The entire ocean is my fishing ground.

Chapter 26 discusses relationships.

Early the next morning.

[Intelligence 1 (Warning): Zhang Tiejun has begun to sever ties with Zhang Meng, preparing to characterize the boat-smashing incident as Zhang Meng's impulsive act while drunk, and claiming to the public that he knew nothing about it. It is expected that starting today, his confidants will spread this message throughout the village and attempt to re-establish contact with several small restaurants that have been regularly supplied by the host, intending to poach customers with a low-price strategy.]

Zhang Tiejun is finally going to personally take the stage.

They chose not violence, but rather common business tactics.

They shifted all the blame onto Zhang Meng, and then, as a clean wholesaler, tried to reclaim the market share that Lin Chen had taken.

During his five years as a purchasing manager in Shenzhen, Lin Chen had witnessed far more complex business tactics than this.

He knew very well that arguing with an old fox like Zhang Tiejun was pointless.

The angrier you get, the happier he is, because that means you've fallen into his trap.

Zhang Tiejun's cutting off precisely proves one thing.

He was afraid.

I'm afraid things will escalate and I'll get dragged into it too.

Lin Chen went directly to town to visit Su Jianming at the Fisherman's Song Restaurant.

"Uncle Su, here are two yellowfin tuna that were just caught today. They're not included in the payment, just to add a dish for you and Auntie."

Lin Chen, carrying a bucket that was still dripping water, walked into the restaurant's kitchen with a smile.

Su Jianming was checking the menu when he saw Lin Chen, and he was somewhat surprised.

"Hey kid, why are you being so polite today? Tell me, is there something you need now?"

"It's nothing, I just stopped by on my way."

Lin Chen put the fish into the pool, then changed the subject, saying seemingly casually:

"Uncle Su, I've been thinking about it, and we've been working together for a while now. To thank you for your continued support, I'll be lowering the price of your sea bass and yellowfin tuna by one yuan per pound. It's not much, but it's a small token of my appreciation."

Su Jianming was stunned.

Price reduction?

In the market, there are only price increases, never voluntary price reductions.

Especially now that Lin Chen's business is getting better and better.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

Su Jianming handed Lin Chen a cigarette.

"Xiao Chen, tell me the truth. Has Zhang Tiejun made a move?"

Lin Chen smiled.

Talking to smart people is so easy.

"Uncle Su has a good eye. I've heard that he might try to poach my clients by offering low prices."

Su Jianming took a drag of his cigarette.

"So, you're going to take the initiative to lower the price and start a price war?"

Lin Chen shook his head.

"No."

"I'm not engaging in a price war. Uncle Su, when you run a restaurant, what do you value most? Is it saving a dollar or two, or is it a stable supply and guaranteed quality?"

"The fish I deliver to you every day are freshly caught that day, a wide variety, rain or shine. Can Zhang Tiejun do that? Can his dead fish and rotten shrimp, which he buys from various fishermen at rock-bottom prices, compare to my goods?"

"I lowered the price not because I'm afraid of him, but to tell long-time customers like you that I, Lin Chen, do business based on relationships and long-term commitments. When I make money, I'm willing to share the profits with my supporters. This is not the same as Zhang Tiejun's purely transactional approach."

Su Jianming was startled.

He re-examined the young man before him.

This kid is going to be extraordinary.

Su Jianming smiled.

"Alright, I appreciate your kind offer. But the price doesn't need to be lowered."

He made the decision.

"Although I'm not a big boss, I can still keep track of these things. I'm not that stupid to ruin my reputation of over ten years with those dead fish and rotten shrimp just to save a dollar or two."

"As long as you can guarantee the current quality and stability, even if Zhang Tiejun lowers the price to the point of giving it away for free, he still won't be able to get into my Yuge Restaurant."

With Su Jianming's promise, Lin Chen felt completely at ease.

He then visited the owners of the Wanghailou and Laomatou food stalls in the same way, slightly adjusting the prices of several types of miscellaneous fish that were easily poached, making a very convincing gesture.

By evening, news that Zhang Tiejun was preparing to cut the metal spread throughout Huangni Village.

The one who spread the news was still his old partner, Zhang Cuihua.

"Oh dear, if you ask me, my Tie Jun is really unlucky to have such a troublesome cousin like Zhang Meng."

"Brother Tie Jun really didn't know anything about the ship-smashing incident. He was in a meeting in the city that day, and when he received the call, he was stunned and so angry that he smashed his cup on the spot."

"He also said that Zhang Meng's actions were utterly despicable, and that when he gets out, he'll have his legs broken. He also said he'll apologize to the Lin family on Zhang Meng's behalf, and that they'll pay every penny they owe."

On the dock, several fishermen who were mending their nets couldn't help but sneer when they heard this.

"Cut? Now you've thought about cutting?"

Wang Fuhai spat on the ground.

"Where were you before? Zhang Meng has been running rampant in the village for so many years, and every single one of those shady things he did—collecting protection money and suppressing fish prices—wasn't Zhang Tiejun behind it all? Now that something's happened, you're saying it was just an individual act? You're kidding me!"

"Exactly. Without Zhang Tiejun backing him up in town, Zhang Meng is nothing. Now that the dog has bitten someone, the owner says it has nothing to do with him—who believes that?"

Even Zhao Defa, who had been wavering before, unusually refrained from fanning the flames this time.

He realized that the wind direction had completely changed.

Zhang Meng fell from grace, and Zhang Tiejun tried to clear his name, but the villagers simply wouldn't believe him.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen's business was growing bigger and bigger, and more and more fishermen were following him. His daily income from reselling alone was the envy of many.

To side with the Zhang family now would be foolish.

Lin Chen ignored the gossip in the village.

For him, Zhang Tiejun's severing ties was actually a good thing.

This means that Zhang Tiejun will not dare to make any major moves in the short term and will focus all his energy on repairing his image.

Lin Chen did not dwell on Zhang Tiejun, nor did he engage in a public verbal altercation.

Instead, they continued to expand their resale business, increasing the number of cooperating fishermen from five to eight households.

The list of customer needs is updated daily, and the categories of products acquired are becoming increasingly diverse.

The Pioneer was still under repair, so we used a speedboat with increased power to make two or three trips a day, delivering the goods to every customer in town on time.

That evening, Zhou Dazhuang came to help him check the speedboat's engine and couldn't help but offer a reminder.

"Chenzi, you've really got things going, but there's something I need to tell you."

"I know Zhang Meng. He's incredibly proud. This time, he failed in his attempt to smash the ship and got arrested instead. His cousin has cut ties with him, so he'll definitely hold you responsible while he's in jail."

"Once he gets out, without Zhang Tiejun to restrain him and having lost all face, he will probably be even more reckless and disregard the consequences than before."

Lin Chen nodded.

"Big Brother Zhuang, I've got it."

No one can predict what a madman driven to the brink of despair and who has lost everything might do.

There are only twelve days left.

He must make himself stronger in these twelve days, strong enough to deal with a madman who is unrestrained and capable of anything.