Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 30 Intelligent people often like to overthink
"Master Duo, you're in a terrible mood today. What happened to my brother?"

It was rare for the usually mild-mannered Sang Liuji to lose his temper. In fact, he didn't really want to provoke them. They were all patrol captains, and they should at least save each other some face.

But he was still Xiao Zhou's boss, and he always had to stand up for him.

“Brother Sang, your brother’s words are a bit too harsh. It’s not that I’m being unreasonable, it’s just that he went too far.”

For once, Duomen stood firm, staring at Sang Liuji, waiting for an explanation.

Sang Liuji was somewhat displeased. "Master Duo, the people below are just being naive and making a joke. Why be so forceful?"

"As you know, these past few days, we've been working with the Imperial Army to capture rebels. The brothers have been getting up earlier than the chickens and going to bed later than the dogs. Unlike you two, who are always out and about, exhausted like dogs, we're bound to be a bit temperamental. Please bear with us."

Duo Men could hear the sarcasm in Sang Liuji's tone, and Cao Weida naturally noticed it as well. Seeing that Duo Men was about to say something, Cao Weida stopped him and gently shook his head.
"Master Duo, forget it."

It's just a verbal dispute, there's no need for it.

Moreover, it's right at the entrance of the police station; if a real argument breaks out, it won't have a good impact.

He had wanted to deal with scoundrels like Sang Liuji for a long time, but a mere argument or a fight was not what he wanted.

Let him gloat for a few more days, and when I have some free time, I'll see how I deal with him!
Sang Liuji had no idea what Cao Weida was thinking; he only assumed it was an admission of weakness, and immediately grinned smugly.
"Master Duo, since your lackey has said so, why don't we just let it go?"

Cao Wei's jaw muscles tightened, and his fists clenched unconsciously.

That bastard, he can't say anything nice, just you wait!

Duomen was equally angry, but Cao Wei Da stopped him.

"Master Duo, let's go."

Seeing that Cao Weida didn't want to make a big fuss, Duomen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't struggle and let Cao Weida pull him away.

As soon as they left, Sang Liuji thought the two were afraid of him, and his attitude became even more arrogant. Xiao Zhou next to him flattered him a few more times, and his face was beaming with joy.

"Cao'er, don't take it to heart. That bastard with the mourning stick has done all sorts of bad things. Sooner or later, someone will take care of him!"

"Hey, it's nothing, I wasn't really thinking about it anyway," Cao Weida said helplessly, glancing back at the resentful and helpless figure.
"We're patrol officers, yet...sigh..."

"Try to think positively. Sometimes we have to play dumb. We're just small fry; we can't control everything." Duomen was also upset, but what could he do?

If the incident had occurred in their jurisdiction, it would have been fine, but since it happened in the area managed by Sang Liuji, they don't want you to get involved, so you can only watch helplessly.

Cao Wei Da understood what Duomen meant. Now the Japanese were in charge, and people were dying in Beiping almost every day, sometimes even a whole bunch of them.

Given the Japanese's nature, they wouldn't care whether Chinese people live or die.

Fraud, theft, vandalism, arson, and murder occur frequently in the market. Although the police maintain a semblance of order, their primary role is to control the public. Meanwhile, gangsters and other criminal organizations have close ties with the police or the puppet military, resulting in collusion between the legitimate and criminal elements.

Take this murder case for example. Nobody knows if it was done by someone with connections, or even if it was an assassination by the Japanese or the Kuomintang.

It's good if they don't find anything, but what if they do find something? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
Therefore, when faced with such a situation, most police officers, adhering to the principle of "the less trouble, the better," will simply deal with it perfunctorily.

But for the person involved, it is an utterly hopeless situation, but... who cares?

"It is true that when a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer." Cao Wei Da shook his head inwardly. Those powerful and influential people, no matter what era they live in, always squander their wealth and indulge in a life of luxury and debauchery. In the end, it is only the common people who suffer.

Duomen patted him on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort, "We're just ordinary people at the bottom of society. It's already a good thing if we can offer some help within our capabilities."

"Having a conscience is a good thing, but in this world, having too much of a conscience can be harmful."

Cao Weida smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master Duo. You really think I'm having a mental breakdown? I'm just making a few pointless complaints."

"As long as you can figure it out."

For the next two days, Cao Weida went to work and went home every day. During this time, he also helped a few "friends" resolve misunderstandings with the Japanese forces. He made money easily and happily.

But he kept thinking about the Osaka Division that Ono Oda had mentioned. Three or four days had passed and there was still no movement. He couldn't help but start to worry. Could it be that Ono Oda was just bragging when he was drunk?
Just as he was thinking this, early on the third day, Cao Weida had just finished his roll call and was about to go out to see if there was anything to eat when someone informed him that Ono Oda wanted him to come over.

As soon as I arrived at Ono Oda's office and greeted him, Ono Oda, beaming, spoke first.
"Cao-san, you're not busy today, are you? Even if you are, it's best to postpone your get off work hours if possible. I'm taking you to meet a friend, a friend from Osaka!"

Cao Wei Da immediately realized that it was the Osaka Division that had arrived!
This is the start of another fortune!

"Of course, then, shall I arrange a private room first? Would You Tao Jing be alright?"

"No, Cao Sang, you don't need to make any arrangements this time. You can just come with me."

Cao Wei Da naturally had no objections; he'd be more than happy to avoid spending money.

In the afternoon, Cao Weida got into Ono Oda's car and drove away, chatting and laughing in front of the police station. This scene was witnessed by Chief Xu Hancheng on the second floor.

"So Cao Wei Da really has latched onto the Japanese's coattails, huh?"

Xu Hancheng returned to his seat thoughtfully. The entire Fifth Precinct was under his control. Other patrol officers were either on guard duty, patrolling, or helping the military police and the Special Higher Police arrest resistance fighters. Only Cao Weida and Duomen were given special instructions to leave them alone. Someone had reported this to him before, but he hadn't paid much attention at first. It was common for the Japanese to ask people in the police station for help (as manual labor), and he assumed it was just like before.

But now it seems that things are not as he thought. The two of them seem to be having a good relationship, chatting happily.

"No, why should he!"

"San'er~!"

"Here!" A loud shout rang in my ears.

"Oh my god!" Startled, Xu Hancheng couldn't help but curse, "You idiot, you almost scared me to death! You bastard!"

"Yes, sir! Chief, you bastard!"

Xu Hancheng was stunned for a moment, then slapped San'er on the head, "You little bastard, who are you calling a scoundrel!"

San'er shrank his neck and said, "Chief, I... I was a bastard."

"That's more like it." Xu Hancheng's anger subsided a bit, and he said irritably, "Speak, what is it?"

San'er looked completely bewildered: "Chief, didn't you call me?"

"Yes, yes, you made me so angry I lost my mind." Xu Hancheng slapped his forehead and glared at San'er, making San'er look completely innocent.

Seeing his expression, Xu Hancheng said irritably, "Go and get me Cao Weida's information."

San'er looked confused: "Director, why did you suddenly pull up his file?"

Seeing his dumbfounded look, Xu Hancheng became furious and yelled, "What nonsense are you spouting? I'm the bureau chief, and you're the bureau chief. I tell you to go get it, so go get it! Hurry up!"

San'er shrank back and ran away as fast as he could.

"This kid," Xu Hancheng shook his head helplessly, "They're both cowardly and timid, how come there's such a big difference between them?"

Although San'er is a bit slow-witted and timid, the good thing is that San'er is loyal and from the same hometown as him. So, despite his usual scolding, he actually considers San'er one of his own.

Having served as a bureau chief for so many years, he knew all too well that sometimes ability was secondary; the most important thing was loyalty!
Otherwise, with so many people in the bureau, why would they choose a mistress to follow orders around?
A short while later, a document was placed on his desk.

Xu Hancheng picked up the documents and looked through them carefully, but he couldn't see anything special about them no matter how he looked at them.

"Could it be that he's not from the countryside, and all this information is fake, and he actually has some other background?"

Xu Hancheng is not an outstanding person, but he is definitely a smart man. Even a fool could not become the director.

Intelligent people tend to overthink things even when they don't know the answer.

As a result, all sorts of guesses came rushing into his mind.

It's all about plots like the "Prince Replaced by a Civet Cat" story, defecting anti-Japanese elements, and secret missions.

So, should we try to get closer to him?

Xu Hancheng was caught in a dilemma.

After a moment of contemplation, touching his face, which was still throbbing from the beating, he finally decided to spend more time with him.

The dance hall in Beiping.

"Ono-kun, it's been a long time."

"Haha, Nakamura-kun, how have you been?"

Ono Oda pulled Cao Wei Da to the side of a middle-aged man in his forties and introduced him:
“Nakamura-kun, this is Cao Wei Da, Cao Sang, whom I told you about.”

"I can assure you, Mr. Cao is an excellent partner."

Nakamura glanced at Cao Weida, nodded slightly, and smiled, "Since Ono-kun puts it that way, then Mr. Cao is certainly a good partner. Nakamura Jiro, from Osaka. Mr. Cao, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me."

"Not at all, it should be Nakamura-kun who is taking care of me. Nakamura-kun, it's a pleasure to meet you." Cao Weida replied politely, but his eyes were always watching the other party's every move.

"Nakamura-kun, let's go inside first. The banquet has been prepared, it's all to your liking, and we even specially ordered the famous stinky tofu from Beiping for you!"

"Yoshi, thank you for your hospitality, Ono-kun. Please."

The Beiping Dance Hall, part of the Beiping Hotel, was one of Beiping's most upscale entertainment venues, frequented primarily by the elite.

After all, spending money here once is not something an ordinary person can afford.

(End of this chapter)