Chapter 5: Face-off 1
British American Concession, Danwen Law Firm.
“Hello, I’m here for the lawyer interview. How should I address you?”
“Susan.”
Gu Yansheng walked straight to the front desk, pointed at the recruitment information in the newspaper, and gave Susan, the British beauty at the front desk, a smile.
However, the British beauty was somewhat oblivious to romance, shrugged her shoulders, and gave a helpless look: “You’re a bit late. I’m afraid you won’t get a turn today. Why don’t you come back tomorrow?”
After saying that, she nodded toward the five men in neat suits sitting on the bench nearby.
“All here for the interview?” Gu Yansheng glanced over, somewhat surprised.
Their ages ranged from twenties to forties.
Lawyers and doctors were among the rare high-income elite classes even in the Republic of China era. He hadn’t expected lawyers nowadays to be doing so poorly, or was it because this law firm he was applying to had too great a reputation?
“Mm-hmm.” Susan nodded: “By the time they’re done with their interviews, Mr. Wolf will be off work.”
Gu Yansheng glanced at them; he didn’t have time to wait.
He took out 20 Legal Tender and pushed it across the desk.
Susan stared blankly for a moment, then found it somewhat amusing: “Are you bribing me? And in front of so many people?”
Yes “Of course not, beautiful miss. This is a law firm. I have a law-related problem I want to consult on, so I’m paying 20 Legal Tender to get the answer to the problem. I wonder if this behavior complies with the law?”
Susan burst out laughing, “You’re too funny. In a law firm, consultation fees are obviously reasonable. But if you want to use this 20 Legal Tender to get a way to enter Mr. Wolf’s office ahead of time, then I’m truly powerless to help. It’s not that I don’t want to take this consultation fee; it’s that I really can’t.”
With that, she pushed the money back, her expression somewhat cute.
You’re really impervious to bribes.
Susan’s response made the interview candidates who had been eavesdropping with perked ears from the bench side visibly relax.
This guy is too shameless!
Why hadn’t they thought of such a great pickup method?
Fortunately, it didn’t work.
However, Gu Yansheng clearly had no intention of giving up. He pushed the money back again and smiled: “I think you misunderstood. My question is, what qualities do you think I need to have to get a chance at this position—what does Mr. Wolf value most?”
Hiss~ One question made the interview candidates’ bodies jolt, involuntarily leaning forward.
Susan hadn’t expected this guy’s question to be so interesting either. Her eyes sparkled with delight, and her smile became even brighter.
“To be honest, your performance surprises me. Your thinking is quite sharp. If I were Mr. Wolf, I would definitely hire a lawyer like you as a future partner.
But unfortunately, I’m not, haha. But I do know what kind of person Mr. Wolf wants.”
Susan accepted the consultation fee and blinked: “You can come over. I’ll tell you alone.”
Gu Yansheng smiled toward the interview candidates, leaned in close to her ear, amid a flurry of soft words and fragrance.
“Mr. Wolf likes to ask some strange questions that contain hidden truths. He is a just man, merciful to the weak and resistant to the powerful. I think, no matter what the question is, that’s the answer.”
“Is that so? I’ve learned something.”
Gu Yansheng exaggeratedly looked amazed.
The interview candidates were itching with curiosity; not being able to hear was too unbearable. Although a few were still trying to maintain their cool, someone was already fidgeting, lifting their butt, wanting to come over for a consultation too.
“Next.”
At that moment, a female assistant came out from the office inside, along with an excellent young man who had just finished his interview, his brows furrowed tightly as if puzzled by something.
It seemed the interview had some difficulty.
“No one’s going? Then I’ll go first. Listening more has its benefits; it won’t hurt to wait a little longer.”
Gu Yansheng put on a serious face and urged them to seek advice from Susan, while he walked straight toward the interview assistant without stopping.
The assistant didn’t care who went; no one objected anyway. She was just curious why the people who had been queuing were all going to Susan now?
Question mark face?
Only Susan, surrounded by the interview candidates, was shocked for a moment. She had actually been used; what a cunning and clever person.
Young and smart; later, she could consider leaving contact information. She smiled involuntarily; she was growing more and more optimistic about this person.
Professor Wolf’s interviews had been going on for a week. Because of the bizarre questions and the rigorous hiring, no one had passed Professor Wolf’s assessment.
The reason was that a lawyer is a just role, but whether it’s justice in law or justice in humanity varies from person to person.
He opened the door and entered the room, where a bearded British person was sitting.
“Hello, Mr. Wolf. I’m Gu Yansheng, graduated from Peking University.”
“Alright, no need for idle talk.”
Professor Wolf rudely raised his hand to interrupt, saying expressionlessly: “As you can see, there are still many people queuing outside. If you’re hired, we’ll have plenty of time to learn about your background. If you’re not hired, I don’t need to know. Am I right?”
“Absolutely right. Please ask your questions.”
When dealing with foreigners, avoid being servile or obsequious. The lower you bow, the less they respect you. Just act nonchalant.
“Have a seat.”
Professor Wolf nodded toward the small stool, scrutinizing Gu Yansheng’s eyes with a piercing gaze. “Three questions. First one.”
“In 1901, during your Qing Dynasty period, a woman signed a contract as a child bride and married into a major investor’s family. Now she wants a divorce, but the major investor’s family refuses and produces the contract.
It states clearly that only the man may divorce the wife; the woman may not divorce the husband. If the woman leaves without the man’s consent, she must additionally compensate a hundred times the original five Silver Dollars bride price—five hundred Silver Dollars. How would you argue?”
Gu Yansheng said: “Step one: I would declare that the Qing Dynasty is gone, and Qing Dynasty laws are automatically void. We now apply new laws. Neither the Republic of China government’s laws, British laws, nor concession laws support such child bride contracts. Marriage is free, and old laws should be void.”
Professor Wolf shook his head: “For ordinary civil contracts from the Qing Dynasty, the Republic of China government generally recognizes their legal validity, unless explicitly stipulated that these contracts no longer apply in the Republic. But this type of contract has not currently been declared abolished.
Child brides are an ancient Chinese custom by agreement, and public opinion supports this. Based on this, it’s a typical Chinese matter and should apply Republic of China laws, which the concession recognizes as legitimate.
Your suggestion is invalid. You failed.”
“Not necessarily.” Gu Yansheng smiled slightly, paused, then said: “Step two: Find a foreign national to act as this woman’s fiancé and file a complaint with the concession authorities, accusing her parents and the man’s entire family of selling people.
Professor Wolf’s mind jolted as if he thought of something, getting interested: “Go on.”
Gu Yansheng said loudly: “Whether concession laws or Republic of China laws, selling people is a serious crime. Once verified, both buyer and seller face criminal penalties.
Without this woman’s consent, her parents sold her—then a child—to the defendant side for 5 Silver Dollars.
Laws do not apply retroactively, but only if the crime has ceased. Though the incident happened before the Republic was founded, this selling contract is obviously still in effect now.
According to Article 241 of the Republic of China Criminal Law: Whoever induces or secretly induces a male or female under twenty years old to leave their parent exercising parental rights, guardian, or conservator shall be imprisoned for a definite term of not less than one year and not more than seven years.
Whoever commits the preceding offense with intent to profit or with intent to make the induced person the object of indecent assault or rape shall be imprisoned for a definite term of not less than three years and not more than ten years and fined not more than one thousand yuan.
In past such cases, the hardest part to define has been establishing the sale, because the contract is often in the opponent’s hands. The defendant won’t produce it, and the accuser can’t get it.
The woman’s family, being at fault, won’t support her complaint to protect themselves.
No one will admit to selling or to rape.
But now, the hardest part to define—the opposing lawyer has handed it to the court for me.
Even if they use the Republic’s founding date as a defense, the concession was established earlier, and British law far predates 1901. Laws do not apply retroactively, which is completely inapplicable before the British Empire. I believe the concession’s criminal court will give a fair judgment.”
“Civil court no, criminal court yes?!” Professor Wolf couldn’t help clapping, his amazed little expression a world away from the cold indifference at first sight.
“What might have required compensation now not only avoids it but directly avenges the client, sending these people to at least five years in prison. Brilliant thinking! Miss Mery, get this gentleman a cup of coffee.”
“Gu Yansheng.”
“Get Mr. Gu a cup of coffee.”
“Thank you.”
