Because s.h.i.+ Corporation was getting left behind.

The s.h.i.+ Corporation started the game of lowering the market prices of oil in the country, in accordance to the global movement of crude. They were playing it and enjoying the game because originally, their sole purpose was to eliminate compet.i.tors. Originally, they were on top, and in that sense, winning the game.

However, upon the involvement of a certain trading house, all the remaining players in the market had been even more compet.i.tive. s.h.i.+ Corporation no longer initiated in lowering the prices, and the others did not lower theirs as well, keeping the game at stale mate.

But, regardless, even at constant market prices, s.h.i.+ Corporation was bleeding. They were operating at cost only, without revenue, while their compet.i.tors had positive margins mainly because of the optimized sourcing strategy. What's even more distressing for the s.h.i.+ Corporation was the fact that all the other oil players had been incurring positive margins lately, except for them! In the end, they were on the brink of losing their market share and dropping in the rankings if they weren't able to remedy the situation.

Consequently, the boss was all too furious.

The board of directors and executives were convened again in an emergency meeting.

"What's the latest development?" s.h.i.+ Fan Hai asked impatiently. It had been a few days already since they last convened.

"Shuilong Trading house was very elusive. They didn't have any set up office yet. Their focal person is identified as someone named Jin Yuan. As of now, he's outside of Beijing on a business trip, but we have initially discussed our plan to collaborate. His answers are quite vague as of the moment. Perhaps it's because of the fact that he's on a business trip."

"We'll set up with him once he arrives in Beijing this week." One of his board of directors reported.

"Update me soonest. Is there other news? Workaround?"

"Regarding the vessels and s.h.i.+ps, there's… there's… bad… bad news, Sir." The Distribution specialist stuttered. He was too scared to report especially the report was bad news.

"What?!" He glared at the person, and at all the other partic.i.p.ants of the meeting.

"Xue s.h.i.+pping, our loyal partner and service provider, advised that they will be implementing increase in their freight rates, effective immediately. They said they have reviewed the contract with us, and has been audited that the agreed freight rates were rather lower compared to their other clients. They wanted to realign, Sir."

"It means, our costs and expenses will further increase."

"d.a.m.n it. Why now, of all the time they have to intervene?!" s.h.i.+ Fan Hai muttered angrily. He tugged at the edge of his collar to loosen his neck for a bit.

"Don't agree yet, keep them at bay. But talk with other s.h.i.+pping lines as well. Say, Zhu s.h.i.+pping Lines." He commanded.

"We already checked with them, Sir. They said all their oil tankers are already contracted and in use at the moment. Also, they were aware of the long-term partners.h.i.+p between s.h.i.+ Corporation and Xue s.h.i.+pping. Even if they have available fleet, they were dubious to enter a collaboration with us, in turn spiting their compet.i.tor. They said the s.h.i.+pping companies are on healthy working relations.h.i.+p with each other, especially on the oil industry, since their market isn't that aggressive."

"Healthy working relations.h.i.+p my foot. That's bulls.h.i.+t! Don't tell me you believe them?!" s.h.i.+ Fan Hai roared. "They were rejecting you beautifully! I can't believe this!"

"How about the cargo I personally bought from overseas? Where is it now? I bought it cheap so we should be able to recover once we sell that parcel." s.h.i.+ Fan Hai probed his team more.

"It's along the borders already, Sir. However…" It was the representative from the legal team who spoke… He was sweating profusely. It seemed that he was presenting a bigger more problem.

"Speak!" Whatever's left of s.h.i.+ Fan Hai's tolerance was thinning out rapidly. He was developing a headache – no a migraine.

"We are encountering problems in clearing the cargo. The cargo that you bought was lacking doc.u.ments. It cannot pa.s.s the country's borders. If we push with it then it will be smuggling…"

"Dumba.s.ses, you people! How did it end up this way? You fools!" He was roaring and banging the table. He was in a compelte fit of anger. The devil in him was unleashed. The people inside the conference room could swear they had experienced h.e.l.l right then and there.

"Fools!! Bunch of fools!! Do something to clear it right away!! We need that cargo!! That is our saving grace!! I cannot believe it!"

"I already personally took care of it and you just have to follow through. Yet you are telling me now that it won't be used immediately? It is not available? And that it's in our local seas but could not be discharged? Do something! Should I still do it for you? If I do then prepare to get terminated! Imbeciles!!"

His secretary interrupted his fit of rage only to call him to the Chairman's office.

"h.e.l.l of a f.u.c.king s.h.i.+t." He muttered under his breath. The greater devil of a father that he had must have heard the news already. He was up for some rough and harsh scoldings.

He entered the Chairman's office. The Chairman, as usual, was staring out of the floor-to-ceiling window. He seemed calm, but one could not be deceived.

"Father."

The moment he heard his son call him, he turned around slowly. Then with utmost contrast in speed, he swiftly grabbed the empty ashtray at his wooden table and threw it straight to his son. It had hit him on the forehead. Apparently, the aftermath was a gash which started bleeding profusely.