Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 282 This guy is a real talent!

In the afternoon, Cao Weida's new office was finally set up.

Compared to the rather shabby inspector's office, the director's office was naturally of a much higher standard.

A large solid wood desk, on which are placed calligraphy brushes, fountain pens, ink, inkstones, seals, and so on.

A telephone was placed next to the desk lamp, and behind the desk was a filing cabinet with double glass doors, which were not common at the time.

A coffee table and sofa were placed to the side. The sofa was made of leather, and the coffee table had an ashtray, tea set, and other items on it.

The house was equipped with simple underfloor heating, which was just hot water circulating from burning coal. Although simple, this was already a rare type of renovation.

Generally, those who install underfloor heating are high-ranking official residences, foreign-funded institutions, or top-tier luxury homes.

There were some green plants placed next to the underfloor heating, including clivia and evergreen plants, which made the large and empty office full of life.

"Chief, are you satisfied with this arrangement? If there's anything you're not happy with, please let me know, and I will do my best to address it!"

Zuo Hongye, the logistics section chief in his forties, was slightly hunched over, with a fawning smile and a face full of flattery.

Is it shameful to fawn over someone twenty years younger than yourself?

Zuo Hongye said: Forget it, is there anything more shameful than being a traitor?

They've already lost face to this extent, where else can they go?

Not to mention a young commander like Lord Cao of Cao Wei!

The younger someone is to achieve this position, the more remarkable it is!

Putting aside the relationship between this Mr. Cao and the Japanese officers and the police station’s formidable reputation, just consider the fact that anyone who has risen to the position of chief of police is no ordinary person.
He hadn't had enough of being the head of the logistics department yet, and he didn't want to offend some important figure with a single oversight.

"Not bad. It seems Section Chief Du put his heart into it. Thank you for your hard work." Cao Weida smiled formally. He was quite satisfied with the rest of the office's layout, which showed the other party's thoughtfulness in every detail.

But there are some places that really bother me, like the wall behind my desk.

At the very top is a sign that reads "Yamato Police Station".

Below those five large characters were slogans such as "Counterattack and Peaceful Nation Building" and "Building a New Order in East Asia," which made him want to rush up and tear them down immediately.

However, you really can't blame Section Chief Du for this, since most officials above the section chief level in the puppet government these days, as well as some lower-level officials, did the same thing.

Now that we're being managed by others and eating their food, we naturally have to follow their rules.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, Mr. Cao." Du Hongye smiled humbly, took an envelope out of his pocket and handed it over. "Mr. Cao, this is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you'll accept it."

"Hey~~ What do you mean by this?" Looking at the envelope in his hand, Cao Weida raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a half-smile.

"It's nothing special, just a token gesture."

"That's not very nice of you."

"Oh, it's nothing, it's nothing."

"You're quite an interesting person."

"Master Cao, please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean anything by it."

"Then I'll feel bad?"

"Mr. Cao, you're too kind. I'm the one who should apologize."

Seeing that Cao Weida had accepted the envelope, Du Chengye beamed with joy. He knew in his heart that as long as Cao Weida thought his offer was generous enough, he could keep his position as section chief.

Moreover, who knows, we might even be able to get on Cao Cao's good side in the future!

For those working in logistics, ability is actually secondary; keen observation is the most important!
To make money successfully, one must be shrewd and adept at navigating social situations; connections are essential.

He knew that Cao Weida was doing business for the Japanese, and on a pretty large scale!

If I could get in touch with them and hitch a ride on this bandwagon, just thinking about it would be exciting!
"Section Chief Du, you're quite good." Cao Weida patted him on the shoulder with a smile. It was a simple gesture, even carrying the air of a superior looking down on a subordinate, but Du Chengye was delighted and grinned from ear to ear.

Upon seeing this, Cao Wei Da couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, "What a talent!"
Not only is his Chinese listening comprehension at a superb level, but his shamelessness is also unparalleled!

This flattery is simply unparalleled!
Such people can thrive in any era!

After offering some encouragement, Cao Weida waved him off.

As soon as Du Chengye left, Xiao Erduo, who was guarding outside the door, came in.

He glanced back at the departing figure, snorted, and muttered under his breath, "sycophant."

"Brother Cao, everyone has been notified. The meeting will be held in the conference room in half an hour."

As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean, and Cao Wei Da, the newly appointed official, naturally had to make a splash.

In the conference room.

There were eight people sitting on either side of the not-too-large long table, four on each side.

The people inside couldn't help but whisper among themselves, exchanging information they wanted to know.

Because the new commander had not arrived for a long time, they were all puzzled and became somewhat impatient.

"What's going on? Why hasn't the chief arrived yet?"

"Maybe something came up and kept you waiting?"

"Something's holding you up?" A man in a patrol officer's uniform sneered. "I heard our new director is lounging in his office, legs crossed, smoking, looking incredibly relaxed!"

"I think the excuse of being delayed is that he really wants to make a splash as a new official."

The group exchanged glances, then their gazes, intentionally or unintentionally, focused on a person standing next to the man who had spoken.

The person who just spoke is Lin Angxiong, the deputy head of the police affairs section.

The so-called Police Affairs Section is responsible for police criminal investigation, police staffing, attendance and performance evaluation, etc.

The reason why everyone's attention was drawn to the person next to him was because that person was Ji Hongxin, the deputy director of the district office!

The former director of the Fifth District Office in the Outer Fifth District resigned some time ago for certain reasons and moved far away with his family.

Logically speaking, as the deputy director of the district office, Ji Hongxin should have taken over the position after the director left office.

However, just when everyone thought that the position of police chief was a sure thing for Ji Hongxin, an unexpected obstacle arose and snatched it from Ji Hongxin's seat. Furthermore, everyone present knew that Lin Angxiong was a staunch supporter of Ji Hongxin; in fact, Lin Angxiong's promotion to the position of head of the police affairs section was entirely due to Ji Hongxin's efforts. Their relationship was therefore quite close.

Lin Angxiong's sudden utterance of such sarcastic remarks might be a cover for someone else.

"Ahem, Section Chief Lin, you can't say that. The Director has just taken office and is in a time of great busyness. It's normal for him to be busy. If you say that, people might misunderstand, which wouldn't be good." Before anyone else could speak, Du Hongye, the head of the Logistics Section, retorted first.

What a joke! He had only recently surrendered, and Cao Wei had also shown some goodwill. How could he allow Lin Angxiong to say such outrageous things?
Where there are people, there will be conflict; this is inevitable.

Du Hongye was previously a subordinate of the former director. After the former director stepped down, and with no director in place, the deputy director Ji Hongxin temporarily assumed the duties.

During this period, he had been targeted by Ji Hongxin both openly and secretly many times. If he hadn't had some influence and connections, he might have really been taken down by Ji Hongxin.

That's why, when the new director took office and learned that it was Cao Wei Da, he immediately rushed over to fawn over him and show his loyalty.

Because he knew he had to do it!
He already didn't get along with Ji Hongxin, and if he couldn't establish a connection with Cao Weida, then his position as section chief would truly be over.

It's even uncertain whether he'll be labeled a traitor!
Yes, Lin Angxiong has the deputy director Ji Hongxin behind him, so what?

I have the director behind me!
There was no way to resist before, but now that I have the means, why wouldn't I fight back?
Lin Angxiong's face turned cold, his gaze fixed on Du Hongye, and he said coldly, "I don't need Section Chief Du to worry about my affairs. You should mind your own business!"

Du Hongye didn't seem to care much about his threat. He crossed his arms over his stomach and said with a half-smile, "I will naturally take care of myself. I'm just afraid that some people won't be able to control their mouths and will bring trouble to others."

"Or perhaps Section Chief Lin is dissatisfied with the Japanese side's decision to parachute in a director?"

"If that's the case, just tell me. I actually have a connection with some people in the Japanese. How about I pass on a message for you?"

"No need to thank me, everyone knows I'm always happy to help others."

"Damn it, Du Hongye, don't think no one knows what you're up to! Don't try to pull that wolf-in-the-coat trick on me!"

"A good-for-nothing who only knows how to flatter and fawn, look how capable he is, wagging his tail so high, be careful he doesn't get burned one day!"

Lin Angxiong gritted his teeth and glared at him resentfully. This guy was really cunning; he actually set a trap for him!

He was naturally filled with resentment about the sudden appointment of the director.

He was Ji Hongxin's man; the higher Ji Hongxin's position, the more room he could have for advancement.

After all, positions are fixed; one person, one job. If the previous person doesn't leave, how can he take over?
Cao Wei Da's sudden arrival effectively dashed his hopes for advancement.

However, there are some things you may be dissatisfied with in your heart, but you cannot speak them out. If you do, it will become a handle that others can use against you, and it might even cost you your life at a critical moment.

"Sigh, I tried to give you some good advice, but it was misunderstood as me trying to harm you. These days, it's really hard to do a good deed." Faced with this insult, Du Hongye didn't care at all and still had a smile on his face, but the dangerous light shooting out from his slightly narrowed eyes showed the ruthlessness in his heart.

If he gets the chance, he will definitely kill that Lin guy!

The people around them stopped talking and watched them argue with great interest.

They were already used to this kind of scene.

When the former director was in office, they would argue fiercely over interests and conflicts, and the two sides would sometimes become very angry with each other.

Of course, the main reason is that the former director didn't care much about these things at all; he was only thinking about making money.

"Alright, let's all keep quiet." Just as Lin Angxiong was about to say something, Ji Hongxin's ears twitched, he gave Lin Angxiong a wink, and spoke up to stop him.

Lin Angxiong was Ji Hongxin's confidant, so he naturally obeyed his every word, but he still glared at someone with some resentment.

Du Hongye shrugged and shut his mouth as well.

Suddenly, the entire conference room fell silent.

They had already heard footsteps by then.

Clearly, the new director is arriving soon.

The agreed time was thirty minutes, but forty minutes had already passed. Cao Weida, who was ten minutes late, walked leisurely into the conference room in his leather shoes.

Little Ears opened the door first, and Cao Weida stepped inside.

Upon seeing Cao Weida enter, everyone, including the deputy director Ji Hongxin, stood up, their gazes involuntarily drawn to him.

Cao Weida glanced around and saw that the conference room was already full of people, their eyes filled with small mountains of people sitting in the chipped ceramic jars.

Some people were rubbing their pens with their eyes downcast, while others were scratching the table with their fingernails. The table was covered with cigarette ash, but otherwise it was quite clean.

Smoke was still slowly rising from the ashtray, clearly because it had been temporarily extinguished but not completely.

He squinted and smiled, gesturing for everyone to sit down: "Go ahead and smoke if you want. I'm not that particular; I smoke myself."

As he spoke, he took out a pack of cigarettes, tore it open, took one out and put it in his mouth, then pushed the rest across the table.
"Take whatever you want to draw. We'll be colleagues from now on, so don't be shy."

The group exchanged knowing glances. Deputy Director Ji Hongxin looked at Cao Weida, gave him a friendly smile, took out a cigarette, and held it in his hand. He then addressed the group:

"The director has been kind enough to let us have a smoke and relax. Since the director has spoken, let's not be shy and take it."

Everyone had different thoughts, but they all smiled and took out a stick to light.

Seeing that everyone had made their decisions, Cao Weida squinted and glanced at Ji Hongxin. Was this old guy trying to talk his way out of my way?

His thoughts raced through his mind, and he smiled as he said:

"I could hear a lot of noise coming from the conference room from far down the hallway, why did it suddenly stop?"

"Or is it that I've influenced the nature of your conversation?"

All eyes immediately turned to Lin Angxiong and Ji Hongxin, as Lin Angxiong had started the argument.

Cao Wei Da followed their gaze, leaned back in his chair, and said casually:

"It seems that our Section Chief Lin has something to say?"

"Would you mind telling me if you want me to participate?"

Lin Angxiong gritted his teeth, unsure how to respond.

In the past, as long as the director didn't make things too big, didn't act recklessly, and paid the due fees, he generally didn't care much about internal power struggles.

But things are different now. The current head of the Fifth District Office is Cao Weida!
This Mr. Cao is no ordinary nobody; his fearsome reputation has spread throughout the police station.

Furthermore, given the deep trust he enjoyed from Japanese officers like Ono Oda, he truly dared not provoke Cao Wei Da.

(End of this chapter)