At night, in a high-end restaurant located in a certain high-rise building, Xiu Xin and Suzuki Daohiro met.

As the inviter, Xiu Xin naturally arrived early. Seeing Suzuki Daohiro being led into the private room by a waiter, he immediately stood up with a warm smile to greet him.

"Vice Minister Suzuki, long time no see. You still carry yourself with such poise and your presence is even more impressive than before."

"Mr. Aoyama, you flatter me. Rather, you have become more mature and steady, truly someone who can take on great responsibilities."

The two exchanged pleasantries, shook hands, and sat down separately. Xiu Xin ordered the food.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, the two chatted about some interesting things they had encountered over the past year while eating. By the time all the dishes were served, they were already seventy percent full.

Although Xiu Xin had been away from Tokyo for more than a year, he visited Suzuki Daohiro and other friends whenever he came back, so they remained close.

After a few rounds of drinks and several flavors of dishes, Xiu Xin brought up the main topic, "I heard from Junko that Vice Minister, you have been having some dissatisfaction at work recently, because Kiyohiro Tobita, that incompetent person, snatched the position of Chief Prosecutor."

"That girl, Junko, really says everything," Suzuki Daohiro feigned helplessness, shaking his head with a bitter smile. Then he put down his chopsticks, sighed, and said, "Since Mr. Aoyama knows, I won't pretend any longer just for the sake of face. Recently, things haven't been going well indeed. Tobita is utterly incompetent in his work but is keen on power struggles, dragging me into endless entanglements with him, so much that I can't focus on my work. If such a person holds the position of Chief Prosecutor securely, it would be a calamity for the citizens!"

After speaking, he picked up his glass to drink.

"What Vice Minister Suzuki says is very true, so we must bring him down, allowing worthy talents like you to benefit the people," Xiu Xin said, deeply agreeing.

"Poof—" Suzuki Daohiro didn't expect Xiu Xin to say it so directly, causing him to spray out a mouthful of wine, choking and coughing, "Cough cough cough..."

Though that was exactly what he was thinking, to say it so bluntly seemed a bit unbecoming.

"Vice Minister Suzuki, are you all right?" Xiu Xin quickly got up, moved over, and gently patted his back.

"No... I'm fine." Suzuki Daohiro waved his hand, and after catching his breath, he said earnestly, "Although I'm not someone obsessed with power, whether being a Vice Minister or Chief Prosecutor is all about serving the people, I truly cannot tolerate incompetents over me, causing harm. For the sake of the people, I think Mr. Aoyama is right. Do you have any advice for me?"

"From what I know, Kiyohiro Tobita has accepted many bribes and fabricated unjust cases. If we can find relevant evidence, we can definitely make him unable to recover. I have already sent someone to investigate secretly. Vice Minister Suzuki, you can also target this aspect," Xiu Xin said.

"It's difficult, very difficult." Suzuki Daohiro shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this and said helplessly, "I've thought about it long ago, but the cases he handled are so far in the past, with all traces cleaned up, making it hard to verify. Since being transferred to the local prosecution, he has been busy contending with me for power and, fearing I might find leverage over him, he hasn't dared to act like he used to."

Due to his threat, after Kiyohiro Tobita assumed the position of Chief Prosecutor, he instead changed his ways and acted as an upright official.

"In that case, this person isn't entirely without redeeming qualities," Xiu Xin said with a chuckle.

Daohiro snorted coldly, "All his little schemes are used on evil paths; it cannot last long."

"If that's so, then we force him to act as he did before. Making someone who's used to erring do so again is quite simple," Xiu Xin said, revealing a sinister smile.

Daohiro laughed heartily, "Great minds think alike. This was my thought too. Now with Mr. Aoyama's help, this matter will certainly succeed."

"Then how about we have an early toast to celebrate our success tonight?" Xiu Xin suggested with a smile, raising his glass.

"Sure, Mr. Aoyama, please."

"Vice Minister Suzuki, please."

Both raised their glasses and drank it all in one go. Then they exchanged glances, placed their glasses down, and laughed simultaneously.

Subsequently, they huddled together to fine-tune the details of their plan and assigned tasks to each other.

After seeing off Suzuki Daohiro, Xiu Xin called Nakamura Shinichi, telling him not to be distracted by investigating Kiyohiro Tobita's dirt anymore, and just focus on getting another task done, which he assigned that day.

At the same time, he learned a piece of news from Nakamura Shinichi: Tengji Yu confessed, and the Police Headquarters is organizing a press conference to announce it to the public overnight.

Xiu Xin immediately called his godfather.

"Grandfather, Tengji Yu confessed."

"I know. Renping Kuniaki has already informed me. Prime Minister Yutian is attempting to cut their losses to minimize the impact," Yanchuan Shilang said nonchalantly.

He had foreseen this situation long ago. In any case, he had achieved his goal of eliminating a key member of the New Birth Party, significantly boosting the morale of his side.

Upon hearing that Renping Kuniaki had reported to Yanchuan Shilang, Xiu Xin realized that Miyagi Youcai must have met with Renping Kuniaki privately. He wondered if the bug in Renping Kuniaki's office had recorded anything useful.

"They are merely struggling on their deathbed and are no match for grandfather," Xiu Xin flattered a bit. After hanging up, he immediately called Yoshikai Youzai: "Send the audio recording from the bug in the Director General's office to my house, and have someone check the surveillance to see what time Miyagi Youcai visited the Director General's office."

He didn't have someone monitor the bug 24/7. Instead, he instructed Yoshikai Youzai to arrange a trusted lieutenant to ensure the bug's normal operation and timely replacement of storage cards. He hadn't told Yoshikai Youzai what content he wanted to monitor, as he planned to listen to the recording himself every day.

After all, matters involving high-level officials couldn't be known by someone as low-ranking as Yoshikai Youzai.

When he arrived home, the person Yoshikai Youzai arranged to deliver the recording was already waiting there.

"Minister, here is what you requested."

Upon seeing Xiu Xin, the uneasy little officer sitting on the sofa immediately stood up and handed over a bag.

"Mm, thank you for your effort," Xiu Xin accepted the bag with a gentle nod, "Take a rest."

"Yes!" The young officer bowed and left.

Jin Yucheng followed him out, calling to him after the door closed, and handed over a small stack of US dollars from his cash on hand, "This is the reward from the Minister for your hard work tonight."

He had always been responsible for such tasks and knew what to do without needing instructions from Xiu Xin.

"Yes! Thank you, Minister!" The young officer, visibly excited, bowed deeply toward the door's direction before leaving again.

In the living room, Aoyama Haruko curiously asked while holding the child, "Xiu Xin, what is this?"

"It's related to a case, sister-in-law, please don't ask. It's confidential. I'm going to the study, and I might be up late. You should rest early. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight." Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled faintly as he spoke.

He then went upstairs to the study, shut himself in, and started listening to the recording. Since he had someone check the surveillance in advance to know when Miyagi Youcai went to the Director General's office, he could directly fast-forward to that point.

"Come in." It was the voice of Renping Kuniaki.

Then came the sound of the door opening, and Miyagi Youcai's excited voice, "Director General, Tengji Yu has confessed!"

"Hmm." Renping Kuniaki responded calmly.

Upon hearing this, Aoyama Xiu Xin frowned. Renping Kuniaki's reaction was very off; it was clear he already knew about this outcome.

Miyagi Youcai's astonished voice sounded, "Director General, you knew early on? Why didn't you tell me?"

"What's your position? Do I need to tell you everything? You just need to execute my orders well!" Renping Kuniaki scolded unpleasantly.

Miyagi Youcai immediately acknowledged his mistake, "Yes! I misspoke, please forgive me, Director General. I won't dare in the future."

"Hmph!" After reprimanding him, Renping Kuniaki said faintly, "Mr. Miyagi, I'll give you a piece of advice today: understand your position, or you'll suffer greatly sooner or later. Just because you work for Hatanaka Zizi first doesn't mean your status there is higher than mine."

"Yes! I'm aware of my mistake. Thank you for your guidance, Director General! I will remember it and never forget it."

"You may go, prepare for the press conference, Prime Minister Yutian wants us to announce this news as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Aoyama Xiu Xin turned off the recording, his expression shifting unpredictably, surprised that Renping Kuniaki, this seemingly honest man, actually betrayed. Despite being promoted and elevated by Yanchuan Shilang himself.

No wonder he let Miyagi Youcai handle Tengji Yu's case, and no wonder he gave the Takahashi couple's murder case to me. He wanted to divert my attention.

Aoyama Xiu Xin was grateful for noticing something off in advance and used eavesdropping to confirm Renping Kuniaki's traitorous identity. Otherwise, if he had always considered him his ally, he would eventually suffer a huge loss.

He immediately dialed Yanchuan Shilang's number.

"Grandfather, I have a major discovery, Renping Kuniaki has betrayed you and sided with Hatanaka Zizi."

"What?" Yanchuan Shilang was taken aback, exclaiming before quickly regaining composure. He asked steadily, "You must have evidence to say something like this?"

"Yes! I have a recording. Should I deliver it to you now?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked.

Yanchuan Shilang said calmly, "I'll wait for you."

After hanging up, Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly went downstairs to bid farewell to his sister-in-law and hurried towards Yanchuan Shilang's home.

About twenty minutes later, he arrived at his destination.

"Grandfather." Walking into the living room, Aoyama Xiu Xin saw Yanchuan Shilang sitting solemnly on the sofa, smoking, a tempest hidden beneath a calm exterior.

"Hmm." Yanchuan Shilang nodded, cutting to the chase, "Where's the recording? Play it for me."

The device to play the recording had been prepared in advance.

"Yes!" Aoyama Xiu Xin operated the player directly.

After listening, Yanchuan Shilang did not speak, taking one drag of his cigarette after another, his face twitching slightly, his breathing gradually becoming rapid. "Bakayarou!" he suddenly cursed loudly, getting up and throwing the cigarette in his hand, the butt striking the coffee table, sending sparks flying.

"Renping Kuniaki, a dog-like thing! If it weren't for my promotion and heavy use, would he be where he is today? How dare he betray me, incredible! Incredible!"

"Grandfather, calm down! It's not worth it to harm your health over such a person!" Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly stood up to comfort him. It was his first time seeing Yanchuan Shilang so furious; Renping Kuniaki was bound to meet a grim end.

"Get off!" Renping Kuniaki waved off Aoyama Xiu Xin's helping hand, his breathing gradually stabilizing as he said coldly, "Take him down!"

He didn't say specifically under what charges Renping Kuniaki should be arrested.

But if he could arrest him, he could also convict him.

"Grandfather, calm down. I suggest we keep him in check first..." Aoyama Xiu Xin immediately advised.

"Do you think I'm blinded by rage?" Yanchuan Shilang interrupted, shaking his head, he said coldly, "If Renping Kuniaki can betray, isn't it possible for others to be bought as well? We must make an example to prevent more people from having any illusions."

"Moreover, now that I have the upper hand compared to Hatanaka Zizi and Yamahana Shigeru, there's no need to keep Renping Kuniaki around to play along. The position of Police Director General is too important, he knows many things. While he probably doesn't have evidence, his identity could still cause trouble if he starts talking rubbish. If it ends up disrupting any of my plans, it would be a loss not worth taking."

"So take him down, tonight, Xiu Xin, you personally lead a team to execute it and give him a dignified end, assign a random charge and let him take his own life out of guilt."

It was only then that Aoyama Xiu Xin realized.

Grandfather wasn't asking him to arrest someone.

He was asking him to kill someone.

What about the Police Director General? When the boss behind says a word, isn't it just like killing a chicken?

In strict terms, police aren't really politicians; they're merely henchmen of politicians.

Since they're henchmen, what if they reach the rank of enforcer?

They still have to become lawmakers, have to go into politics!

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