Wu Juan probably realized that her tone had been a bit off, and that she had been taking her role as a teacher too seriously, so she paused slightly, took a breath, and said, "Although I don't know the real leaders of Speedy Logistics Company, their unconventional approach to running the logistics company shows that it's definitely not something someone like Zhang Tianshun could have come up with. Moreover, they must have been operating for a long time to achieve a basic monopoly. I've heard from some people in the industry that in these wholesale markets, apart from Speedy, anyone else who wants to open a branch needs their permission. It has the characteristics of a criminal gang."
"The capital city... isn't peaceful either," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile.
"Ultimately, it's not a legitimate logistics company." Wu Juan's eyes revealed disdain and contempt for Speedy Logistics.
Xu Zhengyang smiled but didn't say anything else. In his heart, however, he was thinking, "What's the point of being legitimate? Those who quietly make a fortune are the real deal... There are plenty of companies that try to be legitimate and save face, only to end up losing everything, and they spend a fortune, don't they?"
According to Zhan Xiaohui, Wu Juan is a capable but somewhat idealistic logistics professional. She had worked in the management of a large logistics company in Beijing and was very experienced, but it was unclear why she left that company. When Zhan Xiaohui was setting up the Beijing branch, he was introduced to Wu Juan, who readily accepted the offer from Jinghui Logistics Company, with a monthly salary of only 8,000 yuan.
For Jinghui Logistics, this is like finding a treasure.
Because Zhan Xiaohui knew that while Jinghui Logistics had a prestigious reputation, it was still far from being a true logistics company, and his own approach was merely based on some previous freight experience and limited knowledge. However, after Wu Juan joined Jinghui Logistics, she immediately proposed many advanced management and operational concepts and began implementing them, with remarkable results. In Zhan Xiaohui's words, it was like farmers harvesting wheat with sickles suddenly having combine harvesters—their work efficiency increased dramatically.
Around 4 PM, at Xu Zhengyang's suggestion, Wu Juan arranged for a business manager to take Xu Zhengyang and Zhan Xiaohui to inspect the company's branches located in several wholesale markets in Beijing. Of course, under the current circumstances, all the branches were temporarily deserted, because no one wanted to wait there to be beaten, and Wu Juan did not want her employees to suffer any accidents at the moment.
In fact, the branch locations were very simple. They were just renting a room outside the wholesale market, hanging up an advertising sign, installing a telephone, and arranging for two or three people to collect goods shipped from customers in the market to Hedong Province and Fuhe City.
Xu Zhengyang, being an outsider, didn't understand these things very well, so on the surface, he only gave a cursory, symbolic inspection.
Of course, he also saw the scale of Speedy Logistics' branches outside each wholesale market, and they were indeed much larger than those of Jinghui Logistics.
On the way to the wholesale market at the zoo, Xu Zhengyang called Yu Xuan. After a few polite words, he asked Yu Xuan if he had heard of a logistics company called Speedy Logistics, which specializes in transporting goods to various wholesale markets. Yu Xuan said he didn't know about that, but Huang Chen should, because the Hongximen Clothing Market and the Qiliqiao Small Commodities Wholesale Market both belonged to Huang Chen's father's company.
Xu Zhengyang was slightly taken aback. Was his luck really that good?
I was planning to have dinner with Yu Xuan, but he's not in the capital and won't be back until the day after tomorrow. However, he said Huang Chen is in the capital. If I need anything, I can just contact Huang Chen.
After hanging up, Xu Zhengyang felt a slight admiration for Yu Xuan. He wasn't overly friendly, yet he maintained a comfortable distance; in short, his words were never annoying. Compared to Huang Chen, Yu Xuan was indeed much better in Xu Zhengyang's impression.
Just as Xu Zhengyang was about to call Huang Chen, Huang Chen called him back. Xu Zhengyang knew that Yu Xuan must have told him.
"Zhengyang, you've arrived in the capital?"
"Yeah, I was just thinking of giving you a call, Brother Huang."
"Hey, don't call me 'brother,' that's too formal. Do you have time? Come over and have a seat."
"Great! I was just thinking of asking you out for a meal."
Where are you? I'll come pick you up.
"I'll be at the Zoo Clothing Wholesale Market in a bit. You can set a time and place, and I'll come find you later."
"The zoo? It's not far. I'll head over now. Let's meet up first..."
Xu Zhengyang was both amused and exasperated. Was it really that urgent? We weren't that close yet, were we? Little did he know how deep an impression he had left on Huang Chen. Moreover, Huang Chen trusted Yu Xuan the most, which was why he treated Xu Zhengyang, this country bumpkin friend he had met through a misunderstanding, as a buddy.
Hanging up the phone, Xu Zhengyang felt a little relieved. It seemed the old saying was true: having many friends makes life easier. If he could resolve the logistics company issue without resorting to extreme measures, that would be ideal.
Of course, it doesn't matter if Huang Chen and Yu Xuan can't help.
Although this is the capital city, not Fuhe City, it's still within the territory of Hedong Province. As the current City God of Fuhe City, it's true that he can't exercise too much supernatural power outside the capital. But leading two subordinate ghost messengers to wreak havoc within Hedong Province… that's still perfectly acceptable.
Because in Hedong Province, the saying "the emperor is far away" no longer applies to Xu Zhengyang. In fact, there is no emperor at all, so who will care about his wanton behavior?
Xu Zhengyang is not an impatient person, but he is a very shrewd and calculating person.
Although he didn't know much about the situation of Jinghui Logistics Company's branch in Beijing, it was obvious that the daily expenses would not be small. The branch was located in six markets, and there was also the rent for the branch headquarters, plus the salaries of the staff, etc. How much would that cost?
The branch office, which had just started operating, was already losing money to gain publicity, and now it's basically shut down. How can that be allowed?
Therefore, Xu Zhengyang hoped to resolve these issues as soon as possible, as he couldn't let his money go to waste.
The Beijing Zoo Clothing Wholesale Market is actually located opposite the Beijing Zoo. Among the shops on the ground floor of the market building facing the street, there are several branches of logistics companies. The most prominent one is Speedy Logistics Company, while the branch of Jinghui Logistics Company is just a small shop rented on the far west side.
When he arrived, Xu Zhengyang was too lazy to go inside and look around. Anyway, there were just computers, telephones, desks and other things inside, and not a single person.
He instructed the company personnel who had accompanied him to go back, while he waited for Huang Chen outside the market.
It was already getting dark, and there were many people bustling in and out of the market, especially at the entrances of various logistics company branches, where small mountains of packages quickly piled up.
A few minutes later, a black Toyota Land Cruiser pulled up from the main road to the parking area outside the market. Huang Chen, wearing sunglasses, jumped out of the car and immediately spotted Xu Zhengyang standing next to the white Audi A4. He quickly took off his sunglasses and walked over with a smile: "Zhengyang! Haha, long time no see, long time no see!"
Xu Zhengyang smiled and shook hands with Huang Chen, saying, "Yes, it's been a while."
"Let's go, let's eat first!" Huang Chen put his arm around Xu Zhengyang's shoulder and started to leave.
"Brother, this is my brother, Chen Chaojiang. We're driving." Xu Zhengyang introduced with a smile.
"Oh?" Huang Chen then noticed the pale-faced young man standing next to him, whose cold demeanor was tinged with a hint of effeminacy. He nodded, smiled, and extended his hand. "Hello, I am Huang Chen."
Chen Chaojiang's expression remained unchanged as he extended his hand and coldly said, "Chen Chaojiang."
Huang Chen was slightly taken aback, but didn't pay much attention. He turned to Xu Zhengyang with a smile and said, "I had forgotten. You're a big boss now. Alright, get in my car, and let Brother Chaojiang drive behind us."
"Okay, but you choose the location today, and I'll treat you to dinner. Let me make this clear from the start: you'll need my help if you need anything!" Xu Zhengyang said with a smile, nodding to Chen Chaojiang as he spoke.
"What are you talking about begging for? Let's go, we'll talk when we get there!" Huang Chen put his arm around Xu Zhengyang's arm and walked towards his car.
Watching the two walk in that direction, Chen Chaojiang turned around and got into the car without saying a word.
The two cars drove away from the clothing market, one after the other.
Around 8 p.m. that evening.
The Hongximen Clothing Wholesale Market, Qiliqiao Small Commodities Wholesale Market, and two branches of Subida Logistics Company have all received notices from the market management office: due to numerous complaints from merchants regarding Subida Logistics Company's disruption of market order, forcing merchants to ship goods through them, and charging excessively high freight rates, Subida Logistics Company is required to temporarily suspend operations for rectification, with the duration undetermined.
Huo Zhendong, the general manager of Speedy Logistics, received two apologetic phone calls from market managers who told him that they were also helpless because the chairman's son had personally called to insist on driving Speedy Logistics out of the market. They said that they had already done a great deal of effort to get to this point.
Judging from the words of the two market managers, the owner of Jinghui Logistics Company, which recently entered Beijing, has a relationship with the chairman's son.
After hanging up the phone, Huo Zhendong calmly left the dining table and went into the study amidst the puzzled looks of his family.
In fact, Huo Zhendong had only heard about Jinghui Logistics Company from his subordinates and didn't have a deep impression of it. To him, every year, eight or ten of these small logistics companies would flood in, wanting to make a fortune in Beijing. But once they got involved in the wholesale market, which one of them would end up with a bad end?
Today's news didn't shock Huo Zhendong much. He'd weathered countless storms; why would he care about such a small matter? It's just that Jinghui Logistics, which had just entered the capital, was completely unaware of the city's complexities and dangers. Did they think that contacting a few people with some connections would guarantee smooth sailing? What a joke!
Huo Zhendong hadn't really worried about this matter; he could just let his subordinates handle it, since they were already familiar with how to do it. But since Jinghui Logistics Company was so inconsiderate, then Huo Zhendong wouldn't hesitate to use a slow, ruthless method to wear them down.
Thinking of this, Huo Zhendong revealed a ruthless smile, picked up the phone and dialed Huang Zhicheng's number.
Huang Zhicheng is the chairman of Yongcheng Group Co., Ltd. The Hongximen Clothing Wholesale Market and Qiliqiao Small Commodity Wholesale Market were both developed and built by Yongcheng Group ten years ago. The two markets have excellent geographical locations and booming businesses. Therefore, in recent years, Yongcheng Group has been able to generate extremely high incomes every year from the rental income of the storefronts in these two markets.
"Mr. Huang! This is Huo Zhendong."
"Oh, Brother Huo, what made you think of calling me?"
"It's good that you still remember me." Huo Zhendong sighed and said, "Who is your relative who founded Jinghui Logistics Company?"
"Jinghui Logistics? Never heard of it... What's wrong?"
"Oh, it seems your son is involved, competing with our Speedy Logistics. Just now, the managers of your two markets forcibly closed our branch, saying it was a friend of your son who opened a logistics company... I didn't mean anything by it, business is business, Speedy Logistics can't be the only one doing it, but you can't go too far like that, I've always had a bad temper..."
Huang Zhicheng was stunned for a moment, then said somewhat angrily, "My son does nothing all day long, he's probably sticking up for some worthless friend again. I'll handle this, don't worry."
"Then I thank you, Mr. Huang." Huo Zhendong hung up the phone with a cold laugh, and then called Zhang Tianshun again: "Tianshun, keep things quiet for the next few days, let Jinghui Logistics Company take over, and then deal with them in a few days."
Zhang Tianshun agreed with some slight displeasure.
Meanwhile, Huang Chen, Xu Zhengyang, and Chen Chaojiang were drinking in a private room at a hotel.
"Zhengyang, it's nothing, don't worry. Your business is my business. Come on, let's drink!" Huang Chen felt quite proud to be able to show off his strength in front of Xu Zhengyang.
"Thank you, Brother Huang, but please drink less alcohol while you're driving."
"Don't worry, I'm staying here tonight. What's there to be afraid of? Let's drink... I'll call Yu Xuan later and tell him to come back as soon as possible, even if he has to take a plane, haha."
Xu Zhengyang didn't say anything more, after all, Huang Chen had done a great favor, even if it was done too easily.
However, Xu Zhengyang knew in his heart that things would not be resolved so easily. Subida had been operating in the capital for a long time, how could it just admit defeat?
Volume Four, City God Chapter 154: Hope Lies Ahead, Preparation is Key
Words spoken are like water spilled; they can never be taken back.
Huang Chen felt incredibly embarrassed and regretted making such a boastful statement. But who would have thought that the owner of that logistics company, Speedy Logistics, would know his father, and even seem to have a good relationship with him? Because of this, his father gave him a severe scolding.
Fortunately, the other party seemed to have to give my father some face and promised not to make things difficult for Jinghui Logistics Company anymore.
This gave Huang Chen a way out, and he felt more comfortable calling Xu Zhengyang to explain.
Of course, all of this happened the next day after Xu Zhengyang returned to the Jinghui Logistics branch. When he received Huang Chen's somewhat apologetic call, Xu Zhengyang showed no dissatisfaction and politely thanked Huang Chen, saying, "We didn't intend to drive anyone away; we just wanted to avoid being bullied in business. Brother, you've already done me a great favor by doing this."
This wasn't just empty politeness. If they could achieve peaceful coexistence, keeping to themselves and their respective interests, that would naturally be Xu Zhengyang's most desired outcome. He couldn't very well send ghost messengers to run over his rivals or have them commit suicide just because they were being unfairly bullied in business, could he?
That's too ruthless and decisive. Xu Zhengyang doesn't think he's reached that level of wisdom yet.
If he actually did that, then he would neither be human nor god, but a demon or monster.
So, achieving this situation was somewhat satisfactory. Xu Zhengyang informed Wu Juan and Zhan Xiaohui that the branch company could send people to its various wholesale market locations to resume normal receiving and processing operations.
Zhan Xiaohui did not hesitate at all; if the judge said it was okay, then it was okay.
Wu Juan, however, was quite puzzled. Was this young chairman solving problems too quickly? Was he really that confident and capable? But since Xu Zhengyang was the big boss, and his tone and attitude seemed so confident, Wu Juan naturally couldn't refuse. After offering some of her own opinions, she arranged for the sales staff to re-enter the branches in various markets and resume normal operations.
So, after Jinghui Logistics Company closed its branches in various wholesale markets for four days, it reopened on the afternoon of the 18th day of the first lunar month.
However, everyone overlooked one point: even if Huo Zhendong intended to slowly and painstakingly deal with Jinghui Logistics, he only thought that Jinghui Logistics could operate in the Hongximen and Qiliqiao markets. He never expected that this favor to Huang Zhicheng would actually allow Jinghui Logistics to open its business in several markets.
They think too highly of themselves, don't they?
While Huo Zhendong was both amused and exasperated, he told his subordinates to hold off for now and not rush things. The more branches Jinghui Logistics opened, the bigger the operation would be, and the greater the losses they would ultimately suffer.
Xu Zhengyang wasn't really convinced that after all the thunder and lightning, a couple of drops of dog pee would finally bring calm and clear skies.
However, now that Huang Chen's father has spoken up, it seems that no matter how much trouble the other party wants to cause, they'll have to keep quiet for a few days. They'll at least put on a good show and give Huang Zhicheng some face, right? As for the future… it won't be that easy. If Huang Zhicheng's influence were truly that strong, he wouldn't have closed two branches of Speedy Logistics and then allowed them to operate again the very next morning, would he?
It seems... that's all there is to it, or perhaps Huang Zhicheng also owns shares in Speedy Logistics Company?
Xu Zhengyang thought indignantly that if things went that way, it would be like the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple. But it probably wouldn't be like that, otherwise Huang Chen wouldn't be so angry. If Xu Zhengyang hadn't comforted him and expressed his understanding, Huang Chen would have gone against his father's wishes and gathered a group of people to smash up the branch of Speedy Logistics in order to save face.
Therefore, Xu Zhengyang felt it necessary to plan ahead and make proper preparations. Ideally, nothing would happen, but if something did, it could be nipped in the bud to avoid unnecessary losses.
You have to understand, half of every penny lost was Xu Zhengyang's responsibility!
Around 4 PM, just as Xu Zhengyang was wondering why Li Bingjie hadn't arrived in Beijing yet and whether he should call to ask, Li Chengzong called to say that they had arrived in Beijing that morning, but some things had come up and they couldn't see Xu Zhengyang for the next few days. He apologized and said that if Xu Zhengyang was busy, they could talk again after returning to Fuhe City.
Xu Zhengyang smiled and nodded in agreement, but a sinister thought suddenly flashed through his mind. If Speedy Logistics Company were to cause trouble again in the future, should he bring Li Bingjie and Li Chengzong over to work at one of his company's branches in a certain market, letting those fools provoke Li Bingjie? The consequences… Xu Zhengyang shuddered. Damn, that's incredibly exciting! Wouldn't he have to dig up every last ancestor of Speedy Logistics Company and thoroughly exterminate them, even to the point of desecrating their corpses?
Despite his thoughts, Xu Zhengyang was not inclined to put on such a show of humility. What a joke, that the mighty City God of Fuhe would rely on women for a living.
The afternoon passed peacefully. Although a few men with menacing expressions occasionally uttered some harsh words as a show of force when they approached the branch offices or saw Jinghui Logistics' staff, no conflicts occurred.
By evening, the goods received from the various branches, including those from Hedong Provincial Capital and Fuhe City, had just filled half a truck. Adding some loose shipments and a few large shipments gathered online, it was enough to fill a large truck. However, being a newly established logistics company, it wasn't yet bustling with activity. The sales staff, personally selected by Wu Juan, were exceptionally capable, and achieving this level of success was already quite impressive.
Wu Juan said with some relief, "If I can collect this half-truckload of less-than-truckload (LTL) goods every day, I can at least break even and avoid losing money."
This statement surprised Xu Zhengyang again. Good heavens, the profit margin is that high? He had specifically inquired about the branch office's average daily expenses in Beijing that day—rent, personnel costs, and vehicle expenses—and it came to a whopping three thousand yuan a day! Wow. If they collected a whole truckload of less-than-truckload (LTL) cargo in a day, or even three to five truckloads… how much profit could they make? However, Zhan Xiaohui quickly informed him that they were actually losing money to gain market share, because the branch office in the provincial capital of Hebei hadn't yet turned a profit. Furthermore, LTL freight transportation relies heavily on integrity and efficiency; even if you only receive one shipment with a freight fee of ten yuan, you still have to ship it on the same day.