Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 39: Is he truly stupid or just pretending?
Police station office.

Xu Hancheng personally poured Cao Wei Da a cup of water and said with great concern:
"Come, come, Cao'er, have a cup of tea to soothe your throat, be careful it's hot."

Cao Weida looked flattered and quickly stood up, leaning forward to accept the tea. "Director, how can you pour me tea? This is too much for me! Let me do it, let me do it."

"Haha, we're all brothers who eat from the same pot, why are you being so polite with me? Sit down, don't be shy, make yourself at home." Xu Hancheng was very satisfied with Cao Weida's attitude. You know, young people are good, they're so simple-minded.

If it were a seasoned veteran like Duomen, things would be much more difficult.

First they chatted about everyday things, then they inquired about Cao Weida's work, and finally, they brought up the case again, sighing as they spoke.

"Cao'er, as you know, our department has the strongest case-solving capabilities. This time, the Japanese officers have really embarrassed themselves, and they're determined to find the culprit. As their chief, I'm under immense pressure."

"Don't let my seemingly glamorous life fool you, actually... look closely!"

Pointing to her face, which was still swollen, she said, "What's this? I got beaten up by Ono-kun!"

Cao Wei Da was speechless. Xu Hancheng, you really have no shame!

If you get beaten up, just cry in secret. How dare you show off to me? No, you're a disgrace!
He gave an awkward laugh, his eyes darting around. "Ahem. Director, Mr. Ono really went too far. It's not really your fault. We tried our best to cooperate, but people who rebel against the world are all professionals. There's no way you can guard against thieves for a thousand days if you're a thief for a thousand days."

"Who says otherwise!" Xu Hancheng slapped his thigh hard, making a loud 'smack' that even Cao Weida felt pain upon hearing it.

But Xu Hancheng remained unfazed, saying, "You tell me, I'm really in a dilemma!"

"The brothers have been working day and night these past few days, arresting people, but in the end, what happened? They didn't find anything."

"Obviously, they're here again. My men are exhausted and full of complaints; I can hear them even from my office!"

"I can't explain this to my brothers below, and the Japanese are keeping me in check. My situation... sigh, don't even mention it, it's all tears."

So, it's none of my business.

Cao Wei Da secretly rolled his eyes. When you were all high and mighty, making a fortune for your family, you never looked worried.

Oh, so now that you've encountered some problems, you're all frowning and complaining?
There's no such thing as a free lunch!

"Don't worry, I will do my best to cooperate with the captain and the police station to arrest the resisters!"

Xu Hancheng looked at Cao Weida with suspicion. Was this kid really naive or just pretending to be confused?

I've been so blunt, yet all I've got is this stubbornness?

"Ahem, as expected of someone I have high hopes for. I really admire that drive." Xu Hancheng coughed, chuckled, and patted Cao Weida's shoulder encouragingly. Then, changing the subject...
"However, sometimes we don't have to be so serious about certain things. We can always take a roundabout approach. After all, being too rigid can lead to breakage."

"Cao'er, I heard that you are quite familiar with our Commander Ono?"

"I have some local specialties that I'd like to give to Commander Ono, but he's in a bad mood right now. Could you please deliver them for me?"

Whether he's genuinely stupid or pretending, Xu Hancheng can't control that anymore.

His official position was secondary; what he feared most was that old devil Ono Oda would take his anger out on him, and he might even lose his head.

Therefore, he could only explain it more clearly, because it couldn't possibly be completely incomprehensible, could it?
Did Cao Wei Da understand?
I understood it a long time ago!

Or to be more precise, he had already anticipated it when Dormen told him.

He knew a bit about Xu Hancheng's past. In fact, he wasn't a bad person. Although he had many minor flaws, he was not a menace to the village.

It wouldn't be accurate to say that Xu Hancheng was only good at flattery; he did have some skills.

Of course, he didn't get the position of police chief based on his abilities.

Before the Japanese came, he relied on his family background; his family had some money and connections.

The Kuomintang, well, those who know, know—it's all about spending money.

Later, when the Japanese came, Xu Hancheng was quite cooperative and humbled himself.

There's a saying, or as the Japanese would say, "Those who indulge in pleasure are heroes."
Xu Hancheng perfectly embodies this saying; he is incredibly adaptable and resilient.

To be fair, in order to demonstrate their goal of "East Asian Co-prosperity" and their policy of "using Chinese to control Chinese," the Japanese were quite restrained towards Chinese officials who did not resist, and did not interfere or dismiss them excessively.

Of course, it's normal practice to have some 'advisors' or the like inside.

Xu Hancheng was also clever. He knew that the Japanese were petty and that if he did nothing, they would definitely be dissatisfied with him.

But if he does everything exceptionally well, not to mention whether the Japanese will be wary of him, those anti-traitor squads are no pushovers.

He didn't want to be jumped on on his way home one day, or to have a hero appear at his bedside and snatch his head in the middle of his sleep.

Therefore, he always seems to put in his best effort in everything he does, but he always falls short by just one step.

In this way, he could accomplish his tasks diligently without offending the resistance fighters. He could also flatter them occasionally, and the Japanese would only think he was somewhat incompetent, but his loyalty to the Imperial Army would be unquestionable.

Thanks to this, he lived a pretty good life. If there was any downside, it was that after completing his tasks, his cheeks would tend to get quite close to the hands of his Japanese superiors.

Therefore, deep down, Cao Wei Da did not actually dislike Xu Hancheng.

Seeing that he had explained things so clearly, Cao Wei Da stopped pretending to be stupid and looked enlightened.

So, you mean...

"Isn't that too difficult?"

"It's not that it's difficult, but as you said, Ono-sama is in a bad mood. If I go there..."

With a 'clatter,' a bag was pushed over. 'Here are some snacks. I'm too old to eat all of these. You can take them back and try them.'

Cao Weida glanced at them and, judging from their outlines, they looked like two small yellow croakers. He really needed good teeth to do that, otherwise he might break them.
"You're too kind. You're my respected director; it would be my honor to go through fire and water for you. How could I accept your gift?" He pushed the bag back, saying righteously:

"Don't worry, I understand what you mean. I will definitely bring the gift!"

Regardless, Xu Hancheng is at least a decent person.

It wasn't that he was particularly kind and wanted to help Xu Hancheng. If Xu Hancheng really lost his official position, who knew what kind of monster would be replaced as the director?
Rather than changing to someone uncertain, why not let Xu Hancheng take the position?

Moreover, if a good relationship is established with Xu Hancheng now, and Xu Hancheng is still the police chief in the original story after the Japanese are defeated, then with this relationship, he will surely remember this favor.
Connections are built up little by little. No matter what position you're in, it's always good to make more connections.

Cao Wei's behavior made Xu Hancheng somewhat embarrassed, and he patted him hard on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, whether it works out or not, I'll remember this kindness!"

"Director, you're being too serious. Shall I go ahead?"

Xu Hancheng strode to the desk, took a small box from the cabinet, and handed it to him: "Thanks for your hard work, brother. I'm counting on you for this!"

Youmojing Restaurant.

Cao Wei Da invited Ono Oda to drink alone.

As usual, two hostesses were ordered for Ono Oda. When they were drinking to their hearts' content, Ono Oda couldn't help but hum a Japanese song.

The wailing and howling sounds were giving Cao Weida a real headache.

Midway through, Cao Weida went out to pay the bill, and when he returned, he had a small box in his hand.

"Cao Sang, you've spent money again today. Next time, I'll definitely treat you!"

Haha, what a load of rubbish!
I remember you said the same thing last time, so why don't you just do it!
"Not at all, Ono-kun, I am already honored that you would do me the honor of dining here."

"I have been deeply grateful for your kindness during this time, and I must express my gratitude in some way; otherwise, I will feel uneasy."

"Haha, you! Forget it, I can't argue with you."

This was just a polite remark, but Ono Oda fell for it.

His gaze fell on the box in Cao Weida's hand, and he asked in confusion, "Cao Sang, what is this?"

I wasn't afraid of the danger; anything that could be brought into the private room must have been inspected by the proprietress of You Tao Jing.

There's a reason why Ono Oda and his gang often come here to drink.

"Ono-kun, this is from our Director Xu Hancheng."

Ono Oda's smile gradually faded, and Cao Weida, seeing his displeasure, continued:

“He didn’t mean anything by it. He just recently acquired a piece of Ming Dynasty official kiln porcelain, saying it was from Jingdezhen. But he’s a rough man and doesn’t know anything about authenticity. I’m a rough man too, how would I know anything about these things?”

"Ono-kun, you are known for your extensive knowledge, so I took the liberty of bringing you along, hoping you could help me appraise it."

"What?! Ming Dynasty Jingdezhen porcelain?! Oh dear, I really need to help you appraise it!"

Seeing Ono Oda's excited and even impatient gesture, Cao Weida knew that the matter was settled.

Cao Weida handed it over with a smile, not at all bothered that Chinese goods were being wasted in the hands of the Japanese.

After all, it's only temporarily being held by him.

Ono Oda ignored the two hostesses, waving them away. Then, he carefully took out a bright red glazed porcelain piece from the box, looking at it while muttering "yoshi yoshi" repeatedly. He couldn't bear to look away from it, clearly liking it very much.

(End of this chapter)