Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister

In the spring festival of 1996, Xiu Xin spent it with the senior members of the Land Guard North Force. Although he had good relations with the entire Land Guard, the North Force was his closest ally, simply because he didn't have enough energy and resources to win over the entire Land Guard.

So he maintained overall friendship while cultivating close ties with the North Force. As long as the most populous North Force sided with him during a coup, keeping neutral relations with the other parts of the Land Guard would suffice.

The Sea Guard, due to its connections with the Yagyu family, could also ensure neutrality, as it was foreseeable that Yagyu Yuichiro would certainly be promoted to the position of Staff Chief of the Sea Guard within the next two to three years.

The only force that Xiu Xin never interacted with was the Air Guard. However, in internal strife like a coup, there was little need for air force power. Once the overall situation was determined, the Air Guard could only choose to support the new cabinet and prime minister.

In April 1996, Xiu Xin was promoted once more.

At the age of 29, he officially became the Director of the Japan Police Department. With the media's attention on him, the promotion of the equally young 30-year-old Asai Ayumi to Police Director General went relatively unnoticed.

In the same year, Aoyama Tianze was two and a half, Hironari Aoyama was one, and Takumi Aoyama was half a year old, all still young.

The still oblivious children weren't aware of the enviable start in life they had received.

On his first day in office, in a meeting, Xiu Xin found things going smoothly, thanks to his father-in-law Asai Youki, who had served as Deputy Director in the police department the previous year and had paved the way for him, making everything easier with familiar faces all around.

As for Asai Youki, he had ended his police career last month and was preparing to run in the House of Representatives election in October this year.

Having spent half his life as a policeman and being Xiu Xin's father-in-law, coupled with the support from the Yanchuan family, it was certain that he would secure a seat in this session of the House of Representatives.

After work, Xiu Xin went to the Prime Minister's residence; after all, one should thank one's grandfather for the promotion.

Although Yanchuan Shilang had begun delegating power since exiting the hospital, his authority hadn't diminished because of it.

In fact, his position seemed even more stable.

This was because all those he delegated power to were his trusted cronies from before. Even those who weren't his trusted associates became so automatically after receiving his delegated powers.

Perhaps as a return for leniency shown to Hatanaka Zizi and Ozawa Ichiro last year, Heavenly Locust openly supported several reforms proposed by Yanchuan Shilang, reducing the obstacles to implementing these policies.

This further strengthened his authority.

"Ring ring! Ring ring!"

In full police uniform, Xiu Xin pressed the doorbell.

A moment later, the door opened; it was Asai Ayumi, the good daughter-in-law of the Yanchuan family, who had come. Because the old man missed his eldest grandson, Asai Xia moved back to Tokyo after the new year, bringing the child with her, while also being able to take care of Yanchuan Shilang's health.

Yanchuan Xianyou was working alone in another city.

"Sister-in-law," Xiu Xin bowed slightly.

After giving birth, Asai Ayumi's figure had recovered well. Although not as slim as before childbirth, the curvaceous and alluring richness was even more charming.

With the warming spring temperatures, she wore a light green summer kimono, her round figure appearing ready to burst forth, and the small feet wrapped in thin flesh-colored stockings peeked out beneath the hem of the skirt with her movements.

Smiling sweetly in response to Xiu Xin's greeting, she said, "Congratulations on your promotion, Xiu Xin."

"It's all thanks to Grandfather's care." Xiu Xin's gaze fell on a pair of leather shoes by the door and looked up at Asai Ayumi with a questioning look.

"Come in first," Asai Ayumi said softly, handing him a pair of slippers. "The Defense Minister."

"Ah!" Xiu Xin thought to himself, wondering why the Defense Minister had come to see the old man.

The Defense Minister was a civil servant but managed the Land Guard, Sea Guard, Air Guard, Intelligence Headquarters, and Defense Inspection Headquarters, equivalent to the Ministry of Defense.

Of course, at this time, the Defense Hall hadn't been upgraded to the Ministry of Defense. Technically, its rank was lower than the other ministry ministers, but its power was significant.

The new Defense Minister was Ozawa Hideomi, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and a House of Representatives member, only 43 years old this year, proposed by Koizumi Ichiro last year and approved by Yanchuan Shilang, having just taken office for just over three months.

So this person was also a trusted confidant of Koizumi Ichiro.

With a position as critical as the Defense Minister held by Ozawa Hideomi, once proposed by Koizumi Ichiro and approved by Yanchuan Shilang, it was a signal to everyone that Koizumi Ichiro was his successor.

However, the position of Defense Minister was more symbolic than practical for everyone because no one could militarily interfere in political struggles.

In modern society, with the U.S. hanging over them, who dared to risk everything and the stability of Japan's situation by using the military in political battles?

Thus, politicians in Japan often didn't care much about the military, giving Xiu Xin the opportunity.

Seeing Xiu Xin distracted, Asai Ayumi mischievously lifted a delicate foot toward him.

Xiu Xin grasped it, gave her a warning glance, and let go, getting up to walk to the living room.

The living room was empty.

He turned back, surprised, to look at Asai Ayumi.

"Study," Asai Ayumi uttered two words, sitting down heavily on the sofa, unceremoniously placing her two stockinged legs on the coffee table, "Make yourself at home."

"Where's the child?" Not seeing the stroller, Xiu Xin asked as he sat down beside her.

"Sleeping upstairs," Asai Ayumi said, sitting up and climbing onto Xiu Xin's lap, straddling him and touching his face, "Don't you miss me if you're missing your son?"

"Itchy?" Xiu Xin looked at her.

After having the child, Asai Ayumi became even more unrestrained and bold, "Yes, I want you to stop the itch. It's too deep, and I can't scratch it myself."

"Tonight, at your place," Xiu Xin pinched her smooth chin, biting her lips.

Asai Ayumi, eyes alluring, responded passionately, twisting her delicate body. Only when they heard a door open upstairs did they part, leaving a shiny thread between their lips. She quickly got off Xiu Xin, tidying her disheveled clothes.

Xiu Xin also stood up, wiping off the lipstick from his lips, looking up the stairs to see Yanchuan Shilang and a gentle-looking middle-aged man descending.

Only out of the hospital for less than half a year, Yanchuan Shilang appeared much older than before the assassination attempt, despite reducing his workload as much as possible. The numerous trifles, meetings, and public events were still overwhelming his overtaxed body.

"Grandfather, Chief Ozawa," Xiu Xin respectfully bowed to both.

Ozawa Hideomi glanced at him, then turned to bow to Yanchuan Shilang, "Your Excellency, I'll take my leave now."

He then turned and left. As he walked past Xiu Xin, he paused momentarily before continuing on his way.

"Xiu Xin, you came at the right time, come to the study with me," Yanchuan Shilang said blandly.

Xiu Xin felt his heart sink, as Ozawa Hideomi's attitude and Yanchuan Shilang's current tone made him suspect they discussed something related to him just now. He couldn't help but wonder whether it was about his business dealings with the Land Guard.

After saying that, Yanchuan Shilang didn't wait to see if Xiu Xin heard him, already turning to head upstairs.

"Yes!"

Xiu Xin responded, quickly following.