This is how the world works; when you have power, you will have countless followers, some depend on you for survival or livelihood, but without exception, when you have nothing, they will leave you. When you fall from grace and can no longer support them, they will move on to find another who can sustain them.
In the underworld, this is even more of an axiom. Before, you could support them, but now you're being driven away; why would they continue to work hard for you? This is called not doing a business without capital.
Additionally, after Long Yi, Long Er, and Long San expanded their forces, their attitude towards their close associates wasn't great either. They would hit or kick at the slightest provocation, treating people without any respect. Even a few confidants wouldn't choose to follow them when they fall from grace, let alone the others.
Thus, this move instantly reduced the once mighty Axe Gang to nothing overnight, and now there's nothing left of it.
