Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 293 Are you guys even capable?
"It better be this way!"

Cao Weida snorted coldly, shook off his hand, and his expression softened slightly: "Xu Jingge, we still have some ties, and I trust your character. I'll trust you this time."

"But remember, you made that promise on behalf of your superiors, so you have to take responsibility!"

"If Liu Rusi loses even a single hair, I, Cao Weida, will be the first to not let you off the hook!"

Although Cao Weida's attitude was not good, Xu Jingge showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever.

Ultimately, he was in the wrong first.

Seeing Xu Jingge's attitude, Cao Weida lost interest in blaming him. After all, this matter had nothing to do with Xu Jingge. He had vented his anger and that was that. Xu Jingge had already given his assurance. If he continued to hold a grudge, it would make him seem petty.

He plopped down and nodded, saying, "Speak, what brings you to me all of a sudden today?"

Xu Jingge's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Fang Jiamou, the deputy head of the Military Intelligence Section, killed the person monitoring him and ran away. According to reliable sources, Fang Jiamou has fled to Beiping."

"Our men originally intended to ambush them on the road, but the Japanese deliberately revealed Fang Jiamou's whereabouts, leading us into an ambush, where many of our brothers died."

"This traitor has mastered the military deployment for the upcoming Battle of Changsha. We must find and eliminate him before he leaks military intelligence!"

Upon hearing this news, Cao Weida was speechless. He was so angry he laughed: "Hey Lieutenant Colonel Xu, are you guys even capable?"

"I have a feeling that your KMT has been infiltrated to the point of being riddled with holes!"

"The Military Intelligence Bureau is such an important department, and this is just a deputy section chief position?! How could they assign someone like this to it?!"

What is the war about?
The first is naturally the economy, and the second is intelligence!

A single piece of crucial intelligence can completely turn the tide of a major battle!

The saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle." If the enemy has already figured out our military deployments before the battle even starts, what's the point of fighting?

As for redeploying military defenses...
Don't be ridiculous. Large-scale military deployments aren't something you can just move around on a whim; there are just too many aspects involved.

Moreover, once military forces are mobilized, all the previously constructed defensive fortifications will become useless and must be rebuilt.

But the Japanese aren't stupid; they're not going to just stand by and watch you rearrange and rebuild.

Once the Japanese army discovers a large-scale mobilization of the Kuomintang army, they will definitely take the opportunity to attack.

In this way, the Japanese might take the opportunity to attack, causing the army to collapse at the first contact. This consequence would be more serious than losing military intelligence!
Xu Jingge sensed the sarcasm in the words. He was embarrassed and felt that it was too shameful and wrong of him to have done such a thing.

But now is not the time to worry about losing face. What's done is done, and the most important thing is to solve the problem!
"Nobody wanted this to happen. Now is not the time to assign blame. The higher-ups are taking this very seriously and are very anxious. What we need to do now is to shut that damned traitor up forever!"

"If Fang Jiamou were to reveal the information, it would be a bolt from the blue for us!"

"How do you know Fang Jiamou hasn't revealed the military deployment?" Cao Weida raised an eyebrow and said, "What if he has already revealed the military intelligence? Wouldn't everything you're doing now be in vain?"

“No, he definitely didn’t say it, at least he wouldn’t dare to say it now.” Xu Jingge took out a folded piece of paper from the inside pocket of his clothes and pushed it in front of Cao Weida.

These are Fang Jiamou's family members left in the mountain city. The last words, "When the war eases a bit, we will bring you and the children to Beijing," are circled in red.

“His wife and children are still in the mountain city. Fang Jiamou would never dare to gamble until the Japanese army fulfilled its promise to ‘escort his family.’”

He tapped the piece of paper with his fingertip. "This person is greedy for life, but even more so for his life. He knows that if he hands over the information, he will become a useless pawn."

Cao Weida stared at the writing on the piece of paper and nodded in understanding:
"That being said, Beiping is a huge city. For the Japanese to hide someone in Beiping is as easy as burying a grain of sand on the beach."

“The embassy district in Dongjiaomin Lane, the military police dormitory in the north of the city, and even the tenement courtyards in the south of the city—where can’t people hide? Our people can’t even step over the threshold. Where am I supposed to find them for you?”

"Also, don't expect me to use my connections with those old devils like Ono Oda to find out. That old devil Ono Oda isn't stupid; he definitely won't tell me."

"Moreover, Fang Jiamao is so important that if I show any interest in him, I will definitely be targeted immediately."

His implication was clear: asking me to search for someone like looking for a needle in a haystack, and with an extremely dangerous process, was impossible!
I haven't lived enough yet!

Xu Jingge gestured for him to calm down, tapped the table with his fingertips, and said:

“Of course I can’t let you rashly inquire about Fang Jiamao. That would be too risky, and the Japanese wouldn’t tell you either.”

He never intended for Cao Wei Da to take such a risk; it would be dangerous and ineffective, and he couldn't be that stupid.

“Fang Jiamou has been in the intelligence department for eight years, and we know him very well.”

He pulled a yellowed piece of paper from his pocket. It was Fang Jiamou's handwriting, which recorded the words 'stomach medicine needs to be taken every three days':

“He has a severe stomach ulcer and is relying on the Japanese-made ‘Weixen U’ to keep him alive. I’ve inquired about this medicine, and only Zhenghetang Pharmacy next to the Liuguo Hotel can get it.”

He pointed to the piece of paper with his fingertip, "The Japanese army needed to hide him, but they also had to ensure that he would live and reveal information, so they would definitely send people to buy medicine regularly."

Cao Weida of Zhenghetang pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "I have a vague impression of this pharmacy. I saw it when I passed by the Six Nations Hotel. It's under the protection of the Japanese. If I send someone to inquire, they'll surely be exposed."

“No need to ask.” Xu Jingge took a cloth bag from the drawer, inside which was a miniature listening device specially made by the Military Intelligence Bureau:

"You have your men disguise themselves as plumbers and use the excuse of maintenance to install this thing in the wooden frame of the back window of Zhenghe Hall."

“People who buy medicine will inevitably mention the ‘Fang family’ code name. As long as you hear it, you can guess the location.”

Seeing that Xu Jingge had already considered everything, Cao Weida said irritably, "Why don't you just arrange for someone to do this yourself? Why do you make me do it?"

He was just pretending to fix pipes, and you still want him to arrange for someone else?

He felt somewhat dissatisfied.

Xu Jingge smiled bitterly: "I thought so too, but our Military Intelligence Bureau has a traitor. Now all the Military Intelligence Bureau personnel in Beiping are on edge and dare not expose themselves at all."

"Moreover, I suspect there might be a mole hiding in the team. This is too important. I really can't trust anyone in the team until I'm sure who the mole is."

"So you're just taking advantage of me?" Cao Weida cursed, "Isn't this bullying an honest person?!"

"Your Military Intelligence Bureau has become a sieve; traitors, spies, and moles are emerging one after another!"

Xu Jingge's face darkened: "There's nothing we can do. Since the start of the War of Resistance, our Military Intelligence Bureau has been carrying out countless assassinations of traitors and high-ranking Japanese officials. Too many brothers have sacrificed their lives."

"The Military Intelligence Bureau needs to replenish its manpower and recruit a large number of talents, which means it is impossible to screen everyone thoroughly, and it is inevitable that someone will take advantage of the situation."

Cao Wei Da was speechless, because what the other party said was true. War meant death, and in order to deter those opportunists and pro-Japanese elements within the country, the Military Intelligence Bureau frequently carried out assassinations and intimidation campaigns against these traitors.

This will inevitably involve great sacrifices.

With sacrifices made, new personnel must be brought in.

The situation was tense, the country was in turmoil, and time was tight and the task was heavy. Even if the Military Intelligence Bureau wanted to carefully verify the identity of everyone, it did not have the ability or time.

It was inevitable that someone would take advantage of the situation.

Moreover, the infiltration by the Japanese was far less serious than that by the underground Communist Party.
"Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. I understand about this matter, and I will arrange for someone to take care of it."

Regardless of the circumstances, Cao Wei Da still had a strong sense of principle when it came to matters of principle.

Fang Jiamou possessed secrets about military deployments that concerned the lives of hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers. As long as it didn't endanger his own safety, he was willing to help.

After hastily ending the conversation, Cao Weida went to the district office.

Zheng Chaoyang knocked on the door and came in, handing over a list: "Master Cao, this is the 'apology' from those bosses. Please take a look."

Cao Weida took the list and flipped through it, saying as he read, "Brother Chaoyang, could you please contact Hao Pingchuan? I have something I'd like to ask him for a favor."

“Okay, I’ll contact them right away.” Zheng Chaoyang agreed immediately without asking any questions.

He knew that Cao Weida wouldn't contact Hao Pingchuan without a reason; there must be something important going on.

After a while, Cao Weida put down the list in his hand, stroked his chin and muttered, "It seems that these bosses are quite sensible; they've sent the gifts they were supposed to send."

"I just wonder if anyone will try to be clever and replace the person who should have been handed over."

Just then, the phone rang.

Cao Wei Da answered: "Hello, who is it?"

“Cao’er, it’s me, Duomen.”

"Oh, it's Master Duo. What are your instructions?" Cao Weida said jokingly.

Before he was transferred to this district office, he promoted Duomen to the position of inspector, but did not bring him with him.

It wasn't that he had a problem with Duomen, but rather that he wanted to keep Duomen at the police station so that he could be contacted immediately if anything happened.

Duomen is the person he trusts most in the world, without exception. In addition, Duomen is mature, steady, and meticulous, making him the most suitable person among those he can use to stay and provide support.

"Don't joke with me. I'm just a lowly inspector, what right do I have to give orders to someone like you, the chief? You're the one giving orders to me." Duomen laughed and scolded, then said self-deprecatingly:
"As you instructed, I've found out who sells air conditioners. He has five air conditioners that he hasn't sold yet. Someone wanted to buy them, but I stopped them for now. That's why I'm calling you to await your next instructions."

"Oh, that must be really hard on you." Cao Weida was immediately delighted upon hearing the news that there was air conditioning.

He had accumulated some wealth and status in this era, and he was not short of money. He had enjoyed almost everything that was possible in this era.

It can be said that, in terms of material conditions, things are much better than before he transmigrated.

However, due to the technological gap, some things are still inevitably inferior to modern ones.

For example, mobile phones, computers, and air conditioners.

As the weather grew hotter, Cao Weida had already begun to miss the convenience of air conditioning.

Now that there's news about air conditioning, he's naturally delighted.

"Master Duo, tell that computer dealer that I want all five air conditioners, and I'll pay with silver dollars directly. After the air conditioners are bought, I'll give you one as compensation for your hard work, so you can enjoy the coolness of summer!"

"Alright, you said it yourself, so I won't stand on ceremony. You told me all about how amazing the air conditioner is, and I really want to try it out to see if it's as good as you say." Duomen agreed without hesitation.

He knew that Cao Weida was rich, and a few hundred silver dollars was nothing to Cao Weida.

Given their relationship, being too polite would only make them seem distant.

"Just try it, and they won't utter a sound!"

"."

After hanging up the phone, Cao Weida saw that there was nothing else to do, so he decisively skipped work and went home.

As soon as I stepped out of the office, I bumped into Little Ears walking towards me.

"Brother Cao, are you going back?"

Seeing Cao Wei Da nod in agreement, he told him to speak quickly and get to the point.

Little Ears was speechless. It was truly rare to see a boss who could completely shirk his responsibilities like this.

However, I didn't find anything strange about it.

This wasn't something that only started after he became the police chief; Cao Weida was already quite adept at this behavior while he was still at the police station.

At that time, Zheng Chaoyang had not yet been transferred to the patrol team, nor had he become Cao Weida's secretary. Cao Weida was still a patrol officer at the time, and he delegated many documents and other matters to Duomen.

Now that he's the head of the district office, skipping work is even more convenient for him.

Although I no longer have Duomen to help me with documents, I've gained Zheng Chaoyang, haven't I?
"Brother Cao, what about Ji Hongxin and Lin Angxiong? They're still under house arrest, cursing in their rooms every day."

"Hiss, I almost forgot about those two." Cao Weida scratched his head. He'd been busy these past few days, dealing with the bosses and meeting with Liu Rusi, and had really forgotten about them.

Little Ears: "."

Well, they're in their room every day, itching to hate you, and they see you as their biggest imaginary enemy.

You've completely forgotten about them.
If Ji Hongxin and the other man found out, they would probably be even angrier, right?
This must be an insult to Ji Hongxin, right?

"Brother Cao, this is some information about Ji Hongxin that I have collected in the past two days."

Xiao Erduo handed him a file folder, grinning as she said, "This Ji Hongxin isn't very popular. I've only just started collecting evidence, and those section chiefs have already come to chat, drink tea, and smoke with me. They 'accidentally' left all the evidence right in front of me."

(End of this chapter)