What's wrong with this lawyer?!

Chapter 71: Chapter 59: Which is More Important, Face or Life? (Vote on Monday)

The staff member behind the counter scrutinized the invoice before him, his expression growing increasingly serious by the moment.

"The man on the other side made it very clear, lots of issues arise from pondering too much. Once you start to wonder, you realize how easily certain situations align with a specific law."

"Comrade, you're certain this invoice was issued by the Lawyers Association, right? I need to remind you that..."

However, before the staff member could finish, the man outside smiled and said, "Forgery is against the law, and reporting a forgery under one's real name is even more so. This is indeed issued by the Lawyers Association; there are no issues, and you're welcome to investigate as much as you like."

"There was quite a crowd at the Lawyers Association's training class this session. You all can go and ask around, and if I'm not mistaken, the second session of their training class should be starting soon. You can check it out then."

There were so many trainee lawyers, so the Association had to run sessions one by one. Once you sign up, just wait in line. They say one year of internship is enough, but if you're unlucky and end up waiting a long time, you might find yourself interning for over a year or even two...

The staff member nodded; he did not doubt the authenticity of the invoice—a professional tax employee would have that much discernment.

It was mainly because he found it a bit unbelievable. What kind of place was the Lawyers Association? It was an industry self-disciplinary organization comprising some of the most formidable lawyers.

You say they don't understand the law?

Shaking his head to rid himself of these thoughts, he then said, "Comrade, we have now received your materials. If a case is filed, we will notify you promptly."

Tang Fangjing nodded and turned to leave, knowing that it would take time for the tax investigation.

In both his past and present life, the Lawyers Association remained the same. Perhaps in the eyes of the common people, the law is sacred, but to some lawyers, the law is merely a tool.

And even if he, Tang Fangjing, had to go to great lengths, he must follow the rules, so he could only use such methods to bring those old fossils down.

Where there are people, there is a society. If the director of this law firm becomes a leader of the Lawyers Association, wouldn't law firms that have grievances with this firm be ill-treated?

Discretionary power is extremely subjective. If a party complains about the poor attitude of a lawyer, the influential ones are said to have no evidence against them.

For the less influential, the complaint is upheld, and direct disciplinary measures are taken. This is the embodiment of power.

Shaking his head to avoid dwelling on these matters, he was now only waiting. If the Lawyers Association passed his assessment, then he wouldn't worry about what followed and focus solely on completing his mission. The matter of change could be addressed more slowly in the future.

If those people were serious, then he would become relentless, stirring up a bigger issue, starting by bringing down the old guard, and at the very least, getting the newcomers to issue his certificate.

Without a lawyer's practicing license, there were many things one simply couldn't do.

He rode his electric bike back to Tengda Law Firm. As soon as he entered the building, Old Song spoke up, "You're back. Just to let you know, they've started working on that matter, but who knows what the outcome will be."

"Do your best, and let destiny do the rest. We still need to be prepared for both outcomes," Tang Fangjing replied with a smile.

After all, it was an undeniable fact that the Lawyers Association was evading taxes. As a good citizen, what's wrong with reporting tax evasion? No problem at all. The tax department would even reward me for it. Could the Lawyers Association dare say there is a problem?

Of course, getting the certificate as soon as possible was the priority, so Old Tang also employed other means.

Although he now had a system and didn't want to compromise, the society of Jianghu eventually boiled down to interpersonal relationships—his only wish was not to bend the knee.

It was at this moment, within the office of the Jingzhou City Lawyers Association, that the staff kept hearing bursts of argumentative voices.

"I'm just curious, to what extent do you plan to keep denying him approval? What are you thinking? Do you know he has late-stage cancer? Do you think he can only solve problems with the law?" a younger lawyer was saying.

He was the deputy head of the business department of the Lawyers Association, named Cheng Runshan. Compared to the old-timers, he was considered part of the younger faction within the Lawyers Association.

Cheng Runshan thought these fossils had rocks for brains. What good would it do to make life difficult for a young lawyer? Just for that laughable thing called face?

The Lawyers Association is said to be the lawyer's maternal home, yet this 'maternal home' is especially eager only when collecting annual fees. At other times, it's particularly inactive.

It's led to many lawyers joking that this 'maternal home' acts more like a wicked stepmother.

Han Chengli remained silent, and another person spoke up, "He's in the late stages of cancer, but that doesn't mean..."

Cheng Runshan was so irked he laughed, "Doesn't mean what? Didn't they give you face? Attended the training session every single day without fail, faced the interview and assessment challenges without a word of complaint, what more do you want from him?"

"Besides, he might not live for several more years, and you still want to extend his internship."

"That's not a small matter. If it were me, I'd have thought about brandishing a knife during your difficult interviews and assessments. I don't know what he thinks every day, assuming he's just an ordinary young man?"

He felt that Tang Fangjing had already shown tremendous restraint; if it were him, his life almost over, why would he care about these trivialities? Anybody who doesn't make things easy for me, I'd make sure they don't have it easy either!

The physical kind.

Yin Deyuan was still in the hospital, actually all right by now, but he didn't want to come out. This time he had truly lost face in a big way.

There were examiners and staff from the judiciary office present after all. Although everyone was on good terms, for someone who's a big shot in the industry to be debated down by an intern lawyer like that, he was completely humiliated.

There truly is a difference between places. In his past life, Old Tang had been a big shot in the Magic City Lawyers Association.

Han Chengli wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to express it. He hadn't thought about this issue before, but after the other party put it like that, it seemed... it seemed indeed dangerous.

The profession of a lawyer, which relies heavily on speaking, fears nothing more than a rash person.

One of the "Five Courts and Four Departments," the Politics and Law University had a dispute with the local villagers many years ago, and they were at a loss in the face of the hoe-wielding villagers.

You talk about the law, they also talk about the law, only that you're talking about statutory law while they talk about simple natural law.

If you won't let me live well, then I certainly can't let you live well either. This is the most basic idea of natural law, and even if statutory law is strict, it can't fully constrain it.

Everyone looked at each other, and as the timing felt right, Cheng Runshan softened his tone quite a bit and said, "Everyone, think it over carefully. What's more important, the face of the Lawyers Association or everyone's life?"

Anyway, Yin Deyuan was the president, and it was he who had lost face. It was just right given his absence now.

The big meeting at Merit Forest back in the day highlighted one principle; whoever wasn't present got blamed the most.

After hesitating for a long while, Han Chengli finally spoke up, "Just pass him."

The president's face certainly wasn't as important as his own life.

The other vice-presidents didn't speak. Even Han Chengli, who was the staunchest supporter, had given in. There was nothing left for others to say.

That's how informal interviews can be: some are full of challenges, others are just a chat with the examiners, that's the nature of the profession.

Cheng Runshan took a sip of water to moisten his throat; today's outburst was somewhat difficult.

There are many people with late-stage cancer, but not many willing to fight to the death. Life is actually the most valuable thing.

He dialed a number, and soon Cheng Runshan said, "Old Song, there's no problem here, it was quite easy. The older they get, the more they value their lives. You owe me a meal!"

"No problem, it's all small stuff."

At Tengda Law Firm, Old Song hung up and said, "It's settled, but I need to clarify, if anything comes up later, we need to support Old Cheng."

The legal world isn't about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships. Even with the system, Tang Fangjing doesn't have to go all out. The Lawyers Association is vast, not a monolith.

Tang Fangjing nodded, his expression slightly odd, "Old Song, something is bound to happen later, but I think you're more suitable than that Old Cheng. In any case, it's all up to you."

What? What did he mean something was bound to happen? Old Song was bewildered and wanted to ask more, but Tang Fangjing had already left.

This guy was mysterious and secretive. Old Song shook his head and went back to his busy work. For years as an old hand in the business, he might not build relationships with big names, but he knew some people from the lower ranks.