Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 118 What is that?

When Mo He first mentioned Cao Weida to him, he actually inquired about it intentionally or unintentionally.

Master Fan was very satisfied with all of Cao Weida's conditions, but there was one thing that bothered him: that he was working for the Japanese.

However, this is not a big problem, since Cao Wei Da has never done anything immoral or immoral, and has instead brought many benefits to the people in his jurisdiction.

Overall, its merits outweigh its flaws.

If Mo Hezhen were to follow Cao Wei Da, it wouldn't be a bad choice.

what?
Did Cao Wei Da have two concubines?

What's going on?
In the past, which family in the Prince's Mansion didn't have several concubines?

He's seen this kind of thing all the time, okay?

After wiping his mouth with a napkin, Master Fan had just put the napkin down when a cigarette was offered to him.

"Tsk, a cigarette after a meal is better than being a living god." Master Fan lit his cigarette quickly. He was a heavy smoker, but he always had a 'masterly' air about him when he smoked.

"Master Cao, we've finished our meal and smoked a cigarette. You asked me for help before, so what is it?"

"But let me remind you, I, Fan Wu, am down on my luck right now. If you ask me for any big favors and I can't help you, you can't ask me for money for food. I'm penniless right now."

"Fifth Master, you're joking. It's just a meal, how could I ask you for money? That would be embarrassing." Cao Weida smiled and was about to light one for himself when a lit match was brought to him.

Turning my head, I saw Mo Hezhen, her face flushed, holding a burning match.

This scene made Master Fan feel a little sour. He sighed and said, "Oh my, I, as the older brother, have never been served like this by my sister. Today, someone else gets to enjoy it first."

Mo He's face turned even redder, and she stomped her foot, protesting, "Brother, what are you saying? Fine, I'll order some for you, okay?"

"Tch, you don't care if you order, I'm already smoking." Master Fan rolled his eyes, stopped joking with the girl, and looked at Cao Weida again, waiting for his answer.

Cao Weida smiled, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said frankly, "We're all men from Beiping, so let's not beat around the bush."

"I used to be a rough man who toiled in the fields. I was lucky enough to make some money, but at my core I'm still a roughneck."

"That's why I was thinking of trying to be cultured and use the things from our ancestors to cultivate my mind."

"But I don't know anything about this stuff, I'm a complete novice, and I'm afraid I'll get scammed."

"You, Master Fan, are an expert in this field and have connections, so I was hoping you could act as an intermediary to see if you could help me find some good stuff."

"Don't worry, I won't let you help for nothing."

"Oh, so that's how it is." Master Fan suddenly realized, and after understanding the purpose, he immediately perked up, giving him a 'you've got good taste' look, and laughed heartily.

"Then you've really come to the right person. I'm not bragging, but I've always treated antiques and calligraphy like toys since I was a kid. I know all the inside and out about them!"

"So, it's settled then?"

"Let's leave it at that. I'm beholden to their kindness, so what can I do but agree?"

"Oh, thank you so much." He took out twenty silver dollars from his pocket and handed them to Mo He: "Take these for now."

"No, no, Brother Cao, what are you doing? I don't want it." Mo He quickly waved her hand. This money was enough for her to sell countless cigarettes. How could she take money from someone for no reason?

If someone treats them to a lavish meal and then offers them money in return, that would be a waste.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not giving it away for nothing." Cao Weida pulled her small hand, put the money inside, and held it. Hey, it's actually quite soft.

“I asked Fifth Master for help, so I can’t take up his time and energy. How should I pay for the food and drinks in between?”
"Help me out. I can't let Fifth Master waste his time on this, can I? With these, Fifth Master won't have to waste his time and can just help me search for things. I'm doing this for myself!"

Mo He was immediately in a dilemma, unsure whether to accept the gift or not, and looked to her brother for help.

The moment the silver dollars were taken out, Master Fan's eyes almost lit up, but he immediately suppressed it. We Manchu descendants have to maintain our dignity. It's just a few silver dollars. We used to not even give it a second glance. We just consider it a tip.

Seeing Mo He looking over, he snorted twice, pretending to be indifferent, and said in a rough voice, "Just take it. The things I'm helping your brother with are elegant matters, and we really can't waste our time and energy on these trivial matters."

Seeing that her brother had said so, Mo He hesitated before putting it away.

She wasn't stupid; she understood perfectly well that Brother Cao was indirectly helping them, but he was afraid of hurting their pride, so he said it this way.

A warm feeling welled up inside him, and his gaze towards Cao Weida took on a different, more tender quality.

“That’s more like it, why be so polite with me?” Seeing that she had accepted the money, Cao Weida chuckled and ruffled her hair. After Mo He blushed and lowered her head, he continued, “I’m just a nouveau riche. I have nothing else but the stench of money. I’m trying my best to suppress the stench of money with elegant things. Fifth Master is doing me a great favor.”

Mo He smiled faintly. Brother Cao, really, why does he describe himself as so vulgar when he's such a good person?
"Ahem~~" Master Fan coughed lightly, his eyes fixed on the hand holding Mo He's. Cao Weida awkwardly let go and touched his nose embarrassedly.

Oh dear, I was so busy feeling the softness of her little hands that I didn't notice them. But you know what, they even smell nice! She must have put on some face cream!

"Hey, Fifth Master, have you finished eating? If you're done, we'll head out. How about I treat you to a haircut?"

"Oh right, you're here for a haircut today, right? Well then, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Let's all enjoy ourselves."

If you're talking about enjoyment, then it truly was enjoyment.

Cao Wei Da lay down, letting others do as they pleased.

The barber was a man in his forties, not very tall, only about 1.6 meters, a bit thin, and with a sallow complexion, clearly not well-fed.

But you know what, their craftsmanship is really quite good.

First, he washed his hair with warm water. After washing his hair, he wrapped a cloth around his head, picked up a razor from the side, and sharpened it three times on the cowhide sharpening cloth attached to his waist.

He carefully tested the temperature on the back of his hand before starting to cut at his temple.

The blade moved very steadily, close to the scalp, and the stray hairs rustled as they fell onto the apron, giving a feeling of comfort and stress relief.

After shaving his head, he took out a pig bristle brush and soap, dipped them in water, and scrubbed them back and forth in the soap dish to create lather. He then used the brush to wet Cao Weida's face before running the razor along the direction of his hair.

Kakakka~~
After shaving his beard, he took out a bamboo ear pick, dipped it in sesame oil, and rubbed it around inside his ear a few times. Then he took out small copper tweezers and trimmed the ear hair neatly.

After the haircut, ear cleaning, and shave, the master also washed Cao Weida's eyes and put him to bed with a five-flower hammer.

The so-called "Five-Flower Hammer Sleep Relief" is a massage from head to waist, which emphasizes the use of both hands. It uses techniques such as pinching, kneading, hammering, and clenching to act on acupoints to achieve the effect of relaxing muscles and promoting blood circulation and relaxing the body.

After finishing his routine, Cao Wei Da woke up from his half-asleep state, stretched lazily, and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Oh, this feels so good, Master! Your skills are amazing! Especially that five-flower hammer, it's truly authentic!"

"See? I wasn't lying to you," Master Fan said with a smug smile, having already finished the whole thing. "Let me tell you, Master Fan's skills are among the best in Tianqiao!"

The barber beamed with pride at the compliment. "Master Fan, you flatter me. It's just some basic skill, earning a meager living. If you two gentlemen like it, please patronize my shop in the future. I would be eternally grateful."

"Definitely, definitely. With your skills, I'll definitely be a regular customer from now on."

After parting ways with Cao Wei, Master Fan strolled leisurely through the streets.

After a hearty meal and a good time, Master Fan felt a completely different energy and spirit.

I strolled over to the vicinity of the overpass, looking around, and sure enough, I soon spotted a young woman selling cigarettes with a basket on her back.

"Mo He, Mo He, come here, come here." Master Fan waved his hand.

"Brother, are you all done?"

"That's right, didn't you see that flowing hairstyle?" Master Fan tossed his hair smugly. He hadn't had a haircut for over two months, and the last time he washed his hair was ten days ago.

For no other reason than that I had no money in my pocket.
"Oh, I see. What's up, bro? I still have to sell cigarettes. If I don't sell them soon, I'll really have to hoard them."

Cigarettes in those days didn't have the same moisture-proofing measures as later generations. Because the packaging technology was relatively simple and the sealing was poor, they were very susceptible to moisture.

Once it gets damp, it won't sell well.

"I'm not selling anymore, what's the point of selling?" Master Fan, who had some money in his pocket, immediately perked up, grabbed her hand, and headed home.

"Let me tell you, it's not good for a girl to be out in public all the time. You're my sister, and back then you were practically a princess!"

"No, brother, what will we eat and drink if we don't sell cigarettes? They'll really spoil in a couple of days and we won't be able to sell them." Mo He said, half-laughing, half-crying, pulling him back forcefully to stop him.

"Besides, what princess? That's ancient history, from ten or twenty years ago."

"We make a living by selling cigarettes; it's not shameful. Let people say what they want."

“No way, how can my sister, Master Fan, do such a thing? We had no choice before, but now we have money in our pockets. Listen to your brother, let’s go home.”

Mo He was both amused and exasperated. "Brother, stop joking around. We've only just started to have a little money."

"Spend it when you have it!" Master Fan waved his hand domineeringly. "There was no other way before, but now that I have money in my pocket, do you think I'd let you suffer like this? Come on, come with me."

(End of this chapter)