Chapter 370: Chapter 257: Court in Session!

May 13th.

Xu Liang’s pace began to slow down, leaving the people from the Mutual Aid Association, hiding in the corner per Chai Shiring’s orders to keep an eye on Xu Liang, at a loss.

They saw Xu Liang seemingly give up on the trial, doing nothing but eating and playing every day.

He even took a big guy to play in a newly opened internet cafe nearby!

In the Blue Shield Law Firm, Chai Shiring frowned and fell into deep thought.

...

May 15th.

The second trial was set for two days later, putting the case back in front of everyone.

Compared to before, the heat had somewhat declined.

This was Chai Shiring’s achievement. The other side no longer tried to deliberately guide public opinion but instead lowered it, so that people would no longer pay attention to this case!

As long as no one was paying attention, people like Feng Nan wouldn’t be cared for.

By then, the law firm and pharmaceutical companies could resort to more excessive means!

Xu Liang noticed, but didn’t care at all, as if he was genuinely letting things go.

...

May 16th.

On the eve of the trial.

Xu Liang once again ran into Zhao Yi at the hospital, who was arranging a transfer for his grandson.

The old man, though unsure why Xu Liang wanted him to transfer, knew, based on his understanding of Xu Liang, that there must be a reason rather than it being some idle joke. After hesitating for two days, he decisively transferred and left.

This greatly relieved Xu Liang.

Ah, the old man has grown up!

He doesn’t argue with him anymore...

Seeing Xu Liang in such high spirits, Zhao Yi rolled his eyes. Though he didn’t understand where Xu Liang’s confidence came from, he didn’t ask further; he completed the procedures and left.

That night, Xu Liang, along with Yang Ruoxi and Su Yu, began trial preparations.

When the evidence they had gathered was presented, both girls, Yang Ruoxi and Su Yu, had their mouths shaped as an ’O’, utterly shocked!

Until...

...

May 17th!

On the day of the trial!

"Damn, where’s Wang Hao? What the hell is this bastard doing now!?"

"Don’t know, seems like...he’s off praising Chai Shiring again; his recent articles have all been published, and the editor-in-chief is considering giving him a raise..."

"Damn it, aren’t his articles filled with personal bias? How can they still be published!?"

"No choice, the sales are high..."

In the Qingshi City Intermediate Court.

At this time.

The courtroom was filled with people eagerly waiting, breathing heavily on the listening benches, whispering among themselves.

Zhang Tao, a reporter from Langke Media, sat in the first row of the observation seats, his face extremely grim.

"Only care about sales, not the content of the reports!?"

Photographer Li Ye gritted his teeth and said.

Zhang Tao, although looking gloomy, was much more rational than Li Ye, and he said:

"No choice, we just have to bear it..."

Wang Hao has been in the limelight these past few days.

He fabricated articles about the case in Qingshi City targeting the defendant with subjective slander while elevating the plaintiff.

This strategy of elevating one and demoting the other perfectly met the needs for traffic, instantly attracting countless eyes!

Even the editor-in-chief, who used to dislike him for previous issues, was now inclined to promote him.

"Damn it, the oath of journalists has been devoured by this bastard!!!"

Li Ye cursed angrily.

Zhang Tao took a deep breath and didn’t rebut.

Journalists in these times were very courageous, not like those of future generations who used titles like "Shocking! 80-year-old man caught repeatedly..." willing to do anything for views.

But were real journalists!

Like the ones who once went undercover in black factories, or personally rescued kidnapped children, even those who reported from war zones abroad.

Committed to objectivity and truth, not producing fake news!

But unfortunately.....

As the two looked extremely upset, an arrogant figure suddenly sat beside them, catching their attention immediately.

Before they could speak, the person smugly started:

"Group Leader Zhang, look at this, an exclusive interview report with the plaintiff!"

"How about it? Should I add your name to the list of reporters?"

The newcomer was Wang Hao.

He was flaunting the recording and interview report in his hand, his face full of mockery, his eyes filled with arrogance.

Zhang Tao and Li Ye’s faces turned dark.

From the moment he arrived in Qingshi City, Wang Hao had been licking Chai Shiring and the pharmaceutical companies.

He even bypassed the case entirely, not mentioning a word, just purely boosting their fame, to the point where Chai Shiring, who had given up guiding public opinion, unprecedentedly gave an exclusive interview opportunity.

And this became his basis for showing off.

"Get lost."

Zhang Tao coldly reprimanded.

Wang Hao became even more smug.

Group Leader? Perhaps he could be too! Who said he lacked ability!? Just this month, he got a total of five reports published, with a large audience absolutely!

Continuing like this, coupled with his uncle’s connections...getting promoted to Deputy Group Leader by the end of the year would be quite reasonable!

Whenever he thought about how Zhang Tao used his position as group leader to suppress him in the past, Wang Hao couldn’t help but feel his heart burn.

They are both group leaders, why should the other side suppress him!?

Unfortunately, just as he was about to say something....

"Don’t force me to hit you in this place!"

Zhang Tao said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Hao’s face stiffened, and he glanced around at the dozens of people seated in the gallery.

If a fight broke out... it would probably become the next breaking news immediately!

Fortunately, a voice came through from speakers all around.

"The presiding judge, please enter the courtroom."

Wang Hao seemed to find a way out, quickly turned his head, and said disdainfully, "I’m not going to stoop to your level!"

Zhang Tao and Li Ye didn’t care at all as they kept their eyes fixed on the judges’ bench.

Before long, the main door of the courtroom was slowly pushed open.

Several men in judge’s robes walked in.

It was none other than the three people led by Zhao Jiaqi who presided over the last trial!

They took their seats slowly, with a hint of concern in their eyes.

On the judges’ bench.

"There are only five minutes left until the session starts..."

Zhao Jiaqi felt a sinking in his heart, glancing at the gallery, his brow filled with worry.

After the first trial ended, the tribunal conducted an in-depth review of the arguments presented by both sides.

First, there was the mutual accusation of bribery between the two sides.

After investigation, Zhao Jiaqi felt... these two sides might be trying to pin the blame on each other!

Once this was confirmed, the tribunal decided not to acknowledge the bribery issue, and instead shifted their focus to investigating the points of contention.

’Emergency dodge’ ’Endangering public safety’ ’Counterfeit drugs’...

Each of these issues could individually be discussed for three days and nights!

And the final outcome was....

"In favor of the plaintiff, and for the defendant’s patients, the charity can provide help, but for the plaintiff, if the pharmaceutical supply chain is cut off... even money can’t buy life!"

Zhao Jiaqi thought truthfully in his mind and then sighed.

Indeed, the tribunal’s conclusion was in favor of the plaintiff!

There was no choice, as cases like this are double-edged swords no matter how you rule; you can only declare towards the direction of least impact.

If you rule against the plaintiff, what is the result?

The result is, generic drugs will continue to appear. Over seventy members of the Mutual Aid Association might stabilize their conditions in the short term, but the cost might lead to the proliferation of generic drugs.

Additionally, the original pharmaceutical factory for Imatinib might give up on the Lanshan Province market, and even affect other foreign pharmaceutical companies’ attitudes towards market expansion!

And once generic drugs become rampant, counterfeit drugs will inevitably follow suit, and it’s only normal for a few people to die from taking them.

So the tribunal intends to favor the plaintiff, but upon further consideration, still feels...

"Let’s look at the defendant’s side, after all, there’s the matter of public opinion, and their demands still need to be addressed."

The judge beside Zhao Jiaqi on the bench said softly.

Hearing this.

Zhao Jiaqi nodded, as his personal inclination was also in favor of this point.

Then, he checked the time and without hesitation, leaned in closer to the microphone and said heavily:

"Now announcing, both parties are to enter the courtroom to await trial!"

The voice flowed through the speakers into the two waiting rooms.

All the reporters simultaneously stopped and began to watch the courtroom proceedings seriously and solemnly.

Before long.

The doors on both sides were slowly pushed open.

"Squeak~"

Several figures appeared before everyone, it was the defendants Xu Liang, Feng Nan, Yang Ruoxi, Su Yu, among others!

As they entered.

Xu Liang glanced over numerous cameras, then turned his head towards the plaintiff’s side.

Chai Shiring also coincidentally turned his head, and the two sides briefly met eyes, after which Chai Shiring averted his gaze, sitting expressionless at the plaintiff’s bench.

Xu Liang withdrew his gaze and slowly seated himself at the defendant’s bench.

The presiding judge Zhao Jiaqi exchanged glances with others and then spoke solemnly:

"Both parties, may I know if all personnel are present?"

Xu Liang said, "Your honor, all of my side’s personnel are present."

Sha Jin turned slightly and replied, "All my side’s personnel are present at the scene."

After confirming that no one was missing.

Zhao Jiaqi nodded, glancing at everyone in the gallery, and spoke slowly:

"The case of ’Tianshan District’s Tianshan Hospital Drug Smuggling’ held its first trial on May 2nd in Qingshi City according to the law."

"During the trial, both parties engaged in in-depth arguments over the points of contention, ’the characterization of smuggled drugs,’ ’the application of laws,’ etc. Due to verification of clues, the case recessed for reorganization according to the law on May 2nd."

"On May 17th, today, the second trial of this case is being held according to the law."

"Now announcing..."

Saying this, Zhao Jiaqi paused, picked up the gavel beside him, and struck it hard.

"Recess is over."

"This case..."

"Court is now in session!"

At the moment he finished speaking.

Everyone’s spirits jolted, knowing that from this moment, the case has once again entered the trial process!

Zhao Jiaqi turned his head to look at Chai Shiring at the plaintiff’s bench, and said in a deep voice:

"Plaintiff, in regard to the points of contention from the first trial before the recess, do you wish to make a rebuttal?"

Upon hearing this, Chai Shiring smiled, stood up, and spoke respectfully:

"We wish to make a counter-argument!"

Zhao Jiaqi nodded, not inquiring further, just waiting for the other party to speak.

Chai Shiring took a deep breath and said:

"Honorable judge, the first point is regarding whether the other party engaged in smuggling and selling..."

"During the recess, we visited some victims of the Mutual Aid Association, and finally obtained a..."

"counter-argument letter jointly signed by 17 people!"

"Namely...the defendant was not non-profit, but profited with a price of nine thousand per bottle, earning a gross profit of six thousand!!!"