Having worked for the big boss for so many years, Xiao Cheng already had a considerable network of connections.

He had never considered staying in the province to develop his career, so he hadn't consolidated his power, and his relationships with people were neither too close nor too distant.

The relationships and power that were used during the last upheaval among the four major forces were the "preparations" made by those who secretly wanted to follow him.

Xiao Cheng always understood what it meant to work for the big boss.

Preparations have always been underway, both overtly and covertly, and have never been relaxed.

To open up fruit trade routes within the province, developing both land and water routes is the fastest way.

The longest-term plan.

Xiao Cheng had thoroughly investigated the processing plants in the coastal cities, finding them to be no less impressive than those on land.

It is a pilot project that can be carried out in the long term, and the most suitable partner for the waterway transportation route is Jiang Zhengang.

To achieve deeper cooperation, Xiao Cheng doesn't mind revealing even more decisive information.

"It's time for Nanshi to be reshuffled."

Seeing that Xiao Cheng was no longer dazed and had the air of a superior who was determined to win, and listening to his meaningful words, Jiang Zhengang finally realized that the evil dragon had awakened.

All the major upheavals in Nanshi were related to him.

"You little rascal... I never expected this."

Jiang Zhengang laughed heartily, his laughter both unrestrained and admiring: "This discus in Nanshi is so hard, yet you managed to bite into it. Anyone else would have broken their teeth long ago. You're amazing!"

"Early preparation is key to securing a foothold. Your fruit export business is very bold; fortune favors the bold, and you young man have guts! It seems I also need to reorganize my fleet and prepare for big business..."

Xiao Cheng poured Jiang Zhengang a full cup of tea, his movements fluid and controlled: "Being prepared is common sense in business. You know a lot about this industry, while I'm new here. I'll take care of you in the future."

"Saying this means we should look after each other."

Jiang Zhengang laughed heartily: "I only entered society a few years earlier than you and struggled through life. If I had your courage, I would have been rich and powerful long ago."

Jiang Zhengang has maintained neutrality despite the fact that the big boss and Li Chengbin have been fighting for territory along the river for so long, which shows that he has his own power base.

The influential members mainly come from third-party ship owners who neither want to side with the big boss nor with Li Chengbin, and they form a loose ship alliance association.

Because of his track record of balancing the relationships between the three parties, he was unanimously elected as the association's top leader.

When necessary, I will issue orders and make the most correct and important decisions, and the members will follow my instructions.

Now, Jiang Zhengang's decision to take this force and follow Xiao Cheng is a well-considered one.

The situation in Nanshi will change sooner or later.

Following the major upheaval, the big boss and Li Chengbin's people at the dock have recently begun to stir.

When the day comes that they are fully armed, engage in all-out war, and fight for territory, they will no longer be able to remain neutral.

There's no choice but to side with the big boss or Li Chengbin; there's no room for refusal.

The big boss and Li Chengbin will not let them reap the benefits without lifting a finger; refusing will certainly make them the first cannon fodder to be wiped out in the battle between the two sides.

Jiang Zhengang had witnessed Xiao Cheng's ability to handle affairs and knew that Xiao Cheng was not only exceptionally courageous but also exceptionally intelligent.

Those who are capable of great things are the best to follow.

However, Xiao Cheng has never been interested in the docks and river channels. To be precise, Xiao Cheng is not interested in anything. He only collects debts and is lukewarm about gathering power.

Jiang Zhengang knew that Xiao Cheng didn't want to develop his career within the province and would definitely head south after leaving the big boss's organization.

As Jiang Zhengang had predicted, after Xiao Cheng left the organization, he earned his start-up capital by selling cedar wood.

Surprisingly, Xiao Cheng didn't head south to start a business. Instead, he opened an electronics store in Pingcheng and also set his sights on the fruit trade.

With the Bulk Boat Association now having a new option to align with, Jiang Zhengang was secretly pleased, but he could also roughly guess that the source of Xiao Cheng's change was definitely his young wife at home.

The last time Xiao Cheng went to another province to sell cedar wood, he was worried about it the whole way and called home that very night.

This is enough to prove how important his young wife is.

Seeing Xiao Cheng's dazed expression after finishing his business, Jiang Zhengang couldn't help but laugh and say, "Let's go back."

"Your wife at home must be getting impatient. I'm all set. Whatever amount of fruit you bring, we'll ship it out of the province."

“This isn’t the first time we’ve worked together, so things will definitely be handled properly. We’ll be looking to you to see if fruit can replace sand and gravel as the main export route.”

Xiao Cheng snapped out of his daze upon hearing the sound.

Jiang Zhengang's words clearly indicate that he has taken sides.

After chatting for a few minutes, the two went downstairs together.

"Hey! Isn't this Makoto?"

Liang Jianming had just finished harvesting fruit in another rural area today. After having dinner and drinking with some friends, he came to the teahouse to cleanse his palate. Suddenly, he saw Xiao Cheng coming downstairs, and his drunken eyes widened in surprise.

Pulled along by his friend, he asked, "Brother Cheng, have you switched to business today?"

"You've come to the teahouse to discuss business? Weren't you here to collect debts? You're venturing into a new industry, huh? What kind of business are you planning to do with Boss Jiang? Sand and gravel won't do, that's your big boss's business, do you dare to steal it?"

Everything was fine until the last sentence was uttered, at which point his cronies quickly dragged Liang Jianming back.

Not daring to look at Xiao Cheng's face, which might be about to kill, she hurriedly explained.

"Brother Cheng, it's a misunderstanding!"

"Jianming is drunk and talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart."

With the obstacle in his path gone, Xiao Cheng ignored it, gave it a cold glance, and walked away.

Jiang Zhengang didn't want to cause any more trouble with the drunkard, especially since this drunkard was one of the five major buyers in Nanshi.

If it conflicts with their business, it's best to ignore it; taking it too seriously will only lead to trouble.

But the two had only taken one step.

An obstacle stumbled forward again, blocking his way: "Wait! Where are you rushing off to, Cheng-ge?"

Xiao Cheng coldly replied, "Get lost."

If Liang Jianming had been hit with such a cold remark before drinking, he would definitely have left.

After all, anyone who's been around knows that there are ruthless dragons in the underworld, and no one with a sound mind would go looking for death.

Liang Jianming, of course, wouldn't either.

Of the five major acquirers, his power was the smallest, and his numbers were not even enough to withstand a single round of shooting from Xiao Cheng.

In the past, whenever I encountered Xiao Cheng while traveling, I would simply ignore him and leave him alone.

Unlike now, he forcefully blocked Xiao Cheng's path with his drunken eyes, spouting wild words and trying to strike up a conversation.

"What kind of business do you want to discuss? Let me guess, it's not about the fruit from Xiao Family Village in those mountains, is it?"

Xiao Cheng looked down at Liang Jianming with a cold, disdainful gaze, as if looking down on an ant, and didn't even bother to say a word.

Liang Jianming, however, said to himself, "I remember... I seem to have heard... Xiaojia Village is your hometown, right?"

"Those people in that run-down little place are really unreasonable. We offered them five cents, such a high price, and they still won't sell. Do they want to starve?"

"In the end, they even called over a young girl." Liang Jianming smiled, his eyes narrowing. "She's pretty, unbelievably beautiful, but she's got a screw loose. She actually helped those poor bastards chase us away. She has no sense at all."