At the end of February, Governor of Hokkaido, Miyashita Hidekatsu, announced his resignation to prepare for next year's senate election.

Local chief officials cannot simultaneously serve as legislators, so with the election imminent, his resignation was reasonable.

Hokkaido immediately organized a by-election for the governor, and on March 3rd, Aoyama Xiu Xin, who had disappeared from the public eye shortly after stepping down, announced his candidacy for the position.

Once the news broke, the citizens of Hokkaido went completely mad, parading through the streets with cheers and celebrations.

They remembered the contributions Aoyama Xiu Xin had made to Hokkaido's public safety when he was there, and now that he was running for the position of governor, he would have the authority to improve their living conditions beyond just enhancing safety.

Everyone was eagerly anticipating and had already independently started campaigning in the streets with banners to garner votes for Aoyama Xiu Xin.

High-ranking government officials and well-informed political figures knew that the position of governor of Hokkaido was as good as in Aoyama Xiu Xin's pocket, so no one else announced their candidacy.

To avoid the impression of a preordained victory due to lack of competitors, the Liberal Democratic Party still arranged for someone to step up and compete against Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Of course, it was just a formality, and it gave the candidate a chance to gain some election experience.

On March 5th, Aoyama Xiu Xin arrived in Hokkaido with great fanfare. Despite having a police car escort, his convoy was still blocked by excited citizens once they entered the city, preventing them from moving forward. In the past, Aoyama Xiu Xin might have chosen to forcibly clear a path and leave.

But today, Aoyama Xiu Xin decided to use the loudspeaker on the police car to give an impromptu speech.

"Is everyone alright?" Aoyama Xiu Xin stood on the car roof with a loudspeaker in hand, waving to the crowd around him.

"Governor Aoyama!" "Governor Aoyama!"

The citizens responded with screams, chanting "Governor Aoyama" as a demonstration of their support.

With a smile on his lips, Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed and then stood up again to say, "If I win..."

"You will certainly win!" Before he could finish, someone in the crowd shouted hoarsely, interrupting him.

"With everyone's support, I also believe I will certainly win." Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled, raised his voice, and said, "Winning this time would be my third time serving in Hokkaido. I feel very honored and happy. To me, Hokkaido is already my second hometown, and you are my fellow villagers."

"The previous two times I came to serve in Hokkaido, I was in the capacity of a police officer. With limited responsibilities, I could only fight crime and maintain safety. But this time, becoming the local chief officer, I will serve you comprehensively in all aspects, including the economy and people's livelihood!"

"Here, I promise that once I become the governor of Hokkaido, give me a year, and I will surely raise your standard of living above what it is now and lower the debt level from what it is now. Please continue to believe in me! Support me! I will never let you down!"

Running a campaign is like winning over a woman; first, you make big promises, then adjust them once you've won her over.

Of course, he would do everything possible, using any means necessary, to fulfill the promises he made to the people of Hokkaido.

After all, this was the stronghold from which his political coup originated.

It was also the solid foundation for maintaining political stability.

In the future, even if he becomes the Prime Minister, wielding supreme power, he could afford to ignore the people from other regions of Japan, but he would still need to treat the people of Hokkaido well enough.

"Governor Aoyama!" "Support Governor Aoyama!"

"Long live Governor Aoyama!" "Victory!"

The cheers of the citizens were like a flood, wave after wave, deafening and reaching the skies.

"Please, everyone, clear the way and send me home!"

Aoyama Xiu Xin shouted.

The previously chaotic and crowded crowd quickly opened a path and followed the convoy of Aoyama Xiu Xin, shouting slogans in support of him, waving banners and flags supporting him, escorting him all the way home.

From a bird's-eye view, the entire street was completely blocked, with the slow-moving crowd looking like a long, winding dragon with no end in sight, imposing in momentum.

The next morning, this scene was plastered on the newspaper with the caption: This is the choice of the people of Hokkaido.

On March 15th, voting day, Aoyama Xiu Xin, unsurprisingly, won with an overwhelming majority, becoming the youngest governor not only in Hokkaido but in all of Japan.

That day, all of Hokkaido took a day off to celebrate, with festivities and laughter everywhere.

Although other places did not have a holiday, many citizens spontaneously celebrated his victory because everyone felt that Aoyama Xiu Xin becoming the governor of Hokkaido was just the beginning; he would eventually rejuvenate Japan.

Many people were looking forward to the day he would govern.

Of course, when that day actually arrives, they would probably regret it deeply.

.........…

After becoming the governor of Hokkaido, Aoyama Xiu Xin had two realizations: the power is vast, but it is also very busy.

The daily needs of millions of people were under his control.

He was so busy that he had no time even for a moment's rest.

However, it is easier to be an official with connections in the central government. Thanks to his strong relationships at the centerpiece, shortly after taking office, he was able to secure many favorable policies for Hokkaido, benefits that tangibly affected every citizen.

Therefore, the citizens of Hokkaido felt justified in choosing Aoyama Xiu Xin as their governor.

Meanwhile, citizens from other regions could only envy and quietly hope that Aoyama Xiu Xin would quickly ascend in rank so that all citizens nationwide might have a chance to live better lives under his governance.

In September 1997, six months had passed, and Aoyama Xiu Xin had firmly established his footing in Hokkaido.

Holding supreme authority, his words were law.

On September 2nd, in the morning, Aoyama Xiu Xin was having breakfast with his family, while Secretary Haruno Takayoshi stood nearby, flipping through a notebook and reading the day's itinerary.

"At nine in the morning, there is an internal work meeting at the Governor's Hall. At eleven, the mayors of Asahikawa, Hakodate, and Otaru are to report on their work. At one in the afternoon, you will inspect the XX construction site in the central district, .... At three, there's a press conference, and at five... there's a dinner banquet at eight you need to attend." After reading, Haruno Takayoshi slightly bowed and asked, "Do you think anything needs to be adjusted?"

"No unforeseen events, let's keep it as is. These were decided a few days ago; if we adjust, others will have to adjust too, so let's not trouble everyone." Aoyama Xiu Xin spoke calmly, continuing his meal.

Haruno Takayoshi respectfully responded, "Yes!"

"Daddy is so busy, you must be very tired." Hironari Aoyama said, staring at Aoyama Xiu Xin with his chopsticks in hand.

Since Asai Ayumi also had to work, both children had been brought to Hokkaido by Aoyama Haruko.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled slightly, "Tired, but I enjoy it. Hironari will understand this sooner or later."

Hironari Aoyama looked puzzled and bewildered.

"Alright, Daddy has to go to work now. Be good at home." Aoyama Xiu Xin did not explain further. After wiping his mouth, he put down his bowl and chopsticks and stood up to leave.

Haruno Takayoshi followed closely behind with a briefcase.

On the way to the Governor's Hall, Aoyama Xiu Xin saw a group of people holding up protest banners at the entrance of a certain building through the car window. He frowned and instructed Haruno Takayoshi, "Find out what is going on."

Having a wage-related protest happening in his jurisdiction.

Isn't this a slap in the face for him?

"Yes!" Haruno Takayoshi, who was in the front passenger seat, responded, glanced outside, and quickly took out a notebook to jot down the building name and details of the protest.

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