“…… I said, Kamijo-kun, although he has experienced such a thrilling and great change, it seems that nothing has changed in this country! ”

In the luxurious ward of a private hospital in Tokyo, Kamijo Keikatsu and Junzaburo Izumita, each wrapped in gauze bandages, were chatting casually while watching a news program on the television while eating apple chunks that had been carefully cut into the shape of a rabbit with a toothpick.

――During the military disaster at the Akasaka "Shiyuken" ryotei, they happened to be bombarded into a small box by an RPG rocket.

Although Kamijo Keikatsu and Izumida Junzaburo dodged in time, and the inferior rockets processed by this small workshop were not very powerful, they were still injured - Kamijo Keikatsu suffered a broken leg, plus a mild concussion; Although Junzaburo Izumida did not break his bones, he suffered extensive burns on his skin, and his lungs were severely damaged by inhaling a large amount of hot soot, which was strictly more serious than the fractured Kamijo Keikatsu.

Now, with the general resignation of Kotoriyu's cabinet, Junzaburo Izumida is no longer the chief cabinet secretary, but at least until the next election, he is still a member of the Diet, so he still maintains a much streamlined team of secretaries and staff, and has to deal with a lot of political affairs every day As for His Excellency Governor Kamijo Keikatsu, he does not have the slightest intention of "resigning due to a work injury", but is determined to occupy this position Zuihou.

Therefore, since being admitted to the hospital, the two have turned the ward into an office, and there is a constant stream of people waiting for them from morning to night every day.

zuihou, under the strong protest of the doctors. They've finally changed their way of working a little – each has a laptop on a low folding table in a hospital bed, and uses video chat to communicate with their secretaries and subordinates...... There is basically no need to worry about secrecy, anyway, with their current situation, they can't engage in any conspiracy, they can only know some open or semi-public information.

At this time, the two were lying in the same brightly lit hospital room. While enjoying the rare leisure, we discussed the current situation of the country.

“…… Tokyo's stock market has completely collapsed, and real estate in the Kanto region has taken another dive. The national debt crisis will not drag on for a few days, and the radiation intensity in the Tokyo metropolitan area is still about 100 times the normal standard, but the TV news still focuses only on the newly debuted pop stars. There are also the latest masterpieces of popular cartoonists, as well as lace scandals of movie stars and sports stars...... Even whitewashing the peace is too much! ”

Junzaburo Izumita, who was covered in bandages and looked like an Egyptian mummy, looked up at the LCD TV hanging in the corner of the ceiling for a while, stared down at the laptop in his hand, and didn't forget to complain to Governor Kamijo Keikatsu, "...... The pro-American faction has stepped down and gone out, and the anti-American faction has taken great power, but there seems to be no particularly obvious change in the overall policy of domestic and foreign affairs -- Japan is still the same Japanese ......."

“…… Hehe. Isn't this the most normal way for us in Japan? That is, the so-called solidified society! ”

Governor Kamijo Keikatsu, who was in a plaster cast on his leg and was hoisted high by a stainless steel stand, pulled out a toothpick from his mouth and stuck it into a rabbit-shaped apple on the plate on the bedside table, while sighing and sighing. “…… The whole society looks bizarre and exciting, and every day there are new changes that attract attention; In fact, it is as conservative as an old castle, where every stone is fixed, stubbornly resisting the slightest substantial change, and only gladly making pointless superficial articles - the banker's son is still a banker. The doctor's son is still a doctor, and the son of a junior clerk is still a junior clerk. The more real the upper class, the more unchanging it is. ”…,

Junzaburo Izumida squinted and hesitated for a moment regarding his old friend's mean statement, but Zuihou could only nod his head and silently acquiesce.

-- As a matter of basic common sense in Japanese political circles, almost every Japanese politician is well aware that the family gate system, which has been passed down from the Meiji period, the Edo period, and even the Heian period to the present day, is like an all-pervasive invisible network that has penetrated into every corner of the country. Even the brutal Pacific War and the occupation of U.S. forces in Japan failed to completely tear down this solid web of power.

Politicians like them, who are very glamorous in the foreground, are in the final analysis just agents hired by these big capitalists. And the hidden but ubiquitous family of gate valves behind the scenes is the real master of the source of power. Just like this latest time, the Americans, who thought that they had completely controlled Japan for a long time, were arrogantly trying to completely dismantle this network and plunder all the family business of the Japanese gatekeepers, so that they would be met with such an incredibly fierce counterattack -- of course, if the US military was really angry and reoccupied Japan, there was nothing these gatekeepers could think of.

Fortunately, under the threat of the Japanese side's fish being killed, the Americans, who were also worried about internal and external troubles, did not take a step after all.

However, even so, it can be seen how much energy the Japanese gate valve family has in the country.

If possible, Junzaburo Izumida certainly hopes to be a member of a family of gatekeepers and squeeze into the real core circle of power, rather than being a marionette in politics who is glamorous on the surface but actually has a hard time...... But the problem is that the various families in Japan are generally intermarried and hereditary from generation to generation, and the whole small circle is very closed, not much more open than the caste system in India - without great chance, it is basically impossible for outsiders to squeeze in.

In fact, there are similar top-level coteries in the United States, India, and the United Kingdom, but none of them have as long a history as those in Japan.

Therefore, the "second echelon" families who are excluded from this inner circle, but have a certain amount of shili, usually have to enter the political circles as agents and work for these chaebols. Then he used the power he gained in the political circles, constantly looking for opportunities, seeing through the cracks, and slowly infiltrating into the inner circle behind the scenes, and finally let his family join these top chaebols.

In the early post-war period in Japan. This is indeed a glorious path to the pinnacle of power. But now, when the economy is in a long-term recession, the country's resources are shrinking, and the social class is becoming more and more solidified, the probability of a second-rate family succeeding in ascending to the throne is becoming smaller and smaller, and even close to zero.

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

To put it bluntly, Japan after the collapse of the bubble economy. It's not that there is no lack of talent and elites, and it's not that there are good leaders with enough vision. But the problem is that there are problems with the system of Japan itself. Although this system has created "Japanese speed" and "Japanese miracle" in the post-war period, it cannot hide its inherent shortcomings. It's just in an increasingly solid-state Japanese society. I can't find a liliang that can break through this system.

Therefore, in the face of the bleak reality of hopelessness, Kamijo Keikatsu and Junzaburo Izumida are unwilling to lament that they were "born in the wrong era". can only continue to work hard like those "busy people" and focus on some more realistic things.

“…… Uejo-kun, Akasaka's pavilion has almost burned down this time! Does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have a timetable for reconstruction? ”

Junzaburo Izumida casually mentioned it seemingly casually, "...... I wonder if when we can be discharged from the hospital, can we go back to Akasaka to find a restaurant to celebrate at a ryotei? ”…,

“…… When you were discharged from the hospital, you went to Akasaka to drink and celebrate? You'd better save it! Stop dreaming! Kamijo Keikatsu unceremoniously denied, "...... Speaking of this problem of rebuilding Akasaka Town, I am angry that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office actually formulated a three-year jihua for me! ”

“…… What the? How many years did it take to rebuild Akasaka? You're not kidding, are you? ”

Junzaburo Izumida was surprised to hear it for a while, "...... This is not some remote country, but in the country's capital, Tokyo! It's just a few streets away from the central government office! Do you want the lawmakers to see a pile of rubble as soon as they walk out of the parliamentary chamber? ”

“…… What's the solution? According to experts, it will take three years to rebuild Akasaka Town. It's the fastest speed in the ideal state! Governor Kamijo Keikatsu shrugged his shoulders with a bitter face. …… Before starting the reconstruction of Akasaka Town, it was necessary to clear the rubble, and in order to prevent damage to the remains of the deceased, it was necessary to rely on manpower and manual labor without the use of large-scale construction equipment. It will take at least half a year! What's even worse is that there are still a lot of unexploded bombs stuck in the middle of these ruins -- Chinese products are so unreliable that watermelons, mobile phones, and televisions that should not explode will explode, but the missiles that should explode will not explode -- it is difficult to say how many casualties will be killed or injured in the process of defusing the bombs!

When the ruins of Akasaka are cleared, prayers and purification of the land will be carried out. Let the deceased go on the road with peace of mind, so that they will not become earthbound spirits and resentful spirits to harass future residents. But this time, thousands of people died at once, and the monks, witches, and gods who passed the professional qualification examination and could preside over excesses according to the law were only so many in total, and they couldn't work overtime, and they couldn't waste other businesses, well, about two or three months.

Then there is the land expropriation procedure, if the original owner is alive or has a clear heir, it is easy to do, at most it is to argue about the price of the land. If the landlord is dead and there is no one to inherit, then it is necessary to go through a series of extremely complicated legal procedures to prove that there is no one to inherit the land before it can be nationalized. The most frightening thing is that some land parcels are involved in inheritance disputes - according to the custom, such lawsuits are not uncommon even if they are fought for four or five years in a row...... In short, if the land acquisition work can be completely resolved within a year, it will be a miracle in Japan's modern history.

Next, there is the planning, design, and finalization of houses, streets, and garden facilities, as well as tenders for builders, and supervision during construction...... Worst of all, the question of where this huge reconstruction fund should be raised is also a difficult question to solve. ”

“…… Will the reconstruction of Akasaka Town attract no investment? Are you kidding? Junzaburo Izumida blinked in disbelief, "...... This is a super prime location next to the Prime Minister's Office and the National Assembly Building, so how can you worry that no one is investing? ”

“…… That was based on the fact that Tokyo was safe and sound, but the future of Tokyo is not at all rosy at the moment - given the terrible series of disasters that have befallen it in the past, and the fact that Tokyo is still under great threat of nuclear radiation. Therefore, the idea of relocating the capital back to Kyoto has been very popular in the recent Diet and the private sector, and God knows if it will come true...... As a result, it will be difficult to secure investment in a short period of time until this panic has subsided, and the Metropolitan Government itself has no public funds to undertake the project on its own unless the central government is willing to provide financial assistance. ”

Governor Kamijo Keikatsu replied calmly, "...... And, by next year. The governor of Tokyo is also about to be re-elected. I have to focus on the campaign, and it's hard to say whether Zuihou will be re-elected or not...... So. With Liliang from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, it is already very, very difficult to rebuild Akasaka Town in three years!" …,

“…… There seems to be some truth to what you say. But...... Alas......" Junzaburo Izumida shook his head and sighed, "...... In the aftermath of the Wenchuan earthquake, China rebuilt a city in such a remote location in just two years. And we, even the reconstruction of the capital Tokyo is so inefficient......"

“…… Speaking of Chinese...... For those Chinese chengguan who have gone and returned, many local councillors have a very good opinion! ”

Speaking of this topic, Kamijo Keikatsu couldn't help frowning, "...... Originally, I had already said that I was going to return to China, but now I came to Tokyo again, and it seems that I am still planning to stay...... Looking at the ruthlessness of their beating on the streets a few days ago, many people were very worried. ”

-- After learning of the Japanese right-wing Shili's mutiny in Tokyo. In order to protect the remaining fire brigade personnel who had not yet been evacuated, the chengguan who had already boarded the ship in Yokohama to prepare for their return to China immediately went and returned again...... By the time they drove back to Tokyo from Yokohama, the mutiny had been completely suppressed, and only a few scraps of pursuit and finishing work remained. And. During the mutiny, all kinds of firefighting were concentrated in the concentration of the Japanese central government in Chiyoda Ward, and the fire missile units at the Chinese Embassy, Chinatown and Yokota bases were not affected much.

However, although the situation has largely subsided, the Chinese side has not repatriated all of these chengguan to China just in case. Instead, 300 people were selected to form a city management brigade stationed in Japan, which was stationed at the firefighting missile launch position. The main responsibility is to be responsible for the safety and security of the camp and launch site until the withdrawal of the "China Aid Missile Fire Brigade".

To tell the truth, although this urban management brigade stationed in Japan sounds majestic, it is actually just a temporary security organization, and it is impossible to go to the streets and alleys of Tokyo to set up stalls and arrest hawkers and seize goods as it does in China...... The problem is that while Tokyo may seem cosmopolitan and open, it is still an inherently xenophobic and conservative place. The people of Tokyo have always treated foreigners as if they were orangutans in a zoo, as if they were going berserk and tearing them down at any time......

No matter how friendly and friendly foreigners are in Tokyo, there is still a sense of alienation between Japanese people and them...... Not to mention the notorious Chinese chengguan......

Therefore, many local councillors in Tokyo have been quite critical of the government's permission to allow these Chinese chengguan to stay for a long time, and even a few action-oriented legislators have gone so far as to drive propaganda trucks on the streets to shout "against Chinese imperialism," which has caused a headache for Shang Jingsheng.

“…… Alas, at the beginning, the US troops stationed in Japan had been in Tokyo for decades, and they had not seen these guys say anything, but now Chinese are only preparing to stay in Tokyo for a few months at most, and they can't wait to jump out one by one to pretend to be national heroes...... It's just a patriotic show! ”

Through his own information channels, Junzaburo Izumita, who had also heard about this matter, sighed helplessly, "...... After spending a long time in politics and really seeing who is around me, I am becoming more and more pessimistic about the future of this country. With the current bad atmosphere in the political arena where everyone can only talk empty words, even if we get rid of the control of the United States and restore our independent status, I am afraid that the future will still be bleak. ”

“…… What's the solution? It took us decades of adjustment and grinding after the war, and the end result was this wonderful political system, a democratic political system that frees everyone from responsibility! ”

Governor Kamijo Keikatsu shrugged his shoulders, "...... Yes, we have achieved the separation of powers, democracy, and universal elections, but we have completely forgotten how to maintain political stability. There are still some strongmen with an iron fist who have been in power for a long time at the local level, and they can formulate a relatively effective long-term development strategy. But the central government is a complete mess. Almost none of the previous prime ministers have been able to serve a full term, and the tenure of ministers in various provinces and agencies can only be counted in 'months' and 'weeks' -- how can these politicians, who do not even have a record of their own tenure, make a long-term plan for the country? …,

As a result, every prime minister has come to office after a bunch of unattainable promises, spent a brief term amid the ensuing scandals, and then bowed down in the midst of popular disappointment and numbness, with few exceptions for decades......

In the process, the people have been indoctrinated with the myth of 'democracy is omnipotent,' naively believing that a few votes can bring happiness and prosperity, and have thoughtlessly abandoned independent thinking and handed over power to candidates who are handsome, eloquent, or have noble families. Politicians are happy to pander to the people with all kinds of nice words, to put on a variety of images that the people expect, and to talk big words without considering whether these promises can be fulfilled. The bureaucracy has been seized by politicians and has lost its motivation to focus on maintaining the status quo......

In short, since the establishment of this system, those professional groups have been able to package politicians and make agents like celebrities, and the quality requirements for politicians have naturally dropped greatly, because almost any incompetent and stupid person can become idol stars, and it is easier to control - the result is a bunch of strange things that treat state affairs as child's play. In the past, some people said that the price of being beaten by China should also be used to normalize the country. As a result, after being beaten violently, the whole country became even more abnormal. Now they claim that even if they break with the United States, they will get rid of the control of the US forces stationed in Japan, but no one knows how far the situation will develop after the break......

He pouted and shook his head, as if he was very dissatisfied with the current political situation in Japan, "...... Okay, that's all for these troublesome state affairs, let's change the subject! By the way, Izumita-kun, what has your niece, former Prime Minister Kotoriyu, been doing lately? Why haven't you seen her come to visit you? ”

“…… Hehe, the real white sauce is very busy right now! Busier than when I was Prime Minister! Junzaburo Izumida replied with a smile, "...... The Japan Nuclear Disaster Prevention and Treatment Company, which she founded in Ikebukuro Ward, finally officially opened yesterday! (Your support is my biggest motivation.) )