Shao Wenguang naturally agreed with Ning Zhiheng's words. He nodded and said, "I will immediately set about arranging the search for Chai Ren. There is another situation. My investigation has revealed that there are quite a few opium dens in the Zhao Jiagang area, some of which are quite large. Could the Japanese have chosen this place as a delivery point for this reason?"
Zhao Jiagang is located in the southern part of Chongqing, a remote area with many casinos and opium dens. It is poorly managed and home to many gangs. Because casinos and opium dens are highly profitable industries, many forces have gotten involved, including government officials and military figures.
It's not surprising that Japan chose this location; just as fish can easily hide in muddy waters, it's difficult for others to detect their presence.
Ning Zhiheng nodded and said, "At the very least, that's a possibility. It seems that our main investigation area should be around Zhao Jiagang. But now, go find an expert in opium and first determine what red opium is."
"Yes, I'll go find it right away." Shao Wenguang accepted the order and left.
Leng Qing quickly brought back the oilcloth wrapping and handed it to Ning Zhiheng for inspection. After taking it and opening it, he found that it was indeed half a dark red paste-like substance with a sweet smell.
Shao Wenguang acted quickly, returning in less than an hour to report to Ning Zhiheng: "Chief, I've found someone who knows a lot about opium."
"What kind of person is he?"
"This man's name is Zhen Guangxi. The Zhen family used to be a big merchant family in Nanjing. After his father passed away, the Zhen family fell into decline. After the war, he moved to Chongqing with his cousin's family. When his family was well-off in his early years, he smoked opium and knew a lot about the opium on the market. Now he doesn't have any proper work and just lives off his cousin's charity."
Ning Zhiheng nodded and ordered, "Bring the person in!"
Soon, Shao Wenguang led a young man in his early thirties to Ning Zhiheng.
"Chief, this is Zhen Guangxi."
Ning Zhiheng carefully examined the person in front of him. The man was of medium height, with a regular face and decent clothes. However, his complexion was sallow and his eyes were sunken. Although he was not very old, it was obvious that his health was worrying, which was obviously the result of smoking opium.
"You're Zhen Guangxi?"
"Yes, yes, I am Zhen Guangxi!"
Although Zhen Guangxi came from a wealthy family in his early years, after his family fell into ruin, he spent many years in the streets and was no longer the pampered young master he once was. Of course, he knew what the Military Intelligence Bureau was. People privately said that the Military Intelligence Bureau was like hell, and that the officers inside were man-eating demons. He was terrified and naturally had to be careful in everything he did, for fear of saying the wrong thing and never being able to leave the gate.
Ning Zhiheng looked at him and asked in a cold voice, "Are you familiar with opium?"
Before coming, Zhen Guangxi already knew the reason for his visit from Shao Wenguang. When he heard the director ask, he hurriedly nodded and replied, "Familiar, very familiar. I started smoking tobacco when I was twenty. I've tried all the good tobacco on the market, Yunnan tobacco, Jiaotong tobacco, Beikou tobacco, Guizhou tobacco, and Bian tobacco. I just don't know what you want to ask?"
Ning Zhiheng pushed the packet of red opium in front of him and asked, "Take a look and see what kind of opium this is?"
Zhen Guangxi carefully stepped forward, reached out and gently took the red opium, his eyes showing some doubt, clearly he did not recognize what kind of opium it was.
Ning Zhiheng then asked, "Is this what is known as the Great Earth and the Southern Earth?"
Zhen Guangxi immediately shook his head and said, "Neither of these. I used to smoke these two kinds of opium often. They are definitely not this dark red color, and the taste is not this strong either. Director, may I try them?"
Ning Zhiheng nodded and said, "You can try it out and remember the taste of this opium. See what makes it different."
Half an hour later, Zhen Guangxi, who had inhaled red opium, was brought back to Ning Zhiheng once again.
Ning Zhiheng stared intently at Zhen Guangxi and asked, "Tell me your opinion on this opium. Can you determine its origin?"
At this moment, Zhen Guangxi's face was flushed, a rare sight, and he was clearly excited, so much so that he no longer felt the same awkwardness he had shown towards Ning Zhiheng earlier.
He nodded repeatedly and said, "This is really good stuff. It's far superior to any other kind of soil, such as the soil from the south!"
It looks like Japanese-made red clay in color, but the quality of red clay is too poor, far inferior to this opium. Even ordinary opium dens are unwilling to sell red clay.
In terms of strength, it's somewhat similar to the tobacco from the Northeast, which has the strongest smoke and can be inhaled multiple times even with just the ash. However, this tobacco has a richer and longer-lasting flavor than the Northeast tobacco; it's truly a fine product!
Ning Zhiheng couldn't help but feel annoyed looking at Zhen Guangxi. He had no liking for these addicts at all. These people were basically ruined. Unless he made great efforts to get them to quit drugs, they would harm themselves and others and would eventually suffer a tragic end.
Ning Zhiheng was too lazy to waste any more words with him and said directly, "Zhen Guangxi, now do something for us."
"Give me your orders. If you point east, I'll never dare go west. If you tell me to catch a dog, I won't dare..."
Before Zhen Guangxi could finish speaking, he was kicked by Shao Wenguang from behind. Shao Wenguang stared at him fiercely, clearly dissatisfied with his answer.
"When the sergeant asks you a question, you have to answer honestly. Did your brain break down after just a couple of puffs of a cigarette?"
This kick instantly brought Zhen Guangxi to his senses. He was no ordinary person, but a notorious high-ranking official from the Military Intelligence Bureau. He quickly lowered his head and respectfully said, "I will obey your orders, sir!"
Ning Zhiheng continued, "These next few days, go to the opium dens near Zhao Jiagang and look for this kind of opium. See who has this high-purity opium. If you can find it, I will reward you handsomely."
At this point, Ning Zhiheng's tone turned icy: "If you can't find it, don't even think about leaving the Military Intelligence Bureau!"
Zhen Guangxi dared not utter a single word of refusal, and nodded repeatedly in agreement before being led away by Shao Wenguang.
Before Shao Wenguang could even leave the room, Ning Zhiheng waved him back.
"Give him a new identity, put him in a position in the General Affairs Department, dress him up nicely, and the Japanese will definitely want to recruit members from important government departments, especially informants in the Military Intelligence Bureau. I believe they will take the bait."
You can also find several more people like this to speed things up. The specifics are up to you. In short, pursue both paths simultaneously and get started now!
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