"You... you you you..."

Oda Hidehiko covered the spot where he had just been hit by a wine glass with one hand while raising a trembling finger at Aoyama Xiu Xin, both shocked and angry, unable to speak clearly due to his rage.

At this moment, his whole body was trembling with anger.

Aoyama Xiu Xin, however, wasted no words; he jumped up from his spot, pressed Oda Hidehiko's face down hard, and slammed it down with a bang. Oda Hidehiko fell like a tree uprooted, his face making intimate contact with the table, his feet sticking up, while dishes clattered to the floor and oil and wine splattered everywhere.

But it wasn't over. Aoyama Xiu Xin held Oda Hidehiko's face down with one hand, grabbed a bottle of sake with the other, and smashed it against his head. With a crash, the bottle shattered, and the sake mixed with blood dripped down.

"I've tolerated you for a long time." Aoyama Xiu Xin finally spoke in a calm tone, then released Oda Hidehiko, stood up, and pulled out the pocket square from his suit jacket to wipe his hands, "You don't know your limits. What do you amount to? You dare speak insolently to my grandfather."

Since it was clear that Oda Hidehiko had no intention of cooperation and was trying to sabotage things, there was no need to hold back any longer—straightforward punches, what satisfaction!

The room was terrifyingly silent; the sudden change was too quick, and everyone was still in a daze.

"Ha—ha—" Only Oda Hidehiko was panting heavily, struggling to support himself on the table to try to get up but failing, like a dying dog clinging to life.

Aoyama Xiu Xin said, "Throw him out."

Finally, someone came to their senses first, saying calmly, "Mr. Aoyama, you went too far."

This was a subtle way of expressing their dissatisfaction.

Others looked at Aoyama Xiu Xin with cold eyes.

Although they also sensed that Oda Hidehiko's behavior was unusual and some clearly knew the reason for his actions, they were still displeased with Aoyama Xiu Xin's behavior, feeling offended.

Aoyama Xiu Xin said nothing.

He only looked at Tangong Huizi.

At this moment, Tangong Huizi's beautiful eyebrows were almost knit together. After a silent moment she called, "Someone come."

Two young men guarding the door came in.

"Mr. Oda had too much to drink and accidentally injured himself. Help him to the side room to rest and bandage his wounds." Tangong Huizi said softly and gently.

"Yes!" The two young men replied, stepping forward to support Oda Hidehiko from both sides and guide him out.

As he was leaving, Oda Hidehiko turned his head to stare venomously at Aoyama Xiu Xin, clearly bearing a grudge, saying, "You will pay for this."

Aoyama Xiu Xin responded with a contemptuous smile.

After the door closed again, he looked around and said, "Gentlemen, you are all wise men and must see that Oda Hidehiko harbors ill intentions. Like a buffoon, he has been constantly instigating and attempting to sabotage tonight's cooperation negotiations. Not only is he delaying your future for his selfish gains, but he is also jeopardizing the future of the Empire! Such shameless scum deserves to be condemned!"

He paused, giving everyone a moment to think, and then continued, "At this point, it is pointless to dwell on the severity of my actions. Rather, let's hear my grandfather's terms, and you gentlemen can then make a decision at your leisure."

This statement immediately diverted attention from the beating of Oda Hidehiko, as everyone focused intently on Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"Grandfather has said that those willing to support him are insightful and wise individuals within the Congress who ought to wield more power in order to showcase their talents for the benefit of the country. Thus, he promises that once he is elected, he will welcome you into the Liberal Democratic Party and offer you positions within the party or the cabinet. Furthermore, he will fully support you in running for preferred positions in the future."

Yanchuan Shilang certainly hadn't stated it so explicitly, but his phrase "unite all possible forces" was clear enough—extend promises to entice people onto their side and deal with the rest later.

As for what comes afterward, that will be dealt with when the time comes.

The group exchanged glances, sharing a silent understanding.

"Yan Chuan's promises certainly sound sincere, but what guarantee is there for their realization? Don't misunderstand, I'm not implying Yan Chuan would be duplicitous, I just tend to worry and fear ending up empty-handed. I hope Minister Aoyama understands." A middle-aged man with glasses and combed hair in a three-seven part said with a smile.

It was House of Representatives member Tanben Yifu.

"I understand, of course, I can understand; it's only human nature." Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded understandingly, also smiling. "Therefore, to demonstrate sincerity, you will first receive a small gift. As members of the Congress, although your positions are prestigious, the expenses are not small, right? I recommend you purchase a certain financial product, which is sure to go up soon. Why not take the opportunity to earn some profit?"

If these individuals do not buy it, the financial product may not rise; if they do buy it, it will certainly rise, and the proceeds into their accounts will all be legal earnings.

Everyone present was skilled at corruption and naturally understood this logic. After all, no one ever disliked having more money.

Get the money first, then do the work. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, or if it does but Yanchuan Shilang doesn't keep his word, they wouldn't really be at a loss.

Yet, no one was the first to speak.

"Gentlemen, Mr. Aoyama is a close friend of the ethnic group." Tangong Huizi said slowly.

Tanben Yifu exhaled, the hesitant look in his eyes returning to calm. "Please convey to Lord Yanchuan that I am willing to follow and serve the country with him and hope to visit him in person someday to listen to his teachings."

"Count me in as well..." Once Tangong Huizi and Tanben Yifu expressed their positions, others who had been hesitant also followed suit in agreement.

Aoyama Xiu Xin laughed heartily, "On behalf of my grandfather, I welcome and thank you all. With the help and support of such benevolent individuals, my grandfather will surely succeed in his election and eventually lead the country out of a period of decline."

"Absolutely, absolutely, in my opinion, besides Yanchuan, no one else has the capability."

"That's correct, Yanchuan..."

Everyone scrambled to praise Yanchuan Shilang, portraying him as Japan's savior and a wise leader.

Xiu Xin exchanged a glance with Tangong Huizi.

Tangong Huizi immediately understood and said with a cheerful smile, "Since the business is concluded, it's time to relax. Please, everyone, head over to the hot springs. I've already arranged everything over there."

"Sure, sure, let's enjoy the hot springs, Minister Aoyama, please." Tanben Yifu gestured.

Xiu Xin laughed heartily, "You go ahead, gentlemen, I just need a moment, and I'll join you shortly."

Everyone instantly realized that he and Tangong Huizi had something private to discuss, so they didn't insist further and left on their own, perhaps to have their own private talks.

Once everyone had left, Tangong Huizi frowned and questioned, "How could you hit him?"

Every Member of Parliament here today is a valuable asset to the Japan-South Korea Federation, and for Oda Hidehiko to suffer such humiliation, he will surely become disloyal.

"That guy deserved it," Xiu Xin replied nonchalantly, then added, "Doesn't your federation have ways to control these guys? At most, Oda Hidehiko will have some resentment towards me, but he won't sever ties with the federation because of it. Don't worry."

"That's how it was in the past," Tangong Huizi rolled her eyes and said, "It's all because of you that I changed the federation's investment strategy toward Japanese politicians, opting for mutually beneficial collaboration rather than past methods of blackmail. Oda Hidehiko only started cooperating with us last year after I took control of the federation, and we pushed him into the House of Councillors. The federation's hold over him isn't very strong; since you attacked him, I can only choose one between you two, and he will surely leave because of this."

"I see, no wonder he's eating from the federation's bowl yet biting the hand that feeds him tonight. He feels he's found a bigger backer and doesn't have you grabbing any dirt on him, thus being fearless." As Xiu Xin heard this, he suddenly realized.

He's nothing but an ungrateful wretch!

He shook his head, "President Tangong, aren't you switching from one extreme to another? While it's necessary to show sincerity, shouldn't there be some countermeasures ready? If there are more people like Oda Hidehiko, won't the federation always be the fool?"

"Do you think I'm that dumb?" Tangong Huizi glared at him, swallowed to moisten her throat, and continued, "I've always advocated for softer measures in this regard. It was simply too short of a time with Oda Hidehiko to set things up properly. In any case, our investment in him has gone down the drain."

To get him into Parliament, the federation spent quite a bit of money and connections, and we haven't even seen the returns yet.

"From another perspective, it's good to realize early that he's a traitor. Besides, although we lost Oda Hidehiko's friendship, we gained my godfather's friendship." Xiu Xin consoled.

At this point, Tangong Huizi could only comfort herself this way, it wasn't a loss, but she still felt a bit frustrated, gritting her teeth, "We invested at least twenty million US dollars worth of resources in him."

"That's not a small amount. If that's the case, let me help you get it back. Take me to him. If he wants to leave, he has to spit out what he took." Xiu Xin narrowed his eyes and said with a sharp tone.

Meanwhile, he also wanted to interrogate Oda Hidehiko.

To see who was behind him.

Tangong Huizi was startled for a moment, blinked at Xiu Xin, "Alright, come with me."

Seeing that they were bound to part ways with Oda Hidehiko, she hoped to recover the money if possible.

Xiu Xin followed Tangong Huizi out.

"I just realized you look quite good in a kimono."

Gazing at her graceful silhouette, Xiu Xin shamelessly pinched her behind.

It felt excellent, full of elasticity, and food-grade.

"Mm~" Caught off guard, Tangong Huizi let out a coquettish sound, "In that case, why don't we stay here tonight? I'll let the minister have a closer look."

As she spoke, she slightly lifted her skirt, revealing a small section of a leg wrapped in black stockings. Through the thin stockings, her fair skin was faintly visible, though it was hard to see because of the white socks she wore.

"President Tangong, you're really burning hot."

Xiu Xin spoke frankly and directly.

This woman was clearly prepared.

Upon hearing such a coarse remark, Tangong Huizi's pretty face sank, she dropped her skirt, and quickened her pace.

Just as they reached the door of a room, Tangong Huizi was about to knock, but Xiu Xin directly pushed the door open.

"Xiu Xin! What are you doing here! I'm telling you, baka! Don't push me too far!"

Having just handled his wound and in the process of bandaging, Oda Hidehiko stood up in shock, anger, and fear, with the bandage on his forehead trailing down to his chest.

One might think he just lost his mother.

It looked like he was in mourning.

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