Chapter 0826: The Abacus

Where there are people, there is the jianghu, and there are disputes—this is an eternal truth. Workplace life is no exception; harmony and goodwill are simply impossible.

For some reason, when Zhao Fusheng heard that Zheng Yao had called a meeting of department-level middle managers, he had a bad feeling.

It wasn't that Zheng Yao didn't have the authority—after all, as the head of the head office, it was perfectly normal for her to convene a meeting of branch company employees. The problem was that, at this particular moment, Zheng Yao's actions made Zhao Fusheng feel she might have made a wrong decision.

Heaving a soft sigh, Zhao Fusheng did not go to the meeting room, even though he had the right to enter—nominally, he was still the top person in Future Advertising's Planning Department.

Many things could not be changed just by his walking in and saying a few words. Besides, in front of so many people, he had to maintain Zheng Yao's authority as the company's general manager.

So Zhao Fusheng went straight to his office in the Planning Department.

Although he didn't come to the company often, the department head's office here was still reserved for him.

Sitting in his office, Zhao Fusheng frowned deeply, pondering what Zheng Yao's purpose was in calling this meeting today.

From his understanding of Zheng Yao, she wasn't the type to interfere in branch management without reason. Lately, because of the merger between the two sides, there had been dissenting voices both at the head office and the branch. After all, the merger involved staff arrangements, departmental responsibilities, and many other aspects—there were too many vested interests at play.

And in fact, at that very moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room was extremely tense.

"To sum up, the head office's opinion is that after the merger of all departments, the original department heads will join as deputy heads, though their salaries and benefits will remain unchanged," Bai Jie slowly stated Zheng Yao's arrangement, her gaze sweeping across the meeting room.

To be fair, this matter had nothing to do with her or Dong Chenxi. At most, they would go from being regional lords to central officials, and with their seniority at Future Advertising, returning to the head office would still place them second only to one person and above ten thousand others.

So the ones truly affected were the trusted subordinates they had promoted in the branch.

But the crux of the problem was that, in this situation, neither Dong Chenxi nor Bai Jie could step forward to speak for those people.

The reason was simple: it involved the most basic rule of the workplace. If Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie didn't want to be accused of hoarding power, their best choice at this moment was to keep silent.

Even if their trusted subordinates would suffer significant losses because of this, they could only choose to remain silent.

Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives exploited the situation, they would never be able to clear their names, even with a hundred mouths.

"I agree with this plan," Dong Chenxi spoke first, seeing that no one else had spoken.

Whether from a personal or an official standpoint, she had to support Zheng Yao's plan; otherwise, it would harm the unity of the entire company.

"I disagree," said the deputy head of the Planning Department, who had been promoted by Dong Chenxi. He was an old employee who had followed them from Binzhou to Beijing and naturally knew Zheng Yao.

"President Zheng, we've worked hard to open up the market in Beijing. Even if we don't have great achievements, we have our efforts. Is it appropriate to make such a blanket cut?"

"Yes, President Zheng, please consider our feelings."

"We finally broke into this market, and now we're handing it over to others. I..."

"I'd rather not be that deputy head..."

Once someone started, others followed. In an instant, the meeting room was filled with voices, all complaining.

Zheng Yao frowned deeply, her gaze sweeping over the people in the room before settling on Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie.

She believed that the two of them were not behind this agitation, but the problem was that these people in Beijing would definitely follow their lead.

In other words, it was like Zhao Kuangyin at the Chenqiao Mutiny. Perhaps at first he had no intention of declaring himself emperor, but after his men forced him onto the throne, ambition inevitably grew.

Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie might not have such thoughts now, but who could guarantee that, if pushed into a corner, they wouldn't develop different ideas?

Although Zheng Yao wanted to trust her good sisters, the harsh reality forced her to consider many things.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the meeting room was gradually getting out of control, Zheng Yao gritted her teeth and said solemnly, "Let's stop here for today. Everyone, go back and think carefully about what I've said. The company will not treat its contributors unfairly, and I hope you can understand the company's difficulties. That's all."

With that, she stood up and walked out of the meeting room, taking the lead.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, their eyes converging on Dong Chenxi.

Dong Chenxi gave a wry smile, stood up as well, and followed Zheng Yao's figure.

Bai Jie also stood up, glanced at the few who had spoken first, sighed, and left without saying anything.

Both she and Dong Chenxi understood the petty schemes of these people. Although it was only human nature, they were in an awkward position. Even if they wanted to help speak up, it was hard to do so.

So when Zhao Fusheng came to Dong Chenxi's office from his own, he saw three women sitting there with serious expressions.

"What's wrong with you?" Zhao Fusheng asked curiously, looking at them.

"Don't even mention it. It's all about the merger," Zheng Yao said with a wry smile, explaining the situation to Zhao Fusheng.

They were familiar enough that there was no need to hide anything.

"Hmm, so that's how it is..." Zhao Fusheng rubbed his chin, his expression quite serious.

Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie exchanged a glance; both wanted to know what Zhao Fusheng thought.

In fact, they all knew that if anyone truly didn't care about this merger, it was Zhao Fusheng.

The reason was simple: Zhao Fusheng's position was such that whether the merger happened or the status quo continued, it had no impact on him at all.

It was often said that the onlooker sees the game best while the player is lost. Perhaps Zhao Fusheng was the one who could truly step back and see the whole picture.

Meeting the eyes of the three, Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "This is simple. There's no need to rack your brains over it."

As soon as he said this, the eyes of all three lit up...