Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 529 - 456: You Succeed Because I Allowed It (Vote for Monthly Ticket)

Chapter 529: Chapter 456: You Succeed Because I Allowed It (Vote for Monthly Ticket)

Xiu Xin Aoyama went to great lengths to tarnish his own image, with Naoyuki Miyashita assisting from the sidelines.

"Miss Liangzi, in consideration of Mr. Miyashita’s face, let me remind you, judging people can’t be based solely on appearances." Xiu Xin Aoyama, with a woman in his arms, wasn’t shy about groping her, looking utterly sleazy as he said with a grin.

Miyashita Ryouko nodded incessantly like a pecking chick: "Mmm, mmm, mmm, just like you, Mr. Aoyama, you seem lecherous on the outside but are actually brave and upright on the inside, ah, this contrast, that’s where your charm lies."

"Liangzi, Xiu Xin Aoyama’s righteousness is all for show, this guy even wants to cooperate with me to make money," Naoyuki Miyashita bluntly said.

"Brother, you’re biased. We should judge by actions, not intentions. Aoyama leading the charge to arrest suspects isn’t something you can fake," Miyashita Ryouko turned her head and glared unhappily at him, then softened her gaze back towards Xiu Xin Aoyama, "And what’s wrong with making money? In the current climate, if Aoyama doesn’t fit in with the group, he’ll definitely be ostracized. How can he practice justice then?"

"Miss Liangzi, I am a frivolous person!"

"At first, I thought you would be as stern as my father, hehe, but you’re much more interesting than I imagined, not boring at all."

"........."

Half an hour later, Xiu Xin Aoyama looked helplessly at Naoyuki Miyashita: I did my best, Mr. Miyashita.

It’s not my fault I’m too excellent.

Naoyuki Miyashita also nodded desperately.

He never dreamed it would backfire this badly; the more despicable Aoyama seemed, the more his sister liked him.

He couldn’t make head or tail of it, but when he looked at Xiu Xin Aoyama’s face, he suddenly realized, with that face and so many haloes around him, even if he were to eat shit, there would still be women cheering for him.

Perhaps some women would even secretly delight in waiting for Aoyama’s market value to crash after eating shit, to swoop in and buy low.

Seeing his sister had already draped her leg over Xiu Xin Aoyama’s, he hurried over and pulled her up, "Liangzi, you’ve met the man, and it’s getting late; I should take you home now."

"Don’t wanna..." Miyashita Ryouko pouted.

Naoyuki Miyashita threatened with their father, Miyashita Hidekatsu, "Look at the time. If we don’t go back now, Dad will come looking for you himself. Don’t drag me down with you."

"Oh no! So annoying!" Miyashita Ryouko stamped her foot in irritation, turned her head to look reluctantly at Xiu Xin Aoyama, and said, "Mr. Aoyama, leave me your phone number. I know a place with pretty girls; next time we’re free, I’ll take you there. My brother’s a member, so I can use his card to pay."

"Er... I didn’t bring my business card, and I can’t remember my own number." Xiu Xin Aoyama’s mouth twitched.

"Then I’ll write down my number for you..."

"Let’s go quickly." Naoyuki Miyashita, with a dark face, finally managed to drag Miyashita Ryouko out of the private room.

"Wait! Brother! Mr. Aoyama! Mr. Aoyama!"

Miyashita Ryouko’s calling became fainter and fainter.

Until it completely disappeared.

Xiu Xin Aoyama breathed a sigh of relief, "Phew—"

"Phew—" A chorus of sighs followed.

Xiu Xin Aoyama looked around; seven or eight naked women sat on the ground, gasping for air as if they had survived a disaster. Their clothes had been stripped off by Miyashita Ryouko, insisting on unpackaging them so Xiu Xin Aoyama could choose the ingredients in their most natural state.

This woman really is... Damn it!

"Alright, everyone go," he waved them away.

"Right!" The women, not bothering to dress, hurriedly picked up scattered banknotes and their clothes and bent over scurrying out of the room.

More than half an hour later, as Xiu Xin Aoyama had predicted, Naoyuki Miyashita returned sweating profusely and apologized repeatedly, "I’m sorry, so very sorry. Mr. Aoyama, you must have found tonight quite a sight. It was embarrassing!"

"Your sister is indeed naive and straightforward," Xiu Xin Aoyama squeezed out a smile, subtly criticizing.

Naoyuki Miyashita exhaled and slumped onto the sofa, "It’s all over now. I can’t let her see you again. Otherwise, it will definitely lead to trouble."

"I did all I could, but your sister thinks differently from most people," Xiu Xin Aoyama said with an innocent expression.

Naoyuki Miyashita’s mouth twitched, then waved his hand not wanting to continue on this topic. Instead, he spoke of serious business, "Just now, when I took her home, my father mentioned to remind you that the contract is ready to be signed."

"Great! I’ll send someone to negotiate with the city hall tomorrow," Xiu Xin Aoyama replied promptly.

Making money and winning over the military is the real deal.

Naoyuki Miyashita added, "My dad also told me to tell you that the investigation team just left, and the whole country is basking in the joy of the anti-corruption victory. It’s a sensitive time, and you must be mindful of the influence on public opinion."

"Please tell the mayor, there will be no public opinion, there won’t be any!" Xiu Xin Aoyama declared adamantly.

The new projects in Sapporo City mainly include old city redevelopment, rural road expansion, construction of major amusement facilities, and other peripheral works, with the government set to allocate a total of thirty billion US dollars in stages.

It’s not ruled out that additional funding may follow, so Xiu Xin Aoyama estimated that the final allocation might be a few billion more.

A lot, astronomical figures, even if he’s worked hard to be corrupt, he can’t pocket that much money.

This year, the Cabinet plans to invest about one hundred and fifty billion US dollars in infrastructure to stimulate economic recovery.

Hokkaido was already a popular tourist destination, where infrastructure was of utmost importance. Even if only one-fifth of the funding were to be allocated here, it would be more than enough to satisfy everyone involved.

And for Sapporo, three or four billion yen, after ensuring all parties were well-fed, if managed properly, could result in three to five hundred million yen landing in his own pocket, which would not be too shabby. Such a substantial amount of money would be enough to drive the habitually impoverished Land Guard mad, ready to take on anyone who dared to cause trouble.

Naturally, if things could be resolved peacefully, that would be ideal. Hence, Aoyama Xiu Xin had decided to adopt a tactic of courtesy followed by force, initiating talks with several major construction corporations in Hokkaido to see if they could be persuaded to drop out of the competition voluntarily with a generous payment, so they wouldn’t hold him back.

Miyashita Naoyuki nodded, then added somewhat sheepishly, "Also, my father suggests that it would be best if you paid a visit to Governor Henglu regarding this matter."

"I will." Aoyama Xiu Xin responded, aware that the involvement of thirty billion US dollars was not something Miyashita Hidekatsu could decide on his own. Governor Henglu’s attitude mattered greatly, yet the direct assurance that a contract could be signed implied Governor Henglu’s agreement. Aoyama Xiu Xin took this as a reminder to express his thanks to Governor Henglu.

He also surmised that Governor Henglu might have more to say regarding the matter, which he needed to hear out.

That very evening, Aoyama Xiu Xin called Governor Henglu’s home and, through the housekeeper, scheduled a visit for the following morning, which was accepted by Governor Henglu.

The next morning, a neatly dressed Aoyama Xiu Xin arrived at Governor Henglu’s home, where the housekeeper opened the door.

"Chief of Police Qing Mountain, please come in. The Governor is having breakfast," said the housekeeper in a friendly manner.

"Thank you," Aoyama Xiu Xin responded politely with a slight nod to her, following her inside after changing shoes at the entrance. He headed directly to the dining room and bowed to Governor Henglu, who was eating, "Governor!"

"Mr. Aoyama is here. Please, have a seat and join me for a bite. My wife passed away early, and the children are grown and not around. It’s boring to eat alone at such a big table," Governor Henglu invited.

Aoyama Xiu Xin saw that a set of chopsticks and a bowl were already prepared for him at the table and went to sit down.

"My honor!"

He did not rush to bring up the project, instead quietly joining Governor Henglu for the meal and paying close attention to the latter’s pace of eating. When Governor Henglu put down his chopsticks, Aoyama Xiu Xin was also just finishing.

"Mr. Aoyama, you usually have a big appetite, don’t you? Why so little today?" Governor Henglu asked cheerfully.

Aoyama Xiu Xin knew he was alluding to his greediness and did not argue, instead simply bowing deeply and maintaining that posture.

"All right, let’s have tea in the living room." Governor Henglu wiped his mouth and tossed aside the napkin, heading to the living room.

"Yes!" Aoyama Xiu Xin followed quickly.

"To be honest, when I first heard that you wanted to tackle the Sapporo City project on your own, I thought it was overly ambitious of you. But now you’ve succeeded," Governor Henglu paused, then smiled slightly and said calmly, "because I allowed you to succeed."

He wasn’t boasting; he was simply stating facts.

"Yes! Many thanks to the Governor!" Aoyama Xiu Xin immediately stood up and bowed deeply in gratitude.

"Sit," said Governor Henglu, gesturing with a raised hand and a relaxed air, "Consider it compensation for your considerable efforts in dealing with the investigation team this time. However, now that I’ve given you the project, I don’t want it to cause any negative impact."

"Yes, rest assured, I will not cause any trouble for the Governor’s Hall!" Aoyama Xiu Xin assured.

After securing the project, he could ask for Miyashita Hidekatsu’s help with the follow-up matters but must not trouble Governor Henglu.

Governor Henglu prepared to take the tea from the table.

Aoyama Xiu Xin promptly offered it with both hands.

After taking a sip, Governor Henglu returned the tea to Aoyama Xiu Xin’s hands and said, "Since you’ve taken the Sapporo project, don’t set your sights on the rest of Hokkaido. Eating too much can easily lead to being overstuffed."

Unlike Miyashita Hidekatsu, who received moderate courtesy payments from construction companies annually, Governor Henglu could not abandon his old friends in favor of working exclusively with Aoyama Xiu Xin, as they, too, needed a share of the profits.

Otherwise, dealing with their complaints could be quite bothersome.

Allowing Aoyama Xiu Xin exclusive benefits was in consideration of his background, his recent significant achievements, and the fact that Miyashita Hidekatsu was strongly pushing for it.

"What if they voluntarily give it up?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked tentatively. As a greedy parasite, he had long regarded the funds the Ministry of Finance was ready to allocate to Hokkaido this year as his own. He was reluctant to stop at just the Sapporo City.

Governor Henglu was slightly irritated, thinking Aoyama Xiu Xin really didn’t know his limits. Things going too smoothly for a young person wasn’t necessarily a good thing either. A timely setback could be beneficial for future growth. With a smile that was not entirely genuine, he said, "If you have that ability, then it’s not impossible."

He had the ability and background, but was overly greedy and arrogant. Did he think he could do whatever he wanted in Hokkaido just like in Tokyo? After taking a beating from the local magnates and learning his lesson, Governor Henglu would be there to help him up.

"Yes," Aoyama Xiu Xin acknowledged.

He certainly discerned Governor Henglu’s intentions.

But he didn’t care; making money was the goal, and he wasn’t embarrassed about it.

Additionally, he understood why Miyashita Naoyuki seemed embarrassed yesterday when suggesting the meeting with Governor Henglu—he was evidently aware of the situation in advance, meaning the prior agreement to help him with projects in other parts of Hokkaido was naturally invalidated.

But could Aoyama Xiu Xin, a fierce rival who would taste the flavor even when a dung cart rolled past his doorstep, give Miyashita Naoyuki a free ride? Unlikely.

Governor Henglu exhaled a sigh, staring at Aoyama Xiu Xin and said, "Work hard in Hokkaido. As long as you perform well, I will see it."

He was not about empty promises; he made and distributed the real rewards.

"Yes! Xiu Xin will not disappoint your expectations, Governor!" Aoyama Xiu Xin declared resolutely.

"Go ahead," Governor Henglu waved him off.

Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed once more and placed the teacup back in its original spot before turning and leaving.