I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 819 Investment?

Since his rebirth, Liu Jin hasn't been a big fan of watching the news.

After all, most of the news is about things he experienced in his previous life, so it doesn't seem very interesting.

Moreover, in the early years after his rebirth, he was busy writing to make money all day long, so he had no time to read the news. Although he knew that once you reach a certain level, your focus would shift. Expanding your social circle also means you need to broaden your horizons.

Before 08, he felt that his vision was broad enough!

but……

Starting in 09, he began to pay attention to the news and read newspapers.

Every day, you should set aside at least one hour to keep up with current affairs.

However, as time went by and my understanding of current affairs deepened, some information that was originally hidden deep in my memory slowly surfaced.

For example, the flash crash of the US stock market in 2011.

……

In early August, Liu Jin saw a news article.

It's news about the debt crises in Greece and Italy.

Actually, there were related news reports since the beginning of the year, but Liu Jin was on vacation in China at the time and didn't pay much attention to them.

By the time he returned to France, the related reports had become outdated and significantly reduced.

In August, the International Monetary Fund brought it up again, which finally piqued Liu Jin's interest.

As November began, related reports became more frequent.

Among them, the predictions about the Greek debt crisis are somewhat unbelievable.

The report predicts that the Greek economy will continue to decline in 2011, impacting the overall economic growth rate of the Eurozone. Italian bond yields will exceed warning levels, and the debt crisis will threaten the sustainability of the EFSG bailout fund.

The data in the report is from E-mini market analysis.

The so-called E-mini market is a market system centered on micro futures contracts launched by America's Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group.

After reading the analysis, Liu Jin recalled the flash crash of the US stock market in 11.

On May 6, 11, US stocks plummeted by nearly 5 points, to 985 points, within 5 minutes.

It then recovered within 36 minutes, demonstrating the strong self-regulating ability of the US stock market.

Because the crash was so sudden and short-lived, and the market returned to normal after only 36 minutes, many people were unaware of what had happened at the time. As a result, the financial markets only reacted after the market closed.

Few people in China know about this, except for seasoned traders who focus on the US stock futures market.

Liu Jin saw the relevant reports later.

It is said that trillions of dollars were involved in transactions during those thirty-six minutes.

At first, Liu Jin didn't pay much attention.

It wasn't until he met Mr. Kong that he suddenly remembered the supercomputer hidden in the Grysant Estate and became interested.

It is difficult to complete the delivery of goods within 36 minutes by manual operation.

But if Dania were to operate it, using a supercomputer to complete the task...

The E-mini market system allows for 24-hour trading through the electronic trading platform CME Globex.

Its trading activities include E-mini S&P 500 and Nasdaq index futures products.

The contracts are small in size and require low margin, making them suitable for small investors.

Liu Jin has been thinking about this matter for the past few days.

……

After attending Ms. Seville's funeral, Liu Jin visited Professor Michel.

The professor resigned from Toulouse II in June and is currently on leave.

When Liu Jin approached the professor's house, he saw that many pieces of furniture were covered with dust cloths, and there were more than two hundred sealed cardboard boxes, filling the living room on the first floor to the brim, making it difficult to even find a place to stand.

"Professor, are you getting ready to leave?"

"Yes, I officially started working in March, and I've already found a place to live there."

Having lived in Toulouse for eight years, leaving suddenly is a little bittersweet… But a change of scenery is good; the resources in Paris are ultimately more abundant than in Toulouse. And it's closer to the children; Paul and Charlotte have been eagerly anticipating our arrival. Bobby has been waiting for this day for a long time, almost impatiently.

Bobby is Michelle's wife.

A very kind old woman.

She walked in carrying a coffee pot and gave Michelle a disdainful look.

"You talk as if you're not in a hurry."

Liu Jin quickly got up and took the coffee pot.

"You guys chat, I need to pack my luggage."

After Bobby Ranke finished speaking, he left the study.

The study was empty.

The original desk and bookshelf have been removed and sent away.

In the large room, there were only two chairs and a small round table.

Michelle took a sip of her coffee and smiled, "Have you made up your mind?"

"You mean the position at Toulouse II?"

Michelle nodded and said, "Dean Pumin has asked me about it several times."

"I do not participate in teaching."

Liu Jin thought for a moment and said in a deep voice.

He has a lot to do and is very busy.

He was a little impatient when it came to actually taking on teaching duties.

“That’s no problem. Xavier means that as long as you join the company, whether you engage in creative work or theoretical research, it’s fine.”

Liu Jin couldn't help laughing.

"Just a mascot?"

"Haha, if you put it that way, you're not wrong."

"If that's all there is to it, I have no problem."

Liu Jin needs a pretext to stay in Europe.

Being a scholar is the best cover for one's identity.

Michelle also breathed a sigh of relief.

The task entrusted to him by Dean Xavier Pmin of the Faculty of Arts has finally been completed, and he can now leave without any regrets.

"Oh, right, do you remember Elodie?"

"Ok?"

"Elodie Guille."

"Teacher Jiye!"

Liu Jin laughed and said, "How could I not remember?"

That was Liu Jin's homeroom teacher in his second year at ESC TOULOUSE.

Professor Michel initially took notice of him because of Professor Guille's recommendation.

It can be said that she was the female teacher who left the deepest impression on Liu Jin in the business school, besides Professor Julie.

"She has come back."

"Forehead?"

"In September of this year, she joined the Faculty of Arts as a teacher of the history of the development of French literary theory."

From now on, you can support each other.

Although Guille had been out of school for many years, her network of connections...

She was Dean Pumin's student, and a classmate of the Dean of Academic Affairs, Oliver Druad Pascarel. Haha, don't let her being out of school for years fool you; her connections are much deeper than yours, this guy who only studies sporadically.

Liu Jin couldn't help laughing.

"It is also thanks to your tolerance towards me."

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Focus on your writing and avoid getting involved in all that messy stuff."

Although I know that with your wealth, some things are unavoidable, just don't forget the path you came from.

As she spoke, Michelle picked up a stack of manuscript papers from a cardboard box in the corner.

"This book is very interesting; our ancestors..."

This is quite different from your previous style. It's clear that you've been growing, reflecting, and developing your own unique style.

I hope you can keep writing, don't stop, just keep writing...

That was a photocopy of the handwritten manuscript of Liu Jinfa’s “Our Ancestors” trilogy given to Michelle.

You could tell he was very happy and cheerful.

I'm happy because Liu Jin didn't give up his literary creation despite his increased wealth.

From a literary perspective, "Our Ancestors" has a unique and wonderful style, which greatly pleased Michel.

……

Liu Jin chatted with Michelle for a long time and enjoyed the dinner cooked by Mrs. Bobby before taking his leave.

Before leaving, he signed his name on the appointment letter from the School of Arts of the Second University.

He will serve in Toulouse II for the next five years.

Xavier Pmin, the dean of the Faculty of Arts, was generous and secured a professorship for Liu Jin.

Liu Jin was also pleased with himself.

He will take office at the University of Toulouse II at the beginning of next year.

After finishing the trivial matters, Liu Jin returned to the Grüsang Manor with Lia, his assistant, and Tianxian.

The manor was exceptionally lively at this time.

The only regret is that Mr. and Mrs. Liu Dasheng and AA and their daughter were not there.

Otherwise, it would truly be a family reunion.

The first thing Liu Jin did after returning to the manor was to find Verena.

Afterwards, he and Verena talked for more than two hours in the small building in the server room.

"What are you and Vilia talking about?"

Eva asked curiously.

Liu Jin, however, revealed a mysterious smile and said softly, "I have reached a deal with Vilia worth tens of billions."

"What deal?"

"Hey, keep it secret!"

Eva couldn't help but scold him playfully.

On the morning of the 31st, Mela, Chloe, Ottilie, and Old Chung also arrived at the manor.

Liu Jin then drove to the city hall to attend the last meeting of the Grução council in 2010.

After the meeting, Liu Jin found Old Sean.

After an hour and a half of heated discussion with old Sean, Liu Jin agreed to expand the area of ​​the Grossan Estate by fifty acres for 380 million euros.

The woods behind the manor were completely included.

The salt lake path on the other side of the manor also became Liu Jin's private territory.

However, Liu Jin promised that he would not damage the local environment and was willing to donate 800,000 euros to the municipal government to enhance the city's cleanliness and greening.

At the same time, it donated 200,000 euros to the Grução police station to improve the welfare of its officers.

Old Sean would naturally not refuse the donation, and as a member of parliament, wasn't it reasonable for Liu Jin to donate?

That evening, Liu Jin returned to the manor.

Butler Old Turner came over and said softly, "Boss, Simon called and wants to talk to you."

"When?"

He will call again tonight.

"Okay, let me know when the time comes."

Simon Jr. has gone to Reunion Island to serve as a lieutenant colonel staff officer at the South Indian Armed Command.

During this period, he sent Liu Jin some emails, complaining about the poor local environment.

Liu Jin didn't say much, just told him to wait patiently for an opportunity...

Why is he calling at this time?

Promotion?

That's difficult!
He held the rank of major at the military base on Corsica, but was promoted to lieutenant colonel after being assigned to Réunion Island.

It's unlikely that there will be any opportunities for promotion in the short term.

This isn't something that can be solved with money; unless he has a powerful backer, it's unlikely he'll get promoted.

Of course, if he had a powerful backer, he wouldn't have been exiled to Réunion Island, thousands of miles away.

But based on Liu Jin's understanding of Simon, he must have something on his mind, otherwise he wouldn't be in such a hurry to call Liu Jin.

……

Dinner was prepared by Lao Zhong.

However, Alizee, Eva, and others also participated.

The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.

At 10 p.m., Simon called.

He first wished Liu Jin a Happy New Year, and then changed the subject to the main topic.

"Amos, are you interested in investing in Reunion Island?"

"What?"

Liu Jin was taken aback and somewhat bewildered.

"Here's the thing, the Reunion Island province is currently attracting investment, but as you know, the environment here isn't very good, so not many people are willing to come. I was thinking, are you interested? The geographical conditions here are actually quite good."

No, I had never even heard of Reunion Island if you weren't going there to take up your post.

You want me to go and invest now?
what are you thinking?

Liu Jin was silent for a moment, then asked, "I remember you're a soldier, how come you're involved in local development?"

Simon gave a wry laugh on the phone, and then began to explain in a rambling manner.

To be precise, it refers to Major General Corentin, Commander of the Armed Forces Command in the Southern Indian Ocean Region.

As the commander of the French military garrison in one of the most important overseas departments in the southern Indian Ocean region, Major General Colentan has a very deep friendship with Paul Verges, the chairman of the ruling Réunion GCD party in the Réunion department.

Paul has been the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party since 1998, and has been committed to promoting economic development and reducing unemployment in Reunion.

In fact, he did a pretty good job.

However, with the global financial crisis of 08, several major investors in Reunion Island announced the termination of their investments on the island.

This also led to a surge in unemployment on Reunion Island starting in 09.

This year, the unemployment rate on Reunion Island has exceeded the warning line.

Meanwhile, the right-wing opposition parties, the Rally for Democracy and the Rally for the Republic, launched a fierce attack on the ruling party. In the words of Simon the Younger, Major General Colentine and Paul had a very close relationship.

As for the exact nature of this close relationship, Simon wasn't entirely clear. He only knew that the Collinton family's businesses in Réunion were closely linked to Paul. If the Communist Party of Réunion were to fall from power, the Collinton family would also be implicated.

Therefore, Major General Corentin could only do his best to help the remaining communist regime.

Simon Jr. actually has no connection with Major General Corentin.

However, during one of his drunken moments, this guy showed off a photo of himself and Liu Jin on a yacht to other people.

Somehow, Major General Corentin found out about it.

Then Major General Corentin approached him and asked if he could contact Liu Jin to invest in Reunion Island.

……

"So you came to me to solicit investment?"

"Yes."

"I don't even know the specifics of Reunion Island, and you want me to invest there?"
Can you guarantee the safety of my investment?

"This one……"

"You're just a soldier, don't get involved in these things."

Besides, even if this succeeds, what benefit will it bring you?

"Major General Corentin said that the commander of Mayotte Island has three years left before retirement, and if all goes well, he can put me in the position of commander of the garrison on Mayotte Island. You know, these positions are very limited, one person per spot."

If I miss this opportunity, I don't know when I'll be able to reach the rank of colonel.

You said it yourself, if I can't become a colonel before I'm forty, I'll never become a general in my life..."

"So, you still want to be a general?"

"A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier."

"Go to hell with you... I'll think about it."

During the Chinese New Year, all you do is make things difficult for me!

Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year!"

Liu Jin had a good impression of Simon.

He hung up the phone, went into his study, turned on his computer, and searched for information about Reunion Island and Mayotte Island.

Actually, Simon had given him some information before.

However, Liu Jin was busy recording programs and writing at the time and did not look at it carefully.

Réunion Island is a volcanic island located in the Mascarene Islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean, southeast of the African continent. It is 650 kilometers west of Madagascar and 160 kilometers northeast of Mauritius.

In the mid-17th century, France established a sea station here and began to move in large numbers of slaves. Later, France declared its occupation of the island and named it Bourbon.

It was renamed Réunion Island in 1793, then Bonaparte Island in 1806, and was occupied by Britain in 1810.

In April 1815, Britain and France signed the Treaty of Paris, handing over Réunion Island to France. It was officially named Réunion Island in 1848.

It became an overseas department of France in 1946.

In 1981 it became an overseas territory with full powers.

The official language is French.

该岛长为63公里（39英里），宽为45公里（28英里），占地面积2512平方公里（970平方英里）。

Except for a narrow plain along the coast, the island is mostly mountainous and plateau. The highest peak on the island is about 3,019 meters high, which is Gromona volcano.

The coastal areas have a tropical rainforest climate, which is hot and humid all year round; the inland mountains have a high-altitude climate, which is mild and cool.

The average temperature of the hottest month is 26℃, and the average temperature of the coldest month is 20℃.

The dry season is from May to November, and the rainy season is from November to April of the following year.

……

Huh? In February of this year, China established a consulate in Saint-Denis, Reunion?
This should be the fifth consulate China has established in France. It seems like China attaches great importance to this place...

There isn't much information or material about Reunion Island online.

After all, this is 2010, not 2025.

It is not yet possible to achieve true information dissemination.

But Liu Jin could sense that China attached great importance to this place.

Not only does it have a consulate, but it also runs a Confucius Institute?

In Simon's words, it was a godforsaken, godforsaken place.

Setting up a Confucius Institute in such a dilapidated place? Liu Jin felt that it must be quite a shot in the dark.

"Sissi!"

"what?"

"Why don't you call your dad?"

The fairy entered the study, looking displeased.

I was drinking with Eva and the others when I was called over.

"Why don't you call? Don't you have his number?"

Although Tianxian didn't say anything, you could tell that she actually harbored a very deep resentment towards Mr. An.

Logically speaking, she should be with Mr. An on days like this.

But she came to Toulouse, to a rural place like Gruysand, which shows how deep her resentment towards Monsieur Anne was.

"I can't contact you directly. Why don't you ask your dad if he knows about the X Academy in Reunion Island?"
Also, do you have any relevant information or data about Reunion Island? Could you please send me a copy as soon as possible?

The fairy hesitated for a moment, not particularly willing.

But Liu Jin spoke up, and she eventually dialed Mr. An's number and wished him a Happy New Year over the phone.

"Dad, do you know Réunion?"

The fairy is very clever and speaks the Hubei dialect.

Mr. An on the phone paused, seemingly understanding something, and said, "That French overseas department?"

"probably."

"A new one was established this year. It seems to be a collaboration between South China University of Science and Technology (SF) and the University of Reunion. It was probably established in April or May."

"Could you get me some information about Reunion Island?"

"what?"

"Please don't ask so many questions, okay?"

"sure!"

"Then send me a copy as soon as possible."

Mr. An was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay, I understand, I will do it as soon as possible... Also, Xixi, Happy New Year."

After hanging up the phone, Tianxian repeated Mr. An's words to Liu Jin.

Liu Jin nodded, indicating that he understood.

He then took out the materials that Simon had given him from the bookshelf.

"Amos, it's New Year's Eve, and you're still working?"

"I'm not working, I'll just glance at it and come over right away."

The celestial being knew what was important. Seeing Liu Jin looking down at the documents, she didn't disturb him any further and instead strolled away.

The information provided by Simon was also very general.

Reunion has a high proportion of urban population, with major cities including Saint-Denis, Saint-Paul, and Saint-Benoît.

The population is less than 500,000.

In 1998, the unemployment rate once reached 41 percent.

That means there are roughly 200,000 unemployed people, which is indeed very alarming.

In the southern Indian Ocean, Reunion Island is known as Little Europe... More than 200,000 unemployed people, and it's still called 'Little Europe'?
This shows just how poor Africa is.

For France, Réunion Island is both a foothold in Africa and a pivotal point in the Mozambique Channel.

It has great strategic and military significance.

France can extend its reach into the Indo-Pacific region through Réunion.

……

After quickly skimming through the documents, Liu Jin put them away and left the study.

"Liu, what does Little Simon want with you?"

"Heh, this guy is delusional, actually wanting me to invest in Reunion."

"Réunion? What kind of investments are there?"

"I'm not sure, but I think it's quite important to him."

"Then let's go take a look. After all, Simon is one of our own."

"Let's go take a look; it won't be too much trouble."

"I will be taking up a position at Toulouse No. 2 after the start of the year."

You? A teacher?

Chloe couldn't help but laugh.

"Teaching students how to pick up girls? That would definitely be popular."

"Shut up!"

Eva and Alizee laughed heartily, which relieved Liu Jin.

"Do theoretical research and write on the side."

It seems like nothing's changed from before..."

"It doesn't matter. If you don't want to go, Mela and I will go instead."

This year has been incredibly busy, I need a vacation… By the way, Eva, Ali, do you want to come along? I heard the scenery there is quite beautiful.”

Alizee thought for a moment and said, "I won't go. I'm going to send Cissy, Beck, Easton, and Nina back to China in a while. My parents miss them and have called us several times... I've been busy for the second half of the year, so it'll be a good opportunity to rest in China for a while. In the second half of the year, I'll start preparing for my new album, which will probably be even busier."

"Eva, what about you?"

Eva shook her head and said, "I'm going to work on a movie called 'Dark Shadows' with Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer in the first half of the year, and I've already signed a contract with Warner Bros. for the second half of the year, so I can't keep delaying it any longer."

By the way, Amos, Mr. Horn asked me to inquire whether *Night at the Museum 2* is ready to begin production.

Liu Jin paused for a moment, then said, "I'll ask Sophia tomorrow and see if she's interested."

If she's not interested, then let Warner Bros. find someone themselves.

Aaron Horn, full name, is the president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Pictures.

"You guys are all so busy... which makes Mela and me seem so relaxed, hahaha!"

Chloe was clearly a bit drunk and was acting unusually arrogantly.

Mela glanced at her and said, "I'm not exactly free... If Liu hadn't invited Catherine over this year, I probably wouldn't be free yet. Hmm, it seems I can't be of much help with the TV station either, so going on vacation is a good option."

Ottilie, what do you think?

"Excellent suggestion!"

Ottilie immediately agreed.

"so……"

"So, we're going to check out the investment environment in Reunion Island for you, and see if there are any investment opportunities there."

If it really exists, I might consider participating.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jin rubbed his forehead and said, "I never said that I had to invest."

"Let's go take a look, we won't lose anything anyway."

However, I will bring Germa and Margot with me.

Crystal, are you interested?

"It depends on the timing. If it's in January, it might be a bit troublesome because I have to attend Paris Fashion Week."

After Fashion Week, I'll have some free time!

If the boss doesn't give us any work, we just have to rest?

Liu Jin glanced at her but didn't respond to her comment.

……

And so, the New Year's Eve of 2010/2011 passed by amidst laughter and jokes.

The second book, "Our Ancestors," was first released in Italy.

Liu Jin's sudden change in style has attracted the attention of the literary world.

The French magazine "Lire" featured it in its first issue of the year.

It is like a fairy tale in reality, and like reality in a fairy tale.

It vividly portrays the human condition of losing one's essential self.

It is permeated with reflections on a chaotic reality, and is highly characteristic of postmodernism... completely different from Amos's earlier style.

What I'm trying to say is that Amos's imagination is like the delicate balance of the universe, placed between Voltaire and Leibniz...

This recommendation, once again, comes from Pierre Poncena, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Reading".

Liu Jin couldn't quite remember how many times Poncena had recommended him.

No wonder he smiled and said at Sylvie's funeral: "There will be a surprise..."

Surprised or not?

It was a very pleasant surprise.

What truly surprised him was Milan Kundera's evaluation of Liu Jin after the selected passage.

After receiving the book, I quickly read it through.

At the time, I thought I understood. But upon reflection, it seems I didn't understand anything at all.

I think Amos's mind is incredibly complex... This is a work worth reading repeatedly. Even if the world ends, I want to say, friends, I can't think of a better writer to accompany me than Amos Liu.

This is a great book that deserves to be included in the Seven Star Library!

……

The Seven Stars Library is a series of books published by Gallimard, a French publishing house, that only includes classic literary works.

Only the finest works from each period of French history will be included.

Today, none of the authors from the Seven Stars Library are still alive.

Lagardère then called Liu Jin and told him, "The 'Our Ancestors' trilogy has been selected as the Hachette Group's representative work at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair... In addition, the group will do its best to win the Strega Prize for Literature this year for this book."

Fortunately, Liu Jin lived in Italy for two years, otherwise he might not have known about the existence of this award.

In fact, this is an award that is on par with the Goncourt Prize and the Booker Prize in Europe; it is an Italian literary award.

If it were 01, Liu Jin would most likely be overjoyed.

But now...

He seems to have lost much interest in these awards!

(End of this chapter)