The air in the Jiang family office was electric with anticipation. The team, though small, had grown into a tight-knit group. Jiang Han stood at the head of the table, addressing everyone with his usual calm authority. His younger brother, Jiang Yu, sat nearby, diligently taking notes.
"We've handled Hafiy's sabotage attempts and proven our reliability to Tan Industries," Jiang Han began. "But we can't rest on our laurels. Hafiy Zafran won't stop here, and neither can we."
The group nodded in agreement, the weight of their task evident on their faces. Jiang Han's words carried not just caution but a rallying cry.
As Jiang Han returned to his desk, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
System Notification:
New Mission: Secure Strategic Alliances
Objective: Form partnerships with at least three mid-sized enterprises within the next two weeks.
Reward: Advanced Negotiation Skills
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Decreased trust among potential allies.
Jiang Han read the notification twice, his mind already racing. He knew that alliances were key to outpacing Zafran Logistics. Building a network of reliable partners would not only expand their reach but also shield them from future attacks.
He called Jiang Yu over. "Yu, I need a list of mid-sized companies in Petraling Jaya. Focus on those dissatisfied with larger logistics firms."
Jiang Yu nodded. "Ge, I'll have it ready by this afternoon."
Later that day, Jiang Han walked into the modest office of Farah Textiles. The company had a solid reputation but was struggling due to rising costs and unreliable logistics partners.
He was greeted by the company's owner, Puan Farah Ali. A shrewd woman in her late fifties, she scrutinised Jiang Han with sharp eyes. "Mr Jiang, I've heard about your recent success with Tan Industries. What brings you to my door?"
Jiang Han smiled warmly. "Puan Farah, I believe we can offer you the reliability and personalised service you've been missing. Our size allows us to adapt to your specific needs without the bureaucratic delays of larger firms."
She raised an eyebrow. "And how do I know your company won't falter under pressure?"
Jiang Han leaned forward slightly, his tone earnest. "I won't deny that we're a growing business, but that's precisely why we're hungry to prove ourselves. Every client matters to us, Puan Farah. Give us one shipment, and I promise you won't regret it."
After a moment's pause, she nodded. "Very well. But if you fail, don't expect a second chance."
Jiang Han's next stop was Yusoff Electronics, a mid-sized company known for its precision instruments. The CEO, Mr Yusoff Kamal, was a no-nonsense businessman with a reputation for being hard to impress.
The meeting began on a tense note. Mr Yusoff was sceptical of Jiang Han's youth and relative inexperience. "Why should I entrust my shipments to you, Mr Jiang, when established firms have struggled to meet my standards?"
Jiang Han remained calm. "Because we're not just another logistics company, Mr Yusoff. We're problem solvers. Tell me about the issues you've faced, and I'll show you how we can address them."
The CEO's expression softened slightly. "Fine. My shipments often require specialised handling and precise scheduling. Larger firms treat my goods like any other cargo, which leads to damage and delays."
Jiang Han nodded thoughtfully. "What you need is a tailored approach. We can assign a dedicated team to oversee your shipments, ensuring they're handled with the care and precision they deserve."
After a lengthy discussion, Mr Yusoff agreed to a trial run. "I'll hold you to your word, Mr Jiang. If you succeed, we'll talk about a long-term partnership."
The third company on Jiang Han's list was Mei Ling & Sons, a family-owned business specialising in imported spices. Unlike the other targets, this company was wary of logistics firms due to past betrayals.
When Jiang Han arrived at their warehouse, he was met by Madam Mei Ling herself. A petite yet formidable woman in her sixties, she wasted no time with pleasantries. "Young man, I've dealt with enough smooth talkers to know better. Why should I trust you?"
Jiang Han didn't flinch under her piercing gaze. "Madam Mei, I'm not here to sell you empty promises. I'm here to earn your trust. Let me handle one of your most critical shipments. If I fail, I'll personally cover the losses."
Her eyes narrowed. "That's a bold offer. Are you sure you can deliver?"
"Absolutely," Jiang Han replied, his voice steady.
After a moment's consideration, she nodded. "Fine. But one mistake, and you're out."
Unbeknownst to Jiang Han, Hafiy Zafran had caught wind of his new alliances. Determined to undermine him, Hafiy ordered his team to target Farah Textiles, Yusoff Electronics, and Mei Ling & Sons with lucrative offers and aggressive tactics.
Hafiy's assistant, Faizal, hesitated. "Sir, these companies are already leaning towards Jiang Han. It might be difficult to sway them."
Hafiy's expression darkened. "Difficult doesn't mean impossible. Increase the offers and find ways to discredit Jiang Han. If we can't win them over, we'll make them regret choosing him."
As Jiang Han prepared for the trial shipments, he received a call from Puan Farah. "Mr Jiang, I've just been approached by Zafran Logistics. They've offered me lower rates and additional perks. Why should I stick with you?"
Jiang Han's mind raced, but his voice remained calm. "Puan Farah, lower rates mean nothing if the service is unreliable. You've already experienced the pitfalls of larger firms. We offer something they can't—dedication and accountability. If we fail, we lose everything, which is why we won't."
Her tone softened. "You make a compelling case, Mr Jiang. I'll honour our agreement, but don't let me down."
Similar calls came from Mr Yusoff and Madam Mei Ling, but Jiang Han's unwavering confidence and strategic arguments reassured them.
Over the next week, Jiang Han's team worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the trial shipments. Every detail was meticulously planned, from route optimisation to real-time tracking.
When the shipments were completed without a hitch, Jiang Han received confirmation from all three companies.
System Notification:
Mission Complete: Secure Strategic Alliances
Reward: Advanced Negotiation Skills
Bonus Reward: Trust Network Skill (Intermediate)
Jiang Han smiled as he read the notifications. Their hard work had paid off, but he knew this was just the beginning.
Jiang Han leaned back in his chair, the faint glow of the system's notification still lingering in his mind. The reward for securing strategic alliances had been sweeter than expected. Not only had he received the promised Advanced Negotiation Skill, but the unexpected Trust Network Skill now unlocked avenues he hadn't considered before.
He turned to Jiang Yu, who was poring over shipment data. "Yu, our new partnerships with Farah Textiles, Yusoff Electronics, and Mei Ling & Sons will stabilise the business for now. But Zafran Logistics won't let this slide. Hafiy Zafran is already trying to sabotage us."
Jiang Yu glanced up, his pen tapping rhythmically against the table. "Ge, Hafiy's counter-moves are predictable but dangerous. He has the resources to push smaller companies to the brink if they stand against him."
"Which is why we need to outthink him, not outspend him," Jiang Han said firmly. "We'll use his overconfidence against him. Make his actions backfire and let the damage ripple through his reputation."
Jiang Han knew that to outmanoeuvre Hafiy, he needed precise information about Zafran Logistics' next moves. He decided to pay a visit to their shared contacts in the logistics industry, individuals who held no direct loyalty to either party but thrived on insider knowledge.
One such contact was Mr Lim Hock Seng, a veteran logistics consultant known for his discretion and sharp business acumen. Jiang Han arranged a meeting at a quiet café, choosing a table tucked into a corner for privacy.
Mr Lim greeted him with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Jiang Han, I must say, your rise has been... fascinating to watch."
Jiang Han returned the smile. "I've been fortunate to have good people around me. But you didn't agree to meet just for flattery, Mr Lim."
Lim chuckled, leaning forward. "You're sharp. I like that. Let me guess—you want information on Zafran Logistics?"
Jiang Han nodded. "Their recent tactics against our new partners seem calculated. I need to know what they're planning next."
Lim sipped his tea thoughtfully. "Hafiy's father, Dato' Seri Zainuddin, is rumoured to be involved in brokering an exclusive deal with an international supplier. If that happens, Zafran Logistics could undercut nearly every mid-sized logistics firm in the region."
The weight of Lim's words settled heavily between them. An exclusive deal of that magnitude would be catastrophic for Jiang Han's burgeoning enterprise.
"Thank you for the insight, Mr Lim," Jiang Han said, his expression calm despite the storm brewing inside. "I'll handle it from here."
Lim smirked. "I'm curious to see how you'll pull this one off."
Jiang Han leaned back in his chair, the faint glow of the system's notification still lingering in his mind. The reward for securing strategic alliances had been sweeter than expected. Not only had he received the promised Advanced Negotiation Skill, but the unexpected Trust Network Skill now unlocked avenues he hadn't considered before.
He turned to Jiang Yu, who was poring over shipment data. "Yu, our new partnerships with Farah Textiles, Yusoff Electronics, and Mei Ling & Sons will stabilise the business for now. But Zafran Logistics won't let this slide. Hafiy Zafran is already trying to sabotage us."
Jiang Yu glanced up, his pen tapping rhythmically against the table. "Ge, Hafiy's counter-moves are predictable but dangerous. He has the resources to push smaller companies to the brink if they stand against him."
"Which is why we need to outthink him, not outspend him," Jiang Han said firmly. "We'll use his overconfidence against him. Make his actions backfire and let the damage ripple through his reputation."
Jiang Han knew that to outmanoeuvre Hafiy, he needed precise information about Zafran Logistics' next moves. He decided to pay a visit to their shared contacts in the logistics industry, individuals who held no direct loyalty to either party but thrived on insider knowledge.
One such contact was Mr Lim Hock Seng, a veteran logistics consultant known for his discretion and sharp business acumen. Jiang Han arranged a meeting at a quiet café, choosing a table tucked into a corner for privacy.
Mr Lim greeted him with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Jiang Han, I must say, your rise has been... fascinating to watch."
Jiang Han returned the smile. "I've been fortunate to have good people around me. But you didn't agree to meet just for flattery, Mr Lim."
Lim chuckled, leaning forward. "You're sharp. I like that. Let me guess—you want information on Zafran Logistics?"
Jiang Han nodded. "Their recent tactics against our new partners seem calculated. I need to know what they're planning next."
Lim sipped his tea thoughtfully. "Hafiy's father, Dato' Seri Zainuddin, is rumoured to be involved in brokering an exclusive deal with an international supplier. If that happens, Zafran Logistics could undercut nearly every mid-sized logistics firm in the region."
The weight of Lim's words settled heavily between them. An exclusive deal of that magnitude would be catastrophic for Jiang Han's burgeoning enterprise.
"Thank you for the insight, Mr Lim," Jiang Han said, his expression calm despite the storm brewing inside. "I'll handle it from here."
Lim smirked. "I'm curious to see how you'll pull this one off."
Jiang Han returned to the office and called a meeting with his team, including Jiang Yu. He explained the situation and laid out a plan to counter Zafran Logistics' potential monopoly.
"We need to pre-empt their deal," Jiang Han said, his tone resolute. "But not by matching their offer. Instead, we'll present a more sustainable and cooperative model to the same international supplier."
Jiang Yu furrowed his brow. "Ge, that's a bold move. If it doesn't work—"
"It will work," Jiang Han interrupted. "We'll highlight the risks of exclusivity and offer them access to a broader network of partners. They'll earn more in the long term by working with multiple firms rather than putting all their eggs in Zafran's basket."
Securing a meeting with the international supplier, Worldwide Cargo Nexus (WCN), wasn't easy. It required leveraging Jiang Han's new Trust Network Skill and reaching out to contacts who could vouch for his reliability.
The meeting took place in a sleek conference room in downtown Petraling Jaya. Jiang Han faced a panel of WCN executives, their expressions cool and professional.
The lead negotiator, a woman named Ms Seraphina Welles, spoke first. "Mr Jiang, we've heard about your company's recent success. But let's be clear—we're close to finalising an exclusive deal with Zafran Logistics. What can you possibly offer that they can't?"
Jiang Han met her gaze steadily. "Stability and growth. Exclusivity may seem profitable in the short term, but it ties your fortunes to a single company. If Zafran Logistics stumbles, so will your operations in this region. By working with us and other mid-sized firms, you diversify your risk while maintaining consistent returns."
Seraphina arched an eyebrow. "And how do you guarantee that consistency?"
Jiang Han smiled. "Through transparency and collaboration. We're building a network of partners who prioritise mutual success over dominance. WCN will not only gain reliable logistics support but also access to emerging markets that Zafran Logistics overlooks."
The room fell silent as the executives exchanged glances. Seraphina finally spoke. "You make a compelling case, Mr Jiang. We'll review your proposal and get back to you within a week."
As Jiang Han awaited WCN's decision, Hafiy Zafran made his move. He spread rumours that Jiang Han's company was struggling financially, hoping to undermine the confidence of their partners.
The rumours reached Puan Farah, Mr Yusoff, and Madam Mei Ling, but Jiang Han quickly dispelled them with transparency. He invited all three clients to visit his operations and see firsthand the efficiency and dedication of his team.
The visits not only reassured his clients but also strengthened their loyalty.
Meanwhile, WCN contacted Jiang Han with unexpected news.
System Notification:
Negotiation Success: Worldwide Cargo Nexus (WCN) Deal Secured
Reward: Advanced Logistics Skill
Bonus Reward: Reputation Boost (Regional)
Jiang Han grinned as he read the notification. The deal not only secured WCN's support but also delivered a devastating blow to Hafiy's ambitions.
Hafiy's exclusive deal fell apart as WCN announced its partnership with Jiang Han's company and other mid-sized firms. The news spread quickly, damaging Zafran Logistics' reputation and shaking their clients' confidence.
Jiang Han took the opportunity to solidify his alliances, ensuring his company's continued growth and resilience.