Chapter 131: Rise, The People Suffer; Fall, The People Suffer
Cao Weida wiped the fine sweat from his forehead that had been forced out by the pressure. He had to force it out; otherwise, he wouldn’t even break a cold sweat, which would be too disrespectful to the devil across from him.
He let out a heavy breath, dryly chuckling and nodding repeatedly. “Officer Meize has keen insight and a grand heart. I’m just a small, insignificant figure. You’re really overpraising me. I’m just scraping by, just scraping by.”
Meize Heiba smiled faintly, picked up a cup again and placed it in front of Cao Weida, and poured him more tea,
“Cao Sang, I’m here this time for two reasons: first, to make friends with you; second, to make a transaction with you.”
“Officer Meize, how can I let you pour tea? Let me, let me.” He hurriedly took the teapot and poured a cup for the other, then poured one for himself, and picked up the teacup.
“I have intelligence on Army logistics transport in my hand, and I want you to help pass it to the anti-Japanese elements.”
Smack~~
Teacup: Today’s the day that’s cursing me?
“Cough cough cough.” Cao Weida coughed until his face turned red, pounding his chest hard, and only recovered after a while. He looked incredulously at Meize Heiba, who had been smiling throughout, and said in horror: “Officer Meize, my ears suddenly aren’t working well. What did you just say?”
Meize Heiba said slowly and deliberately: “I said, I have intelligence on Army logistics transport in my hand, and I want you to pass it to the anti-Japanese elements.”
“.” Cao Weida’s cheeks twitched wildly. He had thought of many reasons why the other might seek him out, even imagining that the other had investigated some matters and, not daring to openly take revenge on the Army, wanted to eliminate him as a warning to Ono Shiota and the others.
But he never imagined that the other wanted him to do such a thing.
To be honest, he now felt that all of this was somewhat magical.
“Officer Meize, may I ask, why did you choose me?”
His expression was extremely astonished, laced with fear. “I think you should have ways to deliver this intelligence to the anti-Japanese elements, right?”
Meize Heiba smiled faintly. “Very simple. I want to get leverage on you.”
“.”
So direct? So direct it’s making me a bit unaccustomed.
Cao Weida was speechless. “So, you went to all this trouble just to get leverage on me? But why? I’m just a small figure. Even if you get leverage on me, what use is it?”
He glanced at the little devil soldiers guarding around them. “Although it’s a bit of that, with one order from you, wouldn’t I immediately splatter blood on the spot?”
“Your life, Cao Weida, I can’t bear to kill.” Meize Heiba said meaningfully:
“Before you, Ono Shiota and the others were just smuggling some supplies and equipment, always being cautious, and not making much money.”
“But since they met you, they’ve all gotten rich, indulging in singing and dancing, debauchery every day.”
“Now, the entire Beiping Army is basically on the same boat. The future looks promising.”
“You’re their living God of Wealth. How could I bear to kill you?”
Cao Weida: “.”
Good grief, envious of others making money?
But thinking about it, it made sense. Who could remain unmoved by getting rich?
“So… what do you mean?”
“Cao Sang, Ono Shiota is your friend. I, Meize Heiba, can also become your friend.” Meize Heiba looked at him deeply.
“Money, status, women—we can give you all of it, as long as you cooperate with us. The benefits will be huge!”
Oh ho, asking me to pass information is wanting me to submit a pledge of allegiance?
Cao Weida’s heart settled at once. Wasn’t it just about getting rich? One sheep or two, same effort, and an extra avenue to make money—he wouldn’t lose out.
However, he still pretended to be hesitant. After all, agreeing too readily would only make the other wary and distrustful.
So, he hesitated and said:
“To be honest, having an extra way to get rich, I’d naturally be willing. But you want me to pass information to the resistance elements. If Officer Ono and them found out, my head would be—”
“Moreover, Officer Ono showed me great favor in recognizing my talent. My current life is all thanks to Officer Ono.”
Meize Heiba narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them. “So Cao Sang means you’re not agreeing?”
Click!
Click~~
A sound of firearms being chambered rang out. Cao Weida shuddered all over and hurriedly waved his hands. “No, Officer Meize, look, you’re rushing again. I didn’t say I wouldn’t agree to take you all to get rich.”
“Yōshi.” Meize Heiba raised a finger and waved it. The little devil soldiers around immediately put away their guns. “China has an old saying: Those who know when to yield are true heroes. So Cao Sang, you agree to do it, right?”
“No no no.”
“Idiot!”
“Officer Meize, look, you’re rushing again. Please hear me out first.”
Meize Heiba kept a stern face. He did want to hear what Cao Weida had to say.
If Cao Weida was unwilling to work for them, then they’d rather kill him than let that Army bunch benefit alone!
If he couldn’t get it, no one could!
Cao Weida pondered in his mind. The conflict between the little devils’ Navy and Army was out in the open. With Meize Heiba coming to his door today, if he couldn’t give a satisfactory answer, he might really be in danger today.
Don’t count on these little devils having any kindness or conscience. If he couldn’t be used by them, they’d absolutely kill him.
Especially now that he was helping the Army make big money, the Navy was not only envious but jealous.
If they can’t get it, they’ll destroy it—that’s the little devils’ tradition.
After a moment of silence, Cao Weida spoke:
“Officer Meize, I’ve heard about the conflict between your Navy and the Army. I can understand you wanting me to do that.”
“But I’m just a little sergeant. I can’t afford to offend either side!”
“You know about some things the Army is doing. Do you think they can’t investigate some things you’re doing?”
“Leaving aside whether I could do something like betraying them, even if I did, if Officer Ono and them found out, how could I have a way to live?”
“If I’m going to die either way, early or late, why wade into this muddy water? Might as well die now and at least leave a relatively good reputation. Don’t you think?”
Meize Heiba responded with silence, because he knew Cao Weida wasn’t wrong. They could investigate so much, but the Army’s intelligence agency in Beiping was much stronger than their Navy’s, so they could certainly investigate too.
If Cao Weida really betrayed that Army bunch, with their personalities, he would undoubtedly die.
Protection?
Never mind whether their Navy could protect him—even if they could, so what? What they were counting on was Cao Weida helping them make money!
If Cao Weida couldn’t help them make money, he’d be a discarded pawn. Would he still need protection?
He wouldn’t say nonsense like “As long as you help us, we’ll definitely protect you.” Neither of them were fools. Whether the other believed it or not, it would only make him completely guarded against them.
Seeing him remain silent, Cao Weida gathered his thoughts and continued:
“Actually, there’s conflict between your two sides, but it’s a military and political disagreement, completely separate from doing business. We can totally set aside our mutual prejudices for now.”
“You’re sincerely wanting to be friends with me, so naturally I can’t show nothing in return. To tell you the truth, the Imperial Army in Beiping is indeed united now, but after all, Beiping’s territory is only so big, and there are only so many logistics transport routes, so it’s still limited.”
“If we can temporarily set aside political and military prejudices and fully open up both land and sea routes, the supply transport will more than double!”
“That way, it’ll be not only safer and more stable, but we can make even more money. Why not?”
“China has a saying you may or may not have heard: No matter who you have a grudge against, you can’t have a grudge against money!”
“You’re a soldier now, but you can’t be one forever. When you retire from the army, you’ll eventually return home.”
“I think, whether it’s you or your family members, you’ll need enough money to meet material needs, right?”
“On the contrary, if you hold onto those prejudices and keep opposing each other, I’d die anyway—worthless life—but the end result would be no one making money.”
“Let’s not let momentary political and military prejudices delay our chance to make money—big money! What do you think?”
“I assume you’re a smart man and know what the current situation is like. With both sides at a stalemate, the longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for your country.”
“China has another old saying: ‘Before victory is secured, speak first of defeat.’ Have you heard it?”
Meize Heiba frowned and shook his head. “Please enlighten me, Cao Sang.”
“I wouldn’t dare call it enlightenment, just some humble opinions.” Cao Weida smiled faintly and said: “It means that before achieving victory, you must first prepare for the possibility of defeat.”
Meize Heiba’s eyebrows lifted. This sentence shook him to the core, and he found it extremely reasonable.
The more he chewed on it, the more profound it seemed.
He sighed inwardly: Although China is weak now, its foundation truly makes him envious. Even an ordinary little figure has such insights—this is the charm of heritage!
He hadn’t been optimistic about the current situation to begin with, and now he was even less so.
“Of course, I’m not dampening the Great Japanese Empire’s morale. We just need to prepare for the worst. Suppose your country ultimately loses the war—you have to consider the future for yourself and your family, right?”
“Or, for example, suppose all your country’s military actions go very smoothly, but if there’s no money in the future, what use is it?”
