Tokyo Three Generations

Whether the old man takes the blame and leaves, or Toyokawa Kiyoshi resigns, the effect is the same for him: he can move up one place in the family's power ranking.

Now that Miss Xiangzi, as the future head of the family, has chosen to stand with her father, Mr. Dingzhi is clearly the weaker party no matter how you look at it.

All he had to do was stand on the side of the victor.

In a flash, he quickly figured it all out.

"As you command, Miss," he replied slowly but firmly.

As if that wasn't enough, he immediately pledged his loyalty, "The Toyokawa family is facing numerous difficulties, but the more difficult the situation, the more we should unite around you. Whatever you wish to do, I will follow you wholeheartedly, and anyone who betrays you will be severely punished!"

Toyokawa Shoko remained unmoved by such expressions of loyalty.

She was naive before and thought that all her relatives were kind people because they were all smiling at her. But later, after her father reminded her, she realized that these family members were all up to no good. They kept undermining her family and tried every means to cause trouble for her father and grandfather. Even the "fake accounts incident" that led to her being investigated by the authorities was partly due to a family member informing on her.

They are family in name only, but enemies in reality.

However, firstly, she still doesn't know who betrayed her; secondly, she still needs these relatives to help her and her father stabilize the conglomerate, so it's not the time to turn against them yet.

But in her heart, this matter was not over yet. When she truly took control of the family, she was determined to find the informant behind the scenes and appease her mother's spirit in heaven.

She managed to hide her disgust and then responded to Toyokawa Masanori in a very cheerful tone.

“I am very happy that you have such awareness. Uncle, I hope that you can continue to assist and teach me as an elder in the future, so that I can grow up as soon as possible.”

"Of course! Don't worry, Miss, just let me know if you ever need my help." Toyokawa Masanori laughed heartily, secretly delighted.

“Then, I will be holding a family gathering at the Toyokawa main residence the day after tomorrow morning. Please do not hesitate to attend.” After a pause, Toyokawa Shoko added, “I will personally notify all the attendees, so please do not notify anyone else.”

In other words, does the young lady plan to only gather those who agree with her and then quickly resolve the issue together?

terrible.

Toyokawa Masanori already had a premonition of the bloodshed that the so-called "Family Harmony Association" would bring.

However, he had no objection to this; on the contrary, he was happy to see it happen.

"I understand, Miss. Don't worry! I'll be there on time."

"Thank you for coming," Toyokawa Shoko said. "Well then, I won't disturb your work any longer. Goodbye."

"goodbye!"

After saying goodbye, Toyokawa Shoko finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then she realized that her back was almost soaked with sweat.

Fortunately, I didn't show any fear just now.

This is a successful start, but also the first small step in a long journey. There is no need to hesitate or be confused.

Okay, let's try again.

After taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone and dialed the next invitee.

13. Get rid of the old and welcome the new

Another morning arrived quietly with the dawn, and the Toyokawa family's private residence remained as secluded and quiet as ever.

However, this silence was suddenly and carefully broken – several luxury cars quietly drove along the side road and then filed into the mansion through the gate.

Without questioning or obstruction, the cars were allowed to enter the mansion's courtyard, and then quickly fell silent again.

Next, the guests in the luxury car got out and, led by servants, quietly entered the mansion.

They were led to a special reception room, which had often been used for family meetings in the past. An oval table was placed in the room, and behind the main seat hung a painting—a portrait of the founder of the Toyokawa Zaibatsu during the Meiji Restoration. This ancestor, like a guardian deity, silently watched over the family business as it grew, how the family became one of the top business giants in the country, and the countless intrigues and deceptions that occurred around the family's wealth.

After arriving at the reception room, the guests took their seats one by one.

They look different and are of different genders, but they know each other because they are all relatives of the Toyokawa family. Moreover, they all hold important positions in various branches of the family business and are indispensable pillars of the family.

Because of the special circumstances, neither of them spoke after they met. They just exchanged glances with heavy or tense looks, and they could see a hint of greed and smugness that they were trying hard to hide in each other's eyes.

In the unusual silence, the quartz clock by the door gently swung its pendulum, producing a clear ticking sound.

Not long after, the sound of the door being opened finally broke the silence.

Then, two people, one tall and one short, walked in side by side from outside.

Several members of the Toyokawa family subconsciously looked towards the door and then discovered that the visitors were none other than Toyokawa Kiyoshi and the eldest daughter of the main family.

They all stood up and bowed in respect to the future leader of their families.

The father and daughter walked together to the head seat of the oval conference table. Then, Toyokawa Shoko walked to the head seat, while Toyokawa Kiyoko stood next to it.

All eyes turned to Toyokawa Shoko's face.

Her expression was serious and solemn. Although she didn't exude much authority due to her age, it was enough to instill a sense of awe in these Toyokawa relatives who had been navigating the business world for many years.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, she first bowed respectfully to all her relatives.

"I am very grateful to all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend."

Upon seeing the young lady's greeting, everyone quickly bowed in unison, none daring to lag behind.

After bowing, Toyokawa Shoko finally took her seat.

Then, she began to deliver her prepared lines, "I've gathered everyone here today in the hope that the Fengchuan Group can decide on its future direction and development strategy as soon as possible. As you all know, I am still young and cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility in a short time. However, my father has been with the company for many years and has always diligently and responsibly assisted my mother. He is adept at handling the group's affairs, so I am willing to entrust all important matters to my father, just like my mother. His decision is my decision, and I ask that you all treat my father as you would treat me. Thank you."

From the very beginning, she set the tone that her father represented her entirely, which was tantamount to telling everyone without any concealment who would be in charge of the Toyokawa family in the future.

Everyone looked grave and exchanged glances.

Although many people disagreed with Toyokawa Kiyoko's decision, since the young lady had already made up her mind, no one could overturn it. So, regardless of their thoughts, everyone clapped lightly to agree with the young lady's decision.

Amid the applause, Toyokawa Shoko glanced at her father. Her role was over, and now it was her father's turn to take charge. She only needed to quietly play the role of the "Son of Heaven" who ruled by doing nothing.

Toyokawa Kiyoshi was equally unambiguous.

He immediately took over the conversation and began to speak.

"Thank you all for your trust in me. At this time when the family is facing a crisis, you are the pillars of the Fengchuan Group and an indispensable help to me. I sincerely hope that in the days to come, you can work together to help me manage the group, and continue to assist Xiangzi in making the Fengchuan family great and prosperous after she officially takes over the family business."

After his opening remarks, he quickly got to the point.

"As everyone should understand, the crisis we are currently facing stems from the government's accountability measures. As the person in charge of finances, I certainly bear direct responsibility for this, and I am deeply ashamed of it. However, such a major oversight occurred precisely because of significant leadership negligence and decision-making errors within our group, and these errors are all closely related to Mr. Toyokawa Sadaharu, who has long held power over the group..."

After looking around at everyone, he spoke more bluntly and with greater weight: "Undeniably, over the years, Mr. Toyokawa Sadaharu has made significant contributions to the group's development with his diligent and steady style, from which we have all benefited greatly. However, as he gets older, his energy and judgment are declining, leading to the current turmoil and giving the outside world a negative impression that the Toyokawa Group is already faltering."

Now that things have come to this, we absolutely must let the outside world know that we are determined to turn over a new leaf and embrace the future with a more honest attitude. The transformation of the Toyokawa Group is inevitable.

At this point, Toyokawa Kiyotaka deliberately focused his gaze on everyone's faces.

"Therefore, at this special family meeting, I propose that Mr. Toyokawa Sadaharu be removed from his post as soon as possible. Of course, considering his contributions over the years, I believe we have every reason to award him the titles of Honorary President and Advisor for Life. What do you all think?"

The true intentions have finally been revealed!

Although everyone knew what was going to happen before they arrived, the tension still inevitably welled up from the bottom of their hearts when Toyokawa Kiyotaka really revealed his trump card.

No matter how well it's packaged, this is still an act of "overthrowing one's superiors," and it involves the ouster of the Toyokawa family elders who have long held a high position. The weight of this is not something that can be easily borne.

For a moment, the room fell silent again, and everyone's eyes were focused on Toyokawa Shoko, as if they were waiting for the "Emperor's" final verdict.

This intense, ambitious, and oppressive gaze made Toyokawa Shoko feel uncomfortable.

But what made her even more uncomfortable was the fact that she was "betraying" her grandfather.

Although I had made up my mind, when the moment came, my throat felt like it was burning and speaking was surprisingly difficult.

But now that things have come to this, is there any other way to go?

Besides, since someone has to sacrifice, one can only choose the path with the least sacrifice.

Even if Grandpa is dismissed, no one will kick him out of the house. He can still retire in glory with the title of honorary president for life, and may even be reinstated in the future.

Compared to what my father might have gone through, this is good enough, isn't it?

In a moment of confusion, Toyokawa Shoko convinced herself.

She suppressed the stinging in her nose, then nodded gently, and with a slightly trembling voice, gave her father her final and most powerful endorsement.

“My father’s opinion is exactly what I’ve been thinking. Now it’s time for us to make a change… We must be resolute and break with the stains of the past. Only in this way can we regain the trust of the outside world.”

The young lady's words were tantamount to delivering the final verdict.

Although some people were still wary of Toyokawa Sadaharu's past power, everyone understood that the young lady was the true head of the family. Even though she was not yet an adult, she would soon be. If anyone disobeyed her now, who would suffer the consequences?

Besides, since the young lady has decided to cut ties with Toyokawa Sadaharu, what reason do I have to object?

"If everyone agrees, let's vote on my suggestion." Toyokawa Kiyoko nodded to his daughter, approving of her performance, and then turned to look at the people present.

Then, he was the first to raise his hand.

The atmosphere had already been built up to this point, and even if some people hesitated slightly, they dared not voice their objections anymore, and could only slowly raise their hands with slight hesitation.

Before long, everyone raised their hands.

"Very well, the proposal is approved!" Toyokawa Kiyotaka clapped his hands coldly. "Now, let's discuss the new power structure of the group after Mr. Toyokawa Sadaharu's departure..."

Scattered applause rose in turn, then turned into cheers filled with suppressed desire and excitement.

No one will grieve for an old man who is about to become history; instead, they are eager to cut their own slice of the cake.

Behind Xiangzi, her ancestor, the founder of the Toyokawa Group, still stands calmly, witnessing the new drama unfolding for his descendants.

==============================

Around noon, a Maybach quietly drove into the Toyokawa family's residence.

Then, after the car was parked, an elderly man slowly got out of it.

Although the old man was advanced in years, he was still in good spirits. He was wearing a custom-made suit and his white hair was neatly combed back, giving him the air of a "Showa-era old man".

However, no matter how strong one's mental strength is, the years will eventually catch up with everyone, and some weariness can be seen on his face.

During this period, due to his daughter's death and the various difficulties faced by the Fengchuan Group, he became several times busier than before, so he was away from home most of the time. When he returned home now, he even felt a slight sense of unfamiliarity.

In fact, his schedule was already very full today, and he didn't plan to go home. However, he received a call from his son-in-law in the morning, saying that there was something very important to discuss today, so he made a special trip back from outside.

After receiving the call, he was a little surprised. Logically speaking, his son-in-law should have been ready to leave the Toyokawa family long ago, so why hadn't he left yet?

However, he had always looked down on this son-in-law, so he didn't think much of it.

However, the moment he stepped out of the car, his heart sank.

Because there were several other luxury cars parked next to the Maybach.

Not good.

The Toyokawa family's private residence is not usually visited by many outsiders, and he has never heard of any important figures making a big fuss about visiting.

That must be the members of the Toyokawa family.

Did those people come knocking on my door while I was away?

He suppressed his inner turmoil, then quickly walked out of the garage and down the stairs into the mansion.

However, as soon as he stepped into the living room, he stopped in his tracks, speechless with shock at the scene before him.

Because Toyokawa's relatives and his sons-in-law were sitting upright on the sofa, as if they were waiting for him to come home.

Moreover, it even includes his granddaughter, Toyokawa Shoko.

The moment he appeared, all eyes turned to him, some with pity, some with smug satisfaction, and some with undisguised mockery.

Only Xiangzi kept his head down and didn't look at himself.

not good!

Although he didn't know what had happened, his instincts told him that the situation must be very serious.

"What...are you doing?" he asked in a trembling voice.

Faced with his father-in-law's panicked gaze, Toyokawa Kiyotaka sighed inwardly and then stood up.

He timed it perfectly; by the time he called his father-in-law to come back, everything had already been settled.

We're just settling accounts now.

Even so, he still felt some reluctance towards Toyokawa Sadaharu.

As a fellow son-in-law of Toyokawa, he was the one who understood the other the most.

However, for his daughter's sake, he had no way out and no reason to back down.

Therefore, he had no choice but to step forward and end the turmoil.

"Dad, we just held an emergency family meeting to discuss how to deal with the current predicament."