Chapter 270: Smoke and Choices in the Luxury Sedan |
In the middle of the night in Tokyo City, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom drove smoothly on the streets. Its headlights pierced the thick night, like sharp blades cutting through ink-colored silk.
Outside the car window, neon-flashing advertising billboards flew backwards rapidly, illuminating the face of Sato Tokugawa inside the car, which was covered in cold sweat and entanglement.
He slumped into the soft leather seat, his obese body almost filling the entire seat.
His expensive custom-made suit was soaked with cold sweat and clung tightly to his skin, bringing a wave of sticky discomfort.
He took out a cigar from the inner pocket of his suit. His hands were trembling so badly that it took him several tries before he lit it with a lighter.
With a "click," a flame shot up, illuminating the fear and struggle deep in his eyes.
The smoke from the cigar rose slowly and spread inside the car, mixing with the scent of high-end fragrance, yet it could not dispel the gloom in his heart.
He took a hard drag on the cigar. The spicy smoke choked him into a violent coughing fit, almost bringing tears to his eyes.
"Crazy—Tanaka Mikami is truly crazy—" Sato Tokugawa muttered to himself, his voice carrying an uncontrollable tremble.
Every time he thought about it, he felt a chill down his spine.
Manufacture chaos? Incite riots? Spread rumors?
These were all things that could cost him his head!
He knew better than anyone how strictly the Election Commission was checking right now.
Moreover, that young man Nohara Hiroshi had a terrifyingly meticulous mind. From "Yamishibai" to "Seven Samurai," and up to this election campaign, every step was taken with airtight precision. How could he not take precautions in advance?
"No way—absolutely no way—" Sato Tokugawa shook his head vigorously. Cigar ash fell onto the expensive carpet, yet he remained oblivious.
"Tanaka Mikami is already doomed to lose. I cannot be buried along with him! My real estate empire, my wealth, my status—I cannot destroy a lifetime of painstaking effort because of his madness!"
Having been engaged in the real estate industry for decades, he had built himself up step-by-step from a small real estate agent to the Chairman of the Kirin Group, becoming a real estate tycoon renowned throughout Tokyo City and even all of Japan.
What he relied on was not taking desperate risks, but judging the hour, sizing up the situation, pursuing profit, and avoiding harm.
He knew clearly what could be done and what absolutely could not be touched.
Tanaka Mikami's demands were undoubtedly touching the bottom line of the law and public opinion.
Once the matter was exposed, let alone his real estate projects being sealed, he himself would be thrown into prison, and might even implicate the entire Kirin Group.
When that time came, all the wealth and status he had accumulated would vanish into thin air.
"But—if I don't follow his orders, will Tanaka Mikami let me go?"
A trace of fear rose again in Sato Tokugawa's heart.
He knew Tanaka Mikami's character too well: narrow-minded and seeking revenge for the smallest grievance.
If he rejected him, Tanaka would definitely think of every possible way to retaliate before falling from power, exposing some gray operations of his business and leaving him with no peace.
On one side was the enormous risk of breaking the law and committing crimes, and on the other was the crazed retaliation of a political enemy.
Sato Tokugawa fell into a dilemma. He puffed hard on his cigar, trying to calm himself down.
The smoke in the car grew thicker, and his mood grew increasingly irritable.
He thought back to his history of making his fortune.
When he was young, he was just a small agent selling real estate on the streets, enduring countless eye-rolls and humiliations.
To make money, he slept only four hours a day and ran through every street and alley in Tokyo City.
With great difficulty, he seized the opportunity of real estate's rise and founded Kirin Group, achieving his current success.
He could not let everything he had be destroyed just like this.
"Tanaka Mikami is already a grasshopper in late autumn; he can't jump around for many more days." Sato Tokugawa's eyes gradually became firm.
He stubbed out the cigar in his hand and threw it into the car ashtray.
"He is now betrayed by all and forsaken. Even the Cabinet has given up on him. Even if he wants to retaliate against me, he no longer has that capability. As long as I endure these few days until Shimazu Yoshihiro is elected, everything will be fine."
He knew that although Shimazu Yoshihiro advocated economic transformation and opposed the real estate bubble, it didn't mean he would completely suppress the real estate industry.
On the contrary, Shimazu Yoshihiro needed a stable economic environment to push forward his policies. As an important component of the economy, as long as the real estate industry developed in a regulated manner, it still had room for survival.
"Rather than being destroyed together with Tanaka Mikami, it's better to find a new way out for myself." A thought suddenly flashed through Sato Tokugawa's mind. He thought of a person, a mysterious and powerful existence.
That person not only had a profound background in the political arena but also possessed enormous influence in the business world; even some ministers in the Cabinet had to give him some face.
If he could gain the support of that person, let alone the fear of Tanaka Mikami's retaliation being negligible, even after Shimazu Yoshihiro was elected, his real estate empire would be as stable as Mount Tai.
And right now, Tanaka Mikami's crazy plan might just be a perfect pledge of loyalty.
Sato Tokugawa took a deep breath and pulled out a specially made black mobile phone from his pocket.
This phone had no number and couldn't make regular calls; it could only contact that mysterious existence.
His fingers still trembled slightly, but his gaze had become incomparably resolute.
He pressed the only button on the side of the phone's body, and the call was quickly connected.
A deep and magnetic voice came from the receiver, carrying an unquestionable majesty: "What is it?"
"Sir, it's me, Sato Tokugawa." Sato Tokugawa's voice was respectful and cautious, even carrying a trace of reverence. "I am truly sorry for disturbing you late at night, but I have a very important matter that I must report to you immediately."
"Speak." The voice on the other end remained concise, yet revealed a pressure that made one not dare to slack off.
"It's about the election in Tokyo City."
Sato Tokugawa organized his words and said slowly: "Tanaka Mikami has completely fallen into despair now. His approval rating is lagging far behind Shimazu Yoshihiro's, and the Cabinet side has also abandoned him. Just a moment ago, he asked me to use my connections in the underworld and some special methods to manufacture chaos before Election Day, disrupt the voting order, and even spread rumors targeting Mr. Shimazu Yoshihiro."
The other end of the phone fell silent for a moment, followed by a cold snort, the tone full of undisguised anger: "This Tanaka Mikami is truly unable to accomplish anything but good at ruining things! It's already come to this, and he still wants to engage in these crooked ways! Does he think this can salvage the lost game? It's simply foolish to the extreme!"
Sato Tokugawa could clearly feel the anger coming from the other end of the phone. His body shrank back in fear, and he hurriedly said: "Sir, I also felt the risk of this matter was too high. Once exposed, it would not only affect the fairness and justice of the election but also trigger social unrest, which is extremely detrimental to the stability of the entirety of Tokyo City. Therefore, I—I did not agree to him."
"You did very well."
The voice on the other end softened a bit, its tone carrying a hint of appreciation. "Sato Tokugawa, you are much wiser than I imagined. Tanaka Mikami is already useless trash that cannot be propped up. Following him will only lead to self-destruction. Finding out in time and not letting him drag you down was not easy."
Hearing this appreciation, Sato Tokugawa's suspended heart finally settled down halfway. He hurriedly said: "Thank you for the praise, Sir. I know what should be done and what should not be done. Tanaka Mikami's plan is not only illegal but also goes against public opinion. I absolutely could not do as he demanded."
The voice on the other end nodded and continued: "Tanaka Mikami's actions have already touched the bottom line. He is too obsessed with power and interests, completely disregarding the overall situation of Tokyo City. Such a person, even if he won the election, could not lead Tokyo City towards prosperity. Although Shimazu Yoshihiro has some policy differences with us, he at least understands people's livelihood as the foundation and sustainable development; he is much better than Tanaka Mikami."
Sato Tokugawa hurriedly chimed in: "You are right, Sir. Mr. Shimazu Yoshihiro's policies, although they place certain restrictions on the real estate industry, also provide opportunities for a diversified economic development. I believe that as long as we operate reasonably, our real estate industry can still develop steadily under the new policy environment."
"It is very good that you understand this point."
The voice on the other end carried a trace of satisfaction. "Rest assured, regarding Tanaka Mikami, I will handle it. He is now all alone and cannot stir up any storms. Even if he wants to retaliate against you, he does not have the capability. I will have someone keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't do anything out of bounds."
"Understood."
"Thank you, Sir!" Sato Tokugawa's voice was full of gratitude. "With your protection, Sir, I can be at ease. In the future, I will definitely follow your lead, Sir, and serve you like a dog or horse."
"No need to be polite."
The voice on the other end remained calm. "We are a community of interests. Your stable development also benefits me. Next, you just need to wait and see what happens, peacefully running your own business well. After Election Day passes, I will arrange for people to contact Shimazu Yoshihiro's team to ensure our interests are not harmed."
He paused and added: "Additionally, do not publicize what Tanaka Mikami asked you to do. Just pretend nothing ever happened. Right now, the most important thing is to maintain stability and not trigger unnecessary panic. Everything will be fine, trust me."
"I understand, Sir!" Sato Tokugawa hurriedly agreed. "I will absolutely keep my mouth shut and will not leak half a word."
"Alright, let's leave it at that." The voice on the other end said. "If anything comes up, report to me at any time."
"Yes, Sir!"
Hanging up the phone, Sato Tokugawa let out a long sigh of relief, his entire body leaning back against the seat as if he had collapsed.
His back was still soaking wet, but the fear and entanglement in his heart had vanished into thin air, replaced by a sense of rejoicing and peace of mind from surviving a disaster.
He knew he had made an incomparably correct decision. Rejecting Tanaka Mikami and reporting to that mysterious sir not only protected his life, fortune, and business empire, but also found a stronger patron for himself.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom continued to drive on the streets of Tokyo City, and the atmosphere inside the car had become much more relaxed.
Sato Tokugawa pulled out another cigar. This time, his hands no longer trembled. He lit it skillfully and puffed leisurely.
The cigar smoke slowly rose, illuminating the relieved smile on his face.
He looked at the still-flashing neon lights outside the car window, his heart full of longing for the future. Tanaka Mikami's downfall had already become a foregone conclusion, and Shimazu Yoshihiro's election was only a matter of time.
And he himself, under the shelter of that mysterious sir, could not only safely tide over the turbulence brought by this election, but could also continue to expand his business territory in the new political environment.
He thought back to his real estate projects under his banner.
Although Shimazu Yoshihiro advocated controlling housing prices and developing affordable housing, it didn't mean that the high-end real estate market had no opportunities.
With Tokyo City's economic transformation and the development of cultural industries, it would definitely attract more high-end talents and investors.
When that time came, his high-end apartments and commercial complexes would still be in short supply.
"Perhaps, economic transformation is also a new opportunity for me." Sato Tokugawa muttered to himself.
He could adjust his investment direction, no longer blindly pursuing large-scale residential development, but shifting to fields like cultural real estate and tourism real estate.
For example, developing commercial blocks combining traditional handcrafts, or building some high-end cultural and creative industrial parks.
This would both align with Shimazu Yoshihiro's policy orientation and bring lucrative profits for himself.
The more he thought about it, the more excited he got. His previous anxiety and fear had long vanished into thin air.
His real estate empire would not only not decline because of this election, but would instead radiate new vitality under the new era's backdrop.
Outside the car window, a trace of fish-belly white had appeared on the horizon.
The night of darkness was about to pass, and a new day was about to arrive.
Looking at the gradually brightening sky, a confident smile appeared on Sato Tokugawa's face.
He took out his regular mobile phone and dialed his assistant's number: "Hello, it's me. Send out a notice to suspend all public relations activities related to the election, and have the people below focus on doing their own jobs peacefully. Additionally, prepare a detailed cultural real estate investment plan. I want to hold a high-level meeting immediately after the election ends."
"Understood, Chairman." The assistant on the other end responded respectfully.
Hanging up the phone, Sato Tokugawa tossed the phone aside, leaned against the seat, and closed his eyes.
He felt an unprecedented wave of relaxation. The pressure and anxiety of the past consecutive days, after obtaining the promise from that mysterious sir, had finally vanished into thin air.
He knew that Tanaka Mikami's crazy plan had already died in the womb. Without his own support, relying solely on his own strength, Tanaka fundamentally couldn't stir up any storms.
And he himself had firmly stood on the side of the victor.
At the same time, in the VIP lounge of Tokyo City TV, Tanaka Mikami was still anxiously awaiting Sato Tokugawa's news.
He sat on the sofa, staring dead at the doorway, hoping to see Sato Tokugawa bring good news.
But he didn't know that Sato Tokugawa had already betrayed him and thrown himself into a more powerful camp.
He didn't know even more that his crazy plan not only had no chance to be implemented, but instead had become Sato Tokugawa's pledge of loyalty to climb up.
His political career had reached its end. What remained was only endless waiting and ultimate failure.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly drove into the garage of Sato Tokugawa's luxurious villa. Sato Tokugawa opened his eyes and stepped out of the car, full of energy.
The butler of the villa had already been waiting at the entrance and respectfully opened the main door for him.
"Chairman, you've returned," the butler said respectfully.
"Mm." Sato Tokugawa nodded, his tone relaxed. "Prepare breakfast, and then clean up my study. I want to have a good rest."
"Yes, Chairman."
...
Sato Tokugawa walked into the villa, looking at the familiar luxurious decoration, his heart full of satisfaction.
His life would not change because of this election.
On the contrary, he would usher in a more glorious future.
He would also continue to write his commercial legend in the new era.