Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 10: Should we haul people or livestock?

Duomen nodded in understanding: "I didn't know you could see so much in the newspaper. Looks like I should buy some newspapers to read when I have free time."

He then asked, "But what did what you just said have to do with Ono Oda and our affairs?"

“Of course there is a connection.” Cao Weida grinned, revealing a sly smile. “Ono Oda is a major after all. Just by looking at how fluent he is in Chinese, you can tell he must be an intellectual.”

"The inside story of the Japanese is actually somewhat similar to that of our Kuomintang. It is almost impossible for someone from a poor family to become a major in his forties."

"When he was at the police station, he could get the military police headquarters to release him with just one phone call, which is enough to show the other party's network of connections."

"Do you think someone with his knowledge and background couldn't see through Japan's current predicament?"

"Given that Japan was destined to lose the war, what do you think he would choose?"

"Is it better to risk your life to serve his so-called Emperor of Japan, or to rake in huge sums of money and return to the mainland to live a carefree life as a wealthy man after the defeat?"

"If it were me, it would definitely be the latter," Domen said without hesitation. There was no need to think about it; to hesitate for even a second would be disrespectful to one's own intelligence.

"So, that's what he thinks too, he's even a little impatient." Cao Weida snapped his fingers and chuckled.

“You didn’t see how desperately he wanted me to have more ‘friends’ back then.”

"Let me put it this way, as long as he can handle it, as long as there's money to be made, he will absolutely not let go of such an opportunity."

“As long as we do a few more deals, it won’t be a question of whether he wants us to take the blame, but whether he wants such a good partner like us to die.”

"Now that you mention it, I understand. I never thought that I, Master Duo, would actually find a chance to make a fortune." Duomen's eyes were almost slits with laughter. Cao Weida's words had completely dispelled his concerns.

He knew who brought all this, and he was also very familiar with the rules. "I'll contact them later. If we make a deal, we'll split it 30/70, I'll take 30 and you take 70."

"Master Duo, you're being too formal with me."

"This isn't about being too formal or distant. Friendship is friendship, but rules are rules. Everything must have rules, and rules cannot be broken." Duomen's attitude was very firm.
"If you don't take me, I won't get a single penny, let alone 30%. If you don't want it, I'd rather not do this business."

Seeing his reaction, Cao Wei Da smiled wryly, "Master Duo, alright then. Since you've said so, it would be beneath me if I didn't accept it."

"However, the profit split is too high. Let's make it 50/50. You're being generous, and I can't be stingy either."

Seeing that Duomen seemed to want to refuse, Cao Weida immediately stopped him, "It's settled then. If you're still being polite to me, then you're really treating me like an outsider."

Duomen opened his mouth, but in the end he couldn't resist Cao Weida's insistence, so he nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take advantage of you, let's do it this way."

"It's lunchtime at Quanjude, my treat. You can't refuse, can you?"

"No, I'll definitely remember this meal, but let's skip it today. We'll talk about it again when we've made some money. I have something to do later."

"alright."

Just then, the wontons arrived.

Wontons are a type of noodle dish. Although they are not unavailable these days, they are really not cheap.

But the taste is really good. Sprinkle with sesame oil and cilantro, and add some scallions, and the flavor is simply amazing.

After finishing their meal, the two stood up and tried to pay, but the wonton stall owner refused.

"Master Duo, Master Cao, this meal is free; consider it a token of our respect for you both."

"Take it if I tell you to. Do you think I need your pittance?" Cao Weida pulled out a silver dollar from his pocket and flicked it over, his attitude incredibly arrogant.
"Look at the shabby bowls you served us! How can you let me use them? Get two nice bowls later, and we'll use those nice bowls when we come to eat next time. Make sure to scald them for me several times."

The wonton stall owner hurriedly took the money, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you for the reward, Master Cao!"

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, the wonton stall owner couldn't help but sigh.
"Master Duo and Master Cao are both good people. It's only because we don't do business that we don't have to worry about being exploited."

Cao Wei Da, who had already left, was unaware that he had suddenly acquired the reputation of a good person, and parted ways with Duo Men at the crossroads.

Having found a way to make money, Duomen naturally wanted to earn some as soon as possible.

Cao Weida stood at the intersection and waved to the rickshaws parked on the side of the road.

The driver, dressed in worn-out, patched coarse cloth clothes, his body hunched over, lurching forward like a shrimp as he pulled the cart, his back bent and somewhat stooped, wearing an old felt hat and cloth shoes with his toes sticking out, immediately rushed up to him with a beaming smile.

"May you have good fortune, sir."

Cao Wei Da wore black leather shoes. Although he would often call him "Black Leather Dog" or "Stinky Foot Patrolman" behind his back, the general public would not dare to call him that to his face.

"Hmm." Cao Weida gave a soft "hmm," sat comfortably in the car, gave the address, and the driver called out, "Boss, please hold on tight," before quickly darting off.

Cao Wei Da sat comfortably, but soon his comfort vanished.

At first it was fine. When jogging, the driver would often lower the handlebars first, and then release them after he started running, letting the rickshaw glide forward with its momentum until he raised the handlebars high.

Cao Wei Da felt his center of gravity shift backward, his body leaning back, as if he were being laid flat, as if he might fall backward at any moment.

After this happened several times, Cao Wei Da's face turned green.

"Stop!" Cao Weida hurriedly called for a halt, his heart filled with rage.

He'd ridden in a rickshaw more than once or twice, but what kind of good rickshaw driver pulls a rickshaw like this?! Is he carrying passengers or animals?!

"Boss, what are your orders?" The driver immediately stopped, his face etched with the marks of time, and turned to look at Cao Weida in a fawning manner.

Cao Weida got out of the carriage with a displeased expression. "I said, is this how you pull a carriage? Do you really think I'm an animal?!"

"I almost fell out of the truck bed several times! What's your name?!"

"Boss, I'm so sorry, so sorry, I'm Wen San'er, please calm down."

"Wait a minute, what's your name?"

"Wen San'er," Wen San looked cautiously at Cao Weida, "Boss, you've heard of me?"

Ever heard of it?

I've heard this so many times!
This guy is practically a master of metaphysics!!
Based on the other person's appearance and the way they pulled the rickshaw, the name of a TV series instantly popped into his mind—"The Flames of War in Beiping"!
In the show, this guy is something else; anyone who bullies him or beats him up ends up dead.

Even those who were on good terms with him ultimately met with bad ends, while he lived a comfortable life.

Before time travel, he was very disdainful, and the phrase he said most often was "believe in science."

But after he traveled through time, he had no choice but to believe it, nor did he dare not believe it.

If we believed everything in science, how could he have traveled through time?

Well, it's best not to offend this guy. It's better not to even know him, lest he scare you!

He quickly pulled out two silver dollars, threw them over, said "Keep the change," and immediately made his escape.

Wen San: "??????"

So, why did this smelly-footed patrolman make me stop?

Looking at the two cents in his hand, Wen San smiled broadly again, and the doubts in his heart were immediately thrown to the winds.

"I have to say, this black dog is quite rich. I bet he's caused quite a stir in the village."

Cao Wei Da didn't know what Wen San said about him behind his back, nor did he want to know. He only knew that it was best to stay away from this plague god.

He even muttered to himself: "With such lousy cart-pulling skills, no wonder he always gets beaten up."

After passing one intersection, I hailed another rickshaw. This time, the rickshaw worked normally. Although the road surface was not very smooth, the rickshaw was surprisingly stable.

Upon arriving at their destination, Cao Wei Da readily handed over five jiao (0.5 yuan) of silver, saying, "The rest is yours." The coachman thanked him profusely.

Cao Weida stopped again. "Master, if you're not in a hurry, please wait a moment. I'll be right out."

The driver nodded hurriedly, "Sir, you're busy, I'm not in a hurry."

Rickshaws don't always have fares; most of the time you have to wait a long time, and there's no guarantee of a customer.

Even if he runs around all day, he might not earn five cents. Today, even if he only picks up this gentleman as a customer, he will still make a profit.

"Okay, then you'll have to wait a little while."

He had barely reached the door when he was spotted by Little Ears' people, who quickly went up to greet him.

"Master Cao, you've arrived. My elder brother is resting. Please come inside and have a seat. I'll call him. Biaozi, bring tea, the best tea!"

"Thanks, brother." Cao Weida didn't stand on ceremony. He walked into the hall and sipped the tea that was served to him.

A short while later, Little Ears, with sleep still clinging to the corners of her eyes, hurried in, cupped her hands in a respectful greeting,
"Master Cao."

"What 'master' or 'grandmaster'? We're buddies." Cao Weida put down his teacup and waved his hand. "I've been keeping your matter in mind. I went to pull some strings for you first thing this morning."

"That's why I came to let you know as soon as I got the news. If nothing unexpected happens, your brother Sun Dahu should be able to get out before noon."

"Really?!" Little Ears was overjoyed. Although she had been hoping to rescue Sun Dahu smoothly, she didn't expect it to be so easy!
This unexpected joy came so suddenly!
Cao Weida smiled and said, "I won't beat around the bush with you. If I want to successfully rescue Sun Dahu, I still need to go to the Military Police Headquarters. I need to make some arrangements there."

"Moreover, the higher-ups have said that if any of our 'brothers' are invited, as long as the 'explanation' is done properly, the misunderstanding can be 'cleared up'."

"Master Lian, you..."

"What do you mean by 'master'? We've already said we're buddies!" Little Ears quickly corrected him, his heart beating faster involuntarily.

He wasn't stupid; a fool wouldn't have reached his position. He naturally understood what Cao Weida was saying.

He was so excited that he almost couldn't breathe because he understood.

The Japanese devils were unreasonable, and countless people were arrested without cause!
If this relationship could clear up the misunderstanding, it would be a golden path to wealth!

With this connection, Cao Wei Da's importance in his mind immediately increased dramatically.

Cao Wei Da didn't stand on ceremony, saying, "Brother, if you have any 'friends' in this area, you can tell me, and I'll help you clear up the 'misunderstanding'."

(End of this chapter)