Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 149 is simply incomparable!
Although he had come, Cao Weida remained one of the most leisurely people in the entire police station.

Now that we're here, we can't just turn back right away.

As luck would have it, or perhaps it was fate that couldn't bear to see him idle, because not long afterward, someone else came looking for him.

"Brother Cao, someone named Li Xiangxiu requests an audience."

"Li Xiangxiu?" Upon hearing this name, Cao Weida felt it sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place who it was.

"Yes, she is the wife of Bai Jingqi, the head of the Bai family of Baicaoting."

"Oh, it's her!" Cao Weida exclaimed in surprise. Isn't she a character from "The Grand Mansion"? No wonder the name sounded familiar.

"Invite her in."

A short while later, a woman in her early twenties, with a pretty and delicate appearance, a graceful figure, and a calm, reserved, and dignified demeanor, hurriedly walked in carrying a bag.

Her delicate face couldn't hide her haggardness, and there were bloodshot veins in her eyes, clearly indicating that she had encountered something upsetting.

When Li Xiangxiu entered the room and saw Cao Weida's appearance, she was clearly stunned for a moment.

She never expected that the person who was rumored to be incredibly powerful in Beiping was actually such a young man.

However, she quickly regained her composure, first curtsied, and then said, "Li Xiangxiu of the Bai family greets Commander Cao."

"Mrs. Bai, you're too kind. Please have a seat. Little Ear, bring some tea."

"Thank you, Commander Cao."

Despite her inner anxiety, Li Xiangxiu remained composed, exuding an air of elegance with every step she took.

Tsk, as expected of someone who has been in charge of the inner court for many years, such demeanor is not something that can be acquired out of thin air.

After sitting down, Li Xiangxiu said apologetically, "Commander Cao is so young to hold such a high position, he is truly a promising young man. I apologize for disturbing you today."

"Madam Bai, you're too kind. What do you mean by 'young and promising'? I'm just trying to make a living." Cao Weida was rather unaccustomed to such formal conversation. These people, who had long lived in large mansions, still retained their old way of speaking, which sounded rather awkward to him.

Too lazy to mince words, I went straight to the point:

"Madam Bai, you've come in such a hurry, is there something you need?"

Clearly surprised by Cao Wei Da's bluntness, Li Xiangxiu was taken aback for a moment, then said bitterly, "Commander Cao is a man of few words, so I will speak frankly as well."

She took a box out of her bag and pushed it over.

"My husband, Bai Jingqi, has been arrested by the Japanese military police. I've heard that you, Commander Cao, are very powerful. I wonder if you could help mediate this?"

After saying that, she looked at Cao Weida with hope in her eyes. The Bai family lived in the inner seventh district and rarely paid attention to the affairs of the outer five districts.

Ever since her husband was arrested and taken to the military police, the Bai family has been in a state of chaos.

Although Li Xiangxiu appeared calm and composed, she was actually extremely flustered inside.

It can be said that Bai Jingqi is the pillar of the Bai family. The sudden arrest of the patriarch is tantamount to taking away the pillar of the family. How could she not panic?

Moreover, the Japanese were clearly intent on killing, displaying a determination to achieve their goal at all costs.

Everyone in Beiping knew that once you entered the military police headquarters, your chances of survival were slim.

If you still don't agree to become the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese will absolutely not let you off the hook!
At the moment when the master was on the verge of death, Bai Jingye, the eldest son, came back to cause trouble, making a complete mess of the Bai family.

Just when she was at a loss, Tian Muqing came to her door and told her some news: she could try to find Cao Weida of the Fifth District Police Station, which might be helpful.

At the time, she did not know who Cao Weida was, and even doubted whether Cao Weida had such great power.

So she sent someone to inquire about Cao Weida's whereabouts, and only then did she learn that such a capable and resourceful person had quietly emerged in Beiping, who had rescued people from the military police more than once.

Of course, most importantly, she learned that Cao Weida was not a die-hard traitor and had never done anything immoral.

On the contrary, he was quite famous within his jurisdiction and was loved by the local people.

However, her husband's situation was different from others, and she was not sure if Cao Weida had the power to save him.

This time, the Japanese devils are making a big move, all to force her master to submit and to obtain the Bai family's medicinal formulas.

If they don't achieve their goal, will the Japanese agree to release the master?
But since things had come to this point, she had no choice but to try anything, even if it seemed like a last resort.
Cao Weida glanced at the box and knew without even opening it that it contained croaker or checks, definitely not silver dollars.

If it's a large sum of money, that's far too stingy.

If the Bai family, with its vast wealth and power, were to try and fool them with such a small amount of money, it wouldn't be the attitude of asking for favors; it would be an attempt to offend them.

"Master Bai has been arrested and taken to the military police? What did Mr. Bai do wrong?" He knew the reason in his heart, but he still pretended not to know and asked. "Captain Kato of the military police wanted our master to be the president of the chamber of commerce, but our master disagreed."

She recounted the whole story in detail, without any concealment, nor did she intend to conceal it, because it was impossible to hide it anyway.

When you ask someone for a favor, you have to act like you're asking for a favor. If you try to play tricks on them after all this, not only will you fail to save them, but you'll also offend them.

Cao Wei Da looked enlightened and said, "Oh, I see."

Then he fell into deep thought.

Li Xiangxiu's heart jumped. She sat there anxiously, her mind racing, but she dared not urge them and could only wait impatiently.

She had tried every possible solution, and even swallowed her pride and took the initiative to visit her arch-enemy Guan Jingshan with gifts.

However, Guan Jingshan was a staunch traitor and rejected her outright without hesitation.

Seeing that Guan Jingshan was unwilling to help her, she took the gold bars and went to beg Wang Xiguang.

The result was obvious: she was not only ridiculed but also kicked out of the house, unable to even take the gold bars with her.

It could be said that Cao Weida was her only hope at the moment. If even Cao Weida was unwilling to help, she didn't know who else to turn to.
She glanced at the box on the table, her heart pounding with anxiety, and her mind began to race with wild thoughts:
Is he unwilling to help, or does he feel that the amount given is too little?
What should I do now?
Do you want a reminder?

Although he had been in charge of the Bai family's inner quarters for several years, he was not cultivated by a major family, and his time in power was still short. In addition, this matter involved too much.
She couldn't help but start to panic. Her hands unconsciously clenched the handkerchief tightly and tore at it back and forth, while her legs moved restlessly back and forth.

Her lips were pressed tightly together, turning pale, and as time went on, she even began to feel despair.
Just as she was waiting anxiously, and the hope in her eyes was about to fade away, Cao Weida finally spoke: "I can only say that I will try to help, but I can't guarantee whether it will be successful."

Li Xiangxiu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy and excitedly stood up, "Thank you, Commander Cao, thank you so much!"

"Regardless of whether it works out or not, the Bai family owes you a debt of gratitude!"

"These things in the box are a small token of the Bai family's appreciation. Please rest assured, if it succeeds, the Bai family will reward you handsomely!"

Cao Wei Da smiled; this was the effect he wanted.

If you agree right away, how can you achieve the best results?

Only by letting others know your difficulties, how much trouble you're going through with this matter, and only by waiting until they feel they've given up hope before giving them hope, can you maximize your success.

Don't blame him for being calculating; that's human nature, and he didn't mean to do it.
"Madam Bai, you are too kind. We are all compatriots in China, and you are a Chinese person with integrity like Manager Bai. I would have been fine if I didn't know, but now that I know, I naturally have to help you out."

"Don't worry, for no other reason than for Manager Bai's sense of national righteousness, I must do my best to help him."

"Please wait a moment, I'll go out for a bit."

"Say what you want to say," he said, getting up and quickly leaving.

Li Xiangxiu was deeply moved. She knew, of course, that Cao Weida had gone to help her find connections.

She knew in her heart how difficult this matter was. The Japanese devils had gone to great lengths to put her husband on the hot seat and obtain the Bai family's secret recipe. It wasn't going to be released so easily.
The box on the table hadn't been touched yet, which had initially made her very uneasy, but now she saw it as the best indication that the other party genuinely wanted to help.

She couldn't help but think to herself, "They're both working for the Japanese, but look at Cao Weida, and then look at Guan Jingshan! Damn Guan Jingshan, damn traitor, he's simply not comparable to Commander Cao!"

Comparing him to Commander Cao is an insult to Commander Cao!
Time ticked by, and Li Xiangxiu was extremely restless.

As time went on, her heart pounded harder and harder.

Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, she will remember Cao Weida's timely help.

However, deep down she naturally hoped that Cao Weida could get things done.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but just as she was getting anxious, footsteps suddenly came from behind her.

"Mrs. Bai, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Upon seeing Cao Weida enter, Li Xiangxiu quickly stood up and said, "Commander Cao, you are too kind. The Bai family and I are already extremely grateful for your willingness to help me find a solution."

"Haha, alright, alright, let's not be so polite, it's tiring." She laughed, interrupting the other person who was about to continue expressing gratitude, and walked to a stool to sit down.
Cao Wei Da did not oppose flattery; in fact, he himself was always flattering others.

He's also willing to listen to pleasant things, after all, he's just an ordinary person.

However, those who truly want to thank you will remember your kindness without you even saying it.

No matter how eloquently someone speaks, it's useless if they're not willing to be grateful.

After sitting down, he said directly, "I've already pulled some strings. Manager Bai won't be mistreated in the military police these next few days. Someone will help take care of him."

"I've already invited a few officers to dinner tonight. I'll ask them for help then. Whether it works out or not depends on the next couple of days. You can just go back and wait for news."

(End of this chapter)