The God of Wealth starts with doing whatever you want

In the early morning in New York, a thin mist shrouds the Manhattan skyline.

Xu Yun woke up on the sofa in the Brooklyn safe house, with the noise of garbage trucks coming from outside the window.

He glanced at his watch; it was 5:47 a.m.

Despite sleeping less than four hours, I felt unusually alert.

Last night's experience made him realize that his trip to New York was far more complicated than he had anticipated.

The emergence of radicals within the "Black Eagles" organization was an unexpected variable, but also entirely within reason.

During the operation in the Middle East, he not only rescued Natasha and Elisa, but also took away a large amount of data from "The Professor's" computer.

For organizations that live in the shadows, insiders are always the biggest threat.

Xu Yun got up and walked to the window, lifting a corner of the blinds to observe outside.

The streets were deserted, with only a few joggers passing by.

There were no suspicious vehicles or loitering people.

But this did not make him lower his guard—professional trackers would not be so easily detected.

He turned on his laptop and connected to the encrypted network.

Several unread messages popped up on the screen.

The first one comes from Chen Zhe.

"Reverse tracing has been completed."

The European IP ultimately points to a Geneva-based cybersecurity company that was acquired anonymously last month.

The acquirer operated through a shell company in the Cayman Islands, making it impossible to trace.

The second message is a system notification.

The anonymous tip has been successfully submitted to the FBI's New York office server.

[It is expected to be detected by analysts within 6-12 hours.]

The third message was an automated reply from John Miller, a reporter for The New York Times.

"Thank you for your letter. We have received it. For further communication, please use the following encrypted communication channels..."

Xu Yun quickly browsed through the list and began to formulate today's action plan.

First, he needs to confirm the progress of the short-selling strategy for the "Neurotech" company.

Secondly, we must address the potential threat posed by the "Black Eagles" organization.

Finally, preliminary preparations still need to be made for the verification of that fighter jet technology—Lin Zhengyu replied to the email last night, saying that the old man had initially agreed to arrange an expert team, but Xu Yun needed to provide a more detailed technical demonstration plan.

"I have three things to do every day," Xu Yun muttered to himself, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This high-intensity, multi-tasking state actually excited him.

After returning from the Middle East, ordinary life could no longer satisfy his deep-seated desire for challenges.

He first made an encrypted call to Chen Zhe.

"Mr. Xu." Chen Zhe's voice sounded very awake, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept well either.

How is the short-selling plan progressing?

"The first phase of position building has been completed."

Chen Zhe quickly reported: "Through four offshore companies, we have purchased a total of US$320 million worth of put options in 'Neurotech' company, with the exercise price set at 40% lower than the current stock price."

If the company's stock price plummets, these options will generate leveraged returns of around ten times.

What about the second phase?

"It's in progress."

Chen Zhe pulled up the data and said, "As per your instructions, we contacted three hedge funds, suggesting that there may be undisclosed regulatory risks in 'neurotech'."

Two of them expressed interest and willingness to join the short-selling camp at the appropriate time.

In addition, we are also collecting information on the company's suppliers, preparing to create negative news from a supply chain perspective.

Xu Yun nodded in satisfaction.

Chen Zhe has strong execution skills; he truly deserves to be an elite from Goldman Sachs.

"Let's speed things up today."

He ordered, "I want to complete the second phase of building up the position within forty-eight hours."

In addition, prepare the detonation materials for the third stage.

I will send you a document later regarding the irregularities at the 'Neurotechnology' lab; you will need to find someone to 'leak' it to the appropriate media outlets.

"clear."

Chen Zhe paused for a moment and said, "Mr. Xu, if I may be frank, such frequent operations will attract the attention of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)."

If it is determined to be market manipulation…

"Therefore, multiple layers of isolation are necessary."

Xu Yun interrupted him, saying, "Offshore companies, agent traders, anonymous information sources—make sure every link is disconnected."

Even if the SEC investigates, it can only trace back to those shell companies.

"I understand."

Chen Zhe didn't ask any more questions and said, "Also, regarding the tracker you mentioned last night, I looked into it."

Among the former shareholders of that Geneva-based cybersecurity company, there's one name you might be interested in: Eric Schmidt.

Xu Yun's eyes sharpened.

Eric Schmidt, chief intelligence officer of the Black Eagles, codenamed "Ghost".

This person worked for the German Federal Intelligence Service for ten years before being poached by the "Professor" for a large sum of money to organize a global intelligence network.

"Are you sure it's him?"

"90% certain."

Chen Zhe replied, "After the acquisition was completed, a person using the pseudonym 'E.Schmidt' appeared on the company's board of directors. All the background information was fabricated."

I traced the flow of funds through various channels and ultimately it pointed to a secret account in Zurich. The account's transaction history showed six remittances originating from a known shell company of the "Black Eagles" organization.

"very good."

Xu Yun sneered: "It seems 'Ghost' has personally intervened."

This shows that the radicals have gained more support within the organization; otherwise, they wouldn't have used the Chief Intelligence Officer's resources to track me down.

Should countermeasures be taken?

"Not for now."

Xu Yun thought for a moment and said, "You focus on financial operations for now. I have other plans for the 'Black Eagles' matter."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Yun brought up the system interface.

Two pieces of intelligence information were directly obtained:

[Map showing the funding flow of the Black Eagles' radical faction's operations in North America]

[Excerpt from Eric Schmidt's recent communications]

Instantly, a flood of information rushed into my mind.

The fund flow chart shows that the Black Eagles activists have transferred more than $80 million to North America in the past three months through cryptocurrencies and underground banks.

These funds are spread across more than a dozen accounts and are mainly used to hire local people, rent safe houses, and purchase equipment.

It is worth noting that one of the payments, amounting to two million dollars, was deposited into the account of a private security company in New York a week ago.

The company's registered address is only three blocks away from the alley where Xu Yun was attacked last night.

“Professional outsourcing,” Xu Yun murmured.

Instead of directly utilizing the organization's core members, the radicals hired a local professional team.

This way, even if the operation fails, the organization's basic network in North America will not be exposed.

A very cautious approach, consistent with the style of "Ghost".

Next, he checked Schmidt's communication records.

The time period captured is the past 72 hours, and the content has been filtered by the system, retaining only the key parts.

Record of three conversations with someone codenamed "Butcher," discussing priorities and action plans for "eliminating outside informants."

The encrypted email exchanges with a lawyer in Zurich involved legal documents from that cybersecurity company.

A brief message to an unnamed contact in the Middle East.

"The goods have been shipped. Please check and confirm receipt."

This last point alerted Xu Yun.

What are the "goods"? Weapons? Personnel? Or something else?

He accessed the system's intelligence analysis function.

A few seconds later, the analysis results popped up.

Based on historical behavior patterns, there is an 87% probability that "cargo" refers to miniaturized biological or chemical weapons or nerve agents.

In 2019, the Black Eagles used similar coded language to deliver sarin gas precursors to their affiliated groups in Syria.

Given the context and the objective of "eliminating informants," it is inferred that the weapon used was a highly toxic and easily portable assassination tool.

Xu Yun's face darkened.

If the radicals intend to use biological weapons, then the nature of the matter is completely different.

This is no longer a routine operation to eliminate a criminal organization; it is a potential terrorist attack.

He must act immediately.

However, reporting it directly to the police is not the best option. Without solid evidence, the FBI will not easily believe the claims of an anonymous whistleblower.

Moreover, if we alert them, they might change their plans and go even deeper underground.

“We need to set a trap.” Xu Yun stood up and paced around the room.

A few minutes later, a plan took shape in my mind.

He turned his computer back on and logged into a deep web forum.

This forum, ostensibly a platform for discussing cybersecurity technology, is in reality an intermediary platform for intelligence brokers and mercenaries.

Xu Yun had previously registered a high-level account here in exchange for intelligence, and it had a very high credit rating.

He posted a customization request:
[We are offering high prices to acquire intelligence on the movements of the Black Eagles in North America, particularly information related to the transportation of "cargo".]

Pay a 50% deposit in advance, and pay the balance after verification.

Cryptocurrency payments are accepted only.

Less than ten minutes after the post was published, three contacts sent me private messages.

Xu Yun quickly browsed their information and quotes, and finally chose a middleman codenamed "Mole".

This person's past transaction records show that he mainly deals in intelligence trading between Europe and North America, with a good success rate and reliability.

After a brief exchange via encrypted channel, the two parties reached an agreement.

"The Mole" provided the "Black Eagles" with the location of cargo receiving points in New York Harbor, the identity of the recipients, and the estimated arrival time.

Xu Yun paid 15 bitcoins as a deposit (approximately US$900,000), and will pay another 15 bitcoins after the intelligence is verified.

The transaction was completed within twenty minutes.

Xu Yun received an encrypted file package. After decompression, it contained several surveillance screenshots, a record from the port dispatch system, and a copy of a cargo manifest.

The screenshot shows that around 4 p.m. yesterday, a container ship named "Neptune" was unloading cargo at the Brooklyn terminal in New York Harbor.

The container with serial number CBKU-7823314 was marked separately and received by three men wearing port work clothes but who were clearly not dockworkers.

The dispatch records show that the customs declaration for the container stated "industrial machinery parts," the shipper was a trading company in Hamburg, and the consignee was a "chemical raw material wholesale company" in New York.

But a copy of the goods manifest revealed the truth.

Beneath the disguised mechanical parts were actually twelve sealed metal boxes. Although the labels on the boxes were blurry, the biohazard symbol and the German words "Vorsicht: Hochgiftig" (Caution: Highly Toxic) could be identified.

“Found it.” Xu Yun’s eyes sharpened.

He immediately made two copies of the intelligence.

An anonymous document sent to the FBI's counterterrorism division, with a note attached.

"The Black Eagles smuggled biological and chemical weapons through the Port of New York, with the suspected target being urban terrorist attacks."

Container number CBKU-7823314 is currently stored in Warehouse Block B, 7th Warehouse Area, Brooklyn Dock.

Immediate action is recommended.

Another copy was sent to John Miller of The New York Times. But this time he included more background information.

"The Black Eagles is a transnational criminal organization that has recently split into moderates and radicals."

The radicals planned a series of attacks in North America to eliminate insiders and demonstrate their strength to the organization.

This smuggling of biological weapons may only be the beginning.

After finishing these tasks, Xu Yun glanced at the time.

8:19 a.m.

Less than three hours after he got up, he had already completed intelligence gathering, risk analysis, and countermeasure deployment.

This is the efficiency of having a system; it's something that would take an average person weeks or even months to complete.

He can get it done in a few hours.

But Xu Yun knew that wasn't enough.

Passive defense can never solve the fundamental problem.

As long as the Black Eagles exist, and as long as radicals are alive, the threat will persist.

He needs a more proactive solution.

Xu Yun accessed the system and exchanged for another piece of intelligence information.

Real-time location tracking of Black Eagles' global strongholds and key personnel.

This price is high, but it's worth it.

After the redemption was successful, a holographic projection interface popped up on Xu Yun's laptop screen.

This is an augmented reality display feature provided by the system; only he can see it.

The interface displays a world map with dozens of red dots scattered across it.

Each red dot represents a Black Eagles stronghold or safe house, with the number of personnel, armament level, and real-time activity status indicated next to it.

Xu Yun zoomed the map to the North American region.

There are three red dots in New York.

Near the Brooklyn pier (likely a cargo receiving point), an apartment building in Queens (a possible hideout for last night's attackers), and a trading company in Midtown Manhattan (a cover location).

Toronto has two, Los Angeles has four, Mexico City has two...

Xu Yun continued zooming in and found the European section.

Geneva, Zurich, Berlin, Vienna... each city has a marker.

The most conspicuous is a villa by Lake Zurich, labeled "Eric Schmidt's permanent address," with the status showing "online."

"Online" means that Schmidt is currently in that villa.

Xu Yun stared at the red dot, a bold idea flashing through his mind.

But he held back for the time being.

At present, his main targets are still neurotechnology companies and financial operations.

The matter of the "Black Eagles" organization can be left to the FBI and the media to handle for now.

Wait until they are overwhelmed with problems before considering the next step.

Just then, Chen Zhe called.

"Mr. Xu, something has happened."

Chen Zhe's voice was somewhat hurried.

“The stock price of ‘Neurotech’ suddenly dropped 7% in pre-market trading.”

Market rumors suggest that the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) may need to re-examine the Phase 3 clinical trial data for their Alzheimer's drug.

Xu Yun raised an eyebrow: "Source?"

"It's not certain yet, but rumors are already circulating among institutional investors."

Several major investment banks have downgraded the stock's rating.

Our put options...are already making money.

"very good."

Xu Yun walked to the window, looked at the gradually awakening streets of New York, and said, "But this is not enough."

I need you to add fuel to the fire—by leaking the 'laboratory violation' document that we prepared this morning.

The anonymous letter, sent to The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, highlighted potential ethical issues in their collaborative projects with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

"So fast? Isn't that too rushed?"

"It has to be urgent."

Xu Yun said firmly, "Market panic needs a catalyst."

The rumors of an FDA investigation could be a coincidence, or someone might be shorting the company.

Regardless, we must seize the opportunity to muddy the waters and maximize the sense of panic.

"understood."

Chen Zhe said, "I'll get on it right away. Also, regarding the third phase of the short-selling plan..."

"Proceed as planned."

Xu Yun said, "Once the stock price drops by about 30%, we will begin to release the core evidence of 'violating the Biological Weapons Convention'."

At that point, no matter how the company tries to justify itself, market confidence will completely collapse.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Yun felt a long-lost excitement.

The financial battlefield, like the real battlefield, requires strategic vision, timing, and psychological warfare.

The difference is that there is no gunpowder here, but those who lose will still fall into the abyss.

He opened a news website, and the headlines had already changed:
"Neurotech Stocks Fluctuate Amid Market Concerns Over Drug Data Authenticity"

Rumors circulate that the FDA will re-examine a new Alzheimer's drug, dashing the hopes of millions of patients.

Analysts: If rumors are true, neurotech valuations could be halved.

The comments section was filled with heated arguments among investors.

Some firmly believe this is a conspiracy by short-selling institutions, some panic-sell, and others call on the company to clarify immediately.

Xu Yun knew that the board of directors of "Neurotech" must be having an emergency meeting right now.

They will issue announcements denying the rumors, promise to cooperate with FDA reviews, and may even announce stock buybacks to stabilize the market.

However, these measures are often ineffective in the face of a real crisis.

Because Xu Yun had far more cards in his hand than they had imagined.

At 10 a.m., Chen Zhe called again.

"The document has been successfully leaked."

A reporter from The Wall Street Journal contacted the neurotechnology company for comment, and the company said it was conducting an internal investigation.

Bloomberg's report is now online, with a straightforward headline: "Neurotech Exposed for Lab Data Fabrication, DARPA Collaboration Project Overshadowed."

What about the stock price?

"It has fallen another 12%, bringing the cumulative drop to 19%. The trading volume is ten times the usual amount, and our options floating profit has exceeded $500 million."

Chen Zhe said excitedly, "Mr. Xu, I will contact those other hedge funds and ask them if they are willing to join the short-selling camp now. Tell them that this is just the beginning."

"it is good."

Over the next few hours, the New York financial markets launched a raid on neurotechnology companies.

More negative news has been released: a former employee anonymously revealed that the laboratory was poorly managed.

Some analysts have pointed out that the company's R&D investment and output are seriously mismatched.

Some even dug up a speech the CEO gave last year, in which his statement about "the civilian application of neural control technology" was taken out of context and distorted into "the company plans to develop brain control weapons."

Panic spread like a virus.

By noon, the stock price of "Neurotech" had fallen by 31%, triggering the circuit breaker mechanism and suspending trading for 15 minutes.

Xu Yun stood at the window of the safe house, overlooking the core area of ​​this financial empire.

He knew that at this very moment, in countless offices in Manhattan, traders were staring at red numbers on their screens, fund managers were making frantic phone calls, and company executives were roaring or in despair.

And all of this started with a decision he made just a few days ago.

A sense of power quietly grew within him, but Xu Yun quickly suppressed it.

His goal has always been clear: to achieve extraordinary goals through extraordinary means.

Whether it's for fighter jet technology for national security, to prevent dangerous technologies from being monopolized, or to protect oneself and one's family from threats.

The methods can be flexible, but the original intention must not be deviated from.

At that moment, an urgent news notification popped up on my laptop:
[Breaking News: The FBI, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, raided a Brooklyn dock in New York Harbor and seized containers suspected of being used for smuggling biological weapons.]

Several people have been arrested at the scene. Authorities have not released specific details, but have confirmed that the arrests are related to a counter-terrorism investigation.

Xu Yun clicked on the news video.

In the footage, fully armed federal agents surround a dockside warehouse, and personnel in hazmat suits are carefully moving sealed metal containers.

The news anchor reported in a serious tone that this was "the biggest security threat in New York Harbor in recent years" and hinted that it "may be linked to international terrorist organizations."

Almost simultaneously, another push notification appeared:
[Exclusive from The New York Times: Inside the operations of the transnational criminal organization "Black Eagles" in North America.]

The documents reveal internal divisions within the organization, with radical factions planning to use extreme measures to eliminate those in the know...

Xu Yun turned off the news and poured himself a glass of water.

The plan is progressing according to schedule.

The short-selling operation against Neurotech is largely complete, and the final profit is expected to exceed two billion US dollars.

The Black Eagles' radical faction's smuggling network has been dismantled, and key members face federal charges.

Two fighter jet technology verification plans have been sent to Lin Zhengyu, and the domestic expert team will be able to begin preliminary evaluation next week.

Everything is going smooth.

But Xu Yun knew in his heart that the real storm might have only just begun.

With DARPA and military backing, Neurotech will not give up after suffering such a severe blow.

We will definitely investigate who is behind the short-selling operation.

Although the Black Eagles lost a radical faction, the organization still exists.

Eric Schmidt, the "Ghost," is still in Zurich; he will surely seek revenge.

And then there are the other enemies, whose whereabouts are unknown...

After finishing his water, Xu Yun walked to the equipment cabinet in the corner of the room.

Opening the cabinet door revealed a neatly arranged array of weapons and tools.

From ceramic pistols to fully automatic rifles, from night vision devices to drones, from encrypted communication equipment to emergency medical kits.

These were all obtained through system redemption or special channels, enough to cope with most emergencies.

He took out a Glock 19, skillfully checked the weapon's condition, loaded ammunition, and tucked it into the quickdraw holster on his waist.

Then I selected two smoke grenades, one flashbang, and a miniature drone, and put them into my tactical backpack.

Finally, he put on a bulletproof vest and then a plain gray jacket over it.

After getting dressed, Xu Yun stood in front of the mirror.

The man in the mirror had sharp eyes and a calm expression; his seemingly ordinary attire concealed deadly equipment.

Just like the city itself.

On the surface, it is the financial center of the civilized world, but in reality, it is rife with undercurrents and crises.

He glanced at the time: 2:10 PM.

Time to go out.

Today he arranged to meet Chen Zhe at a private club in Midtown Manhattan to discuss the final stages of the short-selling plan and the capital withdrawal strategy.

Although he knew there might be risks, Xu Yun still decided to go in person.

Before returning to China, he wanted to go completely wild on someone else's soil and also wanted to test just how deep the waters were in the world's major conglomerates and families!
In America, the most famous seem to be Rockefeller, Morgan, Walton, and Cargill.

Of course, if he succeeds this time, he also wants to use his system to challenge the Rothschild family, the financial giants of Europe, in the stock market!
They can't act freely when they're in their own country...

But now that I'm out, who can control me?

This time, he's truly going to do whatever he wants! (End of Chapter)