Chapter 214: Is It That Hard To Report Casualties?
The foot bath business that’s commonplace in later generations is still a very novel business at present.
Just listening to Cao Weida describe the blueprint made him unable to resist wanting to try it himself.
Feeling this was a good money-making project, Xu Hancheng couldn’t help but have some ideas in his mind, his eyes rolling around, occasionally flashing with interest.
Cao Weida was perceptive, and Xu Hancheng wanted to get involved, but in reality, he also intended to pull the other man in!
So he pretended to be troubled and said: “I think highly of this business, but after all, I’m still too young. As the saying goes, no hair on the mouth means unreliable in handling affairs. Rashly managing a business would inevitably make people think it’s immature.”
“Plus, my pocket is really empty, and home has always been spending more than earning.”
“Bureau Chief, you’ve always called me little brother. Seeing your brother here wanting to do a business to supplement household expenses, if you don’t support me a bit, I’ll just stick around and not leave!”
Hearing this, Xu Hancheng was clearly stunned, but then he reacted, obviously realizing his little scheme had been seen through. This was Cao Weida giving him a way out!
He suddenly felt both amused and exasperated, but deep down he was pleased. Cao Weida was considerate, sensible, and thorough. Adding his ability to handle affairs, he could be called all-rounder!
“You, you really know how to get me into trouble!” He pointed a finger at him and chuckled helplessly: “Alright, who let us be brothers? Your matter is my matter as big brother!”
“Since I’m already helping out, big brother can’t be stingy.” After pondering for a moment, he continued:
“Like this, demolition, construction, renovation, and all related matters will be handled by me.”
“Then the land deed for Mingyue Dance Hall will be bought with your money, and personnel coordination, arrangements, and such will all be under your management.”
Demolition, construction, renovation, and related matters?
Cao Weida tsked in his mind. Xu Hancheng really wasn’t stingy; this was no small expense. Compared to buying a house, it was quite not worth it.
Why say that?
Of course because every place has unwritten rules!
Just like those judicial auction items in later generations, the good stuff has already been kept early on.
Even with strict regulation in later generations it’s like that, let alone this period.
For example, that house, if the market price is 10,000 silver dollars, after being seized by the police station, internal purchase would be at most four or five thousand silver dollars, much cheaper than normal transactions.
While expenses for demolition, construction, renovation, etc., are the real deal—what it costs is what it costs!
And it’s not a small amount either!
The key is that once these construction costs are spent, they’re spent, unlike a house—even if you don’t want it later, sell it and not only no loss, but make a big profit!
It could be said that Xu Hancheng’s move was full of sincerity.
Of course, it wasn’t just because of this business; there must also be his desire to build a good relationship with him.
Since the other party had made such a gesture of goodwill, Cao Weida, who also wanted to associate with him, naturally accepted gladly:
“Then thank you so much, Bureau Chief. You’ve really done me a big favor!”
“Don’t worry, with this business I dare not say it’ll make us filthy rich, but I’ll absolutely do my utmost to turn it into a hen that lays golden eggs!”
After leaving the Bureau Chief’s Office, Cao Weida had someone bring Du Dan to the office.
“Cao Ye.” Du Dan greeted cautiously upon entering. The young man before her, who seemed too young to believe, was someone who could decide her life or death with a word!
She had to treat him with respect and caution.
“You’re here, sit.” Cao Weida, who was writing, looked up, gestured for her to sit first, then buried his head back in writing and drawing.
Du Dan was uneasy, not knowing what Cao Weida meant, but she didn’t dare interject at all, sitting carefully on the sofa, only half-seated.
She occasionally glanced at Cao Weida, unable to stop imagining in her heart: if back then she had met him instead, how good that would have been?
She naturally knew of Cao Weida’s reputation, and likewise his reputation for being fond of women.
But she also knew he treated those women quite well.
Beauty is a resource.
But in these chaotic times, without enough power to protect oneself, beauty is a sin!
Like her, at the beginning, she really didn’t want to follow Shao Yongming.
Compared to her, how fortunate were Cao Weida’s women?
While she was lost in wild thoughts, time ticked by bit by bit.
After an unknown time, just as Du Dan was starting to feel inwardly anxious, Cao Weida finally lifted his head.
He exhaled lightly, stood up, took the densely written paper he’d just finished, and sat opposite Du Dan.
Du Dan was startled and quickly stood up: “Cao Ye…”
“Don’t be nervous, sit.” He gestured with his hand for her to sit and reassured her: “Don’t be nervous. Since you’ve already made your pledge of allegiance and I’ve given you my promise, naturally I won’t deceive you.”
“I, Cao Weida, prefer to keep my word.”
He handed over the paper in his hand: “I said before, as long as what you say is true, not only will I not blame you, I’ll also give you certain shelter.”
“Take a look at this first. What do you think of this business? Does it have development prospects?”
At these words, Du Dan’s long-suspended heart immediately relaxed a lot. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief inwardly, feeling fortunate to have survived the ordeal.
“Thank you, Cao Ye.”
After thanking him, she took the paper and read it. Seeing the words ‘Draft Plan for Foot Bath Shop’ at the top, she was a bit puzzled.
But after seeing the detailed regulations below, her eyes gradually lit up.
This unconventional business seemed very promising, and Cao Weida’s plan was written extremely meticulously, including almost all the attractive schemes from later generation foot therapy clubs.
This was a novel business with solid prospects and rich theory!
If done well, it really had great potential!
As for solving the issue of women in this period being relatively conservative…
Weren’t the women in the dance hall ready-made!
Moreover, in these times, what was least lacking were the people who couldn’t survive!
Most crucially, a foot therapy club isn’t a brothel!
Though there might be some money-for-sex transactions inside, it’s all based on mutual consent!
With Cao Weida backing it, who would dare force anything in the shop?
“Cao Ye, I think this business is very feasible, with excellent future prospects.” Du Dan set down the paper and said thoughtfully: “If done well, it could be an industry that keeps laying golden eggs.”
Hearing this, Cao Weida nodded slightly. Of course he knew this business had great potential, having been tested over decades.
Take himself: in his previous life, he hadn’t skimped on sending real gold and silver to foot therapy clubs.
To this day, he still remembered the emptiness and grief in his heart after technician No. 88 left.
“This business will be under your control from now on. You’ll be the manager of this foot therapy club.”
“Ah? Me?!” Du Dan was both shocked and delighted, clearly not expecting such a huge pie to fall from the sky.
She had been a criminal before!
Her initial plan was just to save her life!
The surprise came too suddenly; she even suspected she’d misheard due to a hearing problem.
Seeing her self-doubting expression, Cao Weida couldn’t help but chuckle, “You didn’t mishear. This matter is entrusted to you.”
“The location is the former Mingyue Dance Hall. I’ll buy it, and the rest—demolition, construction, renovation, technician training, etc.—will be handled by you.”
He leaned back, took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, but his eyes looked toward the lighter on the desk.
Du Dan was perceptive, suppressed her inner ecstasy with effort, stood up, picked up the lighter, and obediently lit it for him.
Cao Weida took a drag, smiled satisfiedly, “This is also repayment for your peach for my plum. Moreover, you’re capable. I roughly checked Mingyue Dance Hall’s account book; you managed it well.”
“So, I have high hopes for you, and I hope you can run the future foot bath club properly.”
Du Dan could no longer suppress her excitement, bowing repeatedly in thanks: “Thank you for your trust, Cao Ye. Du Dan will certainly not let you down and will run the foot therapy club perfectly!”
Running a foot therapy club, she was confident; making it a project with substantial income, she was also sure.
But that wasn’t why she was excited. She was thrilled because this connection meant she had latched onto Cao Weida!
With this connection, her life safety was naturally maximally assured!
“Good, I trust you.” He stood and walked to the desk, pretending to open the drawer, but actually took out two stacks of silver dollars and a key from his space.
“This is two hundred silver dollars, your startup funds. This is the key to the first courtyard in Koudai Hutong; you’ll live there for now.”
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll directly start finding renovation workers and such, as well as employee training.”
Du Dan thanked him profusely, took the money and key, and left. Her mindset had changed completely from before, nearly bringing her to tears of joy on the spot.
After sending Du Dan away, Cao Weida took a box, put a check for three thousand silver dollars inside, and went straight out to hail a rickshaw.
“Hey, Cao Ye, what a coincidence!” The rickshaw puller removed his straw hat, revealing Wen San’er’s cheeky face.
Seeing it was Wen San, Cao Weida inwardly cursed his luck, but teased on his face: “Yo, isn’t this Third Master? You’re auspicious!”
“???” Wen San scratched his head, “Cao Ye, don’t tease me. Me, a master? That’d make people laugh their teeth out.”
“Where to? I’ll take you!”
After a slight hesitation, Cao Weida got on the rickshaw and gave an address.
Though Wen San had a bit of a plague god vibe, and those with grudges or favors with him mostly didn’t end well.
But keeping distance without hostility should be fine, right?
Deliberately avoiding his rickshaw would seem too intentional, which wasn’t good.
As the rickshaw moved, Cao Weida teased: “I’ve heard more than once that you, Wen San’er, have great skills, martial arts mastery, and close ties with many famous people. How could I not learn from you and call you Third Master? Not over the top!”
Wen San wasn’t a bad person, had the mindset of a common street folk, no big-picture view, and plenty of minor flaws.
What was worst about him was this mouth of his.
He’d been beaten many times because of this mouth.
Especially after drinking, it was heaven first, earth second, him third.
Either bragging about fighting this sect leader, sending the Bagua Sect sect leader flying into the wall like a hung new year painting, or boasting about being sworn brothers with famous bandit Swallow Li San or whoever.
Anyway, the more exaggerated, the better.
Even claiming he’d go to the Japanese barracks in Fengtai to beat up the little devils.
This bad habit was known to basically every rickshaw puller in Beiping; it was just for laughs, no one took it seriously.
Now being teased outright, and by the major figure Cao Weida—Cao Ye no less—Wen San was mortified, wanting to dig a three-room two-hall with his toes.
“Cao Ye, don’t tease me. Where would I have that ability? It’s all drunken nonsense.”
He glanced back guiltily and gave an embarrassed laugh: “If I really had that ability, how’d I still be a stinking rickshaw puller? You’re a big shot; please don’t stoop to my level…”
He was giving a preemptive excuse, because ever since knowing Cao Weida, his drunken bragging had added a new target: the very Cao Weida he was pulling now.
He’d brag to others about his unbreakable bond with Cao Ye Cao Weida, life-and-death friendship, etc.
Even several times, he’d pulled the tiger skin of Cao Weida to show off.
If Cao Ye found out, would he deal with me?
Thinking of this, he felt even more guilty, praying inwardly that Cao Ye wouldn’t find out.
Cao Weida naturally couldn’t see Wen San’s guilty face, but even if he did, he wouldn’t care much.
Just bragging from the bottom rung of society; he was just in it for the amusement anyway, no real concern.
“Next time don’t spout nonsense when drunk. If you piss someone off and get beaten, it ain’t worth it. Just pull your rickshaw properly.”
Wen San breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Looks like Cao Ye doesn’t know yet about me using his name to brag.
For the rest of the trip, he didn’t dare say another word, afraid of slipping up.
When Wen San pulled seriously, he was quite steady; after all, years of experience.
They arrived smoothly at the location. After paying and sending him off, Cao Weida walked toward the sentry post.
“Cao Sang!” After several meetings, the guard naturally recognized Cao Weida.
As usual, he stuffed a few packs of cigarettes over, earning the guard’s delighted smile. Soon, Meize Heiba appeared at the door.
“Mei Ze Jun, disturbing you again!” Cao Weida politely stepped forward.
“Haha, Cao Sang, you’re too polite. Come, let’s go in. The car is ready; I’ll take you to see it.”
About to pocket 3000 silver dollars, Meize Heiba was clearly very happy, especially seeing the box in Cao Weida’s hand—his smile was extremely warm.
What?
The car is government property?
Stupid!
Is reporting battle damage that hard!
