Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister-Chapter 746 - 609: Stuck in Traffic Even in a Benz, Pressed Relentlessly

Hence, Xiu Xin prepared to start with a "baka."

"Mr. Oda, please calm down." Tangong Huizi noticed the change in Xiu Xin’s expression and sensed his thoughts. To prevent further conflict, she immediately smiled and soothed the crew-cut man, "I can understand Mr. Oda’s displeasure, but the delay was not Minister Aoyama’s intention. Let’s do this, I will take charge, and later Minister Aoyama will punish himself with three drinks first to apologize to all the members."

Xiu Xin’s slightly parted lips slowly closed again. He had to give face to Tangong Huizi, as she had often given him a heads up. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"It’s understandable for Minister Aoyama to be late, Mr. Oda, don’t make it difficult for the young ones. Minister Aoyama, please take a seat quickly. Let’s finish the business and enjoy some hot springs together."

"Yoshi, the cold wind is bone-chilling, perfect for a hot spring, but Minister Aoyama doesn’t seem to feel cold wearing so little. Truly a young person."

The others, who hadn’t spoken, allowing Oda to mock Xiu Xin, also started to smooth things over.

They, too, needed to give face to Tangong Huizi.

Moreover, being late was not a big deal. The initial outburst for showing displeasure was sufficient; Xiu Xin was not an ordinary person, so there was no need to make a scene over it.

Tangong Huizi had informed them of the reason for the assembly in advance. Their willingness to attend suggested a tendency to support Yanchuan Shilang, to gather some understanding, not to let something minor cause a blowup before discussing serious matters.

"Hmph!" Seeing everyone’s response, Oda Hidehiko probably didn’t want to make everyone angry, so he looked away.

"Thank you, everyone." Xiu Xin bowed to the group and took a seat next to Oda Hidehiko, feeling unlucky that there was only this vacant seat.

Tangong Huizi personally closed the door, then turned and bowed slightly as she walked in small steps, not revealing the hem of her skirt, to the top position. Her round peach-like hips gently swayed under her kimono, drawing attention.

Once seated, she turned meticulously and knelt down, her back straight, round, and full fruits looming like about to burst. With both hands, she raised the wine cup before her: "All the lords are here at Huizi’s invitation, Huizi offers a toast to you all."

The group followed suit and raised their cups in response.

After drinking, Tangong Huizi discreetly wiped the corner of her mouth with her hand and wore a subtle smile, "Everyone should be quite familiar with Minister Aoyama, but perhaps Minister Aoyama does not know much about you all. Please allow me to give a brief introduction for him."

"Sorry to trouble President Tangong. I’m indeed not very familiar with everyone here," Xiu Xin nodded and said.

Tangong Huizi directly pointed with her palm upward to Oda Hidehiko next to him, "This is Senator Oda Hidehiko from the House of Councillors. He was the mayor of Qinye City in Kanagawa Prefecture and is not yet forty this year. He is a well-known young politician in politics, a pillar of the nation."

Xiu Xin sneered inwardly at the phrase "pillar of the nation" because if Oda Hidehiko’s future were so bright, he wouldn’t be sitting here today. Only politicians lacking background who feel uncertain about their careers would accept funding from Koreans. Such people won’t climb too high.

In other words, these fifteen people all belong to that kind of unambitious national parliamentarians. Of course, this is relative to figures like Yanchuan Shilang and Hatanaka Zizi, as being a national parliamentarian is already quite successful in politics.

"Soga, so this is Mr. Oda. I’ve long heard of you." Xiu Xin feigned admiration.

It was purely out of courtesy, not for Oda, but for the remaining fourteen people.

Oda Hidehiko spoke indifferently, "Am I that famous? Minister Aoyama, why be so hypocritical?"

Xiu Xin’s face darkened; even such formal pleasantries had to be torn apart, truly showing no respect.

Some people remained expressionless, while others secretly frowned, feeling that Oda Hidehiko was too excessive and impolite today, with not an ounce of grace.

"Minister Aoyama, this is..." Tangong Huizi quickly moved to introduce the next person, fearing they might start arguing.

The others were much more friendly, smiling and nodding at Xiu Xin, and he responded to each one.

After the introductions, Tangong Huizi said, "Everyone here is a friend of Huizi and the Min-tu group. I won’t beat around the bush. Everyone knows why we are gathered today, so I won’t elaborate further. Therefore, I’ll ask Minister Aoyama to tell us what Lord Yanchuan means."

In an instant, all eyes were once again on Xiu Xin, with unprecedented seriousness in their gaze.

Xiu Xin placed both hands on his knees and bowed to Tangong Huizi, then spoke in a solemn tone, "Grandfather very much welcomes you all to join in and strive together towards the Empire’s future. He promises that, should you all choose to support him, regardless of the outcome of the election, you will be handsomely rewarded solely for this trust."

"Tch~" A burst of sneering laughter was piercingly loud.

The crowd instinctively looked towards the source of the voice, their gaze falling on Oda Hidehiko, who was drinking by himself.

Xiu Xin frowned slightly and asked unhurriedly, "What does Mr. Oda mean by this?"

"Nothing much, I just find it amusing." Oda Hidehiko put down his wine cup, looked coldly at Xiu Xin, and said, "Handsomely rewarded? What does ’handsomely rewarded’ mean? I don’t see an ounce of sincerity, just an open-ended promise. Does Lord Yanchuan take us for fools?"

"Mr. Oda, you misunderstand, the specifics, of course, would be discussed in detail after initial intentions are reached, step by step." Xiu Xin tried to hold back his annoyance.

"Bang!" Oda Hidehiko suddenly slammed the table, pointed at Xiu Xin, and shouted angrily, "If we’re to cooperate, why not be straightforward and honest? I think you simply have no sincerity, attempting to deceive us with empty promises. Now that I’ve exposed you, you’re trying to offer another explanation."

As he finished speaking, he looked around and loudly addressed the group, "Gentlemen, I believe Yanchuan Shilang, that old fox, because of his esteemed family background, looks down on us grassroots folks, wanting to utilize us while also despising us. Please, do not fall for it! We cannot become tools without reason."

"Is Mr. Oda deliberately causing trouble, trying to sabotage the cooperation?" Xiu Xin narrowed his eyes and spoke each word carefully. It was clear to him now that ever since they had arrived, Oda Hidehiko had been intentionally targeting him.

It wasn’t just about venting some anger; there was surely another interest behind it, or else a national parliamentarian wouldn’t act so foolishly and without measure.

The only conclusion: he was creating sabotage.

When a successful person suddenly does something everyone thinks is foolish and says something stupid, it indicates that such actions bring him benefits unknown to others. It’s not stupidity; it’s malice.

Facing Xiu Xin’s questioning, Oda Hidehiko scoffed coldly, raising his head proudly, and said disdainfully, "What, are you angry now that I’ve exposed you? Xiu Xin, you... ah!"

Before he could finish, Xiu Xin cursed "Bakayarou" and hurled the wine cup in his hand heavily at Oda Hidehiko’s face, abruptly halting his noisy chatter, causing him to scream and instinctively clutch his forehead.

The crowd, already somewhat confused, was utterly shocked and their minds were even more muddled by this sudden scene.