dkrc Chapter 109 The Defense Line Collapses
Chapter 109 The Defense Line Collapses
August 26, 1988, 10:00 AM.
Xiaguan, where the provincial building is being constructed.
After the four shredders ran continuously for three hours, the smell of insulating varnish emanating from the overheated motors filled the office of the Architectural Guidance Department with a suffocating burnt odor.
Outside the window, cicadas chirped in the height of summer; inside, the whirring of motors idling filled the air.
Acting section chief Takeda sat in the seat that had originally belonged to Kenji Noda. The chair was genuine leather and seemed to still retain the warmth of the former chief's body, but to Takeda at this moment, the chair felt as hot as a red-hot iron.
He was completely dumbfounded when he was appointed as the acting section chief.
Well, when it came to sharing the spoils, I wasn't even offered a chance, but now that something's happened, I'm being made to step in? No matter how you look at it, I'm the one who's being discarded.
Now, there are two things on his desk.
On the left is a draft of an administrative order to continue the suspension of construction at "SA Crystal Palace," with a red circle drawn on it by Director Noda before his arrest—that was the death order from Secretary-General Shin Kanemaru.
On the right is a newly delivered copy of the Nikkei Asian Review.
The bold headline on the front page was alarming: "Consumer Tax Bill Under Forced Review: Ordinary People Have to Pay Tax on a Radish, But Politicians' Hundreds of Millions in Stocks Are Tax-Free?"
The accompanying photo showed angry housewives protesting in front of Parliament with banners that read "Oppose the GST" and "Thoroughly investigate Recruit."
As the incident escalated, public discontent intensified. The Takeshita Cabinet's approval rating had reached a precarious point; forget about pushing forward the consumption tax policy, even maintaining the cabinet's stability was now an insurmountable challenge.
"Section Chief..."
A young employee walked over carrying a folder, his voice low, his eyes constantly glancing toward the door, as if a group of special investigation prosecutors carrying black briefcases were about to rush in.
"The Special Investigation Department just went to the neighboring Ministry of Labor. I heard... even the Vice-Minister of Labor was summoned for questioning."
Takeda's fingers twitched suddenly.
Even a vice minister-level official is being targeted?
He grabbed the newspaper, his eyes fixed on the words "unlisted stocks".
Normally, this would just be a typical political donation scandal. The secretary would take the blame, the congressman would apologize, and it would be over once the storm had passed.
But this time is different.
That company called "Epes" (Licourt's pseudonym) is playing a really shrewd game. They've been using the huge price difference between pre-IPO and publicly traded stocks to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into the political sphere. The worst part is that these capital gains are completely tax-exempt under current law. And then, coincidentally, what they're doing is trying to steal that 3% tax revenue from the public.
On one hand, the government is crying poverty and trying to forcibly extract 3% consumption tax from people's rice bowls; on the other hand, high-ranking officials and dignitaries are making a fortune through insider trading without paying a single penny in taxes.
This immense and blatant sense of relative deprivation ignited the nation's anger.
The Special Investigation Department is no longer handling cases; it's "acting on behalf of Heaven." At this critical juncture, anyone found to have ties with "black money politicians" like Shin Kanemaru is simply walking into a trap.
"Section Chief?" the employee urged cautiously. "The legal representative from Saionji Temple is coming again this afternoon to submit an 'Administrative Review Application.' The secretary-general's office just called again, implying we need to 'hold on'..."
"withstand?"
Takeda suddenly let out a neurotic, cold laugh.
He pointed to the photo in the newspaper, his voice hoarse:
"What will I use to cover it up? My retirement pension? Or my freedom for the rest of my life?"
"Can't you see? It's all gasoline outside. Just one spark could burn Kasumigaseki to ashes! Even Kinmaru Shin himself is in danger of his eyebrows being burned by this fire. Who can he protect?"
In the face of this super storm that involved almost all the leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party factions and even affected former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, he, a mere acting section chief, was not even worth mentioning.
If he doesn't sever ties with the Takeshita faction quickly, and if he doesn't get rid of the Saionji family, this "victim," by the time the Special Investigation Department investigates, they'll find out he's still helping Kanemaru Shin carry out political persecution...
What Chief Noda is doing in the detention center today is what he will be doing tomorrow.
Come to think of it, didn't he clearly remember that the Saionji family wasn't originally allied with the Takeshita faction? How did they suddenly cut ties at lightning speed? This made the conflict between the Saionji family and the Takeshita faction so public that nobody cared whether the Saionji family had been part of the Takeshita faction before.
Takeda opened the drawer, took out a box of stomach medicine, and without even drinking water, chewed two tablets directly. The bitter powder exploded in his mouth, clearing his muddled mind somewhat.
He had long since lost sight of the current situation. But it was clear that if he didn't get out of there quickly, he would definitely be going to die with them.
He grabbed a red pen and drew a big X on the draft document that said "continue to suspend work".
"Rewrite."
Takeda's voice carried a sense of desperate resolve.
"It is written that... after two on-site surveys by the expert team, the previous data error was caused by 'calibration deviation of measuring instruments.' It is now confirmed that all fireproof materials and seismic-resistant structures meet the highest standards of the Building Standards Act."
"Permission granted...to resume work immediately."
The employee froze, his eyes wide as saucers: "But... what about Secretary-General Kanemaru...?"
"Are you planning to go have tea with Chief Noda?!"
Takeda slammed the folder onto the table, the loud noise momentarily silencing the shredders throughout the office.
"The Special Investigations Department has gone mad! If we continue to stall this perfectly legitimate project, it's like telling the prosecutor, 'Investigate me, I'm up to something!'"
"The ship's sinking, who cares what orders the captain gives? Everyone's busy grabbing life preservers!"
Takeda, panting heavily, loosened the tie that was tightly wrapped around his neck.
"Stamp it. Stamp it now. Send that damn 'certificate of conformity' to them."
"Send away this plague god."
……
Noon.
Ginza 7-chome.
The sun blazed overhead. The asphalt road surface was softened by the heat, and an illusory heat wave floated in the air.
The construction site gate of "SA Crystal Palace" was tightly closed. The yellow seal that had been posted for more than a month had curled up at the edges due to wind and sun exposure, and was covered with dust, making it particularly glaring.
A gray Toyota sedan without any markings was parked silently on the side of the road.
The car door opened, and two construction officials in short-sleeved uniforms stepped out. They weren't wearing the white gloves that symbolized power, nor did they display their usual arrogant, haughty demeanor.
They walked quickly, heads down, as if afraid of being recognized by passersby.
"Executive Director Endo."
The leading official walked into the shadows of the side gate of the construction site, took a document out of his briefcase, and handed it to Endo, who was already waiting there.
"This is the permit to resume work."
The official's tone was dry, his eyes darting around, and he dared not meet Endo's gaze.
"What happened before... was a misunderstanding regarding work procedures. I apologize for causing trouble for your company."
"I'm so sorry."
As he spoke, he bent down deeply and handed the document to Endo with both hands.
Endo took the thin sheet of paper.
It was stamped with the bright red official seal of the Construction Province, the ink of which was not even completely dry.
"Misunderstand?"
Endo pushed up his reading glasses and glanced at the somewhat flustered faces of the officials.
He recalled what the young lady had said yesterday: "When bureaucrats realize that their masters not only can't protect them, but will also blow them all up with the 'consumption tax,' they will betray them faster than turning the pages of a book."
Sure enough.
"A month ago, your people were standing right here, pointing their fingers at us and saying this building was dangerous and could collapse at any moment," Endo said calmly.
"That...that's an instrument malfunction."
The official wiped the sweat from his brow and tore the yellow seal off the iron gate.
"Sizzle—"
The administrative barrier that once stood like an insurmountable chasm in front of the Saionji family fell to the ground so easily that it was rolled up into a wad of waste paper.
The official didn't even wait for Endo to sign the confirmation receipt; he shoved the document into his hand, turned, and jumped into his car. The car started and sped away as if fleeing a scene of plague.
Endo watched the car drive away, then looked down at the permit in his hand.
He turned around and faced the dozens of workers and foremen behind him who were already fully prepared and ready to go.
They were wearing hard hats, holding shovels and electric drills, and looking at him with eager eyes.
The construction site, which had been eerily quiet for over a month, was so deserted that even stray cats didn't bother to visit.
Endo took a deep breath and raised his right hand.
"start!"
"boom--!!!"
Almost at the same second, the huge diesel generator deep inside the construction site roared.
Black smoke billowed into the air.
Then came the clattering of the pneumatic drill hitting the concrete, the hissing of the electric saw cutting the steel bars, and the metallic friction of the crane winch turning.
The various noises converged, forming a huge sound wave that instantly drowned out the cicadas chirping on the streets of Ginza.
That was the roar of machinery.
It was also the sound of Kanemaru Shin's power defenses collapsing.
……
3 PM.
Nagata-cho, LDP headquarters, Secretary-General's office.
The curtains were still drawn tightly, blocking out the afternoon sun, and the room was filled with the strong smell of Cuban cigars.
Shin Kanemaru sat behind the large mahogany desk.
The television was on, but the volume was turned down low. An NHK special report was playing on the screen: "The Recruit scandal expands, with several members of former Prime Minister Nakasone's faction implicated."
In the footage, seemingly respectable and dignified figures are now desperately trying to avoid the cameras and microphones of reporters.
"teacher."
Ichiro Ozawa pushed open the door and entered quietly. He wasn't carrying any documents; he simply stood in the doorway with a complex expression.
"explain."
Shin Kanemaru didn't turn around; he kept his eyes glued to the television screen.
"Things in Ginza... have reopened."
Ichiro Ozawa's voice was deep.
"Just now, the Ministry of Construction revoked the work stoppage order. The reason given was that 'the data verification was successful.'"
Shin Kanemaru's fingers, which were holding a cigar, froze in mid-air.
The long cigarette ash finally gave way under the weight and snapped with a "crack," falling onto his expensive trousers and burning a small black hole.
But he didn't pat it.
He slowly turned his head, and his old eyes, which were always half-closed and full of calculation, were now fully open.
Last night he was still yelling on the phone, demanding that his subordinates "hold the line to the death".
Today, his orders are treated like scraps of paper.
"Takeda...it was Takeda who signed it, wasn't it?" Kanemaru Shin asked.
"Yes."
"Oh."
Shin Kanemaru let out a dry laugh, like a bellows being pulled.
"I called this kid just yesterday. He said he'd definitely hold on."
"He opened the door today."
Shin Kanemaru stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray and rubbed it hard a few times until the embers were completely extinguished.
"Teacher, should we call the Vice Minister of Construction..." Ozawa Ichiro asked tentatively.
"No need."
Shin Kanemaru waved his hand, his back slightly hunched.
He knew very well what had happened.
The Saionji family is ruthless. They provided the Special Investigation Department with more than just names; they directly pointed to "family members" and "private accounts."
The old "lizard tail shedding" tactic—having the secretary take the blame—failed this time. The evidence directly proved the stocks went into the wife and children's accounts; no matter how hard the secretary tried to cover it up, it wouldn't work.
The firewall has been breached.
Add to that the public outrage sparked by that damned Goods and Services Tax Act...
"Bureaucrats are like ungrateful dogs."
Shin Kanemaru stared at the huge map of Japan on the wall, his voice icy.
"They wag their tails when they're fed meat, and when they see their owner can't hold the whip anymore, they're the first to rush up and bite through the rope."
"It's pointless. The Saionji family has already proven that their fangs are more effective than our whips. Applying pressure now will only cause more people to jump ship."
"The problem now is not just a construction site."
Shin Kanemaru turned around, his gaze passing over Ichiro Ozawa.
"The fire has already reached the pillars of Nagata-cho. If we can't protect the Consumption Tax Law, the Takeshita Cabinet is finished. If the cabinet falls, even if we hold all the land in Tokyo, it won't do us any good."
"Pass the word down."
Shin Kanemaru's voice regained its composure. Now that the decision to sever limb for survival had been made, the shrewd strategist from the faction had returned.
"Cease all targeted actions against the Saionji family. Refocus our efforts on dealing with the Special Investigation Department and the opposition parties."
"As for that little girl..."
Shin Kanemaru squinted, recalling the figure that had been his constant companion on the Karuizawa ski slopes.
"Let her win. In this country, winners are never punished."
……
Dusk, 6:30 PM.
Bunkyo District, Saionji Headquarters.
The last rays of the setting sun had faded, leaving the sky a deep Prussian blue.
The main lights in the study were off, only a retro green-shaded table lamp was lit, casting a warm yellow halo around the huge Tokyo city map.
Shuichi sat on the leather sofa next to him, holding the phone that Endo had just called, his face beaming with undisguised joy.
Although this period of testing had revealed that his family's wealth far exceeded his expectations, the Saionji family could afford to wait even a year, let alone just one month.
But it would be a good thing if things could end sooner and return to normal.
"Really? Everything's back to normal? Even the fire safety inspection in Akasaka has passed?"
"Okay...okay! Let everyone work overtime tonight to catch up on the lost progress. Tell the workers that this month's bonuses will be doubled."
Xiuyi hung up the phone, let out a long sigh of relief, turned to look at his daughter standing in front of the table, and said with deep emotion.
"Satsuki, just as you predicted."
"The dam collapsed. Not because the water was too high, but because the people guarding the dam lifted the gates and ran away."
Satsuki did not turn around.
She was wearing the uniform of St. Hua Academy, holding a black Go stone in her hand, her head down, staring intently at the red circle on the map marked "Ginza 7-chome," as if she were studying an interesting geometry problem.
"Smack."
The chess piece landed with a crisp sound, landing steadily on the red circle.
"This is not a victory, Father."
Satsuki turned around, a naive and innocent smile on her face.
"It's just a biological instinct."
With her hands behind her back, she walked lightly to the window and looked at the stone lanterns that had just been lit in the courtyard.
"When the ship's hold floods, the cute little mice living on the bottom floor are always the fastest to run. They will desperately squeeze through every crack to find an exit, even if that exit is a hole they once tried to block up."
"The uncles from the Construction Province aren't afraid of us, it's just that..."
She stretched out a finger and drew a downward curve on the fogged-up windowpane.
"Kanemaru Shin's whip has broken."
"The 'gift' the Special Investigation Department received this time was too heavy, so heavy that even the old trick of 'the secretary taking the blame' is no longer effective. In addition, everyone is angry about the consumption tax... The Takeshita faction is now like a target covered in oil."
"They're busy putting out the fire and erasing names from that damn list. The biggest lion in the jungle is injured, and all the hyenas are drooling over its wound."
Shuichi walked over and stood behind his daughter, his eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.
"What about us? Shall we take a bite too?"
"Huh? Want to take a bite?"
Satsuki turned around, blinking in surprise as if she had heard some unclean advice.
"That kind of thing is too inelegant, Father."
She smiled and shook her head, walked to her desk, opened a drawer, took out a list of documents that had been prepared in advance, and gently pushed it in front of Xiu Yi.
"We don't eat rotten flesh."
"We're going to help them 'safeguard' the treasures they can't take with them."
That was a list of acquisitions by SA Investment.
The list includes the names of more than a dozen companies. Most of these companies are subsidiaries of the Recruit Group or real estate developers with deep-rooted interests in the Takeshita faction. Due to the scandal, these companies' stock prices are experiencing a precipitous drop, banks are withdrawing loans, partners are terminating contracts, and they are on the verge of bankruptcy.
But in Satsuki's eyes, these were pearls abandoned in that great fire.
"Espas Properties of the Ezaki family."
Satsuki tapped a name with her finger, her tone light as if she were choosing a dress to wear tomorrow.
"This company holds several prime, undeveloped plots of land along Tokyo Bay. I heard they desperately need cash to fill their financial hole and are scrambling to find people to help them."
"Since it's our old classmate's family business, how can we just stand by and do nothing?"
She raised her head, her clear eyes full of laughter, yet they sent a chill down one's spine.
"Let's be good people and help them get out of this predicament."
"At the fairest price—of course, the current market price."
Shuichi looked at the list, then at his daughter's face, which appeared exceptionally gentle in the lamplight.
Every step of her opponent's defeat was within her calculations.
"clear."
Shuichi picked up the list and nodded solemnly.
"I think the Tokyo stock market will bleed a lot tonight."
Satsuki didn't speak, but simply looked out the window again.
Night had completely enveloped Tokyo.
My gaze traveled through the glass of the study, over the layered rooftops of Bunkyo Ward, and extended toward the dazzling city center in the distance.
The moat of the Imperial Palace gleamed coldly in the darkness, while the official street of Xiaguan was still brightly lit, with countless officials staying up all night to cover up scandals.
A withered leaf was swept up by the wind, flew past the glass window in front of Satsuki, and then disappeared into the bottomless night.