Chapter 490: Minister Fudge's Secret Meeting
Fudge was a little nervous when listening to the conversation between the two, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "Well, let's see what Umbridge decides in the end. If she doesn't betray us, then we can rest assured; but if she really betrays us, then we can just split up the reconnaissance team. It was a helpless move at the time."
The others nodded in agreement, secretly looking forward to the outcome of this test.
"Well, it's not time to review it yet." Fudge raised his lips slightly, and said calmly, "Will Krall, let's talk about your situation. The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes is my direct department, how could you manage it like this? Putting aside other aspects, before I became the Minister, I was only the Deputy Director of this department, but at that time, my control over this department was as high as 70%. But after you took office as the Director, your control over the department gradually declined, and now it can't even reach 50%! The current Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes is completely neutral, and even has a tendency to move closer to old Barty! I'm really curious, what have you done over the years?"
"Minister, I have reported this matter to you several times. I feel really wronged!" Will Klar, who had been timid and silent, finally defended himself aggrievedly: "You know our department best. The Incident Reversal Team, the Memory Cancellation Command, the Muggle Issues Mediation Committee... the members of these departments are all the original people, but I was parachuted into the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters, and I don't even have a handy subordinate. And those old employees, each of them claimed to be your old subordinates, and they didn't take me seriously at all." He became more and more excited as he spoke, with sparks of anger flashing in his eyes.
Minister Fudge frowned, looking a little impatient. "Haven't I explained the situation to you? Not only have I given you the power to appoint and dismiss employees, I've also promised you the power to submit a list of senior executives to me for dismissal. This is a treatment that others dare not even think about." There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone, as if he was deeply disappointed with Will Krall's performance. "But what about you? You always look back and forth, hesitant. Now more and more people are out of your control. Who can you blame for this?" Minister Fudge crossed his arms and stared at Will Krall sharply, as if waiting for his response.
"Minister, I am really wronged in this matter!" Will Klar finally exploded as if he had been suppressed for too long: "Each office of theirs is huddled together for warmth. No matter how high or low the position is, as long as one person is targeted, the entire team will stop working. I went to find their office directors, but those directors told me that everything has been reported directly to you. And every time I discuss it with you, you always say that you already know about this matter and ask me to look for another opportunity. I am really torn!"
Yang Tian couldn't help but laugh silently again. Fudge's suspicion and desire for control were simply too terrible. On the one hand, he hoped that someone would help him share the pressure and be able to take charge of things on his own; on the other hand, he was worried about the other party's loyalty and was always on guard against his subordinates' betrayal. Perhaps it was this contradictory psychology that led to the increasingly weak power of our Minister of Magic?
"Ahem..." Fudge coughed awkwardly, and he felt even more resentful towards Will Kral. Although he did have some concerns and a desire to control, it was far from the case that he had completely sidelined this subordinate. Otherwise, he would not have lost the loyalty of some of his subordinates so quickly after Kral took over the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters... In the final analysis, all this was because of the incompetence of this bastard.
But now is not the time to settle accounts with this bastard. After all, this is an extraordinary period, and his side is obviously at a disadvantage. If he causes everyone to be distracted because of his pursuit of responsibility, the consequences... With this thought in mind, he hurriedly said, "Okay, I get it. I will make a detailed plan for you to help you gradually take over the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters."
Upon hearing this, Will Klar hurriedly nodded his head in thanks. But no one noticed that there was already a cold light of resentment in his eyes: After all, Fudge was still making empty promises, and everything had to be done around the minister's orders, and he was still unwilling to give up any power! It seemed that it was time to make some plans for himself...
"By the way, what's the situation with Amelia Bones now?" Fudge asked with a frown. "After all, she controls the largest department in the Ministry of Magic. Their attitude will greatly affect the future direction of the Ministry of Magic."
"Minister, Director Bones is cautious about the current situation and has not explicitly expressed support or opposition to any party. She seems to prefer to maintain the status quo and wait for further developments..." Piers Thicknesse explained respectfully, "However, the situation in this department is extremely complicated. The Office for the Prohibition of the Misuse of Magic is currently in the hands of Director Bones' confidants. Due to the last Albanian war, the Auror Office and the Magical Law Enforcement Reconnaissance Team were taken over by Scrimgeour at the time, and now the command has been transferred to Umbridge. The Office for the Prohibition of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts is in the hands of Arthur Weasley. The Wizengamot management agency has always been independent and is controlled by many elders such as Dumbledore... Overall, only our side has used the ministerial privileges to successfully infiltrate this department. Old Barty has no control at all."
This seemed to be one of the few good news today. Fudge couldn't help but smile happily. "Having said that, in the final analysis, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is still the biggest variable. We still don't have enough say there. We should take down one or two more senior executives as soon as possible."
Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Fudge continued, "How is the contact with the successor to the Department of Magical Games and Sports going? This department is a big money maker for the Ministry of Magic, and we must control it in our own hands."
Pierce said in embarrassment: "This... Benedict Kim was Bagman's teammate back then. Although he performed mediocrely on the court, his political ability was quite outstanding. If Bagman hadn't had your support at the time, the position of director would most likely have fallen into his hands. Moreover, Bagman, the idiot, threw most of the work to Benedict to save trouble during his tenure..."
......












