"International funds?" Another deputy director of the Planning Commission frowned, "Why are they targeting China? Also, isn't the foreign exchange exchange in our country supervised? How can they enter China?"

"Our supervision is also limited." An official from the Administration of Foreign Exchange replied with a wry smile, "There are many ways for international hot money to evade supervision. They can enter China through foreign-funded enterprises under the guise of investment; Domestic trading companies colluded to transfer money into the accounts of these trading companies by selling cheap and buying expensive. In addition, some underground money houses appeared along the southeast coast. .”

"This is your dereliction of duty." The director of the planning committee said half-jokingly.

The cadre of the SAFE said: "We have limited manpower, and it is impossible to control everything. In addition, some local governments open the door to foreign-funded enterprises out of the need to attract investment. We know that there are violations. , and can’t control it. Everyone knows, isn’t everyone talking about market regulation now, and our power is also restricted.”

"Haha, I understand, I understand. The power of our planning committee has also been greatly reduced." The chief director had no intention of accusing other departments of raising teachers.

Xiao Weihao waited for the episode to end, and then said: "As far as we know, Jiezi Fund's entry into China this time is inseparable from a trading company named Zhenjiang Industry. However, considering that their actions did not violate the criminal law, we cannot take any measures against them for the time being.”

"How much money is Jiezi Fund going to use to speculate on the steel market?" The director's tone became serious. At that time, the size of China's economy was too small compared to the world economy, and the intervention of international hot money was not a trivial matter, let alone a big crocodile like Jiezi Fund.

Xiao Weihao said: "Meson Fund sent a financier named Pittston to take charge of this operation. We have learned about Pittston's situation. He is a very experienced trader on Wall Street and the most experienced trader of Meson Fund. One of several important traders. Jiezi Fund sent him out, it should be the intention of winning. According to our analysis, Jiezi Fund can use at least 10 billion US dollars to operate this matter.”

"Ten billion dollars!"

Everyone present, except Qin Hai, Wang Hongsheng and other people who had known about it beforehand, were all stunned. You know, at that time, China's foreign exchange reserves were only more than 20 billion U.S. dollars, and Jiezi Fund, as a private fund, was able to spend 10 billion U.S. dollars to hype China's steel market. What would this mean?

"10 billion U.S. dollars, converted into RMB, is more than 50 billion. Based on the current steel price of 2,800 yuan per ton, nearly 20 million tons of steel can be hoarded, which is far beyond the limit of our existing reserves. If these funds are invested in steel The market will inevitably lead to a sharp rise in steel prices and trigger panic buying." Wang Hongsheng calmly revealed the possible consequences to everyone.

"This is absolutely unacceptable!" The director said firmly, "If this happens, it means that our reform of the steel supply and marketing system has completely failed. None of us can afford this responsibility. Hong Sheng, I ask you to To nip this possibility in the bud, we must not allow international hot money and domestic illegal profiteers to fish in troubled waters."

Wang Hongsheng solemnly replied: "Director, don't worry, we will never let this happen."

"Okay, here today, I formally authorize you to be fully responsible for this work. If you need any cooperation from the committee or other ministries and commissions, you can just bring it up, and our planning committee will give you the greatest support. And ...Comrade Qin Hai!" The chief director turned his gaze to Qin Hai when he said this.

"I'm here!" Qin Hai quickly stood up.

The director said: "I heard from Hongsheng that your Daqin Group has made full preparations this time and is willing to solve the country's problems. Now facing such a new situation, I hope you can continue to provide support to the country. What difficulties does your company have? , you can also ask the planning committee, as long as we can do it, we will do it for you. As long as we win this battle, I will ask for credit for your group."

At this time, how could Qin Hai not know what to say. He puffed up his chest and replied solemnly: "Thank you, Director. Director, please rest assured that the affairs of the country are the affairs of our company. Even if our Daqin Group sells iron, we will not let the Americans earn a penny from our China." Cheap."