After being elected as the governor of Tokyo, he will debut as a band!

Utsunomiya eagerly walked to the car, wanting to open the door and get in, but the door lock was not open, clearly indicating that the person in the car did not want him to get in.

"Utsunomiya, what brings you here... Shouldn't you be off work by now?"

Aoyama glanced at his watch and said.

“How could I possibly be off work when I’m here to serve you?” Utsunomiya smiled, as if he wasn’t the one awkwardly left out of the car in the wind. “You have a meeting scheduled at Chiba Shrine tonight. I’m quite familiar with Chiba City and Kamogawa City, and I thought I could be of some help, so I took the liberty of coming over.”

“I see. Your dedication to serving the public during your off-duty hours is admirable,” Aoyama nodded with approval, but his next words sent a chill down Utsunomiya’s spine. “However, I regret to inform you that today’s discussion mainly concerns the requisition or use of land needed for public interest projects in Chiba City, as well as the adjustment between public and private property. This falls under the jurisdiction of the ‘Acquisition Committee,’ so it would be more appropriate for Secretary Arima to accompany me.”

(As mentioned earlier, Chiba Prefecture in this book is now under the jurisdiction of Tokyo Metropolitan Government.)

"But matters related to public utilities and public property also require the cooperation of the Industry and Labor Bureau, the Construction Bureau, and the Public Enterprises Bureau... I've always been the one communicating with these departments, so Secretary Arima might not be very familiar with them..."

"Hmm...you're right. Secretary Arima and the other full-time secretaries attending the meeting will take good notes on those details. Chiba and Kamogawa will also submit corresponding memorandums. Tomorrow...or at another suitable time, Secretary Arima will hand over these documents to you. It won't delay your work with the Bureau of Industry and Labor and the Bureau of Construction."

"But Governor..."

"Alright, if there's nothing else, Utsunomiya, you can leave now. Go back and spend some time with your wife... I heard that your wife has been quite busy lately and hasn't seen you for almost two weeks."

Mrs. Utsunomiya is a professor at Musashino Art University. Recently, she has been busy with matters related to the Tokyo Arts and Literature Reform Plan proposed by Aoyama (mainly opposing it). She is mainly working with some experts and scholars to criticize some non-mainstream musical works from an academic perspective, denying both their artistic and commercial value. Although Mrs. Utsunomiya has not openly opposed the plan and her remarks are entirely limited to academic matters, it has still had a certain impact on the progress of the plan.

Aoyama was telling Utsunomiya this as a reminder.

"I've never really interfered in your affairs... after all, I don't understand music..."

Although Utsunomiya understood Aoyama's implication, now was not the time to compromise on this matter, so he could only use such words to gloss over the situation for the time being.

"Then I wish you and your wife a wonderful evening. Xincun, let's go."

Aoyama said no more and instructed the driver to start driving immediately.

"Governor, please wait a moment..." Utsunomiya knew that if Aoyama Munechika really abandoned him like this, his prestige within the Tokyo Metropolitan Government would definitely decline. Arima Yo could also take advantage of this Boso Peninsula Development Strategy Meeting to intervene in the work related to the Bureau of Labor and Social Development, the Bureau of Construction, and the Bureau of Enterprises through the Acquisition Committee, thereby gradually eroding his power as chief secretary... And most importantly, this erosion was legal and legitimate, and he would have nowhere to appeal.

Ultimately, although civil servants are the ones who actually handle government affairs, the source of their power is still election officials like the governor, so it's very difficult for them to turn the tables.

Utsunomiya pursed her lips, finally making up her mind, and said, "Actually, I have another important message to tell you..."

"The Yashio family wants to meet with you regarding the Nejō Group."

Although the text mentions "Tsurumaki," the character Tsurumaki Kokoro and the Tsurumaki family, which are not part of the main story, will not appear; otherwise, it would be impossible to write.

On BanG Dream!'s side, it's just Monica (purely a tool character) and Mygo's role; Mujica's fate depends on how things develop.

Make way for me: 061 Desperate measures taken.

"The Neon Dance Troupe? The Eight Tide Family?"

The car window stopped halfway up. Qingshan frowned, seemingly understanding something, but his face showed a puzzled expression.

"If the people from the Negee Group want to see me, just have them apply for a meeting at the Metropolitan Government. Don't they also have members in the Metropolitan Council?"

"Ahem, on some matters, the higher-ups of the Ni Jing Group, and him..."

The legislators they elect may not necessarily be of one mind.

Taking advantage of Aoyama's hesitation, Utsunomiya subtly placed his hand on the car window.

"Then what about the Yashio family... If I remember correctly, they're a musical family that's been passed down since the Akechi era, right? They even have their own instrument brand. How could they be related to the Nekyo Group?"

These long-established musical families, though lacking real power, hold a high social status. The Nei Jing Troupe, regardless of their clandestine activities, is at least outwardly a group dedicated to protecting the interests of ordinary people. The two have virtually no business dealings and would normally be unlikely to get involved.

"I was just an intermediary."

Takuya Utsunomiya explained.

"Oh, no wonder."

That makes sense. After all, while musical families may lack opportunities to wield real power, they have an inherent advantage as brokers. Both established and newly rich people will attend their performances, so they have extensive networks and connections.

But why the Yachishio family? If the Negee Group wants to find a broker, they should look for one with multiple collaboration experiences and a thorough understanding of the business.

Looking for strangers? That's probably just desperate measures.

Aoyama knew perfectly well why the Nijō group wanted to contact him privately; it was nothing more than the matter of the counterfeit currency group.

Recently, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in conjunction with the National Tax Agency of the Ministry of Finance, launched a tax audit operation targeting some companies in its jurisdiction. Under the deliberate guidance of Aoyama, the main targets of the audit were logistics-related companies.

Although Nagaya Logistics is a Yokohama company, it also has business dealings with companies in Tokyo. Since they are associated with counterfeit currency organizations, they must prefer to use cash transactions in their business activities. As is well known, cash transactions are definitely easier to evade taxes than bank transfers.

If a company experiences a sudden increase in cash transactions at a certain point in time, it will inevitably raise the suspicion of the tax authorities. Even if the company has not actually evaded taxes, this suspicion alone is enough to make a fuss about it.

In the absence of sufficient evidence, the crime of counterfeiting currency is unlikely to directly threaten the senior leadership of the Nijrakitiyabha, but tax evasion is a different story.

While Japan's IRS may not be as terrifying as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, it has learned a great deal from its father. Just like in the manga "Hanzawa Naoki," "IRS staff are more powerful than police officers and judges, and more arrogant than the yakuza." If they really target you, even the financial backers of the Neon Group will have a hard time for a while.

Thinking about it this way, it's not incomprehensible that the Nijang group, in their desperation, sought out the Hachijo family.

"Alright, Utsunomiya, don't stand outside anymore, get in the car... Um, Secretary Arima, could you please take the Security Division's car?"

Aoyama still had many questions to ask, so he decided not to make things difficult for Utsunomiya and asked Arima to give him the passenger seat.

Ma Yang's resolute face showed no emotional fluctuations. He simply gave a steady reply and got into another car parked not far ahead.

For him, being able to be here with Aoyama at the meeting today was already a victory... It would be better to seize power from the chief secretary in one fell swoop; it's better to know when to stop in the power struggle between civil servants.

After Utsunomiya got on the bus, he quickly introduced the Yashio family to Aoyama, and the car began to head towards their destination.

"The current head of the Yashio family has great admiration for your strategic vision in developing Tokyo's arts and culture industry, and has been looking for a suitable opportunity to consult you. The Nijō Group also noticed this and believed that having someone from the Yashio family come forward would be more likely to gain your favor during the communication, so the two sides reached a cooperation agreement on this matter."

Utsunomiya initially did not want to inform Aoyama Mukashi of this news today, because the Yashio family, as a musical family, has an extraordinary influence in the entertainment industry, and at the same time, they hold a positive view of popular music. If the Yashio family and Aoyama Mukashi work together, then Aoyama Mukashi's Tokyo arts reform will face much less resistance.

But the situation is urgent now, and Utsunomiya knows that if he doesn't come up with some really important information to keep Aoyama in check, Arima Yo will definitely take away some of his power.

Forcing his wife to clearly change her stance could easily be seen as a betrayal of the elite class, thus arousing public outrage. Of course, Utsunomiya would not do such a thing.

However, there's no problem with passing on a message for the Yashio family... After all, even if any consequences occur, the responsibility lies entirely with the Yashio family. He himself has never expressed any stance, adhering to the so-called "official neutrality."

Hearing this, Aoyama finally understood why the Neijō group chose the Yatsushio family as their middleman. "Goodwill" and such were all nonsense. The key was that the Yatsushio family could help him gain the support of some people in the music industry. As long as there was this benefit, he would do anything to meet with the Yatsushio family.

As for what promises I can make to the Ni Jing group after the meeting, that depends on what else the Ni Jing group can offer in exchange.

Of course, we're not talking about something as common as money. If Aoyama really wanted money, he wouldn't go to a grassroots organization like the Neijing Group. Their votes are actually more valuable.

"Utsunomiya, will the Yashio family be able to come to Chiba tonight?"

he asked.

"As far as I know, there's no problem."

"Then, what's the reason? What reason do I have to see this 'special envoy'?"

"What do you think of the rationale for developing the film and television tourism industry?" Utsunomiya had already prepared his answer. He took out two pages of documents from his briefcase and handed them to Aoyama. "Chiba City has done a good job in the subculture industry in recent years. Many film and television works are based on this place, which has created a considerable cultural and tourism integration effect both domestically and internationally. Ms. Hachishio Hasumi proposed a long-term plan to invite well-known musicians to compose music for film and television/anime works with backgrounds from various cities on the Boso Peninsula. I want to discuss the implementation of this plan with you. I don't think anyone would find it unreasonable, would they?"

“…Okay,” Aoyama nodded after a moment’s thought. “You can talk to Arima Yo later and see what time my schedule ends tonight. Arrange the meeting with Ms. Hachishio Hasumi around that time.”

Make way for me: 062 Now I have no choice but to fall into depravity.

After the evening meeting, there was a two-hour social dinner. Aoyama instructed Arima to keep the social activities at the dinner more compact, so he only needed 40 minutes to meet almost everyone he was supposed to meet.

Afterwards, Aoyama left the banquet early and, led by Utsunomiya Takuya, traveled by car to a secluded temple.

Temples have lodgings for guests. Some large temple lodgings offer accommodations similar to hotels, and some are even more comfortable than luxury suites in hotels due to their suburban location and spacious layout.

For example, the room that Aoyama came to not only has a spacious tatami room and a quiet Japanese garden, but also a separate reception room.

"The person you're meeting tonight is already waiting inside," Takuya Utsunomiya said, already positioned at the entrance to the reception room. "Would you like me to arrange for someone to accompany you in?"

After all, meeting a woman not much older than himself late at night, without anyone else accompanying him, was bound to cause gossip, and if his political enemies found out, it could easily cause trouble.

"Please have Hosokawa-kun and Yukinoshita come over."

During the time that Aoyama was attending meetings and social dinners, Utsunomiya Takuya...

I called my secretary, Hosokawa Akira, and Yukino Yukinoshita, to come and work overtime.

Hosokawa Shoku was just thirty years old, a time when he was very career-driven. As soon as he received Utsunomiya's summons, he took a taxi there without hesitation.

Yukino Yukinoshita lives in Chiba City and drove directly from her home. However, the road to the temple is winding and her driving skills are not very good, so the whole driving process was very dangerous. Therefore, she had a cold face the whole time she arrived. When Utsunomiya spoke to her, she was also very stiff. Her attitude only improved after she met Aoyama.

"The cameras in the conference room will remain on throughout the entire process. If it is necessary to temporarily turn off the cameras, the governor can have Hosokawa-kun or Yukinoshita-san come out and notify me."

"Utsunomiya said."

"Utsunomiya, have you prepared the things I asked you to prepare before?"

"Yes."

"If I send Hosokawa-kun or Yukinoshita-san to find you, you should come to me in five minutes with those things."

"clear."

After giving his instructions, Aoyama led his two secretaries into the reception room.

There were also two people in the reception room: a young girl sitting with her head down in a corner, and a habitual person sitting in the guest seat.

The two women looked like they were cut from the same mold, resembling both mother and daughter, or sisters. The younger one was not old, but her eyes and brows hinted at a mature charm; the older one's face showed no signs of hardship, but the mere glance she cast after hearing the door open revealed a captivating allure that most men could not resist.

The older one, whom Aoyama recognized, was none other than Hachishio Renmi, who was acting as a lobbyist for the Neon Girls group tonight; the younger one, whom Aoyama also recognized, was Yashio Ruyu, the violinist of the girl group Mofornica, whom he had met a few weeks ago at the Sickhack Yokohama concert.

"Lord Aoyama, thank you for taking the time to come today. Please have a seat."

"Mrs. Hachishio, I have long admired your name."

Aoyama sat down directly opposite Hachishio Renmi, with Yukinoshita and Hosokawa kneeling in a row to his right and behind him.

For some reason, Aoyama felt that the gaze coming from under the snow seemed somewhat cold.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they got down to business. Neither side said anything superfluous. Aoyama didn't ask Yashio Renmi to introduce Yashio Ruyu, and Yashio Renmi didn't cast even a glance at Yukino Yukinoshita or Hosokawa Shoku.

Hachishio Renmi offered her professional insights into Aoyama's "Tokyo Metropolitan Arts Promotion Plan," naturally steers the conversation towards the Neon Jōdan when discussing street performers and small performance halls for folk artists.

"The Neon Cleanup Group recently proposed a project to organize performance halls and recording studios in fifty shopping districts or malls in Tokyo. By providing subsidies to these venues, they will offer free stage equipment and recording services to musicians from low-income and no-income backgrounds. They will also select outstanding musicians to hold a competition, with the winners having the opportunity to perform at the Budokan. Through this project, they hope to help those disadvantaged groups hidden in the corners of the city and overlooked by others to become the ones who create light in society, thereby fulfilling their organizational ideal of purifying the dark side of Japanese society."

"This is a list of companies that sponsored this project. They are all strong supporters of popular, rock, country and other folk music and art forms. If the Tokyo Metropolitan Government can pay more attention to them, it will surely be of great help to the progress and implementation of the entire project."

After speaking, Yashio Renmi nodded to Yashio Ruyu, who then placed a form on the table and pushed it in front of Aoyama Muto.

Qingshan glanced at the form briefly and, sure enough, all the companies on the form were on the list for this tax audit.

The meaning of the Nei Jing Group is very clear: we are investing real money to help you advance your plan, and you should also help us overcome our difficulties.

But Aoyama felt that what Nijang had brought out was not enough.

“There are quite a few enthusiastic companies,” Aoyama nodded, his face full of approval. “But how can the Metropolitan Government not fund something that benefits the spiritual and cultural life of the citizens? Just keep half of the companies on the list, and leave the rest to the Metropolitan Government.”

Despite his open and honest words, he doesn't actually want to spend a single extra penny, especially since the parliament still has budget reduction targets this year.

His words were actually a subtle hint that the Nijang group should bring out something more.

"..."

Renmi Yashio understood his meaning, and then gave Ruyu Yashio a wink. Ruyu Yashio nodded slightly, got up and went out.

As if by telepathy, Aoyama glanced at Hosokawa Shoku, who immediately understood and got up to leave.

During the time the two were away, Hachishiro Ren poured a cup of tea for Aoyama. After finishing the cup, the waiter from the yukubo served tea and snacks. Two small round plates of Shigaraki ware contained two "Rakugan cakes" the size of winter dates, which were eaten in one bite.

This little thing isn't even as good as Yukino Yukinoshita.

Aoyama glanced at her and saw that she was looking into the courtyard with a distant gaze, her face as resolute as if carved from stone.

Hachishio Renmi smiled and gestured for the waiter to bring her portion of Rakugan rice cake to Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita looked up at Hachishio Renmi with some surprise, only to find that the beautiful lady was just smiling at her. She thanked her shyly and lowered her head to enjoy her meal.

At this moment, Yashio Ryuu returned and placed a teak box in front of Aoyama Mukai.

Aoyama's lips twitched, thinking to himself, "Is he planning to openly bribe me? This hothead behind me is no pushover."

But seeing that Hachishio Renmi's expression was calm, he thought that she would not make such a low-level mistake, so he carefully opened the wooden box.

This is!

The contents of the wooden box were truly beyond his expectations.

Make way for me: 063 Small specimens have great uses

Inside the wooden box lay a transparent resin cylinder about 30 centimeters long, with a dead fish floating in the center of the cylinder.

This, this is...

Isn't this a specimen of the extinct Scuti softmouth fish?!