Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 61 - 57: Aoyama Xiu Xin is a Blessing for the Japanese (Vote for monthly tickets! Subscribe!)

Chapter 61: Chapter 57: Aoyama Xiu Xin is a Blessing for the Japanese (Vote for monthly tickets! Subscribe!)

In the early hours of that day, three branch heads of the Noguchi Group, accompanied by over a dozen key members and a hundred peripheral members armed with weapons, headed straight for Kanagawa Prefecture.

The Yamakawa Family, of course, would not choose to battle within the city, so they set up an interception on the highway.

The two factions erupted in a fierce gunfight on the stretch of highway where Tokyo met Kanagawa Prefecture. As the Noguchi Group was leaderless, with divided loyalties and each harboring their own plans, they were ultimately routed by the well-prepared Yamakawa Family and fled in disarray.

The next morning, Yamakawa Ichiro took his people to the two entertainment venues in Kabukicho they had previously purchased and affixed the family crest of the Yamakawa Family to the signs.

Every gang has its own emblem, which is generally displayed at headquarters, branches, and on their business fronts. Some Violent Gang members even wear the emblem on their chests, after all, they are officially registered organizations conducting legitimate business!

And this street was originally under the control of the Noguchi Group; this move signified the Yamakawa Family’s open intention to seize their territory.

In the morning, a youth turned himself in at the Shinjuku Police Station, confessing to the kidnapping and murder of the Noguchi Group’s new chairman, Panasonic Xingzhi.

With a person gone missing, the police were bound to investigate. So, whether to reduce trouble for themselves or for the police, the Yamakawa Family needed to hand someone over to take responsibility and provide an explanation to society.

Usually, the fall guy would be a peripheral member of the organization.

After spending a few years behind bars, they would emerge as core members drawing a monthly salary. Therefore, many who aspired to join the Black Society took this shortcut.

So the Violent Gang never ran out of people willing to take the blame.

After all, while the legitimate economy was struggling, the illegitimate economy was flourishing, making core membership in a Violent Gang a desirable, high-paying job.

Especially for those foolish young punks in gangs, who dreamt of becoming an official member of a Violent Gang.

When Manager Sagi learned of this, his face turned very ugly.

He had not expected that Panasonic Xingzhi, with whom he had shared drinks just the night before, would be dead and dismembered the next day.

This made him very angry and also very afraid.

Even with the bank robbery case weighing heavily on him, Sagi could not focus on work and decided to go out and clear his head.

But in the hallway, he ran into Aoyama Xiu Xin.

His expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural.

"Manager Sagi," Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed deeply, expressing his regret, "I was a bit excessive the night before last. Not only did I offend you, but I also hurt Mr. Panasonic. I hope Manager Sagi can help arrange a meeting with Mr. Panasonic so I can apologize to him in person."

Sagi’s expression darkened ominously. Aoyama Xiu Xin’s words clearly felt like a threat, an intimidation. Panasonic Xingzhi’s death was probably orchestrated by him.

After all, this man was capable of cold-bloodedly shooting the former Criminal Division Chief without any psychological pressure.

Sagi had originally thought that Aoyama Xiu Xin was just talking big that night, never expecting him to actually kill the dog he had just started to take care of—utterly deranged!

"Manager Sagi?" Aoyama Xiu Xin called out.

Sagi then snapped back to reality, feeling his throat go dry and his face twitch involuntarily, "I just learned some unfortunate news. Mr. Panasonic has been murdered, so Mr. Aoyama, you don’t need to apologize."

He decided not to take issue with such a madman.

After all, he was sane.

"What?" Aoyama Xiu Xin was shocked, speaking incredulously, "How... how can this be? Just drank together the day before yesterday, and today... Ah, life is truly unpredictable. Manager Sagi, you are always fair and impartial in handling cases, and you must have offended many who break the law. Be extra careful when you go out."

He was always so concerned about his superior.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Aoyama," Sagi said, with a mixture of shock, anger, and fear, forcing a smile, then glanced down at his watch as if to hide his discomposure, "I actually have an appointment soon, it’s almost time, so I will take my leave."

He left quickly with his head down.

"Please take care, Manager Sagi," Aoyama Xiu Xin turned and bowed to Sagi’s retreating figure, then slowly lifted his head, a scornful smile curling on his lips.

Not even the guts to commit murder.

And you want to snatch food from my mouth?

In the following days, although the conflict between the Yamakawa Family and the Noguchi Group continued with constant friction, no large-scale battle erupted. Nevertheless, this still had a detrimental effect on the security of Kabukicho.

There were frequent emergency calls.

Under the warning of Police Headquarters, the Sumiyoshi Association and Daokuan Association finally intervened, dispatching representatives and organizing negotiations between the two sides to temporarily end the dispute.

From the moment they sat at the negotiating table, no matter how much benefit the Yamakawa Family could gain, they had already won.

Of course, they also made a blood feud with the Noguchi Group.

But in the Black Society, who is afraid of making enemies?

This world is always like this; there is only so much resource, and if you eat a little more, someone else will eat less. The struggle and enmity are constant, only the form in which they appear differs.

By the afternoon, the investigation into the bank robbery finally made progress. With a high reward offered, the owner of the restaurant opposite the bank approached the police with a lead.

According to his account, four suspects had dined in his restaurant on the morning of the robbery. He went to the kitchen, and when he returned, they had vanished, and then the bank heist happened.

Based on his description, the police made composite sketches of the four individuals. But without knowing their identities, they were unable to issue arrest warrants and resorted to going door-to-door with the sketches or asking people from the underworld for help.

Though inefficient and labor-intensive, such a method had cracked many cases.

After all, technology wasn’t as advanced as it would be decades later.

Aoyama Xiu Xin also gave a copy of the sketches to Yamakawa Ichiro, asking his subordinates to help with the search.

As for himself, he went to the Nozawa Family.

Ready to steal a fleeting moment of joy.

Nozawa Yiren wasn’t at home when she received a call from Aoyama Xiu Xin and hurried back from the company.

"Mr. Aoyama, I am truly sorry to have kept you waiting," she said as she rushed into the living room upon arriving home. She didn’t even bother to take off her high heels and was slightly out of breath as she stood in front of Aoyama Xiu Xin, with her suit bulging as if the buttons could pop off at any moment.

It made one want to reach out and support it for her.

Aoyama Xiu Xin gestured, "Sit."

"Yes!" Nozawa Yiren bowed and then bent down to take off her high heels. Wearing flesh-colored stockings, she gingerly stepped across the floor and knelt beside Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Inhaling the faint scent, Aoyama Xiu Xin touched her leg, relishing the excellent feel of the stockings and felt utterly content. "Do you know about automated teller machines?"

"Yes!" Nozawa Yiren lowered her head as she replied.

Although this device was relatively new, those in business like her were not unfamiliar with it.

Aoyama Xiu Xin continued, "Hurry and find a factory to produce a machine similar to an ATM. Its primary function should be to allow customers to process loan services on their own, and it must have a camera for surveillance. Preferably, it can also enable remote communication. Discuss the specific functions and make adjustments with the technicians. It shouldn’t be hard to achieve, but confidentiality is key. Once you’ve found the place, bring the factory owner and related technicians to see me."

He remembered that this machine would be launched next year.

Meaning that the technology to create it was already available.

The current mode of borrowing was conducted person to person, and many Japanese, being proud, would rather scrape by than borrow money. Therefore, there was a substantial untapped market for loans under such circumstances.

In his previous life, the moment this machine hit the market, it helped the lending business of Takeda Fuji to leap forward in quality. It was the beginning of 1992, and if he didn’t act fast, the opportunity would slip by.

Of course, since the enormous profits from this machine were shocking, Aoyama Xiu Xin’s slim frame would not be able to handle such profits alone; hence, he had to share some of the benefits and find a backer.

The development of the machine would take time, so he could kick off this project while he searched for a backer at a leisurely pace.

Japanese civil servants weren’t allowed to do business, but there were no rules against inventing. He would register the patent, and with licensing fees alone, he could harvest the Japanese people’s money.

No, he was actually bringing benefits to the people of Japan.

He was indeed bringing them blessings.

"Yes! Mr. Aoyama, you truly are a wise man!" Nozawa Yiren, realizing how profitable the machine could be, looked at Aoyama Xiu Xin with bright eyes and an admiring face.

Aoyama Xiu Xin chuckled and hugged her tightly, giving her a fierce kiss. He said, "The economic climate is so harsh now, many Japanese families are struggling. Therefore, I have a humble wish, which is to make borrowing money available to everyone so that in these dark times I can help them get through their difficulties!"

What about those who couldn’t repay the loans?

Well, Mr. Aoyama would then show a different face.

When you were in the toughest spot, only I lent you money to get you out of trouble, and now you say you can’t pay it back? Such an ungrateful statement.

Just wait to be taken to court.

After all, Nozawa Financial Corporation was a legitimate company, with interest rates within the legal limits.

Of course, one could sue those who didn’t repay their debts.

"Sukuni, Mr. Aoyama, you truly are a great man, not only helping me but now also assisting many citizens through this period of economic difficulty," Nozawa Yiren spoke softly.

A woman’s flattery is the best aphrodisiac for a man, and amidst Nozawa Yiren’s exclamations, he pinned her to the ground—after all, one must enjoy life to the fullest.

"Ah! Mr. Aoyama, wait... Mmm~"

Nozawa Yiren panicked, trying to say something.

But her mouth was quickly sealed.

Suddenly, Aoyama Xiu Xin’s expression stiffened.

Because he had touched the family register.

"I am very sorry." Nozawa Yiren quickly got up and kneeled on the floor, full of remorse, "I was just about to mention that. Of course, if you don’t mind..."

"No need, since it’s inconvenient, you should rest well, madam," Aoyama Xiu Xin interrupted her.

He didn’t want to experience the feeling of blood spraying from his mouth.

However, Nozawa Yiren felt guilty for dampening Aoyama Xiu Xin’s spirits and knelt with her head down, not daring to get up.

Aoyama Xiu Xin straightened his clothes and grabbed the mobile phone on the table before walking out, saying without turning back, "The task I gave you must be dealt with promptly."

"Yes!" Nozawa Yiren responded loudly.

"Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~"

Just as Aoyama Xiu Xin stepped out, his phone rang.

"Moshi moshi."

"Mr. Aoyama, this is Yamakawa Ichiro. I’ve made some discoveries regarding the bank robbers."

"What?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked, quickening his pace to get into the car, "Give me the address."

Twenty minutes later, Aoyama Xiu Xin met the already waiting Yamakawa in a private room of a teahouse.

"Mr. Aoyama," Yamakawa stood up to greet him.

Aoyama Xiu Xin gestured for him to sit and cut straight to the point, "Tell me what’s going on."

"Yes!" Yamakawa Ichiro replied and then turned to pick up a few photographs, bowing his head as he presented them with both hands.

"Mr. Aoyama, please take a look at this person."