I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 734 733 A remote farm with busy logistics

On a remote farm in Mato Grosso do Sul, as the morning sun began to shine on the red earth, Qiao Yongfeng's Mitsubishi Pajero SUV was already parked in front of the warehouse. He jumped out of the car, dusted himself off, and embraced the farmer Carlos, who came to greet him, like an old friend.

“Let me see your treasure, Mr. Carlos,” Qiao Yongfeng said in broken Portuguese. Although he had a translator with him, he preferred to communicate directly with the seller now.

He casually grabbed a handful of soybeans. The beans flowed between his fingers, making a rustling sound. He carefully observed the color and size of the beans, then took a few and put them in his mouth, taking a gentle bite.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself; after playing with soybeans for almost three years, I've now become an expert.

"These beans are golden in color, plump, and contain at least 42% protein." Qiao Yongfeng smiled sincerely at Carlos. "Mr. Carlos, Philgrey is willing to buy all of these beans at a 15% premium, cash on delivery."

Carlos's dark face first showed disbelief, then broke into a bright smile: "Mr. Joe, are you serious? To be honest, several farms nearby also want to partner with you. ADM's purchase price is too low, and payment won't be made for another three months. We're almost at our breaking point."

After listening, Qiao Yongfeng patted Carlos on the shoulder and said, "Tell them I want it all, and the payment will be made immediately!"

Meanwhile, in the temporary operations room of COFCO International's Brazilian branch headquarters in Cuiabá, General Manager Zhang Lijun stood before a huge electronic map. Red markers, like the flags of invaders, densely covered the entire northern production region of Mato Grosso state.

"The situation is more serious than we expected." Zhang Lijun braced his hands on the control panel, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

His gaze swept across the faces of each team member. "ADM not only monopolizes the major production areas, but has also secured the transportation capacity of the BR-163 highway trunk line in advance. A direct confrontation is futile; we have no chance of winning."

His finger landed precisely on the city of Sinop on the electronic map. "This is the lifeline of the entire northern soybean-producing region. BR-163 highway forks here, connecting all the major producing areas. Controlling Sinop means controlling the throat of northern soybean exports."

The next morning.

Qiao Yongfeng's acquisition convoy kicked up clouds of red dust on the country roads of Mato Grosso do Sul.

He was giving instructions via satellite phone inside the bumpy off-road vehicle, while his other hand was checking the latest soybean quality inspection report on a tablet.

“O’Anli, notify Team Two to proceed to Santa Rosa Farm immediately.”

"The third group is going to the Bordeaux farms. Remember, cash on delivery; the contracts for these two farms must be finalized today."

This time, Qiao Yongfeng mobilized most of the employees of his company and Fang Qingye Tuofang Technology stationed in São Paulo, Brazil, and also had Katia transfer technical personnel from Felgrass to devote all their efforts to soybean procurement.

His strategy was clear and precise: avoid the main production areas heavily guarded by ADM, and focus on small and medium-sized farms in remote locations that produce high-quality soybeans. These farms are often overlooked by giants like ADM because of their small size, but when they come together, they form a force to be reckoned with.

"Received." O'Anli's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"OK, wish us luck." Qiao Yongfeng hung up the phone after saying that, looking out the car window at the golden soybean fields.

"I also wish Zhang Lijun and his team good luck."

Inside the "Northern Logistics" dispatch center in Sinop, the sticky air was thick with the mixed smells of cheap coffee and sweat.

Chen Wei, deputy general manager of COFCO International Brazil, sat alone in a simple metal folding chair, opposite Rodriguez, the dispatch center manager, who was deep in a leather executive chair behind a large desk. A young translator stood beside them. Chen Wei did not rush to release the contract, but instead spread out a carefully prepared logistics analysis chart on the table.

“Mr. Rodriguez, we don’t make empty promises, we only talk about a future that can be a win-win situation for both of us.”

His finger traced several key branch lines of BR-163 on the map. “As far as I know, your core asset is not these hundred-odd owned trucks, but your influence over the nearly eight hundred individual truck drivers in the ‘Mataka Freight Alliance’ around Sinop, and the dispatch orders issued by this dispatch center in your hands.”

Rodriguez leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharpening, his previous languor vanishing completely.

Chen Wei continued, "My proposal is: COFCO will not charter the trucks as a customer, but as a strategic partner, it will buy out the 'priority scheduling rights' and 'route planning rights' for all freight orders handled by you for the next sixty days."

He then pushed forward a brand new agreement and a check.

"Look at the second point: We will pay a 'management fee' that is three times the market price, on the condition that your dispatch system's 'golden rule' needs to be slightly adjusted—all non-COFCO bulk agricultural products must undergo a 48-hour 'cargo safety inspection and document compliance review' before and after loading. This is to 'ensure the quality of Brazilian agricultural exports,' and it is completely legal and compliant."

He paused, then added, "Of course, COFCO's goods are exempt from inspection; they can pass directly with our identification documents."

Rodriguez gasped.

This is no longer about buying services; it's about him handing over the "key" to the dispatch system!
This implants an invisible "embolism" into the logistics artery. Once other grain merchants' trucks are labeled "pending inspection," it means at least two days of stagnation.

“This…this will anger a lot of people…especially the ADM.” Rodriguez’s voice trembled slightly.

“That’s why the compensation is so generous.” Chen Wei’s fingertip lightly touched the astronomical figure. “You are contributing to ‘raising industry standards.’ The anger will subside, but the real money and your long-term cooperative relationship with COFCO are real and tangible.”

The only sound in the office was the hum of the old air conditioner. Rodriguez's gaze was fixed on the check, his mind racing with a difficult decision.

Accepting it means that he is no longer a neutral service provider, but has become part of COFCO's strategy, personally involved in strangling his competitors.

Ultimately, his ambition for the future overcame his immediate fears. He took a deep breath and picked up his pen.

"In order to... raise industry standards."

Chen Wei smiled as he watched him sign his name.

From this moment on, it will become extremely difficult for any soybeans not from COFCO to quickly pass through Sinop, this crucial choke point.

The real key to victory lies not in how many beans you buy, but in whether your opponent can get their beans out smoothly.

Without hesitation, he immediately transferred the money according to the contract, and as soon as he left the dispatch room, he took out his phone and dialed Zhang Lijun's number.

"Mr. Zhang, I have accomplished my mission; the other party has signed."

(End of this chapter)