Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 283 Are they worthy?

Lin Angxiong was slightly surprised, not expecting that the new director knew him.

However, he was only slightly surprised, as his information was in the archives and it wouldn't be difficult to retrieve it.

'It seems Cao Weida did some groundwork beforehand.' Ji Hongxin pondered for a moment, then chuckled and helped answer, 'It's nothing, they were just chatting, mainly about some work-related disagreements.'

"Oh? Is that so?" Cao Weida gave him a half-smile. "Well, I don't have many other merits, but my hearing is quite good."

He paused here, giving Lin Angxiong a meaningful look.

Ji Hongxin's heart sank slightly. What did those words mean?
Is this an indirect warning to me?

Cao Wei Da ignored his reaction, casually flicked his cigarette ash, and said:

"Oh, by the way, the reason I was a little late was because I was running errands!"

After speaking with a serious expression, he glanced at everyone present, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Who agrees? Who disagrees?"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. They exchanged glances and then glanced at Lin Angxiong out of the corner of their eyes.

These words sound more like a warning than a threat.
On the very first day the director arrived, and on our first meeting, he immediately targeted Ji Hongxin's confidant?

Lin Angxiong's face suddenly turned pale. Although Cao Weida hadn't said anything to him, he wasn't stupid enough to not understand the implication.

So he turned his gaze to the deputy director, seemingly waiting for his signal.

Ji Hongxin's expression froze for a moment, then quickly recovered. He squinted at Cao Weida and suddenly laughed:

"The director is extremely busy, and there are too many big and small troubles in the district. It's normal for him to be held up by some things. We only waited a little longer, which is nothing compared to the director's hard work."

Oh dear, I've run into a snag.

Before he arrived, he naturally needed to understand his territory and the people under him.

This is why, even though no one told him, he could immediately identify who Lin Angxiong was.

He had, of course, also seen Ji Hongxin's information.

He not only investigated the information on paper, but also sent people to learn about his character, temperament, and personality.

This Deputy Director Ji Hongxin is a ruthless and cunning fellow.

Cao Wei Da smiled; he wouldn't assume the other party had submitted just because of a temporary show of weakness.

He winked at Xiao Erduo, who understood and took out a stack of documents, distributing them one by one.

Leaning comfortably in his executive chair, his fingers tapped the table: "The grain depot in Mishi Hutong was robbed last night. The Imperial Army has three days to solve the case."

Ji Hongxin twirled his pen and replied with a forced smile, "Director, you're new to this position, so you might not know this, but the rats in this area are even more cunning than the Imperial Army's sentries."

He deliberately emphasized the words "Imperial Army," his gaze sweeping over the Rising Sun Flag hanging in the corner of the wall.

Cao Wei Da smiled noncommittally, then tapped the list of stolen items on the file, the pages rustling.

No matter how clever a mouse is, it can't escape a cat's hunt.

“I’ve already had the roads in and out of the city blocked. Deputy Director Ji, do you think we should investigate the Imperial Army’s ‘acquaintances’ first, or interrogate our ‘long-time residents’ first?”

When he looked up, his mocking gaze fell on Ji Hongxin's clenched fist.

Everyone knows that the guards of the granary are the Imperial Army's elite troops, and his brother-in-law just took two truckloads of "military supplies" from the granary last week!
His Adam's apple bobbed, and just as he was about to speak, Cao Weida suddenly changed the subject: "Of course, Deputy Director Ji has been working in this area for ten years. If there are people he 'cannot' investigate, he might as well tell me."

"No matter what, we're all working for the Imperial Army together. We can't let the Imperial Army think that we Chinese can't even protect our own homes."

Upon hearing this, everyone present looked at Ji Hongxin with strange expressions, awaiting his reply.

Du Chengye was secretly delighted, not even bothering to feign a gloating expression as he looked at Ji Hongxin with amusement, feeling as comfortable as if he had eaten an ice pop on a sweltering summer day.

You bastard Ji Hongxin, let's see how you get embarrassed this time!

If he weren't afraid of being too high-profile, he would have loved to stand up, clap his hands, and cheer for Cao Wei Da.

He's been targeted for so many days, he's been holding back his anger for a long time!

Ji Hongxin could no longer maintain his fake smile; his face froze, and he felt even more furious when he felt the gazes of the people around him.

He realized that Cao Weida, the newly appointed director, was determined to make an example of him!
He froze for two seconds, then finally loosened his fist: "The director is right, I'll take some men to check the guard records of the grain depot right away."

He couldn't rush things. He knew that Cao Weida had very strong connections and was deeply trusted by the Japanese officers. When the people behind him learned that Cao Weida was coming here to be the director, they had already given him some hints, telling him not to act rashly.

A small leak will sink a great ship!
Cao Wei Da didn't care whether he was truly yielding or not. Now that he was the department head, regardless of whether he liked it or not, he had to behave himself on the surface!
"No rush, no rush, let's wait a bit."

Cao Wei Da glanced around and said in an unfriendly tone, "Yesterday afternoon at three o'clock, the silk shop on Changxindian Street was robbed. Your men only arrived half an hour later with broken legs. Do you still feel that the rations and pay given to you by the Imperial Army are not enough for you?!"

His voice stopped on Ding Yingfa, the head of the Public Security Section. Ding Yingfa, feeling a chill run down his spine, was about to offer some explanation when Cao Weida slammed a stack of files onto the table.
"Last month, eight truckloads of military rations went missing in the area, and two cases were solved. Is this the report card you gave me, the new director?!"

Sitting at the back, Ding Yingfa felt extremely bitter. He glanced around quietly, but no one spoke up for him, which made his heart ache even more.

He really wanted to say, "Director, you're absolutely right. The pay the Japanese give us is just not enough to motivate our brothers!"

Moreover, who doesn't know how sordid this matter is?

The situation here is far too complicated for a mere head of the public security department to handle.
His gaze lingered on Ji Hongxin for a moment, then he said with a wry smile, "Chief, things are getting tense in the city right now. Brothers, get on the case."

"Investigating a case?" Cao Weida interrupted him, his fingertips tapping the table hard, making a 'clanging' sound.
"What the Imperial Army needs is security, not what you call 'difficulties'!"

The people in the conference room were utterly silent, not daring to look at Cao Weida, not even out of the corner of their eye, for fear of attracting attention and having their 'great achievements' publicized.

"From today onwards, I hope that there will be no more cases of robbery, bullying of the innocent, or burglary in my jurisdiction!"

“I know that some of you have secret affairs with others. I don’t care about what happened in the past, and I don’t want to investigate it. After all, everyone should go with the flow, and I understand.”

"But remember, from the moment I became the director, all the rules in the department are governed by my word!"

"In my police station, I only employ people who catch thieves, not traitors!" Looking at the changing expressions of the crowd, Cao Weida knew that some people felt that he had threatened their interests and were dissatisfied.

But so what?
Anyone who dares to oppose him will lose their job!

His calm, unwavering gaze fell upon Ding Yingfa: "Captain Ding, you are the head of the Public Security Section. In principle, the security of the street is under your jurisdiction. Give me an answer now: can you fulfill the request I just made?"

"Of course, if you find it difficult, that's fine too. I can arrange for someone to help you share the burden."

"No, no need. Director, you're so busy, I won't trouble you with such a small matter." Ding Yingfa wiped the sweat from his forehead, inwardly groaning.

He had heard of Cao Weida's reputation before, but he had never really believed it. In his opinion, what kind of ability could an eighteen-year-old kid have?

He was probably just good at eating, drinking, and having fun, plus he was a bit clever and got lucky enough to befriend a Japanese officer, which is how he gained the officer's trust.

But now that he is facing Cao Wei Da directly, he realizes that his previous ideas were completely wrong!
Although his eyes were not bright and his face was all smiles, and he spoke in a calm and unhurried manner, he still felt an inexplicable pressure coming at him, making his heart pound wildly.

He understood the implication: if you can do it, do it; if you can't, I'll find someone to replace you!
He spent so much effort, wasted so much time, spent so much money, and gave so much in return to get this position. How could he possibly be willing to be replaced?

However, he was somewhat troubled by the idea of ​​doing what Cao Weida had suggested.

After a moment's hesitation, he tentatively said, "However, Chief, the situation in our district is a bit complicated. The men under my command are indeed struggling financially, which is a real difficulty."

"Alright, I know what you're saying," Cao Weida interrupted him, crossing his legs as he spoke.

"It's just money. It's too stingy to be so focused on the meager sums that ordinary people have."

"Like this, little ears."

Little Ears immediately took two steps forward, bent his waist slightly, and pretended to listen.

"Go and 'invite' all the owners of tobacco shops, gambling dens, and the like in our district. I want to see them all in this conference room by noon tomorrow!"

"Also, invite the owners of some of the larger shops on the interface over as well. Let's schedule it for tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements after the meeting." Little Ears nodded in agreement. He knew that Brother Cao was about to start using the same old tricks again.

Aren't ordinary people short of money?

That's fine, just ask someone with money!

These gambling dens and tobacco stalls are incredibly profitable, and the worst part is that they're not even legal on the surface!
It's much more and faster to make a fortune off these people than to plunder a thousand ordinary citizens!

Little Ear wasn't the only one who knew what Cao Weida was planning to do; none of those present were fools. Ji Hongxin's expression changed, and he couldn't help but speak up:

"Chief, you're new here and not very familiar with the work yet. I know you want to do something for the guys, but isn't this going a bit too far?"

He wanted to say something outrageous, but he changed his mind: "Besides, Chief, you also said that you want to maintain public order. Wouldn't doing this just make public order more unstable?"

Cao Wei Da scoffed: "Social unrest? They don't even deserve that title!"

“When I was a patrol officer, I arrested a lot of people in my jurisdiction and released a lot of people, but I didn’t see any social unrest.”

That's not how it works.

"Alright, I know what you're going to say. Just some nonsense about how governance on a small scale can't be applied to a larger area." Cao Weida interrupted him again rudely, squinting at him.
"But since you're so eager to stop my proposal, does that mean that you, Ji Hongxin, are part of the 'secret affair' I just mentioned?"

Ji Hongxin's expression changed drastically. He clearly hadn't expected Cao Weida to speak so bluntly and rudely. He could no longer maintain his composure and said angrily, "Director, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want!"

"My statement just now was solely based on the desire to maintain social order and stability! Everything I did was for the sake of the security of the area!"

"If your decision leads to unrest in the area, can you take responsibility when the Japanese side blames you?!"

Wow, you've been waiting for me here.

Cao Weida leaned back in his office chair, stroking his chin, and looked at him with amusement.

He was certain that if he dared to agree in person, the security of the area would inevitably be thrown into chaos once those people arrived.

Damn it, does this old guy think I'm some kind of greenhorn?

Do you really think all those palace dramas, spy dramas, and ancient officialdom dramas I watched before I time-traveled were for nothing?

Are you trying to provoke me by pretending to be annoyed?
He smiled calmly and casually: "Social unrest? Them?"

"Fine, I'll wait for them to cause trouble!"

"You said you wanted me to take responsibility, right? Then I'll take responsibility."

Ji Hongxin was overjoyed. He was still young and easily tricked!

Hmph, just wait and see. When the law and order are disrupted, let's see what face you'll have left!
It would be best if the Japanese blamed him and removed him from his position as director!
Just when he thought he had successfully provoked Cao Wei Da, Cao Wei Da suddenly said:

"Since I'm in charge of this matter, and to distance yourself from it, you don't need to participate."

"Little Ears!"

"Brother Cao, please give your orders."

"Deputy Director Ji has been working tirelessly lately to maintain order in the area, and he must be quite tired. Go and find a room with a bed and sofa for him to settle in!"

"Remember, he's your boss, so you have to take good care of him!"

“We can’t let Deputy Director Ji worry about such trivial things as three meals a day. You can arrange for someone to deliver them to him.”

Ji Hongxin's eyes widened; he could hardly believe what he was hearing.

I need to find a room to rest, but I have to have someone else arrange my three meals a day?!

Isn't this just house arrest?!
He abruptly stood up, his lips trembling with anger, and said furiously, "Chief, what do you mean by this!"

"Are you trying to imprison me?!"

(End of this chapter)