Great Power Reclamation

Rain in the City of London always comes unexpectedly.

At 2 p.m. sharp, ten minutes before the start of the first investment decision committee meeting of the "Cornerstone and Wings" fund, a torrential downpour suddenly pounded on the floor-to-ceiling windows on the 40th floor, creating a dense drumbeat sound.

The conference room was already full. At one side of the long table sat three representatives from Cavendish Bank, headed by Elizabeth.

On the other side were two senior executives from the Brothers Group, one of whom Ye Guigen recognized—Minister Wang, the retired veteran who had mentored him during his internship, and who had now been sent to London by Ye Feng to assist with the fund's affairs.

Ye Guigen sat in the main seat, with the prepared materials spread out in front of him. He glanced at his watch; there were still seven minutes left.

"Nervous?" Elizabeth asked softly.

"A little," Ye Guigen admitted. "This is the first time I've faced a decision-making meeting of this level."

“Treat them like ordinary people,” Elizabeth said. “Remember, you have more information than they do. You’ve seen those projects firsthand in Africa; they’ve only seen reports.”

The door was pushed open, and three more people entered. Ye Guigen stood up: "Mr. Schmidt, you've arrived."

Sr. Schmidt, leaning on a cane, sat down with the help of his assistant:

"I promised you I'd attend the decision-making meeting, so I will. But let me make it clear first, I'll only say the harshest things."

We look forward to your feedback.

The meeting began at 2:00 PM sharp.

Ye Guigen turned on the projector. The first page showed the fund's logo—a wing extending from the cornerstone, with a line of small print below: Connecting Capital and Goodwill.

"Thank you for your time, everyone." His voice was calmer than expected. "Over the past three months, we have screened 127 projects from around the world and conducted in-depth investigations into 21 of them. The five projects submitted for review today are the final selections."

He switched to the next page: "First, the second phase of the North African solar farm. The first phase of the project has been connected to the grid and generated electricity, solving the electricity problem for 30,000 people and creating 500 jobs."

"The second phase of the plan will expand the scale and include the construction of an energy storage system and a vocational training center. The expected return on investment is 15%-18%, and the social impact rating is A+."

A vice president at Cavendish Bank asked, "Risk factors?"

“Political risk is paramount,” Ye Guigen frankly stated. “However, we have established good government relations and community support in the local area. In addition, the East African governments have expressed their willingness to provide political risk guarantees for the project.”

Old Schmidt scoffed, "A guarantee from an East African country? That country that's less than ten years old?"

"Although East African countries are young, they have stable political situations and economic growth exceeding 8% for seven consecutive years."

Ye Guigen pulled up the data, "Moreover, Bayonet Security will be responsible for project security. Minister Wang present here can attest to their capabilities."

Minister Wang nodded: "I have personally witnessed the methods that Bayonet Security uses to handle crises in North Africa. They are professional."

The second project is Cambridge AI Medical Diagnostics. Ye Guigen detailed the solutions to the data bias problem and the progress of the collaboration with Huaxia Hospital.

"The risk of this project lies in the speed of technological iteration," an analyst from Brothers Group pointed out. "The medical AI field is highly competitive, and today's leading technology may be surpassed tomorrow."

"So we invest not just in the technology, but in the team."

Ye Guigen pulled up the information on Zhang Wei's team: "Three Cambridge PhDs, with an average age of 28, have published 17 papers in top journals. More importantly, they are willing to delve into real-world problems rather than chasing paper publication metrics."

Old Schmidt suddenly spoke up: "I know their mentor, Professor Hansen. I met him in Zurich last month, and he said that these three students were the most promising he had ever taught, but also the most 'unprofessional'—they didn't write papers properly and spent all their time thinking about how to apply the technology to clinical practice."

Ye Guigen smiled: "This just proves that we chose the right person."

The third project is Ye Xin's Qingliu Technology East Africa R&D Center. Ye Guigen played a video showing Ye Xin and the East African University of Science and Technology team having a meeting.

"Water quality is one of the major challenges facing Africa," said Ye Guigen.
"Qingliu Technology's technology has been proven; what's needed now is localization. The East African government has pledged to provide testing facilities and policy support."

Elizabeth added, "Cavendish Bank conducted an independent assessment and concluded that the project is commercially viable and has extremely high social value."

The fourth and fifth projects were a seawater desalination membrane technology in Edinburgh and an agricultural technology company in Berlin, respectively. Ye Guigen finished introducing them one by one, exactly one hour had passed.

“Let’s begin the discussion now,” Elizabeth said. “Each committee member has five minutes to ask questions, after which we will vote.”

The Q&A session was more pointed than Ye Guigen had anticipated. A risk management director from Cavendish Bank questioned the long-term stability of the North African project;
Representatives from the Brothers Group expressed concerns about the regulatory risks of AI in healthcare; while Schmidt, the elder, delved into the technical details of each project.

"Where did you get the cost data for the seawater desalination membrane?" Old Schmidt stared at the Edinburgh project report.

"We commissioned a third-party organization to verify the experimental data provided by the team."

"Where's the verification report?"

Ye Guigen gestured to his assistant to distribute the documents. Old Schmidt put on his reading glasses and examined them carefully for ten minutes.

“The data is reliable,” he finally said. “But this technology has a problem—it’s sensitive to seawater temperature. It works in North Africa, but its effectiveness will be reduced in cold-water areas. Have you considered the market limitations?”

"I've considered it." Ye Guigen pulled up the market analysis:

"Our initial target market is the Middle East and North Africa, where freshwater resources are scarce, seawater temperatures are high, and solar energy is abundant, which perfectly matches the characteristics of our technology."

Old Schmidt nodded and said nothing more.

During the voting, all five projects passed, but with varying degrees of support. North African Solar Energy and Clearstream Technology received unanimous votes, AI Healthcare and Agricultural Technology each received one vote against, and Seawater Desalination received two votes against.

“Very good.” Elizabeth closed the folder. “Next is the allocation of funds…”

The conference room door was suddenly pushed open. Emma stood in the doorway, her face pale.

"Excuse me, may I interrupt?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Mr. Ye, there's an emergency."

Ye Guigen signaled for the meeting to pause and left the meeting room.

“The financial regulators are here,” Emma whispered. “And the police. They’re at the front desk downstairs, demanding to see you immediately.”

Ye Guigen's heart sank: "How many people?"

“Four regulatory agencies, two police officers. They… had a search warrant.”

Back in the meeting room, Ye Guigen briefly explained the situation. Elizabeth immediately stood up:

"I'll go with you. Minister Wang, please escort Mr. Schmidt out the side door. Everyone else, the meeting is adjourned until further notice."

In the few dozen seconds it took for the elevator to descend from the 40th floor to the lobby, Ye Guigen's mind raced. Regulatory agencies, police, search warrants—this wasn't an ordinary interrogation; it was a formal investigation.

In the hall, six men in uniform were waiting. The one in the lead was a man in his fifties with his hair neatly combed.

“Mr. Ye Guigen? I am Peter Jones, the investigation director of the financial regulatory agency. This is a search warrant. We need to examine all of your company’s documents, especially those related to the North Africa project.”

“What is the reason?” Elizabeth stepped forward.

“We have received credible reports alleging that the Cornerstone & Wings Fund’s projects in North Africa involve money laundering, bribery of local officials, and violations of international sanctions,” Jones said expressionlessly.

"Under Section 7 of the UK's Anti-Money Laundering Act, we have the right to conduct surprise inspections."

Ye Guigen forced himself to remain calm: "We will fully cooperate. But please specify the allegations."

“Specific details will be provided during the investigation.” Jones waved, and his team began walking towards the elevator. “Now, please take us to the office.”

For the next three hours, the entire fund's office descended into chaos. Investigators sealed off the filing room, copied all electronic data, and took away nearly three years' worth of financial records. Employees were asked to remain at their desks for individual questioning.

Ye Guigen sat in his office, opposite Jones and a policeman.

“Mr. Ye, please explain this transfer.” Jones pushed a bank statement towards him.

Ye Guigen glanced at it; it was a transfer of five hundred thousand US dollars, from a fund account to a company account in Dubai, with the note "North Africa project consulting fee".

"This is payment to the local legal and security advisors," Ye Guigen said.
“The North African project involves complex land rights and tribal relations, and we need professional advisors to assist us.”

“This ‘Desert Shield Consulting’ is registered in Dubai, and its actual controller is a former North African military officer who is currently wanted by Interpol for suspected war crimes.” Jones stared at him. “Did you know that?”

Ye Guigen's heart skipped a beat: "We conducted a background check when we hired them. The company is legally registered and has the proper business licenses. As for the issue of the actual controller..."

“You don’t know,” Jones interrupted him, “or you do know, but don’t care. Because this guy can help you ‘solve’ your local problems, right?”

"All our collaborations are in accordance with the law..."

“Law?” Jones sneered. “Mr. Ye, you’re too young. Some legal provisions are very clear, while others… leave room for interpretation. Our job is to determine whether you genuinely don’t understand or are deliberately trying to exploit loopholes.”

The questioning continued until evening. Investigators took away twelve boxes of documents and three servers. Before leaving, Jones handed Ye Guigen a document.

"This is a temporary restraining order. During the investigation, the 'Cornerstone & Wings' Fund has suspended all fundraising and investment activities. Existing projects can continue operating, but no new funding is permitted." "How long will this last?"

“It depends on the progress of the investigation,” Jones said. “If the allegations are true, the fund could have its license revoked, and you personally could face criminal charges.”

After the investigators left, the office was deathly silent. The employees looked at Ye Guigen with worry, doubt, and fear in their eyes.

Elizabeth walked over: "We need a lawyer."

"I've already made the contact." Minister Wang entered through the side door, holding his phone.

"Brothers Group's legal team is flying in from New York. What about Cavendish Bank?"

“Our lawyers are on their way,” Elizabeth said. “But ultimately, you have to tell me the truth—do you even know anything about that consulting firm?”

Ye Guigen closed his eyes: "I know their backgrounds aren't clean. But Tiechui recommended them, saying that in places like North Africa, sometimes you need to deal with people in the 'gray area.' We only let them handle land rights and tribal relations, nothing else."

"Iron Hammer?" Minister Wang frowned. "That kid from Bayonet Security?"

"He promised..."

"He guaranteed it?" Minister Wang shook his head. "Ultimately, you trust people too much. I know a bit about bayonet security in Africa—it's effective, but not always clean. Now that these things have been exposed in London, they've become leverage."

Elizabeth sat down on the sofa, rubbing her temples: "The whistleblower must have been preparing for a long time, and the timing was perfect—right when we were having our decision-making meeting. This is a fatal blow."

"Who reported it?" Ye Guigen asked.

“I don’t know. But they must be someone who knows us very well,” Elizabeth said. “They know about the transfer, the consulting firm’s background, and how to get the materials to senior management at the regulatory agency.”

Footsteps sounded outside the office. Ye Xin rushed in, and was stunned by the scene inside.

"I heard..." she looked at the boxes of files scattered on the floor, "What happened?"

Ye Guigen briefly explained the situation. Ye Xin's face grew paler and paler.

“That consulting firm… I’ve heard of them in East Africa,” she said in a low voice. “They don’t just do consulting; they also help some mining companies ‘clean up’ local opponents. They have a bad reputation.”

Minister Wang sighed: "This is troublesome. If the regulatory agencies can prove that you were aware of the situation and continued to cooperate, it would be considered deliberate wrongdoing."

Outside the window, night had fallen in London. The rain was still falling, and the lights of the financial district were blurred into a halo in the rain.

Ye Guigen stood by the window, looking at this city that had once been full of hope. Two months ago, he launched his fund here, brimming with ambition. Now, everything might come to an abrupt end.

My phone vibrated. It was an encrypted message from Hammer: "I heard something happened. The consulting firm matter is my responsibility, I will handle it. If needed, I can come to London to testify."

Ye Guigen replied, "Not for now. Let me figure out who's behind this."

Another message came in from Su Xiao: "Tonight's performance has been canceled; the academy conducted a last-minute inspection. How are you doing?"

Looking at this simple, concerned message, Ye Guigen felt a pang of sorrow. Su Xiao's world was so pure—dance, music, dreams. But his world had sunk into a quagmire.

“I’m fine,” he replied. “I’ll come see your performance another day.”

Ye Guigen put down his phone and turned around. In the office, Elizabeth was making a call to arrange for a lawyer, Minister Wang was organizing the documents that hadn't been taken away, Ye Xin was searching for something on the computer, and Emma was reassuring the employees.

He suddenly realized that this was not a battle he was fighting alone. These people—some for profit, some for friendship, and some for ideals—were all bound to him.

“Emma,” he said, “inform all employees that they should come to work as usual tomorrow. Wages will be paid during the investigation. Those who do not wish to stay may resign and will receive three months’ compensation.”

"Mr. Ye..."

“Do as I say.” Ye Guigen said firmly. “We haven’t done anything wrong, so we shouldn’t act like we have. Minister Wang, please contact my partners in North Africa and ask them to prepare the supporting documentation. Elizabeth, we need to have a meeting once the lawyers arrive.”

He walked to the whiteboard and wrote down a few keywords: whistleblower, timing, chain of evidence, and counterattack point.

“Someone wants to destroy the fund, to destroy me.” Ye Guigen looked at these words. “But they forgot that the Ye family has never been one to be knocked down and unable to get back up.”

Ye Xin stood up: "I know a few journalists in East Africa. I can ask them to write articles about the real situation of the North African project—the families that have access to electricity because of solar energy, and the young people who have found jobs."

“Don’t rush,” Elizabeth said. “The timing of a media war is crucial. Now that the regulatory agencies have just gotten involved, if we launch a high-profile counterattack, it will be seen as resisting the investigation.”

Minister Wang nodded: "Elizabeth is right. What we need to do now is cooperate with the investigation while secretly collecting evidence that is favorable to us. We will release this evidence when the investigation has progressed to a certain point."

Night fell, and the rain gradually stopped. The employees left one after another, leaving only Ye Guigen, Elizabeth, and Minister Wang in the office.

“I’ll stay here tonight,” Ye Guigen said. “I still have a lot of things to take care of.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Elizabeth said.

Minister Wang looked at the two of them and said, "Then I'll go back first and bring a lawyer over first thing tomorrow morning. Ultimately, remember, what you need most right now is to stay calm. Anger and fear will both make you make mistakes."

After Minister Wang left, the office fell silent. Elizabeth made coffee, and the two sat on the sofa, looking out at the London night view.

“If the fund is really revoked,” Elizabeth asked softly, “what do you plan to do?”

Ye Guigen remained silent for a long time: "I don't know. Maybe I'll go back to China, maybe I'll go to East Africa, maybe... I'll start all over again."

“I won’t leave you alone.” Elizabeth took his hand. “Cavendish Bank will support you, even if it’s just because I personally want to support you.”

Ye Guigen looked at her. In his most vulnerable moment, this woman did not back down, but instead stood firmly by his side.

"Thank you," he said.

“You’re welcome.” Elizabeth leaned on his shoulder. “We started this journey together, and we’ll walk it together. No matter how difficult it may be.”

At 2:00 AM, Ye Guigen received an anonymous email. The sender's address was a string of gibberish, and the content contained only one sentence:

"Want to know who the whistleblower is? Come alone tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in the south corridor of St. Paul's Cathedral."

Attached is a photo of Ye Guigen and Tiechui talking at a North African camp. The angle of the shot is very discreet; it was clearly taken secretly with a telephoto lens.

Ye Guigen stared at the photo, a chill running down his spine. Someone had been watching him, following him, and recording his every move back in North Africa.

This person is currently in London.

Elizabeth's face changed when she saw the photo: "We can't go. It's too dangerous."

“But I need to know who’s behind me,” Ye Guigen said. “Otherwise, we’ll always be on the defensive.”

“I’ll send someone to follow you.”

"The other party said, 'One person.'"

The two looked at each other. Outside the window, the London night sky was covered with dark clouds, and a new storm was brewing.

Ye Guigen finally replied to the email: "I will go."

After sending the message successfully, he deleted the email history. Then, he opened his encrypted messaging software and sent a message to Hammer:
"Tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM, St. Paul's Cathedral. There might be danger. I need you to be on standby outside, but don't show yourself."

Hammer's reply arrived almost instantly: "Understood. I'll arrange it."

Putting down his phone, Ye Guigen walked to the window. London after the rain; the streets were wet, reflecting the light of the streetlights. This ancient city, seemingly orderly, was actually rife with undercurrents.

Someone was watching him from the shadows, plotting against him.

And tomorrow, he will step into that shadow.

It's not about confrontation, it's about seeing things clearly.

See the enemy's face clearly.

Understand the layout of this game.

Understand your own position.

As night deepens, the lights of Tower Bridge cast shimmering reflections on the Thames.

But an even bigger storm

Over the city,

Slowly gathering. (End of Chapter)