Chapter 1488: Chapter 1488

After the meeting was over, Wu Tian contentedly reclaimed his power, while the people from the two factions separated and held small gatherings.

"Damn it, ever since this damned Dragon’s Tooth was established, the power in our hands has been weakened beyond endurance."

In a private room at Royal Number One Club, Zhao Jincheng cursed through gritted teeth.

"Hey, what’s the point in talking so much now that things are ?"

Wan Changfa sighed gloomily: "From now on, we no longer have the authority to command the Ming Group, nor can we directly provide financial support to them. All actions must be reported to Dragon’s Tooth, it’s suffocating just thinking about it."

"It’s all Tang Ming’s fault, that bastard. If he hadn’t blown things up before, causing dissatisfaction from above with the struggle between the Ming Group and the Dark Group, we wouldn’t have ended up ."

Qian Weiguo angrily complained.

"Had we known it would come to this, we shouldn’t have fought so fiercely against the Dark Group, nor should we have been dead set against Tang Ming."

Fu Tianbao furrowed his brows, speaking regretfully: "Now, it’s great, Tang Ming didn’t defeat us, but the Dragon Group came and suppressed us all instead."

"Ladies and gentlemen, stop complaining, right now I’m the one who’s in the worst shape."

Fu Tianyou rubbed his forehead in pain: "In the future, the Ming Group will have to apply for official funds from Dragon’s Tooth, but the Ming Group still owes a huge amount in foreign debts right now. Such a massive deficit, Dragon’s Tooth is not going to bail the Ming Group out, what am I supposed to do?"

"What can you do? Figure it out yourself, we can barely protect ourselves now, we definitely can’t afford to worry about you."

Wan Yong glared at Fu Tianyou in displeasure, now that the Ming Group’s authority has been substantially weakened, for the Families it’s become an unnecessary appendage; there’s no way they’re going to pour money into this bottomless pit.

"The prestige of the Ming Group is already not what it used to be, especially after that recent extortion incident involving millionaires, those who used to curry favor with the Ming Group now avoid us, where am I supposed to get the money?"

Fu Tianyou sighed repeatedly in frustration.

"This is for you to figure out yourself. Each Family now has to invest in Dragon’s Tooth, and Dragon’s Tooth will then distribute funds to the Ming Group and the Dark Group; we can’t help you."

Fu Tianbao looked helplessly at Fu Tianyou: "Second brother, you’ll have to figure out a way to sort out the Ming Group’s issues yourself."

"It’s a headache, the Ming Group has too many people, developed too quickly before, and now with this sudden change, just the monthly salaries for the staff amount to an astronomical figure."

Fu Tianyou looked conflicted, turned to the Family Heads, and said through gritted teeth: "I’m planning to lay off staff."

"Lay off? Lay off who?"

The faces of several Family Heads changed slightly, they stared at Fu Tianyou with doubt.

"Previously, the Families arranged for disciples to take high positions in the Ming Group, doing nothing while receiving high pay, but now the Ming Group is running a deficit, I must eliminate personnel who bring no value."

Fu Tianyou spoke with a firm tone: "I hope everyone can understand and cooperate a bit."

"What do you mean by that?"

Upon hearing about the layoffs, the faces of several Family Heads turned ugly.

Over the years, the Ming Group has become an appendage and tool for several Families, moreover, it can generate money for the Families, so every Family has arranged a large number of people to hold vacant positions in the Ming Group, living idle lives.

Aside from a small number of capable individuals, the vast majority are parasites, yet this has become a tradition for settling family personnel among several Families.

As major Families in the Imperial City, with sprawling branches, aside from the Direct Lineage members, there are many branches and relatives.

So the Families of the Ming Group faction have arranged their idle personnel within the Ming Group to live idle lives, thus enjoying status and power, and receive substantial income sources.

In this way, many troubles within the Family can be avoided, otherwise, how could they afford to support so many idle people?

Within a major Family, there are at least thousands of mediocre followers; by arranging these people within the Ming Group, they can absorb their own Family’s expenses, meanwhile corroding the Ming Group’s assets, and also exploit the Ming Group’s identity for benefits.

If these people were expelled from the Ming Group, they’d become a family burden, and the losses are unimaginable.

"Literally speaking, the Ming Group suffered heavy casualties and can’t afford to pay extra expenses now, so it’s imperative to streamline personnel."

Fu Tianyou expressed his stance emotionlessly.

"You can’t touch our people."

Wan Changfa was the first to speak, angrily staring at Fu Tianyou, "You must understand, back then the Ming Group was supported and funded by a few of our Families to grow strong, and now you’re kicking out our people, do you have any conscience?"

"Wan brother, you must be clear, back then the Ming Group was indeed supported by several Families. But over the years the profits generated by the Ming Group for you far surpassed your investments."

Fu Tianyou pursed his lips, calmly looking at Wan Changfa: "Now that the Ming Group is facing difficulties, and constrained and supervised by Dragon’s Tooth, I can’t allow you to continue abusing it."

"Presumptuous, Fu Tianyou, don’t forget your identity, you belong to the Fu Family too."

Zhao Jincheng roared angrily, gritting his teeth: "There are quite a few members of your Fu Family in the Ming Group too, are you planning to lay off them as well?"

"Second brother, you need to carefully consider this matter; many of the branches of the Fu Family’s members are in the Ming Group, if you really do this, it won’t be easy to explain to the Family."

Fu Tianbao quickly interjected; this is related to the interests of the Fu Family, he couldn’t afford to take Fu Tianyou’s side.

"Don’t worry, I’ll start by laying off people from the Fu Family before moving on to those from other Families."

Fu Tianyou puffed out his chest and spoke dominantly: "Currently, the Ming Group needs to recover its Primordial Energy, laying off staff is imperative. Should I expel those who truly have talent and keep a bunch of parasites and trash instead?"

"Fu Tianyou, you’re burning bridges after crossing, be careful..."

"Enough with the nonsense! I am now the head of the Ming Group, if you’re not satisfied, then find someone to replace my position, I’d like to see what they can do to turn the Ming Group around."

Fu Tianyou suddenly slapped the table, interrupting everyone.

The several Family Heads instantly fell silent, at this point no one was willing to take on the mess of the Ming Group.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have no choice, that’s why I’ve resorted to such a drastic measure, if we don’t streamline personnel, let alone recovering Primordial Energy, the enormous salary expenditure alone would collapse the Ming Group."

Having subdued the Family Heads, Fu Tianyou sighed helplessly: "You all know, the Ming Group is currently burdened with huge debts, and simply can’t support such a massive structure anymore. Breaking to build anew, I have to reorganize internally."

"Cough, cough, ladies and gentlemen, my brother is doing his duty, he hasn’t done anything wrong. Let’s leave it at this."

Seeing Fu Tianyou so forceful, Fu Tianbao sighed helplessly: "Actually, not only does the Ming Group need reform, but we all need to reflect as Families. Now that the power in our hands has diminished, if we continue as before, we will certainly decline."