"Boss!" Asano Kamisaku’s driver realized with a start and exclaimed, instinctively drawing his gun to retaliate.
But he had only just reached for the gun at his lower back when a bullet had already penetrated his temple, the massive impact toppling him onto Asano Kamisaku.
Asano Kamisaku consequently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Spatters of blood flew everywhere.
"Ah! Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I’m not close to him at all, I don’t even know him! Take it out on him, please don’t hurt the innocent!"
This sudden change of events made Yagyu Tao’s face turn deathly pale, panic-stricken, he pleaded for mercy while shamelessly scrambling under the table.
The gunman hadn’t intended to kill him. Looking at the pale-faced Asano Kamisaku, he said, "President Asano, someone asked me to return the bullet you sent, and the one in your driver’s head is a freebie."
"He—he—" Asano Kamisaku’s eyes widened instantly, he tried excitedly to say something, but couldn’t utter a complete sentence, his mouth continuously bubbling with blood.
His eyes filled with regret and unwillingness, at the moment the bullet pierced his heart, he realized he had bitten off more than he could chew. Faced with his threats and disruption, they chose to directly eliminate him, the troublemaker.
They didn’t follow his plan at all.
"Listen up, the one under the table, my boss asked me to tell you, starting from tomorrow, if there is even one household within three days that is unwilling to sign and accept the current compensation to move, the next bullet is for you."
The gunman glanced at the trembling Yagyu Tao under the table, dropped a line, and walked away without turning back.
The fearful Yagyu Tao felt as if struck by lightning upon hearing this, and collapsed onto the floor.
As the gunman stepped out of the private room, those peeking from other rooms quickly withdrew, the corridor was completely empty, allowing him to swagger out.
Under the table, Yagyu Tao who had just survived a close call, caught his breath in big gulps, greedily inhaling the fresh air, his back already soaked with sweat.
Internally, he swore bitterly at the now-deceased Asano Kamisaku. He had been ridiculously naïve from out of town, yet you thought you could teach people a lesson?
Now they’ve directly taught you how to be a ghost!
And you’ve dragged me into this mess, damn it!
Yagyu Tao swallowed hard, grabbed the cash box, and scurried away before the police arrived.
Elsewhere, at his home, Aoyama Xiu Xin received a report call from Qingshui Yi, "Senior Police Director, as instructed, Asano Kamisaku has just died."
Asano Kamisaku’s goal had been to demonstrate his capacity for mischief to Ito Kayo, so he hadn’t disguised that he was the mastermind behind the residents’ sudden hike in price demands. Thus, Ito Kayo had easily grasped the whole situation before reporting to Aoyama Xiu Xin.
So, Aoyama Xiu Xin directly had Qingshui Yi arrange for a gunman to eliminate Asano Kamisaku and his driver, and to intimidate Yagyu Tao into dealing with those troublesome residents demanding higher prices.
To ordinary people, a corporation like East Field Construction Company felt very distant, but a street thug like Yagyu Tao nearby was what truly instilled fear in them, making them submit.
"Hmm, well done. Tomorrow go find Jingtian Changchuan, the president of the East Field Construction Company Hokkaido Branch. He will assign a significant amount of demolition work to you," said Aoyama Xiu Xin calmly.
Before any project launches, unless it’s in a completely desolate area, it involves large-scale demolition.
And demolition, no matter the country, cannot be completed without violence because there is always someone, for various reasons, who doesn’t want to move, be it due to insufficient compensation or sentimental attachments. Here, merely talking about the law won’t do; only violence can force compliance.
Especially in the less internet-connected 90s, violent demolitions were rampant. If you didn’t want to move, they didn’t care: excavators would raze homes in the middle of the night, burying people with the rubble, and later offer compensation as a ’construction accident’, even less than what they’d have paid for relocation.
Thus, he had tasked a Violent Gang, the Beihai Family, to handle the demolition, which was undoubtedly fitting given their line of work.
Qingshui Yi was overjoyed. Although he wasn’t sure of the scale of the project, since Aoyama Xiu Xin was involved, it wouldn’t be trivial. He immediately expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Senior Police Director, for your support. I will ensure the job is done right."
Lowering the demolition fees meant increasing their net profit.
"No matter what means you use, I only have two demands: don’t let the troublemakers cause an uproar, and don’t delay the schedule. Otherwise, you will answer for it," Aoyama Xiu Xin warned lightly.
He knew these Violent Gangs would undoubtedly lower the initially agreed compensation to gain more profit, but he didn’t care since it wasn’t his benefits being compromised.
However, speaking of it, he had already set a low compensation rate to retain more benefits for himself. The locals were really unlucky to have to deal with him.
Qingshui Yi felt a shiver in his heart, knowing that if he messed up, even if his mother had a relationship with Aoyama Xiu Xin, he wouldn’t be spared. He immediately assured, "Please rest assured, I will personally oversee this matter. There will be absolutely no mishaps!"
Since they could no longer deal in the salt trade, the Beihai Family had lost a vital source of revenue. Now, with this rare opportunity to make money, he had to take it seriously.
At this critical moment, if he, as the newly appointed leader, could secure a significant revenue source for the gang, his people would naturally respect and obey him even more.