Chapter 11:
“That’s truly too much thanks to Cao Ge. I’m thanking you on behalf of those brothers for your life-saving great kindness!”
“Cao Ge, please wait a moment. I’ll go and be right back!”
Not long after, Little Ear returned carrying a small cloth bag in each hand.
He placed the two cloth bags on the table, making a crisp clinking sound, and pushed them in front of Cao Weida.
“This is for your bribes. If it’s not enough, just tell me. This is your money for cigarettes. Don’t think it’s too little.”
Cao Weida picked them up and shook them, getting the sense of their weight, and revealed a satisfied smile: “Brother, this money for cigarettes is quite a lot. Looks like I need to smoke some good cigarettes, otherwise I really won’t be able to finish them.”
“Look at you saying that. If I let you smoke cheap cigarettes, wouldn’t that be slapping my own face?”
“Then many thanks for Brother’s generosity. I’ll head out now to the Gendarmerie Headquarters, so that Brother Sun Dahu can come back sooner.”
Little Ear hurriedly cupped his hands: “You’re too kind, you’re too kind! San’er, hurry and help Cao Ge call a car!”
“No need, the car is waiting outside.”
Cao Weida stuffed the two cloth bags into his pocket, stood up and said: “Then I’ll head over first.”
“Hold on.” After Cao Weida got in the car and gave the address, the driver shouted ‘Sit tight!’ and started running off with big strides.
In front of the Gendarmerie Headquarters, Cao Weida tossed another fifty cents to the driver, who was overjoyed and kept thanking him nonstop.
“Stop! What business!”
“Two Taijuns, I have an appointment with Officer Fujita. Please kindly notify him.” As he spoke, he smoothly slipped two packs of cigarettes to them, and also smoothly gave two packs to the translator nearby.
It’s easier to deal with the King of Hell than the little devils—a timeless truth. Cao Weida didn’t mind spending a little money to build good relationships.
Hearing it was to see Major Fujita, the translator’s attitude was extremely respectful. He smiled and took the cigarettes, then translated the words.
Clearly, Cao Weida’s few packs of cigarettes weren’t sent in vain. The little devil’s attitude immediately improved a lot, no longer so stiff.
“This sir, may I have your noble surname?”
“Nothing noble, Cao Weida. Just say you’re introducing the consultant from the police station, Major Ono.”
Hearing it was another Japanese major, the translator’s attitude became even more respectful. “Cao Ye, please wait a moment. I’ll notify him right away.”
Not long after, a little devil with three vertical bars and one star on his shoulder epaulet walked out.
“Cao Ye, this is Major Fujita.”
“Officer Fujita, pleased to meet you.”
“Mm.”
Fujita waved his hand to make his men retreat, “Cao Sang, you’re here for Sun Dahu, right?”
Cao Weida was surprised. He didn’t expect this devil’s Chinese to be spoken so well.
This made things much more convenient. “My brother Sun Dahu is ignorant and has caused trouble for Officer Fujita.”
A gold bar smoothly slipped into Fujita’s hand. “A little token of appreciation. Please accept it with a smile.”
After seeing the gold bar, Fujita immediately showed a smile on his face, discreetly stuffing it into his pocket. “Yōshi, Sun Dahu is a very good citizen, very cooperative with our work.”
“Since the misunderstanding is cleared, I’ll go back now and write a note to release him. We are still very friendly to good citizens who actively cooperate with our work.”
“Of course, of course, all for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.” Cao Weida echoed, but sneered inwardly: I think it’s not friendliness to so-called good citizens, but friendliness to gold bars.
But isn’t this exactly what he wanted?
Problems that can be solved with money are not problems at all, much better than losing one’s life.
“Officer Fujita, may I have the honor of treating you to a casual dinner after you get off duty this afternoon?”
“There’s a Japanese restaurant on Chang’an Street. They say the boss lady is from Osaka, and her cuisine is top-notch!”
A Japanese restaurant on Chang’an Street?
Fujita’s eyes lit up immediately. He instantly knew which one it was, and the smile on his lips grew much wider. “Yōshi, if Cao Sang is treating, of course I’ll give face. You arrange it. I’ll go approve the note first.”
“Officer Fujita, could I borrow a telephone? Getting to know Officer Fujita was thanks to Officer Ono’s introduction. I think one person might not entertain Officer Fujita well, so I want to invite Officer Ono along too.”
“Hahaha, it’s been some days since I gathered with Ono-kun. Then let Cao Sang foot the bill.”
“Where where, I should thank Officer Fujita for giving face.”
Cao Weida’s eyes turned. “Fujita-kun, us Chinese people love making friends. If you have any ‘like-minded’ friends, feel free to invite them along. More people, more fun.”
“Moreover, you helped me greatly today. If I don’t repay you somehow, I won’t feel right.”
“If your friends have any difficulties, you can let me know. Whatever I can help with, I’ll do it without hesitation.”
“I don’t dare say much else, but in Beiping, I, Cao Weida, still have some connections. Perhaps I can offer a little help.”
Fujita’s heart stirred, and he nodded. “There’s an old Chinese saying I very much agree with: more friends, more paths. I also love making friends, especially generous and well-connected friends like Cao Sang.”
“Then I’ll await Officer Fujita’s arrival at Youtaojing Restaurant.”
Six o’clock in the evening.
Chang’an Street, in front of Youtaojing Restaurant.
As soon as a car pulled up to the door, Cao Weida stepped forward. “Officer Fujita, Ono-kun, welcome welcome.”
“Cao Sang is too polite. Sorry for making you spend.”
“Come, let me introduce.”
“This is Captain Duobian Yi, squadron leader of the anti-smuggling squadron in the Military Police.”
“This is my hometown fellow, Logistics Department Inspector Captain Matsui Koji.”
“This is the Cao Weida, Cao Sang, I told you about. He’s a very generous friend.”
“Cao Sang, nice to meet you. Please take care of me.” Matsui Koji was a little fatty, short and plump, and smiling he looked a bit like Maitreya Buddha.
If not for his status, he really looked quite comical.
Cao Weida thought to himself, sure enough, logistics people are all well-fed and watered. This build is broader than others. Humbly he said:
“Officer Matsui is too polite. I should be the one asking for your care.”
Nearby, the anti-smuggling squadron leader Duobian Yi snorted coldly, with that sullen expression all over his face, looking as punchable as could be.
Cao Weida’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly recovered.
Matsui Koji coughed. “Duobian-kun, our Great Japanese Empire is a land of etiquette. Cao Sang is sincerely making friends with us. Think of your wife and children, think of your parents.”
Hearing this, Duobian Yi’s expression changed a few times, but in the end he said nothing, though he no longer pulled a face.
Cao Weida cursed inwardly, you damn little devil, pulling faces for whom?
Just wait another year or so, see how you all end up like scattered dogs!
However, he noticed an interesting phenomenon: it seemed the other three little devils were somewhat respectful to this Captain Matsui Koji?
Suppressing his inner doubt, he smiled cheerfully to smooth things over: “Gentlemen officers, don’t stand at the door. Come in, all come in.”
After greeting them, the group entered the restaurant.
Youtaojing Restaurant—the name alone sounds quite feminine, and its boss lady really is a woman, a mature one in her thirties.
Not tall, about one meter fifty, but good-looking, with curves that filled out her kimono bulgingly.
That plump rear swayed side to side as she walked, exuding the flavor of a mature woman everywhere.
Seeing them enter, the boss lady warmly came forward to greet them.
“Fujita-kun, rare guest! How long has it been since you came? Miss Yuko has been thinking of you for ages.”
“Ono-kun, you’re here too. Come in quickly.”
From their conversation, it was clear Fujita and Ono were regulars here.
Of course, these were all things Cao Weida had inquired about beforehand. Otherwise, with so many Japanese restaurants in Beiping, why pick this one specifically?
“Boss lady, since Miss Yuko misses him so much, why not quickly have Miss Yuko come over to ease the lovesickness?”
The boss lady was worldly-wise. Cao Weida had booked a private room beforehand, and now inviting these gentlemen, how could she not know who the God of Wealth was.
She flirtatiously winked, her lips rippling with a charming smile: “Sir, rest assured. I’ll arrange it right away, and also arrange girls for all the gentlemen.”
Tsk, this demeanor doesn’t look like a restaurant boss lady. People would believe she’s the old woman servant of a pleasure house.
Cao Weida ushered them to sit, picked up the sake on the table, and poured for everyone.
Just as he raised his glass, before he could speak, the always stern-faced Duobian Yi spoke first:
“Cao Sang, first time meeting. I’m not good with words. Fujita-kun says you’re good at getting things done and have some connections. I wonder if it’s true or not?”
Heh, this emotional intelligence is really exasperating.
Cao Weida thought to himself, raised his glass neither humbly nor arrogantly, and smiled: “Officer Fujita overpraises me. My abilities aren’t that great, but for small matters, I can still help.”
Duobian Yi’s expression wasn’t good. “Small matters? What we’re talking about isn’t small matters.”
“Duobian-kun, words should be spoken slowly, matters discussed gradually.” Ono Shiota smiled and took over.
“Cao Sang, you’re a smart man. No need for beating around the bush. You had Fujita-kun invite Duobian-kun and them, so it’s not just limited to cooperating with Imperial Army ‘investigations’ friends, right? Since Duobian-kun has started, why not lay our cards on the table. Then the meal will be even more enjoyable.”
“Nothing gets past Ono Taijun.” Cao Weida smiled. “However, we need to get the order straight. It’s not what I can do, but what you gentlemen want me to do.”
“I don’t have much ability, and I’m timid too. I just have the convenience of being a local. In the future, I’ll still need you gentlemen officers to take care of me.”
“As long as it’s within my power, speak up. I won’t hesitate.”
Fujita couldn’t help laughing. “Cao Sang, your courage isn’t small at all. If you’re timid, then there’s no one more courageous.”
If he were really timid, he wouldn’t on his first business deal directly suggest setting up a bigger game.
“No choice, who made us poor.” Cao Weida gave a self-mocking smile.
“To not hide from Ono Taijun, I’ve been poor all my life and gone mad from poverty. The Old Cao family line depends on me alone. I’m still counting on myself, Cao Weida, to branch out and spread descendants, continue the family line.”
“Just relying on that pitiful monthly patrolman salary, barely enough to feed myself. When will I ever earn enough to buy a house and marry a wife?”
“I’ve been poor from childhood to now. I don’t want to keep being poor forever. I also want to live that life of debauchery.”
The little devils exchanged glances and all laughed.
They weren’t afraid of Cao Weida having ambition. Those with ambition are easier to control.
If Cao Weida had no ambition, they wouldn’t bother with him.
To put it bluntly, all that ‘Cao Sang’ and ‘friend’ talk on their lips—did he really think they were friends?
Bullshit!
Isn’t it just to find a white glove?
Isn’t it just for money?!
Friends and all that are fake. Only interests are real!
Both sides being smart people, they naturally knew what each other needed.
Ono Shiota took a sip of sake and signaled Matsui Koji with his eyes.
Matsui Koji pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over: “Cao Sang, since the words are out in the open, I’ll be direct.”
“Recently the front lines are tight on warfare. A batch of supplies came in from Tianjin Port.”
“We skimmed a bit from it. Cao Sang, see if you have a way to help us dispose of it.”
“This batch is under tight scrutiny. Best to offload it within three days.”
“We just need our price for it. As for the rest, we don’t care.”
The little devils each did their own thing, but their peripheral vision was fixed dead on Cao Weida.
Cao Weida reached out to take it. He knew that at this moment of openness, it had come to the point where he had no choice but to do it.
Since the other side had so straightforwardly handed him the leverage, if he couldn’t get the matter done, then the one to be dealt with in the end could only be himself.
Up to now, this matter was one he had to do whether he wanted to or not.
But he wasn’t panicked, nor regretful.
Having been reborn, he couldn’t stay cautious forever. If he didn’t seize such a good opportunity, forget the audience masters despising him—even he himself would despise himself.
One sheep is herded, two sheep are herded the same.
Moreover, this matter seemed dangerous, but actually the risk factor wasn’t high.
He unfolded the piece of paper and glanced at it, his heart slightly startled.
“Type 38 rifles two hundred, two basic loads of ammunition, Type 11 light machine guns five, three basic loads of bullets, Type 92 heavy machine guns two, two basic loads of ammunition, grenade launchers two, two basic loads of artillery shells.”
“Sugar thirty tons, rubber ten tons, gasoline ten tons, tung oil five tons.”
