Chapter 112: This Old Man Ain’t No Saint Either, What Do I Have To Fear!
Bang!
When the last person stared wide-eyed and was shot dead, Cao Weida finally walked up, glanced at Tong Mazi and the others who died with eyes wide open, and secretly spat. Just like that, they died. That was going easy on you!
“Come on, come on, smoke a cigarette. Everyone has worked hard.”
Putting away the paperwork, Cao Weida cheerfully took out cigarettes and handed them out one by one.
The little devils’ cold expressions melted, they amiably took the cigarettes with friendly smiles, and even said thanks.
They all knew that Cao Weida was now their officer Fujita Sosuke’s God of Wealth.
And their promotion and wealth all depended on Fujita Sosuke, which meant Cao Weida was indirectly their God of Wealth, so they naturally had to give him a good face.
After a good while, the sound of a car engine came from afar. Cao Weida and the little devils quickly stood up. Fujita Sosuke arrived right on time.
The people Fujita Sosuke brought were clearly professionals. As soon as they got here, they started snapping photos nonstop. Facing the corpses whose faces had been beaten beyond recognition, they showed no reaction at all, expressionlessly taking photos methodically.
“Yōshi, they did a good job. They even posed the bodies for us, saving us a lot of effort.”
“Fujita-kun, what to do with these corpses? Haul them away for cremation, or bury them right here?”
“The Military Police is very short on staff right now, with no extra costs for handling these minor details. Just leave them to Mother Nature. Wild dogs will take care of them.”
Holy shit~~
Cao Weida cursed inwardly. These little devils really weren’t human. So it’s fine because they’re not your Japanese corpses, huh!
“Fujita-kun, the weather is getting hotter now. Leaving the corpses here could breed germs easily, and this place isn’t far from Beiping City. If it causes an epidemic, that would be bad. How about I cover the cost and call the corpse collection team to dig a pit and bury them?”
“You’re right, Cao Sang. Then this matter is handed over to you.”
As long as it didn’t cost him money, anything was fine. Since Cao Weida wanted to handle it, let him.
After returning to Beiping City, Cao Weida first went to the Police Station to check in. This was his daily routine; he couldn’t skip it.
Then he went straight to Maozi Hutong.
Only upon entering did he see several workers dressed men repairing the pavilion there.
“Master, you’re back.”
“Yeah, is this repairing the pavilion?”
“Yes, the weather is getting hotter by the day, and the pavilion was eaten away by termites, so we thought we’d fix it. That way, later on, Master can enjoy the shade here.”
Hearing about the termites, Cao Weida felt a bit awkward. “Haha, Xinghong, you’re so thoughtful. Look at me, I completely forgot about it.”
“Cao Ye.”
“Cao Ye, you’re back.”
Seeing Cao Weida come in, the workers greeted him with smiling faces one by one, and it didn’t look fake at all. This showed that Cao Weida had a good reputation among the local people.
“Masters, you’ve all worked hard. Make sure to repair this pavilion properly. Don’t cut corners on me.”
Cao Weida cheerfully handed out a round of cigarettes, which made the workers beam with delight.
“Cao Ye, what you’re saying—we’re all craftsmen. How could we smash our own rice bowls? Don’t worry, we’ll build it nice and beautiful for you. Even in summer, it’ll be cool as can be under here.”
“Oh right, Cao Ye, do you want to hang a few grapevines? If so, I can build you a trellis.”
“Then I’ll trouble you. Make it good feng shui. Whatever materials you need, tell me soon. We don’t lack money. Xinghong, call Quanjude and order a few ducks. We’ll treat the masters to duck for lunch today.”
In these times, when people worked for someone, they were usually provided with a lunch, though whether it was good or not was another story.
Before transmigrating, Cao Weida was half-believing about feng shui and such, but after transmigrating, he had to believe even if he didn’t want to.
He’d heard that these carpenters, if they had real skill, all had some feng shui knowledge. Better not offend them over small things and let them trip him up.
“Oh my, Cao Ye, you’re too polite. We don’t deserve such good fortune.”
“Hey, it’s nothing.” Cao Weida said generously. No problem at all.
“Then thank you.” The workers sighed inwardly that Cao Ye was truly benevolent, and their work became even more careful.
“Hey, no need to be polite. We’re all fellow villagers. Masters, keep busy. I’m going for a haircut. This hair’s grown to the nape already.”
“Cao Ye, go ahead.”
There were plenty of barbers in these times. Though Beiping was under Japanese puppet regime rule and economic development was limited, basic daily services still existed—and even more than before. After all, there were fewer jobs now than previously, so many jobless folks had to look to all trades.
This also led to a lot of itinerant barbers.
Itinerant barbers provided services at street corners and hutong entrances, with simple tools like razors, combs, towels, and such. Cheap prices, suitable for ordinary folks.
Of course, there were also fixed small barber shops in the city, but they were generally small-scale, serving a different class from the itinerant barbers’ customers.
Cao Weida didn’t have Xiangzi pull the rickshaw, since it wasn’t far—just a ten-minute walk. He wasn’t at the point of considering himself a big shot yet.
But upon arriving, he found the door locked tight, which made Cao Weida puzzled.
He walked over to the neighbor sitting in the shade nearby, plopped down on a stool, and asked, “Man, do you know why Old Sun didn’t open today?”
“Oh, it’s Cao Ye. Good fortune to you. Here for a haircut?” The neighbor cupped his hands in greeting.
“Yeah, it’s been almost a month since my last one. Thought I’d come today. Where’s Old Sun?”
The neighbor sighed. “Cao Ye, you’d better go to another barber from now on.”
“What’s up?” Cao Weida frowned. “Man, what do you mean? Did something happen to Old Sun?”
This wasn’t his first time coming here for a haircut, so hearing this made his heart skip.
The neighbor looked indignant. “You guessed right. Old Sun did get in trouble. He was beaten to death alive by that bastard Louzi!”
Beaten to death?!
A fierce glint flashed in Cao Weida’s eyes. “Fuck, he dares openly beat someone to death in my jurisdiction?! Who’s this Louzi? Why beat Old Sun?!”
Memories of Old Sun surfaced in his mind.
Old Sun was a barber, the hereditary kind. Top-notch craftsmanship, and affordable prices.
Old Sun had a great personality too—always kindly and amiable. When he smiled, the wrinkles on his face bunched up, looking very serene.
Now, such a kindly old man had been beaten to death.
A raging fury surged in his chest.
“He’s just a little thug. Heard he hooked up with Kui Biao before. Arrogant as hell every day.” The neighbor clearly couldn’t stand that Louzi for a long time and spilled it all when Cao Weida asked.
“I actually know a bit about this. Didn’t Old Sun have a son Ping An? Somehow he got mixed up with Louzi.”
“Looks like Old Sun didn’t chat with you about it. His son got into gambling, and Old Sun’s family fortune was all squandered by him.”
“Not long ago, he went gambling again and lost over a hundred silver dollars at the gambling house. Came back for money, but home was already emptied by that Ping An kid. Where was there any left?”
“So Louzi brought people to collect the debt. No money? Then mortgage this ancestral house. Old Sun couldn’t agree to that. Mortgage the ancestral house, and he’d have no face to see the ancestors after death.”
“Then that bastard Louzi beat Old Sun viciously and forced him to sign and thumbprint, saying if the money wasn’t paid back in three days, the house would be forfeited directly.”
“Old Sun was already frail. After the beating, he was hanging on by a thread. Hearing that, he was gone on the spot. What a sin~~”
“Cao Ye, how could such a kind-hearted man raise such a thing?”
Hearing this, Cao Weida clenched his fists tightly.
Fuck, arrogant to the extreme!
In my jurisdiction, who gave them the courage?!
He knew this era was dark, with darkness everywhere. His power was limited; he could only manage his own patch of land.
But on his own patch, he absolutely could not tolerate such things!
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Sure enough, before Cao Weida could speak, several arrogant figures approached from not far away.
The neighbor’s eyes shrank, and he whispered, “Cao Ye, Louzi’s the one leading in front. I have things at home; I’m heading back.”
Cao Weida narrowed his eyes and looked over. Six men were coming straight at them, all with arrogant faces. Anyone blocking their path was shoved aside, with cursing under their breath. Their overbearing attitude was truly nauseating.
Cao Weida couldn’t help but laugh.
Good, very good. On this old man’s turf, there are still such cocky bastards.
Looks like this old man hasn’t come out to intimidate for a while, so these petty crooks think they’re hot stuff again!
“Yo, isn’t this Cao Ye? Good fortune to you. What’s up, here for a haircut?” Louzi swaggered over, perfunctorily cupping his hands. Cao Weida didn’t know him, but he knew Cao Weida.
At Tianqiao, few who mixed in didn’t know Cao Weida.
But deep down, he looked down on Cao Weida. Just a black-skinned dog.
So what if he cozied up to the little devils? This old man wasn’t a good guy either. Afraid of shit!
Just a lackey running errands for the little devils. Had he ever seen white knife in, red knife out?
Cao Weida took out a cigarette, lit it, and completely ignored him. Just a self-important little thug; he truly didn’t take him seriously.
“Fuck, are you deaf? Louzi’s talking to you!” A younger brother nearby cursed and pointed at Cao Weida.
Cao Weida’s face turned cold. He suddenly stood up and, without warning, grabbed the stool under his butt and smashed it over.
Bang~~
