Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 110: It can be done like this?
Cao Weida's lips twitched, and he said sarcastically, "I didn't realize, Lao Luo, when did you become so impulsive? You're not trying to curry favor with that leader, are you?"

Old Luo said with a righteous expression, "Don't talk nonsense. I'm not doing this for the sake of the leader's son-in-law. You just said that a total of 76 compatriots are to be executed this time. We have the opportunity to rescue them. How can we turn a blind eye?"

"Comrade Cao Weida, please make sure you gather all the intelligence, of course, on the premise of ensuring your absolute safety."

Before he could finish speaking, Cao Wei Da interrupted him, "There's no need for such trouble. There's actually a better way; we can just buy it with money."

"You can buy this with money?!" Old Luo was stunned. He had considered many possibilities, but he had never thought of this one.

It's not that I can't think of it, it's that I dare not think of it!

"What's the big deal? Not all Japanese are crazy people with Bushido in their heads. They're on their last legs, anyone with eyes can see that. Instead of sticking to that bullshit East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, it's more practical to make some money."

"After all, once they return home, the money in their pockets is the most tangible thing."

"So, how much do you think is appropriate?"

"I've checked for you. There are thirteen of you in total. Three people should each need a large yellow croaker, right?"

"Sigh~~"

"What's wrong, Lao Luo? Does your tooth hurt?"

"I've got four liver croakers, and they're big yellow croakers, so I can't let you down. At least five big yellow croakers as a token. Where is the organization going to come up with that much funding all at once?" Old Luo said, looking worried.

Is it too expensive to exchange a large yellow croaker for the lives of three comrades?

No, it's not only not expensive, it's actually a great deal.

However, the Beiping Transportation Station really didn't have that much money!

Even for organizations, it would be very difficult to get them to come up with so much money all at once.

The main problem is that a lot of money was used to 'purchase goods'.

But no matter what, we absolutely must save our comrades.

He gritted his teeth and said, "I'll go out and raise the money in a bit."

No one can say for sure when the Japanese will execute those they've arrested. The only thing Lao Luo can do now is to find a way to raise money as soon as possible.

Even if it's just reselling some of the supplies, we still need to raise the money.

Compared to supplies, the lives of our comrades are obviously more important.

"No rush. Given our relationship, there's no need for a tip. I'll cover the cost for you first. Just give me four big yellow croakers later."

"Oh, by the way, I have some intelligence here, do you want it? It's a map of the Japanese navy's supply transport routes."

"The navy? They transport supplies by ship from the sea, which is beyond our reach."

"You're overthinking it. Where would they get so many transport ships to carry the goods? Besides, the supplies they're transporting this time are going inland, so they're going by land."

Old Luo suddenly realized, "You mean, this batch of supplies is going to Henan?"

Yes, so, are you interested?

At this time, the battle in Henan had already begun, which is known in history as the Battle of Central Henan, and was resisted by 40 troops, including the Kuomintang army under Tang Enbo.

The Japanese have gone completely mad. Given the dire international situation, they can only attempt a desperate gamble in China.

In order to quickly resolve the resistance forces in China and ensure the safety of transportation in the later stages, they amassed 150,000 troops to attack Henan, with the aim of opening up the Pinghan Railway transportation line as quickly as possible.

"Interested? Of course I'm interested! You even managed to gather such top-secret intelligence?" Old Luo was excited, but then he said with concern and sincerity, "Comrade Cao Weida, although this intelligence is very important to us, I still want to say that you should try not to get involved in such dangerous matters. Your own safety should be the primary consideration!"

Cao Wei was extremely important to the organization; the amount of supplies he transported to the organization during this period alone was enormous.

When their underground transportation station was almost paralyzed, it was Cao Weida who provided them with a safe transportation station and also provided them with food, clothing, shelter and transportation for these hard-working underground party members.

Therefore, whether out of self-interest or out of consideration for their contributions to the pro-communist cause, they had to do everything in their power to ensure Cao Wei Da's safety.

"Don't worry, Lao Luo, I value my life very much." Cao Weida chuckled. "Let me tell you..."

After hearing Cao Weida's account, Lao Luo was completely stunned, his worldview shattered, he couldn't believe it was possible to do something like that.

But considering the animosity between the Japanese army and navy, it seems quite reasonable.
Old Luo lowered his head and pondered for a long time before finally speaking: "Well, Li Huaide was arrested, wasn't he? After we rescue him this time, I'll contact his superior and have him contact you to buy the intelligence. You absolutely must not contact us first."

Cao Weida knew that the other party wanted to ensure his safety as much as possible, so he nodded and said, "Alright, let's do it that way then. I'll go make the arrangements."

After leaving, Cao Wei Da immediately went to the Military Police Headquarters to find Fujita Sōsuke and went straight to the point:

"There are twenty large yellow croakers in total. I'll deliver them tomorrow morning, but I'll need to add two more names to the list."

He handed over the two names. Upon hearing "twenty large yellow croakers," Fujita Sosuke's eyes lit up. These days, one large yellow croaker was worth 500 silver dollars!
Twenty sticks, that's ten thousand silver dollars!

That's a considerable sum!
"These two people are..."

"One was a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and the other was a member of the underground Communist Party. They were just arrested."

"Yoshi, Cao-san, you really didn't disappoint me." Fujita Sosuke didn't care about the two extra people; what he cared about was the money!

"However, if we add these two, it will cost extra. After all, they were just arrested, and I'll have to step in and mediate for you, which is risky."

Taking risks my ass, they just want to raise prices.

Cao Wei Da did not refute this; anything that could be solved with money was not a problem.

"Okay, two people, one big yellow croaker each, but the Kuomintang and the underground party members have to be separated."

"Yoshi, no problem at all. Since I've taken the money, I'll naturally provide good service." Having earned two more big yellow croakers, Fujita Sousuke grinned from ear to ear. "Once the money arrives tomorrow morning, I'll prepare three trucks with hoods to pick up the 78 people separately."

I will arrange for a car to drive out of the city. Then, you need to prepare 78 corpses, and at least ten alive ones, change into their clothes, and then finish them off.

"Make sure it's done neatly. After the execution, I'll take photos for documentation; I need to have an explanation for my superiors."

"Okay, I'll go and inform them now."

"and many more."

"Fujita-kun, is there anything else?"

"Cao Sang, don't forget about the intelligence."

"Tsk, look at my brain! Luckily Fujita-kun reminded me, otherwise I would have forgotten. Okay, no problem, I'll talk to them. But with them offering so many gold bars at once, I can't guarantee they'll have more money to buy intelligence."

Fujita Sousuke smiled slightly: "The price is negotiable, as long as it's not less than five small yellow croakers."

Cao Weida chuckled inwardly. Just how eager are you to see the Japanese navy suffer?
Shortly after, Cao Weida, who had just left the military police headquarters, went straight to the pre-arranged contact point.

"Old Xu."

Xu Jingge was speechless. "I'm only in my early thirties, do I look that old?!"
I'm your superior officer! Lieutenant Colonel!!
Never mind, the mission is more important. "Jingzhe, how's the situation?"

"It's all taken care of. Go get the money, prepare about sixty more corpses, and five more survivors. They must be ready before dawn tomorrow."

He happened to have those five scapegoats, Tong Mazi, so he decided to make good use of them.

Well, looks like I'll be busy tonight.

Now that the weather is no longer so cold and temperatures are rising, fewer and fewer homeless people are freezing to death inside and outside the city. It's not an easy task to gather so many bodies all at once.

Looks like I'll have to go and cause trouble for the traitors and puppet troops tonight.

but
"Why are there only sixty or so corpses? Where are the others?" Xu Jingge frowned. "Cao Weida, you wouldn't still be in contact with the Red Party, would you?"

"Otherwise what?" Cao Weida glanced at him irritably. "Don't you even know what I do now? If I don't get in touch with them, how am I supposed to expand my business? What if they think I'm a traitor and secretly assassinate me? Who am I supposed to complain to?"

Xu Jingge was speechless for a moment; he really didn't know how to answer.

The key point is that what they said makes sense. Cao Wei Da was openly helping the Japanese make money, so he didn't have much of a choice.

After a moment's hesitation, he said, "I understand, but you'd better try to have as little contact with them as possible. The higher-ups are very particular about this, so don't offend them."

"Don't worry, I only have business dealings with them and I don't get involved in anything else."

Xu Jingge thought about it and it seemed to make sense. If it weren't for the higher-ups forcing Cao Weida to join, he wouldn't have needed to join the Military Intelligence Bureau at all.

They're quite wealthy now, have two concubines, and live a very comfortable life. They're nothing like the Red Party members who eat chaff and wild vegetables.

"Alright, as long as you keep that in mind, let's meet before dawn!"

After parting ways, Cao Weida went to the police station to find Ono Oda.

"Ono-kun, I have accomplished my mission and have made some progress. However, they will only trade information after they have rescued their people."

Ono Oda was aware of this 'transaction' and was involved in it.

"Moreover, they spent a lot of money on this deal, so they probably won't have much money left. I've already told Fujita-kun about that beforehand."

Ono Oda didn't mind at all. "Yoshi, thanks for your hard work, Cao-san. Come to my place tomorrow morning after everything is over."

After leaving the police station, Cao Weida rushed to Ruixin Grocery Store. He couldn't help but sigh to himself, "I'm really destined to be a workaholic!"
"Old Luo, it's all settled. Tomorrow morning at six o'clock, I'll drive out of Dongbianmen and drop the person off. You can send someone to meet them. Also, prepare about ten corpses."

(End of this chapter)