Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 21 As expected of Osaka-sensei
"Master Duo, what do you mean by that? How can things be different now?" Third Sister-in-law was clearly a little unhappy. She had been busy doing this and that, and all she got in return was this "things are different now".
"Of course they're different!" Before Cao Weida could even speak, Duomen started shouting.

"A prostitute is heartless, and an actor is ungrateful—this is a truth that has held true since ancient times!"

"If Cao'er were still here when he first came to Beiping, that would be fine, but now that Cao'er has settled down, he should marry a woman from a respectable family!"

He turned to Cao Weida and kindly advised him, "Cao'er, your master would never harm you. You are different now than before. You can pick any young lady you want on the street. You can't lower yourself to marry an actress!"

"Even if I were to marry her, she could only be a concubine!"

“No, Master Duo, what do you mean by that?” Third Sister-in-law was a little unhappy. “Don’t blame me for being rude, but Cao’er is just a black-clad man now. You know what people say about you behind your backs.”

"With your meager salaries and status, they didn't even look down on you, so why are you being picky?"

"Didn't you say that times change? Come on, tell me, how exactly does 'times change' apply?"

"We're all neighbors in the same courtyard, how could I possibly introduce Cao'er to someone inferior?"

This left him speechless; what could he possibly say?
Should we loudly tell her that Cao'er has now hooked up with a high-ranking official and is making money?

"Alright, I admit I was being nosy. Cao'er, you decide for yourself. I'll shut up." Duomen shook his head, swayed as he got up and went into the house.

After Duo Men hid, Third Sister-in-law kept muttering, "What's wrong with Master Duo today? He talks as if I harmed Cao'er. Where can I go to reason with him?"

"Third Sister-in-law, don't mind her. Master Duo is just concerned about me. Come, please sit down." Cao Weida smiled and moved a stool for his third sister-in-law to sit down, not blaming Duo for meddling in other people's business.

Is Duomen wrong?
Absolutely right.

The saying "a prostitute is heartless, an actor is unrighteous" has been passed down for so long, there must be some truth to it.

Any family with a modicum of standing would not marry a woman from the lowest social class as their principal wife.

Even if one were to marry, it would at most result in a concubine or mistress bought with money.

Leaving aside families with some status, even ordinary families, if they had a fixed method, wouldn't choose to marry an actress over a respectable woman.

He didn't believe that the ancients were all stupid. Although he didn't quite understand, he still knew how to copy homework.

He hadn't thought about it that way before, but looking back now, it seems he really had been a bit out of his mind.

He was no longer the Cao Wei Da who had just transmigrated. He had initially established himself in this era, and he certainly couldn't settle down too hastily about his future wife.

"Third sister-in-law, you certainly don't mean to harm me, but after thinking about it, marrying an actress is indeed a bit inappropriate."

“In that case, I’ll increase the money to 100 silver dollars. If Du Shiniang is willing, I will marry her as a concubine.”

"You know my character, Third Sister-in-law, I'm sure I won't mistreat her."

The third sister-in-law was taken aback for a moment, but surprisingly, she wasn't angry. Instead, she looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Hey, Cao'er, looks like you've struck it rich these past few days. You're so generous. Looks like I was worried for nothing. I was worried you couldn't come up with fifty silver dollars."

"I was wondering what was wrong with Master Duo today, but now I know."

"Hey, what's all this talk about getting rich or not? I just had a little soup with Master Duo, nothing to brag about," Cao Weida said with a modest smile.

Although Third Sister-in-law was an uneducated woman, she was not talkative. She paused for a moment, then said:

"If you really only want to marry her as a concubine, that's fine, but the house you live in now isn't very good. A wife and a concubine are different."

"With the conditions met, I can then say no."

If you're getting married, you don't need such high standards, but since she's going to be your concubine, you should at least provide her with good living conditions.

If they can't have good living conditions, why would they want to be a concubine?
Is this a problem?
No problem at all!
It's just money. What's the point of money? It's meant to be used. He's not a miser.

Money stored in your online space is just a pile of hard lumps; it only becomes money when it's spent!

Besides, will he ever lack money in the future?
Not at all!
A bold and unrestrained wave:
"No problem, I'll look for a house nearby in the next couple of days!"

Third Sister-in-law seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that Cao'er had really made a fortune, otherwise he wouldn't have the confidence to be so extravagant.

"Alright, leave this to your third sister-in-law. I'll go to the theater again later and make sure it's done for you!"

Cao Weida chuckled and cupped his hands in thanks: "Then thank you, Third Sister-in-law. I'm counting on you for this."

The conversation basically ended there. Third Sister-in-law put down her vegetable basket and immediately went out again.

Watching his departing figure, Cao Weida couldn't help but sigh, "Never underestimate anyone."

Although Third Sister-in-law is uneducated and gentle, she is actually very perceptive.

During the conversation, even though he knew that Cao Weida had probably made a fortune, he didn't say a single word about asking Cao Weida to take care of his third son.

Stupid?
No, actually this is the smartest approach.

However, Cao Wei Da was not averse to such petty thoughts; he would simply take better care of San'er in the future.

As for Du Shiniang refusing...
So what if he refuses? There are plenty of beautiful women in this world. He doesn't have any dramatic plot points like in a TV drama where he absolutely has to marry Du Shiniang.

It would be best if I could land a role in a TV series; that would be quite an achievement. But if I don't succeed, it's fine too.

"Have you finished talking?" Seeing that Third Sister-in-law had left, Duomen finally came out.

"It's settled, I'll add some money to marry a concubine."

"That's good. I'm not saying actors are bad; there are good ones among them. But this reputation is indeed somewhat inappropriate."

My ancestors were quite wealthy, and that's what our family motto says. I won't go into the details of the reasoning; if you can just take it to heart, that's enough.

Cao Wei Da nodded, "Of course we should listen. These are the crystallization of our ancestors' wisdom."

He couldn't help but recall a scene from a TV series: Master Lu came to the courtyard to collect debts, threatening to chop off his hand if he didn't pay. At that time, Du Shiniang showed no fear or worry whatsoever.

Looking back now, it's possible that actors were just heartless, but who knows?

At six o'clock in the evening, Cao Weida arrived early at the entrance of You Tao Jing Restaurant and waited.

A short while later, Ono Oda and Fujita and a few others got off a military vehicle.

"Cao Sang, I'm sorry to have troubled you today."

"Not at all, you gentlemen are so busy with your affairs every day, I am already very happy that you could do me the honor of having dinner here. Please come in."

As Cao Weida walked in, he noticed that Duobian Yi, who had previously acted as if everyone owed him eight million, had surprisingly not kept a stern face today and had even nodded at him.

This made Cao Wei Da feel flattered for a moment, but he soon realized, "What the hell am I flattered for?!"
That's like putting the money in his pocket!

After entering the private room, Cao Weida ordered wine and dishes.

"Thank you all for joining us. I'd like to propose a toast!" After the food and wine were served, Cao Weida raised his wine cup and took the lead in drinking a cup.

Everyone laughed and joked, and politely drank a glass of wine.

Then, the familiar hostess segment began.

Cao Wei Da knew in his heart that his selection as an intermediary was largely due to luck.

To say he has a clean record is ridiculous. There are plenty of people with clean records these days. Even if he's gone, there are others.

It's just that he's good at handling things, knows the rules, and is obedient.

Ultimately, his cooperation with these Japanese soldiers was not stable, and he could be replaced at any time.

Therefore, he went to great lengths to solidify their relationship.

They were each given two hostesses at once.

This delighted the Japanese soldiers; their mouths were grinning like chrysanthemums.
After a few rounds of drinks, Ono Oda's face was flushed, and his hands roamed over the hostesses' bodies, even reaching inside their kimono collars.

Leaning closer to Cao Weida, he said, his breath reeking of alcohol, "Cao Sang, you're loyal and generous. I consider you a friend! *hiccup*"

"Since you're such a generous friend, I should introduce you to more friends."

"A fellow villager of mine from Daban is very interested in you. I'll bring him to meet you in three days, hiccup~"

Another one from Daban?
Cao Weida found it amusing. What could possibly be the reason that a little Japanese devil was interested in him?
That must be a business matter.

As expected of a Daban person, once they find a good partner, they immediately come looking for them like a cat smelling fish.

"Thank you for your trust, Ono-kun. Here, let me toast you!"

After downing a glass of wine, his spirits immediately rose even higher. "Ono-kun's friend is my friend too. Don't worry, I'll definitely treat him well!"

"By the way, could you tell me what kind of person they are?"

"He's different from us. He's in the army, the Osaka Division."

Wow, looks like a big deal has come in!

Few World War II military enthusiasts in later generations are unaware of the Osaka Division. Why is the Osaka Division so famous?
Of course, it's because his actions are truly both laughable and pathetic.

Before going to the battlefield, the invading Japanese troops generally underwent brutal and inhumane training and militaristic brainwashing, especially the first batch of Japanese troops who were practically fanatical madmen.

Inhuman training and brainwashing have also created these beasts' cruelty and inhumanity, leading them to commit numerous crimes.

But within this very army, an unusual unit emerged.

They were arms dealers, cowards who feared death.

For example, on the battlefield, if the situation becomes unfavorable, they will usually shout "Long live the Emperor!" and then charge into battle in a desperate act.

However, the officers and soldiers of the Osaka Division often said, "Take care of your health," "Life is the most important thing," and "Run quickly, saving your life is the first priority."

(End of this chapter)