CHAPTER 787: CHAPTER 646: POISON GAS INCIDENT, PREGNANCY, AND THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

In late June, on the 24th, Japan first acknowledged forcibly recruiting Chinese as laborers during World War II, and on the 27th, a sarin gas incident occurred in Matsumoto City. Local police quickly determined that this was the work of Aum Shinrikyo.

According to confessions from nine arrested members of Aum Shinrikyo who spread the gas: prior to the incident, Aum Shinrikyo’s group in Matsumoto City was requested by the property owner to return the land. Both parties ended up in court, and Asahara Shoko, aware that he stood little chance of winning, instructed his followers to spread gas targeting judges at the local court and the residents around the headquarters. This resulted in 8 deaths and 600 injuries.

Suddenly, the outcry against them was deafening.

However, Asahara Shoko promptly stood up to deny the connection to himself, claiming it was merely the individual actions of the followers. Since the police had no tangible evidence beyond the testimonies to prove that Asahara Shoko orchestrated this gas attack, they were unable to arrest him.

Victims’ families could only sue Aum Shinrikyo for civil compensation; Asahara Shoko lost some money but faced no legal punishment.

Nonetheless, following this extremely vile collective incident, the public strongly resisted Aum Shinrikyo, and the cabinet was determined to eliminate Aum Shinrikyo.

This heavy responsibility naturally fell to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

On July 10th, the Public Security Committee promoted the 27-year-old Aoyama Xiu Xin to Police Director, transferring him to the position of Head of Hokkaido Police Headquarters, taking office on July 15th.

The former Head of Hokkaido Police Headquarters Zhongshan Junmei was reassigned to a leisurely post at the Police Headquarters, while Deputy Director Yamashita Kogoro remained perpetually second in command without moving up.

Asai Ayumi was promoted to Police Chief, taking over the position as Head of Criminal Affairs Department of the Metropolitan Police Department after Aoyama Xiu Xin’s transfer.

The couple both received promotions, and both were equally young.

This brief period became a celebrated story.

Of course, some gossip was inevitable.

However, it could not affect the promotion orders.

On the eve of departure, Aoyama Xiu Xin made a special visit to his god-grandfather’s house, both to bid farewell and to listen for any instructions or directives.

To his surprise, Yanchuan Xianyou, the mayor of Hachioji City, was also there, along with Asakawa Xia.

"Grandfather, Brother Xianyou, Sister-in-law."

Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed to the three individually.

"Have a seat," Yanchuan Shilang invited, looking radiant as if there was something happy going on, then glanced at the couple Yanchuan Xianyou and said with a chuckle, "Xianyou and Xia have come back specifically to bring good news. Xia has found out she’s pregnant. Knowing you’re coming tonight, they’ve also come to see you off."

"Is that true?" Aoyama Xiu Xin looked toward Yanchuan Xianyou and Asakawa Xia in amazement and joy.

But internally, there was no real fluctuation.

After all, it wasn’t his wife who got pregnant.

Yanchuan Xianyou similarly smiled happily, holding Asakawa Xia’s hand, saying, "It’s true. It was just found out in today’s check-up, almost two months along. In hindsight, I failed as a husband for not noticing Xia’s unusual state, luckily the check-up was done."

"It’s not your fault; it’s mainly because my pregnancy symptoms are not strong," Asakawa Xia patted her belly, but the look she gave Aoyama Xiu Xin was meaningful.

Aoyama Xiu Xin’s heart skipped, damn, why’s she looking at me like that? Could it also be mine?

Two months pregnant.

That means it was conceived in early May when Yanchuan Xianyou had just left for his post in Hachioji City.

Asakawa Xia indeed spent quite some time fooling around with me in Tokyo; it could really be my bastard.

He suppressed his complex feelings, showing a sincere smile, "That’s fantastic, congratulations Brother and Sister-in-law, the Yanchuan family has successors!"

"Haha, I see Xiu Xin, you need to pick up the pace; all three sister-in-laws have been pregnant." Yanchuan Xianyou teased.

Aoyama Xiu Xin gave an awkward laugh, "I’ll try my best to speed up, striving for Ling to get pregnant soon."

The three sister-in-laws indeed have been pregnant.

But they all seem to be from him.

This clearly demonstrates the poor quality of the seeds from the three brothers; even though they alternately cultivated the same land, it was his seed that sprouted.

After some pleasantries, Yanchuan Shilang finally addressed the serious matter: "Xiu Xin, this time your focus in Hokkaido is to destroy Aum Shinrikyo. Since last year, Asahara Shoko has inexplicably moved his headquarters to Hokkaido, expanding rapidly there, surely with the support and tolerance of local powers, you must handle this properly."

Grandfather, that’s me supporting and tolerating it!

"Yes! Please be assured, grandfather, I will not disappoint you. Aum Shinrikyo has long deserved to be extinct." Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded in response.

Yanchuan Shilang exhaled, giving a cold snort, and unhappily remarked, "Does Asahara Shoko really think the authorities can’t touch him? They used to make small disturbances, and we didn’t want to go through great trouble, but now they crazily cause air disasters and for minor issues initiate gas attacks in bustling areas, if not dealt with, he might soon publicly call for splitting Japan and establishing an independent state."

Creating mass incidents is shaking the foundations of the rule of those in power, which is absolutely intolerable.

Stability is paramount in any country.

"Yes! Grandpa is right, Asahara Shoko is indeed reckless, and we absolutely cannot allow him to continue developing." Xiu Xin agreed.

Yanchuan Shilang nodded, then changed the subject, "Of course, while taking action, ensuring your own safety is paramount. Asahara Shoko’s brainwashed followers are a bunch of lunatics, willing to do anything. Without certainty, you mustn’t act. If you strike and he escapes, you’ll be in danger. Be extremely cautious."

The tricky part about Asahara Shoko’s cult is their brainwashing ability. Once he incites them, a group of stupid followers generates power for love without regard for their lives.

So, you must capture the ringleader first.

And when you act, you must not fail.

"Yes! Thank you for your concern, Grandpa. I will protect myself while completing the tasks you assign," Xiu Xin replied with a firm nod.

"Hmm, I believe in your abilities." As the dinner was ready, Yanchuan Shilang exhaled gently and stood up, "Alright, let’s eat first. Tonight, except for Xia, everyone should drink a few more cups, both to celebrate Xia’s pregnancy and to bid farewell to Xiu Xin."

"Yes!" Everyone stood up and walked to the dining room.

Tonight, both Yanchuan Shilang and Yanchuan Xianyou were very happy, so they drank a lot, becoming quite intoxicated.

After dinner, they sat for a while in the living room, and then Xiu Xin excused himself. Asakawa Xia, as usual, offered to see him off, and no-one suspected anything.

Once outside, Asakawa Xia cautiously glanced back, then turned and whispered to Xiu Xin, "Guess whose child I’m carrying?"

"Of course, it’s Brother Xianyou’s, it can only be Brother Xianyou’s." Xiu Xin responded with a determined look.

Asakawa Xia rolled her eyes, "I don’t need you to remind me, it’s just the two of us here, let’s not pretend. I’m very sure this child is yours."

"Are you so sure? I don’t believe Brother Xianyou didn’t touch you before going to Hachioji City. What if it’s his?" Xiu Xin shook his head in denial.

"I don’t intend to hold you responsible, so you don’t need to deny it. My child can only be the Prime Minister’s own grandson. With your identity, you’re not qualified to be his father." Asakawa Xia pouted, then nervously looked back before saying, "I’ve been married to him for over a year, and we’ve had sex many more times than you and I have, yet I didn’t get pregnant before. But after being with you, I did. Do you really think that’s a coincidence? So I’m sure it’s yours."

She spoke firmly, sounding very convinced.

"Alright, no need to be polite, sister-in-law. Consider this child my gift to you." Seeing her insistence, Xiu Xin didn’t argue further.

After all, Asakawa Xia dared not spread the word.

"As long as you know," Asakawa Xia just wanted Xiu Xin to be aware that he’s the father, then she turned and went inside without looking back.

Xiu Xin watched her graceful silhouette, finding her quite alluring as the child’s mother, but it’s a shame he’s about to leave for Hokkaido and can’t provide prenatal education for the child.

After a while, he withdrew his gaze and got into the car.

"Let’s go home."

"Yes!"

..................

On July 15th, Xiu Xin bid farewell to the people and matters of Tokyo, and headed to Sapporo with Jin Yucheng and Nakamura Shinichi for his new post, leaving his sister-in-law and child in Tokyo.

Additionally, before his departure, Asai Ayumi was confirmed to be pregnant. If all goes well, his first nominal child will arrive next April.

Upon returning to Sapporo this time, he was warmly welcomed by the local ignorant populace and corrupt officials.

The top brass of the headquarters and the heads of police stations from all over Hokkaido gathered at the airport to receive him. The entire route from the airport to the Sapporo Police Headquarters was strictly sealed and guarded, with two police cars stationed at intervals along the way.

Hundreds of police cars and thousands of officers were deployed.

This spectacle was even larger than when Zhongshan Junmei took office, but apart from a few dissenting voices, the local residents of Hokkaido were not dissatisfied at all. Many even spontaneously lined the route to greet him.

After all, Xiu Xin and Zhongshan Junmei were fundamentally different. He had already established extremely high public support in Hokkaido before, and since there were no major cases now, deploying the police to block the roads was not excessive.

Moreover, this was a spontaneous action by the local police in Hokkaido and had no direct relation to him. It was just like when he left, thousands of people saw him off at the airport, and when he returned, thousands welcomed him again.

Especially in Sapporo City, many residents hung up Xiu Xin’s portraits or some slogans.

He was simply the people’s choice in Sapporo.

Amid great anticipation, at eleven in the morning, the plane from Tokyo to Sapporo landed on time, and Xiu Xin exited the airport through a dedicated channel.

All he could see was police uniforms.

"Click! Click! Click!"

What greeted him were the continuous shutter sounds.