Jiang Han stood on the balcony of his office, the city of Petaling Jaya sprawling out before him. The skyline was a stark reminder of both the opportunities and dangers that awaited him. His recent success with Dato' Seri Zainuddin had been a crucial victory, but it also painted a target on his back. Rivals like Hafiy Zafran were unlikely to stay silent after their failed attempts at sabotage. Jiang Han could feel the pressure mounting, but instead of fear, he felt invigorated. The game was just beginning.
"Ge," Jiang Yu called from inside the office, interrupting his thoughts. "You need to see this."
Jiang Han stepped inside and found Jiang Yu hunched over his laptop, a frown etched on his face. On the screen was a report detailing a series of coordinated delays and logistical issues affecting their new supply chain routes. Jiang Han's eyes narrowed.
"Let me guess," Jiang Han said, his voice calm but firm. "Hafiy's handiwork?"
"Most likely," Jiang Yu replied. "The patterns are too deliberate. Someone is paying off our partners to create bottlenecks."
Jiang Han leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "He's trying to chip away at our credibility, slow us down before we gain more traction."
"Ge, we can't let this go unchecked," Jiang Yu insisted. "What's the plan?"
Jiang Han smirked. "If Hafiy wants a war, he'll get one. But first, we need to uncover his accomplices."
As Jiang Han strategised, the familiar chime of the Begging System resonated in his mind.
System Notification:
Mission: Expose and Neutralise Hafiy's Sabotage Network
Objective: Identify Hafiy's collaborators and cut off their influence.
Reward: Strategic Acumen Skill
Bonus Hidden Reward: ???
Failure Consequence: Loss of trust from key partners.
Jiang Han's lips curled into a determined smile. "System, you always know how to keep me entertained."
"Yu," Jiang Han said, his voice resolute. "Start gathering intel on anyone linked to these delays. I want a full profile of Hafiy's network."
"Got it, Ge," Jiang Yu replied, already tapping away on his laptop.
Later that evening, Jiang Han received a call from an unknown number. He hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Jiang Han speaking."
"Good evening, Mr Jiang," a smooth, unfamiliar voice replied. "This is Syed Fariz. I believe we've crossed paths at a few industry events."
Jiang Han's eyes narrowed. Syed Fariz was the son of Syed Azlan Shah, a powerful and well-connected figure in the logistics industry. Their family's influence rivalled Hafiy's, making them an unexpected player in this unfolding drama.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr Syed?" Jiang Han asked cautiously.
"I have information that might interest you," Syed Fariz said, his tone calm but firm. "But such information doesn't come for free."
Jiang Han chuckled. "Nothing ever does. Let's hear it."
"Hafiy has been making moves to disrupt your operations," Syed Fariz revealed. "I've been approached by some of his people, offering me a slice of the pie if I joined his efforts against you."
"And you're telling me this because…?" Jiang Han prompted.
"Because I find Hafiy's arrogance insufferable," Syed Fariz admitted. "And because I believe we could benefit from an understanding."
Jiang Han's mind raced. Aligning with Syed Fariz was a risky move, but it could also turn the tide in his favour.
"What do you want in return?" Jiang Han asked.
"Consider this a gesture of goodwill," Syed Fariz replied. "But should our paths align again, I'll expect your cooperation."
"Deal," Jiang Han said without hesitation. "Send me what you have."
With Syed Fariz's information in hand, Jiang Han and Jiang Yu worked tirelessly to connect the dots. The data pointed to a web of middlemen, compromised partners, and bribed officials, all orchestrated by Hafiy.
"This is more intricate than I thought," Jiang Yu said, his brow furrowed as he studied the connections. "Hafiy's not just throwing money around—he's leveraging his family's influence."
"That's what makes him dangerous," Jiang Han replied. "But it also makes him predictable. If we can expose his methods, his network will crumble."
Jiang Han's plan was simple but bold. By feeding false information to Hafiy's collaborators, they would create confusion and mistrust within his ranks. At the same time, Jiang Han would leverage his growing network of allies to tighten his grip on the industry.
A week later, Jiang Han found himself at a high-profile industry conference. The event was a prime opportunity to showcase Jiang Logistics' capabilities, but it also brought him face-to-face with Hafiy Zafran.
"Jiang Han," Hafiy greeted, his tone dripping with feigned politeness. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Why not?" Jiang Han replied smoothly. "This is where the real players gather, after all."
Hafiy's smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Enjoy your moment in the spotlight, Jiang. It won't last."
"We'll see about that," Jiang Han said, his confidence unwavering.
As Hafiy walked away, Jiang Yu approached with a sly grin. "Ge, our little misinformation campaign is working. Hafiy's people are turning on each other."
Jiang Han nodded. "Good. Let's make sure it stays that way."
By the end of the conference, Jiang Han's strategy had paid off. Hafiy's network was in disarray, and Jiang Logistics had secured several lucrative contracts. The Begging System chimed once again.
System Notification:
Mission Complete: Expose and Neutralise Hafiy's Sabotage Network
Reward: Strategic Acumen Skill
Bonus Hidden Reward: Introduction to Syed Azlan Shah
Jiang Han's eyes widened at the bonus reward. An introduction to Syed Azlan Shah could open doors he hadn't even considered.
"Ge, what's next?" Jiang Yu asked, his excitement evident.
Jiang Han smiled. "Next, we solidify our position. Hafiy won't recover from this easily, but we can't afford to rest on our laurels."
Jiang Han reclined in his chair, allowing a rare moment of satisfaction. His strategy had gone smoother than he anticipated. Hafiy Zafran's tightly woven web of influence was beginning to unravel, and the chaos among his collaborators was visible. The industry conference had been a perfect stage to demonstrate Jiang Logistics' resilience, but the battle was far from over. Jiang Han knew Hafiy wouldn't sit idly by. He was a wounded beast now—dangerous and desperate.
"Ge," Jiang Yu called, breaking Jiang Han's thoughts. He entered the office, holding a manila folder with a grave expression. "There's more."
"What is it?" Jiang Han straightened, his tone sharp.
Jiang Yu placed the folder on the desk. "I dug deeper into the bribes Hafiy distributed. It's worse than we thought. His reach extends to key figures in the government's regulatory department. They've been turning a blind eye to his violations."
Jiang Han's expression darkened. This revelation explained Hafiy's long-standing dominance. If the authorities were compromised, it wasn't just about business rivalries anymore. Hafiy's actions were undermining the entire logistics sector in Malayuna.
"This changes things," Jiang Han said, his voice low but resolute. "If we don't root out his influence, he'll recover and come back stronger."
Later that day, Jiang Han met with Syed Fariz at a private lounge. Syed, despite his casual demeanour, had a calculating look in his eyes.
"You didn't call me here for small talk, did you?" Syed asked, sipping his coffee.
Jiang Han smirked. "You're quick to the point, Syed. I admire that."
Syed leaned back, intrigued. "What's on your mind?"
Jiang Han slid a document across the table. "Hafiy's bribery network. It's bigger than we imagined. I need someone with your connections to help expose it."
Syed scanned the document, but his expression was unreadable. "And why should I stick my neck out for this? Hafiy may be insufferable, but stirring up a storm in government circles isn't exactly appealing."
"Because Hafiy's tactics threaten the industry's integrity," Jiang Han countered. "If he succeeds, his methods will become the norm. That's bad for everyone, including you."
Syed chuckled. "You've got a way with words, Jiang. Fine. I'll help. But this favour won't come cheap."
"Name your price," Jiang Han said, unwavering.
"Keep me in the loop for your future ventures," Syed said. "I have a feeling working with you could be… profitable."
"Deal," Jiang Han said without hesitation.
The next phase of Jiang Han's plan involved gathering irrefutable evidence of Hafiy's corruption. Jiang Yu worked tirelessly, coordinating with Syed Fariz's contacts to secure key documents and testimonies. Meanwhile, Jiang Han reached out to independent journalists known for their integrity.
"Ge, this is risky," Jiang Yu said one evening. "If Hafiy gets wind of this, he'll retaliate. Hard."
Jiang Han nodded, acknowledging the danger. "He's already trying to destroy us, Yu. If we play it safe, we lose. Sometimes, you have to take the fight to your enemy."
Jiang Yu sighed but didn't argue. He knew his brother's determination was unshakeable.
A week later, a bombshell article hit the headlines. The exposé detailed Hafiy Zafran's extensive bribery network, backed by concrete evidence. The fallout was immediate. Regulatory officials implicated in the scandal were suspended pending investigation, and Hafiy's reputation took a massive hit.
In his office, Jiang Han watched the news coverage with a satisfied smile. The Begging System chimed in his mind.
System Notification:
Mission Update: Hafiy's Influence Neutralised
Reward Progress: Strategic Acumen Skill Enhanced
Hidden Reward Progress: Securing Governmental Transparency Contact
Jiang Han's smile widened. The system's rewards were always impactful, but this one had the potential to reshape the industry.
Unsurprisingly, Hafiy didn't take his defeat lying down. That evening, Jiang Han received a threatening phone call.
"You think you've won, Jiang?" Hafiy's voice snarled through the receiver. "This isn't over."
Jiang Han remained calm. "You're right, Hafiy. It isn't over. Because I'm just getting started."
The line went dead, but Jiang Han wasn't rattled. He had anticipated Hafiy's retaliation and was prepared for it.
"Ge, what now?" Jiang Yu asked, having overheard the call.
"We stay vigilant," Jiang Han replied. "Hafiy's desperation makes him unpredictable. But desperation also makes people sloppy."
In the days that followed, Jiang Han focused on consolidating his gains. He strengthened alliances with partners who valued transparency and fairness, ensuring that his growing influence was built on a solid foundation. Meanwhile, Hafiy's operations continued to crumble as more of his collaborators abandoned him.
Syed Fariz proved to be a valuable ally, using his connections to ensure the government's investigation remained unbiased. "You're a dangerous man, Jiang," Syed said during one of their meetings. "But I respect that."
"And you're not so bad yourself," Jiang Han replied with a grin.