Chapter 132: The Rare Encounter Between Lord Qingshan and the Dog, and the Bumbling Incident

Hidenobu Aoyama stepped into Yang’s Restaurant. The main hall buzzed with voices, every seat filled; business was clearly thriving.

“Mr. Aoyama, you’ve arrived. Vice President Zhao is waiting for you in a private room upstairs. Please, follow me,” Xiao Yang said eagerly, hurrying forward to greet him and leading him upstairs.

“Vice President?” Aoyama asked as he followed him, “Is the president not here?”

“No,” Xiao Yang shook his head.

By the time they reached the second floor, two burly young men stood guard on either side of a private room’s door.

“Mr. Aoyama, please,” the two men bowed respectfully and opened the door.

Xiao Yang said, “Mr. Aoyama, if you need anything, just call me. I won’t disturb you any longer,” then turned and hurried back downstairs.

“Mr. Aoyama, your honorable presence is greatly appreciated. I apologize for the lack of proper reception—most improper of me,” Zhao Qinghong greeted him with a broad smile as soon as Aoyama entered, his demeanor not just deferential but obsequiously servile.

Looking at him, Aoyama’s mind flashed with images of traitorous collaborators from wartime dramas, those who greeted Japanese officers with servile “Greetings, my lord.”

“Please, no need for formalities, Mr. Zhao. Have a seat,” Aoyama said coolly, taking the seat at the head of the table. He saw right through the man’s character at a glance, so he made sure to project arrogance and dominance.

No wonder the Fulong Gang only exploited their own people; with leadership like this, it was hardly surprising.

“Ah!” Zhao Qinghong responded cheerfully, then personally poured tea for Aoyama, wearing a flattering smile. “Mr. Aoyama, this is the famous Da Hong Pao tea from China. Please have a taste. If you like it, I will send some to your home sometime.”

“Knock, knock, knock,” Aoyama tapped his fingers on the table, not touching the tea, his expression sour. “Mr. Zhao, I didn’t come here to taste tea.”

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Zhao Qinghong nodded repeatedly, bowing low before finally sitting down. His face darkened as he harshly reprimanded a few underlings from that morning. “They were blind to offend Mr. Aoyama. Of course, we bear responsibility for poor discipline. In any case, we sincerely apologize for the trouble caused. The Fulong Chamber is willing to offer a compensation of 100 million yen.”

He had used all his silver-tongued skills to secure this enormous sum for the honor of Lord Aoyama.

Aoyama felt as if he had slipped back into a dreamlike haze of the Qing era.

He was the one who had beaten up and crippled several Fulong Gang members, yet here they were offering compensation.

“Alright! You’re a good citizen, a truly good citizen,” Lord Aoyama pronounced this as if granting some sort of certification.

“Ah!” Zhao Qinghong smiled relieved, flattering, “There’s a saying: no quarrel, no acquaintance. Our Fulong Chamber and Mr. Aoyama are destined to be connected! Should you ever need anything, I am at your service!”

He thought this was just right—this was the accent of a Japanese person speaking Chinese. Just now, Aoyama’s fluent Mandarin had nearly left him dazed.

“Mr. Zhao, you wish to work for me?” Aoyama’s expression showed interest. He had intended to bring the Fulong Gang under his control; this was a mutual pursuit.

“To be honest, Mr. Zhao said he believes that for the Fulong Chamber to establish deep roots in Japan, it needs the support and protection of local forces!” Zhao Qinghong put forth his view, then added, “I have also heard of your great name, Mr. Aoyama. If we could serve you faithfully, it would be the honor of our chamber!”

He had already investigated. The Yamakawa family was backed by Aoyama, and with the Fulong Chamber’s strength and police protection, rapid growth was inevitable.

Zhao Qinghong was unwilling to simply maintain the current territory by exploiting his own people. Of course, he had to exploit his own, but he also wanted to earn the Japanese money.

“Oh? So your chamber all thinks this way?” Aoyama lifted the cup of Da Hong Pao and took a sip.

Chewing on peonies—he could taste nothing special.

“Well… not everyone has the foresight of someone like me,” Zhao Qinghong revealed his wolfish ambitions. “President Chen is narrow-minded and obsessed with the current small patch of land. I have repeatedly offered constructive suggestions, but he ignores them. His attitude not only hinders the chamber’s development but also prevents it from serving you. I really cannot stand it.”

“So if I become president, the entire Fulong Chamber will be willing to go through fire and water for Lord Aoyama… er, Mr. Aoyama!”

Aoyama understood: this man sought to oust President Chen Taiyuki by aligning with the Japanese and then lead the Fulong Gang under his banner.

Using Aoyama’s protection to expand their territory lavishly.

This was pure traitorous behavior.

Yet as the lord, considering his own interests, he indeed desperately needed such talent.

After all, if he wanted to control the Fulong Gang, backing Zhao Qinghong was definitely more cost-effective than supporting Chen Taiyuki.

Moreover, with people like this, when the chamber became too filthy, he could dispose of them without regret.

“Alright, Mr. Zhao, you’re a smart man,” Aoyama highly praised the plan. “As long as you serve me well, I won’t treat you badly.”

“Ah! I am willing to serve the Imperial Army!” Zhao Qinghong beamed, standing to raise his glass loudly.

Aoyama almost spat out his tea, coughing repeatedly. “Cough… cough, cough…”

Today, it seemed a fake Japanese met a true traitor.

“Mr. Aoyama, are you alright?” Zhao Qinghong hurriedly showed concern.

Aoyama waved his hand, regained composure, and sipped his tea to soothe his throat. “Since you wish to replace President Chen, I assume you have a plan. How do you want me to help?”

“Ah! Mr. Aoyama, you are truly insightful,” Zhao Qinghong flattered him, a sinister smile creeping across his face. “I have some evidence of Chen Taiyuki’s repeated illegal activities here in Japan. If you have your colleagues arrest him, that will suffice.”

“Alright,” Aoyama nodded, then asked seriously, “Are you sure that once Chen Taiyuki is arrested, you can control the Fulong Gang?”

“Rest assured, Mr. Aoyama. Once Chen Taiyuki is caught, the smaller fry can be eliminated with ease,” Zhao Qinghong confidently guaranteed.

Aoyama studied him silently a moment, then smiled. “Aren’t you afraid of being called a traitor?”

“Mr. Aoyama is wise. I only believe that those who understand the times are heroes,” Zhao Qinghong replied with a flattering smile.

Aoyama pushed the teacup toward him.

Zhao Qinghong hurriedly stood to refill it.

“Bang!” At that moment, the door was flung open.

Startled, Zhao Qinghong’s hand trembled, spilling the scalding tea onto Aoyama’s hand.

“Baka!” Aoyama flared with pain and anger, rising to slap Zhao twice across the face.

“Smack! Smack!”

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Zhao Qinghong bowed repeatedly in apology. “Please, Mr. Aoyama, calm down.”

“Hmph!” Aoyama sat back down with a stern face.

Zhao Qinghong pulled out a tissue to wipe the wet spots on Aoyama’s hand, then turned to the now-shocked underling and snapped, “Why the rush?”

“President, some of our brothers got into a scuffle with the Hachioji family. We’re calling for reinforcements now.”

Zhao Qinghong looked toward Aoyama.

“Hachioji family?” Aoyama raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Qinghong immediately understood. “The Inagawa-kai.”

Aoyama picked up his phone and called Inagawa Hiroshi. “Chairman Inagawa, sorry to bother you. Vice President Zhao of the Fulong Gang is a friend of mine. I hear there’s conflict between the Hachioji family and the Fulong Gang. I hope you can all sit down and resolve this peacefully. With the Senate election approaching, escalating it benefits no one.”

“Detective Aoyama has spoken. Of course, I will give face. I will order the Hachioji family accordingly,” Inagawa Hiroshi agreed offhandedly.

“Thank you, Chairman Inagawa. I won’t keep you longer. Perhaps we’ll share a drink another time.”

Inagawa Hiroshi hung up without a word.

“Thank you, Mr. Aoyama. Just one call has prevented a bloody conflict and saved countless lives. You truly are most merciful!” Zhao Qinghong exaggeratedly praised.

“Send the stuff to me as soon as possible,” Aoyama said, then stood and headed out.

“Ah!” Zhao Qinghong responded, bowing deeply as Aoyama’s back disappeared. “Mr. Aoyama, please take care!”

Only after Aoyama’s footsteps faded did he look up.

“President, that little Jap really went too far,” the underling who burst in complained angrily.

Aoyama’s two slaps had been no joke; Zhao’s lip was bleeding.

“Didn’t you see? One phone call and he got Chairman Inagawa moving,” Zhao Qinghong touched his swollen cheek, inhaling sharply. “Besides, I’m doing this for the gang, for the glory and wealth of our brothers. What’s a little grievance in that?”

……………………………

Shinichi Nakamura was on his way to Arakawa Ward.

He had just received calls from the Kimura family and their secretary, arranging a meeting at 11 o’clock at an abandoned factory owned by Inoue Electronics Co., Ltd. to collect money.

Not wanting to keep such important people waiting, he arrived early.

At 10:30, he reached the factory and saw a car parked inside with a man standing beside it.

Nakamura hadn’t expected the other party to arrive earlier.

He immediately got out and approached, wearing an apologetic expression. “I’m very sorry. I didn’t expect you to be so early. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.”

As he drew near, he noticed the man was tall with a full beard—a rough appearance. Nakamura was surprised the Kimura family secretary looked so rugged.

“Here for the money?” the bearded man eyed Nakamura warily, then asked after a moment’s silence.

“Ah!” Nakamura smiled and replied, “Yes.”

“Wait a moment,” the bearded man said, turning to open the car’s trunk. He then carried two money boxes over and dropped them in front of Nakamura. “Open and check.”

“No need to check. I trust you. What’s there to verify?” Nakamura said without hesitation.

The Kimura family wouldn’t hand him counterfeit money.

The bearded man’s gaze softened considerably. In their line of work, they risked everything to earn money and never trusted others lightly during transactions. Such trust moved him.

“Ah! Please leave first,” he said.

“Alright, cautious enough,” Nakamura gave him a thumbs-up, loaded the two boxes into his car, waved, and drove off.

The bearded man watched Nakamura’s car disappear into the darkness, then took out his phone and dialed. “Big brother, the money has been handed over.”

“Hmm,” replied a voice from the wild borderlands between Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo, where two groups were conducting an exchange. The bald man looked at a silver-haired fat man across from him and said, “Your guys took the money. Now it’s time for you to hand over the goods.”

Money and goods were traded separately to better evade police crackdowns.

“I’ll ask,” the silver-haired fat man took the phone from an underling and called the one who had collected the money. “Why didn’t you call me when you got the money, you bastard?”

“Huh? Big brother, I haven’t arrived yet.”