Ashida Jiubao suddenly lost his wits.
However, after hanging up the phone, he quickly regained his composure.
Since the other party had leverage over him, it was clear they wouldn’t stop after just one extortion. If he gave them the money this first ti, there would be a second ti, and they would bleed him dry, step by step, until he was driven into a corner.
So he absolutely couldn’t pay.
But this issue had to be resolved.
He thought of seeking help from the Yanchuan Family, after all, they had just taken in a bunch of officials that, like him, used to mix with Yokoyama Ryohi, and they were in need of stabilizing people’s hearts.
Even just to show sincerity, they couldn’t possibly ignore his plight, or else it would chill people’s hearts.
With this thought in mind, Ashida Jiubao didn’t go to work but instead drove straight to the Yanchuan Family residence.
When he arrived at his destination and was led into the living room by the housekeeper, he was stunned; Yanchuan Shilang was sitting alone in the dining room leisurely having breakfast, while on the living room sofa, four acquaintances he knew all too well sat in trepidation.
Officials who followed Yokoyama Ryohi had their own circles.
These lower-level officials, departnt heads, and section chiefs had their own social circles, and they often gathered together.
When these four saw him, they nodded slightly in greeting and made room for him to sit.
But Ashida Jiubao didn’t dare to disturb Yanchuan Shilang’s al; despite his anxiety, he sat on the sofa to wait and at the sa ti, was curious why these four were here.
Had they co to present gifts and beg for positions, or were they called here?
Finally, Yanchuan Shilang put down his chopsticks, rinsed his mouth, wiped the grease from his lips, and sat down in the living room on the sofa, "Which of you five will speak first?"
Ordinarily, these lower-level officials wouldn’t even be able to enter his ho, but the first person to arrive was very anxious. Having just received Yokoyama Ryohi’s legacy, he, out of a belief in rewarding the willing, had granted an audience to this person. But then one after another ca, making him realize that this was no ordinary matter.
"I... I’ll go first!" A middle-aged man with a receding hairline quickly stood up, gave the other four a look, and said with resolve, "Sir, I received an extortion call this morning. The caller accurately ntioned several profits I received from Takeda Fuji, demanding ten million US dollars from . I’m not afraid to pay the money, but I’m worried that paying won’t solve anything. Please help !"
As soon as he finished speaking, he dropped to his knees and perford an elaborate bow with his forehead touching the ground, utterly respectful.
"Ah! You... you received a call too?"
"Also ten million US dollars? too!"
"From Takeda Fuji as well..."
The four, including Ashida Jiubao, were taken aback when they heard this and, despite Yanchuan Shilang being present, began rudely chattering among themselves.
"Quiet." Yanchuan Shilang said with a frown, his speech placid but his face a bit more somber.
Five people, and all evidence of bribes from Takeda Fuji was in soone else’s hands--this was definitely no coincidence.
Yanchuan Shilang had successfully taken these people in due to the Takeda Fuji dark ledger he possessed, but the current situation indicated that soone else also had this ledger.
Should the ledger be widely exposed, the involved officials would undoubtedly be purged, not only stirring political turmoil but also rendering the ledger in his possession worthless. If he couldn’t control these official positions for the benefit of the Yanchuan Family, it would be as if he had toppled Yokoyama Ryohi in vain, becoming purely an act of anti-corruption and integrity.
How could this be allowed?
At this juncture, it was no longer just a matter for the five individuals, including Ashida Jiubao; it was a matter for the Yanchuan Family.
Of course, that wasn’t sothing that could be said openly.
Yanchuan Shilang sighed and slowly scanned the five n before him, speaking in a stern voice, "Since you are people of the Yanchuan Family and work for the Yanchuan Family, it’s my duty to protect your interests. Although you have yet to prove yourselves, I won’t stand by idly."
"Hey! Thank you, Sir! I’m willing to go through fire and water for you, and I refuse nothing! I will always be loyal to you!"
"Sir, your great kindness and rcy, I will never forget!"
Overjoyed, the five n expressed their heartfelt thanks to Yanchuan Shilang, almost moved to tears.
The feeling of having a powerful backer was truly wonderful.
"I hope it’s not just talk," Yanchuan Shilang said with a calm deanor, waving his hand dismissively, "Alright, as long as the Yanchuan Family stands, the sky will not fall. It’s working hours now, get back to work. You owe it to the taxpayers to be deserving; I will handle this matter. If there’s a need for your cooperation, you’ll be contacted."
He planned to hand this matter over to Aoyama Xiu Xin.
In his view, Aoyama Xiu Xin was a man specifically for this kind of work, handling troubles for Yanchuan Xianyou and clearing the way for his ascent to higher positions.
It just so happened that Aoyama Xiu Xin, as one of the main figures, would be attending the evening banquet, so he would discuss the matter in detail then.
"Hey! Your subordinates take their leave!"
All five bowed deeply together.
.......................
At the sa ti, at Police Headquarters.
In the office of the head of Division 1 of the Search Bureau.
"Mr. Fujiwara, what’s going on with this person?"
Aoyama Xiu Xin, looking displeased, tossed a report from the Inspector onto Fujiwara Takahiro’s desk.
An Inspector, as the term implies, is responsible for monitoring police enforcent and is known as the police of the police.
Mainly reporting to the Public Security Committee, each police station has a General Affairs Inspector Division, while Police Headquarters and each prefectural police headquarters have Inspectors.
In Japan, all governnt departnts have Inspectors.
Fujiwara Takahiro looked down at the report, which featured a character nad Nozaki Cangjian, freshly promoted to Patrol Captain after Nakamura Shinichi was elevated to superintendent and beca Deputy Director.
This guy was indeed a thorn in the side that caused concern.
But he was truly capable and useful to him.
Fujiwara Takahiro squeezed out a smile with so difficulty and said, "Police Chief, Mr. Nozaki does tend to overlook so minor details, but his investigative skills aren’t bad. Surely we shouldn’t dismiss his abilities over so trivial matters?"
Nozaki Cangjian had only recently transferred over, but he had already been repeatedly complained about for violating law enforcent protocols and for unsightly behavior caught by inspectors, such as spitting on the ground and other such acts.
This ti, there were even anonymous complaints about him ignoring orders from his superiors and acting on his own, and although he ultimately caught the suspect, it resulted in injury to a teammate.
"I don’t need this kind of person under . No matter how capable he is, if he doesn’t listen, he shouldn’t be a police officer. Ask him to apply for a transfer voluntarily," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, knocking on the desk in a tone that brooked no argunt.
Violating protocol during an investigation is not the problem—these days, who doesn’t bend the rules? But being complained about for it is a problem, and as a leader, he needed to be held accountable.
What angered him even more was the subordinate’s defiance of orders during operations. Yes, the suspect was apprehended, but at the cost of a team mber getting hurt, and keeping such a person in the team could also negatively affect the team’s morale.
Many protagonists in movies behave this way because the plot requires it, but Aoyama Xiu Xin didn’t need that.
The presence of such a person would only lead superiors to question his leadership abilities and to think he condoned repeated mistakes among his subordinates.
Then why have such a "characterful" person in a disciplined force?
Wouldn’t it be better to be an artist?
Fujiwara Takahiro’s face changed, and he attempted to speak further in Nozaki Cangjian’s defense, "Police Chief, please give him one more chance. I assure you I will oversee..."
"What, have you caught his contagion? You also want to defy an order from above?" Aoyama Xiu Xin interrupted with a raised hand, leaning back in his seat with a sarcastic smile.
Fujiwara Takahiro imdiately fell silent and bowed in apology.
"I wouldn’t dare!"
Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up, walked around the desk to Fujiwara Takahiro, and placed a hand on his shoulder with earnest seriousness, "Mr. Fujiwara, I’m doing this for your own good. People like him who are self-righteous, with no regard for police discipline, thinking everyone else is nothing but dead weight holding them back, it’s a matter of ti before they cause major trouble. I don’t want to see you entangled in his ss."
"If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be asking him to apply for a transfer, I’d have sent him packing directly, got it? Get back to work."
Aoyama Xiu Xin withdrew his hand and turned toward him.
"Sir!" Fujiwara Takahiro bowed and took his leave.
When he got back to his office, he called Nozaki Cangjian in, staring at him, saying nothing for a while.
"Superintendent, what’s the matter? You keep staring at , and it’s making nervous."
Nozaki Cangjian shivered. He appeared to be about 26 or 27 years old, with unkempt, long hair and a scruffy beard, dressed in a worn-out suit.
He stood as if there were no bones to keep him upright.
All slouchy and shabby, without any semblance of decorum.
To call him a police officer would be a stretch; he more closely resembled a street hoodlum.
"Still in the mood for jokes?" Fujiwara Takahiro, frustrated by his indifference, stood up and threw the inspection report from Aoyama Xiu Xin’s office at his face, "The Police Chief wants you transferred. What am I supposed to do now?"
Nozaki Cangjian picked up the report and scowled, "Idiot! That bunch of useless people couldn’t catch the suspect themselves, and they complain about just because I did!"
Having said that, he stord off, full of anger.
"Stop right there!" Fujiwara Takahiro yelled angrily, stepping in front of him and grabbing his frayed collar, "What are you planning to do? Go hit soone? Just a transfer has you unsatisfied, and you want to be dismissed?"
Nozaki’s expression darkened with defiance on his face.
Fujiwara Takahiro sighed and let go of his collar, "We’re in this together..."
"Why do we need so many people for sothing I can handle on my own? Those guys are just dead weight," Nozaki Cangjian said with scorn.
Fujiwara Takahiro was furious and speechless, "The Police Chief was right; you’re not fit to be a police officer, at least not in the field. Go write a report and apply for a clerical job."
It was sowhat less embarrassing to apply for a different position yourself, compared to being demoted.
"Clerical work?" Nozaki Cangjian was shocked, disbelief on his face, "You expect my gun hand to hold a pen?"
"Don’t look at , this is an order from the Police Chief..."
"Dammit! I’m going to talk to him right now!"
Before Fujiwara Takahiro could finish his words, Nozaki Cangjian had already furiously slamd the door and left.
"Nozaki Cangjian! What are you doing! Stop!"
Fujiwara Takahiro was montarily stunned and then quickly chased after him.
"Don’t worry, I’m not going to punch him."
Nozaki Cangjian rushed into the elevator and closed the doors.
"Click, click, click!"
Fujiwara Takahiro caught up, frantically pressing the elevator buttons multiple tis, but it was too late—the elevator had started to ascend.
"Idiot! I’m worried he is going to punch you!"
Fujiwara Takahiro swung his fist, cursing with a mix of anger and helplessness, then turned and headed for the staircase.
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