Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 304: Crack down on gangsters and eliminate evil
The sound of sirens on the streets shattered the tranquility of Beiping. The Japanese soldiers who were originally on patrol suddenly picked up their Type 38 rifles, kicked open the shops on the roadside, and shoved the people who were doing business into the street, forcibly clearing a passage.

Military trucks rumbled over the cobblestone road, with Japanese soldiers and their collaborators carrying guns speeding past in the truck beds.

Pedestrians along the way shrank into the alleys, not daring to even let out loud cries.

At the foot of the wall, an old woman held her grandson in her arms, covering the child's mouth with her clothes, afraid that his crying would attract the Japanese soldiers.

The child was so frightened that he trembled all over, his little hands tightly gripping the old woman's clothes.

The young woman next to her had all the eggs in her basket broken, the yolk dripping through her fingers, but she didn't bother to wipe them away. Her eyes were fixed on the departing truck, her gaze filled with hatred.

An old man squatted on the ground, silently cleaning up the trampled vegetables, muttering under his breath:

"Those damned Japanese devils will get their comeuppance sooner or later!"

He had barely uttered those words when his neighbor tugged at his arm, signaling him to be quiet.

The old man looked up and saw the Japanese patrol looking in his direction. He quickly shut his mouth, but couldn't help spitting in the direction the truck had gone.

Yoshitaro Kawamoto stood atop the tall building of the Bamboo Machinery Plant, staring at the northwest sky with a furrowed brow.

His fingers, gripping the binoculars, turned white. He knew all too well that the Communist Party was cunning, and with such a sudden mobilization of a large number of people, the underground Communist Party members and Kuomintang agents in the city might take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble.

"Order: Martial law throughout the city! Strictly check all pedestrians entering and leaving the city; arrest any suspicious persons!"

The martial law decree was like a black net, instantly covering the city of Beiping.

Japanese soldiers set up machine guns at the four gates of the city, checking everyone entering or leaving the city, and anyone who hesitated even slightly would be beaten with a rifle butt.

The police officers patrolling the alleys were also driven to patrol everywhere, knocking on doors to check household registrations, shouting "Search and arrest Red Party spies," but in reality, they took the opportunity to extort money.

Thirteen District Offices.

When Cao Weida received the martial law notice, he was checking the distribution of criminal gangs in his jurisdiction.

Hearing the sirens and shouts of the Japanese soldiers outside, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

You sons of bitches, you Japanese devils, you won't be able to keep jumping around for long!
"Chaoyang, go and spread the word. Patrol the area under martial law, but there's one condition: no police officer is allowed to extort money from the people, and no one is allowed to make things difficult for them!"

"If anyone dares to reach out, chop off their left hand if they extend their left hand, and their right hand if they extend their right hand!"

"Also, notify all section chiefs to attend a meeting in the conference room!" Cao Weida stood up, his eyes gleaming. "The Japanese are going to declare martial law, perfect! Let's use this as an excuse to clean up all these local thugs and bullies!"

The meeting room was filled with smoke, and the faint sound of patrol cars coming from the street added a touch of ambiance to the quiet meeting room.

All officials at the section chief level and above, including Ji Hongxin, were present, silently waiting for the director's arrival.

Just then, the 'clunk' of leather boots on the floor grew louder as they approached, and everyone who heard the noise involuntarily sat up straight.

"You're all here, right?"

Cao Wei Da appeared at the door, quickly walked to the main seat and sat down, glancing around.

Ji Hongxin: "Director, everyone is here, just waiting for you to give the order."

Cao Weida glanced at him and nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's begin."

"I've called you all here today for one thing! That is to wipe out all the criminal gangs, thugs, and hooligans in this area!"

Deputy Director Ji Hongxin frowned, hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but speak up: "Director, it's not that I want to contradict you, but the gangs in our jurisdiction are deeply entrenched, and some even have connections to people in the government. If we take a hard line, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of!" Cao Weida interrupted him decisively. "The day before yesterday, three hooligans harassed an innocent girl in broad daylight. You've heard about it, haven't you?"

He paused, then slammed his fist on the table. "That girl was terrified, but how many more people in our jurisdiction are being bullied and oppressed by these people?"

"When I took office, I said that I didn't want anyone causing trouble in my jurisdiction!"

"Since these troublemakers like to cause trouble, I'll nip it in the bud!"

The section chiefs below were thinking to themselves, "They speak so righteously, but isn't it just because that woman is someone you know?"

The news of the three thugs being brought back spread throughout the entire police station, and everyone knew what had happened.

In their minds, these thugs were just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Du Chengye, the head of the logistics section, said cautiously, "Director, those tobacco stall and gambling den owners came to pay 'security management fees' before, but now you're suddenly taking action against them. Isn't this a bit like using someone and then discarding them?"

Upon hearing this, the other section chiefs guiltily looked away.

You should know that they are the beneficiaries of those 'management fees'; the money has already gone into their pockets.

It's easy to get something into your pocket, but to get them to take it out again is like tearing their flesh apart!

"Discarding a used tool after it's done its work?" Cao Wei Da sat upright in the main seat, took out a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and threw the ashtray onto the table in front of him with a 'bang,' his face full of sneers:

"I asked them to pay 'management fees' so they would behave themselves and do business honestly, not so they would use my words as a shield to continue oppressing the people!!"

"Do you really think that by paying that money you'll get a protective charm and then continue to do evil?!"

"But we've already taken the money. If we take action now, and word gets out, I'm afraid..."

"Spread the word?" Cao Weida waved his hand to interrupt, his eyes sharp.

“I have my own explanation! Little Ears.”

Little Ears immediately pulled out a map and hung it on the wall behind the main seat.

"You see the area circled in red above? The Red Party in Changping is causing trouble, and the Bamboo Bureau has ordered a thorough investigation of those who colluded with the enemy."

"Let's use this as an excuse to arrest them all under the pretext of 'investigating enemy hideouts'!"

"In short, on my turf, anyone who causes me trouble will be dealt with by me!"

"Even if you offer money, we'll still arrest them!"

He paused, then softened his tone, saying, "Of course, I won't be stingy with distributing the assets of those 'collaborators'; you won't be shortchanged a single penny."

"I've finished speaking. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"

If that's what you mean, then we're not sleepy anymore!

Upon hearing that they could get money again, the eyes of the section chiefs present immediately lit up. After all, the order came from the director, and they were just following orders without taking any responsibility.

Why would they object if they can make money without taking any responsibility?

As for whether arresting these people will affect future 'dividends'...
What are you worried about? Beiping has everything but plenty of greedy people who want to get rich!
If this batch is ruined, we can just replace it with the next batch!
As long as they are paid the full allowance, they don't care who pays it.

So, one by one, they nodded in agreement:
"The director is right, these scumbags are really outrageous."

"Yes, yes, look at the mess that Beiping has become."

"These malignant tumors really need to be removed!"

Seeing everyone nodding in agreement, Cao Weida was satisfied. He had already said so much; if these people still dared to object, he wouldn't mind finding an opportunity to 'have a good talk' with them.

I'm giving you face, so you'd better watch out, otherwise, I'll have to make sure you can't cover it up!
"Alright, since everyone has no problems, let's start discussing the specific action plan now."

Twenty minutes later, after finalizing the action plan, Cao Weida clapped his hands:

"Alright, that's about all I have to say. Now, everyone go back and make your deployments. Meet at the district office square around five o'clock."

"Remember, the pretext is 'investigating traitors and preventing chaos,' but the real purpose is to eradicate organized crime!"

"No harassment of the people, no embezzlement of stolen money. Only arrest the ringleaders and key members. Those low-level thugs who are forced to make a living can be released after being educated."

“If this matter is handled well, the people can live a peaceful life, and you can make money and get rich. I have given you both substance and face, so you better not disappoint me.”

"Let me make this clear from the start: anyone who dares to tip off those bastards and let them get the news, don't blame me, Cao Weida, for turning my back on them!"

"Yes!" *N.

"."

The urgent assembly call in the district government compound was somewhat jarring.

Cao Weida stood in the center of the blue brick passageway, his police chief uniform looking exceptionally dignified and upright in the setting sun.

"All personnel assemble! Criminal investigation team, patrol team, and inspection team, take your positions within three minutes!"

The officers dared not slack off. They put on their police hats, grabbed the rifles that had already been distributed, and, led by their respective team leaders and captains, quickly formed three neat rows in the courtyard.

Seeing that the troops had assembled, Cao Weida stood on the stage with his hands behind his back, his eyes sweeping across the entire audience, and announced in a loud voice:
"All operational objectives have been distributed to your respective leaders. As planned, proceed in three groups!"

"One group will raid the opium den of the Tongshun Society, the second group will surround the gambling den of the Yizitang, and the third group will guard the entrances to all the alleys, ensuring that no one escapes!"

"Here, I want to emphasize again: First, you are not allowed to take even a hair out of the people's heads. Anyone who dares to take advantage of the chaos or extort money will be dealt with first!"

"Second, capture them alive and search for evidence of their collusion with the 'Red Bandits,' leaving no stone unturned!"

He turned to Ji Hongxin, who was standing to the side.
"Deputy Director Ji, you're in charge of this operation, so please don't let me down."

Ji Hongxin's heart tightened, knowing that the other party was testing his attitude.

If he does a good job, then everything is fine; if he only pays lip service, then...
He immediately stood at attention: "Understood!!"

"Alright, then I hereby declare the operation commence!"

"."

In a moving car, Lin Angxiong said rather unwillingly, "Boss, do we really have to listen to Cao Weida?"

"If we really start fighting, there will be no turning back for us!"

Clearly, he still harbors dreams of becoming the deputy director.

"Silence!" Ji Hongxin's expression changed, and he immediately stopped him, saying sternly, "You can say this to me, but don't tell anyone else!"

How could he be willing to be manipulated like this?

Did he not know that Cao Wei Da had put him in charge of the operation as a trap set by the other side?
The relationships behind these gangs, tobacco stalls, and gambling dens are intricate and complex, and most of them are involved with government officials. Didn't he know that?

But there was nothing he could do. His weakness was in Cao Weida's hands. If it were anyone else, it wouldn't matter, but Cao Weida had a group of Japanese officers standing behind him!
Cui Qi is awesome, isn't he? And the mayor has a high status, right?
But so what? Wasn't Commander Guo still being manipulated?

Wasn't Liu Changjiang executed on the spot?
Lin Angxiong opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately closed it in dejection.

Because of the martial law, the people of Beiping, who were not supposed to be home yet, had already rushed back to their homes and secretly watched the commotion outside.

The once bustling city of Beiping was suddenly eerily quiet.

The sirens pierced the sky, and the people of District 13 waited anxiously and bitterly for these thugs to come and extort money from them.

Such things had happened frequently in the past, and they had gotten used to it. They could only try to hide their money as well as possible to prevent these scoundrels from taking it all.

But they soon realized something was wrong. The sirens weren't coming towards their residential compound, but rather towards those filthy corners!
Ji Hongxin personally led the team straight to the opium den of the Tongshun Society.

The place was hidden at the intersection of three alleys. Usually, the curtains were tightly closed, and the smell of smoke mixed with mildew could be smelled from half a street away.

"All of you, stay put! The police are investigating a case!"

Upstairs, Zhou Laosan, who was drinking with his concubine, heard the commotion downstairs and slammed the table down, cursing, "Which blind bastard dares to trespass on my territory?!"

The next second, the door was violently kicked open from the outside. When Zhou Laosan saw the people in police uniforms enter, he immediately stuck out his neck and shouted:
"Director Ji, what do you mean by this?!"

"I paid the 'security management fee.' Director Cao himself said that as long as we paid the money, we could do business peacefully in this area. Now you've come to our door in such a menacing manner. What do you mean by that?!"

"What do you mean?" Ji Hongxin asked sternly. "The money you're paying is to ensure you do business honestly and lawfully, not to let you run wild!"

“Your Tongshun Association's local thugs bully men and women and commit all sorts of evil deeds. As a police officer, I naturally cannot turn a blind eye to such illegal behavior!”

"The director said that the public security management fee is for the safety of law-abiding citizens, not for you wicked criminals to get away with it! Anyone who dares to break the law will be severely punished!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Laosan immediately became agitated and shouted, "That Cao fellow is a liar! I paid the money, you can't do this!"

Hmph, you think you can't do it just because you say so?
Ji Hongxin curled his lip in disdain. "You're nothing but a bunch of rats. Do you really think that handing over stolen grain will save you from the cat's pursuit?"
I want to eat fart!
With an impatient wave of his hand, he shouted, "Get them under control!"

Zhou Laosan refused to submit and tried to struggle, but the police officers ignored his screams and pinned him to the ground.

(End of this chapter)