Chapter 282: This Guy Is A Real Talent!
In the afternoon, Cao Weida’s new office was finally set up.
Compared to the somewhat shabby Patrol Officer’s Office, the Director’s office naturally had much higher specifications.
A large solid wood desk, with a writing brush, pen, ink, inkstone, seal, and so on placed on it.
A telephone sat next to the desk lamp, a file cabinet was behind the desk, and above it was a glass double-door cabinet uncommon for this era.
Nearby was a set of coffee table and sofa, the sofa was leather, and the coffee table held an ashtray, tea set, and other items.
The house was equipped with simple floor heating, using hot water circulated from burning coal; though simple, this was already a rare renovation.
Generally, only high-level official residences, foreign institutions, or top luxury mansions had floor heating installed.
Some green plants were placed next to the floor heating, including clivia, aglaonema, and the like, all of which made the vast and seemingly empty office vibrant.
“Director, do you think this arrangement is satisfactory? If there’s anything unsatisfactory, just say the word, and this subordinate will do everything possible!”
Logistics Section Chief Zuo Hongye, over forty years old, bent his body slightly, with a flattering smile full of sycophancy.
Flattering someone twenty years younger—embarrassing?
Zuo Hongye thought: Get real, is there anything more embarrassing than being a traitor?
His face was already lost to this extent—what more could be lost?
Not to mention such a young officer as Cao Weida and Cao Ye!
The younger one is to reach this status, the less simple he is!
Leaving aside this Cao Ye’s relationship with the Taijun and the police station’s formidable reputation, who among those who could become Director was a simple figure?
He hadn’t had enough of being Logistics Section Chief and didn’t want to offend some big shot due to a slip-up.
“Not bad, it seems Section Chief Du put in real effort. Thanks for your hard work.” Cao Weida wore an official smile; he was quite satisfied with the other arrangements in the office, as they all showed the other party’s care everywhere.
But some places really grated on him inwardly, like that wall behind the desk.
At the top was pasted “Great Harmony Police Station” in five large characters.
Below those five large characters were slogans like “Counterattack for Peace and Nation-Building” and “Build a New Order in East Asia,” which made him want to rush up and tear them off immediately.
But this really couldn’t be blamed on Section Chief Du, after all, most section chiefs and above in the puppet government this year, as well as some lower-level officials, did the same.
Now being managed by them and eating their rice, one naturally had to follow their rules.
“As long as Cao Ye is satisfied.” Zuo Hongye smiled humbly, pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it over. “Cao Ye, a little something—please accept it.”
“Hey~~ what do you mean by this?” Looking at the envelope in his hand, Cao Weida raised an eyebrow, giving a half-smile as he looked at him.
“No particular meaning, just a token.”
“This isn’t very thoughtful of you.”
“Oh, just a little token.”
“You really are quite the character.”
“Cao Ye, don’t misunderstand—I have no other intentions.”
“Then… I won’t stand on ceremony?”
“Cao Ye, you’re too polite. I’m the one who shouldn’t.”
Seeing Cao Weida accept the envelope, Du Chengye beamed with joy. He knew in his heart that as long as his token was enough for Cao Ye, his position as section chief was secure.
Moreover, he might even latch onto Cao Ye’s thigh in the future!
For logistics work, ability was secondary—discernment was the most important!
To smoothly make money, one had to be versatile, well-connected, with relationships indispensable.
He knew Cao Weida was doing business for the little devils, and on quite a large scale!
If he could build a relationship and hop on this bandwagon—tsk, just thinking about it was exciting!
“Section Chief Du, you’re very good.” Cao Weida smiled slyly and patted his shoulder—a simple action, even carrying a superior’s condescension toward a subordinate—yet Du Chengye relished it, grinning shamelessly with delight.
Seeing this, Cao Weida couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: this guy was truly a talent!
Not only was his Chinese supposedly maxed out, but his shamelessness was equally masterful!
This flattery kung fu was simply at its peak!
A person like this, no matter the era, could thrive spectacularly!
After some more encouragement, Cao Weida waved him off.
Once Du Chengye left, Little Ear, waiting outside, came in.
He glanced back at the departing figure, snorted, and muttered softly, “Bootlicker.”
“Big Brother Cao, everyone has been notified. Meeting in the meeting room in half an hour.”
As the saying goes, a new official lights three fires upon taking office, and Cao Weida, this new official, naturally had to light one or two.
In the meeting room.
Eight people sat on either side of a not-too-large long table, four per side.
The people inside couldn’t help whispering to each other, sharing the intelligence they wanted to know.
Since the new officer hadn’t arrived yet, they were baffled, their emotions growing somewhat impatient.
“What’s the situation? Why hasn’t the Director come yet?”
“Maybe something delayed him?”
“Something delayed him?” A man in patrol officer uniform sneered. “I heard our new Director is lounging in the office with legs crossed, smoking a cigarette—perfectly at ease!”
“I think the delay is fake; wanting to light the three fires as a new official is real.”
Everyone exchanged glances, then their gazes intentionally or otherwise converged on the person next to the speaking man.
The one who just spoke was Lin Angxiong, Deputy Section Chief of the Police Affairs Section.
The so-called Police Affairs Section handled police investigations, officer rosters, attendance assessments, etc.
And the reason everyone looked toward the person next to him was because that person was Deputy Director Ji Hongxin of the District Office!
The original Director of the Outer Fifth District Police Station had stepped down for certain reasons a while ago and taken his family far away.
Logically, as Deputy Director of the District Office, Ji Hongxin should have taken the seat after the Director left.
But just when everyone thought the Director position was Ji Hongxin’s for the taking, a Cheng Yaojin appeared out of nowhere and took the seat from Ji Hongxin.
And everyone present knew Lin Angxiong was Ji Hongxin’s loyal supporter; even Lin Angxiong’s position as Police Affairs Section Chief was due to Ji Hongxin’s promotion—their relationship was self-evident.
Lin Angxiong suddenly saying such sarcastic words—hard to say he wasn’t speaking for someone.
“Ahem, Section Chief Lin, you can’t say it that way. The Director just took office—it’s a busy time with a thousand things to handle. Being busy is normal. If you say that and someone misunderstands, it won’t be good.” Before others could speak, Logistics Section Chief Du Chengye was the first to retort.
Ridiculous—he had just pledged loyalty not long ago, and Cao Weida had shown some goodwill; how could he let Lin Angxiong say such excessive things?
Where there are people, there is conflict—inevitable.
Du Chengye had been the previous Director’s man; after the previous Director stepped down, with no Director in the District Office, Deputy Director Ji Hongxin temporarily performed the duties.
During that time, he had been targeted by Ji Hongxin overtly and covertly many times; if not for his own energy and connections, he might really have been taken down by Ji Hongxin.
Precisely because of this, with the new Director taking office—and knowing it was Cao Weida—he had rushed over immediately to fawn and pledge loyalty.
Because he knew he had to!
He already didn’t get along with Ji Hongxin; if he couldn’t build a relationship with Cao Weida, his section chief position would truly be at its end.
Even whether he’d be labeled an inside traitor was uncertain!
Yes, Lin Angxiong had Deputy Director Ji Hongxin behind him—so what?
This old man had the Director behind him!
He couldn’t resist before, but now with the chance, he had to fight back!
Lin Angxiong’s face turned cold, staring deadly at Du Chengye, and said coldly: “My affairs don’t need Section Chief Du’s concern—mind your own!”
Du Chengye didn’t take the threat seriously, hands crossed over his belly, smirking: “I’ll manage myself fine. I’m just afraid some people can’t manage their mouths and bring disaster on others.”
“Or perhaps Section Chief Lin is dissatisfied with the Japanese side parachuting in the Director?”
“If that’s really the case, just tell me—I actually have a connection to some on the Japanese side. Want me to pass a message?”
“No need to thank me—everyone knows I love helping others.”
“Damn it, Du Chengye, don’t think your little schemes are unknown! Don’t pull that weasel paying New Year’s respects to the chicken crap with me!”
“A bootlicking waste—look at you, tail so high—watch it snap someday!”
Lin Angxiong gritted his teeth, glaring furiously; this guy was insidious, digging a pit for him!
He was naturally full of resentment about the sudden parachuted Director.
He was Ji Hongxin’s man; only if Ji Hongxin’s status rose could he have greater room to advance.
After all, positions were fixed—one radish one pit; without the one ahead leaving, how could he move up?
Cao Weida’s sudden parachuting had cut off his hope of advancement.
But some things you could resent inwardly, not voice aloud—once spoken, it became leverage to be grasped, potentially deadly at key moments.
“Sigh, I offer good advice, yet it’s misunderstood as wanting to harm you. These days, doing a good deed is really too hard.” Facing the barrage of insults, Du Chengye remained unperturbed, still smiling, but the dangerous glint in his slightly narrowed eyes revealed his inner ruthlessness.
If he got the chance, he’d absolutely take down that Lin bastard!
The people around stopped talking, watching their quarrel with interest.
They were used to this scene.
Even under the previous Director, they’d argue fiercely over interests and conflicts, faces red with anger.
Of course, mainly because the previous Director didn’t care much, focused only on making money.
“Enough, both of you say less.” Just as Lin Angxiong wanted to say more, Ji Hongxin twitched his ear, signaled him with his eyes, and spoke to stop it.
Lin Angxiong was Ji Hongxin’s confidant and naturally obeyed, though still glaring resentfully at someone.
Du Chengye shrugged and shut his mouth too.
Suddenly, the entire meeting room went quiet.
They had already heard footsteps by then.
Clearly, the new Director was about to arrive.
It was supposed to be thirty minutes, but over forty minutes had passed; Cao Weida, ten minutes late, strolled unhurriedly toward the meeting room in his leather shoes.
Little Ear opened the door first, and Cao Weida stepped inside.
Seeing Cao Weida enter, everyone including Deputy Director Ji Hongxin stood up, gazes involuntarily converging on him.
Cao Weida glanced around; the meeting room was already full, with cigarette ash piled into a small mountain in the chipped ceramic ashtray at the corner of his eye.
Some lowered their eyes fiddling with their pens, some scraped the tabletop with nails, scattering plenty of cigarette ash, but otherwise it was quite clean.
Smoke still rose slowly from the ashtray, evidently from being hastily stubbed out incompletely.
He narrowed his eyes smiling, gesturing with his hand for everyone to sit: “Smoke if you want—I’m not picky, I smoke too.”
Saying that, he took out a pack of cigarettes, opened it, took one out to light up, and pushed the rest across the table:
“Those who want one, take it. We’ll be colleagues from now on—don’t stand on ceremony.”
Everyone exchanged subtle glances; Deputy Director Ji Hongxin looked at Cao Weida, showed a friendly smile, took the cigarettes, drew one to hold, and said to the crowd:
“The Director is being gracious, letting us smoke a cigarette to relax. Since the Director said so, everyone don’t stand on ceremony—take one.”
Only then did the crowd, each with their own thoughts, smile broadly and each take one to light up.
Seeing everyone lit up, Cao Weida narrowed his eyes and glanced at Ji Hongxin: this old guy, was he just trying to test me?
Thoughts turned in his mind, but he smiled and said:
“I heard the meeting room lively from far down the corridor earlier—why’d it suddenly stop?”
“Or did my arrival change the nature of your conversation?”
Everyone’s gazes swiveled to Lin Angxiong and Ji Hongxin—the quarrel had been started by Lin Angxiong.
Cao Weida followed their gazes, leaned back in his chair casually, and said:
“Looks like our Section Chief Lin has some topic to discuss?”
“Mind sharing it with me too, so I can join in?”
Lin Angxiong clenched his teeth darkly, unsure how to respond.
The previous Director, as long as things didn’t escalate, no random complaints, and the due money was paid, generally didn’t meddle in internal struggles.
But now it was different—the Fifth District Station Director was Cao Weida!
This Cao Ye wasn’t some nobody; his fierce reputation had spread in the police station.
Plus deep trust from Japanese officers like Ono Shiota, he really didn’t dare rashly challenge Cao Weida’s authority.
