Chapter 222 - 132: The Judging! On-Stage Execution

In the stone pavilion.

"Elder Chen, as you know, it’s very difficult to apply the ’dormant clauses’ under current legislation."

Lin Guodong lowered his head and spoke frankly to Master Guanxin, who sat by the stove.

"The province will most likely...strike them."

In the stone pavilion, Master Guanxin listened without a word, simply sipping his tea in silence.

Two cases were shortlisted.

Based on the number of cases, you’d think at least one of them would be selected.

But...

That wasn’t the case.

Lin Guodong had never even entertained the possibility of Xu De’s cases being selected.

Because there was almost no chance!

"Heh, no chance..."

Chen Jingshan felt the warm tea course through him, and he relaxed slightly. His aged voice spoke slowly:

"Having no chance doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it."

"You still have to try."

Hearing this, Lin Guodong paused and said no more.

It was obvious.

Objectively speaking, Chen Jingshan also knew that neither of Xu De’s cases would be selected.

But...

At the very least, they had to be shortlisted.

And after being shortlisted, they had to make those people at the provincial level re-examine the legal principles of ’justifiable self-defense’!

"As long as people are still paying attention, still discussing it."

"Then, someday, the restrictions on the law can be lifted, and its application can be broadened."

"Everything that happens before then... is inextricably linked to that outcome."

Master Guanxin responded casually while brewing tea.

Lin Guodong remained silent.

He was an idealist, and idealists like to govern with the law. But clearly, this law was being shelved due to human factors, something he did not want to see.

’Xu De won’t be selected? That’s not important.’

’As long as this voice continues to be heard, that’s enough!’

"It’s just a shame. All that past passion... after a blow from reality like this, he might not be able to recover," Lin Guodong sighed.

"Just like you?"

Chen Jingshan retorted. Lin Guodong was instantly tongue-tied, not knowing what to say.

Chen Jingshan spoke again:

"True gold fears no fire, and good iron fears no tempering."

"If he can’t take a small setback... then he deserves it. Besides..."

"In fact, I believe this young friend of ours will only grow stronger with adversity."

’Stronger with adversity?’

Lin Guodong was astonished.

After all, the things he was about to face in the provincial capital... weren’t limited to just the case selection.

The direct attacks from that bunch at the Bar Association, and from other law firms, would have a devastating effect on his morale!

"We shall see," Chen Jingshan said.

...

...

"I’ve actually been looking forward to this day for a long time."

Meanwhile.

On the minibus.

Xu De glanced out the window as they entered the highway, then pulled his gaze back inside. He turned to look at the others, his face full of sincerity.

Who was in the vehicle?

There was...

From left to right sat Prosecutor Huang Shi, Prosecutor Zhang Qing, and Prosecutor Zhang Mang.

In the middle were Judge Zhang Bingxin, Judge Zhao Xing, and Judge Sun Dong.

"Heh. Are you really looking forward to this, or are you just faking it?"

Huang Shi looked at the trapped Xu De, narrowed his eyes, and asked with a knowing tone.

Xu De: ...

"I’m serious. I’ve long been looking forward to having such a private audience with all you public officials to discuss your lofty professional ethics."

Xu De said, his expression still one of utmost sincerity.

’To be honest.’

’His first reaction upon boarding had been to run, but unfortunately, the driver closed the door too fast, practically welding him inside.’

’There was no escape.’

’Everywhere he looked, all he saw were people with a ’grudge’ against him!’

’Xu De couldn’t find a single person he hadn’t screwed over in some way.’

’Take Zhang Bingxin, for example. He had blindsided them in court twice, completely disregarding standard procedure. And procedure is vital in the justice system. It was practically a ’provocation’.’

’And Huang Shi?’

’Huang Shi had his own grievances. A dignified prosecutor from the Intermediate People’s Court, used by Xu De like a weapon...’

"Hmph."

Zhang Bingxin closed his eyes, not bothering to engage, and decided to rest.

Huang Shi, too, snorted in exasperation.

"Just sleep. Get some rest now so you’re not exhausted. We’ll get in tonight, rest up, and the evaluations start tomorrow."

’The evaluations start tomorrow?’

Xu De raised an eyebrow. "Why did the schedule change?"

"The ’Li Family Village Case’ is being evaluated on the 23rd. That’s when you and Judge Zhang will present your defense."

"The ’No. 18 Middle School Case’ is being evaluated on the 20th. The two cases have been split up."

Huang Shi responded.

Xu De understood.

’I see.’

The defense presentation process was tedious, so it was never quick. Getting through seven cases in a single day was considered highly efficient.

To say nothing of sixty-odd cases; the whole thing could easily last a week and a half. But...

"Normally, aren’t the evaluations done consecutively?"

"Like, after the ’No. 18 Middle School Case’, the ’Li Family Village Case’ would be next."

Xu De frowned and exchanged a look with Lin Yue, who was sitting next to him. They both saw the surprise in each other’s eyes.

"Why were ours split up? And by a full three days!"

Huang Shi shook his head. "I don’t know."

"It might be because the Li Family Village case is particularly significant."

After he spoke.

Everyone fell into contemplation.

It was true. Although both cases had been shortlisted, in terms of importance... the Li Family Village case required special consideration.

That case involved ’not guilty’ and ’justifiable self-defense.’

Just the discussion alone would take a very long time.

There was only half a week between the shortlisting announcement and the evaluation of the No. 18 Middle School case, which wasn’t enough time for a thorough discussion.

"So, it was most likely intentionally placed at the end."

Huang Shi added casually, "I have a feeling... that case is going to have a hard time getting selected."

Xu De nodded. Even Zhang Bingxin, the presiding judge for the case, didn’t argue.

"By the way, what about the No. 18 Middle School case? Prosecutor Huang, are you ready?" Xu De suddenly asked.