Eagle Sauce: The 055 destroyer was launched into the sea just after the founding of the country?

Chapter 645 Fantasy

“Not only that,”

There was a strategist's complacency in Kajender's voice.

"Once we control Longguo's food supply chain, we will have the lifeline of a country with 600 million people. That will be unprecedented market control."

The atmosphere in the lounge became increasingly heated, and the four grain trading giants seemed to have seen the dawn of victory.

But Harper, the most cautious of the four, raised a question: "Will the Dragon government sit idly by?"

Connors waved his hand dismissively. "What can they do? Their foreign exchange reserves are limited, and the country is at a critical stage of industrialization."

"If they want to continue to fight against Russia, they must ensure domestic stability, and food is the most basic need."

Bentley took a Havana cigar from the humidor and carefully cut off the end with a silver cigar cutter.

"I know several experts who have business in Longguo, and they told me that Longguo's grain storage system is quite backward, and most of the granaries don't even have modern temperature and humidity control."

Kajinder nodded. "Yes, their food loss rate is as high as 15% to 20%, which is far higher than international standards. Under such circumstances, they have no ability to compete with us."

Harber rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Then we should anticipate that later in this game, the Dragon government might try to intervene in the market, perhaps by providing subsidies or imposing import restrictions.”

"Let them try," Connors said, his eyes gleaming with contempt. "It will only speed up their depletion of foreign exchange."

“Moreover, our friends in Washington will not sit idly by. Any violation of the ‘free trade principle’ will face sanctions.”

Bentley took a deep drag on his cigar and slowly exhaled a thick smoke ring: "Gentlemen, this is the art of business."

"We are not just trading food, we are trading the fate of nations."

“Just think, we were able to bend a 5,000-year-old civilization to our will simply through the manipulation of the food market. This was far more elegant and efficient than any military operation!”

Kajender nodded in agreement, a spark of ambition glittering in his eyes.

"That's right, my friends. That's why I've always said that true power lies not in guns but in food. Whoever controls the food controls everything."

He returned to the window and looked down at the dazzling night view of Manhattan.

"Imagine that when we completely control the grain market in Dragon Country, we can adjust prices as we wish, deciding who gets to eat and who goes hungry. This power is more powerful than any weapon."

"Even better," Connors added, "this will all be done under the guise of the 'free market.'"

“No one can accuse us of anything; we are just ‘following the laws of the market.’”

Harper turned slowly to the next page of the report.

"According to our schedule, Longguo grain traders should begin seeking new contracts on a large scale within two weeks. I suggest we push up prices one more time before that to increase their psychological pressure."

"Good idea," agreed Kakinde. "Next Monday, we can release some 'market concern' signals through the Chicago Board of Trade, such as a 'research report' on the global wheat rust outbreak."

Bentley rubbed his hands excitedly. “I can arrange for several agricultural media outlets to publish some ‘expert opinions’ on the decline in South American soybean production.”

“In the meantime,” Connors added, “we could temporarily reduce some of the actual supply to create the illusion of a shortage. Not by much, just enough to cause panic in the market.”

Kajinder nodded, satisfied with this comprehensive strategy: "Perfect."

“By then, Longguo grain traders will be forced to sign contracts under the conditions we set, and these conditions will become a death trap for them.”

Harber suddenly thought of something: "Have we considered the possibility that Dragon Country has a large food reserve, enough to survive this crisis?"

There was a brief silence in the room, and then it erupted in laughter.

"Brother Harper, your prudence has always been your strength."

Connors patted the old man on the shoulder.

"But your worries are completely unnecessary this time. Our intelligence network covers all major grain-producing areas and storage facilities in Longguo. Their strategic reserves are only enough to last for two months at most, and their quality is questionable."

Bentley took a long swig of whiskey and sighed contentedly.

"What's more, even if they have some reserves, can they compete with the international market? The four of us control nearly 70% of the world's food trade!"

Kajinder walked back into the crowd and raised his glass again.

"Gentlemen, let us once again toast to this perfect plan. In a few months, the grain market of Dragon Country will be in our hands, and this is just the beginning."

“Next will be Southeast Asia, then Africa… Ultimately, global food security will be in our hands. That’s true global domination!”

Four crystal glasses collided in the air, making a crisp sound.

Under the starry sky of New York, these four grain trading giants are planning a silent war that could change the international landscape, and their target is the great Eastern power that is catching up thousands of kilometers away.

However, just as they were waiting to reap the sweet fruits of victory, the oak door of the lounge was suddenly pushed open, interrupting this small celebration of victory.

A senior assistant in a custom-made suit rushed into the room, sweating profusely, breathing rapidly, and his face was obviously panicked and uneasy.

Kakinde frowned and put down his glass unhappily: "Jackson, I remember I said not to interrupt our meeting unless it is an emergency."

"Sir, this is an emergency," Jackson said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'm afraid there are some... unusual developments."

A glimmer of anticipation flashed across Kajinde's face. "Have those grain merchants from Dragon Country finally lost their patience and come to negotiate a contract with us?"

This was exactly the first signal they were expecting - Longguo grain merchants succumbed to the pressure of high prices and actively sought negotiations.

Once this process begins, their carefully designed trap will be tightened step by step.

However, Jackson's answer was beyond everyone's expectations.

"No, sir, quite the contrary,"

There was a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"According to our information from major global grain exchanges, not only did Chinese grain traders not seek new purchase contracts, but they continued to sell large quantities of grain on the international market over the past 24 hours."

"What?" Kakinde stood up suddenly, and the smile on his face froze instantly.

The atmosphere in the lounge suddenly changed. Bentley stopped puffing on his cigar, Connors put down the market report he was reading, and Harber took off his glasses, his face full of confusion.

"Selling off? Are you sure?" Kakinde's voice was filled with a subtle nervousness. "What kind of grain are they selling off? How much?"

Jackson pulled out a freshly printed report from his briefcase.

"It's mainly rice and wheat, sir. Today alone, they sold about 120 million tons in the Asian market, about 85 tons in the European market, and about 60 tons in the South American market."

“The total is over 265 million tons, and the amount is still increasing…”