Chapter 127: Another Sneaky Trick Emerges
In the afternoon, merchants and gangsters arrived one after another, either in person or sending representatives, to the police station to get acquainted with Cao Weida’s face. During this time, the “show respect” link was naturally indispensable.
Cao Weida naturally wouldn’t stand on ceremony. Even without being blatant about it, he accepted everything without hesitation.
His memory wasn’t very good. After going through them once, he hadn’t remembered many of those who had come and shown respect.
But he held grudges well!
Some who had various reasons and excuses for not coming yet, he memorized the number of strokes in their names.
When getting off duty, he encountered Ono Shiota leaving at the door. Seeing him humming a tune and walking lightly as if floating, he approached with a smile: “Ono-kun, what good news have you encountered? Your complexion is positively radiant.”
“Right? I feel my complexion is good today too.” Ono Shiota chuckled oddly, leaned in closer, and said in a low voice: “I got news that a batch of supplies being transported by the Naval forces was robbed on the road. Tsk, the losses were devastating.”
“I think certain people are in for big trouble, heh heh heh.”
While speaking, he winked at him. Cao Weida immediately realized it must have been the Communist Party succeeding based on intelligence provided by the little devils.
He laughed inwardly; the little devils were really masters at screwing over their own teammates.
“Really? That’s too bad…” Suddenly, inspiration struck, and a devious idea popped into his mind.
After thinking for a moment, he pulled Ono Shiota aside and said in a low voice: “Ono-kun, I suddenly have a good way to get rich. I just don’t know if you’re willing…”
Upon hearing a way to get rich, Ono Shiota’s eyes lit up greedily. He excitedly grabbed Cao Weida’s hand, regardless of whether Cao Weida minded, and said fervently:
“Cao Sang, how many times have I said it? We’re friends! Friends must be honest with each other.”
Cao Weida grumbled inwardly: Who the hell wants to be honest with you? If I want to be honest, it’d be with my Du Shiniang and Xinghong at home. What the fuck are you?
“Speak freely without any concerns. I won’t blame you!”
Nowadays, basically all the Japanese high-level figures in Beiping were tied to the same boat as Ono Shiota. As long as it wasn’t too outrageous and didn’t attract attention from certain high-ups, what didn’t they dare to do?
As for willingness… Who wouldn’t be willing to make money? Who would dare not to?!
Those unwilling weren’t on the same boat, and the outcome was simple: either get squeezed out or go down to meet the Emperor!
Just like Goto Kenji, whose ashes were now scattered everywhere.
“Ono-kun, then I’ll say it.” Cao Weida said with a beaming smile: “Ono-kun, that business you had me do when we first met—we can pick it up again.”
Ono Shiota’s expression stiffened, and he looked at him doubtfully: “Didn’t you say before that this kind of business isn’t sustainable and carries high risk?”
“Our current business is gradually expanding and about to get on track. Picking up the old business now wouldn’t balance the risk and benefits.”
He knew Cao Weida wasn’t speaking without basis; there must be some considerations.
He might not trust Cao Weida on other matters, but when it comes to business and making money, Cao Weida’s brain was leagues ahead of his!
“Ono-kun, that was then, this is now.” Cao Weida said meaningfully: “Ono-kun, before we were too limited, but now we know more people and have wider connections. Some things can actually be approached differently.”
He whispered a bunch into Ono Shiota’s ear. Ono Shiota listened with shining eyes, laughed heartily, and punched Cao Weida in the chest. “Cao Sang, you’re really my lucky star! No, more like a brilliant advisor!”
“Good, I’ll go discuss it with Fujita-kun and the others right away. I’ll give you a reply first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Oof~~ Ono-kun, you pack quite a punch.” Cao Weida feigned pain while rubbing his chest, making Ono Shiota burst into laughter again. He grinned wickedly: “Cao Sang, you need to work out. You’ve got two concubines at home—don’t get drained dry if you don’t!”
Damn, you damn one is the one getting drained. This old man is vigorous and robust—not like you little devils who are short and weak.
“Yes, yes, Ono-kun is right. I really should exercise more.” Cao Weida smiled awkwardly. “Um, Ono-kun, let me tell you something. Thanks to your promotion and recognition, I’ve now fully taken control of my team.”
“But once you’re in charge, you realize how expensive everything is. To win people over, you have to feed your subordinates, but that salary alone is really stretched thin.”
“So… cough, so I arranged for bosses of shops and gambling houses in my jurisdiction to come meet and get acquainted with me. But some people have complicated backers and aren’t giving me face, so…”
“Cao Sang, not giving you face is the same as not giving me Ono Shiota face.” As a money-making expert like Cao Weida, Ono Shiota naturally had to back him up and immediately declared:
“Go ahead boldly. In your jurisdiction, anything related to public order and stability is fully under your control—even your Bureau Chief Xu Hancheng can’t interfere. That’s what I say!”
“As long as you don’t make it too big, I’ll back you up!”
“If anyone has objections, tell them to come find me!”
“I’d like to see who dares to be so brazen on Outer Fifth District turf, not giving me Ono Shiota face!”
Hearing this, Cao Weida grinned from ear to ear and hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks: “With your words, Ono-kun, I can rest completely assured.”
“Thank you for your trust, Ono-kun. I will definitely handle public order and stability in my jurisdiction well, not cause trouble for the leaders, and make a humble contribution to the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere!”
“Yōshi, Cao Sang, I’ll treat you. Dinner together tonight?”
“Ono-kun is too polite. How can I let you treat? I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Perfect timing to call Fujita-kun, Matsui-kun, and the others—we haven’t gathered for a meal in days. Tonight I’ll explain things to Fujita-kun and them.”
“Ah, you always treat—it’s too expensive…”
Fuck your **, if you really meant to treat, would you say that crap?
“What are you saying, Ono-kun? Ask around—how many people in Beiping City are dying for a chance to treat you all to dinner and never get it? Me treating you is you giving me face. I’m thrilled—what expense?”
“Hahaha, Cao Sang, you always know what to say. Let’s go, hop in my car.”
Another night of revelry. After knocking out the escort girl, Cao Weida went out to complete another deal, then slept until dawn.
Just as he stepped out the main gate of the Japanese restaurant, a crisp voice called: “Big Brother Cao, Big Brother Cao!”
Cao Weida turned and saw a youthful, beautiful girl with a beaming smile, waving her little hand as she ran over.
“Eh? Miss Xian, what a coincidence.”
The newcomer was Xian Yi, the daughter of Xian Dengkui, whose wallet had been stolen earlier, only for Cao Weida to catch the thief and return it.
“Big Brother Cao, what a coincidence.” Xian Yi’s eyes sparkled with joy, tinged with reproach: “Big Brother Cao, didn’t you say you’d visit my home? It’s been so many days and you haven’t shown up. If I hadn’t run into you here today, would you have forgotten me?”
Cao Weida awkwardly touched his nose. Had he said that?
Time had passed, and he’d forgotten about it.
Whatever, just pretend he had.
Even if he had said it, it was just politeness. Xian Dengkui’s area wasn’t in his jurisdiction—why would he go out of his way to visit Xian Dengkui’s residence?
“Cough… well, I’ve been really busy lately, so I forgot. Miss Xian, you…”
“I”
Xian Yi was just about to say something when Ono Shiota and the others came out of the restaurant, arms around each other.
Seeing Cao Weida and Xian Yi at the door, they paused, looked back and forth between them, and upon noticing the joyful expression on Xian Yi’s face, immediately broke into ambiguous smiles.
“Yōshi~~ Cao Sang, you’re one lucky guy! In your China words, ‘peach blossom tribulation’?”
At these words, the group exchanged knowing smirks.
Cao Weida awkwardly touched his face. “Ono-kun, Fujita-kun, Matsui-kun, Duobian-kun, don’t tease me. Let me introduce: Xian Yi. These are officers of the Great Japanese Empire: Ono-kun…”
“This is Xian Yi, the daughter of Xian Dengkui, Chairman of the Xian Group.”
“Oh? So it’s Miss Xian. Hello, hello.” Upon hearing Xian Yi’s identity, the little devils kept smiling, but their gazes toward Cao Weida grew even more suggestive.
“Cao Sang, seize the opportunity—chances like this are rare, yō~~”
What Xian Group, what Xian Dengkui—though a big shot among Beiping’s Chinese, to them it was nothing special.
Seeing Xian Yi blush with embarrassment, they laughed together. “Alright, we won’t disturb you. Cao Sang, I permit you to skip reporting to the police station today. Accompany Miss Xian properly. We men must show grace and chivalry!”
Cao Weida was amused and helpless. “Ono-kun, don’t tease me. Miss Xian is the apple of Mister Xian’s eye. I’m afraid he’ll come after me.”
“You go ahead. Notify me first if there’s news—I’ll help arrange and push it through.”
“Yōshi, Fujita-kun, let’s hurry. We can’t delay their little date.” Matsui Koji grinned.
Fujita Sosuke said: “I’ve long heard Miss Xian is gentle and virtuous, yet lively and cute—a perfect wife candidate. Cao Sang, strike when you should—don’t hesitate!”
Ono Shiota nodded: “Exactly right. Cao Sang, I order you in my capacity as Police Station Consultant: accompany Miss Xian well!”
After hearing Xian Yi was Xian Dengkui’s daughter, Matsui Koji and the others immediately decided to play matchmaker.
Though they didn’t take Xian Dengkui seriously, his connections and channels were what they valued.
If Cao Weida married Xian Dengkui’s daughter and gained his channels’ help, wouldn’t their business go even smoother?
