Fujimoto Takayoshi’s gaze swept over each face below him, with the exception of certain people like Aoyama Xiu Xin who knew they would never be sacrificed, everyone else was trembling, not daring to et his eyes.
"Sapporo West Police Station Chief Mr. Matsunaga, Deputy Director Mr. Xiao Chi of Asahikawa Police Station, Head of Security Departnt Mr. Yanping, and Deputy Director Mr. Tanaka of the local division, I’ll trouble the four of you to make the sacrifice for everyone."
Fujimoto Takayoshi stated the four nas in one breath.
The organization had already made its decision.
Those not chosen breathed a sigh of relief.
The four chosen were in a panic, as if the sky had fallen, completely unable to control their emotions, and they instantly stood up, their faces turning red with agitation as they all expressed their own views.
"No! This cannot be! Minister! I have made contributions to the departnt! I have shed blood for the departnt!"
"Minister, please reconsider, I cannot go in, you still need ! You need !"
"Minister! The work in Asahikawa cannot function without , please consider it again!"
"I have elders above and children below, my family cannot be without , Minister! Please think it over!"
The four n knelt down without any grace, weeping and pleading with Fujimoto Takayoshi, repeatedly kowtowing for rcy.
"When it was ti to distribute the money, I didn’t see any of you crying not to take it, good-for-nothing creatures," Fujimoto Takayoshi snorted disdainfully, looking up at the others, "Do any of you have any objections?"
The decision he made publicly could not be changed.
Otherwise, it would damage his authority.
If he had decided on the four privately, those four would definitely try to struggle and fight back, but since he decided on the four during a collective eting, the four could only accept their fate, or else the others would force them to accept it.
Therefore, even though it was a decision he made alone, it still had to be made at the eting.
"No objections! The Minister is wise!" The crowd responded in unison without hesitation, as long as it wasn’t themselves being chosen to sacrifice for the collective, they had no objections.
As the saying goes, better for a friend to die than for oneself.
Seeing this, the four who were chosen’s vision darkened, knowing there was no turning back, and despite their unwillingness, they had no choice but to accept their fate.
Individuals cannot oppose the collective will.
Like souls being sucked away, they sat down on the ground with lifeless eyes, tears incessantly flowing down.
"To carry the thunder for everyone, every one of you on the outside should contribute one million US dollars to be divided among these four as compensation, any objections?" Fujimoto Takayoshi also wasn’t completely unfair to the four, in addition to getting a larger sum of money in the future, they could also get several million US dollars each tonight, which wasn’t a small amount.
Though the idea of giving up one million US dollars was painful for the rest of the room, they all knew that it was better than becoming the target of the investigation themselves, so they agreed without any objections.
As long as they were outside, money could always be made back.
Fujimoto Takayoshi looked towards the chosen four, and said in a gentle tone, "I will fight for the treatnt you deserve and give the compensation that should be given. You four go with peace of mind, I will take care of your families."
This was both a comfort and a warning; go and take the fall honestly, and your family’s lives will be secure. But if you dare to harbor improper thoughts, think first of your family’s safety.
In Hokkaido, Fujimoto Takayoshi couldn’t exactly cover the sky with one hand, but covering half the sky was still no problem.
"Hey! I entrust everything to the Minister and to all present!" Sapporo West Police Station Chief Mr. Matsunaga was the first to pull himself together, holding back his reluctance as he stood and bowed.
Given the situation, since they couldn’t resist, might as well be open-minded about it and handle it gracefully.
At least then everyone might owe him a personal favor.
The remaining three stood up dejectedly to accept their fate.
Fujimoto Takayoshi nodded, and stepped forward to tidy the clothes of the four, "It’s still a few days before the investigation team arrives, and the plan will take ti to unfold. Spend these days with your families and put your affairs in order. You can leave the eting first."
The four left as if their souls had been taken away, knowing that leaving the room ant leaving the power field of Hokkaido.
"Mr. Oda, arrange for soone to watch those four," Fujimoto Takayoshi ordered after watching the four leave and the door close.
This was to prevent any unpleasant incidents.
Oda Take imdiately stood and responded, "Hey!"
Fujimoto Takayoshi turned and slowly walked back to his seat, saying in a deep voice, "If we can get through this crisis smoothly, Mr. Aoyama will not be without rit. Everyone rember this favor, stand up, and thank Mr. Aoyama."
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and bowed at a ninety-degree angle to Aoyama Xiu Xin from the bottom of their hearts.
If it weren’t for his connections in Tokyo that got the news ahead of ti to inform everyone, they would be clueless until it was too late to make any arrangents—which could have cost many their careers.
"You’re all too kind. I’m now a part of the departnt as well, and it’s natural to pull together in a crisis," Aoyama Xiu Xin said as he turned in a circle, bowing in return.
"Mr. Aoyama, you deserve this." Fujimoto Takayoshi also bowed, then stood straight and continued, "Alright, everyone be seated. Next, let’s discuss how to convincingly have Mr. Matsunaga and the three be investigated, and how to make the investigative team believe they are Hokkaido’s biggest backers of the underworld within the police."
A heated debate imdiately ensued in the private room.
"We could try speaking to the head of the investigation team first. We hand over people to settle the matter, and they take credit for the arrest without digging further, which keeps everyone safe."
"But what if the investigation team doesn’t go for it? What if they turn the tables on us? Then we’ll be even more passive and, with so many people in the investigation team, unless we can deal with all of them, exposure would only lead to more trouble."
"Right, we must make them co to find Mr. Matsunaga and the three’s cris on their own, and then those four confess. Only then will they pack up and leave."
"I think we could..."
Everyone present, being at least Deputy Directors of departntal branches or heads of local police stations, weren’t foolish; they wouldn’t have reached their current positions otherwise, so their brains were still capable.
Under the collaborative effort, we quickly drafted a plan, going from how to bait the investigation team to dig deeper, to when the small fish would be exposed to take the fall, to when big fish like Matsunaga and others would be found, and finally, how Matsunaga and his four associates would end up with no way out and choose to submit to the law after a fierce struggle. Everything was arranged crystal clear.
We’ll just have to play along with the investigation team in this large-scale live-action show.
"Alright! If that’s the case, we’ll implent the plan once the investigation team arrives. It’s getting late; everyone should rest early," declared Fujimoto Takayoshi, as he adjourned the eting.
Everyone stood up to see him off, and after Fujimoto Takayoshi left first, they chatted with each other before dispersing, each making sure to greet Aoyama Xiu Xin before departing.
He responded to everyone in turn. Today’s move had surely raised his popularity with the whole group a notch.
And it showcased the value of his connections among the Tokyo people.
They all knew that Aoyama Xiu Xin had a strong background in Tokyo, but it didn’t hit ho until now, when that background ca to their aid. Now they truly understood its importance and held it in greater awe.
Aoyama Xiu Xin was the last to leave. He was not staying at the club tonight and was heading ho when he was called by the secretary of Fujimoto Takayoshi right as he was stepping out of the club’s main entrance.
"Mr. Aoyama, please wait."
"Is there sothing you wish to instruct, Mr. Chunye?" Aoyama Xiu Xin stopped and turned to Haruno Takayoshi with a smile.
"I wouldn’t dare," bowed Haruno Takayoshi, pointing towards a car not far away, "The Minister would like to offer you a ride."
Aoyama Xiu Xin followed his pointing finger.
There, in the car, Fujimoto Takayoshi nodded at him.
Aoyama Xiu Xin walked over.
Haruno Takayoshi followed closely behind and, reaching the car, he hurried ahead of Aoyama Xiu Xin to open the door for him.
"Thank you," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, expressing his gratitude before getting into the car.
Haruno Takayoshi closed the door and took the passenger seat.
The driver started the car and slowly exited the parking lot.
"It’s quite late for the Minister to go out of his way to give a ride," said Aoyama Xiu Xin in the car, breaking the silence.
Fujimoto Takayoshi shook his head, "Sothing occurred to suddenly. You, Mr. Aoyama, have deep connections among the Tokyo people, so I hope you can try to find out the list of the investigation team mbers. It’s best to know the details about them in advance. Only by knowing both ourselves and the enemy can we be invincible in every battle."
"The Minister is far-sighted, and I am truly in awe," Aoyama Xiu Xin flattered first, then promptly added, "For the sake of the Minister, for the sake of Hokkaido not being disturbed by this, I will certainly do my utmost."
Fujimoto Takayoshi sighed and patted Aoyama Xiu Xin’s shoulder. "I am troubling you with everything, Mr. Aoyama."
"It’s only right."
After reaching ho, Aoyama Xiu Xin imdiately called Yamada Yuuji, the chief officer of the Tokyo District Prosecution Special Investigation Departnt, to inquire about the investigation team.
The reason he didn’t directly ask Yanchuan Xianyou was that Yanchuan Shilang was also one of the participants in this affair.
He had already fallen out of favor with his godfather over keeping the list to himself; exposing that he was helping the dark forces of Hokkaido against the investigation team would probably result in a severe lesson from his godfather.
No choice, sotis his interests with the Yanchuan Family on the sa matter might clash, leading to minor conflicts. He could only choose to protect his interests.
Fortunately, Hokkaido was far from the Emperor’s reach and not under the Yanchuan Family’s watchful eye like Tokyo. Aoyama was able to pull off so minor moves here without being easily detected by the Yanchuan Family.
As the chief officer of the Special Investigation Departnt, Yamada Yuuji held a minor position but had considerable influence and many connections. He was unaware of this matter and genuinely had no knowledge about it. He said he would inquire about it the next day and then give Aoyama Xiu Xin a detailed list.
...
Qingshui Yasuko was not a patient person.
She got up early the next morning, got dressed, and prepared to et Aoyama Xiu Xin. Instead of her mourning clothes, she wore a slightly flamboyant pink kimono embroidered with cherry blossoms. Her makeup made her look even more graceful and fragile, embodying the ideal of a virtuous wife and good mother.
Only the sexy lingerie and black stockings she wore underneath.
Pink highlights black, but a woman who is fair enough looks even more beautiful in pink garnts.
"Mom, are you going out later?" asked Qingshui Yi curiously during breakfast.
"Yes, I have to et a very important person," responded Qingshui Yasuko, eating small bites of her al with a casual tone.
Qingshui Yi’s curiosity was piqued. "Who is it?"
"Aoyama Xiu Xin." Qingshui Yasuko didn’t hide it from her son, as he was destined to inherit his father’s business and she could no longer treat him like a child.
Qingshui Yi blinked in surprise, "Aoyama Xiu Xin?"
"That’s right. We t yesterday and hit it off very well. I will convince him to support you as the chairman, Yi," Qingshui Yasuko solemnly promised.
Qingshui Yi montarily felt a surge of excitent, but then a hint of skepticism, "Can you really persuade him?"
"I will certainly persuade him!" Facing her son’s expectant eyes, Qingshui Yasuko’s gaze held firm.
As a mother of a naturally kind disposition,
How could she bear to disappoint her son?
Qingshui Yi took a deep breath. "Alright! Then I’ll wait at ho for the good news of mom’s success!"
He had no idea what his mother was about to sacrifice.
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