Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister

People are made of flesh and blood, with emotions and desires.

That night, the legislators caught and taken to the Police Headquarters succumbed; some couldn't withstand physical torture; some gave in for their families; some couldn't endure mental anguish and chose to yield; others bent under the pressure of financial inducements.

A combination of threats and bribes managed these individuals completely.

Of course, there were die-hard individuals who refused to confess, like Ozawa Ichiro and Hatanaka Zizi, but with others confessing and collectively accusing them and Hatanaka Zizi as the masterminds behind the assassination attempt on Yanchuan Shilang, their confession or lack thereof became irrelevant.

Even without concrete evidence proving the duo planned the shooting, they would forever remain suspects in this matter, and ultimately, whether they were released or not, they would carry this infamy for life.

In a country like Japan, where politicians rise through voter support, reputation still matters.

Past 3 a.m., dressed in a police uniform without a police cap, Aoyama Xiu Xin walked into the interrogation room. Ozawa Ichiro superficially appeared unscathed but seemed extremely weak, evidently having suffered enough.

Upon hearing the door open, Ozawa Ichiro, who was in slight pain, slowly raised his head and looked at Aoyama Xiu Xin with a mocking smile, "So, now does Director Aoyama have to deal with me personally?"

"I don't understand." Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head, said casually, "Everyone else has already confessed and pointed to you and Hatanaka Zizi. Even if you don't confess, you're definitely stuck with this scandal. Why still hold out? What's the point?"

In his view, understanding the times makes one a wise person; why be stubborn? Since the scandal was inevitable, confessing might make things easier, even serving as a bargaining point for benefits.

"For a clear conscience." Ozawa Ichiro spat out a mouthful of bloody spit and said through gritted teeth, "Not everyone yields to violence and reality, and the innocent remains innocent, the guilty remains guilty. Even if the whole world believes I did something I didn't, I will never admit it. Use whatever means you have."

"You and Hatanaka Zizi at this age are still so tough, it's really rare and has won some of my respect." Aoyama Xiu Xin remarked with great emotion, turned, and walked out, "Lock him up with Hatanaka Zizi."

Honestly, if it were him, he couldn't withstand a smooth combo of interrogation tactics. But Ozawa Ichiro and Hatanaka Zizi at their age can endure so much, proving they are the toughest Japanese he's seen.

"Yes!" The officer in charge of the interrogation responded, stepped forward, grabbed Ozawa Ichiro, and shoved him out, "Go!"

When Ozawa Ichiro was pushed into the detention room, Hatanaka Zizi was already inside, looking worse than Ozawa Ichiro, with obvious redness and bruising on his face.

"Mr. Ozawa, Mr. Ozawa, how are you?"

Hatanaka Zizi, who was sitting on the bed, saw Ozawa Ichiro harshly thrown to the ground and immediately stumbled forward to help him up, constantly inquiring about his condition.

"No... no problem. I won't die; they don't dare to go too far." Ozawa Ichiro shook his head, held Hatanaka Zizi's hand, and smiled, "Hearing Aoyama Xiu Xin say that only you and I have held the line, I feel disappointed but also relieved, Hatanaka."

Disappointed because so many have fallen under Aoyama Xiu Xin's hand, relieved because at least his closest partner and confidant didn't sway like him.

Facing his friend's smile, Hatanaka Zizi's eyes flickered evasively, forcing a smile and saying nothing.

The others arrested were all wronged.

But he really isn't!

The assassination plot was arranged by him.

He is the one who got everyone into this predicament.

"Without physical evidence, relying solely on confessions cannot constitute charges against us. We will get out." Ozawa Ichiro assumed his silence was due to worry about the future, immediately encouraging Hatanaka Zizi.

Their friends, relatives, and followers outside wouldn't sit idly by; surely, they would rescue them.

Hatanaka Zizi smiled grimly, "No, Yanchuan Shilang wouldn't release us. Even if they can't prosecute us on this matter, they will manufacture other charges while we are detained."

Ozawa Ichiro was speechless. Yes, Yanchuan Shilang had gone this far, how could he leave them any chance of acquittal?

Of course, he wanted to eradicate them completely.

.........…

The next morning, after reports on the previous night's press conferences, the nation was in an uproar.

"A group of parliamentarians plotted to assassinate the Prime Minister?"

"Ozawa Ichiro claims this is retaliation?"

The police and Ozawa Ichiro had conflicting statements, leaving the public perplexed and suspicious, unsure whether to believe the police or Ozawa Ichiro.

"Of course, believe in Director Aoyama! When has he ever arrested the wrong person? Furthermore, Tono Takashi has already confessed; what's left to dispute?"

"Ozawa Ichiro is merely trying to clear his name! Just wait, Director Aoyama will surely reveal more evidence regarding this case."

"I think there's something wrong with this. Ozawa Ichiro even said he could confront them on TV; why doesn't the police accept? Isn't this a sign of guilt? Also, let me correct it, this case wasn't even handled by Director Aoyama personally! It was Nakamura Shinichi!"

Although most citizens trust Aoyama Xiu Xin's ability and morality, numerous Tokyo residents still besieged the Imperial Palace that day, shouting that it was political persecution and demanding the Emperor order everyone's release.

After all, Ozawa Ichiro and these legislators had a basis of support among the populace, not to mention their friends and relatives secretly fanned these flames.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito, known for being approachable, couldn't ignore such intense public sentiment, and he himself doubted whether Ozawa Ichiro and others were truly the culprits behind the Yanchuan Shilang assassination attempt.

That afternoon, Emperor Emeritus Akihito discreetly visited Yanchuan Shilang in the hospital, and they talked for a long time.

The specifics of their conversation are unknown, but soon Aoyama Xiu Xin received instructions from Yanchuan Shilang.

"Xiu Xin, without direct evidence, release Hatanaka Zizi and Ozawa Ichiro tomorrow."

"Grandfather!" Aoyama Xiu Xin was shocked. Release them back into the wild? He quickly said, "I can find other charges on them to bring them to trial."

The struggle had reached such a point that it had exceeded normal bounds and broken the rules. If not done, it's better not done, but if done, it must be done thoroughly.

To root it out completely, otherwise with the spring breeze, it's bound to grow again!

"No need. Only the two of them are left; they can't make much trouble. His Majesty came to visit me this afternoon." Yanchuan Shilang said weakly.

Aoyama Xiu Xin was startled, immediately realizing and said, "Releasing them is His Majesty's will?"

Although the Emperor doesn't govern, even the Prime Minister has to consider his opinion on certain affairs.

The Prime Minister still needed the Emperor's appointment.

In this day and age, something like the Emperor should be swept into the trash heap of history with artillery.

"He of course wouldn't state it outright, but our Emperor also doesn't want a Prime Minister like the Shogun!" Yanchuan Shilang calmly stated.

The Emperor's face must be saved, and accordingly, the Emperor will show support elsewhere as reciprocation.

"Yes, I understand." Although unwilling, Aoyama Xiu Xin sighed and said, "I will release them both first thing in the morning."

Anyway, in this struggle, Yanchuan Shilang had been the ultimate victor, not only eradicating many staunch opponents from the parliament in one move but also severely damaging these two treasonous figures, Hatanaka Zizi and Ozawa Ichiro.

"Yes, release them, but don't let the public have any illusion of their innocence; rather, provide the impression that they were the masterminds of the assassination incident, only too cunning for the police to catch any evidence."

Yanchuan Shilang added another reminder.

"Understood." Aoyama Xiu Xin replied and joked, "Could this barely count as my first career failure?"

"Of course not; you weren't responsible for this case." Yanchuan Shilang replied with a soft laugh.

After ending the call, Aoyama Xiu Xin considered it for a moment, then summoned Nakamura Shinichi, instructing him to hold a press conference as the case's responsible officer to announce the release of Hatanaka Zizi and Ozawa Ichiro due to insufficient evidence.

"Remember, demonstrate our police's powerlessness and frustrate the inability to convict the real culprits due to lack of evidence, hampered by procedural justice and unseen forces during the press conference, to arouse public sympathy and resentment."

Aoyama Xiu Xin gave a severe instruction.

"Yes!" Nakamura Shinichi nodded heavily.

Then Aoyama Xiu Xin called Yamakawa Ichiro, asking him to organize demonstrations tomorrow to protest the release of Ozawa Ichiro and Hatanaka Zizi, creating a public perception that the two are truly guilty but too cunning to be caught by the police and pressuring the authorities by their powerful backgrounds necessitating their release.

If the protests continued for a week, at least half the population would genuinely believe that Hatanaka Zizi and Ozawa Ichiro are guilty but evaded legal sanction due to their cunning and background.

This way, during the next upper house election, attempting to garner votes for the two's re-election would be a dream; this term would be the last in their political career.