Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 218 Too many lice don't itch, too much debt doesn't worry.

“We do need some weapons. The Japanese have never relaxed their checks on vehicles entering the city, even those that do business with Ruixin Grocery Store.”

"The comrades in the city only have a few mirror clips these days, so they really need some weapons and ammunition." Old Luo nodded solemnly, not trying to save face, but admitting it quite frankly.

"However, if you provide weapons, will it have any impact on you?"

Compared to the Japanese supplies, Cao Weida's safety was more important to him.

He would absolutely not agree to this if it would lead to Cao Wei Da being suspected!
Cao Wei Da shook his head and reassured him, "Don't worry, the arms supplies supporting you won't affect me."

With the navy occupying the army's armory as a safety net, and a portion of the Japanese military's munitions being taken out, the responsibility for the explosion would fall on that armory.

No matter how you investigate, you'll never find his involvement, just like the Tokyo hotel assassination case last time.

"That's good." Old Luo breathed a sigh of relief. "How many weapons can you provide? If it's convenient, you can tell me first so I can select suitable personnel."

Upon hearing that support was needed, Cao Wei Da immediately counted on his fingers: "I can provide 10 Type 99 light machine guns, 30 rifles, and 100 melon grenades, would that be enough? If you want mortars, I can get two of those too."

"That's enough, that's enough. Forget about the mortars, they're hard to hide, and none of us know how to use them." Old Luo quickly stopped him. To be honest, he was a little stunned when he heard Cao Weida list out the weapons one by one.

Good heavens, with these weapons, he could raise a whole platoon, let alone a guerrilla force!
And it's the kind with plenty of firepower!
With these weapons, they're no longer guerrillas, they're practically a regular army!
Compared to these weapons, the weapons of their underground party were simply shabby!

To prevent resistance fighters from causing damage within the city, the Japanese army maintained extremely strict control over weapons, making it extremely difficult for both Kuomintang and Communist Party agents to obtain them.

Most of their weapons were acquired through methods such as capturing enemy weapons, obtaining them through secret transportation lines, and purchasing small quantities, resulting in a severe shortage of weapons.

Therefore, it is common practice for a group to borrow weapons from other groups with relatively abundant weapon supplies when they need weapons to carry out an anti-espionage mission but are not equipped enough themselves!
Then look at them. Forget about mirror clips, they come out with light machine guns, and can even get their hands on mortars.
He looked at Cao Weida with suspicion, especially at his nonchalant expression, and hesitated before asking, "Master Cao, may I ask you a question?"

"You said."

"That...the Tokyo hotel assassination a few days ago, you didn't provide those weapons and ammunition, did you?"

It's no wonder Lao Luo had this suspicion; the configurations of these weapons were just too similar.

Cao Weida hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and admitted: "It was I who provided the weapons. It's all for the fight against Japan, so naturally I have to do my part. I still hold the rank of captain in the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"I see." Old Luo thought to himself, as expected, his guess was right.

He said that the Kuomintang secret agents did have more channels than the underground party, but they shouldn't have been able to get so many weapons all at once, even using mortars.

Looking back now, it turns out that it was Cao Wei Da, that capable person, who helped.

"With this batch of weapons, the operation to hijack supplies will be much easier."

He didn't ask where the weapons came from; there was no need.

"It's all for the sake of the country and the nation, so I won't stand on ceremony with you. Anyway, our organization already owes you enough, so we're used to it now!"

This operation is very important. If Cao Weida can provide weapons and ammunition support, Lao Luo will naturally have no reason to refuse.

Luo's self-deprecating humor made Cao Weida laugh out loud, "You said it yourself, it's for the country and the nation, so there's no need to be so polite with me."

"Alright, enough chit-chat. We're pressed for time, let's get moving."

"I'll leave the weapons in Banweiba Hutong."

After the two sides reached an agreement, Cao Wei Da first went to the courtyard in Banweiba Hutong and put all the weapons and ammunition inside.

Then, they hurried to Sesame Alley.

The operation will take place at night, so he must show up in the yard now to completely clear himself of suspicion.

At the entrance of the mansion, two armed guards respectfully greeted, "Master Cao, you're back."

They are all loyal and reliable brothers in the Little Ears Team, and are specifically responsible for the security of the house.

They ate and slept in the front yard of the mansion, and there were ten brothers in total, each armed with a gun, which was specially approved by Ono Oda.

"Yeah, thanks for your hard work." He handed over a pack of cigarettes tucked under his arm: "Here, let the brothers have some."

These two men, one named Zhang San and the other Wang Meng, had ordinary names and appearances, but they were kind and honest and very loyal to him.

These brothers were all his own people who guarded the house, so Cao Wei Da was naturally not stingy. Not only did he pay them a generous monthly salary, but he also provided them with many small perks from time to time.

"Thank you, Master Cao!" Zhang San and Wang Meng accepted the gift with simple smiles, without any hesitation.

They already knew Cao Ye's character and conduct very well; feigned politeness would only be insincere.

"Master, why are you only just returning? Have you had dinner yet?" Xinghong saw him as soon as he entered the inner courtyard.

"Not yet, just have someone bring out some food to tide us over."

"Quick, make something for the master." Xinghong pulled Cao Weida inside, saying with concern as they went:
“Yesterday, the food delivery service was under strict inspection again. He didn’t come back so late, and my sisters and I were worried sick.”

"Don't worry, they're not investigating traitors on the streets, they're arresting a greedy, murderous traitor." Cao Weida almost laughed at this. What utter nonsense about a traitor! No one knew the murderer better than him—it was none other than himself, Cao Weida!
Originally, he only wanted to stage a crime scene on a whim in hopes of interfering with the Japanese investigation.

But to everyone's surprise, things went surprisingly smoothly, and the Japanese soldiers' attention was actually drawn to the missing 'traitor'.

As for that traitor, he had already buried him in a secluded place. It would be truly bizarre if the Japanese soldiers could find him.

He didn't know whether the Japanese had genuinely confirmed that the perpetrators were "internal traitors" or if it was intentional, but whatever the outcome, it was the way he wanted to see things unfold, and he didn't care about anything else.

"What?! A traitor who killed someone and stole their money?" Xinghong was clearly shocked. "Master, who was the killer?"

"A staunch pro-Japanese element."

"That was a traitor! Good riddance!"

Cao Wei Da glanced amusedly at the beautiful woman who had been somewhat frightened but was now gloating, and pinched her rosy cheek, laughing:
"You should say such things less often in the future, lest you get into trouble for what you say. Remember, walls have ears."

Although a few inappropriate words from his family members won't affect his current popularity, it's always good to be cautious in everything.

He would never become arrogant just because he is currently 'favored'. If he really angers those Japanese devils, who knows what they might do.

Even if we don't do anything now, who knows if we will in the future?

Those Japanese devils are inhuman!

"Oh, I see." Xinghong stuck out her tongue, realizing that she might have been a bit too outspoken.

“You,” Cao Weida shook his head and strode into the hall.

"Master, you're back."

"master."

When the concubines, each with their own unique beauty, saw him, they greeted him sweetly.

"Well, everyone, sit down."

"You all need to behave yourselves these next few days. If you don't need to go out, then don't. If you need to buy anything, just let the servants know and have them buy it for you, or just call the shop and have it delivered."

Searches always occur during times of great disorder.

Although with his reputation, it's unlikely that any of his concubines would dare to mess with him, it's still best to avoid trouble as much as possible.

Especially in the next two days, there may be a major operation.

Who knows if he'll really cause a huge uproar? If he runs into trouble, who knows if those Japanese devils will still give him face?
Therefore, the best way is to stay in the yard and not go anywhere.

"Okay sir."

"Don't worry, sir. We'll stay home and it'll be fine."

"Yeah yeah."

"My sisters and I play mahjong at home when we have nothing to do. It's so much fun. We don't go out in the wind and sun."

These concubines were quite obedient. Du Shiniang and Xinghong, for example, had been trained from a young age, and the most important quality of them was obedience.

Ru Qiulan, on the other hand, had the demeanor of a well-bred young lady and rarely left her large family home since childhood.

Although she is now just a concubine, her life is much more comfortable than when she lived in the Rui Beizi Mansion. With so many sisters around, she doesn't feel bored even if she doesn't go out.

Mo He is indeed opinionated, but in the end, her upbringing still leans towards the traditional virtues of obedience to her husband and wife.

Since the master forbade her to go out, the sensible and obedient girl naturally had no objections.

As for Liu Rusi, she would definitely not go out.

Although several days have passed, the search for her has not stopped for a moment. Her gunshot wound has not fully healed yet; only a fool would go out and walk right into a trap.

As long as they stayed in the mansion, with Cao Wei Da's connection, no one would dare to come and search their place.

"Alright, that's enough. You can all leave now."

The concubines obediently returned to their rooms. Liu Rusi, who was at the back, walked a few steps slowly, and after they had all left, she whispered in his ear:
"Master, Rusi still needs someone to scrub her back. Please hurry, I'll have the maid boil water right away."

The hot air hit his ears, making Cao Weida feel a stinging sensation in his heart.

He patted her plump buttocks, causing ripples to spread across them. "You little vixen, you're quite the seductress. Go on, I'll come and serve you after I finish eating."

Hearing the answer she wanted, Liu Rusi got up with satisfaction, gave a flirtatious wink, and swayed her hips as she walked out.

(End of this chapter)