Hong Kong variety show: The tycoon who emerged from Portland Street

In just over a week, Chen Mo's $300 million turned into nearly $2 billion.

Not only was Chen Mo excited, but everyone in the trading room was excited.

Screams and cheers rose and fell.

Chen Mo even carried Gang Sheng and Qiu Di around the trading room.

Ahua suggested, "Brother Mo, shall we go celebrate?"

"Of course, but not now." Chen Mo regained his composure from his excitement. "Today isn't over yet; we haven't finished our important business!"

When Jimmy heard Chen Mo say that, a brilliant idea flashed in his mind.

"Brother Mo, are you trying to buy at the bottom?"

Chen Mo smiled calmly: "Buying at the bottom is definitely something we should do, but not now."

"Henry, Pete, ask how much IBM's out-of-the-money put options have risen to now."

IBM's stock price, as shown on the Bloomberg terminal, has fallen to $104.

Even without considering the time premium, an out-of-the-money put option is now worth $11.

The stock market crash isn't over yet; the longer it goes on, the higher the prices will go.

Pete quickly replied: "Boss, an out-of-the-money put option has now risen to $15. Should we buy now?"

"No need, let's talk about it later."

Although the price has quadrupled, it still hasn't met Chen Mo's expectations.

Just then, there was a knock on the heavy wooden door of the trading room.

"Knock knock"

Chen Mo looked away from the Bloomberg terminal and gestured for Ahua to open the door.

Who would come looking for him at this time?

After Ahua opened the door, three people walked in.

Chen Mo knew two of them: one was John Fish, and the other was his assistant.

However, both of them are now following behind the other person.

It was obvious that the person in the lead was of higher status than John.

This man was around fifty years old, with his gray hair neatly combed. He wore a perfectly tailored dark blue suit, and his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, exuding an aura of someone who had long held a high position.

"Hello, Mr. Chen, I am Daniel Tully, President of Merrill Lynch."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo was startled. Why was Merrill Lynch's second-in-command here?

Despite his doubts, Chen Mo remained calm and stood up to shake hands with him formally.

"Hello, Mr. Tully, I'm Chen Mo. It's a pleasure to meet you. May I ask what brings you to my trading room, Mr. Tully?"

Daniel gave a friendly smile and said, "First of all, I want to thank Mr. Chen for trusting Merrill Lynch and choosing us as your partner in this transaction."

At the same time, your actions allowed us to detect some dangers in advance, reducing many losses.

Your professionalism and decisiveness are truly impressive.

It turns out that since the meeting to discuss Chen Mo's actions, Merrill Lynch itself had also established short positions and privately issued warnings to many of the company's long clients.

Therefore, Merrill Lynch had far fewer long position clients who suffered margin calls during these two days compared to other securities firms.

In addition, their short positions had yielded substantial profits, giving them ample room to take over the positions.

Merrill Lynch also suffered significant losses, but they are still within an acceptable range.

Of the major securities firms on Wall Street, Merrill Lynch is currently in the best position.

After a moment's thought, Chen Mo understood what Daniel meant.

"Mr. Tali, you're too kind. I chose Merrill Lynch because of your reputation."

You were able to spot the risks because of your own high level of vigilance and quick reaction; you don't need to thank me for that.

Chen Mo wouldn't shamelessly accept such a great achievement.

Daniel was just being polite, how could you take it seriously!

"Mr. Chen, you flatter me. If we had been that vigilant, yesterday's stock market crash wouldn't have happened."

Surprisingly, despite being home to the world's most talented financial professionals, Wall Street lacked Mr. Chen's keen insight.

"Hey! Mr. Tully, don't say that! You're getting me into trouble!"

Chen Mo was quite frightened by Daniel's words and waved his hands repeatedly.

If this gets out, Chen Mo can forget about ever working in the financial market again.

Even if it's just for face, these people on Wall Street are going to do everything they can to sabotage Chen Mo and get revenge.

"Mr. Tully, please be frank about what your purpose is in coming to see me today. If you're really just here to thank me, then forget it."

Daniel paused for a moment, then sighed softly.

"Since that's the case, I'll just say it directly."

Instead of a "Tuesday rebound," the market is experiencing its second sharp drop today, with buy orders in the spot market now so scarce they can be counted.

If this continues, the credit chain of the global financial system will freeze completely within hours.

If the market fails to restore even a minimum level of liquidity today, we will witness a global bank run and a chain of bankruptcies by the end of this week.

The Great Depression of 29 could very well be repeated.

"Just now, our Chairman, Mr. William Schryr, received a notification from the Federal Reserve to attend a meeting regarding the market rescue."

I imagine that senior executives from other major securities firms and investment banks will also be attending the meeting.

"However, formulating rescue policies takes time, and raising funds takes even more time."

"The two billion US dollars in Mr. Chen's account right now is perhaps the largest and most certain amount of US dollar cash on the market at this moment."

"I, or rather, we," Daniel said, emphasizing each word, "hope that you can suspend the liquidation of this cash and use it for market rescue operations."

As he finished speaking, Daniel's tone carried a hint of pleading, and even a touch of... humility.

John Fish and his assistant behind him held their breath.

They only just found out why Daniel had asked them to bring him here.

Chen Mo did not give an immediate reply, but instead slowly walked to the window and lit a cigarette for himself.

The atmosphere at the scene became very heavy.

Whether it was John Fish and his assistant standing behind Daniel, or Chen Mo's two traders, they all became very quiet at this moment, even their breathing was very soft.

Jimmy understood what Daniel meant, and his brows furrowed as well.

Although Ahua, Gangsheng, and Qiuti didn't know what they had just said, they were also affected by the atmosphere and sat in their seats without daring to say a word.

Chen Mo finished his cigarette but hadn't said a word yet.

"Mr. Chen, have you made a decision?" Daniel continued to ask.

However, his tone had changed and become much harsher.

If Chen Mo refuses him, he will resort to threats.

As a senior executive at Merrill Lynch, the brokerage firm Chen Mo chose, he has the capability.

Although he didn't want to do it.

However, in order to save the market, he had to do things he didn't want to do.

Chen Mo flicked the cigarette butt out the window, turned around, his eyes filled with entanglement and contradiction, and then let out a heavy sigh.

"I can agree, but I have a few conditions that I hope you will agree to."