"Regarding the funding issue, we do have some suggestions."
It was Luo Shu who spoke, though he strongly suspected Kirika had yielded the floor to help him establish credibility in front of these high-ranking officials. But since there was no downside, he naturally didn't refuse.
"From what I understand, the Union provides some financial compensation for exterminating dangerous species? Generally, how substantial is this compensation?"
As he spoke, Luo Shu kept his eyes fixed on Daichi Fujiwara.
Daichi Fujiwara, unfamiliar with such details, scratched his head and looked to Akira Fukuda.
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Akira Fukuda shifted his gaze slightly and answered:
"Officially, they reimburse 50%, but in practice, it's usually only 30% to 35%."
Luo Shu pressed further: "So the actual funding gap is 70%?"
"An uncertain 70%," Akira Fukuda emphasised. "Because we don't know the exact cost of this extermination operation. We can only estimate beforehand and tally the expenses after the fact."
"In that case, there shouldn't be any issue if the SDS calculates intelligence fees based on currently available intel and includes them in the total expenditure, right?"
The moment he heard this, Akira Fukuda immediately grasped Luo Shu's scheme.
Converting immeasurable intelligence expenses into fixed actual figures, blending them into the total expenditure of this operation to extract a portion of funding from the joint budget.
Akira Fukuda's eyes lit up as he glanced at Luo Shu with appreciation:
"This operation is completely above board and complies with procedures."
The intelligence on 20,000 Ghouls' movements – how many personnel and resources would need to be mobilised? These could be either estimated or left unestimated.
Now, by having them estimate, Luo Shu was creating room for manoeuvre within the joint subsidy allocation.
Of course, this leeway couldn't be too large – it mustn't exceed the regulatory cap of 50% reimbursement.
In other words, Luo Shu's mention of "intelligence fees" had raised Japan's reimbursable amount from a maximum of 35% to 50%, nearly doubling the allocation.
"How much is still needed?" Luo Shu pressed further.
"Still 50% short," Fukuda stated clearly. Though the intelligence fee manipulation skirted the edges, anything within regulations was permissible.
"Can the government increase taxes?" Luo Shu frowned as he asked.
"Impossible. Any tax hikes would draw public condemnation."
Fukuda, seemingly concerned Luo Shu might not understand, quickly added:
"Unlike China's approach, Japan's taxation system displays clear amounts to the public. These aren't indirect taxes."
Luo Shu felt this remark hit a nerve before responding:
"Then recruit troops. The Self-Defence Forces are taking new recruits – you must have experience with ghost soldiers, right? Hasn't Japan learned this craft?"
At this, all present cast peculiar glances at Luo Shu.
You're Chinese, and proposing this? How utterly shameless!
Fukuda's mouth twitched upon hearing this – he could already envision the uproar from both the cabinet and Self-Defence Forces.
With this thought, he turned his gaze towards Director Ito, who had a better understanding of these matters.
The director's in-law family held some influence within the Self-Defence Forces.
Noticing everyone's eyes on him, Director Ito lowered his head slightly in embarrassment and coughed:
"Ahem... we've used that method before."
'What?'
Luo Shu was momentarily stunned.
'So you've actually tried this before?'
Beside him, Daichi Fujiwara seemed knowledgeable about the matter and shrugged:
"To quote the Defence Minister: 'We're just America's aircraft landing platform – why would we need so many troops?'"
Luo Shu could only sigh: "Then can we squeeze out more ghost soldiers?"
Director Ito covered his mouth as if distancing himself from the words, stating bluntly:
"Ahem... any more would exceed 30%. Internal experts have warned that surpassing this would risk public exposure – that would be disastrous."
"Though frankly, China finding out doesn't matter. They've always known anyway."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's mouth twitched again.
'Ah, 30% of personnel exist only on paper. Understood. Truly worthy disciples of Tang Dynasty China – you've learned your lessons well.'
Luo Shu took a deep breath and exhaled heavily:
"Then cap it at 29%. That should free up some funds, right?"
"Possible." Fukuda nodded while mentally calculating: "But it likely still won't be enough."
"Then increase military spending."
Luo Shu was now beyond caring. Here he was – a Chinese national – discussing such matters at Japan's high-level meeting?
"Claim to purchase new American equipment, give it any name, then have the stationed troops go across the sea to purchase weapons directly from the mainland."
"They still have piles of garbage grenades from the '60s and '70s there. The mainland has been troubled with clearing its stockpiles. The stationed troops buy low, Japan buys high, and the difference covers expenses. Isn't that enough?"
Hearing Luo Shu's disdainful words, most present wore strange expressions before finally turning to Nurarihyon.
Unfazed by the awkwardness, Nurarihyon scratched his cheek and said:
"Ahem, I believe this tactic was used against my Nura Clan before."
Luo Shu blinked in surprise. "Already bought them all? Those were 2 billion grenades stockpiled."
"Not at all, there should still be plenty." Daichi Fujiwara hastily shook his head. "Back then, we only bought 100 million before resolving the matter."
Nodding at this, Luo Shu turned to Akira Fukuda:
"If this still isn't enough, the SDS will cover the remainder. Of course, we'll dispatch auditing personnel."
"That won't be a problem." Fukuda exhaled deeply after speaking.
Similarly relieved were Director Ito of the Metropolitan Police Department, along with the Chief Superintendents and Superintendents behind him.
After much persuasion, coupled with Luo Shu's unconventional proposal and guarantees, they'd finally scraped together most of the funding. The rest would simply require practical implementation.
"This kid's actually quite clever," Natsuki Minamiya muttered from her observation seat.
Behind her, Suzuka Dairenji kept glancing at Luo Shu with undisguised curiosity.
With funding secured—and Japan not bearing the brunt—the atmosphere immediately lightened.
"Regarding personnel, we need to assemble 10,000 operatives. Any issues?"
"No problem from the Nura Clan. Judging by the Ghouls' reported strength, we can contribute 3,000 members."
"The Bujin-shū can provide 2,000 without compromising regional security." Dogen Takayanagi refused to be outdone.
"The Vampires can deploy 1,500 C-Class Vampires. Though if D-Class Personnel are needed, we could muster 4,000."
Asato Ichijo revealed part of his hand—albeit the weaker part. No B-Class nobles were offered, as they formed his core power, but expendable C-Class Vampires and D-Class humans on the verge of reversion were fair game.
Finally, Natsuki exchanged glances with Kotoko Iwanaga before declaring:
"The remaining 1,000 will be covered by the Onmyou Agency and Yokai Alliance."
'Since when were these two so coordinated?' Luo Shu gave them a peculiar look but remained silent.
Seeing matters largely settled, Kirika Tachibana stood:
"Then let the staff officers handle subsequent arrangements."
"Following precedent: 70% stationed troops' staff, 30% Japan's. Command authority goes to the stationed troops' headquarters."
Fukuda rose as well. "A reasonable arrangement."
Daichi also stood: "Minimum timeframe for results?"
Kirika checked her watch. "Preliminary plans by 3 pm today. Mobilisation preparations to commence immediately. Aiming to execute eradication operations by 11 pm."
"Time is tight. Let's adjourn."
As she spoke, Kirika Tachibana glanced at Luo Shu and was the first to leave.
Seeing this, Luo Shu called for Meer, nodded farewell to Natsuki Minamiya and Kotoko Iwanaga, then departed as well.
"Minister."
Akira Fukuda pointed at the door, and understanding his meaning, Daichi Fujiwara immediately followed him out.
Once outside, the two men scanned the corridor. Confirming that Kirika Tachibana and Luo Shu's group had already left, they immediately headed towards the stairs while lowering their voices:
"Minister, your actions just now were extremely dangerous. That was like dancing on a tiger's whiskers."
"If by any chance the SDS were provoked by your behaviour, we'd be in serious trouble."
At this point, Fukuda somewhat overstepped by saying, "The Prime Minister's orders are the Prime Minister's. We are not the Prime Minister."
These near-treasonous words undoubtedly revealed Fukuda's true stance.
The Prime Minister's expectation was for the SDS to handle the funding while they bore the brunt of angering them, with all benefits going to the Prime Minister.
Such conduct was clearly unacceptable to Fukuda.
"Fukuda-san, I understand what you mean," Daichi Fujiwara exhaled heavily and rubbed his hands. "I didn't want to accept this initially either, but because of my elder brother, I had no choice. However, after seeing the intelligence about Ghouls, I realised this can't be accepted."
"My wife and daughter both live in Tokyo. I don't want them sharing a city with man-eating monsters."
"Then why did you..." Fukuda glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, before lowering his head. "Why did you bring up the funding issue? Were you trying to provoke the SDS?"
"No, no, Fukuda-san, you don't understand." Daichi wiped his eyes before putting his glasses back on. "You don't understand young people."
"There's light in their eyes. They think about solving humanity's fears, unlike us politicians, who think about votes, the power behind votes, and money."
Daichi gave a self-deprecating laugh before shaking his head:
"I suspect Director Luo and Director Tachibana had already discussed bearing part of the costs from the beginning. All those earlier proposals were just to give us some sense of participation, to make us take things seriously."
Hearing this, Fukuda fell silent for a moment. Recalling the earlier meeting, he found some truth in Daichi's words.
"Moreover, I did manage to get the SDS to contribute some funding. If the Prime Minister wants to blame someone, he won't find any excuse to punish me."
At this point, Daichi chuckled darkly:
"That old bastard really thinks my father can control me?"
Fukuda looked sceptical, as he believed Elder Fujiwara could indeed control this minister.
Yet just then, Daichi suddenly asked:
"Fukuda-san, do you think a young man like Director Luo would attend a dinner party? A private, family-style dinner party."
Hearing this, Fukuda's expression turned peculiar as he thought of Daichi's three daughters.
'A private family dinner meant Daichi's three daughters would be attending?'
'What scheme was this old fox plotting?'
With a strange expression, Fukuda replied:
"You could try sending an invitation."
"An invitation?" Daichi suddenly understood. "Good idea."
...
Inside the car.
Luo Shu, who had just taken the driver's seat, looked at Meer in the passenger seat and Kirika Tachibana in the back before saying:
"As we predicted, the Ghoul extermination proposal was approved."
"Only covering the shortfall at the very end shouldn't require much expenditure. The money I skimmed from the funeral businesses, after deducting the Ghoul modifications, can cover some of it."
"The rest will have to come from Lacus's budget allocation."
"Not bad, Luo Shu." Kirika Tachibana stretched lazily in the back seat. "Suggesting such an unorthodox approach that those old fools had no choice but to agree."
"What do you mean by 'no choice'?" Luo Shu couldn't help but retort. "Didn't you hear them say they'd already considered those methods?"
Kirika teased, "Shall I congratulate you on your future ministerial position then?"
Luo Shu rolled his eyes and said:
"Piss off."
"From now on, I'm only responsible for intelligence and oversight. You handle the rest."
"Fine, fine, got it. I won't delay your date with Meer any longer."
Kirika chuckled as she pushed the car door open and stepped out. Before going, she rapped on Luo Shu's window and reminded him:
"Try not to create any new lives, alright?"
Luo Shu rolled his eyes again:
"Get lost!"
"Haha." Kirika laughed heartily before walking briskly away.
Only when Kirika was out of sight did Luo Shu turn to Meer:
"What's your plan now? Where would you like to go? I can drop you off?"
Just as Luo Shu finished speaking, Meer, who'd been playing with her phone, suddenly played a voice message:
"Eh? Is Shu-kun coming home for dinner? Understood, I'll start preparing right away."
Hearing Kisara's familiar voice in the recording, Luo Shu said drily:
"Don't tell me... You were chatting with Kisara behind me this whole time?"
"Luo Shu-kun is indeed clever." Meer giggled as she tapped Luo Shu's forehead with her finger. "So you understand our destination now?"
"I do, but I can't believe you just want to mooch off my place for lunch..." Luo Shu was speechless that Kisara had even agreed to this.
Just then, Luo Shu seemed to catch Meer's soft murmur:
"Some things are more fun when done face-to-face."
"Some things? Face-to-face?"
Vague thoughts of somewhat inappropriate scenarios flashed through Luo Shu's mind, and he suddenly felt this lunch might become troublesome.
God forbid this turns into a Ghoul's last meal before execution, only for him to become the next course.
That would be disastrous!