Chapter 350: There was a Black Monday in the United States

If there is anything in the world that abides by the law of holidays, it must be the stock market, because it will definitely be closed on weekends and any public holidays. Saturday, April 3rd, was naturally no exception, even if the previous rally in the stock market was good.

Since Harvard was closed and the stock market was closed, Zhou Ming took his finance class on a field trip. They took their own bus to Lexington.

'Wow! Is this where the first shot of the American War of Independence was fired? In other words, this is where the world's most powerful country was born?'

As soon as they got off the bus and walked along the streets of Lexington, someone exclaimed, 'Wow! But someone else immediately retorted, "It was the starting point of the American War of Independence, but now there is nothing left here that is associated with democracy and freedom apart from the name. Instead, it has become a leisure destination for the rich in Brighton and the whole of Massachusetts, and it has the most villas in Massachusetts.'

The first student did not give in: "The number of villas has nothing much to do with democracy and freedom, does it? To a certain extent, the number of villas also shows that the area is well protected, both in terms of its environment and cultural landscape. Otherwise, why would so many wealthy people choose to live here?'

Zhou Ming stood to one side, listening to the students debate. He did not participate, but only waited until everyone had quieted down before saying, 'In the town of Lexington, you can all move around freely for a while. Later, when it's eleven o'clock, please come back here and gather. At noon, I'll take you to Li's Village for dinner.'

After receiving Zhou Ming's order, the students in the finance class all cheered excitedly. Then Zhou Ming let them disperse. Zhou Ming was not afraid of anything happening in Lexington. First of all, Lexington was a tourist attraction that was valued by the city government, state government, and even the federal government. Coupled with the fact that the surrounding area was a luxury housing area, security was a top priority, so Zhou Ming naturally had nothing to worry about.

The other students had left first, and Ye Ning stayed behind last. She took out a form and gave it to Zhou Ming, saying, 'Teacher, this is the work performance of Wharton Insurance this week. The company has recruited a total of ten new salespeople, who are responsible for marketing insurance and financial products in various regions. This week, they and the sales department have launched a total of 23 million U.S. dollars worth of insurance policies, which is a decrease from before.'

Zhou Ming nodded and said, 'This is normal. Most people who buy insurance and financial management products follow the trend. Once the passion is gone, they will lose interest. If the income is always 50 to 60 million a week, the banks will hire mercenaries to get rid of us.'

Then Zhou Ming asked, "What about the investment department?'

The so-called investment department is actually the department where Zhou Ming gives money to his classmates in the finance class to test the water. Ye Ning replied, "The investment department had a relatively good week, with a total return of 4.1 million U.S. dollars.'

'Only 4.1 million? This is a bit low, especially for your finance class. But since you are still in the exploratory stage, I don't expect you to make a profit. This result is barely acceptable,' said Zhou Ming.

In the face of Zhou Ming's evaluation, Ye Ning hurriedly explained, 'Teacher, we have now followed your reminder and discussed and designed several combined investment models. The models are all composed of selected stock portfolios with great potential and vitality in the stock market. As long as we observe them for another week or so, I believe we will be able to identify whether there are any inferior stocks among them.'

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, 'Don't worry, I didn't mean to criticize you. As for the investment model, we must be careful, because if we transform into a fund in the future, the investment model will be our magic weapon. As for now, you must not be in a hurry. Be careful, haste makes waste. Our work must be done quickly and well.'

Ye Ning nodded seriously and said, 'Teacher, please rest assured, we will do it quickly and well!'

Zhou Ming smiled and nodded, and let her go play on her own. After the students had all left, Zhou Ming took out the pager around his waist. There was a message from Mark, the chairman of Deep Blue Airlines. Zhou Ming smiled a little, took out his mobile phone and dialed the number he had left.

'Mr. Zhou Ming, I'm very sorry to have disturbed your trip with your friends, but our Deep Blue Airlines stock has just started to rise, and now it has entered the weekend trading holiday period. Will this have any impact?' Mark asked.

'Mr. Mark, I think you've asked the wrong person this question, because the stock market is a high-risk and uncertain investment, and I am not a prophet, so I cannot and will not give you an answer.'

Zhou Ming said first, and then asked in return, 'But Mr. Mark can put himself in other people's shoes and think about it. If you were an investor, and after learning the good news that Deep Blue Airlines had received a 30 million capital injection, and also seeing how Deep Blue Airlines was performing in the stock market, what would you do?'

Without hesitation, Mark replied, 'Of course I would hurry and buy some, otherwise I would miss a chance to make money, wouldn't I?'

Zhou Ming nodded, 'This is a very realistic answer, and I think it is also the most common answer from ordinary investors.'

'But I'm always very worried, as if a stone is weighing on my heart,' said Mark. 'Mr. Zhou Ming, you don't know that I have a very strange feeling. When something bad is about to happen, I always feel very depressed, just like now. So I think we should be more cautious. I know there is a saying about Black Monday in the stock market.'

'Black Monday refers to the last stock market crash, not just one stock.' Zhou Ming was a little amused, 'But your feeling is really very important news. But now that I know, I will definitely pay attention to it, Mr. Mark, don't worry.'

Zhou Ming reassured Mark a few more times before hanging up the phone, and then went to Li Jia Zhuang with his bodyguard **.

This so-called Li Village, don't let the name fool you, is very rustic, but it is actually a villa with a very Chinese Lingnan architectural style. It is said to have been built by a wealthy Manchu merchant who emigrated to the United States a long time ago. It is now more than 130 years old and is currently rented out. In the past, many wealthy Chinese merchants rented Li Village, but today, Zhou Ming is renting it for his classmates to spend the weekend.

On the Lexington highway, there was a car with cellophane stuck to it. This was Wharton's car, and his loyal follower, Old Brook, was keeping a close eye on every move Zhou Ming made, including the fact that Zhou Ming was taking the finance class out for a field trip today.

'These damned Chinese people must have used the guise of insurance and wealth management to cheat a lot of money. In fact, where do these Chinese people know anything about investment? They are just another kind of Ponzi scheme! The money cheated in this way is all evil, and God will not forgive you demons! Just wait, and Mr. Brooker, he will make you pay too!'

Wharton glared at the back of Zhou Ming's head as he entered the Li Village from the car, gnashing his teeth and saying, 'But as soon as he finished speaking, his car window was knocked on. It was two Lexington patrolmen, who kindly placed their hands on their waist guns and said to Wharton, "Sir, please get out of the car immediately for inspection.'

Wharton angrily cursed, "Damn it, can't tell who the good guys are from the bad guys?' and then got out of the car for inspection.

But as soon as Wharton got out of the car, the policeman immediately put his hands behind his back and pressed him against the car. Naturally, he blamed this on Zhou Ming, thinking viciously: 'Damn Zhou Ming, you bastard Chinese! Just wait until next week, when Mr. Brook withdraws his funds, and you'll all be waiting to wail in the pain of the crash!'

However, ideals are abundant, but reality is very skinny, because on Monday the 5th, the stock price of Deep Blue Airlines did not plummet as predicted by Wharton's curse, but instead rose all the way.

Wharton was in his room, watching the red line of Deep Blue Airlines' stock price rise. He couldn't sit still, so he picked up the phone and dialed the number of old man Brooke: 'Mr. Brooke, didn't you say that this week you would withdraw your investment and let the stock price of Deep Blue Airlines plummet? Why is it still rising so much today?'

Old Brooker reassured him, 'Mr. Wharton, don't worry, what's meant to be will be, but not now. I think you know that Deep Blue Airlines announced a 30 million capital injection plan last Thursday, which is a shot in the arm. It's hard to hedge at this time. We can only sell as much as we like after the effect of the shot in the arm has worn off.'

'Damn it!' Wharton cursed and asked, 'Mr. Brooker, then you will definitely sell after that, right?'

'Of course I will. I have no interest in investing with Zhou Ming, so you don't need to worry about that.'

After saying this, Old Brook reassured Walton a few more times before finally hanging up the phone. Next to Old Brook, his old butler said indignantly, 'This Walton really thinks he's somebody, and he even dared to question you, Sir. He really doesn't know his place!'

Compared to the indignation of the old butler, Old Brooker laughed unnecessarily: 'I don't think it matters. After all, sometimes a dog also has the right to know what bone it is eating!'

'That's true,' the old butler smiled knowingly, and continued, 'But sir, I can't help but say that the Chinese guy is very lucky to have come across a company with such investment potential as Deep Blue Aviation.'

Old Brook shook his head and said, 'I don't think so. Compared to his luck, I feel that he has a good eye. Because I believe that whether it is speculation or investment, he must first investigate the target before moving the money, including the company's performance and debt situation as well as the chairman's abilities. Only after a comprehensive judgment will he act.'

Having said that, Old Brook suddenly changed the subject and said, 'But that's what makes it interesting. He carefully selected a company that was investable, such as Dark Blue Aviation, and he did bring up the stock price. But in the end, all his efforts were to make money for me. I really don't know what his expression will be like when he finds out about this, but I think it will be really exciting.'

The old butler suddenly understood. He didn't understand why Brook praised Zhou Ming like that in the first place. It turns out that success or failure that is too easy is meaningless. Brook wanted Zhou Ming to work hard, only to find that his efforts were all for other people, and he even had to lose money. As Brook said, it would be very exciting!

'So what are your plans next, sir?' the old butler asked uncertainly.

'This week, I'll earn enough money, and next week, I'll tell him about Black Monday in the United States,' said Old Brook.