Chapter 34: Court One
The first phase is the reading of the indictment.
Gu Yansheng speaks first.
“Judge, at the time of the incident, important figures from the Japanese side came to the French Concession to handle private affairs. Given the tense safety situation in the Concession recently, the French side, on the principle of friendly mutual assistance, provided limited convenience to the Japanese side within the French Concession.
Japanese security personnel acted as plainclothes officers to provide supplemental safety for important Japanese figures. This complies with international law and is consistent with the usual practices of major countries in handling such matters.
This was originally a very normal matter.
Yet it was distorted by major newspaper companies led by Shen Bao, confusing right and wrong, maliciously spreading rumors unfavorable to my client, and causing widespread dissemination, resulting in significant damage to our international reputation!
As major members of society’s information dissemination, the media should report accurately on what they see and hear based on facts, with fairness and objectivity.
We do not require them to always take our side, but at the very least, they should not distort facts or use insulting language to attack any party just to attract attention and boost sales.
This is an infringement on the right to reputation and a poisoning of the public’s right to know.
We demand that major newspaper companies cease the infringement, eliminate the impact, restore the reputation, publish a serious apology on the front page of each newspaper regarding this matter, and compensate for the reputational damage in the amount of one yuan.”
Just the content of the indictment alone made all parties watching the trial exclaim in surprise.
Originally, everyone thought it was Japanese people arresting anti-Japanese elements with the French Concession’s cooperation, but how could the actual situation be that a Japanese noble went to the French Concession for leisure, with Japanese soldiers merely providing protection?
It was completely beyond everyone’s expectations.
Bang bang bang, the judge banged the small hammer, “Keep quiet. Plaintiff’s lawyer, continue.”
Wolf speaks second.
“Judge, my client on the Japanese side thanks the French side for their cooperation in this matter and regrets the damage to the French side’s reputation. On this behalf, I, representing my client, bring charges against the major newspaper companies, demanding the restoration of the Japanese and French sides’ reputations. We solemnly state that the Japanese side will not infringe on the basic rights of various countries in the Concession. On the contrary, we will definitely provide protection for the rights of various countries in Shanghai based on the law.”
The Japanese are just going along with the flow. Everyone with eyes knows they are merely followers in this matter, so no one bothers to listen. The focus is still on the defendant’s statements.
Smithfield’s impressive record is what truly excites them.
“Defendant’s defense.” The judge goes along with it smoothly.
Everyone’s gazes turn to Smith.
Smith stands up slowly, showing no sign of panic. He bows to the judge several times before looking at the counterparty, the two on the plaintiff’s bench, Gu Yansheng and Wolf.
“Assassination, protection, complies with international conventions—easy to explain.
Now the Japanese and French sides are sitting together. The top participants in the entire incident have aligned their confessions. Whatever they say is what it is, using power to suppress public opinion.”
“Objection!” Wolf stands up: “Your Honor, the defendant’s lawyer is making baseless speculations! Moreover, it has already damaged my client’s reputation.”
“Objection sustained.” The judge looks at Smith, “Defendant’s lawyer, please mind your wording.”
“Apology, I withdraw it.” Smith smiles.
Words can be withdrawn, but from the audience’s reaction, they have clearly taken it in. Seeing the Japanese and French sides sitting together, they whisper among themselves. It does indeed look like they coordinated their confessions. Distrust in their eyes begins to grow.
The goal has been achieved.
“Your Honor, I request to question the plaintiff’s witness, French Consul Mr. Richard.”
“Granted.”
“Mr. Richard, in the evidence list you submitted, there is a protection strategy for this noble’s itinerary, discussed and formulated with the Japanese side.
It clearly states protection provided by both sides, with French Concession forces as the main and Japanese military plainclothes as auxiliary around the perimeter.
Was it arranged this way?”
This question is not difficult, and Richard answers, “Yes.”
Smith nods: “Good. Since we’re talking about protection, under international conventions, protecting diplomatic personnel or nobles is usually carried out by police or gendarmes in open identity to ensure tourist safety and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
Of course, if I ask Mr. Richard this, he would probably reply that Shanghai has been unstable lately with some assassination activities, so it’s inconvenient to be open to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Right, Mr. Richard?”
Richard thinks for a moment and nods: “Correct. Assassinations have encroached into the French Concession, so for the safety of Japanese personnel, we made this choice.”
“Good. Not choosing open protection means private protection. So I would like to ask the consul, why in this incident, after the arrest action at the restaurant, did it take a full five minutes for Police Station personnel to arrive late!
Where are the people the French Concession promised?!”
Smith’s voice suddenly grows loud, turning inquiry into interrogation.
“Providing protection, yet not a single person in uniform was present. When something happens, how do you prove your official identity to the public? How do you gain public support? Is this reasonable?
The Japanese fear assassination and it’s inconvenient to reveal identity. What, your French Concession constables also fear assassination and find it inconvenient to identify themselves?
In those five minutes, not a single French constable was there. Among the participants, who was really in charge? The French or the Japanese? Who was actually providing protection for this noble?
According to《Sino-French New Treaty》, the Municipal Council enjoys independent administrative rights in the French Concession, and the New Treaty explicitly stipulates that foreign armed forces shall not exercise law enforcement power within the Concession.
The people were arrested, and only afterward handed over to the belatedly arriving French constables. Isn’t this blatant exercise of law enforcement power?
Isn’t this ironclad proof that the French Concession transferred law enforcement power to Japan?
Even if just for a moment!
Was the newspaper report wrong?”
“Good.” Reporters below are already clapping and cheering uncontrollably.
But the judge immediately bangs the hammer.
Smith presses aggressively, giving no chance to breathe, “Mr. Richard, how do you explain this?”
Richard is somewhat troubled. The questions from this Smith are completely off the preset path. To answer, there’s only one option: the plainclothes who participated in the protection and arrest at the restaurant back then—most of them were actually French constables.
This would perfectly counter Smith’s attack.
But could there be a trap in this?
He doesn’t need to ask to know these people definitely weren’t from the Police Station at the time.
Richard hesitates somewhat.
But hesitating for even one second in court is a sign of guilt.
Bang, the sound of a pen thrown onto the lawyer’s table breaks the tense atmosphere.
Gu Yansheng, who was leaning back in his chair about to rock it, stands up unhurriedly.
“Objection.”
“Your Honor, the defendant’s lawyer is questioning a consular official in an interrogative tone. This is disrespectful to my client’s country. I demand he apologize now.
Secondly, this question is irrelevant to the case, and the witness need not answer.”
“It is relevant, and extremely so.”
Smith doesn’t even wait for the judge to speak and starts explaining directly.
But bang bang bang, “Apologize first.” Gu Yansheng taps the table and says.
Smith’s offensive rhythm is interrupted. He looks at Gu Yansheng darkly for two seconds, smiles faintly, and bows to Richard several times: “Consul, I apologize for my earlier tone.”
Richard straightens his suit, sits back rigidly on the bench, and suddenly feels calm.
