Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 226 Blockade and Search
"Let's go, it's almost noon. Little Ear, call all the brothers, I'll treat you to a meal at Dongxinglou, as a welcome back dinner for myself!"

He was never a stingy person. His brothers treated him well, so he naturally couldn't be stingy. With a wave of his hand, he scattered countless silver dollars.

Now that the person was right in front of him, there was no need for him to go back to the police station to notify them.

"Lord Cao is mighty!"

"Master Cao is so generous!"

"Brother Cao, I love you!!"

Cao Wei Da jumped back three zhang in fright, exclaiming in terror, "Hey you, the one who said you loved me, from now on, you must stay at least eight zhang away from me and are not allowed to come near me!"

"Hahaha~~"

His words drew laughter from everyone, but also revealed the carefree brotherhood between them.

The food at Dongxinglou is undoubtedly excellent; these patrol officers rarely get to eat there, let alone once a month, or even once a year.

It's not for any other reason than that it's too expensive. With their meager salaries, how could they afford to spend it all on this? They still have families to support.

Now that they finally get to eat a meal, they naturally ate with gusto, praising Dongxinglou for living up to its reputation.

After the guests and hosts had enjoyed themselves, Cao Weida told them to leave, and then he took a rickshaw to the police station.

Ten days have passed, and the strict investigation in Beiping is still ongoing, but it has become somewhat more relaxed than before.

Especially at the city gates, although the checks were still very strict when leaving, at least the city's blockade had been lifted.

We have no choice but to open up the market; if we don't, the supplies in Beiping will be completely depleted!

If a food shortage occurs, it could really trigger riots.

Just as Cao Weida leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes to rest, the rickshaw suddenly stopped.

"Why did it stop?" Cao Weida asked, opening his eyes.

The rickshaw driver replied respectfully, "Sir, the road ahead is blocked, we can't go any further. Please hold on tight, I'll find another way for you, but the alleyway might be a bit bumpy, please bear with me."

At first glance, it was indeed true; the road ahead was completely blocked by barricades, stretching for nearly a mile.

Countless patrol officers were calling out to the people in the area, their rifles held high and imposing.

The people inside the enclosure were clearly in a state of panic, and many tried to leave, but were forcibly stopped by the patrol officers.

"Quiet down! It's just a routine patrol. Please go and inquire."

"If there are no problems, we'll release you then."

Routine patrol?

Cao Wei Da frowned; he didn't believe this explanation.

The sudden lockdown of an area must have a reason; something must have happened.

After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Alright, that's enough. Let's stop here."

He took out his wallet to send the rickshaw away and squeezed into the crowd of onlookers.

As soon as I squeezed in, I saw an old acquaintance.

"Hey, Inspector Lu! Busy, huh!"

Inspector Lu, also known as Lu Ju, was the same inspector who rushed out of the toilet shouting "Don't do it! Don't do it!" after Cao Wei Da killed Dong Xiaozhen.

"Hey, Master Cao!"

Hearing someone call his name, Lu Ju turned around and was immediately startled. "You're not...you..."

Previously, Cao Wei Da was taken out of the police station's patrol officer's office by the Bamboo Agency, and the entire police station saw it clearly.

Many people privately speculated that Cao Wei Da might be severely injured, if not killed, this time.

After all, in their eyes, Cao Wei Da was far too righteous and indignant, quite different from them, who were just there to make a living.

On the contrary, it is somewhat similar to the way some people act.

Therefore, they guessed that Cao Wei Da would at least be interrogated after entering the palace.

And what kind of gentle interrogation methods are used in that place?

Lu Ju agreed with this statement.

But how long has it been? He suddenly encountered Cao Wei Da here. How could he not be surprised?
He left the police station shortly after Cao Weida was taken away and was unaware that Cao Weida had called his subordinates at the police station to have dinner.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be so surprised.

"Huh? What happened to me? Oh, I see. Hey, it was all a misunderstanding. I went there and explained, and I was released." Cao Weida explained with a smile, not wanting to dwell on the matter, and looked into the barricades to ask:
"Inspector Lu, what's going on?"

"Huh? Oh, the military police headquarters sent a letter saying there are resistance fighters here, and we're conducting a search." Lu Ju calmed himself down, but he couldn't suppress the envy and jealousy in his heart.

The incident alarmed the Bamboo Bureau, which sent people to the police station to pick him up. Yet he just went there for a quick look and came back?
How strong must that relationship be!

He already felt a sense of awe towards Cao Wei Da because of what had happened before, and this feeling intensified now, leading him to adopt a humble attitude.

"Arrest the rebels? Are you sure?" Cao Weida glanced around. "This place is full of alleyways and shops. They can just slip away in some corner. Are you waiting here for them to run into us?"

"That won't do. All the surrounding alleys have already been blocked off."

"I see." Cao Weida's gaze swept subtly across the crowd, when suddenly a figure caught his eye, making his heart sink. It turned out that this person was none other than Xu Jingge in disguise!

Although he wasn't very familiar with Xu Jinge, and although Xu Jinge at this moment was completely different from his original appearance, he had met Xu Jinge a few times and understood him quite well. The other party's behavior and eyes could not deceive him!
Xu Jingge was wearing a black, coarse cloth shirt and matching trousers, the trouser legs of which were tied with straps.

The clothes were covered in patches, clearly indicating that they were clothes that people couldn't bear to throw away.

He wore cloth shoes with his big toe sticking out, and a black, round-topped melon-shaped hat on his head.

His skin was covered with some kind of paint to make it look rough from years of exposure to the wind and sun. Judging from his attire alone, Cao Weida wouldn't have recognized him if he hadn't noticed something amiss in his movements and eyes.

At this moment, Xu Jingge was carrying a carrying pole on his shoulder, with two baskets of vegetables hanging from both ends. He was being pushed and shoved to both sides by the patrol officers.

On both sides, armed police officers checked each person one by one and then took them away.

"No, we absolutely cannot let him be taken away for examination."

This was Cao Weida's first thought.

Although Xu Jingge disguised himself very well, and others could not tell anything from his appearance, a fake is still a fake and cannot withstand scrutiny.

Once investigated, you're guaranteed to be caught!

And if it's discovered that it's an imposter, needless to say, they'll be arrested and severely tortured.

Why?

Nonsense, who would pretend to be a good person on the street!
They don't even need to torture them; once the disguise is washed away, the truth will be revealed immediately.

After all, Xu Jingge had taken action in Beiping more than once, and his portrait was quite familiar.

Of course, none of these are the main issues. The most infuriating thing is that Xu Jinge is one of the people who knows his identity!

He admitted that he had no doubt about Xu Jingge's determination and resolve to resist the Japanese.

However, he knew even better how cruel the torture in the interrogation room was, and he also knew that a person's willpower has its limits!
If Xu Jingge fails to withstand the torture and confesses, then he'll be in real trouble!

Inside the lockdown zone, Xu Jingge was anxious, but he struggled with his words: "What are you doing? Don't push me! I still have to deliver vegetables!"

"What are you delivering? Just shut up! If you dare say another word, I'll beat you to death!" the patrolman shoved impatiently.

They hadn't even had lunch yet because of the blockade and search, and they were already seething with anger, so their attitude was naturally much worse.

Cao Weida, who was pondering what to do, twitched his ears. He pretended to let out a soft "Eh," and his attention was drawn to it.

"Hey you, Liu Laosi!"

"Ok?"

Xu Jingge, who was searching around with his eyes and was almost in despair, suddenly heard a familiar voice. He immediately looked in the direction of the voice and was overjoyed.

"Oh, Master Cao, Master Cao!"

"What are you looking at? Come here right now!"

"I'm coming!"

While replying with delight, she picked up two baskets of vegetables and headed towards Cao Weida.

Xu Jingge moved closer to Cao Weida. The patrol officers who had been looking impatient immediately relaxed when they saw Cao Weida. They first looked like they had seen a ghost, and then bowed and nodded with fawning smiles. No one dared to bother Xu Jingge anymore.

"Master Cao, Master Cao!" Xu Jingge was extremely excited when he saw Cao Weida. This was truly a timely help!

He was almost in despair, thinking that he might not escape his doom today!

What are you doing here?

"I...I just picked some vegetables to send to your house, but..."

Lu Ju, who was standing to the side, seemed to have come to his senses and asked, "Master Cao, do you know him?"

"Ah, I know him. He's the one who delivers vegetables to my residence." Cao Weida was somewhat angry, and his tone became much harsher as he reprimanded Xu Jingge, "My residence is almost out of vegetables, and you only delivered them today?!"

Xu Jingge, who knew how to cooperate, said bitterly, "Master Cao, this isn't our fault. With the Japanese under lockdown, even if I wanted to deliver food, I'd need to have something to offer."

"We only loosened up a bit today, and it took a lot of pulling strings to find a place to buy groceries, but who would have thought..."

As he spoke, he glanced at the surrounding patrol officers, especially at Lu Ju, his meaning clear.

Lu Ju asked cautiously, "Is this a delivery of vegetables to Master Cao's house?"

Cao Wei Da: "Isn't that right?"

"Come in, come in!" Upon hearing that it was a delivery to Cao Wei Da's house, Lu Ju's heart stirred, and he immediately beckoned him to come out.

"what?"

"What are you 'huh' for? What are you standing there for? Come in!" Cao Weida snapped irritably.

"Oh, okay, okay." Xu Jingge seemed to have just come to his senses and hurriedly picked up the vegetable basket and walked towards the gap in the middle of the barricade.

Lu Ju shouted at the patrol officers conducting the inspection, "Let him come over here, let him come over here!"

"Um, boss, Mr. Cao."

Before he could speak, Cao Wei Da glared at him and said, "What are you still standing here for? Hurry up and deliver the vegetables! Do you want my household to go hungry tonight?!"

"Let me tell you, if you delay the cooking at my manor, I'll chop you to pieces, you believe me!"

(End of this chapter)