Chapter 10: Visiting
It wasn’t until the two drove to the entrance of the French Consulate that Mr. Wolf was still marveling at Gu Yansheng’s genius idea.
“Gu, you’re truly a genius. This way, not only do you gain the friendship of both sides and obtain high lawyer’s fees from it, but you also get these newspaper companies to advertise for you for free. What a magical train of thought.”
Gu Yansheng could only smile and accept Mr. Wolf’s flattery, shrugging as he said, “Wolf, later it’ll be up to you. After all, I’m a newcomer.”
“Of course, we’re partners now.”
Mr. Wolf had come here to back up Gu Yansheng.
If he didn’t come, Gu Yansheng probably wouldn’t even be able to get through the door here, which would be too embarrassing.
Of course, helping was one thing, but as a lawyer, he naturally couldn’t work for free. If he could really negotiate between these two sides, the lawyer’s fees from both would give him a cut according to industry rules. Watching the show and getting paid was a very profitable deal.
“We’re here.”
The two got out of the car and walked toward the consulate entrance. As a senior, Mr. Wolf reminded him one last time: “But this time your bet is huge. You’ve staked your entire reputation. Think it over. If you fail, you won’t be able to make it in Shanghai. You can still change the plan now.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. It was foreseeable that if Gu Yansheng failed in this matter, it wouldn’t just be being laughed at as a clown in the legal profession; all the newspaper companies he attacked would gang up on him, and they would keep bringing it up to whip the corpse. His reputation would definitely be ruined by then.
Gu Yansheng showed no fear on his face, chatting and laughing as he said, “For the case itself, the two ends of the scale are one side evil and the other criminal law. That’s very fair. And for me, one end is reputation and the other is reward. The more I bet, the more I naturally gain. Only those who dare to gamble can win.”
“Hahahaha, I like this metaphor.”
After all, he was a young man who had just arrived in Shanghai. To gain a foothold, if he didn’t bet something, how could he rise up, right?
“Hello, we’re here to see Consul Richard. I’m Jonathan Wolf from Danwen Law Firm. This is our firm’s partner Gu Yansheng. We have an appointment.” Mr. Wolf stepped forward to greet.
“Please follow me.”
The consulate staff was very polite.
When the two arrived directly at the consul’s office and met the consul without a moment’s wait, Mr. Wolf gave Gu Yansheng an admiring look, the meaning in his eyes clear: you win.
Gu Yansheng nodded slightly, smiling and accepting it.
Back then in Gu Bai’s office, after everyone confirmed that this case could be taken, Mr. Wolf and Gu Bai suggested going directly to the Municipal Council. They knew people in the French Concession Public Works Bureau. As long as they explained the pros and cons and pulled some strings, it could make Gu Yansheng’s case advance more smoothly.
But Gu Yansheng rejected this suggestion.
Gu Yansheng had just one sentence: “For this case, I don’t plan to and can’t go to the Municipal Council. I want to go directly to the consulate.”
“The consulate? We’re not that familiar with their people. Why insist on them?”
Gu Yansheng told him that the emperor isn’t anxious but the eunuch is, but that’s for minor matters. For major matters, it’s the eunuch who isn’t anxious but the emperor is.
“Because above the emperor there’s still the emperor emeritus.”
Mr. Wolf now looked at Consul Richard, who was waiting for them just like that. Though he appeared calm and composed, for a consul, it seemed a bit too empty. So he subconsciously glanced at Richard’s crotch. Wasn’t this anxious person just another kind of eunuch?
“Wolf, long time no see. Last time we met was at Sir Wilson’s adult banquet for his daughter, right?”
Richard seemed very enthusiastic, laughing as he came up to shake hands. Mr. Wolf was equally enthusiastic, and the two exchanged pleasantries and talked about some romantic affairs.
In terms of social status, the consul’s position was obviously a bit higher, but the different judicial system abroad gave lawyers a noble status too. A successful lawyer interacted with the wealthy and noble, and only they could afford large lawyer’s fees, so there wouldn’t be any obvious hierarchy on the surface.
The two talked enthusiastically, and Mr. Wolf naturally introduced his new partner Gu Yansheng to the consul, though Mr. Consul clearly didn’t pay much attention.
A person who had just arrived in Shanghai couldn’t pique his interest. Who knew if he was some Chinese official’s relation? That made him even less worth noting.
At eighteen that year, Gu Yansheng stood there like a lackey.
After some hearty conversation and saving face, the consul finally let the two sit down and served each a glass of red wine.
“Wolf, you just said Mr. Gu has something to discuss with me?”
“Yes.” Gu Yansheng picked up the thread, “Consul, did you read this morning’s newspapers? The content must not have been pleasant.”
At this, Richard’s face immediately darkened. He slammed his wine glass on the table and snorted heavily: “These newspapers are writing nonsense!
They actually slander us French for transferring law enforcement power to the Japanese. What a joke?
I’ve already had my staff call the major newspaper companies, issuing a stern protest and demanding they publish an apology in the newspaper!
If they don’t correct it immediately, I will formally write to the foreign diplomatic departments, demanding they correct the mistake right away!”
“I’m afraid that won’t work.”
Gu Yansheng let out a sigh and said no more.
Richard looked at the young man swirling his wine glass, frowning as he said, “What do you mean by that?”
Gu Yansheng gently set down his wine glass, looking at Richard, and said calmly: “The matter has already happened.
The person was caught at the Police Station, and reporters photographed lurking Japanese Gendarmes outside the Police Station, with photos as evidence, and the people on top were even wearing standard Japanese Gendarme military boots.
Mr. Richard demands the newspaper companies apologize, but they can just say they only reported what they saw.
Is there anything wrong with that? No.
So why should they apologize?
The consulate sends them a letter, and the newspaper companies headquartered in the French Concession might be somewhat affected.
But those headquartered in the International Settlement, or even in Hongkou, in Zhabei—these newspaper companies, does the consul think they will listen to you?
And forcing an apology through diplomatic means
To be frank, Consul, that would be even harder to achieve.
I believe that once you send a note to the foreign diplomatic departments, they will ask you one question.
Why help the Japanese?
You might say it’s because Chinese agents are on a killing spree in Shanghai, disrupting public order in the French Concession. The reason is of course reasonable, but is that a reason for them to apologize?
Will they apologize to you for that? I believe it’s very difficult.
Unless France is willing to cede some interests to various countries elsewhere, using profit to shut their mouths. Of course, that might work, but is it worth it?
I won’t discuss the national level. Stepping back, Consul, even if a deal is reached at the top, for you as the consul stationed in Shanghai, is that good or bad?
Shanghai has the world’s mainstream media. This morning’s news could be on the desks of politicians worldwide by this afternoon.
Even if this matter eventually blows over and vanishes into thin air, will your resume shine brighter or be tarnished because of it?
And for the French upper echelons who know all this, will their attitude toward you be pleased or displeased?”
No one likes having their sore spots poked, especially so bluntly and mercilessly, tearing off all the fig leaves. Richard’s face looked very ugly as he heard this. If not for knowing the implications, he wouldn’t have guessed what these two were here for, and he wouldn’t have waited.
But knowing is one thing; hearing it from someone else is another. These words were truly harsh!
He glared at Mr. Wolf: “You didn’t bring him here today just to anger me, did you?”
“Of course not, my friend.”
One plays bad cop, the other good cop. Mr. Wolf stepped forward to pat his back and comfort him, then gestured with his hand for him to listen on, even picking up his wine glass to signal to relax.
Richard wasn’t in the mood, but had no choice but to look back at Gu Yansheng, taking a deep breath as he said, “What do you want to say? Go on.”
“The matter has already happened, no doubt it’s a negative event!
So, Consul Richard, no matter how hard you try, whether handling it yourself or through diplomatic channels, the best outcome is making a big issue small and a small one disappear.
The newspaper companies won’t apologize to you; at best, time will dilute everything.
The foreign consulates are even less likely to press their newspaper companies to apologize to you. Getting them to stop publishing such news would already be a great victory.
But influence is influence, and it’s already done!
In the eyes of Shanghai people, the French have given way to the Japanese. In the eyes of the world, you, Mr. Richard, represent France in making this decision, and in the French upper echelons, your reputation is surely poor. Don’t be hasty.”
Gu Yansheng raised his hand to stop Richard’s desire to speak: “The decision may not be yours alone; it might come from higher up. But Consul, one backstop is enough.
If you still want to rise higher, your competitors will bring this up in future competitions at key moments, and you’ll be unable to defend yourself.
Even if you don’t want to rise and just retire peacefully, this unresolved matter will be a lifelong stain on your resume.
Gu Yansheng raised his hand: “Mr. Wolf came with me today to provide you with a solution. We can get formal apologies from the major newspaper companies—open and aboveboard formal apologies.”
