Barley tea? That's quite rare. Unlike later times, barley tea was only popular in northern China at that time. It originated in the Northeast and gradually spread to Guanzhong. Very few people in the south drank this kind of tea. It was only after the war that a large number of northerners flocked to the Chongqing area, and that people in Chongqing began to drink barley tea.
Ji Yongyan's accent is that of a northerner, suggesting he must have spent a long time in the north. It's not surprising that he has this habit of drinking barley tea. Moreover, the Japanese also have a special fondness for barley tea, which further confirms Ji Yongyan's identity.
Ning Zhiheng carefully considered this clue in his mind. He felt that this was an opportunity that could be used. Any information that was different from what others had could become a clue for investigation.
Ji Yongyan is likely still in Yuzhong District, or even in the neighborhood near Yanbei Road. He has a habit of drinking barley tea, so he might buy it from nearby tea shops. However, in Chongqing, most tea shops mainly sell green tea, flower tea, or even oolong tea. As a relatively rare type of tea, barley tea is unlikely to be available from many tea shops. This means that Ji Yongyan doesn't have many purchasing channels. So, could we find him based on this clue?
Ning Zhiheng then asked Luo Gaoyi, "Do you know where Ji Yongyan bought his barley tea?"
Luo Gaoyi shook his head and said, "I haven't asked. I usually prefer to drink lighter flower teas. Barley tea is a bit too strong. I've only tried it a few times, so I don't know much about it."
Ning Zhiheng nodded, asked Luo Gaoyi a few more questions, and then instructed, "Mr. Luo, the materials you provided this time were very useful, but that's not enough. If you remember anything else about Ji Yongyan in the future, you can call me anytime, or come to the Military Intelligence Bureau's Second Operations Division to find me. My surname is Ning, Ning Zhiheng."
Luo Gaoyi dared not refuse and quickly nodded in agreement. After Ning Zhiheng finished speaking, he wrote his name, office phone number, and the address of the Second Action Division on the record sheet and tore it off.
He knew the psychology of ordinary people well; most of them preferred to avoid trouble and just wanted to live a peaceful life. They were unlikely to voluntarily disclose their situation unless they were offered something in return.
Ning Zhiheng then took out banknotes from his pocket, pulled out several large US dollars, and handed them to Luo Gaoyi along with the record sheet.
"This, I dare not accept such praise..."
Luo Gaoyi was at a loss for words and repeatedly declined, not daring to reach out and take it.
Ning Zhiheng didn't say much, but stuffed the bag into his arms and said in a deep voice, "Keep an eye on Ji Yongyan's affairs in the future. You know Ji Yongyan best. If you can help us find him, you will be making a contribution to the country. I will give you another five hundred US dollars. This amount of money is enough for your whole family to live a good life in Chongqing!"
It wasn't that Ning Zhiheng was unwilling to give more, but rather that giving too much to ordinary people like Luo Gaoyi would not be a good thing.
"Don't worry, I will keep an eye on it and let you know if there is any news!" Luo Gaoyi's eyes widened when he heard Ning Zhiheng's words, and he couldn't help but nod repeatedly in agreement.
Ning Zhiheng was right. Five hundred dollars was a huge help to him and his family, and he simply couldn't refuse. Besides, since Ji Yongyan was a Japanese spy, there was no longer any friendship between them. Luo Gaoyi also deeply hated the Japanese, otherwise he wouldn't have left his homeland and fled to Chongqing with his family to make a living.
Ning Zhiheng got up and left the room. It was already six o'clock in the evening. The tenant of the house also rushed back, but when he saw a room full of police officers and action team members, he was so frightened that he shrank to one side and dared not say a word.
Ning Zhiheng took out another US dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to Aunt Cheng, saying, "Sorry, use this money to fix the door lock."
Aunt Cheng hadn't expected these fierce-looking guys to actually compensate her, so she hurriedly and meekly agreed.
Ning Zhiheng walked out of the courtyard, waved to Liu Datong and Chen Yanqing to the side, and instructed them: "We have a clue now. Ji Yongyan really likes to drink tea, and he only likes barley tea. This kind of tea is not very common in Chongqing. You need to use this location as the center and inquire at the tea shops around here to see which tea shops have barley tea. Then take Ji Yongyan's photo and ask them one by one to see if you can find anything."
After saying that, Ning Zhiheng handed over Ji Yongyan's photo, which Liu Datong quickly took.
"Please rest assured, Chief, we will act tonight and report the results to you tomorrow!"
Ning Zhiheng said again, "Alright, thank you for your hard work, but you still need to be careful with your methods. Tell those tea shop owners to keep this a secret. Anyone who dares to conceal it will be punished the same as a Japanese spy. If this person is found, there will be a great reward!"
"yes!"
After Ning Zhiheng explained everything clearly, he ordered the team to retreat. The group returned to the Second Operations Division. At this time, Shao Wenguang, who had been waiting for a long time, delivered a city map to Ning Zhiheng's office.
"Chief, this is the latest version of the city map, but there are still many places that are not depicted, mainly because the urban area is changing too fast."
Ning Zhiheng asked Shao Wenguang for help. The two of them took down the old city map, hung the new map on the wall, clapped their hands, and nodded, saying, "Old Shao, there's a new situation. I've now focused my attention on Xia Bin alone. His wife, Song Anxian, is also a prime suspect. So you can withdraw the surveillance from the other two locations and concentrate the surveillance on Song Anxian. I need to know her every move."
Upon hearing this, Shao Wenguang quickly nodded in agreement. He had great confidence in Ning Zhiheng. Since the target had been identified, Xia Bin must be the culprit, and the suspect in the leak case could be identified.
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