Chapter 283: Who Do They Think They Are?
Lin Angxiong was slightly surprised. He didn’t expect this new Director to know him.
But it was just a slight surprise. His files were all in the file room, and pulling them out wasn’t difficult.
“It seems that Cao Weida did some work beforehand.” Ji Hongxin thought to himself, then smiled and helped answer: “It’s nothing. They were just chatting casually earlier, mainly about some work differences.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Cao Weida looked at him with a half-smile. “As for me, I don’t have many good qualities, but these ears of mine work pretty well.”
At this point, he paused, then cast a meaningful glance at Lin Angxiong.
Ji Hongxin’s heart sank slightly. What did these words mean?
Was this an indirect warning to me?
Cao Weida ignored his reaction and casually flicked some cigarette ash, saying:
“Oh right, the reason I was a bit late was because I was handling some business!”
After saying this with a serious face, his gaze swept over everyone present, and he said with a somewhat playful tone: “Who agrees, who opposes?”
Everyone’s hearts tightened. They exchanged glances with each other, then used their peripheral vision to size up Lin Angxiong.
These words, no matter how you listen to them, sound like a warning.
The Director just arrived on his first day, and at the first meeting, he’s directly targeting Ji Hongxin’s close confidant?
Lin Angxiong’s face suddenly turned a bit pale. Although Cao Weida didn’t say it directly about him, he wasn’t stupid—he could clearly understand the meaning between the lines.
So, he turned his gaze to the Deputy Director, seemingly waiting for his signal.
The expression on Ji Hongxin’s face stiffened for a moment, then instantly recovered. He narrowed his eyes at Cao Weida and suddenly smiled:
“The Director is busy with a myriad of affairs, and there are too many big and small troubles in the entire district. It’s normal to be held up by some things. We only waited a little while, which is nothing compared to the Director’s hard work.”
Yo, he actually hit a soft nail.
Before coming, he naturally needed to understand his own turf and the people under him.
This was also why, even though no one told him, he could directly name who Lin Angxiong was.
And of course, he had also looked at Ji Hongxin’s files.
Even more than just the paper files—he had sent people to investigate his character, temper, and disposition.
This Deputy Director Ji Hongxin was a cunning and ruthless guy.
Cao Weida smiled. He wouldn’t think the other had submitted just because of a momentary show of softness.
He gave Little Ear a look. Little Ear understood, took out a stack of documents, and distributed them one by one.
Leaning back comfortably in the boss chair, his fingers tapped ‘tap tap tap’ on the table: “Last night, the grain depot in Mishi Hutong was robbed. The Imperial Army demands the case be solved within three days.”
Ji Hongxin twirled his pen, forcing a smile as he chimed in: “Director, you just took office and might not be too clear on this. The rats in this area are sharper than the Imperial Army’s sentries.”
He deliberately emphasized “Imperial Army,” his gaze sweeping over the Rising Sun flag hanging in the corner of the wall.
Cao Weida smiled noncommittally, then knocked on the theft list in the case file, the pages rustling:
“No matter how sharp the rats are, they can’t escape the cat’s hunt.”
“I’ve already had people block the roads in and out of the city. Deputy Director Ji, do you think we should first check the Imperial Army’s ‘familiar faces,’ or first interrogate the ‘old residents’ in our jurisdiction?”
When he raised his eyes, his teasing gaze fell on Ji Hongxin’s clenched fist.
Everyone knew that the guards at the grain depot were the Imperial Army’s direct lineage, and his brother-in-law had just hauled two carts of ‘military supply grain’ from the grain depot last week!
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and just as he was about to speak, Cao Weida suddenly changed tack: “Of course, Deputy Director Ji has been rolling in the muck of this area for ten years. If there’s anyone ‘inconvenient’ to investigate, feel free to tell me.”
“After all, we’re all working for the Imperial Army together. We can’t let the Imperial Army think that us Chinese people can’t even guard our own home, right?”
Hearing this, everyone present looked at Ji Hongxin with strange expressions, waiting for his response.
Du Chengye was especially delighted at heart, not even bothering to hide his gloating expression as he teasingly watched Ji Hongxin, feeling as refreshed as eating a popsicle on a scorching summer day.
You bastard Ji Hongxin, this old man wants to see how you’ll be embarrassed this time!
If he weren’t afraid of being too high-profile, he would have stood up clapping and cheering, waving flags for Cao Weida.
After being targeted for so many days, he had long been holding in a bellyful of fire!
Ji Hongxin could no longer maintain the fake smile on his face; his whole face stiffened, especially feeling the gazes of everyone around him, his heart filled with rage.
He could see it now—this newly appointed Director Cao Weida was determined to use him to light the first fire!
He stiffened for two seconds, then finally unclenched his fist: “The Director is right. I’ll take people to check the guard records at the grain depot right away.”
Can’t rush, can’t rush. He knew that Cao Weida’s backing was very strong, deeply trusted by the little devil officers. When the people behind him learned Cao Weida was coming here as Director, they had already given him some warnings not to act rashly.
A small impatience could ruin a great plan!
Cao Weida didn’t care if he was genuinely submitting or faking it. Since he was the department boss now, whether willing or not, on the surface, he had to behave!
“No rush, no rush. Wait a bit first.”
Cao Weida glanced around, his tone unkind: “Yesterday afternoon at three, the silk shop on Changxindian Street was robbed. Did your people take half an hour to arrive because their legs were broken, or do you think the military pay from the Imperial Army doesn’t match your treatment?!”
His voice landed on Public Security Section Chief Ding Yingfa. The stared-at Ding Yingfa felt his scalp tighten. Just as he was about to defend himself, Cao Weida had already slammed a stack of case files onto the table:
“Last month, eight carts of military grain were lost in the jurisdiction, and you solved two cases. Is this the report card you’re giving me, the new Director?!”
Sitting at the end, Ding Yingfa felt bitterly aggrieved inside. He quietly glanced around—no one spoke up for him, making his heart even more bitter.
He really wanted to say, Director, you’re absolutely right. The military pay from the little devils really can’t motivate the brothers!
What’s more, who didn’t know the dirty dealings involved in this matter?
The water here was too deep for a little Public Security Section Chief like him to wade into.
His gaze lingered on Ji Hongxin for a moment, then he said with a bitter smile: “Director, the city is full of undercurrents right now. The brothers handling cases—”
“Handling cases?” Cao Weida interrupted him, his fingertips knocking hard on the table, making ‘clang clang’ sounds:
“The Imperial Army wants public order, not your so-called ‘difficulties’!”
Everyone in the meeting room fell deathly silent, not daring to look at Cao Weida—not even with peripheral vision—afraid of drawing attention and getting their own ‘great achievements’ aired out publicly.
“From today on, I hope there won’t be any more cases of robbery, bullying the good people, burglary, and the like in my jurisdiction!”
“I know some of you have secret dealings with certain people. I don’t care what it was like before, and I don’t want to pursue it. After all, everyone has to go with the flow. I understand.”
“But remember, from the moment I became this Director, the rules in the office are all up to me!”
“In my police station, I only keep people who catch thieves, not ghosts who eat inside and steal outside!”
Looking at the crowd with shifting expressions, Cao Weida knew some felt he was touching their interests and were unhappy inside.
But so what?
Whoever dared to go against him, he could make them lose their rice bowl!!
His calm, unwavering gaze shot toward Ding Yingfa: “Captain Ding, you’re the Public Security Section Chief. By rights, street public order is all under your watch. Give me a word now—can you meet the requirements I just mentioned?”
“Of course, if you find it difficult, no problem. I can arrange for someone to help share the burden.”
“No, no need. Director, you’re busy with a myriad of affairs. Don’t trouble yourself with such a small matter.” Ding Yingfa wiped the sweat from his forehead, cursing inwardly.
He had heard of Cao Weida’s reputation before but hadn’t quite believed it. In his view, an eighteen-year-old kid—what skills could he have?
Probably just good at eating, drinking, and playing around, with some petty smarts and dog-shit luck to gain the trust of the little devil officers.
But now facing Cao Weida directly, he realized his previous thoughts were way off!
His eyes weren’t particularly sharp, his face was all amiable, and his words were unhurried, but he still felt an indescribable pressure bearing down, making his heart race wildly.
He understood the meaning between the lines: if you can do it, do it; if not, this old man will find someone to replace you!
How much effort, time, money, and bribes had he spent to sit in this position? How could he be willing to be replaced?
But asking him to do what Cao Weida said was also difficult for him.
So, after hesitating a bit, he probed: “But Director, the situation in our district is a bit complicated. The brothers under me really have tight budgets. This is a practical difficulty—”
“Alright, I know the situation you’re talking about.” Cao Weida cut him off, crossing his legs:
“Isn’t it just about money? Staring at the trifles in the people’s hands all day—aren’t you being too petty?”
“Like this, Little Ear—”
Little Ear immediately stepped forward two paces, slightly bending at the waist, listening attentively.
“Go and ‘invite’ all the bosses of the cigarette stalls, gambling houses, and the like in our district. By noon tomorrow, I want to see them in this meeting room!”
“Also, invite the bosses of some bigger businesses on the surface, like shops and such. Arrange the time for tomorrow afternoon.”
“Got it. I’ll go arrange it right after the meeting.” Little Ear nodded. He knew Big Brother Cao was about to start his old routine again.
The people don’t have money?
No problem, just go ask the rich people directly!
These gambling houses and cigarette stalls have shocking profits, and crucially, they’re not legal on the surface!
Making a cut from these people yields more and faster than scraping together from a thousand people!
Not just Little Ear knew what Cao Weida planned. Everyone present wasn’t stupid. Ji Hongxin’s face changed, and he couldn’t help but speak up:
“Director, you just arrived and aren’t too familiar with the business yet. I know you want to seek welfare for the brothers, but isn’t this too… too much of a stir?”
He wanted to say reckless, but changed his words at the last moment: “Moreover, Director, you said you want to maintain public order stability. Doing this, won’t it make public order even more unstable?”
Cao Weida sneered: “Social unrest? Are they worthy?”
“When I was a Patrol Officer, I arrested quite a few people in my jurisdiction and released quite a few too. I didn’t see any social unrest.”
“That’s not how it works—”
“Enough, I know what you want to say. It’s nothing more than nonsense like small-scale and large-scale governance can’t be the same.” Cao Weida rudely interrupted him again, narrowing his eyes at him:
“But you want to stop my proposal so badly. Could it be that among the ‘secret dealings’ I just mentioned, you’re included, Ji Hongxin?”
Ji Hongxin’s face changed instantly. He clearly hadn’t expected Cao Weida to say such blunt and rude words. Unable to maintain his composure, he said angrily: “Director, you can eat carelessly, but you can’t talk carelessly!”
“My earlier statement was just based on wanting to maintain social public order stability! Everything is for the public order in the jurisdiction!”
“If your decision leads to unrest in the jurisdiction’s public order, when the Japanese side blames us, can you take responsibility?!”
Ho, waiting for me here?
Cao Weida leaned back in the boss chair, stroking his chin, looking at him with great amusement.
He was certain that if he dared agree on the spot, once those people were “invited,” the jurisdiction’s public order would inevitably become chaotic.
Damn, this old guy doesn’t think I’m some hot-headed youth, does he?
Does he really think all those palace intrigue dramas, spy thrillers, and ancient officialdom dramas I watched before transmigrating were for nothing?
Still trying to put on an angry face and use reverse psychology on me?
He smiled lightly: “Social unrest? Just them?”
“Fine, I’ll wait for them to cause unrest!”
“Didn’t you say I should take responsibility? Then I’ll take responsibility.”
Ji Hongxin’s heart leaped with joy. As expected, he’s still young—falls for provocation so easily!
Hmph hmph, just wait. When public order becomes chaotic then, I’ll see what face you have left!
Best if the little devils blame him too and directly strip him of his Director position!
Just when he thought his provocation had succeeded, Cao Weida suddenly added:
“Since this matter is led by me and I’m responsible, to clear you from any relation to it, you don’t need to participate.”
“Little Ear!”
“Big Brother Cao, your orders.”
“Deputy Director Ji has been busy with the jurisdiction’s public order, buried in case files, and must be tired. Go find a room with a bed and a sofa, and settle Deputy Director Ji there!”
“Remember, he’s your leader. You must take very good care of him!”
“Things like three meals a day can’t trouble Deputy Director Ji with such trifles. Just arrange for people to deliver them to him.”
Ji Hongxin’s eyes widened. He could hardly believe what he heard.
Find a room for him to rest, with even three meals a day arranged by others?!
This is damn house arrest!!
He shot to his feet, lips trembling with anger, and said furiously: “Director, what do you mean by this!”
“Are you trying to imprison me?!”
