Chapter 260: The Principal of the Group

Everyone present clicked their tongues in secret amazement—Lu Dabo's income was terrifying, and the group leaders' income was also quite terrifying.

If he only brought fifty people in a day, the income each person could provide to the group leader was fifty yuan, so a day's income would be 2,500.

This was only the Jade Rabbit crew—what about the other crews? With a little effort, they could all afford a house.

House prices now weren't as outrageous as they would be later.

Just from the extras' kickbacks alone, so much grey income had been generated.

"You're not wrong. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known someone was deliberately causing trouble." Fang Hong's sharp gaze turned toward those two group leaders.

The matter was now clear: Lu Dabo was greedy, but he had always followed the rules. The ones who broke the rules were these two—they deliberately underpaid and stirred up trouble. Time to settle accounts.

Besides, he had always known Lu Dabo was greedy. Today, only after the trouble blew up did he deliberately expose it, aiming to cut off this chunk of grey income.

"Principal, we were blinded by profit for a moment. We'll return the money to them, return it to them." Jing Zhangchi was startled.

"Returning it to them was what you should have done in the first place. That's a matter between you and them—it has nothing to do with me."

After saying this, Fang Hong added: "But as far as I'm concerned, this is no longer about money."

"What do you mean?" Jing Zhangchi was a bit confused.

"You deliberately stirred things up, saying my crew underpaid, telling them to come cause trouble here. What do you mean by that?" Fang Hong retorted.

The two men's hearts sank, sensing something bad was about to happen!

Fang Hong looked at the people around him and said loudly: "All of you, watch carefully today. Look at their faces, remember their names—Jing Zhangchi, Zhao Jinbao. From now on, anyone who works under them, Jade Rabbit won't take them."

This was a direct ban.

Jing Zhangchi's face changed, he let out a wail, his knees went weak and he dropped to the ground. Zhao Jinbao followed suit.

"Principal, you can't ban us!" The two cried out.

They relied on Jade Rabbit, earning at least over two thousand a day, sometimes three to five thousand without a hitch. Wasn't this cutting off their livelihood, killing their parents?

Moreover, Jade Rabbit's crews were growing in number now, needing more and more people!

They had only followed orders to make a scene—they really hadn't expected the Principal to ban them, thinking at most they'd pay some money and it'd be over.

But no one sympathized with them, and Fang Hong didn't either: "When something goes wrong, someone has to take responsibility."

"Principal, we didn't want this either—someone forced us to do it." Jing Zhangchi wailed, wiped his tears, and prepared to spill the beans.

"I don't care about that, and I don't want to know who forced you. In short, starting today, your two names are removed from Jade Rabbit's hiring list." Fang Hong said it with iron resolve.

Did he not know there was someone behind this? Of course he did. There was no need to let these people tell him, nor to let them say it out loud.

Daring to cause trouble means someone has to bear the corresponding price—this is the cost of stupidity and being blinded by greed.

Jing Zhangchi crawled forward on his knees, kowtowing: "Principal, please spare us, we won't dare again."

"When you were stirring things up, you should have expected today, so I can't forgive you." Fang Hong was cold and merciless.

"Please let us go, I beg you. We really didn't want to do it—someone told us to do it this way. I didn't mean to blow things up either." Jing Zhangchi kowtowed repeatedly, weeping and wailing.

Zhao Jinbao even crawled on his knees to Fang Hong's feet, begging for mercy.

Seeing the Principal so ruthlessly ban the people who had been bossing them around, those eight were also frightened—just now it hadn't been like this.

Lu Dabo couldn't help feeling a bit of "the fox mourning the hare's death," and the three group leaders felt the same way.

The onlookers from the crew weren't very sympathetic either—this whole mess was caused by these two's corruption in the first place.

Everyone knew about kickbacks, but deliberately withholding pay and saying the crew had underpaid them, claiming the crew deducted it because the temporary workers weren't working hard enough—

That was just not playing fair. Wasn't that deliberately causing trouble?

A few stagehands stepped forward and pulled the two men apart.

"Lu Dabo, you took our bribes and promised to protect us. How can you go back on your word?" Jing Zhangchi was being dragged away, pointing at Lu Dabo and shouting urgently.

"I damn well never told you to withhold the temporary workers' pay, and I never told you to tell them our crew didn't pay enough. You damn fool, talking nonsense—how am I supposed to get by?" Lu Dabo was also worked up, cursing furiously.

His lifetime of wealth and honor was all given by the Principal, but he had never once bitten the hand that fed him.

"Today, settle the fees for bringing people over with them, and don't hire them again in the future." Fang Hong said to Han Jianü.

"Someone will settle with them." Han Jianü felt not a shred of sympathy.

Fang Hong waved his hand, ordering people to drag these two out of the crew!

What needed to be said had been said. Dealing with these two was to warn the others.

After those two were dragged away wailing, the crew fell silent for a moment.

The eight troublemakers were also a bit scared, realizing the Principal had already been very lenient with them earlier.

"Principal, what about the money then?" Someone summoned their courage.

"I didn't take your money. Whoever you should ask for your money, go ask them. I can't cover it for you."

Fang Hong kept things separate—he couldn't possibly make up the difference himself. If he did, it would mean he was in the wrong.

Those words made the few men's hearts turn cold—they ultimately wouldn't get the money back.

"Then thank you, Principal!"

That swarthy old man bent at the waist, his face gloomy: "What about what you said earlier—submitting your info, 200 a day, priority for work, is that still valid?"

"Valid?" Fang Hong nodded.

This put them at ease. As long as this was valid, they didn't care about that little bit.

The others bowed and turned to leave.

"Principal, can we submit our info directly to Jade Rabbit, connect directly?" an extra shouted from outside, also wanting such treatment.

Extras and temporary workers in the distance heard there were benefits and gathered around in large numbers.

"Of course. As long as you have no criminal record and are upright, anyone can. No favoritism." Fang Hong turned his head and answered loudly.

This made the temporary workers present brighten up, and more and more people gathered. A "buzz" of voices was spreading.

Even those who had been standing still earlier now came over.

"Principal." Han Jianü wanted to stop him—managing these people would take effort and cost.

Fang Hong gestured that it was fine, then stopped the eight people who were about to leave: "Don't rush, let me finish."

Those few stopped their steps and listened.

"Lu Dabo was also at fault in this matter, he will give compensation." Fang Hong looked at Lu Dabo.

"I'm willing to compensate!" Lu Dabo quickly declared his stance.

As long as the Principal didn't give up on him, a little money was nothing.

This put hope on the faces of those eight old men.

"But he didn't just take from you few people, but from very many people, so the compensation goes to everyone he took from, not just you few, you need to understand." Fang Hong made the matter clear.

"Understood."

Those old men nodded, the Principal handled things fairly!

There really was nothing to say about this; it wasn't possible that just because you caused trouble, you should get milk to drink, while everyone else was ignored — what if other people also came to cause trouble?

This remark made the three to five hundred temporary workers on the outer edge look joyful — if they got 20 a day, 10 days would be 200.

The Principal really is showing great kindness!

Lu Dabo's face turned a bit bitter; he had been skimming for so long, if he had to compensate, every extra would come asking him for money — how could he possibly make it all right.

He might end up in debt; a lot of the money was already spent, used to build a big house back home.

"Principal, I don't have that much money!" Lu Dabo quietly complained. Liu Tianxian patted his arm and slightly shook her head, signaling him to wait — clearly Fang Hong hadn't finished.

Lu Dabo glanced at the celestial sister, then shut his mouth.

Earlier Liu Tianxian had heard Han Jianü say there was no information on extras or temporary workers, so this money simply couldn't be distributed to these people's hands.

With no information, how would one know who had worked at Yutu and who hadn't.

So there was definitely more to come.

"Let me clarify one point — Yutu has no records of your work, meaning whether you used to work at Yutu or not, how many days you worked, none of that information exists, including your names, so this money cannot be compensated to each person's hand." Fang Hong looked at the extras present.

"Since the Principal can't compensate, forget it — just talk about the 200-a-day work thing." Someone shouted, only caring about this, and knowing compensation was impossible.

More people just listened.

"I plan to set up a group, to be called the Extras Group. Anyone in this group can have priority to come work at Yutu's crews, with a guaranteed minimum wage of 200 yuan."

The moment Fang Hong said this, the extras immediately "erupted," exchanging glances, and instantly showed pleased expressions — this really could work.

It was equivalent to them being put on the payroll, directly boosting their income, and even more for special jobs.

The three extras team leaders still present didn't look good — the Principal doing this was equivalent to sidelining all of them, where would they make money in the future.

But they also didn't dare speak up; the two people dragged out earlier had served them as a warning.

"Principal, just say how to do it, I'll be the first to apply to join this group." Someone shouted excitedly.

If it really worked like this, they'd earn far more than before!

"This group requires management costs, coordination costs, review costs, labor costs, etc. — meaning data review and manual coordination to maintain the group's operation. These all cost money, and not just anyone can join this group."

These extras were hard to manage, because they were all temporary, so they were very lax.

Fang Hong continued: "Lu Dabo will personally fork out 300,000 yuan, equivalent to compensation for you, and also equivalent to every extra chipping in a bit to get this set up, to build the framework."

"That's fine, that works!"

"We have no objections!"

"That's quite acceptable, the sooner the better!"

"."

The surrounding extras responded one after another, faces full of joy — there was no way not to support this, since it wasn't their money being spent.

If it came true, 200 a day, 6000 a month — quite tempting.

Lu Dabo's expression was still okay; 300,000 yuan, if he tightened his belt, he could still come up with it — worst case, sell the car.

"I need to make this clear to you: since extras are a group, they need to be picked up and dropped off by car, and each person's situation is different, requiring targeted management. For each day worked, 20 yuan is deducted — this money doesn't go to me, but counts as a management fee, given to the extras team leaders who coordinate with you."

Fang Hong thought it over — rashly cutting out the extras team leader middlemen in one step wouldn't work; extras were temporary and not that easy to manage.

Some people had this situation, some had that, there were many of them, and gathering them required car pickups and drop-offs — all of which took energy and labor; he simply didn't have that energy.

Moreover, cutting out the team leaders might cause them to resist again, so extras would get a bit more, team leaders would yield some profit, taking care of all sides.

The benefit Fang Hong gained was bringing every extra's data under his control; wages would be issued by dedicated personnel, no longer going through the team leaders.

In this way, Yutu would give the money to the Extras Group, and the Extras Group's finance would then pay the extras and team leaders.

Holding their financial power, letting them know who was paying them — previously it was the crew paying the team leaders, and the team leaders paying the extras.

This change was equivalent to grasping their lifeline.

Earlier it was 200 yuan, and they said no team leaders were needed; now they're needed again, prettily called a management fee — this is giving a date, then hitting with a stick!

"Principal, isn't this still letting the team leaders take our money?" someone asked.

"It's different. Your money will be issued by the Extras Group's finance, not by the team leaders. All the team leaders have to do is manage you well, serve you well. If you're dissatisfied, you can also file a complaint to the Extras Group."

Fang Hong continued to add: "In the future, Yutu's productions will only recruit through the Extras Group, including team leaders, not through any other channel."

In that case, it would still be 180 yuan, a month with 600 yuan inexplicably less.

But it was acceptable — this was the minimum standard; if you were capable and worked more, you'd earn more than this.

Even at the minimum standard, it was still much more than before!

The three team leaders also breathed a sigh of relief — they had really thought the Principal was going to sideline them and strip them of their interests.

Although they'd earn less, competition was also reduced; in the future, Yutu's productions would only issue job requirements through the Extras Group.

If you weren't a team leader in the Extras Group, you wouldn't be wanted!

It was equivalent to before, when they competed — Yutu's productions wanting thirty-four people was already good; after competition was reduced, a team leader could pull in sixty or seventy people.

Of course, it was still limited to pulling people within the Extras Group, and wages were only issued through the Extras Group, no longer going through them, eliminating a lot of Mao Ni.

Correspondingly, there was also much less entertaining and bribing — like bribing Lu Dabo, treating this bastard to baths and women also cost money.

Still acceptable, as long as it makes money!

The scene fell silent for a moment, everyone calculating the accounts in their heads.

"That money from Lu Dabo can't possibly come every year, right? Your extras group needs to hire a finance officer, hire an auditing clerk, and also hire some coordinators to distribute casting notices. These labor costs come up every year, which means keeping the extras group running will cost money every year." Liu Tianxian raised a question.

If no other funds are injected, this extras group simply can't operate — by next year it'll just be for show.

"Starting next year, Jade Rabbit will allocate an extra 300,000 yuan annually to keep the group running." Fang Hong said.

He wouldn't let Lu Dabo pay out of his own pocket every year.

Lu Dabo was also deeply moved — the Principal was still looking out for him.

But doing it this way, it's starting to look like an association!

"Clap clap clap!"

Someone started applauding first; one person, then three or four, and then a whole crowd.

Applause rose and fell like rolling thunder!

No matter how you look at it, the Principal had raised their income and reduced their exploitation. Though it wasn't perfect, he had actually done it — and even paid out of his own pocket.

That was already more than enough; some people only talk and never act.

When the applause subsided, Fang Hong raised his hand and pressed down:

"This is only my personal proposal, there are still many imperfections. But I guarantee your pay won't be short, and it will gradually increase every year. If anyone withholds your money, you can file a complaint anytime — the complaint email and phone number will be published."

Gradually increasing was simple: implement an eight-hour workday, and any overtime would count as extra income for them.

By then Fang Hong would be even richer and wouldn't care about this bit of expense.

It's just that he couldn't get rid of the group leaders and take over direct management for now — he couldn't achieve it all in one stroke.

"Yes, on behalf of the Principal, I guarantee you — as long as you do your part well and don't fall for certain people's incitement, he will follow through. There may be some unsatisfactory parts along the way, but please give him a bit more tolerance."

Liu Tianxian also chimed in to help.

She felt Fang Hong's doing this was quite good — raising the income of people at the bottom was better than any charity.

If this was done well, it would bring a huge wave of devoted followers!

His reputation and prestige among the extras could rise significantly, and many people would remember his kindness.

Others could only get 80 or 100 a day on other crews, but working for Jade Rabbit guaranteed at least 180, with special jobs paying even more — how could anyone not be grateful?

This was the harm that came from comparison.

"We believe in Fairy Sister, and we believe in the Principal — you've done a good thing." someone shouted.

(End of chapter)