Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 649 - 530: The Essence of Power is Distribution, Meeting an Old Boss

Chapter 649: Chapter 530: The Essence of Power is Distribution, Meeting an Old Boss

"Very well, since there are no objections, let’s continue the meeting. Today is a joyous day; let’s not let some fools spoil our mood."

After taking a glance around, registering everyone’s reaction, Aoyama Xiu Xin revealed a satisfied smile.

He returned to his seat and calmly spoke to the crowd, "Although Director Fujimoto is no longer in his position, I have no intent to change the rules he set. Since these rules have been operating smoothly in Hokkaido for so many years, it proves their rationality and superiority. So, everything will remain as it is, except that from now on, instead of Director Fujimoto serving you, I will."

"I disagree!" Mitsui Ur, who had just defended Aoyama Xiu Xin and vehemently criticized Oda Shinya, spoke up loudly.

In an instant, everyone’s eyes converged on him, filled with suspicion and confusion. Are you also a traitor?

Aoyama Xiu Xin’s eyes slightly narrowed. "Oh?"

"Minister Aoyama has just been in Hokkaido for only half a year and is already taking on the task of serving everyone. At such a young age, he has to bear such a heavy burden. Following the old distribution method is really inappropriate. I propose that each of us give an extra share to Minister Aoyama, as a token of gratitude for his hard work on our behalf!" Mitsui Ur stood up and looked around with righteous indignation.

Idiot!

Everyone cursed inwardly.

If you want to suck up to Aoyama Xiu Xin, then take an extra share out of your own portion, not coerce us. And you are still the only one showing off, damn it!

These types of people are the most damn annoying.

"Mitsui is right. I agree. As the saying goes, the capable one should bear more work, and naturally, receive more."

"The original distribution method is inappropriate..."

The others were forced to echo hurriedly and reluctantly.

"Ha ha ha ha ha." Aoyama Xiu Xin supported his knees and burst into laughter. He gestured for Mitsui Ur to sit down and said loudly, "I appreciate Mitsui and everyone’s good intentions, but I’m not one to chase material possessions, so let’s drop this matter. Everything remains the same, as originally planned."

He didn’t lack that bit of money, and he guessed agreeing would only lead to dissatisfaction among the others.

However, he was very pleased that Mitsui Ur had proactively suggested this idea. This was not only pleasing him, but also demonstrating absolute loyalty.

Mitsui Ur made this suggestion at the risk of offending everyone present, showing his firm resolution to align with him. Such a person certainly deserves a reward to show others the benefits of following him.

Aoyama Xiu Xin remembered that Mitsui Ur was the Police Chief of Chi Ping City, a once important coal mining town. However, in recent years, the declining demand for coal and the closures of mines had caused the city’s economy to plummet drastically.

Therefore, the method of centralized money collection by the police headquarters and distribution according to each unit was very favorable for police departments in impoverished areas like Mitsui Ur’s. That’s why he could support Aoyama Xiu Xin so wholeheartedly without any pressure.

Oda Shinya, located in Dai Guang City, where the economy is relatively more developed and more illicit money is collected, was naturally dissatisfied with this distribution method, hence he wanted to split during the power transition of the headquarters.

Those like Oda Shinya, who disrupt the gang’s unity for their own selfish desires, must be severely punished. It was necessary to show others the consequences of opposing him and disrupting the unity.

Thus, Aoyama Xiu Xin already had the idea of swapping the positions of Oda Shinya and Mitsui Ur.

Relying on Haruno Takayoshi, he had gathered quite a bit of compromising information on many high-ranking officials within the Hokkaido Police system. Those who were obedient were fine but those who weren’t would be doomed.

"Minister Aoyama truly isn’t swayed by fame or fortune, a man of high integrity indeed," Mitsui Ur once again sycophantically complimented before sitting down.

After some pleasantries, they moved to the crucial part of the meeting.

"Clap, clap!" Aoyama Xiu Xin clapped his hands.

Behind him, the Changzi Gate was slowly pulled open to both sides, revealing a room where piles of neat stacks of banknotes formed a cube.

A money mountain over a meter high made everyone’s breathing hasten, their hearts thumping wildly. Despite having experienced this many times over the years, everyone was hardly able to conceal their excitement whenever it was time to distribute money.

Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up and walked in front of the money mountain, touched it with his hand, and smilingly said, "I will call out names one by one to come forward and receive your reward."

He intended to personally distribute the money.

The essence of power is distribution, just like only the king of a beast pack possesses the power to distribute food. Now, as he was distributing benefits, he was the king of them all.

After the money was distributed, everyone had a wild glow about them.

The atmosphere that had been somewhat tense and oppressive completely vanished, replaced by toasting and revelry, singing and dancing.

"Thump, thump!" Aoyama Xiu Xin knocked on the table.

The noisy crowd gradually quieted down, everyone looking at him, waiting to hear his speech.

"I think Oda Shinya is not suitable for the position of Police Chief of Dai Guang City and plan to switch his position with Mitsui Ur. Does anyone have any objections?" Aoyama Xiu Xin toyed with his wine glass, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone.

Mitsui Ur initially froze, then his face flushed with excitement, understanding that the return for being a loyal follower had arrived.

The rest felt as if cold water had been splashed over them, their happiness from money distribution completely doused, realizing that Aoyama Xiu Xin was setting an example with Oda Shinya. It was clear, oppose him and you end up like Oda Shinya; follow him and you end up like Mitsui Ur.

"I think Minister Aoyama is entirely reasonable. Oda Shinya clearly forgot that we are a collective, only thinking about his own benefits. A minor punishment can serve as a major warning."

"Indeed, we’ve managed to travel smoothly for so many years because of unity. Oda is really muddled; he’s been dazzled by the prosperity of Dai Guang City. It’d be good for him to cool off in Chi Ping City."

"Minister Aoyama has great insight. I support you!"

Everyone declared their stance, as they all knew that opposing him at this time would lead to the same fate as Oda Shinya.

"Thank you, Minister Aoyama!" Mitsui Ur gleefully scrambled out from behind the desk and knelt down in a grand bow, excitedly saying, "After assuming the post, I will take Oda as a warning and manage Dai Guang City well on behalf of the Minister, creating more benefits for everyone!"

After having their fill of food and drink, Aoyama Xiu Xin left the scene first.

"Minister Aoyama!"

Everyone rose to their feet and bowed in unison, shouting loudly.

Aoyama Xiu Xin strode off quickly, followed closely by Jin Yucheng and Haruno Takayoshi, one military and one civil officer.

After getting into the car, he checked his watch; it was already past nine in the evening. He said, "Let’s go to Fujimoto’s house."

Fujimoto Takayoshi had already returned to Hokkaido, but he had never visited him before. Tonight, after drinking a bit, he suddenly felt like seeing him.

To be fair, Fujimoto Takayoshi had done nothing to wrong Aoyama Xiu Xin; on the contrary, it was he who had unscrupulously betrayed the trust placed in him.

"Hi!" Jin Yucheng responded.

Haruno Takayoshi’s face looked somewhat unnatural. After all, he was also a traitorous backstabber who had handed over the documents Fujimoto Takayoshi entrusted to him to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

If it hadn’t been for that, Aoyama Xiu Xin wouldn’t have so easily taken over Fujimoto Takayoshi’s legacy.

Noticing the change in his expression, Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled slightly, "Mr. Chunye, you can rest assured. The minister will not blame you. After all, even he had never been cautious against me. You were calculated by me and had no choice but to betray him and join me—it’s human nature."

Haruno Takayoshi could only give a bitter smile upon hearing this.

If he had refused Aoyama Xiu Xin’s first gift, perhaps he would not have ended up in this situation today. It was all due to greed.

----------------------------

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Fujimoto Takayoshi’s house.

Jin Yucheng waited in the car while Haruno Takayoshi hurried down, bent over to open the rear door, and after Aoyama Xiu Xin got out, he closed the door and followed him to Fujimoto’s house, pressing the doorbell ahead of him.

"Ding-dong, ding-dong!"

The bell rang for about ten seconds before the door opened.

The middle-aged woman who opened the door faltered when she saw Haruno Takayoshi and bowed slightly, "Mr. Chunye."

"Minister Aoyama is here to visit the director. Is he home?" Haruno Takayoshi returned the greeting and asked.

The middle-aged woman glanced at Aoyama Xiu Xin, then nodded, "He’s alone in the backyard."

Clearly, Fujimoto Takayoshi hadn’t told his family about the forced retirement, otherwise she wouldn’t have such a pleasant expression facing Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Aoyama Xiu Xin, accompanied by Haruno Takayoshi, walked to the villa’s backyard and immediately saw Fujimoto Takayoshi sitting alone under a tree smoking, his obese body visibly thinner after just half a month, his figure much more somber.

"Don’t bother me. I said I have no appetite."

Hearing footsteps, Fujimoto Takayoshi spoke without turning his head, his voice low and hoarse.

Receiving no response, Fujimoto Takayoshi realized something was amiss, slowly turned his head, and his expression darkened when he saw Aoyama Xiu Xin, scoffing coldly, "Are you here to gloat?"

"Mr. Director," Haruno Takayoshi bowed.

"I am not anymore," Fujimoto Takayoshi looked at him with complex eyes, without a word of reproach.

"I am here to apologize," Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed solemnly, maintaining the bow for over three seconds before straightening up and saying, "Since coming to Hokkaido, the director has offered me much care and trust, and I always keep it in my heart..."

"So this is how you repay me?" Fujimoto Takayoshi interrupted him, his eyes full of irony. "Your way of repaying favors, Aoyama Xiu Xin, is indeed unique."

"I am to blame for this situation; I have wronged you, Director. But I couldn’t help myself; I was too eager to seize more power to quickly achieve my revenge and ideals. I had no choice but to use unscrupulous means," Aoyama Xiu Xin said sincerely.

Listening, Fujimoto Takayoshi knew these were true feelings, no need to lie to a retired former boss like himself, and couldn’t help but feel curious, "Are you 26 or 27 this year? You have risen to Senior Police Director and will undoubtedly advance further before you’re 30. By 40, you could head the Police Department. With the prestige you’ve accumulated in your policing career and the backing of the Yanchuan Family, even running for the National Member of Parliament would surely be successful. Before you’re 50, you could be in the Cabinet. Despite all this, why are you in such a rush?"

"Just by following the usual path, you’d have a place in the Cabinet, but you are so impatient that the consequences will only be unstable foundations, inviting more trouble and more wariness, which will ultimately slow down your progress, proving counterproductive."

Because following the usual path means I’d have to wait at least thirty more years for a chance to rise to the top. I can’t wait to push those corrupt old men out of the Cabinet.

Same gains, achieved in one’s forties compared to one’s sixties—are they the same?

By following the usual path and getting elected, at his age he’d still have to engage in cunning battles with various powers, play the art of compromise; but through a coup, he could directly fabricate charges to eliminate all dissenters, establish a dictatorship, investing more time and energy into harming the nation.

"Please take care of your health, Director. You will see the day, and then you will understand why I am in such a hurry," Aoyama Xiu Xin said earnestly.

Old man, I guarantee it’ll give you a real shock.

Fujimoto Takayoshi looked at him deeply, nodded, and said, "Alright, I want to see what sort of ambition and ideals have muddled your mind. Though I suspect I’ll see the day you destroy yourself first, haha."

"To achieve the goals in my heart, I have already disregarded life and death!" Aoyama Xiu Xin declared boldly. These words had no hint of falsehood.

If he feared death, he wouldn’t think about staging a coup.

Instead, he’d be satisfied being a simple police officer.

Feeling the aura of Aoyama Xiu Xin, fearless in pursuit of his ideals, Fujimoto Takayoshi was shocked and opened his mouth to speak but then closed it.

Indeed, he didn’t hate Aoyama Xiu Xin as much anymore.

Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed and turned to leave.

Haruno Takayoshi bowed quickly and hurried after him.