Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 215 Every profession can produce an expert
In the open space not far away, there was a car that was about 1.7 meters tall.

That's right, the Japanese Type 70 sedan had a height of 1.7 meters!

At that height, an ordinary Japanese soldier standing in front of the vehicle would look like a tiny radish.

"Cao Sang, take a look, are you satisfied?"

Mei Zeping stood beside the car, his height of less than 1.6 meters echoing the car, creating a rather endearing contrast.

Suppressing the urge to laugh out loud, I walked up to the car and examined it closely.

To be honest, from his perspective, he really didn't like the car's appearance.

The overall design is rather square and rigid, lacking a sense of streamline and technology.

But this is ultimately a limitation of the times; cars these days are all like this.

By today's standards, this car is actually quite good.

Equipped with a 3.7-liter inline six-cylinder engine, it can reach a top speed of 85 kilometers per hour, which is quite advanced for this era.

The vehicle has a good capacity, carrying 5-7 people. The seats are made of high-grade materials, and the windshield is made of safety glass.

The entire vehicle is made of steel, making it sturdy and durable, and it also offers good driving comfort.

Most importantly, its safety is unquestionable, as it is bulletproof!
Stroking the metal, Cao Weida grinned. "Meize-kun, I'm very satisfied. I won't say much more in thanks. Tonight, I'll treat you to dinner at the Six Nations Hotel to express my gratitude."

As he spoke, he handed over the box he was holding.

Upon opening the box and seeing the check for 3000 inside, Mei Zeping's smile deepened.

"Oh, Cao-san, you're too kind. I'd love to have a drink with you, but unfortunately, I have some business to attend to tonight. I'm so sorry, maybe next time, next time it'll be on me!"

"What are you saying, Mr. Mei Ze? But official business is the priority." Cao Weida didn't intend to inquire about the nature of the official business, as it had nothing to do with him.

If we find out and something goes wrong, then we'll be in deep trouble, like mud falling into our pants – even if it's not shit, it'll still look like shit.

In this life, it's better to know fewer secrets; the more you know, the less you live.

He gave an awkward smile. "Well, Mr. Umezawa, I've never learned to drive. I wonder if you could arrange a driver to take me to my designated place?"

In his previous life, he had learned to drive, but that was all; and it was an automatic transmission.

After getting his driver's license, he hadn't driven for many years. How could he possibly drive such an old-fashioned manual transmission?

Without help, he'd have a hard time driving the car back.

"Haha, of course, of course. I can even arrange for someone to teach you until you learn it."

Having just received 3000 silver dollars, Mei Zeping was very happy. It was just a matter of giving an order, and he didn't need to teach it himself. It was just a favor he was happy to do.

"As for the driver's license, you'll have to figure that out yourself."

That's right, you still need a driver's license to drive during this period.

In fact, the Beiping Municipal Government issued the "Traffic Rules" in 1928, stipulating that a driver's license was required to drive a car in Beiping.

Those without a license will be fined ten yuan, and those who have a driver's license but do not carry it while driving will be fined four yuan.

After the fall of Beiping, anyone holding a license from another region who wanted to drive a car in Beiping had to present their license to the Public Security Bureau and pass an exam before they were allowed to drive into the city.

"Thank you so much, you've really saved me from a tight spot!" Cao Weida thanked him repeatedly. It was just a driver's license; for others, it might still be a problem.

But for him, who works at the police station and has already become a patrol officer, it's just a matter of opening his mouth.

He doesn't even need to take a test; he just needs to say the word, and the leaders of the transportation bureau have to eagerly hand him their driver's licenses and act as if they're honored.

"Cao Sang, you're too kind. By the way, tomorrow is the day death row inmates are executed by firing squad, so you can't be late again."

"sure!"

When the car was driven to the entrance of Sesame Alley, it caused a small commotion.

But it's just something to watch for fun.

Although there aren't that many cars these days, they're not exactly rare either.

Since 1934, there have been 2841 cars of various types in Beiping, and there are only more now.

Moreover, although it was clear that Cao Weida's car was well-maintained, it was still obviously a used car.

After handing the Japanese soldier who had driven there a few Union Bank notes, the soldier thanked him profusely and left with the money.

"Sir, is this your new car?"

It didn't matter what others thought. As soon as the Japanese left, the concubines stared at the car with shining eyes, looking at it with great admiration.

Mo He and Du Shiniang, in particular, excitedly touched the car, clearly enamored with it. They had only ever seen cars from afar before, but had never ridden in one, or even touched one.

He wanted to sit inside and experience it, but was afraid of breaking it; his cautious manner made Cao Wei Da want to laugh.
"This car was obtained through connections; it's just a used car."

"Besides, cars are meant to be driven, they don't break down that easily. You can play with them however you want, there's no need to worry about them."

As he spoke, he opened the car door and let them do whatever they wanted.

Not all of the women were particularly excited; for example, Liu Rusi.

Although she didn't have generations of wealth and privilege, her father was a high-ranking Kuomintang official, so he was naturally used to cars.

After examining it carefully, she hesitated and said, "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a Japanese Model 70 sedan, right?"

Seeing Cao Weida nod in agreement, she exclaimed in astonishment, "This is an armored car! How dare they sell this?!"

It's no wonder she was surprised. Even in modern times, let alone now, buying a bulletproof car isn't so easy.

As you can see in the movie "Penetration," when Young Master Qi wanted to get a bulletproof car, he had to ask Xu Zhongyi for help.

This shows just how difficult it is to get your hands on an armored car.

Cao Weida touched his nose. "Would you believe me if I said I didn't expect this either?"

"Who sold this to you?"

"A Japanese naval officer stationed in Beiping." There's nothing to hide about that; it's not a secret.

Or rather, this secret simply cannot be hidden from others.

"..." Liu Rusi was somewhat astonished, then a little amused and exasperated. "Are they crazy? They dare to sell something like this?"

Why don't you dare to sell?

Cao Wei Da pursed his lips; in fact, he could roughly guess what was going on.

In early 1943, the Japanese army suffered a defeat in the Battle of Guadalcanal, with heavy losses in its navy and air force, as well as the loss of two elite army divisions.

From this point on, the Japanese army lost the initiative in the battle.

In March, Japan lost 25 destroyers in the Solomon Islands and the Bismarck Sea.

Although the Japanese achieved several tactical victories in the seven major battles fought in the Solomon Islands, the overall proportion of losses indicated that the Japanese had lost the tactical advantage they had gained near Guadalcanal in 1942.

At the beginning of this year, the US military continued to intensify its offensive, and the main force of the Japanese Navy once withdrew to the Mariana and Caroline waters.

In March, the Japanese military formulated Operation Z to prepare to intercept the US fleet, but the plan was aborted at the end of the month when the Palau Islands were subjected to a fierce air attack by the US military. Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Mineichi Koga, also died in a plane crash.

These events made the situation for the Japanese Navy in the Pacific theater increasingly dire, with the gradual loss of control of the sea and air, making it difficult to organize effective resistance.

Each and every incident foreshadowed an increasingly unfavorable situation for the Japanese army on the international battlefield.

Many intelligent people were already planning for the possible defeat in the war. If it weren't for these reasons, how could Cao Wei have so easily tied all the Japanese army and navy in Beiping and the surrounding area to a business deal?
It's just an armored car, what's the big deal?
We've sold quite a few weapons, ammunition, and even cannons!
"Why do you care so much about them? If they dare to sell, we dare to buy. Someone is backing us up, so what are you afraid of?"

Cao Weida was too lazy to go into the details. He stretched and asked the maid beside him, "Alright, we've been busy all day and we're starving. Is the food ready?"

"Master, everything is ready."

"Then let's go inside and eat." Turning to the concubines who were sitting excitedly in the car, touching themselves left and right and muttering to themselves, he smiled and said:
"Alright, stop looking. The car is right here, it can't run away. After you finish eating, you can look at it however you want."

"If you're interested, I can also hire someone to teach you how to drive."

"Really, sir! Can we drive too?!" The concubines were overjoyed. Driving was a rare thing these days. If they could learn to drive and go for a spin, just thinking about it would be so cool!
“How novel!” Cao Weida chuckled. “Alright, from now on, the car will belong to our family. If you’re willing, then you can all learn to drive it.”

Just then, Yan Zhensheng, who lived diagonally across the street, walked over with a smile, cupped his hands, and said, "Master Cao, congratulations! You've got a big addition to your household!"

He walked over to the vehicle, touched it, and exclaimed, "Hey! This iron thing is completely different from anything pulled by manpower; it looks so imposing!"

His eyes were full of envy; men, as a species, don't actually like many things.

Cars, watches, women, and weapons are the four most representative items.

Every man dreams of owning a cool car, and Yan Zhensheng is no exception.

Touching the all-metal casing, the warm sensation from the sunlight was so delightful that Yan Zhensheng could hardly look away.

Cao Weida chuckled, “Manager Yan, you’re really joking. With your vast wealth, acquiring a car is a piece of cake.”

Don't assume that the Yan family has a poor background just because they run a pickled vegetable business; that's not the case at all.

Don't think it's just about making pickled vegetables; there are 360 ​​professions, and every profession can produce an expert!

Anyone who can become one of the top performers in a region can make a lot of money in any industry!
For example, scrap metal collection stations may seem dirty and shabby to outsiders, but in reality, as long as they monopolize scrap metal collection in a certain area, they can make money effortlessly!

(End of this chapter)