Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 82 Bundled Donation
Haha, they've already reached out their hand, why are you afraid of getting burned?

Didn't you know that people usually wear white gloves?

"Sometimes, I'm actually quite angry, about us at the bottom, and those bastards..."

"Forget it, there's no point in talking about this. Seriously though, thanks to you this time, I've been reinstated as a lieutenant colonel!"

"Oh, then I must congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Xu!" Cao Weida was surprised. He had been reinstated as a lieutenant colonel?
He hadn't watched much of the TV series "Wolf Smoke Over Beiping," and because it had been so long, he only remembered the general characters. As for the specific time and events, he really had no recollection of them.

That makes sense, it was just about finding a female spy. If he could be promoted from major to lieutenant colonel for that, then promotions in the Military Intelligence Bureau would be far too easy.

If it's just a recovery, then that makes sense.

Xu Jingge smiled broadly, “Everyone says that in our line of work, friendship is the most useless thing, but I, Xu Jingge, can’t stand not repaying kindness. I owe you a favor, and as long as I’m still alive, it will remain so.”

Cao Wei Da immediately probed, "Then can I use this favor to avoid joining your so-called 'extra staff'?"

Xu Jingge's face twitched, and he said speechlessly, "The requests you make should be within my capabilities. If the boss issues them, how can I possibly control them?"

Cao Weida rolled his eyes. "Fine, forget I said anything."

At noon, inside a safe house.

Cao Weida pushed a box over, saying, "Here, the 2000 silver dollars I promised you."

"Are you serious?" Zheng Chaoyang said, both amused and exasperated. He waved his hand dismissively, "No need, no need. We're more than grateful that you're helping us eliminate the traitors. How could we possibly take your money? Take it back right now."

"What are you saying? I, Cao Weida, am a man of my word. If I say I'll give you 2000, I'll give you 2000. If you don't accept it, aren't you slapping me in the face?"

"No, no, we really can't accept it. If we accept it, what would we become? We appreciate your kindness."

"Just keep it."

"I really can't accept it!"

"Oh, why be so polite? Didn't we already agree on this?"

"That's what you agreed to, not what I agreed to."

The two of them were pushing and shoving each other, one insisting on giving and the other refusing to accept. An outsider who saw it might have thought it was something bad.

"Hey, that's really strange, you can't even give money away." Seeing that Zheng Chaoyang's attitude was firm and not just empty politeness, Cao Weida shook his head helplessly.

It must be said that the Communist Party members during this period had their own principles and beliefs, and were exceptionally firm in their convictions. They said they would not take a single needle or thread from the people, and they truly did so without any compromise.

Seeing that he refused to accept it, Cao Wei Da was even more eager to give it to him.

Such a lovely and respectable person, he felt that taking only two thousand was really too stingy.

Feigning helplessness, he sighed regretfully, "Oh, I see. I had some penicillin here that I wanted to donate to you, but since you're so adamant, I suppose you won't accept it."

"That's a great idea!" Zheng Chaoyang grabbed Cao Weida's hand, grinning shamelessly. "Thank you so much, Master Cao, on behalf of our comrades who fought so hard!"

Money is optional, but medicine is essential!

This was a matter of life and death for his comrades, how could he possibly refuse!
Cao Wei Da smiled enigmatically, "Didn't you just say you wouldn't accept it?"

"Master Cao is so hospitable, it would be too disheartening for us to refuse again." Zheng Chaoyang was embarrassed, but he refused to let go.

What is face worth when the lives of countless comrades who fought and bled together are at stake?
I won't say much more. As long as I can get a box of penicillin, I'll trample his face under my feet as much as I want, I don't care if I make it twist and turn!
Seeing the other party's shameless, or rather, somewhat humble attitude, Cao Weida felt very uncomfortable.

These are all revolutionary predecessors who deserve our utmost respect and admiration!

The future prosperity of China will be built by these respectable and lovable people!

Taking a deep breath, Cao Weida's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Alright, I'm not joking with you anymore. Last time you told me you wanted me to get some medicine, and I've kept that in mind. It's just that I don't have much ability; in all this time, I've only managed to get forty boxes of penicillin."

"But don't worry, I'm already trying to get more medicine, but it will take some time."

Forty boxes?!

Zheng Chaoyang's eyes lit up immediately. A box contains twenty vials, that's eight hundred vials of medicine!
If we use it sparingly, we might be able to save eight hundred brave veterans!

“That’s plenty, not at all! Mr. Cao, we will always remember your kindness! But I must say, we may not be able to publicize your deeds for the time being.” Fearing misunderstanding, Zheng Chaoyang added:
“We are doing this to protect the safety of those who donated our supplies, like you. You know, spies are everywhere.” Cao Weida shook his head and said, “I understand, no need to explain. Even if you have this intention, I’m afraid of being found out. After all, I still want to make a living in Beiping. Besides, I donated voluntarily. I never thought of becoming famous through this action, nor did I ever think of getting anything in return.”

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Cao, and thank you for your silent contributions!"

Zheng Chaoyang was deeply moved, and even had tears welling up in his eyes.

This is a potion that's worth as much as gold! Including the last donation, this must be an astronomical sum!

As long as there are these lovable people who love their country, their compatriots, and this land, China will never be defeated!
Even if the Red Party loses, another Red Party will rise up!

"but."

Zheng Chaoyang's heart tightened. "But what?"

“However, I am not donating alone, but in a bundle.” Cao Weida said with a smile, “My forty boxes of penicillin are bundled with 20,000 silver dollars. That is to say, if you want to accept these forty boxes of medicine, you must accept the donation of 20,000 silver dollars together. If you do not accept the donation of 20,000 silver dollars, you cannot give me the forty boxes of penicillin.”

Hmph, you didn't want my two thousand silver dollars, huh? Fine, then I'll donate twenty thousand silver dollars to you!
I'll also offer a bundled donation; it's up to you whether you accept it or not!
I refuse to believe it! I can't even donate the money I want to donate?!
Zheng Chaoyang was stunned by Cao Weida's actions. Could this really be done?
They just refused 2,000 yuan, and then immediately donated 20,000 yuan. Was it a bundled donation?!

He was one of the few intellectuals in China during this era, and he understood the tricks of bundling products for sale, but he had never heard of a donation being bundled with a donation, which left him dumbfounded.

"What, it won't work?" Cao Weida sighed regretfully. "Then there's nothing we can do."

"No!" Zheng Chaoyang immediately became anxious. This was something that concerned the lives of hundreds of comrades who had fought bloody battles. How could he possibly give it up?

"How about this, I'll check with my superiors and give you a reply as soon as possible, okay?"

"No, I'm very busy. Do you want it or not? If not, I'm leaving. Let me tell you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I might end up selling these medicines on the black market." Cao Weida made a move to get up and leave, but Zheng Chaoyang held him back tightly, saying with a wry smile, "Fine, I accept, I accept, okay?"

How can this be? Donations can be forced, without even giving people time to think about it.
Cao Weida smiled with satisfaction and sat back down. "That's more like it. We're all grown men, why be so fussy? Wouldn't it be better to be straightforward?"

"Okay, let's meet here again tomorrow night, and I'll bring everything over."

Cao Wei had no shortage of money; he only needed enough to get by, and any extra money he carried was just kept as a collectible.

Money is only money when it's spent; otherwise, it's just a pile of paper and metal.

If it can help those lovely people, then it can be considered to have made the best use of resources.

"By the way, Brother Chaoyang, I have a question I'd like to ask you for advice on."

"Go ahead." Cao Weida's image had been elevated in Zheng Chaoyang's mind through a series of actions. As long as it didn't involve secrets or the organization, he would definitely tell him everything he knew.

"Well, I've run into a problem recently." Cao Weida feigned hesitation, and after much deliberation, he finally managed to speak:
“I did the military intelligence a little favor a while ago, and then they wanted to pull me in.”

"But I really don't like the Kuomintang. If it weren't for the fact that we are now in a period of united resistance against Japan, and that we are all Chinese, and that I can't remain indifferent to the persecution of those who are fighting against Japan, I really wouldn't want to have any contact with them."

"But then I did them a small favor, and their boss noticed me and insisted that I come in."

"To be honest, you've probably heard about some of the ways their upper management behaves. I really don't want to get involved with them, but I don't dare to refuse. You know their boss's reputation; he's incredibly petty."

"So, I wanted to ask if you could help me think of a way to legitimately refuse."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chaoyang's expression immediately changed. Damn it, as expected, capable people cannot hide their abilities. They have attracted the attention of the Military Intelligence Bureau so quickly!

He asked nervously, "What kind of help did you give them? Can you tell me? Of course, you don't have to say if it's something confidential."

“There’s nothing secret.” Cao Weida rolled his eyes. “I just helped them rescue someone from the Matsui Special Agent Agency and found two other people’s whereabouts. That’s all.”

"To be honest, I didn't want to have anything to do with them, so I didn't have much contact with them. I don't know what was wrong with their boss, who insisted on dragging me in. When I disagreed, they made me some kind of unofficial staff member. Isn't that just making things difficult for me?"

"The problem is I don't dare to refuse outright; I'm afraid they'll hold a grudge. Sigh."

"So that's how it is." Zheng Chaoyang felt relieved. After a flurry of thoughts, he tentatively asked, "Cao'er, the situation in the War of Resistance is very good now. I believe victory is just around the corner."

"The KMT is in such a good position now, aren't you tempted?"

"Joining the Kuomintang at this time will bring countless benefits to your future."

(End of this chapter)