Chapter 12: Against The Day
In this world, everyone is busy making money. War and chaos are all opportunities to make a fortune. Gu Yansheng also needs to speed up his pace.
“Wolf, I’ve decided. I want to invite you to take this case with me.”
“Hm?”
Wolf looked at Gu Yansheng in surprise: “Gu, do you think you can’t handle it? I said the Japanese attitude doesn’t matter. You just need to handle the French case well. This one makes money too. I already said I’d help you. After all, it’s your first case. I’m not doing it for free. There’s a share. No need to give me half. I don’t need that amount from you.”
Gu Yansheng snorted: “It’s me who needs that amount from you. I calculated. If we don’t negotiate with the Japanese, I have to give you at least ten percent commission from the French case. That’s enough to buy four tires for under the butt.
But as long as we settle the Japanese, the case value doubles. One share each. Then I don’t have to give you the share. I save money too. Don’t forget, one person can’t represent two clients.”
“Didn’t you find an assistant? He can also go to court. You represent the French as the lead. He cooperates. You can earn two shares.”
One person can’t represent two clients. That’s not a problem at all. Why do lawyers spend money to hire assistants and build teams? That’s for the winner to take all.
“I want to, but he has no face with the Japanese. It has to be you.”
“You’re serious?”
“Mm-hmm. The Japanese might reject Chinese people. Especially a Chinese they’ve never met. Having you step forward is obviously much more reliable than others. As my angel investor, I’m sincerely inviting you to take it with me.”
Wolf slammed on the brakes and stopped the car on the roadside, extremely inconsiderate, completely ignoring the Japanese walking on the road.
Of course, as expected, luxury cars have road rights.
Wolf frowned and thought seriously. “I’m very tempted, but to be honest, I don’t have full confidence in convincing the Japanese.”
Wolf had thought about taking this meat, but he really hadn’t thought of the idea. The Japanese were unharmed in this matter. He didn’t need to spend this money. How to make the Japanese obediently pay and join was a problem.
“Leave convincing the Japanese to me.” Gu Yansheng smiled slightly: “You just need to step forward as this agent. Watch how your assistant, Mr. Wolf, makes the Japanese submit.”
“Really?” Wolf’s eyes widened. Doesn’t that solve the biggest problem for him?
“Then I’d make a killing.”
“You negotiate the price yourself.”
“No problem. I’ll still give you ten percent case introduction fee as per the rules.”
“Then I won’t be polite. I really want to buy a car.”
“Hahahaha.”
Japanese Consulate.
Unlike the security at the French Consulate, here, Chinese people don’t get good treatment. Even those brought by British people won’t do.
Gu Yansheng was searched thoroughly and asked a few questions before being allowed to enter.
After waiting a while, he was finally summoned. Even for the summons, there were agents like imperial guards watching vigilantly nearby. Their peripheral vision probably never left Gu Yansheng.
“Mr. Hase.”
“Please sit.”
The Japanese Consul General in Shanghai is called Hase Jinagawa. Considering there was a British person present, Hase didn’t make everyone kneel to each other. Instead, he chose a reception room with a sofa and served tea.
Hase Jinagawa was very direct: “I wonder what brings you two here today to see me?”
Wolf sat boldly and spoke bluntly: “Mr. Hase, I’m here on behalf of Danwen Law Firm to notify you. The French side is very dissatisfied with the remarks in the newspapers accusing them and has decided to entrust us fully to sue the major newspaper companies.”
Hase raised his eyebrow in surprise, thought for a moment, but didn’t rush to respond. “That’s their right. Why notify me?”
“We hope your side can stand with us and entrust our law firm together to sue the major newspaper companies.”
“Ah?” Hase was amused by this British man’s train of thought. Must be crazy wanting lawyer’s fees? Of course he knew about today’s events, but it wasn’t bad for them. What business was it of theirs? He barely held back a laugh, frowned and said:
“We do think the inaccurate reports in the newspapers are too casual. But… do you think we need to sue together? Or can you give me a necessary reason?”
“It seems Mr. Hase hasn’t realized the problem here yet. I’m truly regretful.”
Wolf put on a face and looked at him with an incorrigible gaze, shook his head, then jerked his head righteously. “Gu, you say it.”
Gu Yansheng took over, first nodding slightly to show courtesy. Hase also nodded slightly in return.
“Mr. Hase, as a lawyer, I serve for money. From our law firm’s perspective, we hope you entrust us. The reason is, if you refuse our invitation, we will include your side on the defendant’s bench.”
Hase’s expression changed, and he immediately scolded, “Are you here to threaten me? Are you crazy for money?”
Wolf almost couldn’t keep his composure. Wow, such a ruthless move? He didn’t know about this one.
Gu Yansheng picked up the tea cup and sipped, gesturing for the other to have some too. “Taste it.”
Hase had good manners. Though his face was clouded, he didn’t erupt continuously. He just didn’t drink the tea.
He directly asked gravely: “What will you do to us? What will happen to the defendants?”
Gu Yansheng put down the tea cup and said steadily, “Shanghai, as a major metropolis, has people from various countries living here. It has experienced war. Now Shanghai’s reconstruction is going very well.
I think, from your side’s perspective, you definitely also hope to restore Shanghai’s commerce and trade, show the world Shanghai’s prosperity and stability under Japanese rule, and turn Shanghai into a prosperous showcase facing the world.
Let more people participate, and your side can gain more profits from it, like taxation.
Now because of some disruptive agents, your side not only can’t guarantee safety in the urban area, but has reached into the concession, breaking everyone’s imagination and making them feel unsafe.
Once this incident is confirmed true, those doing business won’t come. Investment from various countries in Shanghai decreases. The image of Japanese brazenly breaking into the concession is established worldwide. Does Mr. Hase really think this is a good thing?”
Hase Jinagawa’s brows furrowed slightly. Put that way, it’s really not a good thing.
In fact, the operation in the concession was by the Gendarmerie Headquarters, the military department. But the trouble caused looks like it falls on their Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bear. Damn, he really couldn’t laugh.
“Once your side is listed as defendant, I, as the French side’s representative lawyer, can clearly tell Mr. Hase that those gendarmes will definitely be characterized by us as unauthorized entry. No matter what tacit understanding your side reached with whom before, no one will admit it anymore. This result won’t change.”
Hase Jinagawa nodded in agreement with this statement. It’s also the usual practice when necessary.
“And once in court, it’s life and death. Mr. Hase, if we tear faces over this now, I want to ask, can we still get along in the future?”
“What do you mean?”
“I think Chinese agents won’t stop actions immediately. So in the future, whether on arresting people or other matters needing French cooperation, with today’s incident, do you think it will still be easy?”
“Additionally, it’s personal friendship.
Mr. Hase, today’s events can be brushed off painlessly on the surface for both sides. But for Consul Richard, it’s not. Such big negative news, without a good result, you are also a consul. You should understand the situation Consul Richard will face in the future.
So, helping in time, gaining one more friend, isn’t that much better than cold indifference?
Shouldn’t Mr. Hase value Consul Richard’s friendship? I will definitely relay your attitude to Mr. Richard.”
