Chapter 25: The Great Thief of the Country (3)

  It was very windy in London in January, and there were often a few small rains floating in the sky, with a sticky feeling like the plum rain season, which made Jerry very uncomfortable.

  Alright! First time in UK, have to make do! Besides this, there's really no other way!

  The London gold market has a long history. Since 1804, London replaced the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in the Netherlands and became the center of world gold refining, sales and exchange. In 1919, the London gold market began to implement daily fixed pricing, with two fixings every day in the morning and afternoon. The price was set by the five major gold banks (the five major gold banks are Rothschild International Investment Bank, Canadian Maple Leaf Bank, Deutsche Bank, American HSBC Bank and Swiss Credit First Boston Bank) to determine the daily gold market price, which is the world's most important gold price, influencing transactions in New York and Hong Kong gold markets. The prices of many countries' and regions' gold markets are based on the London gold price, with fluctuations up and down according to their own needs. The main suppliers of gold in the market are South Africa. Before 1982, the London gold market mainly traded spot gold, and in April 1982, the London Gold Futures Market opened.

  "Jerry, do you really want to short gold?" Robert Soros was worried because the international price of gold basically floated within a certain range and did not have as much maneuverability as stocks or other futures.

  "I've got the idea! However, as for how to operate it specifically, I think we need to consult an expert's opinion. Don't worry, Robert, even if I want to short gold prices, it won't be now!"

  "I hope you will consider carefully!"

  Jerry shrugged his shoulders.

  Making a killing in the gold market is indeed an outlandish idea.

  Jelly's main purpose is still to see the Great Thief of the Country, Rio Vanta, after a year!

  Of course, in order not to attract the attention of the US FBI, he had to intervene in the gold market to make further contact with this hidden figure. Isn't he shorting? Well, before he shorts the gold market, we will long the futures contract! On August 2, 1990, Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, overthrew the government and declared the annexation of Kuwait. A multinational force led by the United States, after obtaining authorization from the United Nations, launched a military attack on January 16, 1991, against Iraqi troops in Kuwait and Iraq. Once the Gulf War broke out, oil prices would inevitably soar! And the international gold price closely related to oil futures will also skyrocket!

  For Rio Vanta, Jerry's admiration is no longer just a simple torrent of water!

  This legendary figure made a total of 2,000 tons of gold short in January and February 1991, forcing the soaring international gold price to plummet. The Soviet Union, which had relied on gold exports as its last lifeline, saw its domestic crisis deepen further after the gold crash, eventually declaring dissolution on December 25, 1991.

  It is not entirely accurate to say that one person could have embezzled $275 billion, the total wealth accumulated by the Soviet Union since its founding. Nevertheless, during the collapse of the Soviet Union, the shadow of Rio Vantaa did indeed exist.

  "Hello, Mr. Mason! I'm Bob Clemens!" Bob inherited the tall and strong physique of an American, although he had dark eyes, but after years of being fed milk, at just 13 years old, he already stood at 1.7 meters tall, which was still a bit shorter than Robert Soros, but in Jerry's eyes, it was enough, at least as someone standing on stage, his height was sufficient! Moreover, he was only 13 and still growing!

  "Hello, Mr. Clemens!"

  Transactions in the gold market are generally conducted through a gold broker, and Royer Merson is a gold broker who has a seat on the expensive London Gold Market! This was also Robert Soros's pre-arranged gold broker!

  Although it's just a routine futures operation, having a gold broker would still make things much easier! Jerry didn't want to go through the same ordeal as in 1987 when Wall Street crashed and he was crushed by the immense pressure of being on the front lines himself. That was just too exhausting! Yes, not at all suitable for his temperament!

  Affected by the minor Wall Street stock market crash around October 1989 and the Japanese stock market bubble burst in December, the current international gold price is US dollars per ounce, which is currently gradually recovering!

  Jerry's given mandate was quite simple: before February 1991, as long as the gold price did not fall below $400 per ounce, Royer-Mason could continue to buy gold futures contracts! In other words, their short position was against a gold price of $400! Once it broke through this price, they would immediately sell out all their futures contracts!

  This is a crazy move, as such an operation is simply killing wrongly and not letting go!

  In nearly a year's time of operation, the number of gold futures contracts will accumulate like a small mountain.

  "Are you really going to do that?" Royer Merson felt his head was very big after listening to Klaymen's description.

  Is this guy human?

  No! Definitely not!

  If so, how could he possibly make such a crazy short sale of gold!

  This is completely unreasonable!

  Is their money black money?

  What other reasons can be used to explain such reckless gambling behavior!

  "Of course, Mr. Mason. If it weren't so, I wouldn't have come to you through Mr. Soros. You're an experienced broker, I think you should know which futures contracts are worth buying and which ones aren't! Your job is to help me pick the most profitable ones! I don't need those garbage contracts, got it? Everything else, you don't need to worry about! $400 per ounce, that's my stop-loss price! Of course, we'll give you the highest commission from London Gold Exchange." Bob Clemens stared into Royer Mason's eyes, "So, Mr. Mason, do you have the guts to take on our assignment?"

  Most of the world's gold futures markets have similar trading contents, mainly including margin, contract unit, delivery month, minimum fluctuation limit, futures delivery, commission, daily trading volume, and order instructions.

  "Royell Mason hesitated for a moment, 'I just hope that the money flowing into London's Gold Market isn't black money!'"

  It was clear that before Jerry and his party arrived, Royer Mason had done some investigating of his own. At least he knew the King Foundation was located in the Andros Islands in the Caribbean, a supreme tax haven and also a place where hot money flowed freely.

  Bob and Jerry exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing. "Mr. Mason, I think you have a great sense of humor!"

  "Mr. Clemens, don't take this as a joke! If your money is indeed black money, I'm sorry, Royer Mason won't do business with you!"

  "Alright, Mr. Mason, please rest assured that every single penny will have a source proof! We will guarantee the legitimacy of these funds! Of course, if you are still not at ease, we can sign a liability waiver agreement, how about it?"

  In the end, Royer Merson still accepted the commission from the King's Fund, after all, that generous commission was something he couldn't push away no matter what!

  What a pity! I finally came to Britain and didn't even get to meet Kate Beckinsale, what a failure!

  As Jerry boarded the plane bound for Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, he gazed out at the foggy London with a mix of emotions.