📖 Chapter 28 – The Farmer's Alliance
The markets of Mumbai had turned cold, doors shutting against Raj wherever he went. Suppliers who once welcomed him now avoided his gaze, their silence bought by Shankar's threats and bribes. But Raj did not falter. The panel's new mission glowed in his vision like a beacon:
[Side Mission: Build Independent Supply Network.]
Reward: Supply Chain System – Level 2.
That night, Raj sat with his team around the hostel table, their faces lit by the dim bulb overhead. "If the city market won't supply us," he said, "then we'll go to the source. Farmers grow the grain, the vegetables, the spices. We'll work directly with them—and cut the middlemen out completely."
Meena nodded thoughtfully. "It won't be easy. Farmers are wary of promises. They've been cheated too many times."
Arjun leaned forward eagerly. "Then we prove we're not like the others. We offer them fair prices, steady demand."
Imran's eyes lit up. "And we can visit their villages? Really, bhaiya?"
Even Rohit, usually aloof, muttered, "If we pull this off, Shankar won't be able to touch us."
The very next morning, they set out at dawn. A borrowed tempo carried them beyond the choking traffic of Mumbai into the greener outskirts, where the air smelled of soil and rain. Fields stretched to the horizon, dotted with farmers bending over crops. The sight stirred something deep in Raj—a reminder that food was not born in markets or stalls, but in the sweat of these men and women.
At the first village, the farmers eyed them with suspicion. Raj explained his idea: direct contracts, fair rates, no cheating. Some scoffed, saying, "City men always talk big." Others shook their heads, muttering about debts and middlemen. But Raj didn't argue—he cooked. From their own vegetables, he prepared a fusion dish right there in the field: masala pav with fresh coriander, gulab jamun drizzled with jaggery syrup. Children tasted first, their delighted laughter softening the hard stares of their parents. Slowly, the walls came down.
By evening, three farmers had shaken his hand. "We'll trust you," one said gruffly. "But don't cheat us, Raj. If you honor your word, you'll have more allies than you can imagine."
Over the next week, Raj traveled from village to village, striking small but steady deals. Farmers promised him vegetables, flour, pulses, even spices. In return, Raj promised timely payment and respect. Word spread quickly—about the food-seller from Mumbai who came not to exploit, but to partner.
The system glowed with satisfaction:
[Independent Supply Network Established.]
– Fresh Produce Secured
– Direct Grain Contracts Secured
– Local Spice Sources Secured
Reward: Supply Chain System Level 2 Activated.
New features appeared instantly—inventory mapping, transport optimization, and even predictive demand analysis. Raj could now see at a glance which stall needed what, when stocks would run out, and how to move goods efficiently between them. For the first time, he felt like a true business owner, not just a vendor with lucky breaks.
When he returned to Mumbai, carts loaded with fresh supplies, the stalls reopened in full force. Customers marveled at the taste—fresher, richer, more vibrant than before. Raj smiled as he watched them eat, knowing every bite carried the strength of alliances forged in the soil itself.
But Shankar, lurking in the crowd, clenched his fists until his nails drew blood. His plan to starve Raj had not only failed—it had backfired, giving him stronger roots than ever. Hatred burned in his eyes as he muttered, "So you run to the farmers. Fine. Let's see how you handle when the city itself turns against you."
Back at the hostel, Raj studied the glowing panel, his heart steady. His empire now had three stalls, a loyal team, and its own supply chain. "We've built our roots," he whispered, gazing into the night sky. "Now, we grow our branches."