Who Made Him a Lawyer?

Chapter 444: Chapter 331: Court Session Begins!

Wang Yao actually isn’t under much pressure, his curiosity far outweighs the pressure he has to bear.

After all, this is Upper City. No matter how much trouble Xu Liang makes... there still has to be a limit, right?

Besides, he’s the head of the first criminal division of the Supreme Court, theoretically speaking, no lawyer nationwide would have the guts!

So...

"Now that things have come to this, let’s start the hearing."

Wang Yao took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak.

Then he stood up and slowly walked towards the trial site at the end of the corridor, the two judges behind him also quickly stood up and followed.

The hearing time is at 1:30 PM, and now it’s already 1:00, only half an hour before the trial phase.

The time is not sufficient, but it is enough for the preparation work before the trial!

"Tap tap tap..."

The sound of footsteps echoes in the cold corridor, and soon, the footsteps stop, standing in front of a heavy, simple wooden door.

Two bailiffs step forward and slowly pull open the door.

"Squeak~"

The sturdy door emits a tremor, a narrow gap slowly reveals, showing a few blurry faces.

The gap grows larger and larger, eventually revealing the expansive trial site, filled with dense figures on the audience seats!

Everyone turns their gaze to the doorway.

Only...

At the moment a few knowledgeable reporters see Wang Yao in his judicial robe, they are suddenly stunned.

Why?

Because... Among the three judges, Wang Yao, the leading person, is wearing a judicial robe that is navy blue, with edges at the cuffs and collar made of....

This is.....

"Pure gold material!?"

"Wang Yao Judge Wang... Is this the head of the first criminal division of the Supreme Court!? I told you, I don’t remember any judge named Wang Yao at the High Court!"

"The Supreme Court head!? He’s coming personally to the High Court to handle the case!? This scene is really grand...."

"Hiss, this case... It was judged to have a penalty of forty-seven million at the first trial, how does it attract the Supreme Court at the second trial?"

"I don’t know..."

"..."

Whispers arise secretly among the audience seats, and some take in a breath of cold air looking at Wang Yao.

It’s obvious they are startled by the courtroom setup this time.

Who is Wang Yao? The head of the first criminal division of the Supreme Court!

Undoubtedly, in the entire judicial hierarchy of Eastern Country, he’s at the highest rank, only beneath a few people!

Despite this, he’s personally coming to the High Court to handle a case that only involves fines and compensation... It’s really like using an ox to kill a chicken, or using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

But on second thought, the setup for the first trial wasn’t low either.

Zhao Yi is a judge at the High Court, who has a rich resume, and is set to be promoted soon, but he was transferred to the Middle Court for the first trial, which already counts as a luxury lineup.

So...

"What’s with this case? I can’t quite understand?"

Photographer Li Ye muttered quietly.

First, there was a complaint, then collusion with everyone in Zhengyang City, but then it was reconciled, with a large amount of compensation.

No matter how you think about it, it doesn’t make sense.

Let alone... After the first trial judgment.

The plaintiff suddenly, inexplicably shouted to clear the defendant’s name!

The plaintiff clearing the defendant’s name!!!

Each word Li Ye and Zhang Tao recognized, but put together it left their minds in stasis!

Of course, it’s not incomprehensible, since there were similar cases before, just...

Who clears someone’s name through an appeal, through a second trial!?!

Not even Zhu Haoyi and Li Yang, the defendants, knew.

"All rise!"

At this moment, the clerk’s voice echoed, interrupting everyone’s thoughts.

In the next second, including the plaintiff Xu Liang, everyone stood up, looking at Wang Yao and the other two judges approaching.

The crowd, like a thick, black forest.

Wang Yao’s face was calm, he had seen far bigger scenes than this, and he was not stage fright but rather slowly moved to the judge’s bench.

"Bang!"

He slowly sat down, glanced around, then leaned close to the microphone and opened his mouth, a voice full of authority echoed beside the ear, only to see him say in a deep voice:

"Please be seated."

After speaking.

Everyone slowly sat back into their seats, quietly watching Wang Yao.

Wang Yao did not think, nor did he waste much time, he just glanced at both the plaintiff and defendant sides and said:

"Plaintiff, defendant, can you confirm if everyone is present?"

Xu Liang spoke: "Honorable Judge, all my personnel are present, the hearing can commence."

On the judge’s bench, Wang Yao nodded and then turned his head to look at Zhu Haoyi on the other side.

The defendant Li Yang’s face showed a hint of gloom.

Prepared?

He didn’t even know what to prepare for!

In a muddle, he received the notification for the second trial, thinking it was dissatisfaction with the forty-seven million penalty, or perhaps wanting to hold them accountable and make the scapegoat pay.

But who would have thought....

The court told him that Xu Liang wanted to clear their names!!!

At that moment, Zhu Haoyi and Li Yang’s minds went blank, dazed for ages, unable to fathom how clearing their names related to them.

They could believe Xu Liang found evidence, but saying he would clear their names... would only make them look as if they’ve seen a ghost.

They knew what they had done far better than anyone else....

Clear name? What does clearing their names have to do with them!?

How could Xu Liang clear their names?

Li Yang’s eyes were shadowed and conflicted for a long time before he took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Everyone on my side is ready."

"The judge may commence the trial at any time."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yao on the bench nodded.

Immediately, he took a deep breath, pulled out the documents, and slowly started reading from the words on them:

"This case pertains to the Nanhai Province, Zhengyang City’s Yangshan Gully Rundong Weaving Plant case. The details are Zhengyang Mining Company’s illegal occupation of the weaving plant’s land, intending to exploit the rare earth mine hidden underground."

"On July 17, the first trial was held at Eastern Country Upper City Intermediate People’s Court, during which a recess was taken due to contention points..."

"Later, on August 1, the trial resumed with a first-instance verdict that sentences Zhengyang Mining Company, the defendant, to compensate the plaintiff, including damages for mental distress, totaling forty-seven million yuan, and..."

"The plaintiff was dissatisfied and filed an appeal with the Upper City High Court to set up a case."

"Today, on August 20, 2005, the second trial is lawfully convened at the Upper City High Court for this case!"

"Now I announce that the case..."

As he spoke, Wang Yao paused and then uttered two words: "Court in session!!!"

With those words, the courtroom was instantly invigorated, and everyone looked at Wang Yao, nervous as if unwilling to miss any detail.

Wang Yao then directed his gaze at Xu Liang and asked solemnly, "Plaintiff, please truthfully state your demands."

While he spoke, Zhu Haoyi on the defendant’s side raised his head, his brows furrowed, and his breath gradually thickened, yet he fixed his eyes on him firmly.

Zhu Haoyi did not believe the other’s intentions were purely good, so he was willing to clear his name.

Then... it’s ulterior motives!

The other is scheming against him!

But... what exactly is the other scheming against him for? This case, aside from Liu Jinshui and the deceased Zhang Shan, is there anything that hasn’t been figured out? No, it’s all very clear now!

So what angle does the other wish to attack him from with the appeal!?

Before Zhu Haoyi could finish thinking, Xu Liang began to speak.

Only to see Xu Liang rise slowly from the plaintiff’s seat, opening his mouth:

"Honorable Judge, members of the audience."

"I am the plaintiff’s lawyer, the trustee being Liu Jinshui, and I am authorized to fully represent them in this trial."

"Our demand is..."

"To revoke the first-instance trial regarding the case and the verdict against the defendant!"

"According to our investigation, the defendant never conspired with state-owned enterprises to commit murder, and the Rare Earth New Materials Company is also a victim!"

These pompous words escaped his lips, leaving everyone puzzled.

State-owned enterprise?

What’s the connection between the first-instance verdict and state-owned enterprises? Moreover...

You’re a plaintiff lawyer, and you’re indeed remedying the defendant’s reputation!

Everyone felt confused, but they were still shocked.

But Xu Liang didn’t stop his speech; he continued, speaking loudly:

"First, regarding the Rare Earth New Materials Company, after the exposure of the first-instance case, the company’s stock has been continuously declining—short-term losses are beyond imagination."

"Here, I must clarify for the state-owned enterprise."

"The Rare Earth New Materials Company has no relation to Zhengyang Mining Company, and the two parties have never schemed to seize land!"

"Secondly, Zhengyang Mining Company..."

Here, Xu Liang paused, then suddenly changed his tone, saying:

"Zhengyang Mining Company is also a victim of rumors!"

"According to social opinion, everywhere is accusing Zhengyang Mining Company of killing Zhang Shan for money and demolishing land for profits..."

These are the prevailing opinions about the two companies.

Things are slightly better on the state-owned enterprise’s side since there’s no issue in itself.

But Zhengyang Mining Company... Even with a scapegoat, its reputation couldn’t be restored, although Zhu Haoyi didn’t intend to restore it...

You know, Xu Liang has always been warm-hearted.

He has to lend Zhu Haoyi a hand!

Then Xu Liang’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and he said loudly:

"But in truth, all the rumors are false!"

"The defendant Zhengyang Mining Company has never killed Zhang Shan for profit, nor did they demolish for rapid rare earth mining profitability!"

"All the allegations against the defendant in the first-instance trial were smears!"

Therefore...

"Our demand is to restore the defendant’s innocence, not let societal rumors crush the defendant under violence!"

As these words fell, the scene was awash with astonishment.

Slander?

All fake?

But... you’re the one who made the smear!!!

Everyone clearly remembered, as far as what the other said here was concerned, in the first-instance trial, the first one to speak... seemed to be Xu Liang.

Was the defendant’s side bribing him!?

The crowd was puzzled and subconsciously looked at Zhu Haoyi on the defendant’s side, only to see that Zhu Haoyi was also full of questions.

"Bang Bang!"

A mallet struck on the bench.

Judge Wang Yao frowned, looking at Xu Liang, saying solemnly:

"Plaintiff, may I ask... your meaning is... Zhengyang Mining Company, the defendant, has never engaged in the behaviors you previously mentioned?"

Regarding the plaintiff’s demands...

So you’ve indeed come to vindicate, clear the defendant’s wrongful name!?

But...

Hearing the judge’s question, Xu Liang suddenly shook his head and said:

"Not quite."

Wang Yao: ?

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