Chapter 231: Tricky? That Means It’s Doable
Hearing this, Ono Shiota’s spirit lifted again, his eyes darting around as he said:
“The matter is difficult to handle, but it’s not impossible, especially since it’s you, Cao Sang, who asked.”
“For your sake, I have to help out a bit, right?”
“By the way, I’ve heard that your China’s antiques and calligraphy paintings are quite famous. I wonder if I could have the honor of appreciating a few?”
Yo, is the sun rising from the west?
This little devil Ono Shiota doesn’t like real gold and silver, but instead fancies antiques and calligraphy paintings like a pretentious artist?
Little did he know that Ono Shiota naturally had his own plans.
You could say he was greedy for money and lustful, but you absolutely couldn’t say he had no brain.
After all, he had received higher education, and his family fortune was quite good. He understood some principles that lowly people didn’t.
Nowadays, he already had enough money, and there would only be more in the future.
If it kept increasing, good things might turn bad.
Rather than letting the money keep inflating endlessly, it was better to redeem it for things that could increase foundation.
And antiques and calligraphy paintings were undoubtedly the best choice.
The empire’s things—those in the know get it.
Other Western countries… tsk, not even as good as the empire.
When it comes to which country’s antiques and calligraphy paintings are the most popular, best at preserving value, or even appreciating, it’s none other than China’s.
China’s antiques and calligraphy paintings—a small square box of stuff could be worth thousands or tens of thousands of silver dollars, and buyers are never a worry; they can be sold off anytime.
Isn’t this better than those silver dollars and gold counted by the box or by the ton?
Cao Weida didn’t know the other’s thoughts, but it didn’t matter; as long as the other agreed.
It was just antiques; arrange it, anyway it wasn’t coming out of his own pocket.
After leaving Ono Shiota’s office, he went straight back to his own office and called the Lou Mansion.
“General Manager Lou, it’s Cao Weida. Mission accomplished!”
“Mm, right, come pick me up at the police station entrance. We’ll talk in detail when we meet.”
About twenty minutes later, a black Chevrolet sedan stopped near the police station entrance.
Then, Lou Zhenhua quickly got out of the car and personally opened the door for Cao Weida: “Cao Ye, please.”
“General Manager Lou is too polite. I can get in myself!”
He said that, but his body honestly ducked in through the door that Lou Bancheng had personally opened—not just anyone got to experience that.
“General Manager Lou, is it convenient to talk?”
Lou Zhenhua understood the meaning in his words and hurriedly assured: “Cao Ye, rest assured. The driver is Xu Wude, an old-timer who’s been with our family for years—reliable!”
Xu Wude?
Cao Weida’s gaze turned to Xu Wude who was driving, and Xu Wude happened to look back with a humble smile.
He nodded lightly in response, but Cao Weida didn’t speak again.
Damn, this was Xu Wude—Xu Damao’s dad!
This guy was an old sly one; better not to talk, lest he accidentally say something he shouldn’t. Who knew if this old sly one would take a shot at him after liberation?
Seeing Cao Weida suddenly fall silent, Lou Zhenhua naturally saw his distrust of the family driver.
But he didn’t think much of it; putting himself in the shoes, if it were him, he wouldn’t casually speak with a stranger present either.
From the police station to the Lou Mansion was about twenty minutes’ drive; if they didn’t talk the whole way, it would be awkward.
Cao Weida naturally couldn’t be bothered to find topics; it was Lou Zhenhua seeking his help, not the other way around.
Fortunately, Lou Zhenhua was the successor trained by Old Master Lou, and he was adept at social graces. He found topics for casual chat along the way, so it wasn’t dull.
About twenty minutes later, the car arrived at the entrance of a three-story western-style building in Dongjiaomin Lane, East District.
Cao Weida got out and looked around; this western-style building blended European style with Chinese elements, its exterior design unique and ingenious.
The walls of the western-style building were painted in elegant pastel colors, paired with antique windows and a porch, giving it a dignified and graceful appearance.
“Mr. Cao, forgive me for not welcoming you from afar!” A man who resembled Lou Zhenhua by about thirty percent but was much older walked up with a smiling face.
Lou Zhenhua introduced at the right moment: “Cao Ye, this is my father, Lou Yaozu, current chairman of Lou Steel Rolling Mill.”
“So it’s Chairman Lou, pleased to meet you!” Cao Weida feigned realization and responded with a smile:
“Chairman Lou is vigorous and extraordinary; no wonder Lou Steel Rolling Mill has thrived for so many years!”
“Hahaha, Mr. Cao is too kind. What vigorous and extraordinary—I’m nearly half in the grave. You’re the young talent, so young yet in such a high position. This old man deeply admires you!”
After exchanging a few business compliments, Lou Yaozu smiled broadly and gestured with his hand: “Mr. Cao, let’s talk inside. This way, please.”
“Chairman Lou, after you.”
Once inside, Cao Weida casually glanced around, inwardly full of admiration.
No wonder they were rich; the exterior of this western-style building already looked elegant and high-end, and the interior was even better.
First was a spacious courtyard, similar in concept to the siheyuan, but this one was more about meticulously trimmed lawns and colorful flowers, quite like later generations’ villa courtyards.
Entering the room.
Inside was a spacious and bright living room, furnished with a sofa and coffee table that looked extremely luxurious at first glance.
The walls were hung with exquisite calligraphy and paintings, which he guessed were valuable antiques.
The floor was laid with terrazzo, simple yet elegant.
The terrazzo was inlaid with artistic patterns, looking magnificent.
The wall pigment was mainly elegant tones, with plaster moldings on the ceiling echoing the chandelier, creating a luxurious atmosphere.
With this renovation style and splendor, it was no worse than the custom homes of over ninety-five percent of people from his transmigration time—or rather, more opulent.
‘Tsk, if I didn’t want to keep a low profile, I’d definitely want one like this western-style building.’
Though the siheyuan was nice to live in, Cao Weida preferred western-style buildings.
Comparatively, the siheyuan leaned more traditional and cozy, fitting Chinese living habits.
And siheyuans often followed the ‘harmony between man and nature’ design, more suited to northern climates.
For example, in summer, courtyard trees provided shade, and through-hall breezes were cool, more breathable than western-style buildings.
In winter, ample sunlight combined with coal stove heating was warm without dryness, better suiting northern winters than western-style buildings relying solely on fireplaces.
But western-style buildings had their advantages too, like more advanced functions and facilities, greater privacy, cleaner environment, and so on.
‘After the little devils surrender, find a way to get a western-style building to live in—pretty nice, enjoy it for a few years first, then put it under someone else’s name after liberation.’
“Mr. Cao, please sit.”
“Ah, good, thank you.” Lou Yaozu’s polite greeting pulled Cao Weida’s thoughts back.
After sitting, Lou Zhenhua arranged for some snacks, fruits, and tea. The three sat and chatted casually to build rapport.
After a while, Lou Yaozu finally got to the point: “Mr. Cao, my son told me earlier you had good news?”
“Indeed, otherwise I wouldn’t dare impose uninvited.”
“Ai~ Cao Ye is too polite. What impose? We’ve met now, so come often in the future.”
Before Cao Weida fell from power, the Lou family was very willing and hoped to maintain good relations with him.
If they could befriend him, the Lou family would avoid much trouble.
The other side wanted to befriend him, but Cao Weida didn’t mind much.
He was already certain that at least before liberation, even if the little devils surrendered and the Kuomintang took over Beiping, he wouldn’t lose power—in fact, his power would be greater.
With power in hand, it would only be the Lou family currying favor with him!
As for after liberation…
Not to mention whether he’d fall from power then—even if he did, he didn’t want to associate with the Lou family.
After all, those in the know get it.
Of course, though he didn’t care inwardly, he couldn’t show it on his face; he nodded and agreed with a smile.
“I’ll get straight to the point with you, Chairman Lou. Officer Ono has told me that though the matter is difficult, for my sake, there’s room for discussion—but…”
The Lou family father and son weren’t displeased by the turn at ‘but’; on the contrary, they were very happy now.
Because there was a ‘but’, there was room for negotiation!
Lou Yaozu asked: “I wonder what Ono Taijun usually likes? Though this old man has modest family fortune, we do have some foundation. As long as it’s within our ability, we’ll surely give Ono Taijun a satisfactory reply.”
Cao Weida caught the subtext but didn’t mind, chuckling:
“Officer Ono hails from the cherry blossom country but has always been quite interested in China’s history, making him half a China expert.”
“Moreover, he’s deeply fascinated by China’s history; every time he reads it, he’s entranced and hopes for a chance to see the real things to reminisce.”
“If he could have the fortune to closely admire some things imbued with China’s historical aura, his mood would surely be very pleased.”
At these words, how could the Lou family father and son not know what was meant?
What things imbued with China’s historical aura? Other than antiques, what else?
If it were other things, it might be hard to say, but for antiques, Beiping had plenty.
They definitely wouldn’t choose common ones; to give, at least something valuable.
Though Beiping’s truly good items weren’t common, with money, good things could always be found!
“Easy to say, easy to say. Please tell Ono Taijun that we’ll do our utmost to find something that satisfies him completely!”
“Mr. Cao, rest assured too; after success, we absolutely won’t forget your kind gesture.”
