Chapter 6: Face-off 2
“Let’s move on to the second question.”
“Wait a moment, Mr. Wolf, regarding this case, I have one more supplement. One can imagine, the woman’s family environment is relatively poor, her life is definitely not affluent, and adding the burden of lawyer’s fee makes the already not affluent family even worse.
So as a lawyer, I suggest that in the criminal liability, don’t forget to make them attach civil compensation as mental loss fee for so many years. I think starting from 500 silver dollars is quite appropriate.”
“Hahaha, Mr. Gu, you are really a good person.”
“I am just maximizing the interests for my client. As a lawyer, this is of course what I should do.”
“You’ve handled quite a few cases before, right? Seeing you so young, I surprisingly thought at first that you might lack experience. I must apologize to you for my prejudice.”
“Thank you for your respect. I have handled some lawsuits, and they are very interesting. If there is a chance to join the law firm, we can exchange experiences.”
When out and about, identity is given by oneself. In these chaotic times, there are plenty of cases.
“Good, let’s move on to the second question. Tonight, the Concession Public Works Bureau added a new regulation: starting tomorrow, all people are prohibited from wearing red qipaos. Once discovered, imprisonment for ten years.
The next day, a person wore a red qipao on the street and was arrested on the spot. How to defend?
I remind you, many people saw her wearing the red qipao, an indisputable fact.
This question is not easy. I can let you think more.”
After Professor Wolf finished speaking, he raised his head with interest and smiled, full of challenge, then leaned back, picked up his pipe and took a puff.
This bored expression, this absurd interview question, really makes one want to slap him twice, then hang a carrot in front of him to make him diligently turn the mill.
Gu Yansheng thought for a moment and directly answered, “This question looks like a dead end, but it’s not that difficult.”
“Easy?” Professor Wolf frowned in surprise, even putting down his crossed legs, clearly not believing it. “Have you thought it through? This is an on-the-spot arrest with numerous eyewitnesses.”
Gu Yansheng didn’t hide it either. “The concession constables arrested the woman on the reason of wearing a red qipao, right?”
Wolf nodded: “Yes, reasonable and legal.”
Gu Yansheng also nodded in acknowledgment: “Alright then, please tell me, how did the concession constables determine that the woman was wearing a red qipao?”
Wolf was stunned. “Seen with their own eyes, as I said.”
Gu Yansheng chuckled and shook his head: “Seen with their own eyes means it’s true? Seen with their own eyes, can’t it be fake?
If you say it’s true, then I have a problem.
Please tell me, what is red?
The law stipulates that all people are prohibited from wearing red qipaos, so has the law stipulated what kind of color counts as red?
Half red and half green, is that red?
A little bit red, the rest all black, is that red?
Or simply, I lift my left hand, cut my palm with a knife, clench my fist and drip a drop of blood on a black qipao. Is this qipao black or red?
If one drop is not enough, I go crazy, lift my hand and smear a tube of blood on my black qipao. Is that red now?
Dark red, blackish red, multicolored orange-red, there are so many colors in the world. I dare to bet that the Public Works Bureau has absolutely not made a specific description of the red spectrum.
The Public Works Bureau issues a rule, only needing to add one line to the legal code, but if they want to stipulate the range of red, I’m afraid adding a ton of paper to the legal code wouldn’t be enough.
Now the Public Works Bureau’s definition is vague, this is their own negligence at work, and they want to arrest my client based on this. This is trampling on the rule of law.
The spirit of the rule of law, benefit of doubt to the defendant, what is not prohibited by law is permitted.
If this can count as a red qipao, then today if anyone wants to frame someone, for example, splashing a drop of red blood on the judge or on the Municipal Council director, should the two gentlemen be immediately arrested and sentenced to ten years imprisonment?
The police station arresting without verifying the regulation is procedural illegality. If the woman hires me as her lawyer, I think we can countersue the police station for wrongful detention of my client and demand an apology and compensation.
If still not satisfied, I think at that time in the courtroom, the suits worn by everyone present, the lawyer robes, even the judge’s robe on the bench, can’t they be considered a type of qipao?
Has the Public Works Bureau defined what a qipao is?
Don’t make it so that everyone in the entire courtroom gets arrested just for going out, that would become a laughingstock of the world.”
Wolf laughed heartily: “Gu, you are truly talented, with unique thinking.”
As a fabricated question, this answer has gone straight to the core.
Arresting one woman might not cause waves in society, but if the Public Works Bureau tramples on the rule of law itself, there will definitely be a group of legal scholars coming out to attack it en masse.
“Are you satisfied with this answer?” Gu Yansheng asked knowingly.
“Of course satisfied. Next, we can talk about the things we didn’t discuss earlier, your experience and the cases you’ve handled. I’m very interested.”
The experiences are all fabricated, so Gu Yansheng didn’t mind reciting these organization-arranged matters to him.
“Gu, I think you are qualified for the work here. No need for the third question.”
Wolf stood up, solemnly extended his hand, and smiled: “I acknowledge your ability. Personally, I very much welcome you to join Danwen Law Firm. Next, let’s talk about the compensation issue, hoping to satisfy everyone.”
The mission of getting in is solved, so Gu Yansheng wasn’t too concerned about the compensation issue.
He is here for short-term work, destined not to stay long, so quick battle and quick decision.
However, lowering his own worth would make him looked down upon. Not making money when there is money is foolish.
So Gu Yansheng reminded: “I hope the compensation can satisfy me. You know, I just arrived in Shanghai and need money.”
Wolf nodded, hesitated a bit. “Actually, for lawyers’ remuneration, we have clear regulations: base salary system, base salary of 100 silver dollars or equivalent US dollars. For the cases assigned to you by the firm, you can take 30% share, and for the cases you bring in yourself, you can take 50% share. The rest goes to the firm to maintain daily expenses. Can you accept this?”
“This…” Gu Yansheng didn’t answer immediately. Agreeing too quickly would make him seem cheap.
Wolf hesitated a bit, then immediately said: “There is also a partnership system. Partnership has no base salary, and you personally need to pay 100 silver dollars to the firm each month. If you want to hire an assistant, you have to pay for it yourself and cover his expenses. But you will have decision-making power. Whether to take the cases assigned by the firm or not, you can negotiate. All cases share up to 80%.”
“Originally, I wasn’t planning to give newcomers a choice, only the lawyer position, but Gu, I think you are worth giving more.” Wolf explained.
This price is about right.
Gu Yansheng is not a novice; getting paid to work is the right way.
The first kind is clearly exploited harshly by capital; the base salary is just a pittance, the share is the key to getting rich.
But for him, neither price is key. The important thing is not to be looked down upon; he is not here to be a material-moving errand boy. Freedom cannot be restricted.
“I’ll take the base salary system.” Gu Yansheng straightforwardly abandoned the option with more money prospects. No other reason, just because he is poor.
Wolf couldn’t quite understand Gu Yansheng’s choice, hesitated and frowned: “Do you have plans to interview elsewhere? No, Gu, you have to believe that I have indeed offered our maximum sincerity. This is a partner contract.”
Gu Yansheng smiled helplessly: “Mr. Wolf, you overthought it. I just arrived in Shanghai, pockets empty. If you can lend me 500 silver dollars, then I wouldn’t mind the partnership.”
“Just for this? You chose base salary just for this? 500 silver dollars? No problem.” Wolf’s jaw dropped in shock, then he silly laughed at his earlier thought. This was a fear of losing emotion; this was a talent, a young genius.
Wolf’s straightforwardness stunned Gu Yansheng; he swore it was just casual talk.
“From meeting you until now, it’s been less than an hour.” Gu Yansheng even laughed.
Wolf shook his head: “Gu, would you run away for a mere 500 silver dollars? If you run, you can never be a lawyer again. If 500 silver dollars can buy out your lawyer career, I think anyone who knows you would be willing to offer higher chips than this price.”
“I have to admit, Wolf, you are a very bold person.” Gu Yansheng nodded seriously in admiration.
“Gu, that’s because your ability matches my boldness.”
“Hahahaha.”
Business mutual praise.
“So can I start work? I can’t wait to make money.”
“Of course. First, let Miss Mery take you to familiarize with the environment, your office, business card. Oh, right, are you from the concession? If not, you still need to go to the concession to handle identity documents. Rest assured, with our law firm’s signboard, your process will go very smoothly… Of course, with Miss Mery’s accompaniment.”
Wolf’s last emotional intelligence remark made Miss Mery’s smile even brighter.
When going out, the interview buddies obviously learned from the front desk Miss Susan, a bit uneasy but also eager to try.
Seeing Miss Mery come out, they thought as usual she was calling someone.
Who knew——”Mr. Wolf has already found the person he wants. Today’s interview is over. Next time there is a need, we will notify everyone.”
Stunned!
Struck by lightning!
The interview buddies stared at Gu Yansheng, almost cursing him as a shameless scoundrel.
Especially the one ranked first earlier, full of hate!
Gu Yansheng smiled and nodded in greeting: “I still need an assistant. Since we met, it’s fate. If any of you are willing, when I come back, I can organize an interview. Time probably after dinner.”
He even wants to be their BOSS?
Shameless.
