Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 210 - 203: Strike While You’re Down, The Power of the Masses

Chapter 210: Chapter 203: Strike While You’re Down, The Power of the Masses

"Isn’t this Mr. Chunye? Long time no see. What are you doing, sorting out junk? Some useless things should indeed be cleared out in a timely manner."

Aoyama Xiu Xin revealed a gentle smile and took the initiative to step forward to greet Haruno Junji.

Listening to the sarcastic tone of the other party, Haruno Junji, who was already holding back his anger, suddenly had a dark expression, with fury rushing to his head, and he gritted his teeth, "You’re just an American’s dog, you’re nothing without the Americans!"

"You’re insulting the Prime Minister and Heavenly Locust as well! Flattering the United States is national policy. I’m just following suit—what’s wrong with that?" smiled Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Without waiting for a response from Haruno Junji, he leisurely added, "Moreover, even without the Americans, I still have the Yanchuan Family and my father-in-law behind me. What do you have to fight against me with? Oh, can you fight? What good is fighting! In this dirty world, it’s about power and connections, and sadly, you only have your shadow."

Haruno Junji’s face twitched, and if he was not restrained, he would’ve liked to throw a punch. In the end, he just glared fiercely at Aoyama and stormed out with a dark face.

"Mr. Chunye, do come and visit us more often," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a smile, waving at his departing silhouette.

I meant when your soul comes back on the seventh day after death.

Haruno Junji thought to himself that the next time he returned would be the day Aoyama was imprisoned, "Just you wait."

Idiot, did you really think I was dismissed?

That was merely a tactic to throw you off!

Watching Haruno Junji’s retreating figure vanish from his sight, the smile also faded from Aoyama Xiu Xin’s face.

He had always adhered to a principle.

Eliminate the roots when cutting weeds, strike fiercely when the enemy is ill.

Stripping Haruno Junji of his official attire with the help of the Americans made it easier for him to launch a more direct and brutal retaliation—for this guy had targeted him twice before. Did he really think he was made of mud?

And judging by Haruno Junji’s just reaction, he clearly harbored resentments. When will vendettas end? For peace, hatred must be stopped from spreading, and the best way to achieve this was to eliminate the enemy.

Back in his office, he immediately called Yamakawa Ichiro, "Haruno Junji, the former Deputy Director of the Public Security Investigation Bureau, resigned today. Arrange to send him off. No rush; make it look like an accident."

If Haruno Junji died right after his resignation, any perceptive person would smell something fishy. Wait a while after his resignation for his accidental death, and then no one would care.

"Hi!" responded Yamakawa Ichiro. Although he had been busy expanding his influence, he still conducted the tasks assigned by Aoyama Xiu Xin impeccably.

Including the Fulong Gang, seven violent groups shared twenty percent of Nozawa Financial Corporation’s profits. The Yamakawa family was exempt because Aoyama Xiu Xin saw Yamakawa Ichiro as the next leader of the Sumiyoshi Association.

Yamakawa Ichiro was striving towards that direction.

After hanging up, Aoyama Xiu Xin noticed a copy of this morning’s Asahi News on his desk. He picked it up and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Violent debt collection taking over properties, forcing minors to accompany them, thriving by sucking human blood, a business empire built on grizzly white bones—Takeda Fuji!"

In the article, Saihara Ichiro criticized Takeda Fuji’s violence with a sharp pen, citing several instances of families being destroyed and claimed it was governmental negligence, calling for the public to boycott Takeda Fuji.

The newspaper included several photos of an underage girl covered in wounds, her eyes hollow and lifeless.

As one of Japan’s best-selling newspapers for many years, millions of citizens saw this report this morning, and anger erupted like a volcano.

Takeda Fuji had been established for decades, its arrogance and tyrannical practices had long harbored resentment amongst the citizens who borrowed from the company, and those who didn’t want to repay were leaping about, stirring up trouble.

The fire kept growing bigger, and with someone taking the stand, it would ignite the nation’s rage.

And Aoyama Xiu Xin had already thought of the right person to step forward at the right time—Heize Shengli.

As a political figure, he had the platform to speak out, and as a senator re-elected for two consecutive terms, he had the popularity and influence to do it.

When a political figure stepped up, many more would do the same, riding the wave to gain popularity. Takeda Fuji would naturally crumble.

It was a win-win situation.

And it would foster cooperation and deepen friendship between parties.

Setting the newspaper down, Aoyama Xiu Xin called Heize Shengli, speaking respectfully, "Good morning, Mr. Senator, this is Aoyama Xiu Xin. With the help of the Korean Civil Group, the two Korean criminals have been captured and are on their way to Tokyo."

He was confident that, with Tangong Huizi’s efficiency, they could find two Koreans willing to take the blame before tonight.

"Yoshi!" Heize Shengli praised Aoyama Xiu Xin’s work and said seriously, "Police Chief Aoyama has worked hard. The Heize Family is deeply grateful."

"Mr. Senator, you’re too kind. I’m just doing my duty." Aoyama Xiu Xin humbly said and then hesitantly spoke up, "I have a favor to ask though, and I hope the Senator can grant it."

"Please speak, Mr. Aoyama."

"Have you seen this morning’s Asahi News?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked first.

"Just a moment." Heize Shengli had his secretary fetch a copy for him. He immediately saw the conspicuous, bold headline, "Are you referring to the piece about Takeda Fuji?"

"Yes!" Aoyama Xiu Xin replied, sitting back in his office chair, and said gravely, "For a company like Takeda Fuji to thrive indicates a failure of government duties. As a representative of the MPs who monitor the government on behalf of the public, you should stand with the people, sir. I hope you can speak out for the citizens, please."

Heize Shengli pondered in silence, weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he replied, "Mr. Aoyama, your words are compelling. You’re right. As a representative of the public, I have the responsibility and duty to demand an investigation into Takeda Fuji. Rest assured, I will invite some colleagues to join me in raising this issue."

"Thank you, Mr. Senator," said Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Heize Shengli chuckled lightly, "I merely did what I should, Mr. Aoyama, you’re too polite."

"Then I’ll not disturb you any further, I wish you a pleasant day," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied respectfully.

"Mr. Aoyama, same to you."

After hanging up, Heize Shengli hastily made calls to his several allies to discuss jointly speaking out against Takeda Fuji in a way that resonates with public sentiment.

............

"Idiot! Immediately hold a press conference to clarify these false malicious defamations! And invite the chief editors of major newspapers to lunch," Takai Baoyu roared furiously as he ripped a copy of the Asahi News into shreds in his office.

He knew this was definitely an attack against Takeda Fuji; Asahi News wouldn’t suddenly report these old issues without someone’s instigation.

"Ring, ring, ring!"

The urgent sound of a telephone ringing.

Fuming, Takai Baoyu grabbed the receiver and bellowed, "This is Takai Baoyu, speak!"

There was a grunt.

Takai Baoyu’s face changed color and he instantly bowed over the phone, respectfully, "Director, sir!"

The person on the other end was Takai Baoyu’s greatest backer and the key reason behind Takeda Fuji’s rapid ascent to domination in the loan industry, the current Director of the Cabinet Legal Affairs Bureau—Yoshio Yokoyama.

The Director of the Cabinet Legal Affairs Bureau is not a Cabinet member.

However, the importance of the Cabinet Legal Affairs Bureau allowed him to attend Cabinet meetings, signifying his high status as a non-Cabinet member.

The Cabinet Legal Affairs Bureau is responsible for reviewing legal bills, decrees, and treaties submitted to the Cabinet to ensure they comply with the constitution’s spirit and do not conflict with other laws; to advise the Prime Minister and ministers on legal issues; and to oversee investigations and research on the application of the rule of law among other tasks.

"Can you explain to me what this morning’s report by Asahi News is about?" Yoshio Yokoyama asked.

Takai Baoyu hastily defended, "Sir, it must be a malicious attack by those with an agenda..."

"Are these allegations true?" Yoshio Yokoyama cut him off and asked coldly.

Takai Baoyu dared not lie; he hesitated and said, "It’s just the subordinates acting recklessly..."

"That means you have failed as a leader; you are incompetent!" Yoshio Yokoyama criticized fiercely, "I warned you earlier, as the company grows, you must restrain your harsh methods and at least ensure everything is legitimized and legalized on paper, but obviously, you didn’t take it seriously!"

"Sir..."

"Handle this matter well, and don’t let this burn reach me, otherwise...hmph, you wouldn’t want to know the consequences," Yoshio Yokoyama hung up directly.

"Beep~Beep~Beep~"

Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Takai Baoyu felt a mix of shock and anger. He guessed this campaign was probably orchestrated by Nozawa Financial Corporation, but now he had to focus on damage control and had no time to think about retaliation.

But he needed to vent his frustration.

He called Du Bian Youli, angrily demanding, "Director Du Bian, why is there still no progress on your end? Did I waste my money?"

"Wuji, did you take offense? Do you know I just lost a key person over your issue? I’m already putting my best effort forward! If you think I’m not good enough, find someone else!" Du Bian Youli retorted.

Takai Baoyu calmed down slightly, "I hope things move quickly on your end; if Takeda Fuji falls, it’s not just my misfortune but yours and many others too. You know what I mean."

"Hmph!" Du Bian Youli hung up the phone, his face shifting between shades as he looked at the Asahi News paper in his hand.

He decided to wait; if Takeda Fuji showed no signs of weakness in this scandal, he could continue targeting Aoyama Xiu Xin later. If Takeda Fuji couldn’t withstand the storm, then it would be best to pull back before Aoyama Xiu Xin realized his involvement.

As for Takai Baoyu’s recent threat, he didn’t take it seriously; after all, he was just one link in this chain, and there were many above him.

Those people would try their best to help Takai Baoyu through this crisis, as Takeda Fuji was a cash cow for all. If it could be saved, all the better.

But if things turned helpless, they would not hesitate to abandon him, and they would not let Takai Baoyu randomly lash out; they would force him to bear all responsibilities.

At noon that day, Heize Shengli along with several National Members of Parliament called for an investigation into Takeda Fuji, followed by civil protests erupting as countless victims carried photos of their family members and banners with slogans in the streets.

There were also some Members of Parliament subtly defending Takeda Fuji, but once the public’s wrath was ignited, it was not easily extinguished since Takeda Fuji had indeed committed countless blood-stained crimes.

For decades, there had been too many victims, and their suppressed hatred finally found an outlet.

Moreover, many agitators arranged by Aoyama Xiu Xin, from violent gangs, were stirring up the crowd, causing chaos.

Besides Aoyama Xiu Xin’s agents, many extremist organizations also joined in to fan the flames, seizing every opportunity to extend their influence.

The following day, instead of calming down, the situation intensified, with many media outlets and TV stations vying to report on Takeda Fuji’s misdeeds, and those Members of Parliament and media still speaking for Takeda Fuji were "spontaneously" attacked by segments of "extremist civilians."

With the "extremist civilians" becoming too dangerous, by the third day no members or media dared to take money from Takeda Fuji to launder their reputation, and a large number of protestors "spontaneously" surrounded the Takeda Fuji headquarters.

Meanwhile, the police finally intervened, assembling around Takeda Fuji, ready to suppress the disorderly crowds.