Back to 80: My Literary Life

"Stock market crash?"

Whether Fang Minghua didn't care about the stock market before coming to this era or now, he really didn't know.

Sun Lizhe told him.

It turned out that on Monday, October 19, last year (1987), the New York stock market on Wall Street experienced a plummeting trend of stocks, and the largest crash in history broke out. The Dow Jones index fell 508 points in one day, a drop of 22.6%, setting a record for the highest single-day decline since 1941.

Within 6.5 hours, the New York stock index lost $500 billion, a value equivalent to 1/8 of the U.S.'s annual gross national product.

This stock market crash shocked the entire financial world and had a "domino" effect on stock markets around the world. Stock markets in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places were all severely impacted, with stocks falling by more than 10%.

The stock market plunge caused huge panic among investors in Western countries. Many millionaires became poor overnight, and thousands of people suffered mental breakdowns and committed suicide by jumping off buildings.

This day was called "Black Monday" by the financial community, and the New York Times called it "the worst day in the history of Wall Street."

"This year, the U.S. stock market has not completely recovered. The stock market fell sharply a few days ago." Su Lizhe finally said.

Fang Minghua smiled and said:

"It doesn't matter. Didn't Buffett say: We feel fearful when others are greedy, and we become greedy when others are fearful. Now is the time to be greedy."

"Ouch. Do you still know about Buffett? It seems that you did your research in the United States and wanted to buy stocks, rather than just on a whim." Sun Lizhe joked.

I wanted to buy stocks, but I didn’t do any homework. I only knew Buffett’s words, and I didn’t know anything else.

Of course, Fang Minghua would not tell her his little thoughts.

Now that Fang Minghua decided to buy it, Sun Lizhe didn't give much advice and drove Fang Minghua to the city the next day.

First go to First National Bank to check the funds status in your account.

Hmm. $7.02 million.

These incomes mainly include royalties from novels and screenplays in recent years, and a small part of them are dividends from investments in Sun Lizhe's company.

Sun Lizhe also looked envious when he saw this number.

This is also a proper level of rich people in the United States.

Fang Minghua decided to keep 100,000 US dollars for emergency use and invest the rest in the stock market!

After checking the funds in their accounts, the two drove straight to the stock exchange.

The Chicago Stock Exchange is called the Midwest Stock Exchange and is one of the oldest exchanges in the United States. It is said to have been established in 1882. It is located in downtown Chicago, and when the two drove there, there were not many people inside.

According to Sun Lizhe, although the Chicago Stock Exchange has a long history, its scale is not as large as that of the New York Stock Exchange.

But Fang Minghua doesn't care, as long as he can buy it.

First, you need to open an account. Fortunately, the exchange is open to foreigners. Fang Minghua quickly opened an account with a lot of information. When the staff of the stock exchange discovered that this young man with black hair and yellow skin had transferred 6.92 million U.S. dollars to the exchange. After specifying the account, his eyes immediately turned to reverence.

"Sir, are you Japanese? Korean? Taiwanese? Hong Kong?" The other party was very curious and named several places.

"I'm sorry, let me correct you first. Taiwan and Hong Kong are only parts of China and should not be listed alongside Japan and South Korea." Fang Minghua looked a little serious.

"sorry sir."

Fang Minghua didn't pursue this matter anymore. There was no need to compete with an ordinary American.

"I am Chinese."

"Mr. Fang, please come this way."

The staff led him to a room similar to a VIP room. After a while, a middle-aged man who looked like a manager walked in, followed by a young man wearing glasses.

The other party introduced himself as the lobby manager. In view of Fang Minghua's large investment amount, it was strongly recommended that he hire a private financial consultant.

"This Mr. Phillips is a top graduate from Elgin Community College in Chicago majoring in finance. He once interned on Wall Street and has extensive stock trading experience. He can help you allocate stocks and obtain maximum returns. And his salary is Very cheap.”

Elgin Community College?

Never heard of it? And why does this name sound like a domestic staff university?

In fact, Fang Minghua guessed it right.

Elgin Community College is a university that cultivates technical talents. It is probably not even a second-ranked university in the country.

College.

Fang Minghua actually didn't want any financial advisor, but considering that he was in China all year round, he didn't know much about the U.S. stock market. There was no Internet now, so it was not a problem to always look for Sun Lizhe. It would be enough if there was someone who could explain the general situation of the stock market.

This does not require high talent.

Also, he saw the eager eyes of the young man named Phillips, and it seemed that he really wanted to get this job.

Forget it, just think of it as a charity to solve the employment problem.

So Fang Minghua agreed.

The two parties quickly negotiated the salary issue. As Fang Minghua's personal financial advisor, Phillips' annual salary is US$5,000 - of course, he probably does more than just take on Fang Minghua's job.

The two parties signed an employment contract, and the young man named Phillips immediately stepped into the role and talked about a lot of stocks that he wanted to invest in currently.

Fang Minghua didn't bother to listen.

"Are there any Microsoft or Apple stocks here?"

"Yes, most of the Nasdaq technology stocks are traded here." Phillips said quickly.

"With 6.92 million funds, buy half of each of these two stocks." Fang Minghua stood up after speaking.

I didn't bother to listen to him, I wanted to go somewhere else.

my god

Phillips was stunned.

This is the first time I see someone buying stocks like this!

Seeing Fang Minghua go out, Phillips quickly followed him: "Mr. Fang, I see that you are very interested in technology stocks. I strongly recommend another stock to you, which is guaranteed to make you a lot of money."

"What stock?"

"Dell Computer."

Dell computer?

"Yes, this is a company founded in 1984. It uses a unique model for computer sales: it manufactures computers according to customer requirements and ships them directly to customers, allowing Dell to understand customer needs most effectively and clearly, and then quickly respond to customer needs. Respond. This direct business model eliminates middlemen, thus reducing unnecessary costs and time. I am very optimistic about the prospects of this company! ”

Phillips seemed worried that Fang Minghua would leave and spoke very quickly.

Of course Fang Minghua knew about Dell Computer, and it later became famous in China, but he didn't know what the trend of Dell Computer's stock was.

Seeing this young man recommending so hard, my heart moved a little.

Dell Computer is also considered a high-tech company, right?

Would you like to buy some?

"Okay, I'll do as you said. I'll spend 1 million to buy Dell Computer stock. The remaining 5.92 million, Apple and Microsoft will each buy half."

"OK!"

After Fang Minghua entered his account password to log in to his account, Phillips immediately followed Fang Minghua's instructions to buy stocks at the computer, while Fang Minghua and Sun Lizhe returned to the VIP room and drank coffee leisurely.

US$6.92 million was invested and the transaction was completed quickly.

Fang Minghua took a look at the transaction list, put it in his pocket when he was satisfied, turned around and walked out.

"Mr. Fang, when do you need to sell? Can you give me your expected price? I will inform you then." Phillips said quickly.

"wait for my call."

After Fang Minghua finished speaking, he walked away.

"Okay!" Phillips quickly replied without daring to ask any more questions.

How did he know that he had to wait for more than ten years?

After buying the stocks, Fang Minghua finished all his business in the United States, and went around Chicago accompanied by Sun Lizhe in the past two days.

Garden of the Gods State Park, Pomona Natural Bridge, Cloud Gate Arch. Had a great time.

Of course, I occasionally have to talk to my wife on the phone at night.

Fang Minghua has already booked a flight from Los Angeles to Yanjing the day after tomorrow. He will spend another day in Chicago tomorrow and prepare to return to China the day after tomorrow.

It was now nine o'clock in the evening. Lying on the bed in the guest room on the second floor of Sun Lizhe's house, Fang Minghua dialed his home number in China. He originally wanted to tell his wife about preparing to return to China, but he heard Song Tangtang speak first on the phone, his voice a little anxious.

"Minghua, yesterday my second aunt received an international long-distance call from Lili from San Francisco, saying that she did not plan to return to China and would stay in San Francisco to teach!"