Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 66 Ensuring safety, and even trying to do more?

Cao Weida did not immediately agree, tapping his finger lightly on the table. "Brother Xu, she's probably a spy, isn't she?"
She went to Nanjing on a mission, which should be related to the Special Higher Police. This matter involves the Special Higher Police, so it's going to be quite difficult."

“That’s right, she is indeed from the Special Higher Police, but don’t worry, we will do our best to ensure your safety.” Xu Jingge knew it was dangerous, and he wouldn’t have bothered Cao Weida if he hadn’t had no other choice.

The main reason is that Zhu Tianxi's matter was handled too smoothly.
Moreover, this Japanese woman committed a serious offense; otherwise, a single piece of information wouldn't be worth ten large yellow croakers.

The higher-ups have given a strict order: we must provide an explanation no matter what!

Spending money?

Money is a small matter!
Guaranteed safety?

Still trying?
Cao Wei Da was too embarrassed to say anything to him. He was being chased all over the place by Japanese intelligence agencies every day, so how could he have the nerve to say he would guarantee his safety?

The key is to try your best.
You might as well not say it.

Seeing that he hadn't understood his subtext, Cao Weida's cheek twitched twice. Why was he so stubborn?
Speechless:
"Brother Xu, you don't need to worry about security. Just don't tell anyone else about my information. This matter involves the Special Higher Police, and the risks are considerable. What I mean is, we need to pay more!"

Xu Jingge was visibly taken aback, looking at Cao Weida with a strange expression.

He thought the other party was worried about safety and was already prepared to make empty promises.

Don't think he can't make empty promises; he's even become an expert at making empty promises.

But who would have thought that after I'd already taken my pants off, this is what I get?
But that's fine too. Things that can be solved with money aren't really problems!

It’s not his money anyway!

If we can find the person, then it's worth it!
"Luckily, he wasn't an official within the Kuomintang; otherwise, he would definitely be another corrupt official."

Xu Jingge secretly rejoiced and smiled, "No problem, as long as you find the person, the reward will satisfy you!"

"But you have to hurry. I suspect she's only staying in Beiping for a short time. Once she's recovered from her injuries, she'll quietly escape back to the Northeast."

"What, aren't you worried about the Japanese Special Higher Police anymore?" Xu Jingge asked with a playful expression, tinged with a hint of mockery.

Cao Weida sneered disdainfully: "Those little devils are like grasshoppers in autumn, how many more days can they jump around? I'm not afraid of them!"

Xu Jingge was taken aback, then a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes. "It seems you have some insights into the situation of the War of Resistance. Since you know the Japanese are doomed, why don't you agree to join the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

"You're getting very close to the Japanese now. If you don't join the Military Intelligence Bureau, aren't you afraid that we'll settle scores with you after the Japanese are defeated?"

"Settle accounts? Settle accounts with me for what?" Cao Weida took out a cigarette, tossed one over, lit it himself, and took a drag—it felt incredibly satisfying.
“I, Cao Wei Da, am just a lowly commoner who came to Beiping by chance to make a living. I was kind enough to be given this job by Master Duo.”

"Since I became a patrol officer, I have never done anything heinous or harmed any of my countrymen."

"On the contrary, I have helped my fellow countrymen quite a bit. Even you, I have helped you twice, haven't I?"

"If people like me are to be purged, then I can only say that your Kuomintang is even worse than the Japanese. At least the Japanese were an enemy country, while you are our own people from China!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingge couldn't help but smile. What he said was true; in truth, he still felt indebted to Cao Weida.

Even if someone is completely unscrupulous, Cao Wei Da cannot be labeled a traitor.

"Don't worry, as long as I live to see the victory of the War of Resistance, as long as I am still in Beiping, as long as you don't do anything heinous and don't get involved with the Red Party, I, Xu Jingge, can guarantee your safety."

Although they were still in the stage of working together, it was clear to everyone that once the war of resistance was won, the Kuomintang and the Communist Party would inevitably have to determine who was superior.

As a result, some diehards couldn't help but bare their sharp fangs and carried out a brutal crackdown on the underground party members, even though a complete victory had not yet been achieved.

If Cao Weida were to become associated with the Red Party, even Xu Jingge would not dare to protect him.

Upon hearing this, Cao Weida couldn't help but smile. All that hard work had been for just this one sentence.

He didn't care about other places, but in Beiping, for four or five years after the victory of the War of Resistance, he had to rely on Xu Jingge as his backer.

"From now on, I'll have to rely on you, Master Xu. Okay, let's eat. After we finish eating, I'll help you find someone. If I can't find them, don't say I didn't try. I've never worked this hard before."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingge couldn't help but laugh.

Cao Weida walked down the street with his hands behind his back. Looking at the bustling street and the military police and puppet troops patrolling back and forth, he felt a real sense of urgency.

Finding a woman in the vast outer second district is no easy task.

Even if the woman was injured, it would be the same. With the Japanese soldiers providing cover, ordinary people simply couldn't get close to her.

As he walked, he pondered what to do.

I have no idea what heinous thing this young woman did, but I reckon it must have been something serious. I imagine many people want her dead, which is why she has to keep her whereabouts secret since arriving in Beiping. This is obviously out of fear of assassination.

"This young woman secretly ran away to Beiping, and then had to go to the Northeast. Obviously, she couldn't withstand the injuries and needed timely treatment."

Large hospitals are crowded and chaotic, so they can basically be ruled out. What's left are the Japanese military hospitals, unlicensed clinics, and doctors making house calls.

Unlicensed clinics are manageable, but military hospitals and home visits are a different story.

However, it wasn't entirely without an opportunity. With a plan in mind, Cao Weida strolled to the street corner at the intersection.

This is the favorite spot for rickshaw pullers. Located near the city gate, it has a huge flow of people and is one of the best places to wait for fares.

At this time, many rickshaw drivers gather here; when there are no customers, they like to travel in groups of three or five.
"Third Brother, are you busy?"

"Hey, Cao'er, newly married, why aren't you at home with your concubine? What are you doing here?" Perhaps even San'er himself didn't notice that his tone towards Cao Weida wasn't like that of a neighbor, but rather carried a hint of awe.

He quickly pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to me, saying, "Here, have a smoke."

"Hey, Daqianmen cigarettes! These are really good cigarettes." Most cigarettes in this era didn't have mouthpieces; only a small number of cigarettes did, and those were high-end or specific types of cigarettes.

Daqianmen cigarettes were considered good cigarettes for the poor, but they didn't quite meet the standards of high-end cigarettes.

San'er smiled humbly, "Thanks to you, I have the spare money to buy a box to try. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to bear to spend the money."

He was referring to the fact that his wife helped introduce Du Shiniang to Cao Wei, and Cao Wei Da gave the matchmaker a lot of money back then.

"Third Brother, you're too kind. It's all what Third Sister-in-law deserves. I should be thanking her."

"You're too kind. Here, let me light it for you." San'er took out a match and lit it for Cao Weida, who didn't stand on ceremony.

Hey, even though I've been here for a while and smoked quite a lot, I'm still not used to cigarettes without filters. They're so strong!

I chatted with him for a bit while smoking, then asked:

"Has that bastard with the mourning stick been bothering you lately?"

"Hey, how can we not look for those heartless people? We just paid the management fee the other day." Mentioning the mourning stick, San'er's face couldn't help but turn ugly, his rough, sun-dried face showing resentment.

These days, there are very few professions that can make money. People at the bottom of society can only do a few jobs, and they all earn hard-earned money.

Rickshaw pullers were one such example. They would go out at dawn and return in the dark, working themselves to the bone for a month and only earning a little over ten dollars after deducting the rickshaw company's share.

To be fair, we can manage to feed our family, but we can't keep up with all the protection fees and management fees coming our way!
Rickshaw pullers all had tragic fates. Westerners say that regular running is good for your health, but in traditional Chinese medicine, that's utter nonsense!

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that stillness is worse than movement. Without proper exercise, medicinal baths, and nourishing medicinal diets, running around every day will only deplete your body!
Take rickshaw pullers in those days, for example. They usually didn't live past forty. In later generations, that would be considered the prime of life, but for rickshaw pullers, it was the age that would kill them. They would often overwork themselves and fall ill, eventually dying from exhaustion.

But what other choice did they have but to grit their teeth and keep going in order to support their families?

The money you risked your life for was swindled away by someone for no reason, with half or even more of it being taken away. Anyone would feel indignant and heartbroken.

"By the way, Cao'er, I heard he made a mistake and was demoted. Are you his boss now?"

Looking at his third son, whose eyes were filled with hope, Cao Weida flicked his cigarette ash and nodded, saying:
"That's true, but I'm new here and my position isn't stable yet. Those juniors don't listen to me at all."

Give me a little more time.

Wait a while longer, until the pot's back is firmly secured, then the mourning stick can be taken offline.

"Yes, I'll listen to you!" San'er understood the meaning behind the words and couldn't help but smile. If Cao'er took control of this area, given Cao'er's personality, wouldn't he no longer have to pay management fees?

"By the way, San'er, I need to ask you about something. Please ask around for me, but don't be too obvious. Make sure no one notices."

San'er patted his chest and said, "Cao'er, just say it. I'll tell you everything I know, and if I don't know anything, I'll find out for you if I have any information!"

He wasn't exaggerating. Every profession has its own tricks of the trade. Rickshaw pullers travel the streets and alleys all day long, coming into contact with all sorts of people. If they want to find out something, they have a natural advantage.

(End of this chapter)