Chapter 94: Passed Down As A Family Heirloom!
Ruixin General Store. Old Luo stood behind the counter, looking at the account book, glancing up occasionally at the busy workers with a complex expression.
After the previous incident, Beiping’s underground intelligence network was essentially paralyzed, leaving only a few scattered leads unrelated to that event.
As the head of intelligence for the Beiping underground party, he had been troubled by this matter for some time.
But he never expected that just as he was trying to sort things out, Cao Weida would give him such a huge gift!
He also never imagined that they, members of the underground party, could have such an easy time!
Every day they only needed to harvest and sell goods, with no worries about safety!
The salary was high, and food and lodging were provided; it was simply a divine life.
What’s more outrageous is that before, whenever they wanted to send out a piece of intelligence, it always involved immense hardship and the risk of exposure.
Now, they could simply walk out of the city gate in broad daylight.
Even when the guards saw it was their convoy, whether they were puppet army soldiers or little devils, not only did they not check, but they also offered friendly smiles.
This would have been unimaginable before!
As for who these goods were being delivered to… it was obvious!
He never thought that helping the organization procure supplies could be so simple.
“Brothers, put in some more effort! We’ll be off work after this cart is loaded!”
“Tie the ropes tighter, secure them properly!”
Employees bustled between the shop and the horse-drawn carriages outside. In the open space outside the general store, the last horse-drawn carriage, filled with sacks, was undergoing its final touches.
The sun set, its lingering rays of light marking the end of the day’s work.
“Old Luo, good work. How were the goods sold today?”
“Master, here is today’s account book.” Old Luo, wearing his shopkeeper’s attire, handed over the account book with a beaming smile.
“Today’s business was exceptionally good; several big bosses each bought five thousand silver dollars worth of grain and cloth.”
“Oh? Then it seems business was good today.” Cao Weida chuckled, took it, glanced at it, and handed it back.
“Everyone worked hard today. I’ve already arranged for some meat dishes and wine, so eat and drink well, everyone.”
“Oh, master, please don’t. Meat is so expensive; we’re content with coarse grains.”
“Don’t save money for my sake. This little bit of money is nothing.” Cao Weida waved his hand generously. “They’re doing hard labor; they need nutritious food to replenish themselves. I’m not short of this money.”
“Besides, the brothers are risking their lives. If I were stingy, it would be too unseemly. This is settled, listen to me.”
He wasn’t just saying it; he had been here several times today, and these employees were truly risking their lives!
They worked with such seriousness and meticulousness that no one needed to supervise them.
“What the master says is true; this is all what we should do.” A porter wiped the sweat from his face, his honest face full of smiles. It was clear he was speaking from the heart, not flattering.
After all, although they were nominally working for Cao Weida, these supplies were actually being transported to the organization in the rear. This was equivalent to working for themselves, so how could they not be careful and diligent?
The thought of so much grain being transported to the rear to feed more comrades and fellow soldiers filled them with drive, making each one more eager than the last.
Looking at the others, they all agreed with what he said, including those who were not members of the Communist Party.
After all, the salary here was indeed good, and the treatment was excellent. With such a good job, they were very willing to endure some hardship and fatigue.
Cao Weida smiled and looked back at Old Luo, “Shopkeeper Luo, this place will be left to you from now on. I am usually busy and may not be able to come here often.”
“Master, please rest assured, I will manage this place well.” This was what he had agreed with Cao Weida before coming. This place had become their underground party’s transit point, and Cao Weida naturally needed to come as little as possible.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Cao Weida; if he truly didn’t trust him, he wouldn’t have come here, bringing so many comrades.
It was mainly for Cao Weida’s safety.
If they were exposed, they could also distance themselves from Cao Weida as much as possible.
He tugged at Cao Weida’s sleeve, “Master, please accompany me.”
The two went up to a room on the second floor. Old Luo looked around, then cautiously closed the door.
Cao Weida looked on in confusion, “Old Luo, what is this??”
“Comrade Cao Weida.” Old Luo’s expression was solemn. He carefully took an envelope from his pocket and offered it with both hands: “This is a personal letter for you.”
Cao Weida’s heart pounded, and his voice trembled slightly, “You… you mean, my letter?!”
Seeing Cao Weida’s reaction, Old Luo couldn’t help but smile.
The first time he learned about the transaction, he had already noticed Cao Weida and knew him somewhat.
He had seemed timid and fearful before, but in his eyes, this was merely Cao Weida’s disguise.
Who would be timid and fearful yet go out every day to take down little devils and traitors?
Through several interactions with Zheng Chaoyang, Zheng Chaoyang had told him everything. In his eyes, Cao Weida was a hidden rebel, bold and meticulous.
He would deal with the little devils deceptively during the day and kill them at night.
It could be said that Cao Weida’s psychological resilience was absolutely strong.
Yet, this was the kind of person!
“Could this be fake? Honestly, even I am a bit jealous. I’ve been doing underground work for so many years and never received one.
If you don’t want it, give it to me?”
“Give it here!” Upon hearing this, Cao Weida immediately became anxious. Was he joking? How could he give it to someone else?!
He eagerly snatched it and held it to his chest, looking at Old Luo warily, as if the man were a heinous bandit: “Let me tell you, this is mine! I wouldn’t get angry even if you took my money, but if you dare to steal my heirloom, do you believe I’ll fight you to the death?!”
“…” Old Luo was amused, “I was just joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?
Alright, alright, I won’t snatch it, definitely won’t. The letter has been given to you. You should go back and enjoy it slowly.
If there’s nothing else, you should hurry back. Come less often in the future; I’ll be here.”
“Hmph, if it’s anything else, you can joke all you want, but this letter is not to be joked about. This is my lifeline!” Cao Weida’s vigilance did not lessen as he happily tucked the letter into his chest and said:
When he called it an heirloom, he wasn’t joking!
He opened the door and walked out, “You asked me to come, and I didn’t want to! Dinner has already been sent. I’ll be leaving now. See you!”
Watching Cao Weida guard him like a thief, Old Luo was somewhat amused. Did he really look like a robber?
However, he was still quite pleased in his heart. Cao Weida’s respect, and even his valuing of a personal letter as a rare treasure, further proved Cao Weida’s recognition and trust in their Communist Party.
He was a veteran of the Jianghu, having done underground work for so many years. He could still discern sincerity. Cao Weida’s surprise was entirely genuine.
He had been mistaken; for Cao Weida, this letter was far more than a rare treasure!
It was hundreds or even thousands of times more precious than a rare treasure to Cao Weida!
Back home, Cao Weida shut himself in his study and, with trembling excitement, opened the envelope.
“Good, good! Look at this address, Comrade Weida, such a warm address! Hahaha~~ With this letter!” Looking at the words on the paper, Cao Weida was overjoyed and trembled with excitement.
He had already decided that after the reform and opening up, he would immediately have this letter framed and enshrined in his future ancestral home!
With this letter, who would dare say after liberation that he wasn’t a loyal revolutionary friend?
In the future,
not to mention anything else, for his descendants, it would be an infinitely valuable treasure!
After looking at it lovingly many times, he reluctantly put the letter away and then stored it safely in his space.
In fact, although he had done many things for the Communist Party and believed he had shown the utmost goodwill, he had always felt uncertain.
He didn’t know who it was online who said that after liberation, many who supported and aided the organization were purged. In fact, this statement is incorrect.
In reality, for friends who had supported the revolution, the organization and the country had always maintained an attitude of respect and gratitude, and there had never been any so-called “purges.”
On the contrary, the organization always remembered their efforts for the revolutionary cause and actively maintained and developed friendly relations with them and their descendants. This is a historical fact that is evident to all.
For those who were police officers under the puppet government during the War of Resistance, never did bad deeds, and were known to support revolutionary base areas,
they would instead be given appropriate recognition and treatment based on the extent of their contributions.
（ I have provided an explanation here and will not bring this matter up again. Therefore, please do not spread false rumors. I don’t know who started the rumor.）
