The next day, the Ming family held a large high-level meeting.
All the high-ranking members with real power gathered in the Ming family hall to discuss the family's future development.
Ming Hai sat in the patriarch's seat, his expression extremely grim.
He already knew about the complete destruction of Ming Tianfeng's stronghold.
But that wasn't what angered him.
What truly infuriated him was that Ming Jiacheng had secretly joined forces with the bastard son Ming Zhenglong to take down Ming Tianfeng in one fell swoop.
He had always turned a blind eye to the three brothers' infighting.
As long as the balance wasn't broken, he couldn't be bothered to intervene.
Now that the balance was shattered, with Ming Jiacheng and Ming Zhenglong ganging up to destroy Ming Tianfeng, he had no choice but to step in.
If he let the two of them eliminate Ming Tianfeng,
would they next join forces to deal with him?
Besides, he had already secretly fallen out with that bastard son Ming Zhenglong.
Given Ming Zhenglong's style, if he ever got the chance, he would absolutely kill his own father.
He couldn't allow that to happen, nor would he let Ming Jiacheng continue to dominate unchecked.
Ming Jiacheng's current strength was entirely built on his covert support.
Now he decided to weaken Ming Jiacheng's power and restore the balance.
Once all the high-ranking Ming family members with real authority had gathered, Ming Hai cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everyone, I'm sure you've all heard about the recent major events."
"Tianfeng's stronghold was completely wiped out."
"We lost several thousand people. What do you think should be done about this?"
As he spoke, Ming Hai's gaze fell on Ming Jiacheng and Ming Zhenglong, a clear warning in his eyes.
The other high-ranking members weren't fools; none of them responded.
They all understood that Ming Hai was about to crack down on the two brothers.
Since it was a conflict among the three brothers, staying silent was their best option.
For a moment, the entire hall was so quiet you could hear everyone's heartbeat.
"Jiacheng, as the eldest brother, what do you think should be done?"
Ming Hai continued to pressure Ming Jiacheng.
Ming Jiacheng clenched his fists, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face.
Previously, Ming Hai had told him he could use any means to take down Ming Tianfeng, as long as he didn't kill him.
Now asking him this was clearly going back on his word.
In that instant, he realized that his father's past support had never been genuine—it was just a way to control him.
With that thought, Ming Jiacheng was furious and simply pretended not to hear anything.
Ming Hai had expected this reaction from Ming Jiacheng.
He didn't care about Ming Jiacheng's attitude at all and turned his gaze to Ming Zhenglong.
"Zhenglong, what do you think? How should we handle this?"
Ming Zhenglong rolled his eyes and said bluntly, "How to handle it? Don't you already have the answer in mind?"
"Besides, even if we say how to handle it, would you listen?"
He had never had any fondness for this so-called father of his.
So he didn't care about Ming Hai's thoughts or his pride.
His words shocked the high-ranking members.
But Ming Hai just laughed, looking unconcerned.
"As expected, Zhenglong really knows me best."
"Since neither of you has a solution, let me share my thoughts."
With that, Ming Hai turned his gaze to the elderly man beside him.
"Ming Shanhai, starting today, you will assist Tianfeng in rebuilding the stronghold and deploying troops."
"Whatever he needs, you must fully support him."
The old man was startled and quickly glanced at Ming Jiacheng across the room.
He was Ming Jiacheng's biggest financial backer.
Now Ming Hai wanted to sever their connection and have him fully support Ming Tianfeng. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.
Ming Jiacheng's face twisted in anger, but he was powerless.
"Ming Shanhai, do you have a problem?" Ming Hai's voice came coldly again.
The best way to help Ming Tianfeng recover quickly was to split Ming Jiacheng's power.
Cutting off financial support was just the first step in his plan.
"No problem."
Seeing no signal from Ming Jiacheng, Ming Shanhai had no choice but to comply.
With Ming Shanhai settled, Ming Hai turned his gaze to two burly men on the right.
"Ming Lihai, Ming Lifeng, starting today, you two will stay by Tianfeng's side."
"Also, transfer two thousand men from your barracks to assist him."
"Understood!" The two men nodded in unison.
This made Ming Jiacheng stand up in fury.
The people Ming Hai had reassigned were his biggest supporters.
Losing the three of them was like losing an arm.
Ming Hai stared coldly at Ming Jiacheng. "Do you have a problem?"
"Father, aren't you going too far?"
Ming Jiacheng didn't back down, asking coldly.
"Is it too far to help your brother rebuild his stronghold?" Ming Hai retorted.
Ming Jiacheng clenched his fists, unable to find a response.
"Big brother, don't bother. In the old man's eyes, there's only one son. We're all just pawns," Ming Zhenglong said with a self-deprecating laugh.
At this, Ming Hai's face darkened.
"Zhenglong, what kind of talk is that?"
Ming Zhenglong sneered, "I'm telling the truth. Can't you understand?"
"This meeting is pointless. I have things to do, so I'm leaving."
Without giving Ming Hai any face, Ming Zhenglong turned and walked away.
He had grown to where he was today entirely through his own wits and methods.
In decades, Ming Hai had never given him any support.
So he couldn't stand Ming Hai's behavior.
Ming Jiacheng didn't want to waste words with Ming Hai either and stood up to leave.
Today's meeting made it clear that Ming Hai's goal was to "cut his flesh" to compensate Ming Tianfeng.
Since his father was ruthless, don't blame him for being heartless.
"Jiacheng, what are you doing?"
Ming Hai frowned, coldly stopping Ming Jiacheng from leaving.
His goal was to balance the three brothers' power.
Now it seemed he hadn't achieved that; instead, he had earned the resentment of Ming Jiacheng and Ming Zhenglong.
This was a very dangerous sign.
If things continued like this, Ming Jiacheng and Ming Zhenglong would soon join forces against him and Ming Tianfeng.
Ming Jiacheng didn't even bother to respond, quickly leaving the Ming family hall.
Watching the two walk away, Ming Hai angrily overturned the table.
Back at his residence, Ming Jiacheng immediately had Guo Zhenlong fetch Liu Tiezhu.
Given the situation, he had to strike first; otherwise, once Ming Tianfeng regained his strength, he would be the one in danger.
His father had pulled all his supporters and redirected them to Ming Tianfeng.
He couldn't help but suspect that Ming Hai was planning to move against him.
Half an hour later, Guo Zhenlong brought Liu Tiezhu to Ming Jiacheng's luxurious residence.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ming Jiacheng directly recounted the day's meeting and asked Liu Tiezhu for advice.
Liu Tiezhu fell silent after hearing it.
Ming Jiacheng wasn't telling him this to seek advice.
After all, if even the high-ranking Ming family members couldn't change Ming Hai's decision, what could an action team leader do?
So Ming Jiacheng's real intention was to use Liu Tiezhu's authority to handle some matters for him.
Realizing this, Liu Tiezhu was secretly pleased.
If Ming Jiacheng needed help, there would be plenty of profit involved—exactly what he wanted.
"Brother Ming, we're on the same boat. Whatever you need, just say the word."
"As long as I can help, I won't refuse."
Hearing this, Ming Jiacheng smiled with satisfaction.
He took out a stack of bills and handed them to Liu Tiezhu.
"Kill a few people for me, and this money is yours."
Liu Tiezhu didn't take the money right away. "Brother Ming, who do you want me to kill?"
Ming Jiacheng pulled out a piece of paper with a list of names and handed it to Liu Tiezhu.
Liu Tiezhu took the paper and frowned as he read it.
"Brother Ming, this is too risky."
"I'll add another fifty thousand. Get it done within three days."
Ming Jiacheng's voice was firm and resolute.