Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister

On December 15, 1996, the sky hadn't darkened yet, but cars were already coming and going outside the Prime Minister's residence. Elegantly dressed men and women greeted each other as they entered. These were guests attending Xiu Xin's 30th birthday celebration, all of them distinguished.

Even some prominent figures who couldn't attend in person had arranged for their family members or secretaries to attend the banquet on their behalf.

After all, although it was only Xiu Xin's birthday, the organizer was the Prime Minister of Japan.

Xiu Xin's face could be disregarded.

But Yan Chuan Shirō's face had to be respected.

The banquet was set to start at eight, and at this moment, the organizer and the main character were having a conversation in the study.

"Time flies so fast, in the blink of an eye, years have gone by, you're already thirty, and even your child can walk and call you 'dad'," Yanchuan Shilang handed Xiu Xin a cigarette and said emotionally.

"I don't know why, but these past two years have indeed passed quickly, whereas before, time moved quite slowly," Xiu Xin agreed as he took the cigarette, stood up, and lit it for Yanchuan Shilang before lighting his own. He jokingly said, "Sometimes I really suspect there's a pair of big hands controlling the speed of time."

"Haha, no such mysterious thing," Yanchuan Shilang chuckled lightly, shaking his head while slowly exhaling smoke. "When a person feels time is moving quickly, it means they're getting old, and they should seize the time to do what they want and need to do. Thirty is a very important milestone for a man, and politically, it's also critical. Resign next year."

"Yes, I'll follow your arrangements," Xiu Xin replied respectfully. Next year, he would resign, and Miyashita Hidekatsu would step down, handing over the position of Governor of Hokkaido to him.

I guess by then, apart from him, no one else would run for the position because everyone has self-awareness.

Who can compete with him?

"A policeman can't be considered a politician, but stepping down from the position of Police Department Director to run for Governor of Hokkaido is not excessive. Your achievements in Hokkaido are what matter for your future success," Yanchuan Shilang remarked.

"Yes!" Xiu Xin nodded, respectfully adding, "I will certainly not disappoint you."

"Grandpa is getting old, injured again last year, and his health is visibly declining day by day. I probably won't last in this position for many years. You must do well as Governor of Hokkaido, work steadily for at least ten years. Staying away from the central power will not only help you avoid retaliation to some extent but also solidify your foundation. In the future, even if I'm no longer around, with Hokkaido as your base, you won't be easily manipulated," Yanchuan Shilang said gently, while taking a puff of his cigarette.

Within a short year, compared to before, he seemed to have aged at least ten years. His hair had been dyed again and again, his frame had become thinner, and his face bore more wrinkles, making it seem as though he was delivering his last words.

Although he used Xiu Xin to do the dirty work, he never mistreated him. He sincerely hoped that Xiu Xin could rely on his tenure in Hokkaido to have a good ending and, in the future, could mutually assist his biological grandson, Yanchuan Xianyou.

Looking at Yanchuan Shilang's appearance, Xiu Xin couldn't help but feel emotional. Although he recognized his god-grandfather with a utilitarian mindset, the Yanchuan Family had never let him down, and it's impossible to say there's no affection involved.

"Grandpa, stop overthinking. Once we help Koizumi get on his feet in a couple of years, you can step down and enjoy your retirement. You'll surely live to a hundred, and even get to see me achieve great things," Xiu Xin said.

Yanchuan Shilang laughed heartily, coughing twice from the smoke. Seeing Xiu Xin rise anxiously, he quickly waved his hand to indicate it was nothing, saying kindly, "Alright, you're capable, and you will definitely achieve great things in the future. I'll try to live a few more years to see it with my own eyes; then I can die without regrets."

Xiu Xin's mouth twitched slightly. He was just being polite; for the elder to depart peacefully, it would be best for him to die sooner. Otherwise, truly witnessing my achievements would actually leave you restless in death.

Although Yanchuan Shilang had personal motives, given his identity and position, he undoubtedly also had the public interest in mind. National interests still held a significant place in his heart.

If he really saw his dear grandson Xiu Xin staging a coup, raising troops to march into Tokyo and disgrace the imperial family, he might die of anger on the spot.

After chatting for a while, Yanchuan Shilang looked at his watch and said, "Alright, it's about time, the guests should have mostly arrived by now, let's head out."

"Yes! Grandpa, take it slow." Xiu Xin hastily stubbed out his cigarette, rose to his feet, and reached out to support Yanchuan Shilang.

The two did not go downstairs but moved to the balcony.

Xiu Xin handed the microphone to the old man.

"Everyone," Yanchuan Shilang called out.

In an instant, the guests in the yard, who were toasting and conversing, stopped and looked towards the upstairs.

"Good evening, everyone," Yanchuan Shilang continued unhurriedly, "I warmly welcome and thank you all for taking the time from your busy schedules to attend tonight's banquet. Tonight's celebration is to mark my grandson Xiu Xin's thirtieth birthday. It's a significant milestone in life. I hope he can, with your blessings, continue more smoothly on his life's journey."

Beside him, Xiu Xin bowed in thanks.

Yanchuan Shilang concluded, "I hope everyone attending tonight will eat, drink, and have fun, having a delightful evening together. Thank you all, and here I toast everyone on behalf of Xiu Xin's elders."

Someone holding two glasses of red wine had been waiting beside them, promptly handing them to Yanchuan Shilang.

"Clap clap clap clap clap!"

A thunderous applause erupted on the scene.

"Xiu Xin, happy birthday," greeted Yanchuan Xianyou from below, raising his glass and calling out.

"Happy birthday,"

Others followed suit, raising their glasses in congratulations.

"Thank you, thank you everyone, this will be an unforgettable birthday for me," Xiu Xin responded with a smile from the balcony, holding up his glass to toast everyone.

Looking down from above at so many dignitaries raising their glasses to him, he felt an indescribable thrill and ambition, hoping that in the future he could reach this step by his own means rather than relying on his grandfather.

After the opening remarks, Xiu Xin went down to toast each guest and engage in brief conversations.

While the upper echelons were celebrating Xiu Xin's birthday at the Prime Minister's residence, another group of people was also celebrating for him, except they were celebrating the "Xiuxin Festival."

This group was the Patriotic Youth Association. Although making Xiu Xin's birthday the Xiuxin Festival wasn't recognized by society or officialdom, the Patriotic Youth Association had been celebrating this festival internally since last year.

Xiu Xin even specially provided funds for the Patriotic Youth Association to decorate the venue and buy supplies for the festival.

Of course, given the large number of youth association members, those eligible to attend the festival at the Hokkaido Patriotic Youth Association headquarters were the "ideologically progressive" senior members.

And these senior members became idols envied and imitated by other newer members, especially those who were personally met by Xiu Xin, who were seen as the most fortunate in the eyes of all members.

At this moment, in the headquarters of the Patriotic Youth Association, refurbished with Xiu Xin's funding, Vice Chair Ogimura Yoko gave a fervent speech, "Ladies and gentlemen, right now, the dignitaries in Tokyo are celebrating the president's birthday at the Prime Minister's residence, but the president deeply cares for all of us and has sent wine for our merry-making."

She paused briefly and unexpectedly waved her fist while shouting, "Long live the president! Long live!"

"Long live!" "Long live!" "Long live!"

All members of the Youth Association passionately and fervently shouted, with each call of "long live" increasingly thunderous.

With Xiu Xin's funding, the Patriotic Youth Association expanded rapidly, and he regularly met with Ogimura Yoko and Yoshino Nagashun, two influential figures, using them to brainwash other members, leading these young people to an extreme idolization of him.

The core belief of the Patriotic Youth Association now is simply: believing that Japan is declining, already at a critical moment of survival, and as informed youths, they can only save Japan under the wise leadership of Xiu Xin.

These sparks, scattered across the nation, will eventually become a prairie fire and facilitate his swift consolidation of power once Xiu Xin's coup succeeds.