Invasion of the United States

When the first well-informed person tries to flee, a crowd will frantically rush to escape. The global financial market immediately experiences an avalanche-like chaos, plunging into turmoil in an instant.

The United States stock market bears the brunt, with the Dow Jones Index and the S&P 500 Index plummeting like kites with broken strings.

In the trading hall of Wall Street, the previously bustling crowd falls silent, with only the continuously flashing red numbers on the electronic screens reminding people that a disaster is unfolding.

It's not just the United States; Europe, Asia, and even emerging markets are all dragged down without exception.

Panic spreads like a plague, with investors rushing to sell their stocks in an attempt to preserve the last bit of their assets before the crash.

Zhou Qingfeng's eyes fall on his mobile phone screen, where news push notifications pop up one after another, all about the stock market crash.

At this moment, a message from Jeff Connally suddenly pops up.

"Victor, thanks for the heads-up. I shorted several indices and made a lot of money. Including the $800 million in your account, the profit exceeded 30% by the end of today's market."

Zhou Qingfeng couldn't help but chuckle at this.

The $1.5 billion he originally won from the lottery had dwindled below $1 billion due to various investments and expenses.

However, in just one day, he had earned it all back.

Yet, both of Wall Street's major indices had circuit breakers triggered that day, and market value losses exceeded $2 trillion.

All investors are pessimistic about the future economy, and the scale of this market crash has far exceeded everyone's expectations.

Jeff's message continues: "Victor, how is your shelter coming along?

I have some friends who don't want to leave the United States and would like to inquire about your shelter. If necessary, they are willing to pay to buy a spot."

Zhou Qingfeng replies: "I have indeed made some preparations for the outbreak, but the shelter spots are not for sale."

"Why not?" Jeff reminds him: "You can make a lot of money from this opportunity now, maybe even sell a room for $100,000."

Zhou Qingfeng scoffs at this. At this moment, he is having 'Gray Shark' frantically purchase supplies on the market while arranging for dozens of large and small shelters.

Some shelters are just forest cabins; others are cruise ships. But these are not for making money.

"If your friends need it, I can help arrange a shelter, like an isolated cabin with enough living supplies for a family to temporarily hide out.

As for the cost, it won't be solved with $100,000."

"Oh, forget it then. The cost-performance ratio of a simple cabin is too low." Jeff is in an extremely good mood right now.

Avoiding a financial disaster brings a happiness that makes people feel euphoric. In contrast, his social circle is full of wailing and lamenting voices.

Some people went bankrupt almost instantly, while Jeff himself clutched a lot of cash, waiting to buy quality assets at extremely low prices after the disaster.

"I have already booked a flight to Dongda and am currently waiting at the airport. A dozen friends will be traveling with me.

Everyone plans to secure their assets and take some time off during the crash, finding a safe place to take refuge." Jeff's voice message carries unabashed pride.

"Victor, aren't you leaving?"

"No, I still have some work to finish," Zhou Qingfeng replies.

"That's really a pity. I'm planning to meet up with Kelly to visit the Electric Flight factory, and if necessary, I'll increase my investment."

Avoiding a financial disaster fills Jeff with lifelong pride. His euphoria lasts until just before the plane takes off, and then he curses and sends a message to Zhou Qingfeng,

"Victor, why did Dongda suddenly suspend flights between the United States and it? Do you have any channels to get me to Dongda? Your shelter must have vacancies, right?"

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The canonical source for this content: M|V|L2EMPYR.

In Lady Grey's country villa, Zhou Qingfeng stayed for three days, personally witnessing the collapse of a superpower.

During these three days, the world outside the villa seemed to be torn apart by an invisible hand, while inside, an eerie calm persisted.

With the help of Lady Grey's network, Zhou Qingfeng successfully brought down Dias—in fact, he toppled the department Dias belonged to, the government that controlled the department, and the nation ruled by that government.

Toppling Dias was just incidental.

At that moment, Zhou Qingfeng no longer had to worry about the Department of Homeland Security's problems. Because of the financial crash, nearly half the US population was affected, and the US government itself was swamped.

"Did you sell off your stocks and bonds?" Zhou Qingfeng sits on the sofa in the living room, holding a cup of warm tea, casually glancing at the TV screen.

No matter which channel he switched to, it was all about the relentless coverage of the stock market. The financial market took a devastating hit, and the stock market shutdown became the headline of all the news reports.

"Already sold," Lady Grey sits in the armchair opposite him, staring coldly at the TV screen, lamenting, "I never thought this collapse would start from me."

"Don't overestimate yourself; this collapse has nothing to do with you. At most, you just gave it a little push," Zhou Qingfeng responds indifferently.

"Thank you for your comfort, it really works." Lady Grey chuckles self-deprecatingly. She is wealthy, but most of her assets are invested in the financial market.

At this moment, watching the continually flashing red numbers on the TV, her feelings are extremely complex.

If it weren't for Zhou Qingfeng's warning, she would never have been able to sell off her assets in time. At over sixty years old, she would have gone bankrupt overnight, her house seized by the bank, and she would have ended up on the streets.

"Victor, what about your assets?" the old lady raises her head. She knows the young man before her is immensely wealthy, but isn't sure how much exactly.

"I don't know, I never cared," Zhou Qingfeng shrugs, "However, a few days ago, I paid Congressman Harrison a consultation fee.

He suggested I use bank funding to invest in the US stock market.

I don't understand the stock market, so I asked someone to handle it for me. The latest news I received is that the person helping me shorted the US stocks, and my assets increased by at least 30%."

Zhou Qingfeng pauses, then continues, "As for Congressman Harrison who took my money, may God bless him. He should have received the news in advance as well."

"Senator Harrison Alvin?" the old lady furrows her brow, seemingly trying to recall something,

"He seemed to have fallen ill and been hospitalized a few days ago, so he might not have had the opportunity to sell off his financial assets.

People like him wouldn't manage their assets themselves but leave it to professional investment firms. If the investment firm reacts slowly... he might go bankrupt as well."

"Bankrupt?" Zhou Qingfeng's focus is evidently not on "bankruptcy."

Upon hearing that Congressman Harrison was ill and hospitalized, his first reaction is—damn it, didn't Marco have dinner with that congressman a few days ago?

Could he have been infected? Or maybe...

It's known that "X" virus also has super spreaders. After being infected, they show no symptoms, are naturally immune, but have extremely high transmission capabilities.

And what has Marco been doing these past few days? With nothing to do, he's been treating Washington D.C. like a tourist spot, wandering around aimlessly.

With this in mind, Zhou Qingfeng can't help but call Marco. As the president, he still needs to be concerned about the conditions of his subordinates.

The call connects, and Marco's voice is full of energy, even carrying a hint of cheerfulness, "President Zhou, good afternoon."

"Old Ma, how's your health?" Zhou Qingfeng cuts straight to the point.

"Me...? I'm fine." Marco is clearly baffled, "Why do you ask?"

"Uh... recently, there's a virus spreading in the United States. I just wanted to ask...

"Oh, I know, I know." Marco's tone suddenly becomes excited, "I've met quite a few Americans at the hotel, as well as some foreigners stationed in the US.

Everyone subtly mentioned that there might be an outbreak in the United States.

Sigh... I observed that quite a few people at my hotel fell ill for no apparent reason, especially the elderly. But I'm fine, fit as a fiddle, eating well, and feeling great."

Zhou Qingfeng is stunned—this is bad. Others are affected, but Marco is fine, isn't that the epitome of a super spreader?

Old Ma, Old Ma, you're still wandering aimlessly in the US capital?!