Chapter 36: Court 3
Richard was clearly stumped.
Smith advanced step by step, pressing relentlessly. The only answer to this question could be that some soldiers from the Japanese side arrested people without permission.
But the consequences of this answer, this collaborator from the Japanese side might not be able to accept.
This is something that every country would report on, saying their own soldiers were rampant and enforced the law without authorization. Although the facts are true, the Japanese Consul might not like this result.
They might even end up infighting.
Moreover, behind this question, Richard suspected—no, he was certain—there would definitely be other traps waiting for him.
“Lawyer Gu, Lawyer Gu.” He anxiously repeated in his mind.
“Objection.”
As soon as Gu Yansheng’s voice sounded, Richard felt it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard in his life. This figure standing up was comparable to God!
Gu Yansheng stood up and said: “Your Honor, I object to the defendant’s lawyer making baseless speculations. Not to mention that the defendant’s lawyer has no evidence to prove those people are Japanese soldiers, even if they are, arresting people and transferring law enforcement power are two completely different concepts. The defendant’s lawyer is confusing the issue.”
Smith turned his head and chuckled lightly, “The plaintiff’s lawyer likes to shout objection. No problem. From what the plaintiff’s lawyer means, as long as I can produce evidence proving that someone in that alley is a Japanese soldier, the plaintiff’s lawyer admits that the arrest by the other side is true?
Your Honor, the photos I just received before the trial are sufficient to prove that among the people making the arrest at that time, there were active-duty Japanese soldiers!
Sorry, plaintiff’s lawyer, the incident was sudden, and I didn’t notify you. For such important evidence, you wouldn’t be so guilty as to not allow submission, right?”
According to trial rules, all witness and physical evidence must be submitted in a list before the trial, so both sides can see and prepare. It’s not impossible to launch an evidence surprise midway, but there is always the risk of objection and not being accepted.
Gu Yansheng met his gaze with his eyes and indeed did not object.
Seeing that Gu Yansheng did not object, the assistant immediately handed the photos to the court for the judge to review.
Then Smith held up the photos and a newspaper and said loudly: “The photo was taken on the day of the incident by an American reporter in the alley outside the Police Station. It clearly shows a Japanese soldier wearing standard Japanese Army military boots, dressed in plainclothes, looking up at the reporter’s camera.
And the newspaper in my hand is from Japan’s own newspaper media, Nichinichi Shimbun. Three months ago, in an interview with the Gendarmerie Headquarters stationed in Shanghai, there are photographic photos left from the officers’ interview commemorations.
Everyone, please look. Our plainclothes officer here is exactly this Gendarmerie Headquarters’ Gendarmerie Captain Kojiima Shoichi from the newspaper.
Smith glanced at Gu Yansheng, “The same person in these two photos is sufficient to prove that the people who appeared in the French Concession alley at that time were Japanese soldiers!
And active-duty soldiers at that!
Don’t tell me he was dismissed. That would make me feel it’s an insult to the court. I believe Your Excellency the Judge would not tolerate it.”
Smith’s eyes locked tightly on Gu Yansheng, blocking all escape routes.
Whispers repeated under the courtroom. This was the most definitive evidence seen so far since the trial began of Japanese Army involvement in the French Concession arrest operation.
From military boots to solid proof of active duty, it could be said to be a major step forward.
“Waiting here.”
Wolf whispered to Gu Yansheng: “If our initial strategy was to not admit Japanese soldiers were involved here, this one strike would be enough to crush all our efforts.”
Gu Yansheng nodded slightly: “Enough effort, and enough luck.”
Smith had only taken over this case a few days ago, yet he dug out a photo from a newspaper three months prior.
Smith had reached match point and directly confronted Gu Yansheng, “So, plaintiff’s lawyer, you should admit that on the evening in question, Japanese soldiers arrested people next to the Police Station, right?
Your Honor, I have no further questions.”
Smith didn’t even wait for a response and turned directly back to his seat.
“Quiet, quiet.” The judge knocked the gavel.
“Plaintiff’s lawyer, do you have any additions?” The judge said after finishing recording.
Gu Yansheng stood up, “Your Honor, I request to question the defendant from The Great American Evening News.”
“Allowed.”
Once the reporter from The Great American Evening News who was appearing in court came to the front and swore to testify.
Gu Yansheng turned his body slightly and asked: “You are the American reporter that the defendant’s lawyer mentioned who was taking photos at the alley entrance?”
“Yes.” The American reporter, although currently the representative on the defendant’s bench, seemed quite excited, as if appearing in court was something worth boasting about.
Gu Yansheng smiled and asked: “You seem to be in a good mood. Is there some good news?”
However, as soon as Gu Yansheng finished speaking, Smith raised his hand: “Objection! Your Honor, the plaintiff’s lawyer’s question is irrelevant to this case.”
“Objection sustained. The defendant need not answer.” The judge ruled quickly.
“No problem, I want to say it myself.
As a reporter, having my own photo used in such a major event, I feel extremely honored. This may be the most valuable photo I’ve taken in my life. This photo might appear on the front page headlines of all newspapers tomorrow. I’m so excited.”
The American reporter smiled happily, with an expression of showing off to the reporters in the audience, not hiding it at all.
Besides, he was just pulled in as a defendant, not a defendant in a criminal case, so it didn’t affect his mood at all.
Since he was willing to say it, Smith had no choice but to sit down. Fortunately, the answer didn’t affect anything.
Gu Yansheng said with a smile: “Then congratulations. Photos of such value, ordinary reporters might not take one in a lifetime. You look so young, you might have more opportunities in the future. How many years have you been a reporter now?”
“Seven years.”
“When did you come to Shanghai?”
“Four years ago.”
“So you’ve experienced the entire Shanghai war, and you know about the recent assassination incidents in the International Settlement and French Concession?”
“Of course. I’ve done a lot of reports on it. That’s the meaning of my work in Shanghai.”
“So, the assassination incidents that occurred in the concessions in these two months, how many do you know of?”
“Objection! Your Honor, the several questions from the plaintiff are irrelevant to this case. This is wasting everyone’s time!”
Smith held back several times, but couldn’t hold back anymore. Although these questions were nothing, he already knew Gu Yansheng’s strength could not be underestimated, so he had to be vigilant. Any question could be a trap.
Gu Yansheng immediately retorted: “Your Honor, I will prove that the questions I asked are absolutely related to this case.”
“Plaintiff’s lawyer, state your intent quickly. Defendant, you may choose not to answer this question.”
“Over a dozen, at least?” The American reporter felt there was no trap in this question. Lots of people knew, so just tell the truth.
“Over a dozen. In how many of them were guns fired? Meaning, gunshots occurred?”
“They definitely all involved guns, right? Guns were fired every time?” Isn’t that common sense?
“On the day of the incident, in the alley outside the Police Station, you photographed Japanese soldiers arresting people. Did you see or even just hear any gunshots?”
“No.”
“Objection!” Smith knew where the trap was and instantly stood up: “Your Honor! I object to the plaintiff’s lawyer inducing the defendant to make such statements!
The presence of gunshots cannot serve as the standard for whether there was an assassination action.
Moreover, the defendant is not from Chongqing personnel, let alone Japanese military personnel. Regarding whether guns were fired in the previous assassinations between the two sides, he is unclear. Everything is based on speculation and cannot serve as a basis for judgment, or even evidence!”
“Objection sustained.” The judge said: “Plaintiff’s lawyer, please do not make leading statements.”
“Your Honor, I had no such intent, and the defendant’s lawyer doesn’t need to be impatient. I won’t use whether guns were fired to prove if there was an attack that day.”
Gu Yansheng bowed his head in respect, looked at the American reporter: “You saw with your own eyes that day, and the photo you took shows several plainclothes men capturing several people in the alley, right?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see Japanese soldiers with guns?”
“I didn’t see that.”
“Good, thank you.” Gu Yansheng picked up a stack of newspapers from the table and held them high, scanning the courtroom, “It’s not that the reporter didn’t see it, but on the day of the incident, the Japanese side simply had no one carrying guns!
These are all the photos taken by newspapers on the market on the day of the incident! I mean all newspapers sold in Shanghai!
As everyone knows, recently in Shanghai, in the concessions, assassination incidents occur frequently.
So, even if not all assassination cases involved gunshots, at least half or the majority had guns present between the conflicting parties.
Many people here are consuls from various countries. I believe you receive corresponding reports every time an assassination case occurs.
And you reporters are on the front lines of news. I believe your newspaper companies have plenty of such post-gunfire photos.
This brings up a problem. If the Japanese soldiers obtained the French Concession’s law enforcement power, and their primary target was agents from the Chinese side, at least hypothetically their enemy.
Then, at the very least, to enforce the law on behalf of the French, they should have guns, right?
Where are the guns? Where are the guns?
The defendant’s lawyer has been obsessing over whether the soldiers outside the Police Station are Japanese soldiers.
Of course they are! My client has never denied this!
But just because Japanese soldiers appeared, even plainclothes soldiers, to prove that my client’s side transferred law enforcement power—that’s simply ridiculous!
Have you ever seen law enforcement without guns?
So many reporters in the courtroom!
In all the photos taken by the reporters, is there a single photo showing a gun? Whether held in hand or holstered at the waist—any?
What Japanese rifles look like, no one here should be unclear. Not a single one in the photos.
What Japanese pistols look like, some people may not know. I tell you, it’s the Southern Type 14 pistol, standard issue for Japanese Army officers and agents.
These gendarmes and agents who came to protect the Japanese noble should, by regulation, carry such firearms. But did you see them holding pistols or rifles?
No!
None at all!
Only plainclothes went into action, capturing people hand-to-hand.
From beginning to end, in all the photos taken by the reporters, the only thing that can prove those people’s identity as Japanese soldiers is the military boots worn by that Gendarmerie Captain that the defendant’s lawyer went to great lengths to prove for us!
Why?
Because the French Concession has never transferred, and could not possibly transfer, the French Concession’s law enforcement power to the Japanese authorities!
What was granted was only temporary! Cooperative auxiliary hand-to-hand authority!
