All day long, Aoyama Xiu Xin never received an announcement from Kujō Company about the gradual distribution of salaries.

If they refuse to take the face-saving route, then forget it.

Aoyama Xiu Xin immediately ordered the police to investigate the truth behind Takahashi Ryo's death, and instructed relevant departments to investigate the operations of Kujō Company.

Approach it from both civil and criminal angles.

If we're going to move, we move decisively.

He wanted to bleed the Kujō Family dry, stripping their personal accounts to pay employees' salaries and to sustain the business operation of Kujō Company to prevent massive layoffs.

If there's any leftover, that will be his hard-earned fee.

This would also count as the Kujō Family contributing to a new Japan.

He had given clear signals, and naturally, those executing the tasks knew what to do. Even without evidence, they were to fabricate some to take down the Kujō Family. Moreover, the Kujō Family wasn't clean; their stature had merely protected them from scrutiny until now. As soon as they're investigated, problems abound.

Simultaneously, Aoyama Xiu Xin held a live address concerning the investigation into the Kujō Family, reassuring those employees owed wages that their back pay would be compensated.

Employees, who had been angry for waiting all day without an announcement from the company, found it satisfying to see Aoyama Xiu Xin taking action against the Kujō Family.

They truly believed in Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"Father! It's not good! That bastard Aoyama Xiu Xin really dared to take action. The investigation team has already entered various companies, and the police are investigating Takahashi Ryo's death." Kujō Shūichi said, flustered.

"Baka!" Kujō Kenji was both shocked and angry. Aoyama Xiu Xin's bold action meant this was not just for show. "We must go to Tokyo immediately."

Hokkaido was Aoyama Xiu Xin's territory. Staying here could lead to unforeseen danger. Going to Tokyo not only ensured their safety but also provided opportunities to settle the matter.

It was too late to fly.

They could only drive to Tokyo overnight.

But they were soon intercepted on the highway.

They were informed they were under surveillance and could not leave the country.

Kujō Kenji frantically called his contacts in Tokyo, hoping they could stop Aoyama Xiu Xin, otherwise, they would surely be doomed.

Kujō Kenji's connections were still solid; Aoyama Xiu Xin soon received a concerned call from his godfather.

"Xiu Xin, please stop. You've already made enough enemies. It seems you're only targeting the declining Kujō Family, but there's more at play here," Yanchuan Shilang advised earnestly.

Aoyama Xiu Xin replied, "Grandfather, don't worry about me. The Kujō Family disrespected us, and now that we've taken action, there's no turning back. If their friends and kin despise me, so be it. If they have the capability, I welcome their retaliation."

"You, you act too resolutely, leaving no retreat for others or yourself!" Yanchuan Shilang said helplessly.

He wanted to persuade Aoyama Xiu Xin to stop, not just for Aoyama Xiu Xin's sake, but also for the Yanchuan Family.

After all, in others' eyes, Aoyama Xiu Xin was associated with the Yanchuan Family. Yanchuan Shilang knew his days were numbered, so he had to consider the perceptions of others.

Yet, faced with the unyielding Aoyama Xiu Xin, he felt helpless. He couldn't possibly fall out with a godson who had accomplished so much, especially since Aoyama Xiu Xin had become independently formidable. Falling out might not even work.

In resignation, Yanchuan Shilang could only offer compensation to the friends, followers, and former subordinates of the Kujō Family, at least ensuring their animosity and apprehension towards Aoyama Xiu Xin wouldn't extend to the Yanchuan Family.

As for the Kujō Family, it would be let be.

Because of this matter, a rift formed between grandfather and grandson.

Under Aoyama Xiu Xin's firm stance, from the Prime Minister to the Members of Parliament, ultimately no one successfully halted the collapse of the Kujō Family.

The half-month investigation confirmed the involvement of Kujō Family members in multiple economic and criminal offenses, leading to arrests, company shutdowns, and personal asset seizures.

Wages that had been withheld were paid back. Considering mass unemployment from Kujō Company's collapse, Aoyama Xiu Xin stepped in to engage several businessmen to take over factories with many Kujō Family employees.

Aoyama Xiu Xin gained immense fame, revered by many citizens as a rare upright official and savior, yet simultaneously became a thorn in the side of numerous bureaucrats.

With the Youth Association fervently promoting Aoyama Xiu Xin nationwide and calls for him to become Prime Minister growing, it was unfortunate they had no voting power. Meanwhile, most Parliamentary members who held voting power were unlikely to support Aoyama Xiu Xin and would back Xiao Quanyi.

In the latter half of 1997, Aoyama Xiu Xin was wholly recognized by all Hokkaido citizens through handling the Kujō Family, paying back wages, and preventing a wave of unemployment.

.........

Time flew by, and a year swiftly passed by.

In July 1998, Japan's 20th House of Representatives election commenced, with the Liberal Democratic Party still holding the most seats, and Yanakaha Sadayoshi continuing as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Prime Minister Yamahana Sadayoshi resigned, and Xiao Quanyi was nominated and approved as Deputy Prime Minister.

He was only fifty-six that year, and it was expected he would ascend to the Prime Minister's position before turning sixty.

Considering Yanakaha Sadayoshi's poor health, most duties fell onto him, the Deputy Prime Minister, essentially making him the de facto Prime Minister.

Upon gaining power, under the Ministry of Finance's recommendation, he decided to again cut the Land Guard's military budget, as last year's cuts hadn't provoked strong resistance, indicating the major arteries hadn't been touched, and further cuts could be made.

After two consecutive years of budget cuts, dissatisfaction within the Land Guard grew, but Aoyama Xiu Xin managed to suppress it with substantial monetary compensation, while the most disgruntled Land Guard soldiers had no avenue to voice their grievances.

Their resentment continued to build.

It only needed a spark to ignite.

On December 15, 1998, Aoyama Xiu Xin celebrated his 32nd birthday, once again in Hokkaido.

Asai Ayumi specially visited Hokkaido to be with him.

Yagyu Yuichiro, now the Director of Sea Guard Staff, brought along his first and second sons, and the Head of the Maritime Security Bureau, Oda Seisui, also came to Hokkaido.

Police Department Director Nozaki Osato and more than thirty Members of Parliament, including elder brother Aoyama Sosuke, were present.

Additionally, there were high-ranking officials from the Land Guard, especially the Northern group; even the US Army Commander in Japan, Major General William, came to celebrate his birthday.

This was the influence Aoyama Xiu Xin now wielded.

Nowadays, he no longer needed a backer.

He himself was a mighty mountain.

Standing on the second-floor balcony of his villa, Aoyama Xiu Xin looked at the lively scene below, a slight smile tugged at his lips, pleased and ambitious.

After the New Year, next year, he planned to formally push forward with the plan to uphold the emperor and eradicate traitors.

By this time the following year, most of those present would either be celebrating his 34th birthday at the Prime Minister's residence.

Or joining him in prison.

"To all of you!"

Aoyama Xiu Xin raised his glass and shouted.

"To Mr. Aoyama, happy birthday!"

The crowd below raised their glasses in return with smiles.

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