On April 23, the news about the armistice spread throughout the federation. Everyone could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. The panic buying quickly subsided and prices began to return to normal.
At the same time, the price of gold plummeted, falling back below 2,000 yuan again.
In the antique shop, Zhang Chong said with lingering fear:
"Fortunately we sold early, otherwise we would have lost a lot of money."
"Dad, I remember you were complaining yesterday that the gold was sold early. How could you forget so quickly?"
Zhang Hao couldn't help but joked.
Zhang Chongxin was in a good mood and did not argue with his son: "I will give you credit this time. I didn't expect the negotiation to be so fast. I thought it would take at least a few months, but it didn't even take a month. It was so unexpected."
"I guess no one can imagine it."
Zhang Hao nodded.
Steven couldn't help but sigh: "It seems that the higher-ups don't want to fight, so they are relatively restrained."
"To be honest, I can't understand it."
Zhang Hao shook his head subconsciously.
"Tsk, tsk, there's something fishy here." Zhang Chongxin smiled confidently and then explained: "In my opinion, the reason why the higher-ups are willing to compromise is probably to confuse the Europeans and prevent them from developing nuclear weapons."
"I don't think it's that simple. Europeans are not stupid. If they really want to seek independence, nuclear weapons will be a hurdle they can't get around at any cost."
Zhang Hao quickly retorted.
Only by achieving nuclear balance can we truly embrace peace. Otherwise, if one side has nuclear weapons, it will have the ability to overturn the table at any time; and if the side without nuclear weapons, even if peace comes, it may not be able to sleep or eat well.
Zhang Chongxin suddenly said angrily: "Then what do you think is the reason?"
"I'm not a consul, how would I know?" Zhang Hao waved his hand helplessly.
"Zhang Hao, with your reputation, I think you can try to run for consul in the future. You might succeed."
Steven took the opportunity to suggest.
"Me?" Zhang Hao pointed at himself, and then shook his head: "Steven, you are overthinking, I am not interested in politics, and besides, this is a wartime situation, and there is a high probability that Consul Ji will be re-elected.
"
Although in the dream, Consul Ji was only re-elected for one term, that was because no war broke out. According to the federal constitution, there were usually no elections during the war.
Even if the consul is ill, the deputy consul will take over until the end of the war.
"What's the point? Consul Ji is not young anymore. He can only work for another twenty years at most. You are still young and can definitely afford to wait." Steven encouraged.
Zhang Chongxin glanced at his son, and immediately said in frustration: "Steven, stop talking. As the saying goes, a son is better than his father, but Zhang Hao is not the material."
"Dad, how do you know I can't do it?"
Zhang Hao raised his eyebrows.
"If you're good at it, why don't you do it? With your connections, it shouldn't be difficult to become a section chief in the city, right?"
Zhang Chongxin directly used a move to provoke the general.
If his son really succeeds in being elected consul, he will have no regrets in his life.
Zhang Hao smiled: "You're kidding me, I still have so many companies to manage? I don't have enough time to do all the work."
"This is easy to handle. Let your second sister help you manage the company. If you are worried, I can come back."
"Uh, let's forget it!" Zhang Hao touched his nose, "Dad, you are already this age, how can I bear to make you tired? My mother will definitely scold me if she finds out."
"Shit, just be lazy, don't use me as a shield."
Zhang Chongxin let out a long sigh.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little awkward, Steven quickly changed the subject: "Zhang Hao, I heard that the oil fields in the Middle East are preparing to attract investment. Do you want to try it?"
"I won't go." Zhang Hao waved his hand and immediately explained: "I heard that the oil field over there was seriously damaged and it will take a lot of time to repair it. When the oil is produced, the war is probably going to start again. The risk is too great. "
“Do all oil fields need to be rebuilt?”
Zhang Chongxin frowned.
Zhang Hao smiled bitterly and said: "It's not my turn to have good oil fields. The Europeans spent such a high price to grab the oil fields. Do you really think they are doing charity?"
"What if the civil war doesn't start?"
Steven tried to remind him.
"Steven, since I have no relevant experience in the oil extraction industry and I don't have any spare funds, I would rather not go into the troubled waters of the Europeans."
Zhang Hao already has enough business and doesn't want to open up new areas.
Zhang Chongxin finally stood by his son this time:
"Well, it's right not to mess around. The Middle East is in chaos and is not a good place to invest."
Steven did not try to persuade him any more, but instead inquired about the ocean-going fleet. In terms of the impact of the armistice, Southeast Fisheries would definitely bear the brunt.
Zhang Hao suddenly felt regretful: "Now that the armistice agreement has been signed, the ocean-going fleet is fine. If I had known this would be the outcome, I should not have sent the escort fleet there in the first place. So much money was wasted."
"When will the fleet come back?"
Zhang Chongxin asked casually.
"I won't be coming back for the time being. This is the last time we go to sea. Both the WFP and the crew hope to seize the last opportunity and catch more whales."
Zhang Hao replied.
Steven couldn't help but sigh: "The marine ecology is finished. I don't know if there will be a chain reaction next."
Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere is provided by the ocean. Marine plants can produce about 36 billion tons of oxygen every year through photosynthesis, accounting for 70% of the total oxygen produced every year in the world.
In addition, the ocean also absorbs carbon dioxide produced by human activities, which has far-reaching consequences.
"Lack of oxygen? Is that okay?" Zhang Chongxin's eyes widened instantly, "If there is no oxygen, wouldn't all of us be extinct?"
"Dad, don't worry. The existing oxygen in the atmosphere is enough for us to breathe for thousands of years. This is a false proposition." Zhang Hao quickly comforted him.
In the dream, this issue had sparked a big discussion. Finally, after experts refuted the rumors, the public's panic was eliminated.
However, related conspiracy theories have always been popular.
Steven shook his head: "Zhang Hao, the number of thousands of years is only theoretical. In reality, people ignore many factors, such as the massive amounts of carbon dioxide produced by the eruption of the Yellowstone volcano and industrial activities.
When the oxygen content in the air is less than 12%, humans will suffer from various diseases and even death due to lack of oxygen. In fact, the time left for humans is not as sufficient as imagined."
"Steven, you are thinking too far. In contrast, I think insufficient food production capacity is our biggest concern." Zhang Hao said without hesitation.
"The food shortage problem can be solved, but there is no solution to the lack of oxygen. I remember a proverb that says, 'If you don't have long-term worries, you will have immediate worries'..."
"Since there is no solution, what's the use of all this?"
"Okay, you two, stop arguing." Zhang Chongxin waved his hand and brought the topic back: "I only care about one thing now. Do you two think it is possible for the gold price to rise again?"
Steven shook his head on the spot: "Dad, I think it is unlikely. This armistice will last three years. Even if gold wants to rise, it will only happen in two or three years."
"Two or three years is not a long time. If it can really rise, it will be almost 30% to 50% profit. It is not impossible to wait." Zhang Chongxin was moved.
Zhang Hao quickly reminded: "Dad, Steven, I think you two have forgotten something."
"What's the matter?" Zhang Chongxin asked impatiently.
"The energy crisis, with the loss of the Middle East oil depot, I believe the energy crisis is not far away."
“Is the energy crisis related to the price of gold?”
Zhang Chongxin expressed confusion.
Steven answered helpfully: "Dad, generally speaking, when the price of crude oil increases, the price of gold will also increase."
"Isn't that better?" Zhang Chongxin said happily.
"Wrong, on the contrary, I think the price of gold may continue to fall sharply, and I do not even rule out the possibility of falling back to less than a thousand yuan."
Zhang Hao directly stated his judgment.
Zhang Chongxin was shocked: "How is that possible?"
"The reason is very simple. Once an energy crisis breaks out, food shortages will follow, and everyone will starve to death. At this time, there is nothing to care about. There are definitely more gold sellers than gold buyers, and there are much more.
"
Although there is a butterfly effect, the sharp drop in gold prices in the dream occurred during the energy crisis, and it was a large-scale gold sell-off.
The basic logic here will not change.
"According to what you say, the gold business can't be done?" Zhang Chongxin was a little unwilling.
"It's best if you can do it. If you do it, the delivery speed must be fast." Zhang Hao reminded.
Steven quickly interjected: "How much do you want?"
"I think we can discuss it with the bank and change the cooperation model. Let's stop thinking about earning the price difference and just earn some hard-earned money."
"Hey, how much is the hard-earned fee?"
Of course Zhang Chongxin couldn't bear it.
"Dad, the price of gold will fluctuate violently by then, and the price difference won't be enough to bite your teeth. If you really want to invest in gold, I suggest buying the bottom."
"How much is the bottom line? What if it's copied halfway up the mountain?" Zhang Chongxin asked worriedly.
Zhang Hao replied: "You can get it for less than eight hundred yuan. Since the eruption of the Yellowstone volcano, the federal currency has depreciated a bit. Five hundred yuan should be the limit."
Gold reserves are limited, and coupled with its own industrial value, it is impossible to fall below the ceiling no matter how hard it falls.
Moreover, he heard Professor Chen introduce that future controllable nuclear fusion reactors may use a large amount of gold. With official support, there will be no loss.
"I don't know if I should listen to you?"
Zhang Chongxin instantly became hesitant.
Although his son has successfully predicted many things, he has made many mistakes when it comes to gold. Even this time, he was actually wrong. The so-called ban on private gold holdings is simply nonsense.
Zhang Hao shrugged and couldn't help but persuade: "Dad, there's nothing to worry about. No matter what choice you make, I will support you. If you lose, it's a loss. As long as you are always happy."
"What do you mean you just lose money? It's nonsense."
Although he was criticized, Zhang Chongxin was still very pleased.
"Okay, then you just think I'm joking!" Zhang Hao smiled, and then changed the subject: "Dad, I'm going to the group headquarters now. Please do your hard work, get off work early, and pick up Da Puding and the others from school.
"
"I know, you go quickly!"
Zhang Chongxin waved his hand.
…
After leaving the antique shop, Zhang Hao suddenly found that the streets were crowded with people, most of whom were holding various banners, strongly criticizing the federal government's weakness and inaction.
It's not that they really like the war, but they think the federal defeat is too embarrassing and ugly, and they also want to take the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the high unemployment rate.
Of course, there are also those who celebrate the armistice, especially the elderly. These people have experienced war and know the cruelty of war.
Perhaps due to the tradition of "respecting the elderly and loving the young", or perhaps due to the "severe punishments and laws", the two groups of people did not offend each other and lived in peace.
When Captain Fang saw this, he couldn't help but sigh: "More and more young people are taking to the streets now. If this continues, the conflicts will only further intensify. What future is there?"
"Lao Fang, I think differently than you do. On the contrary, I think this is a good thing."
Zhang Hao smiled slightly.
"Director Zhang, are you kidding me?"
Captain Fang said in surprise.
Zhang Hao shook his head and explained with a smile: "Lao Fang, you might as well think back to the young people in the past. They didn't get married, didn't buy a house, didn't care about politics, generally followed the principle of peace and equality, and didn't care about the future.
But what about now? They no longer stay at home, no longer muddle along, they know how to find a job, and they know how to fight. Isn’t this progress?”
"See you, Mr. Zhang!"
Captain Fang immediately flattered him.
Zhang Hao sighed and pressed the car window:
“I used to hear some experts say that the main reason why young people are unwilling to make progress is because they have high ambitions but low ambitions and are afraid of hardship. I don’t agree with this view.
I think it’s not that young people don’t want to make progress, but that they lack opportunities to make progress, or they don’t see hope. This is the most fundamental reason.
Although there are difficulties and poverty at the moment, there are also countless opportunities within the difficulties. In a sense, this is the worst of times, but it is also the best of times."
The driver Xiao Sun, as a young man, was very excited when he heard these words:
"Director Zhang, what you said is so good. Unlike some experts who advise us this and that all day long, but they just don't put themselves in our shoes."
"Haha, Xiao Sun, you remember my words, this is the era of you young people, don't look forward and backward, you must seize the opportunity."
Zhang Hao encouraged him.
Xiao Zhang nodded quickly: "Thank you, Director Zhang. I will work hard and strive to take over our captain's shift as soon as possible."
"You brat, you are so courageous! How dare you say such things in front of me? Are you afraid that I will put on your shoes?" Captain Fang scolded with a smile.
"Hehe, captain, if you let me wear small shoes, I will definitely file a complaint with Director Zhang. Director Zhang has seen all the grudges between us."
Zhang Hao then joked: "Old Fang, you must be confident in your life. If Xiao Sun really takes over your job, it can only mean one thing, you have been promoted."
"Dr. Zhang is very generous." Xiao Sun Xinyue said sincerely.
Captain Fang shook his head: "Director Zhang, don't overestimate me. I know my own abilities. I'm fine as a security guard, but I'm really not qualified for other jobs."
"You are being modest, aren't you? Maybe one day our company will expand overseas, and we will have to rely on you to expand our territory?"
Zhang Hao gave an example casually.
These are not polite words. In the next few decades, there will be no peace overseas. If we want to develop peacefully, we need ruthless people like Fang Zhigang to be in charge.
"Director Zhang, is our group going to build an overseas branch?" Captain Fang asked cautiously.
"No, I'm talking about the future, not the present."
Zhang Hao answered truthfully.
If you don’t want to rest on your laurels, going overseas is the general trend, and Australia is just the first step.
Captain Fang couldn't help but show a little disappointment. Without family pressure, he would be happy to go out and have a try. That is the life he wants.
Seeing this, Zhang Hao reached out and patted the other party on the shoulder, joking: "What? Can't wait?"
Captain Fang nodded: "One thing is, I'm afraid that I'm getting older and older and won't be able to do it anymore."
"Don't worry, I need your experience, not for you to do everything yourself and take the lead."