"Enough, all of you be quiet."

Aoyama Xiu Xin raised his hand and tapped the tabletop as he spoke.

The noise in the hall finally quieted down.

"I know what you're saying," Aoyama Xiu Xin said indifferently, his gaze turning back to the Asahikawa Police Chief.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill down their spine.

Aoyama Xiu Xin didn't pay them any attention and leisurely continued, "As for why me? You can only blame your bad luck; why did the Asahikawa Police Station have to be the first to have an incident? If another station had blown up first, then one of them would be kneeling here now."

Hearing this, other senior officials of various police stations already couldn't withstand the pressure and couldn't stop their unease; they all knelt down, foreheads touching the floor in a deep bow.

"So I'm just a chicken being used to scare these monkeys?" The Asahikawa Police Chief hadn't expected such a frank answer from Aoyama Xiu Xin and said with a self-mocking laugh.

Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded, "Yes."

"Fine! I admit my bad luck, I am willing to resign and retire," the Asahikawa Police Chief said through gritted teeth.

He thought this was the most severe consequence.

Aoyama Xiu Xin laughed when he heard this, You son of a bitch, digging at my roots for your own selfish gain, almost causing me trouble. Now you think a mere three cups of punishment will suffice?

Then in the future, everyone would think they could carry on being corrupt. A big deal to just quit after embezzling enough.

Moreover, the Asahikawa Police Chief definitely harbored resentment against him. As a high-ranking official, he knew too much. If he sought revenge in secret, that would spell disaster.

So this man had to die.

He said, "Please take these two scoundrels out, gentlemen, wrongdoers must pay the price."

In an instant, everyone looked up blankly at Aoyama Xiu Xin, questioning if they had heard incorrectly.

"You... you want to kill me?" Even the Asahikawa Police Chief was stunned, disbelieving and angrily bellowing, "You want to kill me over such a trivial matter? On what grounds? This is illegal! A crime!"

"I don't want to die, I don't want to die! Minister, please show mercy, Minister, I beg you to spare me! I won't dare anymore!" Kato Gen pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

Aoyama Xiu Xin ignored the two of them and his gaze grew cold as he looked at the others, "What, you didn't understand me? Aren't you all going to do what's necessary?"

"Sir!" Aloyama Xiu Xin's staunch supporter and the current head of the Dai Guang City Police Station, Mitsui Ur, was the first to rush forward and punched the Asahikawa Police Chief to the ground. As he beat him, he shouted, "This man's greed knows no bounds, almost putting the Minister at a disadvantage. He deserves to die a thousand times over, death is too good for him!"

The reason they used fists was that their guns had already been confiscated before they entered the club's main gate.

With one person taking the lead, more and more joined in, and as the only few remaining hesitants watched Aoyama Xiu Xin's cold gaze, they too gritted their teeth and charged forward.

The hall quickly devolved into a brawl, with Kato Gen and the Asahikawa Police Chief being surrounded and beaten by a group of people.

"Ah! Aoyama Xiu Xin, you're so vicious! As a ghost, I won't let you off!" the Asahikawa Police Chief screamed.

"Minister, please, have mercy! Ah! I was wrong! Ah!"

Aoyama Xiu Xin remained seated, delicately sipping tea, his eyes coldly watching the chaos below. When he heard the Asahikawa Police Chief's curse, his expressionless face showed a trace of scorn.

You couldn't do anything to me when you were alive.

So in death, you think you could?

After three to five minutes, when the crowd dispersed, the Asahikawa Police Chief and Kato Gen had been beaten to death, their corpses in a brutal state.

Everyone had pale faces and sat back in their original seats, panting, not daring to look at the bodies on the ground.

A Senior Police Director and a Police Director were beaten to death by orders from Aoyama Xiu Xin – if news got out, it would surely shock the nation.

"Drag the corpses away. Give their families a reasonable explanation, tell them to mourn and conform to their fate. As families of law enforcement, they ought to be aware of what this entails and not trouble the police," Aoyama Xiu Xin said as if it was nothing.

Two police officers being beaten to death under normal circumstances would definitely make the news, but this was not a normal situation.

So, it was destined not to cause any waves.

Nakamura Shinichi responded with a "Sir!"

He then led several officers who had escorted Kato and the others into the hall to carry away the bodies.

The vivid red bloodstains on the ground were striking.

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked around and said, "I will not pursue what happened in the past, but I do not wish for something like this to happen again. Everyone, make sure you remember today."

"Sir!" Everyone responded in unison.

They wouldn't dare forget even in their dreams.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled and raised his cup, "Let's have tea."

"Please." Everyone picked up their tea cups, some hands still shaking, causing some of the tea to spill.

Aoyama Xiu Xin put down his teacup and spoke in a calm voice, "Having spent over a year in Hokkaido, overall, I've had a pleasant time working with all of you. Unless something unexpected happens, I will soon be leaving Sapporo to take up a new position in Tokyo. I hope that after I leave, everyone will continue to work with the same attitude and serve the citizens."

The crowd was shocked upon hearing this. This ruthless guy was getting promoted again. For a moment, everyone's gaze towards him became even more respectful than before.

At the same time, they breathed a sigh of relief. With Aoyama Xiu Xin leaving Hokkaido, they wouldn't have to live in fear anymore, having seen him brutally kill two police officers.

"Hey! I'd like to wish the Minister a speedy promotion in advance!"

.........

The Liberal Democratic Party had not given up the thought of making a comeback since stepping down, so when it detected serious factional struggles within the coalition Cabinet, it constantly attacked the Xichuan Cabinet for financial problems. Though Xichuan Hu Xi himself was not implicated, his teammates were at fault.

The infighting within the coalition government was also severe, with some who had risen to power by attacking the Liberal Democratic Party turning around to cooperate with them for power, which led to the Xichuan Cabinet being mired in endless infighting since its inception, unable to get any real work done.

Amidst these fierce struggles, in early March, the Liberal Democratic Party finally caught on to financial issues involving a close aide of Xichuan Hu Xi and launched a vigorous assault. Xichuan Hu Xi was pressured into a public apology, grew weary of the infighting within the coalition government, and with a weary heart, he submitted his resignation.

His resignation signaled that the Xichuan Cabinet, which had been established only seven months prior, was about to dissolve and that a new round of power struggles was officially underway.

On March 5, Aoyama Xiu Xin received a new assignment from the National Public Security Committee. Due to his outstanding performance and numerous major case closures while on duty in Hokkaido, he was promoted to Police Chief, taking the role of Head of Criminal Affairs Department of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The previous Head of Criminal Affairs Department of the Metropolitan Police Department, Asai Youki, was promoted to Senior Police Director, taking up the role of Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Police Department.

In less than two and a half years, Aoyama Xiu Xin had been promoted five ranks, making him the fastest-rising individual in the Japanese Government's bureaucratic system, which was not only due to his own efforts but also the support of his mentor.

After receiving the promotion order, Aoyama Xiu Xin stopped his duties and began to welcome and bid farewell to various gatherings and accept congratulations from everyone.

After his departure, Ishihara Keiichi, the former Deputy Director of the Security Department and one of his staunch supporters handpicked by Aoyama Xiu Xin, succeeded him as the Director of the Criminal Affairs Department at the Hokkaido Police Headquarters. After all, the mobile police force of the Security Department represented a significant enforcement strength.

Nakamura Shinichi was going to follow him back to Tokyo, as he was Aoyama's right-hand man and should not be too far from his side, lest he became crippled.

On March 8, he received one subordinate after another at his home for private conversations.

His adopted son, Nakamurayama Yoshi, was among them.

"Minister, I owe everything to your care over the past year, to my current position and to the state of the Beihai Family. I can't help but feel reluctant about your departure, wondering when you will return. Should I let my mother and Piao Xue accompany you to attend to your needs?" Qingshui Yi looked at Aoyama Xiu Xin with a face full of reluctance.

"There's no need for that," Aoyama Xiu Xin declined his kind offer and consoled, "I will return to Hokkaido in the future, and Mrs. Qingshui and Piao Xue are always welcome to visit me in Tokyo."

"Hey!" Qingshui Yi acknowledged and had already thought about buying an apartment in Tokyo for his mother and wife to move in. Yes, he and Nagano Piao Xue were married, legally husband and wife.

Aoyama Xiu Xin didn't know what he was thinking and instructed, "After I leave, everything remains the same. You have to keep the Beihai Family in check. Don't let yourself run wild just because I've left Hokkaido. If I hear any bad rumours, I will hold you accountable."

"Hey! Rest assured, Minister, I will remember and strictly implement what you have said!" Qingshui Yi's expression turned serious as he nodded solemnly in promise.

Aoyama Xiu Xin waved his hand to dismiss him.

The next one to come in was Takashita Kanji.

This undercover agent arranged by Yutian Zi had been doing well in Hokkaido in the past few months and, with Aoyama Xiu Xin's help, had become the largest violent gang in Hakodate City.

"Minister! I wish to follow you back to Tokyo."

Takashita Kanji stated this the moment he walked in.

"Oh?" Aoyama Xiu Xin raised his eyebrows, surprised, "As far as I know, the Takashita Group is doing very well in Hokkaido. Why would you, as the group's leader, want to leave your position and follow me back to Tokyo?"

In truth, he had intended to bring Takashita Kanji back to Tokyo all along, as that would allow the undercover agent to be most effective.

"Hey! I have made up my mind." Takashita Kanji bowed deeply, then raised his head to look at Aoyama Xiu Xin earnestly, "Without your care, I wouldn't be where I am today. I know there are many people serving you in Tokyo, but I still wish to be by your side to offer what little help I can. Please allow me this."

He actually felt quite conflicted inside. If he comfortably followed Aoyama Xiu Xin, the Takashita Group's size could grow even larger, but as an undercover agent, he must return to Tokyo to stay close to Aoyama Xiu Xin and possibly obtain important intelligence.

"Good! To tell you the truth, my return to Tokyo is to serve my grandfather in his struggle for the position of Prime Minister, and there might indeed be situations where I need your help," Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded and said.

Takashita Kanji replied excitedly, "Hey!"

His excitement was genuine, as he considered this to be important intelligence, which could earn him a reward when shared with the powerful figure behind him.

For months, he had been fulfilling orders given by Aoyama Xiu Xin with the help of the figure behind him and hadn't received any reward yet, resulting in reprimands.

"Alright, go and prepare. We leave together on the 10th," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a gentle smile.

Takashita Kanji rose, bowed, and departed.

The 10th of March arrived quickly, and Aoyama Xiu Xin set off for Tokyo with a large group of people. Many citizens came spontaneously to see him off, creating a bustling scene at the airport; after all, they were unaware of the unscrupulous things Aoyama Xiu Xin had done.

They only knew that Aoyama Xiu Xin had solved major cases in Hokkaido, handled the proliferation of firearms, and improved the local security environment, for which they were genuinely grateful.

Therefore, as he was leaving, they all came to say goodbye, with many crying out for him to stay and not leave.

Midway through, Aoyama Xiu Xin stopped the car, climbed onto the roof, and bid farewell to the citizens, tears of emotion showing as he waved goodbye.

This rare scene was also captured by reporters.

What does it mean to be an upright and noble official? This is it!

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