"I recomnded Yamashita Kogoro, but unfortunately, he lost by one vote in the internal ballot. The opposition insisted on electing a hardliner to clean up the Hokkaido Police system."
On the phone, Yanchuan Shilang’s tone carried so regret and displeasure. Although he had braced himself for the outco, having his nomination as the chairman rejected still left him with lingering resentnt.
But that was the system of the Public Security Committee. When differences arose, voting was the way to resolve them, with the minority submitting to the majority. Decisions made were final; in the case of a tie, the chairman’s decision would prevail.
"Who’s the new Chief then?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked, his disappointnt mitigated by his foreknowledge, as he quickly composed himself, ready to confront the new chief with his best efforts.
He had climbed up the ladder through struggle.
So he never feared a fight!
"Zhongshan Juni." Yanchuan Shilang started with a na and gave a brief introduction. "Forr Director of the Life Safety Bureau of the police departnt, a fifty-year-old woman known as the ’Iron Maiden.’ She is harsh, rigid, domineering, with ruthless thods. You need to be careful."
"If it were a younger woman, it would be an easier fix, unfortunately, she’s a bit older," Aoyama Xiu Xin quipped as he twirled his pen.
"Don’t take this lightly! Underestimating your enemy is the first step to failure!" Yanchuan Shilang scolded, then softened his tone, "Now, with three positions opening up in Hokkaido, why don’t you make the recomndations? They’ve slighted in the selection of the Chief, but they’ll certainly give face for the appointnts of one Director and two Ministers."
There couldn’t always be infighting; compromise was necessary.
"Right!" Aoyama Xiu Xin responded and reported three prepared nas, all deputies to Kudou Misaki, Fujino Norihiko, and Ishida Koyun.
These were individuals long suppressed by their imdiate superiors, and now with promotions by his hand, they would naturally feel grateful to him.
Beyond that, Aoyama Xiu Xin also recomnded Nakamura Shinichi as the temporary Deputy Director of Criminal Affairs since Nakamura Shinichi’s rank could not be promoted yet—he could be made permanent once his rank increased. Hattori was appointed as the chief of the First Investigation Division, while Mikuriya Shouta, having been recently promoted, was not moved.
"Grandfather, when is this ’Iron Maiden’ likely to take office?" Aoyama Xiu Xin inquired further.
"The official appointnt hasn’t been announced yet; she needs to hand over her current responsibilities. I estimate within a week."
"Got it. I understand."
After hanging up the phone, Aoyama Xiu Xin let out a breath and then called Asai Ayumi, asking her to collect detailed information on Zhongshan Juni and have it sent to Sapporo.
Although he had spoken lightly before, he never truly underestimated any opponent, nor would he look down on Zhongshan Juni just because she was a woman.
Moreover, the fact that Zhongshan Juni, as a woman, had climbed to the rank of police supervisor in a police departnt dominated by n proved she was even more of a formidable adversary.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
At that mont, there was a knock on the door.
"Co in," Aoyama Xiu Xin called out casually.
"Minister Aoyama." Haruno Takayoshi, the forr secretary to Fujimoto Takayoshi, entered, bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, and respectfully said, "All the station chiefs from various places in Hokkaido have gathered, we are just waiting for you."
Although Aoyama Xiu Xin had personally ousted Fujimoto Takayoshi from the police headquarters, he had kept Haruno Takayoshi because of his deliberate protection. As a result, the two had maintained a good personal relationship. Keeping him also sent a ssage to others: that Aoyama Xiu Xin could tolerate even Fujimoto Takayoshi’s secretary, so there was no need to worry about him purging those who had past close relations with Fujimoto.
The most crucial point was that as Fujimoto Takayoshi’s secretary, Haruno Takayoshi had carried out many tasks on his behalf. If Aoyama Xiu Xin wanted to replace Fujimoto during that period, he truly couldn’t do without him.
As for why he remained... Aoyama Xiu Xin had Yamashita Kogoro appoint him as the head of the Facilities Division in the General Affairs Departnt, essentially taking over Kudou Tatsuo’s previous position. But in reality, he was still acting as Aoyama Xiu Xin’s secretary. Since a Minister wasn’t entitled to a secretary, he simply adopted a different title to let the governnt pay his salary.
In the past, Fujimoto Takayoshi used to distribute a portion of the money collected from various Violent Gangs to his subordinates each month. Aoyama Xiu Xin, having taken over, decided to distribute this month’s share ahead of schedule today to quickly stabilize morale. So, he had Haruno Takayoshi inform the station chiefs to co to Sapporo from afar for the distribution.
The early distribution ant that the Violent Gangs had to pay up earlier. Despite their complaints, they still had to obediently hand over the money.
"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Chunye," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a smile and a nod, speaking in a gentle tone.
Haruno Takayoshi carefully replied, "It’s all part of my duties. It’s my honor to assist and relieve the Minister of concerns!"
Although he had smoothly transitioned his identity and attitude, he couldn’t help but feel nostalgic rembering that not so long ago, it was he who had been the one eagerly sought after by Aoyama Xiu Xin. In just half a year, the situation had completely reversed.
As one of Fujimoto Takayoshi’s confidantes, he was aware of his own value and fully leveraged his role, acting as a model to others by showing, through his own experiences, that Aoyama Xiu Xin was broad-minded and fair to everyone.
"Let’s go, let’s not keep the guests who have traveled from afar waiting." Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up and walked out.
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