CHAPTER 571: CHAPTER 470: POPPING CHAMPAGNE AT HALFTIME, FUJIMOTO RYOSUKE’S KILLING INTENT

Akabon Construction Co., Ltd headquarters building.

In the spacious and luxurious chairman’s office, Akabon Hero stood in front of the desk, "Dad, Panasonic Youkang had the police escort Aoyama Xiu Xin away, likely back to Sapporo. Should we organize an interception?"

The Akahone Family had been rooted in Asahikawa for many years, with individuals in every government department having been beneficiaries of their largesse.

Even those around Panasonic Youkang were no exception.

"It’s fine, he’s left, but the trouble he’s caused won’t leave him," Akabon Jiancheng said, with a dismissive smile. He nonchalantly signed another document and set it aside, then continued, "He’s fashioned himself as a hero, and people’s expectations of a hero are always exacting. As long as he can’t prove his innocence, he will certainly be overwhelmed by public opinion. No matter where he flees, he cannot escape this reality."

He paused then said, "Remember to arrange for Chunshan Kong’s wife to make a scene at the police station, cause a fuss at the city office, create uproar with the media, and everywhere accuse Aoyama Xiu Xin, to garner the utmost sympathy from the public."

Chunshan Kong was already terminal with no cure, his parents had passed away early, leaving behind only his wife and a pair of children, a widow and orphans. In the current climate, losing the head of the household was innately sympathetic, and when the perpetrator was a bureaucrat, it evoked even greater public outrage.

"Then, when the uproar is at its peak, we’ll make Chunshan Kong’s wife and children die in a mysterious accident, hehe, I’d like to see how Aoyama Xiu Xin handles that. Isn’t he the detective who has never failed to solve a case? Well, let him try to solve this one."

Akabon Jiancheng’s expression was sinister and cruel.

"Father, your wisdom is unparalleled, with just a little ploy, you have Aoyama Xiu Xin dancing in our palms," Akabon Hero said with a flattering sneer, "Hmph, he dared to snatch food from a tiger’s mouth; this is his lesson!"

Although the plan was only halfway complete,

He already felt as though victory was in his grasp, utterly unaware that celebrating at halftime was an age-old taboo for strategists.

"We must keep a close watch on Chunshan Kong’s family. If Aoyama Xiu Xin wants to prove his innocence, he’ll start with them. We can’t give him that chance," Akabon Jiancheng looked up at his son, giving him a grave instruction.

"Don’t worry, I definitely won’t let him find an opportunity," Akabon Hero nodded, but then his face showed hesitation, "Dad, but with Aoyama Xiu Xin’s status, such allegations alone aren’t enough to ruin him. What if he seeks revenge later?"

Such slander could end the career of an ordinary or poorly connected bureaucrat, leading directly to their dismissal.

But Aoyama Xiu Xin was different, protected by his many accomplishments and a deep background. The old adage ’the law does not govern men of high status’ still applied in modern society.

As for so-called public opinion, unless it amounted to rebellion,

It had no effect on those with real power, as the higher-ups would simply ignore public sentiment and protect their own. Eventually, everything would calm down again, even in the era of social media—not to mention today’s society.

"We can’t put him to death, but this will be enough trouble for him. After this incident, he will likely have to slink back to Tokyo with his tail between his legs. If he wants to take revenge on us, he’ll be out of reach. This is our home turf."

"Moreover, his voracious and greedy nature in hogging the Sapporo project alone has made him unpopular in Hokkaido, not just with us. While these people dare not antagonize him on their own, they won’t hesitate to kick him when he’s down."

"And even if we take ten thousand steps back, what evidence does he have that we were behind it? He’s a police officer; he must deal in evidence. Is he going to send a group of assassins after us based just on suspicion?"

Akabon Jiancheng had to laugh at his last sentence, finding the idea absurd.

"Father, your sagacity is commendable. Aoyama Xiu Xin merely took advantage of a head start and the stupidity of that little tramp, Panasonic Izumi, to catch us off guard. Now that you’re taking this seriously, he stands no chance against you," Akaban Hero exclaimed, full of admiration.

Akabon Jiancheng waved his hand dismissively, "Stop with the flattery. Have you made contact with the lawyer for Ying Nan?"

This matter brought out a loathing for Aoyama Xiu Xin so intense that he gritted his teeth, and he had his own grievances against Panasonic Youkang.

Yet he didn’t want to fall out with Panasonic Youkang over this, so he had to focus his troubles on Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"It’s all set. They’re one of the top legal teams in the country, with members who have held high positions in the courts," Akabon Hero responded gravely.

Having held high judiciary positions didn’t necessarily indicate their legal expertise, but it did prove they had extensive connections within the judicial sphere. It meant that judges in the courts would inevitably be influenced by these relationships when making rulings.

Officialdom was rife with personal connections and social graces.

On the other end, once Aoyama Xiu Xin returned to Sapporo, he immediately visited Fujimoto Takayoshi, "Minister."

"Xiu Xin, what in the world happened? Who’s framing you?" Fujimoto Takayoshi quickly set aside his documents and asked with concern as he saw Aoyama Xiu Xin enter.

"Sorry to have worried you, Minister," Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed deeply in thanks before recounting the actual events of the previous night. He then added, "It’s most likely the doing of Akabon Jiancheng, the chairman of Akabon Construction Co., Ltd. We have some disputes, and Asahikawa is his turf; he has the power to make all these arrangements in such a short time."

He had many enemies, but the trip to Sapporo had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, so the plot against him had to have been hastily concocted as well. The only local force capable of acting that swiftly in Asahikawa was the Akahone Family, to whom he had given great offense.