CHAPTER 794: CHAPTER 653: CABINET MEETING AND HOKKAIDO REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

Asahara Shoko’s infamy was widespread and his deeds were heinous.

The sarin gas incident in Songben City made Aum Shinrikyo a target of public scorn, with everyone fearing and cursing them.

When the news broke the next day that Asahara Shoko was killed, and Aum Shinrikyo was destroyed, there was shock and celebration across the nation, especially among the residents of Hokkaido, where Aum Shinrikyo’s base was located.

Aoyama Xiu Xin had just returned to Hokkaido and immediately resolved the Aum Shinrikyo issue, undoubtedly earning the local people’s even greater support and admiration; they wished he could stay in Hokkaido forever, as his prestige soared higher and higher.

"Damn it!"

Heng Lu Guangnan was having a less-than-luxurious breakfast when he saw the news, and he angrily overturned his bowl on the table, losing his appetite completely.

He hadn’t anticipated that Aoyama Xiu Xin’s plan last night was targeting Aum Shinrikyo; had he known earlier, he would have done anything to disrupt it.

Now, once again, Aoyama Xiu Xin had managed to attract significant public favor.

It’s only because Aoyama Xiu Xin is young—only governors over the age of 30 can run for election—otherwise, Heng Lu Guangnan felt that he would lose his position in the next election.

No, he doesn’t even have to wait for the term to end; Aoyama Xiu Xin could use his influence to incite the public to initiate a no-confidence vote against him, forcing him out of office early.

Aoyama Xiu Xin is 27 years old this year, so it would realistically be at least three more years before he could pose a threat.

But Heng Lu Guangnan felt he couldn’t allow Aoyama Xiu Xin to continue developing smoothly in Hokkaido, otherwise, when the three years were up, his own re-election would be disrupted.

Although a governor cannot directly control or lead the local police headquarters, as a local chief who has operated in Hokkaido for ten years, Heng Lu Guangnan didn’t believe Aoyama Xiu Xin could rely on the police system to counteract his attacks in his own territory.

He must be driven out of Hokkaido.

Even if it means offending the Prime Minister, so be it.

Furthermore, Aoyama Xiu Xin’s presence in Hokkaido might even be Shilang Yanchuan’s intention, perhaps he intended to disrupt his re-election to deepen central control over regional governance, but Heng Lu Guangnan was determined to make him realize he was no mere pushover.

As long as Hokkaido is united with him, it’s not impossible for local forces to pressure the central government into compromise.

Heng Lu Guangnan had no mind to eat anymore, and said, "Clear it up," before standing up to call Imamura Masafumi in the living room, "Notify the mayors of each city to attend a meeting in Sapporo at 2 PM, no absenteeism without a valid reason."

Having served three terms as governor in Hokkaido, firmly entrenched for over ten years, even if the mayors of each city weren’t his confidants, they were at least close to him. Combined with the unwavering control of the police system previously held by Fujimoto Takayoshi, he had turned this place into a fortress of iron that couldn’t be breached.

Sensing the cabinet might make a move against him, he needed to gather like-minded allies to explain the stakes, unite in heart and mind, and resist the central government.

He also needed to take the opportunity to discern the attitudes of each mayor, and those whose stance was uncertain or leaned towards compromising with the central government had to be dealt with first, or at least closely monitored, to prevent the stronghold from being breached from within.

While Heng Lu Guangnan was preparing for a meeting, the Prime Minister’s residence was already hosting a meeting to prevent leaks; Shilang Yanchuan had only summoned his trusted cabinet members for the meeting.

"Gentlemen, Asahara Shoko is dead, and Aum Shinrikyo has been eradicated. I believe we all think this is good news," said Heng Lu Guangnan, looking around the room.

At his words, everyone nodded instinctively.

Heng Lu Guangnan’s face suddenly became stern, and he raised his voice sharply, "But this operation almost failed!"

"Almost failed? What does that mean?"

Everyone expressed their confusion in a flurry of voices.

"Governor of Hokkaido, Heng Lu Guangnan, attempted to tip off Asahara Shoko. Fortunately, Aoyama Xiu Xin detected it in time, preventing the news from leaking." Heng Lu Guangnan continued before anyone could voice their shock or doubts, "Do you gentlemen know why he did this? Just because he fears Aoyama Xiu Xin’s growing popularity in Hokkaido! He’s afraid I might use Aoyama Xiu Xin to end his re-election in the future!"

"Bang!" Heng Lu Guangnan slammed the conference table with an angry hand, sternly stating, "Never mind what I think—what does Heng Lu Guangnan mean by this? Does he have any regard for the nation? For the parliament? For the cabinet? For me as Prime Minister? Does he wish to seize Hokkaido as his own and pass it down through generations?"

"He’s been in the governor’s position in Hokkaido for three terms, over ten years! With years of management there, he might very well win again next term and continue his re-election, which would mean a sixteen-year term. If this continues, I’m worried that Hokkaido might become a nation within a nation, with endless consequences!"

Everyone was shocked. Usually, their attention was focused on parliamentary infighting and the scramble for national resources, without ever really noticing local affairs, and thinking about it now was indeed a bit frightening.

"Come to think of it, the Governor of Tokyo has been in office for ten years too." Someone muttered to themselves.

Everyone instinctively recalled that quite a few governors had terms exceeding ten years.

In the long run, this was detrimental to the country, and even more disastrous for these central leaders.

Although in modern society, with the public’s awareness and the United States exerting pressure above, something like a partitioned reign was impossible, a strong regional stance could easily defy the central government, which was not good for the nation.

Yanchuan Shilang exhaled deeply, his eyes shining with determination, and said, "I am the Prime Minister. I must consider the long-term interests of the nation. During my term, I want to solve this issue, starting with Hokkaido. Heng Lu Guangnan cannot be re-elected again, and he must make sacrifices for the country, whether by entering parliament or by retiring early."

Initially, when Yanchuan Shilang mentioned solving this issue, everyone was startled, fearing he meant to change local autonomy, equating it with self-destruction. But once he finished speaking, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It turned out he didn’t want to solve this issue.

We just need to deal with Heng Lu Guangnan.

That significantly reduces the difficulty.

Yanchuan Shilang observed the change in everyone’s expressions and sighed inwardly. He also wanted to impose term limits on local governors but couldn’t. After all, if local governors have term limits, shouldn’t the Prime Minister set an example? Yet, he wished to be re-elected indefinitely.

So he never mentioned it. If he could deal with someone like Heng Lu Guangnan, who has been in office for over ten years, during his term, it would already be a significant contribution to the country.

As for the future, leave it to his successors.

Always believe in the wisdom of future generations.

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

At 2 p.m., at the Hokkaido Governor’s Office.

In the conference room, 35 mayors from across the region were gathered together, and at a glance, they all seemed plump and well-fed.

A person unaware might think they had walked into a pigsty.

"Governor!"

When Heng Lu Guangnan walked into the conference room, all the mayors immediately stood up to greet him, bowing respectfully.

"Please be seated, gentlemen."

Heng Lu Guangnan nodded slightly. He didn’t look pleased. After everyone was seated, he slowly began, "Gentlemen, your luxurious days are coming to an end!"

Once he said that, the conference room erupted in an uproar.

"What does the Governor mean by this?"

"Please clarify!"

Heng Lu Guangnan raised his hand, and after the room quieted down, he continued, "I have been serving in Hokkaido for ten years. What do you gentlemen think of that?"

"During these ten years, you’ve certainly been diligent and conscientious, achieving significant accomplishments and even sacrificing opportunities to enter the Parliament and Cabinet to benefit the local people."

"Indeed, without your tireless efforts, Governor, Hokkaido wouldn’t be as prosperous and strong as it is today. Which local citizen doesn’t praise your wisdom?"

Everyone spoke words of flattery one after another.

Not all of it was flattery. Although Heng Lu Guangnan was corrupt, accepting bribes and forming cliques, he did accomplish some things in Hokkaido over the years. At least the local populace somewhat acknowledged him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been re-elected three times.

"Unfortunately, the Cabinet doesn’t think that way!" Heng Lu Guangnan sighed ruefully and said helplessly, "The people of Hokkaido fear my term is too short, but the Cabinet thinks it’s too long and intends to relocate me from Hokkaido."

"This... How can the Cabinet be so confused? This is simply nonsense!" The people were both shocked and angry. Wouldn’t dealing with Heng Lu Guangnan mean reforming the Hokkaido bureaucracy? It’s intolerable!

"They targeted the Hokkaido police system last year, and now they’re targeting us, right? What does Congress do other than torment its own people? Do they truly understand governance?"

"Governor, for the happiness of Hokkaido’s million citizens, we cannot let the Cabinet succeed!"

If they didn’t resist, they might land safely but would lose power and the subsequent continuous wealth. Nobody was willing to sit and wait for the end.

And if they resisted, at worst, they could surrender midway; after all, the Cabinet couldn’t possibly deal with so many local high-ranking officials all at once.

"Exactly, gentlemen!" Heng Lu Guangnan acknowledged as he looked at everyone’s reactions, and said with determination, "I’m not one who covets power, but there are treacherous people around the Prime Minister! If I just leave like this, what about the million citizens of Hokkaido? What about you, the pillars of the nation? I was a bit hesitant initially, but after seeing you all support me, I am even more determined to stay in Hokkaido and serve the people!"

"At this moment of crisis, I hope you gentlemen will unite with me and overcome the difficulties together. Hokkaido’s affairs should be decided by Hokkaido; we absolutely cannot let the Cabinet recklessly interfere!"

"May I ask if the Governor has received any definite news?" Miyashita Hidekatsu asked softly.

Heng Lu Guangnan hadn’t received anything yet but nodded earnestly, "Very likely, Aoyama Xiu Xin is just here as an advance party, and the police system has already grown disloyal to us. We must remove him."

The issue of corruption within the police system cannot be used to attack Aoyama Xiu Xin because they have all benefited from it.

Just like Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn’t use this issue to attack these local bureaucrats; it’s a mutual destruction tactic, and everyone is part of the property-class.

"No wonder Aoyama Xiu Xin suddenly returned to serve in Hokkaido, it’s the Cabinet laying the groundwork in advance."

"Speaking of which, last year I had quite a pleasant interaction with this person, who would have thought things would sour over a year."

"Haha, well, isn’t it so? His grandfather is now the Prime Minister, his standing has changed, the things he’s concerned with are different, and naturally, his stance has also changed."