Chapter 839: Solomon Brothers enters the market

The Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York is a popular residential area for the wealthy, where many wealthy people from the financial and investment banking industries gather.

In a mansion in this area, beautiful light music played through the screen windows, blending with the chirping of insects in the garden. The bright moonlight shone down, and looking through the windows, one could faintly see the shadows of people in the living room.

'John, welcome!'

Albert Raphael, the host, raised his stem glass, shook the amber-coloured wine in the glass, and smiled as he looked at John Gufran, who was sitting across from him.

'Clink!'

John Gufran, who was wearing glasses, raised his glass, lightly touched it with Albert Raphael, and said with a smile, 'Albert, thank you for your hospitality.'

After that, the two men raised their glasses and drank together.

Of course, there were more than just Albert Raphael and John Gufran at the table, there were also their families.

However, the families of the two men did not interfere with their conversation. The women talked to each other, and the children to the children.

The dinner was a sumptuous affair that lasted nearly 40 minutes. At the end, Albert Raphael's wife and John Gufran's wife went to clear the table together, while the children went upstairs to play.

For a while, the living room was quiet again.

Albert Raphael turned on the TV and turned the sound down a little, and the two men chatted and laughed as they drank their coffee.

Just then, the news about Southern Copper Corporation was broadcast, and John Gufran smiled and looked at Albert Raphael, who happened to be smiling back at him.

John Gufran exclaimed, 'Albert, is this your doing?'

Albert Raphael did not give a direct answer, but shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands, saying, 'Do you believe me when I say no?'

John Gufran shook his head with a smile and said, 'I don't believe it!'

As the current president of Salomon Brothers, one of the major financial companies on Wall Street, he was naturally not unfamiliar with such tactics. Combined with what had happened during this period of time, he just didn't believe that it wasn't the work of the Philip Brothers.

Moreover, the person responsible for this was most likely the old neighbour in front of him.

'Albert, judging from what has been revealed so far, this Galaxy Fund is not to be underestimated. You have to be careful, don't let it sink your ship.'

John Gufran's words seemed to be a joke, but his tone was very serious, and it was clear that he took the Galaxy Fund very seriously.

In fact, although he started out in the bond department of Solomon Brothers and took over as president in 1978 after Bill Solomon retired, it doesn't mean that he is only proficient in the bond market and doesn't understand the futures market.

After Solomon Brothers had established a firm foothold in the bond market, it entered the field of stock issuance and trading in the 1950s and 1960s, especially the field of block trading. Under the leadership of Bill Solomon, Solomon Brothers was also one of the main players in the futures market.

Today, the fighting power demonstrated by Galaxy Fund, as well as the financial strength revealed behind it, is enough for John Gufran to regard it as an opponent of the same level.

Although Solomon Brothers is not as powerful as Philipp Brothers, it can still pose a great threat, and the same goes for the mysterious Galaxy Fund.

Who knows if Galaxy Fund will show more muscle behind it?

Albert Raphael nodded solemnly and said seriously, 'John, I'm not belittling this company. This time, I'm going to do my best!'

John Gufran was taken aback, and looked at Albert Raphael with a burning gaze. He noticed that the latter's expression was solemn, and he was not joking at all.

What did Albert Raphael want to tell him so explicitly?

Several thoughts flashed through John Gufran's mind, and a sense of curiosity arose in his heart.

'Albert, are you sure?'

John Gufran asked.

If at first Albert Raphael was completely confident, but after the fighting power demonstrated by the Galaxy Fund today, he was a little unsure, otherwise he would not have used underhanded tactics, asking Southern Copper and Alcoa to sell their company face and announce the second quarter earnings a few days in advance, and also releasing smoke bombs.

And most importantly, if he really was completely confident, he would not have invited John Gufran to his home tonight.

But he couldn't say that, otherwise how would he get Salomon Brothers on board?

So he said confidently, 'John, do you think there is any other company in the American futures market that can match our company?'

'This is America, how can a company from a backwater beat us? We will give it a warm welcome.'

John Gufran listened with a smile, nodding noncommittally, making it impossible to tell whether he agreed with Albert Raphael.

At that moment, Albert Raphael changed the subject and said with a smile, 'But!'

'I'm not worried about the Galaxy Fund, I'm worried that over time, the New York Mercantile Exchange will intervene, and it will be prone to uncontrollable trouble.'

'John, you should understand my concern. This year, the explosions of gold futures and silver futures have already caused huge trauma to the futures market. The trading volume of these two markets has already dropped to less than half of the same period last year. The New York Mercantile Exchange definitely does not want the high-grade copper futures and aluminum futures to become sluggish.'

'So I plan to end the battle and reap the harvest in the shortest possible time.'

His words were well-reasoned and seemed to be without flaw.

John Gufran did not point this out, but smiled and nodded, following his line of thought and saying, 'So? Albert, what did you ask me here tonight?'

Albert Raphael's face grew serious, and he stared intently into John Gufran's eyes as he solemnly stated the real purpose of the evening: 'John, I know that Solomon Brothers is still on the fence, and I hope you understand our determination. Don't side with the bulls, and I don't mind sharing this feast with you, just like tonight!'

John Gufran looked thoughtful, and Albert Raphael waited quietly.

After a long time, John Gufran came back to his senses and asked a key question: 'Albert, before answering your question, I want to know the truth. You must tell me everything.'

Albert Raphael nodded and said, 'You go ahead.'

'Why is Philipp Brothers eyeing the Galaxy Fund? How do you know that the Galaxy Fund will have such a strong capital base? And which consortium is behind the Galaxy Fund?'

John Gufran asked three questions in a row, and after finishing, he stared intently into Albert Raphael's eyes.

The latter thought for a moment and said slowly, 'I can answer you.'

'According to our intelligence, the power behind the Galaxy Fund comes from a small regional consortium called the Jiuding Group in Xiangjiang, Asia. It has some strength, but it is not strong.'

'The reason we set our sights on him is because of the requirements of the Chicago consortium, and this intelligence was provided by them.'

To be on the safe side, Albert Raphael wanted to bring Solomon Brothers on board, so he pulled the tiger skin of the Chicago Consortium.

Sure enough, as soon as he heard that it was the Chicago Consortium that had given the order, John Gufran's expression changed.

He had never heard of the Jiuding Consortium, but he knew full well the power of the Chicago Consortium. Since it was the Chicago Consortium that wanted to take down the Milky Way Fund, the outcome was already predetermined. If he joined the short sellers, he would definitely be able to get a share of the pie.

No!

If victory was already predetermined, why would Albert Raphael invite him to join?

A sudden flash of inspiration in his mind instantly sobered up John Gufran, who was about to act. He frowned and looked at Albert Raphael, questioning, 'Albert, since the Chicago Consortium is hunting, why did you invite me? Share your prey for free?'

Fortunately, Albert Raphael had already run the numbers through once, otherwise he would really be at a loss for words.

He faced this question from John Gufran, and with a somewhat helpless air, he spread his hands and said, 'John, you and I are not Jewish, so I won't hide it from you. The current ownership of the Philip Brothers company is in doubt. The Philip family is already weak, and although Jewish forces dominate, the Chicago Consortium is also coveting it.

'Tender Wells is getting old. He managed the company well before, but he has made more and more mistakes in the past two years, and his position as chairman is not secure. This is an opportunity.'

'So the Chicago Consortium has given me an opportunity to achieve great results, but in order to avoid arousing the vigilance of the Jewish faction in the company, the Chicago Consortium cannot give me too much financial help. Of course there is still some help, just like Southern Copper and Alcoa. It looks like the work of Philip Brothers, but in fact it was done with the help of the Chicago Consortium.'

'Although I am confident that I can swallow the Milky Way Fund, the outcome of this battle involves too much, including my future achievements. I also hope to become the chairman of a company like you. Therefore, I don't want to take even the slightest risk. You should understand my concerns. I would rather have a smaller harvest and ensure a 100% victory!'

After saying this, Albert Raphael looked at John Gufran with a sincere gaze.

This speech was a mixture of truth and fiction, carefully crafted by Albert Raphael, and he didn't believe that John Gufran could tell the difference.

No matter how smart John Gufran was, and even though he was hailed as the 'King of Wall Street' by Business Week five years later, he fell into the trap when faced with Albert Raphael's series of manipulative questions.

All that can be said is that Albert Raphael is an Oscar-winning actor, and perhaps he is more suited to being a celebrity.

'John, what's your answer?'

Looking at Albert Raphael's expectant gaze, John Gufran smiled meaningfully and said, 'Tonight's dinner was delicious, I really enjoyed it.'

Albert Raphael was taken aback, but then he laughed.

He lifted his coffee and looked at John Gufran.

The latter also lifted his cup, and the two cups clanged together.

'Happy collaboration!'

'Happy collaboration!'