The Tycoon System: I Have a Universal Land

"Chairman Zhu, let's head to the conference room. Gather all the executives and former shareholders for a meeting. It's time for everyone to reintroduce themselves. And as for the man on the floor, drag him along too. He's not leaving just yet. Once my team completes their investigation and we get the results, we'll call the police."

Hearing these words, Ma Yongsheng suddenly jumped to his feet. "I need to use the restroom!"

Shang Yunyian didn't bother to respond. Instead, he gestured subtly to Chen Peng and Chen Zhan before walking away.

Inside the conference room, around twenty or thirty executives and shareholders sat below Shang Yunyian. He remained silent, observing them all. Many were familiar faces—people he had known during his time at the company. However, none of them had directly targeted him, and he was aware of their contributions to the company. Therefore, Shang Yunyian wasn't planning any drastic changes to the company's structure for now.

"System, now that United Future is mine, can I move the company's funds into Universal Bank?"

Ding! The system responded promptly: "The system only granted you ownership of United Future's shares. Any funds within the company's accounts are unrelated to the system. Only the shares are relevant."

Hearing this, Shang Yunyian smiled. The system's message was clear: he could do as he pleased.

"Now that everyone is here, I'll keep this brief. I'm well-acquainted with the company's investment projects. Finance Director, please provide an update on the company's available investment capital."

The finance director hesitated briefly before responding, "Chairman Shang, the current available liquid capital for investments is 140 million."

"United Future has been a well-established company for over two decades. I spent a fortune to acquire it, yet it only has 140 million in cash flow? I'm astonished! What about the reserve fund?"

"5.82 million," the director replied sheepishly.

"Excellent. Chairman Zhu, do these numbers stir any feelings in you?"

At this, Zhu Li grew visibly agitated. After all, he had founded this company and overseen its operations for over twenty years. Even though Shang Yunyian now owned the company, Zhu Li still felt a sense of responsibility.

"Chairman Shang, I don't think you're in a position to criticize the company's past operations."

Hearing Zhu Li's retort, Shang Yunyian chuckled. "Oh, I'm not in a position? Then who is? Don't forget, I worked here for over a year. For every Ma Yongsheng in this company, there are bound to be more."

"But—" Before Zhu Li could finish his sentence, the door to the conference room burst open. Chen Zhan dragged Ma Yongsheng into the room and tossed him two meters in front of Shang Yunyian. Chen Peng and Zhang Liping followed closely behind.

"Young Master, this guy tried to run, but we caught him. Zhang has also uncovered some important findings."

"Good. Zhang, please share your discoveries about Manager Ma's activities."

"Yes, Young Master!" Zhang Liping adjusted her glasses and began to speak. "Ma Yongsheng's contract states an annual salary of 360,000, with a 1% commission on departmental profits. However, our records show that the company transferred a total of 3.54 million to his personal account last year. This includes 360,000 in salary, 440,000 in profit commissions, and a staggering 2.74 million in miscellaneous reimbursements. Among these, the most egregious was a single meal expense reimbursement of 227,000. Furthermore, his reported taxes amounted to only 4,500."

Shang Yunyian's eyes narrowed. "Finance Director, do you have anything to say about approving such ridiculous expenses?"

"I—I only process reimbursements that are signed off by a vice president. As long as the signature is there, I approve them."

"Hah!" Shang Yunyian sneered. "Chairman Zhu, were you aware of this? A 36,000 salary with only 4,500 in taxes? Who are you trying to fool?"

The room fell silent. Everyone present understood the gravity of the situation. If the new chairman chose to pursue these matters, the entire management team would be implicated, and the company's operations could grind to a halt.

"Chairman Shang, I thought we were here to discuss the company's future, not to dig up old grievances," Vice President Wang interjected nervously.

"Why are you so anxious, Vice President Wang? Were you involved as well? Did you sign off on his reimbursements—or perhaps you signed off on reimbursements for all the managers?"

"So what if I did?" Wang snapped defiantly.

Clap, clap, clap! Shang Yunyian applauded mockingly. "I admire your candor. Chen Peng, Chen Zhan—lock the doors. Zhang, I need you to investigate the expense reports and tax filings for everyone in this room. Xue'er, call the police."

Without giving anyone a chance to respond, Shang Yunyian issued his orders. His decisive actions left everyone stunned. They had all engaged in questionable practices to varying degrees, and now they were staring down the barrel of accountability.

"This is... Chairman Shang, I was only joking earlier," Vice President Wang stammered, his confidence evaporating.

"Joking? Hah! I don't have time for jokes."

"Chairman Shang, don't you think this is a bit excessive?" Zhu Li asked, realizing the seriousness of the situation. If the management team were arrested en masse, the company would be paralyzed.

"Excessive? Then enlighten me, Chairman Zhu—what's the proper course of action? Turning a blind eye to embezzlement and tax evasion? Allowing employees to engage in extramarital affairs in the office? Chairman Zhu, let me be blunt—you're outdated. If it weren't for you, United Future would have gone public long ago. Your connections may have sustained the company's investments, but what will you do once those debts of gratitude are repaid? Wait to die?"

"I—" Zhu Li was left speechless by Shang Yunyian's unrelenting criticism.