I chose one of four options at the start, and I chose the number one clan in Lingnan.

Jiangnan Heavy Industry Jiangbei Wharf.

One hundred flat-bottomed cargo ships docked one after another, their heavy anchors pounding into the river.

The men of Yitang lifted the waterproof tarpaulin covering the cabin, revealing neatly stacked wooden crates.

Sun Jianguo stood on the shore with the chief engineer, who, holding calipers and a portable testing device, jumped into the cabin and randomly opened ten wooden crates.

"Old Zhang, run all of this batch of goods through the instruments." The chief engineer directed the technicians behind him.

Ten coordinate measuring machines were operating simultaneously, their beeping sounds filling the air.

The technicians reported the data one by one.

"Box number one is qualified."

"Container No. 2 is qualified."

The chief engineer held a stack of reports, his hands trembling.

He turned to Sun Jianguo on the shore and shouted, "Mr. Sun, all five thousand bearings have tolerances within 0.002."

Not damp, not rusty, all top-quality goods.

Once this batch of goods is loaded, our Jiangnan Heavy Industry's cranes can directly compete for national-level engineering awards.

Sun Jianguo breathed a sigh of relief. He took the report from the chief engineer and strode over to Lin Ting.

"Boss Lin, the provincial heavy industry never defaults on payments to qualified suppliers."

The first 30% advance payment, amounting to 150 million yuan, has already been transferred through the provincial government's special channel.

Sun Jianguo signed the delivery note and affixed the official seal of Jiangnan Heavy Industry.

Lin Fu's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen and nodded to Lin Ting, "Grandpa, 150 million has been deposited into your account."

Lin Ting folded the delivery note and put it into his suit pocket.

"Mr. Sun, the remaining goods will be delivered in batches over the next three months." Lin Ting turned and walked toward the SUV parked at the dock.

As the SUV drove out of Jiangbei Wharf, Lin Fu sat in the passenger seat and opened the heavy folder in his hand.

"Grandpa, we've investigated the logistics operations under the Sanyi Society."

The city has six core deep-water wharves along the river, eighty large freight stations, and a land trunk line connecting three surrounding provinces.

"They control all the factories in the city by these means, and the daily toll fees and loading/unloading fees alone amount to a huge sum of money," Lin Fu reported.

Lin Ting looked out the window at the receding street scene.

"Pour all 150 million into it and buy those six wharves along the river. Then, list them as Lin's Logistics Group," Lin Ting instructed.

Lin Fu closed the folder: "Grandpa, those dock bosses are all underlings of Master Qiao. They live off the Qiao family, so I'm afraid they won't dare to sell."

"Three times the premium. Tell them to take the money and get out of the prefecture-level city."

"We're not selling them. Let Dayou take some people to explain the rules of Tazhai to them." Lin Ting flicked the red walnuts on his fingers.

That afternoon, at the office of the Yanjiang No. 1 deep-water wharf.

Dock owner Wang Jinbiao propped his legs up on his desk, a cigar between his fingers.

Lin Dayou led thirty men from Yitang, all wearing yellow hard hats, to kick open the door.

"The Lin family wants to take over this dock. Name your price." Lin Dayou slammed a blank contract on the table.

Wang Jinbiao threw his cigar on the ground, stood up, and pointed at Lin Dayou, cursing.

"Who do you think your Lin family is, daring to try and steal Master Qiao's livelihood? I'd rather let this dock rot in my hands than sell it to you."

Lin Dayou slapped Wang Jinbiao across the face, knocking him and his chair to the ground.

Thirty men from Yitang raised their steel wrenches and smashed all the windows and computers in the office.

Sparks flew everywhere, and the crane and control room outside were smashed to pieces.

Lin Fu walked in carrying a black combination lock suitcase and threw it in front of Wang Jinbiao. The suitcase popped open, revealing bundles of cash inside.

"Ten million in cash, for this lousy dock. Sign here, take the money and leave. Don't sign, and we'll fill the river with you and the dock." Lin Fu handed over a pen.

Wang Jinbiao looked at the broken glass on the ground and the wrench in the hand of the man from Yitang. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He picked up a pen and signed the contract.

Within four hours, all six core wharves along the river changed hands.

On the towering crane, the flag of the Sanyi Society was torn down and replaced with a huge sign with the character "Lin" printed on it.

In the city center, a 20-story office building was purchased entirely by the Lin family. Four large characters were erected on the roof: Lin's Logistics.

Top-floor office of Lin's Logistics Building.

Lin Ting sat behind a large desk, while Lin Fu held a tablet computer and drew a logistics scheduling route map provided by the system.

This is the advanced intelligent scheduling mode that Lin Ting redeemed from the system after deducting 20,000 prosperity points. It can reduce transportation costs by 40% and double efficiency.

"Grandpa, the route is clear, and our caravan and fleet are in position," Lin Fu said.

"Spread the word that Lin's Logistics will handle all goods from factories and individual businesses in the city."

"The shipping cost will be half that of the Sanyi Society, all damage to the goods will be compensated, and the Lin family will advance the payment." Lin Ting issued the order.

Lin Fu said with some concern, "Grandpa, with this much money being spent, 150 million won't last more than a few days."

"It won't take many days. Within three days, I'll make sure the Sanyi Society's trucks can't carry even a single item, and I'll drain them dry." Lin Ting tapped the table.

The convoy was dispatched.

In front of Hongfa Steel Plant in the old industrial area.

Ten heavy trucks belonging to the Sanyihui were parked on the side of the road, with the drivers leaning against the doors smoking.

Factory manager Lao Li ran out with his briefcase and waved to the driver.

"You can leave now. From now on, the factory's goods will no longer go through your Sanyihui's supply chain," Old Li shouted.

The lead driver threw away his cigarette butt and pointed at Old Li: "Old Li, are you crazy? Have you forgotten Master Qiao's rules?"

"If you don't use our trucks, how will you get your steel out of the country?"

Old Li pointed to a convoy of cars driving up the street corner.

Fifty brand-new Lin's heavy trucks were lined up and parked steadily at the factory gate, with the "Lin's Logistics" logo printed on their bodies.

Lin Dayou jumped off the lead car and handed a prepayment contract to Lao Li.

"Director Li, once you hand over the goods to us, the shipping cost will be halved, and the payment will be transferred to your factory's account within three days."

Old Li signed the contract and directed the workers to load the steel onto Lin's heavy truck.

The driver from the Sanyi Society watched as the goods were taken away, not daring to utter a single word.

Next to the Lin family's motorcade stood two hundred Zhongtang men carrying solid steel pipes.

The clothing wholesale market in Shinan District.

Dozens of trucks belonging to the Sanyi Society were parked in the square. Lin Dayou walked in with a megaphone.

"Lin's Logistics accepts orders. Shipping costs halved, payment made on the spot," Lin Dayou shouted to the merchants.

Merchants swarmed forward, loading all their goods onto Lin's trucks.

The henchmen of the Sanyi Society rushed over to stop them, but were forcefully pushed back by a human wall formed by hundreds of Zhongtang men.

In just three days, the transportation industry in the prefecture-level city was completely reshuffled.

Weeds grew in front of the eighty freight stations belonging to the Sanyihui, and the factory managers collectively drove the Sanyihui members out of the factory area.

The trucks belonging to the Sanyihui were left to gather dust in the yard. The drivers, who had not received their wages, threw their truck keys on the ground.

"If Third Master doesn't pay wages, we'll starve. The Lin family is doubling the base salary, brothers, let's go to Lin's Logistics."

The lead driver shouted something, and hundreds of drivers turned and left.

When the leader of the Sanyi Society stepped forward to stop them, he was pinned to the ground and beaten by the drivers.

Lin's Logistics Building.

Lin Fu placed a stack of reports on Lin Ting's desk.

"Grandpa, the Sanyi Society's logistics lines have all been cut off. Their individual customers and factories have all defected, and now they can't even get a single box of screws."

"The Qiao family is spending millions every day just on car maintenance and staff costs; they can't keep going like this," Lin Fu reported.

Lin Ting picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Keep pushing the price down, force them to the point where they can't even afford the gas."

A secluded basement on the outskirts of the city.

The incandescent light was on, and the whole room reeked of cheap tobacco.

Third Master Qiao sat in the armchair in the center, his once neatly combed hair now disheveled.

Master Qiao kicked over the tin trash can in front of him and slammed several account books onto the table.

"Third Master, the entire logistics line is paralyzed. The Lin family is throwing money at the market, and all the individual investors have run away. Our trucks can't even turn a wheel."

"The brothers below aren't getting their money, and three of the gangs have already started causing trouble." Master Qiao's voice trembled.

A bald vice president standing nearby grabbed his hair with both hands and said, "The dock is gone too. Lin Ting is trying to wipe us out."

Third Master Qiao stubbed out the half-smoked cigar in his hand and put it in the ashtray, then stood up.

"We can't fight anymore. We can't protect the territory of the prefecture-level city anymore," said Third Master Qiao through gritted teeth.

Second Master Qiao raised his head: "Third Master, shall we just admit defeat like this?"

Third Master Qiao grabbed the car keys from the table and walked out.

"Prepare the car, head to the provincial capital, and ask Master Lei to mediate. Host a trap to force Lin Ting to leave the city." Third Master Qiao pushed open the iron door to the basement.