September 26th, Saturday, the sky was clear and the clouds were sparse.
The engagent ceremony of the Crown Prince was held today.
Many high-ranking officials and powerful people went to the site to witness the event.
A polished black limousine with a tiger-head ornant made its way through the bustling streets, driven by Jin Yucheng, with Aoyama Xiu Xin naturally seated in the back.
He didn’t have to work today, but there was sothing he had long wanted to do, so he set out early in the morning.
Suddenly, the car slowed down.
Aoyama Xiu Xin, who had his eyes closed as if dozing, opened his eyes.
Looking out through the car window, he saw a group of people marching with banners, disrupting the traffic.
The content of the march was a call for a lenient sentence for the Abe four; spontaneous marches speaking for the Abes had been taking place across the country over the past few days.
However, Aoyama Xiu Xin was very clear in his mind—the more these people made a fuss, the faster the Abe four would et their end.
After all, isn’t this what the old masters are afraid of?
But this had already beco irrelevant to him.
He had already established his rit through this case and gained the potential favor of many capitalists in Japan.
After the crowd had passed, the car smoothly started again, and half an hour later, it arrived at a private club in the Muehe District. By then, many luxury cars were already parked outside, and law enforcent officers were standing guard on duty.
When Aoyama Xiu Xin got out of the car, the duty officers all bowed and saluted, but said nothing aloud.
Aoyama Xiu Xin walked into the clubhouse without a sideways glance.
By this ti, there were already a dozen people sitting in the hall.
They were influential individuals from various sectors: the high-ranking officials from four local banks including the Kimura family and Kikumura Yakuo; Major General Yagyu Tomon who had been promoted to Director of the Criminal Departnt of the Mariti Security Bureau; Tokyo District Prosecutor’s Special Investigation Departnt Director Yamada Yuuji and Prosecutor Suzuki Junko; Tokyo District Court Judge Hashimoto Miho and Takazawa Chiyu; Chief Editor Saihara Ichiro from Asahi News Political Departnt; Zhao Qinghong of the Fulong Gang and Chairman Yamakawa Ichiro of the Yamakawa family—all of them were Aoyama Xiu Xin’s own people.
Seeing Aoyama Xiu Xin walk in,
everyone present stood up and bowed to greet him.
"Police Chief Aoyama!"
Aoyama Xiu Xin, with a calm deanor, walked steadily to the foremost seat, then turned around and said, "Please, take your seats."
The crowd bowed in thanks and then kneeled on the floor.
Aoyama Xiu Xin sat down and slowly swept his gaze over the dozen people present and spoke, "Ladies and gentlen, you are all close friends of Xiu Xin and are young elites in your respective fields. However, in these tis, even fine wine fears a deep alley, so mutual help is essential for us to go further together—three helpers for one hero."
"Having known each other for so ti, you should understand my character. I consider myself fair and sowhat capable. I have been seeking like-minded friends to make progress together, and I wish to establish the ’Xiongcheng Association,’ which signifies lofty ambitions and achievents. The association’s principle is for mbers to cooperate heart and heart, assist each other. If you trust , then you may join and beco the inaugural mbers of the Xiongcheng Association."
These people were all roped in based on their abilities or strengths and revolved around his own small circle.
They were really his own network.
To increase cohesion and his influence, establishing an organization was necessary.
"I’m in." Hashimoto Miho didn’t hesitate.
Whatever the host says, goes.
Takazawa Chiyu raised her hand right after her.
Followed by Suzuki Junko, Yamada Yuuji, Saihara Ichiro, Zhao Qinghong, Yamakawa Ichiro...
Only Kikumura Yakuo and the four bank executives did not express their stance and showed hesitation. Although they did not work in the governnt, they held significant influence and power.
Moreover, it was foreseeable that in the future, barring any accidents, they would all beco the masters of their respective banks.
They looked down upon the Xiongcheng Association, which they saw as an insignificant troupe.
But due to their cooperation with Aoyama Xiu Xin on the loan matter, they were afraid that rejecting it would affect their business.
Aoyama Xiu Xin looked at the four and, knowing what they were thinking, smiled slightly. "It seems that the four of you have concerns about this organization. Therefore, allow to introduce the others first."
At the end of his words, he raised his hand and pointed at Hashimoto Miho, saying, "Judge of the Tokyo District Court, and the wife of Dean Takazawa, the Vice Dean of the Supre Court. Next to her is also a judge, the daughter of Dean Takazawa."
"Yagyu Tomon, Director of the Criminal Departnt of the Mariti Security Bureau, the youngest son of Major General Yagyu."
"Yamada Yuuji, Director of the Tokyo District Prosecutor’s Special Investigation Departnt. Next to him is a prosecutor from the local prosecution, and also the only daughter of the deputy chief prosecutor."
"Saihara Ichiro, Asahi News..."
As Aoyama Xiu Xin made the introductions, the expressions of Kikumura Yakuo and the four bankers turned serious. Clearly, they had not expected that these individuals were not simple—either they held high positions themselves, or their families did.
The Mariti Security Bureau, the police, local prosecution offices, the court, the news dia, violent gangs—if they added the banks to the mix, the strength of the Xiongcheng Association was already considerable.
And the potential was even more significant since all those present were on the rise and had not yet reached their peak.
"Since Mr. Aoyama has kindly invited us, I am willing to join the Xiongcheng Association," stated Kikumura Yakuo.
"We are also honored to join the Xiongcheng Association."
The other three promptly raised their hands in follow-up.
"Very good," Aoyama Xiu Xin clapped his hands.
Two tall young won, dressed in kimonos, each carried a tray inside, which held exquisitely crafted silver badges.
The badge was simple, with only the character for "hero" engraved.
Everyone received a badge to pin on their chest.
"Everyone, please drink up, to celebrate the establishnt of the Xiongcheng Association," Xiu Xin Aoyama said as he rose with his glass.
"To the President! To the Xiongcheng Association!"
The crowd rose, glasses in hand, to respond in unison.
Then, everyone tilted their heads back and drained their glasses in one gulp.
Xiu Xin Aoyama raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down, wiped his mouth, and looked at everyone as he said, "I hereby take the position as the first president of the Xiongcheng Association. Positions such as vice president and secretary-general will remain vacant for the ti being. We will hold internal elections after the association has recruited more mbers. Everyone here can look for outstanding young talents within their own fields to recomnd for mbership."
"Of course, when it cos to recruiting new mbers, the Xiongcheng Association believes in ’quality over quantity.’ Not just any insect can share a table with us, it must be soone who is truly an outstanding young talent like yourselves! Until internal positions are elected, I will personally review all new mbers!"
"Yes, sir!" Everyone bowed in unison, acknowledging his words.
After everyone had left, Xiu Xin Aoyama only kept Yagyu Tomon for a conversation, "Mr. Yagyu."
"President!" Yagyu Tomon responded with utmost respect.
In the past, he treated Xiu Xin Aoyama as a friend, but now that there was a clear hierarchy established, he couldn’t help but restrain his behavior.
This was the power of an organization.
With a friendly tone, Xiu Xin Aoyama said, "Not just the Mariti Security Bureau but if you find suitable young people in the Mariti Self-Defense Forces as well, you can recomnd them for mbership. The more people you bring in, the greater your chances of winning an internal position when elections co."
The reason he hadn’t decided who would hold the internal positions now was to give them ti to recruit people.
"Yes, sir! Thank you, Mr. President, for the reminder. Rest assured, I will not let you down!" Yagyu Tomon felt that Xiu Xin Aoyama was giving him special attention and promised full of fighting spirit.
He indeed had two strong bases, the Mariti Security Bureau and the Mariti Self-Defense Forces. He couldn’t believe that the people he brought in wouldn’t be enough to secure him an internal position.
After everyone had left, Xiu Xin Aoyama was not in a hurry to leave; he sat there and sipped his tea to himself.
His career had officially begun.
Compared to those high-ranking old geezers.
His greatest advantage was his youth; even with just ten years, after ten years, the Xiongcheng Association would beco an absolute force capable of influencing Japan’s political landscape.
While he was still of low status and power, those powerful people would not spend ti studying him. He wanted to extend his reach throughout Japan, especially within the military.
Now, those high-ranking politicians did not care much about the military since, after all, in peaceti, currying favor with the military was pointless. What were they planning to do, crazily engage in ard conflicts?
And this gave Xiu Xin Aoyama an opportunity because he was crazy enough to do anything.
The new century’s Japan was his Japan!
"Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!"
A phone ringing interrupted his reverie.
"Moshi moshi, this is Xiu Xin Aoyama."
"Why has there been no movent regarding the task I assigned you last ti?" Asakawa Xia demanded aggressively.
Xiu Xin Aoyama paused, recognizing the voice on the other end, and replied, "Big sister-in-law, I’ve been busy with Abe’s case these past few days, and tonight I have to attend the Crown Prince’s engagent party. I really haven’t had the ti to handle it, but rest assured, I’ll get it done as soon as possible."
"Is it a lack of ti, or have you not taken my words to heart?" Asakawa Xia huffed, her tone frosty as she warned, "I want results by the end of the month."
With that, she hung up.
"Beep~ Beep~ Beep~"
Listening to the busy signal on the phone, Xiu Xin Aoyama took a deep breath, then stood up and with a furious kick, overturned the desk in front of him and strode outside.
Jin Yucheng followed him without a word.
..........
Xiu Xin Aoyama’s mood had been pleasant with the successful establishnt of the Xiongcheng Association, but a single call from Asakawa Xia had spoiled it. After leaving the clubhouse, he went straight to Yehua Yiren’s house to collect the engagent gift for the Crown Prince’s engagent.
"Mr. Aoyama seems to be quite furious," Yehua Yiren cautiously comnted as she opened the door and saw the stern-faced Xiu Xin Aoyama.
"Do you really not know how angry I can get?" Xiu Xin Aoyama retorted indifferently, reaching out to touch her face and forcibly pushing down her head.
Yehua Yiren struggled shyly for a mont and said, "Please co inside, sir."
"Right here is fine," said Xiu Xin Aoyama.
Yehua Yiren had no choice but to give him a resentful glance and slowly knelt at the doorway.
More than half an hour later, having vented his frustrations, Xiu Xin Aoyama walked into the living room, picked up the gift box from the coffee table, and upon opening it, found it to be a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of rcy, which seed to be an antique. He didn’t know how much it was worth, but it seed like an appropriate gift for the Crown Prince.
"This was auctioned off for 20 million US dollars. The Crown Prince will surely like it if you present it," Yehua Yiren said, lifting her head to reveal the price.
Xiu Xin Aoyama frowned, "That expensive, and he deserves sothing that good? I’ll keep this. What else do you have in your house? Just find any random thing, that’ll do."
Yehua Yiren: "......"
"But that’s the Crown Prince, the son of Heavenly Locust!"
"Yes, the son of Heavenly Locust, not my son. Why give him sothing so pricey?" Xiu Xin Aoyama said, unconcerned, with no regard for the royal family.
He was born a rebel and a traitor.
At seven in the evening, Jin Yucheng drove him to pick up Asai Ayumi to attend the Crown Prince’s engagent party.
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