Hong Kong Tycoon: Starting from Delivering Dongfeng Express

Chapter 134 Setting Standards and Rules!
"Brother Sheng, are we really going to cooperate with this Jiang Tiansheng?"

After listening to Ye Dongsheng's words, Wang Jianjun realized that it was unlikely that Dongfeng Express alone could keep all competitors out using conventional methods. In the future, they would likely face competition from multiple express delivery companies.

Upon hearing Wang Jianjun's question, Ye Dongsheng did not answer directly, but instead asked in return:
"Jianjun, what do you think is Jiang Tiansheng's purpose in wanting to cooperate with us?"

Without hesitation, Wang Jianjun replied, "He wants to be one step ahead of everyone else and seize the market!"

Ye Dongsheng nodded, then continued, "So tell me, if we cooperate with Jiang Tiansheng, who will benefit and who will suffer?"

"Of course he benefits, and we suffer a loss!"

Wang Jianjun isn't stupid. Dongfeng Express currently monopolizes the entire market. Once Jiang Tiansheng's Hengtong Express enters the market, won't all the customers be snatched away from Dongfeng Express?
For every customer Hengtong Express gains, Dongfeng Express loses one!
Ye Dongsheng agreed, saying, "Jiang Tiansheng talks a good game. He provides assistance on Hong Kong Island, and we provide assistance on the mainland. It seems fair..."

But in reality, even if we join forces with him, we can't stop other triads from entering the Hong Kong market. However, with our help, he can gain a foothold in mainland China and expand rapidly!
He benefits from it all, while we gain nothing.

This so-called cooperation is completely meaningless to Dongfeng Express!

Chiang Tin-sang is only the leader of Hung Hing, not the leader of all the triads in Hong Kong. When it comes to real interests, which of those triads would give Chiang Tin-sang face?

"Brother Sheng, so you mean we should just ignore Jiang Tiansheng? Will he make a move against us? And what about our other competitors?" Wang Jianjun was a little confused about Ye Dongsheng's next plan.

Ye Dongsheng smiled and shook his head: "It's not that we should ignore Jiang Tiansheng, but we can't follow his train of thought and let him lead us by the nose! We must take the lead!"

"I am in charge?"

Then Ye Dongsheng said with a smile, "I once heard someone say that third-rate companies make products, second-rate companies build brands, and first-rate companies set standards. As for Dongfeng Express, we aim to set industry standards!"

"Make standards?" Wang Jianjun scratched his head in confusion, completely unable to follow Ye Dongsheng's train of thought.

Ye Dongsheng smiled, picked up the phone and dialed Huang Dawen's number: "Attorney Huang, I have something to ask you. If I want to apply for registration with the Hong Kong Island Express Industry Association, how long will it take?"
A week? Okay, please arrange for someone to come to my place. I need to prepare the materials and submit the application today!

After hanging up the phone, Ye Dongsheng explained to Wang Jianjun: "The express delivery industry association is just a means of setting industry standards!"

Jiang Tiansheng wants to cooperate with us? Fine, then join the express delivery industry association! Let him work for us!
Now that Dongfeng Express's monopoly is about to be broken and we can't stop these players who want to enter the market, let's just recruit them all into the association first!
"We'll set the rules of the game then, so that it will be most advantageous for Dongfeng Express!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianjun couldn't help but get excited: "Brother Sheng, does that mean they all have to listen to us once they join the association?"

Ye Dongsheng shook his finger: "No! There will definitely be a group of people who don't listen. When the time comes, we'll just pull some in and beat others up!"
Now that the association's rules have been established, we have a legitimate reason to act and can beat to death anyone who doesn't follow the rules!
Then we'll tackle the rest step by step!

"Brother Sheng! You're amazing!" Wang Jianjun stood up excitedly, now completely in awe of Ye Dongsheng.

In fact, Ye Dongsheng knew that the day when a large number of competitors would appear was bound to come sooner or later.

It could be said that Dongfeng Express quietly made a fortune during its initial development. As business improved and its reputation spread, its cross-border express delivery business could no longer be kept secret. Money is a powerful motivator, and such a lucrative business was bound to attract many players eager to enter the market.

Ye Dongsheng was mentally prepared. What he had been doing before was to seize the market as early as possible before this day arrived and gain a first-mover advantage.

The last time Hutchison Express was just an appetizer. Ye Dongsheng had a premonition that the real express delivery war was about to begin!
Only those who survive this great battle can be considered winners!

As Ye Dongsheng thought, fighting was fine, but it was best to keep the initiative and rhythm of the battle in his own hands!

The express delivery industry association would give him the moral high ground and the initiative!

At the same time, since a courier war is about to break out, a battlefield must first be identified.

Ye Dongsheng took a map of eastern Guangdong and spread it on the table: "Due to geographical reasons, the courier companies that will be entering the market next will definitely choose Jinghai as their first stop!"

What we need to do is use every means to keep them tied down in Jinghai, making Jinghai the main battlefield, while expanding into other regions as quickly as possible!
For the next period of time, I won't be able to leave Hong Kong Island; I need to be there in person. Jianjun, you'll have to make the trip!

The current situation requires Ye Dongsheng not only to take charge of the overall situation, but also to solidify the foundation of Dongfeng Express in Hong Kong Island and continuously expand the recruitment of couriers to increase delivery capacity. He is also indispensable for a series of matters, including applying for association memberships and preparing for lawsuits.

Wang Jianjun immediately said, "Brother Sheng, tell me what you want me to do!"

Ye Dongsheng pointed to two areas on the map: "The most valuable markets in eastern Guangdong now consist of only two places: Foshan and Chaoshan!"

After the reform and opening up, the country established four special economic zones: Jinghai, Zhucheng, Chaoshan, and Xiamen, with the first three located in eastern Guangdong.

Among them, Jinghai is naturally the most successful, becoming a national benchmark and will become one of the four first-tier cities in the future.

However, Jinghai's GDP is currently not among the top three in eastern Guangdong; development takes time. It will take another three years for Jinghai's economy to become the second largest in eastern Guangdong, and another 22 years to surpass Guangzhou.

Currently, Guangzhou undoubtedly holds the top spot in GDP in eastern Guangdong, while Foshan and Chaoshan are vying for second place!
Focheng has been a major center of handicrafts since ancient times. This industrial and commercial gene, which is deeply rooted in its blood, has blossomed anew in the spring breeze of reform and opening up. When township enterprises sprang up like mushrooms after rain, the people of Focheng seized the opportunity and gradually cultivated four pillar industries, namely home appliances, ceramics, textiles and machinery, starting from family workshops.

Therefore, there are definitely many factories invested in by Hong Kong businessmen in Foshan!
Chaoshan is not only one of the four special economic zones, but also the most famous hometown of overseas Chinese in China. Chaoshan businessmen are found all over the world. Since the reform and opening up, many prominent overseas Chinese businessmen have returned to Chaoshan to invest, and coupled with the advantages of its port, the Chaoshan region has experienced rapid development!
"According to my investigation, Foshan and Chaoshan each have nearly 5000 Hong Kong-funded factories. We need to seize these two markets as soon as possible. Once we take these two places, plus our existing Yangcheng, Jinghai, and Guancheng, we'll have captured 80% of the eastern Guangdong market!" The remaining areas in eastern Guangdong are economically underdeveloped regions with little potential, and they don't hold much appeal for Hong Kong businesses. As for Zhuhai, one of the four special economic zones, its strength doesn't match its reputation. Its economy has never really taken off, and it doesn't rank among the top in eastern Guangdong, let alone other areas.

Wang Jianjun pointed directly to the lower right corner of the Guangdong map and said, "Brother Sheng, I'm going to Chaoshan! Foshan is close to Dongguan, so let Xiao Fu go directly to Foshan! The two of us will definitely take over these two markets!"

Ye Dongsheng patted Wang Jianjun on the shoulder: "Good!"

He then pulled Wang Jianjun to sit down: "I'm not worried about Foshan; based on previous experience, it's just a matter of opening one route. But Chaoshan is different..."

Wang Jianjun was also looking at the map and could see very clearly that the Chaoshan region is very large!

“Our previous markets, whether Jinghai, Yangcheng, or Guancheng, were no match for the area of ​​Chaoshan. In fact, all of them combined were smaller than the Chaoshan region!”

At present, Chaoshan is still a whole, that is, a single administrative region. However, five years later, Chaoshan was divided into three parts: Shantou, Chaozhou, and Jieyang. Its status declined significantly, and the three places continued to fight amongst themselves. In addition, an unspeakable fire later destroyed its future development prospects.

However, Chaoshan is currently a strong contender for the top two spots, and it also has many Hong Kong investors, making it a target that Dongfeng Express must acquire!

However, once the region is large, the factories will be scattered, which will make express delivery more difficult.

Wang Jianjun thought for a moment and said, "Brother Sheng, this is not a big problem. I will spend more time conducting on-site inspections. Even if the factories are scattered, with the experience in Dongguan, we can simply equip all the deliverymen with motorcycles!"

Ye Dongsheng nodded. After developing several regions, Wang Jianjun had accumulated a lot of experience and was now capable of handling things independently!

Then he added, "There's another problem: Chaoshan is too far from the Luohu border crossing!"

Currently, among Dongfeng Express's several markets, Foshan, Yangcheng, and Dongguan are basically adjacent to each other, and they all follow the same route. The furthest city, Foshan, is only 150 kilometers away.

And what about the Chaoshan region? Take Shantou, for example. There are no highways at all. It takes nearly 400 kilometers to travel by national highway! Some roads don't even have national highways and are just dirt roads. A one-way trip takes at least 9 hours!
Nine hours for a one-way trip is far too long and will significantly reduce the timeliness of Dongfeng Express.

The long time is one problem, and another problem is that the journey is too long!
The entire journey is nearly 400 kilometers long, and much of it involves passing through remote areas or even traveling on dirt roads, which greatly increases the risk of accidents. You might encounter more than one group of road bullies on the way!
In summary, the transportation difficulties in the Chaoshan region are much more severe than those in other regions!
After listening to Ye Dongsheng's introduction, Wang Jianjun frowned. The region was large and the distance was far. He was not afraid of hard work, but how to solve these problems?

Wang Jianjun was also overwhelmed and could only escort one trip a day at most. What about the other trips?
Wang Jianjun thought for a moment and said, "Brother Sheng, how about we arrange more vehicles? And hire more people to escort the goods to ensure safety?"

Ye Dongsheng nodded: "It's one solution, but even with more manpower, these kinds of troubles will still take time. If something happens, we might have to go to the police station, which is not only a waste of energy, but more importantly, it might affect delivery time."

Wang Jianjun thought about it and realized it was indeed as Ye Dongsheng had said, but he couldn't think of a good solution for the time being.

Then Ye Dongsheng tapped the map again and said:
"But it's not like there's no way. Take another good look and see what the differences are between Chaoshan and Focheng."

Wang Jianjun looked at the map again, compared the two cities, and then had a flash of inspiration: "Chaoshan coastal area!"

Ye Dongsheng smiled and then pointed to Shantou Port:

"That's right! This is Shantou Port, which has always been known as the 'Gateway to Eastern Guangdong and a vital hub in South China.' Currently, it is second only to the ports of Shanghai and Guangzhou in the country!"

This gave us another option: to travel by water!

Wang Jianjun immediately pressed, "How long will it take by water?"

"The straight-line distance from Hong Kong Island to Shantou by sea is 180 kilometers, or 97 nautical miles. The normal speed of a ship is 20-30 knots per hour. If we calculate based on a ship speed of 25 knots per hour, it will take about 4 hours to arrive! If the weather is good, the ship will be faster, and the time will be even shorter!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianjun was overjoyed: "Brother Sheng, this not only cuts the time in half, but also eliminates the possibility of encountering pirates!"

Upon hearing the word "pirates," Ye Dongsheng laughed. Perhaps there were pirates a few decades ago, but now the pirates near the coast have long been wiped out by Dongda University!
The only risk of taking the sea route is that it depends on the weather. If there is extreme weather, the sea route will definitely be interrupted. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare backup vehicles so that if such a situation occurs, the land transport can be carried out as soon as possible.

Ye Dongsheng said to Wang Jianjun, "I plan to set up another shipping company and buy our own ships for delivery!"

Wang Jianjun was taken aback: "Shipping company? Can't we take a ship from another company?"

Ye Dongsheng shook his head: "I checked, there are too few routes, only one ship per day, which cannot guarantee our timeliness at all!"
So after you go to Chaoshan, you should first go to Shantou Port to consult with the officials about the application process and procedures for shipping routes. When dealing with these people, be mindful of your temper; harmony brings wealth!

Hearing Ye Dongsheng's instructions, Wang Jianjun replied, "Don't worry, Brother Sheng, I won't ruin Dongfeng Express's important business!"

Ye Dongsheng nodded. To be honest, he was also quite unfamiliar with applying for flight routes and didn't know if it would be possible, but he would give it a try anyway.

However, he clearly remembered that in his previous life, Wang Wei started his business with SF Express by providing a dedicated line from Hong Kong Island to Shunde. He started by hauling suitcases through customs, and later rented two fast boats to take passengers directly from Hong Kong Island to Rongqi Port in Shunde, which greatly improved efficiency!

Since Wang Wei can take a ferry directly from Hong Kong Island to Shunde, there's no reason why Dongfeng Express can't go from Hong Kong Island to Chaoshan.

……

(End of this chapter)