Chapter 93

"Divide the family?"

When Tong Shengyue said this, everyone in the hall was shocked. Although the old man had always felt guilty towards this daughter-in-law, he cared more about the unity of the family. Hearing this suddenly, he immediately became angry and said, "What nonsense? As long as I am alive, the Shangguan family has not reached that point..."

Feng Jueyu listened outside the door, but Tong Shengyue was not afraid at all: "Father, the division of the family will only benefit the Shangguan family."

Everyone was silent, looking at this bold Third Aunt...

Tong Shengyue stood up and said, "Now everyone understands that the Tian Nan Chamber of Commerce is a measure to integrate the Tian Nan pharmaceutical trade. Whether the Shangguan, Xu, or Chen families become dominant, the Emperor will not intervene. As long as we are tied together, it is easier to manage, and the Emperor's goal is achieved. The Xu and Chen families have been secretly colluding, with the intention of squeezing the Shangguan family out. Once the Chamber of Commerce president is in the hands of the Xu family, they will immediately block all of the Shangguan family's external business channels, confining them. Who is the president of the Chamber of Commerce? He decides how much tax we pay, and the share is determined by him alone. If we do not withdraw in time, the Shangguan family will suffer even greater losses in the future..."

At this point, Tong Shengyue said with great emotion, "Second Brother, Second Sister, First Brother, First Sister, Ruomeng, do you think we can still extricate ourselves if we do not withdraw now? Therefore, in my opinion, it would be better to break up the family business and withdraw from the pharmaceutical industry to seek other opportunities. This way, at least we can preserve the Shangguan family's accumulated wealth over the years. Father, I dare to say one more thing, the expenses of the Shangguan family in recent years are not just the few categories I mentioned, but also the neighbors... we..."

"Enough, you don't need to say more." Before Tong Shengyue could finish, Shangguan Lingyun waved his hand to interrupt her, making her close her mouth.

Although Tong Shengyue did not say it, Feng Jueyu, listening outside the door, understood clearly. The so-called "neighbors" were none other than the hidden forces of the Shangguan family that were exposed while searching for his whereabouts.

At this point, Shangguan Ruomeng had already knocked on the door, and then the two of them entered. Everyone's eyes turned to them...

Feng Jueyu looked around the room and saw that there were indeed many people, including the heads of the first, second, and third branches, as well as the main and deputy managers of the shops, and the accountants and managers, nearly twenty people in total.

Seeing Feng Jueyu enter, everyone immediately fell silent. Shangguan Lingyun's expression did not change, and he pointed to a chair at the end of the room, saying to Feng Jueyu, "Xiao Yu, sit down first."

Feng Jueyu obediently sat down, and his gaze swept the room, noticing that many people were looking at him with resentment, leaving him puzzled.

What's going on? Why are they all looking at me like this?

Feng Jueyu still did not understand Shangguan Lingyun's intentions. Why would a family secret meeting need him to be present?

Shangguan Ruomeng was sitting at the head of the table, the head manager of the Shangguan family, her beautiful eyes filled with worry. When she glanced at Feng Jueyu, there was a hint of apology, which made him even more suspicious.

After Feng Jueyu sat down, Shangguan Lingyun slowly asked, "Lingyun, share your thoughts."

Shangguan Lingyun looked at his wife Zheng Ruxia, then at his older brother Shangguan Tengfeng and his sister-in-law Chang Yufeng. After a long silence, he said, "Father, Big Brother, I think that although my sister-in-law's words may be harsh, they are not necessarily untrue."

Shangguan Ruomeng sighed, disappointed, and lowered his head. Clearly, the family turmoil was not just due to Tong Shengyue's opposition. He said, "The Shangguan family has recently been suppressed by the Gold and Silver Association, and our external business cannot proceed normally. The share we can get in the city is limited, as everyone knows. Given the current situation, our chances of turning things around are very slim. It would be better to break up the family business and use the silver for other purposes to plan for a future comeback."

Shangguan Ruomeng, hearing this, knew he had to speak up. He said, "Second Uncle, I am currently in talks with several merchants, and the problem is just a matter of time. I have been communicating with Lord Zhang, and what we hoped for was a half month, but now it only needs ten days. I hope Second Uncle will support me."

"Ten days?" Before Shangguan Lingyun could respond, Tong Shengyue laughed out loud, "Ruomeng, I don't deny your capabilities. At the birthday banquet, you had the chance to talk with Zhang Changling, but unfortunately, your pride cost the Shangguan family its last chance to turn things around. Now, if you go to Lord Zhang again, do you think he will agree? You have already offended him deeply..."

Although Tong Shengyue did not explicitly point out who had "pride," the word "you" clearly pointed to someone who thought they were not involved.

When she finished speaking, all the "important figures" of the Shangguan family turned to look at Feng Jueyu with accusatory eyes. It was clear that Shangguan Ruomeng had told them about what happened after the banquet, and now they were blaming him, Feng Jueyu thought helplessly.

At this moment, Shangguan Lingyun spoke up, "Xiao Yu, if you were to go to Zhang Changling's residence again and ask him to delay for a few days, do you think it's possible?"

Finally, he was being asked, Feng Jueyu thought, and he understood why he was called here. He glanced at Shangguan Ruomeng, who was looking down, and chuckled, "No chance, absolutely no chance."

Everyone had been holding onto this last hope, but Feng Jueyu's refusal to even try extinguished their hope, making them even angrier.

"Xiao Yu." It was Tong Shengyue speaking. In this family, only she dared to speak to Feng Jueyu without any reservations, and she said sarcastically, "Xiao Yu, there's something I want to ask you."

Feng Jueyu already knew what Tong Shengyue wanted to ask and smiled gracefully, "Go ahead, Third Aunt."

Tong Shengyue laughed coldly and said, "How many years have you been with the Shangguan family?"

"Eight years," Feng Jueyu answered, pursing his lips.

"How has the Shangguan family treated you?"

"Without a doubt."

"Good." Tong Shengyue's eyes flashed with anger, and she said sternly, "The Shangguan family treats you like one of us. Even when you caused countless troubles for us, no one in the Shangguan family ever complained to your face. The Shangguan family treats you like family. I ask you, at the birthday banquet, you and Zhang Changling had a close relationship. Why didn't you say a good word for the Shangguan family, but instead offended someone we cannot afford to offend? What are your intentions?"

Her words were harsh and left no room for maneuver. Normally, everyone would be worried about Tong Shengyue's directness, but with the Shangguan family's situation urgent, and the last chance squandered by Feng Jueyu, everyone was very dissatisfied. Even with Shangguan Lingyun present, they did not think her words were too much. They all looked at Feng Jueyu angrily, waiting for his explanation.

Shangguan Lingyun, seeing this, became furious, "Shengyue, you've gone too far."

"Am I the one who has gone too far, or is he?" Tong Shengyue retorted, "Father, the Shangguan family is about to be swallowed up, and you are still protecting him."

Shangguan Lingyun shouted, "Ridiculous! The relationship between Xiao Yu and Zhang Changling is their own business, and has nothing to do with the Shangguan family. If I were in his place, I would have done the same. What is wrong with standing up for oneself?"

"He is not wrong, but he did not have the Shangguan family in his heart. If he had been patient and lowered his stance, perhaps the Shangguan family would not be in this situation. He is not wrong, but he has made us feel cold."

Everyone nodded in agreement...

"Shut up, this family is still under my control, and I will not tolerate your wild behavior." Shangguan Lingyun's face turned red with anger, but he knew that Tong Shengyue's words had some truth. He hesitated, his raised hand stopping in mid-air, unsure whether to strike or not.

"Father, don't..."

"Grandfather, please show mercy. Although Third Aunt's words were harsh, she meant well for the family..."

"Father, my sister-in-law spoke hastily, but it was not her intention. Please calm down..."

Seeing Shangguan Lingyun about to strike, the heads of the first, second, and third branches all stood up to plead, and Shangguan Ruomeng held his hand.

As for Tong Shengyue, she cried as if she had been wronged...

Shangguan Lingyun, his face cold, was held back and sat down, looking sternly at Tong Shengyue and everyone else, and shouted, "Do you want to rebel? Let me tell you, as long as I am alive, the Shangguan family will not leave Tian Nan City, and this family will not be dissolved. The first, second, and third branches, each must contribute ten thousand taels of silver, and it must not be taken from the shop accounts. You must all dig deep to solve the immediate crisis. Anyone who does not comply will be expelled from the Shangguan family..."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Lingyun was stunned and said bitterly, "Father, I think what my sister-in-law said is not without reason. Instead of spending thirty thousand taels of silver to smooth things over, it would be better to invest in other businesses. As long as the family does not break up, isn't that fine?"

"What? You still want to divide the family?" Shangguan Lingyun's eyes widened, and he was about to fly into a rage.

At this moment, Feng Jueyu stood up and interjected, "Ah, can I say a few words..."

"Hmm?"