Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister

As night fell and the city lights came on, Tokyo City was once again enveloped in brilliant neon, bustling and lively.

James had booked a place at the Heaven Club.

When Xiu Xin was led to the private room by a waiter, James and William were already waiting inside.

"Mr. Aoyama." James, who was talking with William, quickly stood up to greet Xiu Xin as he entered.

Xiu Xin nodded slightly, his gaze falling on William. This was their first meeting; he had previously only known the man through James's descriptions.

He looked to be in his forties, with a slim build, fair skin, and a gentle, scholarly demeanor. Judging by his appearance, calling him a 'scholarly general' was indeed appropriate.

Similarly, this was William's first time meeting the young official renowned in Japan for corrupting the stationed American forces. He appeared so young, extremely young, yet remarkable and impressive.

"General William, I've long heard of you." Xiu Xin smiled, stepping forward to shake hands.

William stood up and shook his hand, saying in a gentle tone, "I have also long admired Mr. Aoyama's reputation."

"It's all just empty fame." Xiu Xin withdrew his hand, shook his head indifferently, and gestured to the sofa to indicate they should sit. He also sat down, crossed his legs, and casually took a cigarette from his pocket, offering it to William, "Would you like one, General?"

"No, thank you." William shook his head, declining.

"Then you don't mind if I smoke, do you?" Xiu Xin shrugged, and without waiting for a response, put the cigarette in his mouth.

James quickly leaned over to light it for him.

William frowned slightly at this scene. How shameful it was for a United States Army Colonel to be so submissive to a Japan Police Department Director! It was a disgrace to military prestige!

Xiu Xin took a deep drag and slowly exhaled the smoke, flicking the ash nonchalantly as he said, "I've heard from James that the General wants to talk to me. What guidance might the General have?"

When the main topic was mentioned, William instinctively sat up straighter, his expression becoming serious as he carefully chose his words, "It's not so much guidance as it is advice, Mr. Aoyama, not to continue deceiving yourself. An official from one country bribing officers from another is very serious. I think you know how bad this is. James and the others should be facing a military tribunal!"

James kept his head down, remaining silent.

"General William, are you so angry because I didn't bribe you as well?" Xiu Xin asked playfully.

James immediately lifted his head, staring at Xiu Xin in astonishment, opening his mouth to speak but stopping himself repeatedly.

"Fuck!" William instantly exploded, as if gravely insulted, his fair face turning red with anger. He stood up, glaring at Xiu Xin, speaking righteously, "Mr. Aoyama, please respect a United States soldier. Not everyone falls for your tricks; not everyone loves money! I love my country more than money and hold my principles firm!"

"I chose to discuss this privately to avoid making a mess publicly. If you speak disrespectfully again, I will handle this matter impartially!"

"Calm down, calm down." Xiu Xin nonchalantly replied, taking a puff and shrugging, "I was just joking."

"That's not funny!" William's face had turned dark, and he coldly said, "I won't allow you to make absurd jokes about my honor as a soldier or my character! Mr. Aoyama, you are a public official, a police officer. Think about how you would feel if I insulted your honor as a police officer, or your character."

"I would agree that you're right." Xiu Xin interrupted with a laugh, spreading his hands and saying indifferently, "I don't care about honor, nor do I care about so-called character."

William's voice came to an abrupt halt, his breath catching, his mouth opening but not knowing what to say, finding it hard to understand, "As far as I know, all your honors have been earned through your ability. How can you not care at all?"

Although he was very against Xiu Xin bribing American officers, he still recognized and admired Xiu Xin's personal capabilities in handling cases.

"That's because I'm exceptionally capable, and honors come easily to me." Xiu Xin bluntly replied, laughing lightly, "Why care about something that's so easily obtained? Only those with mediocre skills, who may only receive one or two honors in a lifetime, would value them so highly. Oh, by the way, General William, I didn't mean you."

He felt no sense of belonging to Japan, so naturally, he didn't care about the honors that country bestowed upon him.

William's face turned a mix of blue and white, awkward and angry, as he furiously said, "I'm not here to negotiate with you. I'm here to inform you that if you dare do such a thing again, I will report it completely!"

"Look at you, getting impatient." Xiu Xin shook his head, helplessly saying, "How can someone your age be even less composed than a young person like me? General William, why don't we find a different place to talk?"

"Heh." William scoffed, looking at him with disdain, "What, do you want to change places so you can bribe me the way you did with James and the others? Do you think I'm that kind of person? Ridiculous!"

"I absolutely don't mean that." Xiu Xin innocently spread his hands, disdainfully glancing around the room, "It's just that this place is too shabby. Sitting on a couple thousand dollars' worth of crappy sofa hurts my butt. Look at this wine; it's worth only about ten thousand US Dollars, not even good enough for me to rinse my mouth. It's not something I'm used to, so let's go to my place to chat."

"I apologize! I didn't arrange it properly, Mr. Aoyama." James hurriedly bowed, apologizing.

Xiu Xin understandingly replied, "It's okay, you're just used to being poor, I understand."

General William always felt as if the other party was mocking him, and suddenly felt uncomfortable. He thought this place was extravagant enough, but Aoyama Xiu Xin still found it simple.

Feeling somewhat indignant, he snorted disdainfully, "Alright, I'd like to see just how luxurious and upscale a place Mr. Aoyama has selected."

"There's no need to talk about upscale or extravagant, it's just a different lifestyle." Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head and stood up, "Well, let's go then."

James and William followed Aoyama Xiu Xin up to his lavish private club.

"Welcome, good evening, Mr. Aoyama."

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, two rows of tall and lovely women bowed in unison, causing the two men to be momentarily stunned.

Once inside the reception hall, James suddenly felt that when Aoyama Xiu Xin scorned the previous room for being simple, it might not have been an act, because compared to this place, the previous room was like a bathroom.

Before James could react, Aoyama Xiu Xin returned from the bedroom, holding a pile of US Dollars and directly stuffed them into his arms.

James was caught off guard, and bundles of cash fell to the ground. Instinctively, he scrambled to catch some, but quickly let go after coming to his senses.

"Damn it! What is this supposed to mean? Are you trying to buy me off?" He glared angrily at Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"Not enough?" Aoyama Xiu Xin raised an eyebrow and dragged him into the bedroom. Pressing under an antique vase, the wardrobe slid aside to reveal a room filled with cash.

Like a bank vault, bundles of US Dollars were stacked neatly into cubes, bringing a massive visual shock. William stood frozen; never in his half-century of life had he seen so much money.

"This is just one of my vaults," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a smile, shoving him inside. "Take as much as you want, it's all yours today; don't hold back, General."

William remained standing dumbfounded.

Aoyama Xiu Xin stepped forward, continuously stuffing money into his arms, "Is it enough now? Is it enough yet?"

"You... you are insulting my dignity and honor," William struggled to swallow and said.

The words were still the same.

But his confidence was no longer as strong.

Aoyama Xiu Xin laughed heartily, throwing a bundle of money at him, "So what? Are you saying you don't want any of it? If so, I admire you, but besides earning my admiration, what else can you gain?"

"My admiration is worthless, but my money is valuable. What does the General truly want?"

With that, he continued to playfully toss bundles of money at William's body and face.

"Damn it, you're a devil," William cursed, breathing rapidly as he lunged at the pile of money, frantically stuffing his clothes with cash.

To hell with dignity and honor!

He knew now he needed money!

"Ha! Hahahahaha!" Aoyama Xiu Xin watched the scene, laughing so hard he bent over, then clumsily went out to grab James' neck, dragging him in, pointing at William, "Is this the General William you claim would never stoop to our level?"

With his clothes full, William stripped off his pants, leaving him in his underwear, wildly shoving money into his pants regardless of how ridiculous he looked.

James was also stunned by the sheer amount of money and muttered to himself, "Sir, no one can refuse God, evidently you are God right now."

"Then God would certainly reward his followers; take what you want, it's all yours." Aoyama Xiu Xin patted his shoulder.

Without a word, James also began to strip off his clothes as he rushed into the vault, flushed with excitement, gathering money.

Aoyama Xiu Xin stood at the doorway, leaning against the doorframe, cigarette in mouth, watching the scene with a grin, turning to grab a camera, leisurely taking photos.

William and James, absorbed in collecting money, either didn't notice or didn't care, engrossed in hoarding cash.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled, his gaze filled with sarcasm.

"What nonsense about honor, soldiers of a capitalist country talking to me about honor? I only talk about money."