Chen Chaojiang lowered his head in thought, pondering the meaning of Xu Zhengyang's words.
"You help me, and I'll help you..." Xu Zhengyang explained with a smile.
"Oh." Chen Chaojiang understood. In this world, it wasn't difficult for Xu Zhengyang to find out what someone was doing in private, because... there were ghosts!
Xu Zhengyang leaned back in his chair and sighed, saying, "We were too naive before. These things can't be done in a short time, so we'll have to let Huo Zhendong keep going for a few more days. Poor him, haha."
Chen Chaojiang nodded. Now he finally understood that Xu Zhengyang's delay in dealing with Huo Zhendong wasn't because he had too many concerns, was too kind-hearted, or wanted to play with Huo Zhendong for thrills. Rather, he was using Huo Zhendong and Subida Logistics to give Xu Zhengyang and Jinghui Logistics enough time to prepare everything before taking over Subida Logistics' business. Only then would he bring down Subida Logistics and Huo Zhendong, thus preventing such a large market from being given away to others.
"So you had already thought of this. No wonder."
"That's right!"
"I admire you."
"No, no..."
Volume Four, City God Chapter 165: Speak Your Mind, No Pretense
Xu Zhengyang knew absolutely nothing about the logistics industry. He didn't know how to operate or manage it, and he didn't even understand what a limited liability company or joint-stock company was or what registered capital was.
Yet this very person, a guy with an extreme lack of knowledge and experience who is completely ignorant, is the chairman of Jinghui Logistics Company. He casually takes out millions of his family's savings to invest, to expand the scale of business, and to think about making a lot of money so that one day he can become a wealthy and powerful man.
Normally, someone who would do something like this is either a spendthrift rich kid or someone who's been fooled into thinking they're crazy. But Xu Zhengyang didn't come from a wealthy family where people had so much money they didn't know how to spend it, and no one tricked or forced him. Yet he actually did it, and no one who knew Xu Zhengyang thought what he did was foolish; on the contrary, they thought it was perfectly reasonable.
Of course, as Jinghui Logistics' first true logistics professional and manager, Wu Juan still didn't know Xu Zhengyang's family background. She didn't bother to inquire; she felt it unnecessary. From Xu Zhengyang's daily words and actions, he seemed like someone without higher education and little social experience. Of course, Wu Juan didn't know that appearances truly reflected reality; however, in Wu Juan's eyes, this young chairman was composed, confident, generous, and approachable… He must have grown up in a wealthy family, perhaps influenced by their environment or inherited good genes, coupled with a powerful background to be able to act this way, right?
As for the appearance, it is probably due to his personal preferences and personality.
Regardless, Wu Juan had a very good impression of Xu Zhengyang and was somewhat grateful because he trusted her. As for Xu Zhengyang's self-deprecating yet true remark, "I'm lazy and don't know anything, so I'll leave these things to you," Wu Juan didn't take it seriously at all. This is what a truly capable, confident, and competent leader should do! A leader who does everything personally isn't necessarily an excellent leader.
Wu Juan's work enthusiasm has been increasing in recent days. In addition to doing a good job in the current operation of the company, she has been contacting some friends in the logistics industry whom she knew before, trying to recruit them to work for Jinghui Logistics. At the same time, she has also begun to recruit more business and staff.
Zhan Xiaohui was extremely busy, driving back and forth between more than twenty cities to select branch locations and warehouses, and contacting Wu Juan to arrange suitable staff...
As a result, their hard work didn't escape the notice of Xu Zhengyang, the chairman who was essentially a hands-off manager. He commented, "Could you go a little faster? You're being a bit slow!"
Zhan Xiaohui and Wu Juan had no complaints; on the contrary, they put even more pressure on themselves, which motivated them to work even harder.
At Jinghui Logistics General Company in Fuhe City, Deng Wenjing also began to relocate vehicles that used to run long-distance routes, declining some long-distance transportation business and freeing up more than a dozen large freight trucks to be allocated to the Beijing branch, in preparation for the company's business expansion.
But……
Xu Zhengyang still felt it was too slow. By the time everything was arranged, when would it be the end of the world?
Even if we can't wait, we have to wait! There's no other way. At the same time, we need to open up outlets in more than 20 cities, and we also need to expand several times in Beijing. We need to add more than 140 staff members, purchase vehicles, arrange warehouses, office space, and so on. All of this cannot be done in ten days or half a month.
Funding wasn't an issue for Xu Zhengyang. Although he didn't have much money, he wasn't particularly concerned and was willing to invest. While he didn't understand business management, he was good with numbers and could see the potential profits. He wasn't afraid of losing money or being scammed. So why wouldn't he do it?
If the company still can't develop smoothly and eventually goes bankrupt...
Well, well... at worst we can just go back to Fuhe City, start all over again, and launch a treasure hunt.
Standing beneath the national map on the wall, looking at the more than twenty cities marked in red, Xu Zhengyang said cheerfully, "Chaojiang, you can't really just wash your hands of things from now on. You'll have to visit these branches from time to time, punish those that need to be punished, close those that need to be closed, and... crack down on those that need to be cracked down on! As for how to run them and make money, that's not your responsibility, and you're not good at it anyway."
"Mm," Chen Chaojiang nodded in response.
Xu Zhengyang turned to look at Chen Chaojiang, his right hand lightly tracing lines on the map, and said, "Tell me, when will our Jinghui Logistics Company be able to open branches in major cities across the country?"
"I don't know," Chen Chaojiang answered honestly, simply and directly.
"I don't know either." Xu Zhengyang said something that almost made Chen Chaojiang so frustrated he wanted to vomit blood.
Xu Zhengyang wasn't really sure when he could achieve that. He'd always been self-aware, and still retained a strong, indelible peasant mentality, the shrewdness, caution, and calculating nature of a small business owner. Right now, outside of Hedong Province, he wasn't confident he could do anything. Was he really going to rely on his superior martial arts skills to fight his way into becoming a gangster boss? Clearly, he wasn't foolish enough to do that covertly.
That is, the capital city is located in the middle of Hedong Province. Just like when he was a clerk, although Futou Town belonged to Fuhe City, it was within the territory of Cixian County, so it was within the reach of his supernatural powers.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so foolish as to come to a place like the capital and fight to the death with the local bullies.
Xu Zhengyang didn't know what position he would hold after his next promotion, but he knew he would be in charge of a larger area, which would allow him to further expand the company. As for when he would be promoted again, nobody knew, not even heaven, earth, ghosts, humans, or gods; that damned Cheng Juan had always remained silent on the matter.
"Why are you so busy with all this?" Chen Chaojiang suddenly asked a question that sounded like a pointless question.
However, Xu Zhengyang understood Chen Chaojiang's meaning. With his current income and savings, he didn't seem to lack money at all. A few million was enough for him to live on for several lifetimes, and he would live very well. Why bother worrying and getting tired of these things? Moreover, in the normal person's understanding, and according to the clues from that piece of junk, City Scroll, you are already a god. Why would you still be greedy for such worldly things as money?
Xu Zhengyang didn't know how to explain it to Chen Chaojiang in a way that would make sense. He couldn't just say that he wanted to be a great, bright, and holy god, to serve the people, to make the world a better place, and to do great things, so he needed more money, could he?
"Hmm..." Xu Zhengyang pondered for a moment and said, "When the road is difficult, money is the horse; when the city is in trouble, wine is the army..."
"Zhengyang, you've graduated from junior high school," Chen Chaojiang reminded him.
"Oh." Xu Zhengyang paused for a moment, then laughed and punched Chen Chaojiang on the shoulder, cursing, "Get lost! So what if you only graduated from junior high? Can't you spout some half-baked nonsense now and then? Fine, fine. Money makes things easier, the more money you have, the easier it is to get things done. I'm greedy for fame, I'm after profit, I want my family and friends to live a better life, okay?"
Chen Chaojiang nodded: "Yes, that's the truth."
"Hold……"
...
In the villa where Huo Zhendong lives in Wuhua Community, less than ten kilometers from Jinghui Logistics Company.
Huo Zhendong sat on the sofa, his eyes slightly darkened, his expression grim and somewhat frightening. In his youth, he was a daring, ruthless, and cunning man, prone to taking risks. Since starting his logistics company, he had become much more cautious and timid, even preparing for many potential unforeseen circumstances. For example, his family had all immigrated abroad, and he traveled overseas every year, transferring most of his money there as well.
At the same time, he no longer enjoys fighting and killing, and he will no longer take those who are of similar or even stronger than him seriously. He no longer expands his power or sphere of influence. He is content with his monopoly on the transportation of goods in several large wholesale markets in the capital, making money peacefully. Although he occasionally lets his subordinates use some violent means, it is only to consolidate his territory and deter other guys who covet his territory.
So he has lived a very happy and peaceful life all these years.
He was also enjoying himself, and the anger and violence in his heart gradually faded and faded away... But recent events seemed to have made him realize a simple truth: if you don't move forward, you fall behind. He had actually been dragged into this difficult situation by an outsider.
He's not afraid of both sides resorting to violence in a head-on fight; he has the capability to do so.
But what he feared was the true background of the other party. Perhaps he wouldn't even have the chance to take a desperate gamble, and the other party's methods were too bizarre, causing Zhang Tianshun to suddenly lose control and drive like a madman to commit suicide; causing two ruthless and cold-blooded killers to become so neurotically arrogant that they brandished guns in front of the police at the police station...
Huo Zhendong even worried many times that his super bodyguard Da Peng might suddenly attack and strangle him to death in the living room.
That's why he reluctantly abandoned his idea of fighting Jinghui Logistics in his anger and chose to negotiate.
But the other party showed absolutely no intention of negotiating. They first offered a polite promise to talk in a few days. Then, instead of remaining silent, they made quite a fuss. Good heavens, Jinghui Logistics appeared in every city that Speedy Logistics covered, and it seemed they were indeed setting up branch offices. Their business in Beijing was booming, and several of Speedy Logistics' original staff had even defected. Clearly, they were openly determined to fight Speedy Logistics to the death. Yet, there was still no sign of them sitting down to talk.
Huo Zhendong felt that this was pushing him to the brink of despair, was it really going to be a fight to the death?
He picked up the phone, hesitated for a moment, and decided against asking Huang Zhicheng to mediate and make peace. What would become of Huo Zhendong's reputation if he did that? He dialed Xu Zhengyang's number:
"Brother Xu, hello."
"Mr. Huo, that's just empty talk. Do you really expect me to be doing well?"
"Just polite talk."
"Oh, Mr. Huo, hello to you too."
"I'm not good, I'm really not good."
"I'm fine, very fine."
"you……"
...
Huo Zhendong angrily mentally judged Xu Zhengyang: 1. Really bad at speaking; 2. Too arrogant; 3. Shameless…
Xu Zhengyang's thinking was simple: Why should I bother with your polite formalities? If I want to ruin you, send you to prison, or even kill you, why pretend to be a good person?
"Brother Xu, can we meet and talk?"
What should we talk about?
"Some things don't need to be blown out of proportion to a life-or-death struggle. Leave room for maneuver and don't go to extremes."
"Trying to scare me?"
"I'm just reminding Brother Xu that having strength doesn't always guarantee victory. Why risk a lose-lose situation?"
"Oh, Mr. Huo, you finally understand this principle."
"you……"
...
How can we continue the conversation after saying all this?
Huo Zhendong hung up the phone and said through gritted teeth, "Dapeng, come with me to Jinghui Logistics Company and meet this Xu Zhengyang!"
“Okay.” Dapeng agreed without any hesitation.
Watching Dapeng walk out the door and stand next to the Mercedes, Huo Zhendong, who was still sitting on the sofa and hesitant to get up, suddenly found Dapeng quite adorable, adorably foolish. How come he still didn't feel anything was amiss, that he should be somewhat fearful or afraid? Could it be that he's really become bolder because of his skill?
After thinking for a while, Huo Zhendong went upstairs to his study, took out a pistol from a drawer, and loaded it with bullets.
Just in case, or rather, if we can't reach an agreement, let's just kill him! Then leave, even if we don't stay in the country, we have to save face. We can't let our lifelong reputation end up being trampled underfoot.
Huo Zhendong thought bitterly, changed his clothes, put on a black overcoat, and went out.
As Da Peng drove, he looked at Huo Zhendong, who sat calmly in the back seat, through the rearview mirror, and admired him for his true demeanor as a big shot.
The black Mercedes-Benz quickly arrived at the gate of Jinghui Logistics Company and drove into the yard without any obstruction, stopping in front of the row of offices.
With a pale face and icy eyes, Chen Chaojiang stood at the office door, staring coldly at the people in the car.
The busy employees in the courtyard looked over in surprise, but didn't think much of it. They figured it was probably a new client visiting the company.
Da Peng got out of the car, opened the door, and Huo Zhendong, dressed in a black overcoat, stepped out of the car with an air of elegance. He glanced at the ordinary bungalow office and then walked towards the door that read "General Manager's Office".
Then, Chen Chaojiang stepped down the steps and stood in front of Huo Zhendong, without saying a word, just staring at him coldly.
Huo Zhendong smiled and said, "I'm looking for Xu Zhengyang."
Chen Chaojiang tilted his head slightly, then turned to look at the ordinary office on the east side that didn't have any sign, and said coldly, "In that office."
"Oh, okay." Huo Zhendong was slightly puzzled, but didn't say anything more and walked towards the office.
Da Peng was a step slower, and looked at Chen Chaojiang with a cold smile and a hint of amusement, saying, "You are Chen Chaojiang?"
"right."
"You're really good at fighting?"
Chen Chaojiang ignored him and turned to walk towards his office.
Da Peng's face turned cold, and he stared angrily at Chen Chaojiang's back. He watched the man enter the office before following him. Little did he know that Chen Chaojiang was already inwardly scorning him: This bodyguard is fucking incompetent. Doesn't he fear that the boss will be shoved over his head and beaten with sticks and bricks the moment he enters the office?
Volume 4, City God Chapter 166: I'll Fight!
He finally met Xu Zhengyang and Chen Chaojiang. Huo Zhendong couldn't help but frown, a hint of doubt rising in his heart. Were these the two young men?
Isn't that a bit too young?
Huo Zhendong felt utterly humiliated once again...