"We're in trouble!"

On this day, Zhong Shi was watching about the European Commission's announcement of a formal investigation into Goodman's swap agreement on the European Treasury bond market when he received a phone call from the United States. "The U.S. Congress has announced that it will conduct a hearing investigation into Moody's, and they have done a full investigation. ”

"About what?"

Zhong Shi was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "About the European debt crisis?" This can't be, their reaction is so fast, this is going to unload the mill and kill the donkey? ”

Fortunately, Bell Stone was relieved by Dario's answer.

"It's not the European debt crisis, it's the subprime debt crisis!"

Still a little shocked, Dario said hurriedly, "You also know very well the profit model of the rating agencies, that is, the bond issuer pays the rating agency to rate the products issued. In this process, it is difficult for rating agencies to guarantee their objectivity and accuracy. Although Moody's has not done anything unethical in the past so long, it is difficult to tell if the other party is suspicious. ”

"It's not the European debt crisis!"

Zhong Shi naturally knows the profit model of the rating agency, which is not a secret in the industry, but only at this time will it be thrown out as a topic, and it is obvious that the other party has ulterior motives. However, since it is aimed at the subprime mortgage crisis, Zhong Shi is very sure that at least at the top level of the United States, the determination and will to deal with Europe have not changed.

"This is a gesture they are making to appease the anger of Europe." Zhong Shi patiently explained, "That's what it means. After all, Europe is so involved in the debt crisis that the United States has to make some moves to reassure the other side. ”

"That's what you think?"

Dario fell into deep thought, and soon asked another question. "Will the United States order Moody's to close down in order to give Europe an explanation?"

"This ......"

Zhong Shi hesitated, for the United States, which has three authoritative rating agencies and countless small rating agencies, it is not impossible to sacrifice a large rating agency, even if it does not sacrifice Moody's, but from its professionalism and authority to smear the relevant words. The lethality of Moody's is even greater than the closure of the business.

"Is there anything we can do?"

Thinking of all the possibilities, Zhong Shi did not calm down.

At present, the rating agencies are tantamount to the most lethal strategic weapons for Zhong Shi and others, and if any of them are destroyed, it will be tantamount to a major loss for the attack on Europe. Therefore, even if he guessed the intentions of the US government, Zhong Shi did not dare to stay out of it.

"I know there are some lawmakers on Capitol Hill who disagree on this!"

Dario pondered for a moment, pondered for a long time, and then said leisurely. "Of course, for some of them, buying is certainly impossible. But maybe there are other ways to go! ”

"In that case, then without further ado, I'll be in New York tomorrow!"

Since there was a possibility of redemption, Zhong Shi naturally couldn't sit idly by, and after discussing with Dai Lio for a long time, he hung up the phone. Then he asked people to arrange a special plane. The next day, fly non-stop to JFK Airport.

……

"By far the biggest opinion on the rating agencies is from Ayr. Senator Fran. From Minnesota. This congressional hearing against Moody's was also led by him. ”

On the special plane to Washington, the staff of Beran Consulting, a top public relations company that had been contacted for a long time, surrounded Zhong Shi and Dai Lio, patiently saying something.

It was a blonde man in a suit who said that sentence first, and then he handed Zhong Shi and Dario a thick stack of papers, "This is his resume, his political position." Recent remarks, bills submitted, and family situation. ”

Almost everything is done in detail, and the ability of public relations companies in intelligence gathering is unquestionable.

"He's from Minnesota, a veteran Democratic member, heavily leaning toward efficiency when it comes to fairness and efficiency, and is an out-and-out leftist."

Another brunette man went on to explain. "In Minnesota, he has unparalleled prestige and credibility, having served three consecutive terms as a senator. In the next step, he may be involved in the race for governor. Of course, all this is hearsay. ”

"Minnesota was one of the most loss-making states in the nation during this round of financial crisis, second only to Ohio and Alabama in terms of publicly available loss figures. A large number of houses have been abandoned, unemployment has risen, the number of homeless people has been increasing, the state government has skyrocketed in spending on guaranteeing citizens, and housing prices have fallen to an incredible level. In this case, it is not surprising that he jumped out to target rating agencies and Wall Street. ”

As he spoke, he handed Bellstone and Dario a document. Bell Stone flipped through it a little and found that it was full of economic data about Minnesota, as well as recent polls.

"Is he planning to make political capital?"

After listening to the answers of the two, Zhong Shi gradually understood that if this was the case, then it would be better to prescribe the right medicine.

"So to speak!"

A third member of the lobbying team said that this was a girl with black hair, glasses, and a beautiful face, but at the moment her face was cold and did not show the slightest expression, which was a bit disappointing. In normal times, Zhong Shi might have looked at it twice, but at this time, he didn't think about men and women at all, just listened carefully to the other party's explanation, "But it's not entirely accurate." The MP runs a small real estate loan company, and in this crisis, the discount company suffered a serious crisis, and even came to the brink of bankruptcy for a time, although it is now relieved, but the performance has not been good. Perhaps it is also because of this reason that this congressman is extremely hateful of big capital from Wall Street. ”

"Is there such a reason?"

Dario's brow furrowed, "This kind of person who brings his grievances into his regular job is the most difficult type of person. I really have a headache right now, how could I meet such a person? ”

He slapped his head in frustration, his face full of frustration. Before that, he had had a similar experience.

"So what is your countermeasure?"

Zhong Shi was not flustered. Staring at the three of them with burning eyes, "What do you think should be done if we want to solve the current troubles that Moody's is experiencing?" ”

The two men and one woman looked at each other for a moment, and they both shook their heads at Zhong Shi, with a helpless look on their faces.

"That's right!"

The woman frowned at Zhong Shi and quickly explained. "In our judgment, this time Al. Fran was determined to teach the rating agencies a profound lesson. Prior to this, Moody's had hired no less than our top PR team to offer a hefty price, but unsurprisingly, Al Anderson's had been hired by Al Brown. Fran refused. In this regard, he also said that if there is another similar behavior, he will hold the relevant personnel accountable. ”

It's a well-known thing about the lobby and Capitol Hill deals. Because both sides represent the interests of a part of the people or class. The United States is essentially a transactional society, and anything but a few principled things can be negotiated. It is on this basis that Washington has the existence of this huge lobby.

Of course, it's one thing to lobby in the open, and another thing to do something shady in the dark. Presumably, Moody's used his brains in this regard, which led to the failure of the lobbying.

Naturally, Moody's did not dare to make any more moves against the rules, and they turned to lobbying several other lawmakers. It is said that there is some progress. But the initiative of the entire bill is in the hands of Al. Fran's hands, so even to open certain joints. I'm afraid it's hard to get through the last hurdle. ”

The woman still explained with a blank face, but from her tone, Zhong Shi vaguely heard a hint of helplessness.

"Anyway, let's meet first!"

Seeing that the public relations team did not have a good solution, Zhong Shi sighed, clasped his elbows and said with a sneer.

For this move by Bell Stone. The three of them were stunned for a moment, and then looked at each other for a moment, realizing from each other's eyes that their new employer seemed to be a confident guy who didn't seem to be bothered by the current predicament.

I don't know why, though. But they enjoy working with such an employer, because if the crisis is successfully resolved, it can also leave a lasting mark on their careers.

"Al. Councillor Fran is already waiting for you in the office! ”

Capitol Hill, Senate, a solemn-looking, secretary-looking man nodded to the five people, and after checking the reservation form for a while, the three were led to a small conference room.

The office is very shabby, and on one side of it, the shelves are filled with mountains of codes, many of which are bookmarked in them, and it is clear that these books are not just decorations. In the middle of the room, there was an old desk with papers that Mr. Councillor needed to work on, and directly opposite the desk, there was an old reception sofa, and there was not even a carpet on the floor.

It's hard to believe that this is the office of a congressman.

"It's kind of interesting!"

Looking at the huge portrait of President Lincoln on the wall behind his desk, Zhong Shi's mouth couldn't help but flow a smile, "This congressman has great ambitions!" ”

Seeing Zhong Shi's nonchalant smile, the three public relations personnel were stunned, staring at the portrait of President Lincoln for a long time, but still did not understand what Zhong Shi wanted to express.

"Who are you?"

The five of them didn't wait long in the office. Fran walked in from outside, a thick stack of papers under his arm.

This is a man in his fifties, his hair is already half-white, his face has obvious furrows, and the clothes on his body are not particularly expensive or elegant brands, but because he is in a high position, even if he does not have any special movements, a momentum of not being angry and arrogant still naturally radiates towards the others.

"We are the staff of Belan Consulting!"

The woman Beran consulted quickly explained, "I'm Lisa, this is Michael, and that is Hahn, and we have booked to meet you a week ago, Mr. Councillor!" ”

"I see!"

Walking over to the desk, Al. Fran sat down on his own, buried his head in the paper, and didn't even look up when Lisa introduced herself, but asked directly, "What about the other two?" ”

"This is Ray. Dario, Founder of Bridgewater Syndicate! ”

Lisa didn't feel the slightest bit unfazed, and quickly explained, "The other one is Mr. Zhong Shi, from Hong Kong's Tianyu Fund!" ”

"Wow, wow, big guy from Wall Street!"

Al. Fran raised his head at this time, glanced at Zhong Shi and Dario lightly, and said in a slightly exaggerated manner, but there was no surprise in his eyes, and he didn't mean to get up and shake hands, but asked directly, "What's the matter with you?" Hurry up, I have limited time! ”

"That's ......"

Lisa hurriedly said, but the next moment, a scene that made her jaw-dropping happened. Fran looked at his watch, stood up and walked outside, explaining as he went, "Sorry, I have a meeting today, you can make an appointment next time!" ”

After saying that, he threw the door directly, leaving behind the five people who were at a loss. (To be continued.) )

PS: Thank you book friends cpower and Muxiang for voting for the monthly pass! Thanks for the tip! Yesterday I was too late to write, but when I look at it today, what a miserable word...... There are a lot of things during this period, and it is not easy to code words, so I finally found time to write a chapter today, I hope you will understand and understand. Of course, the author will try his best to update so as not to disappoint you, maybe everyone is busy during this time, but I still hope that all book friends can continue to actively vote for it, thank you very much~