Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 343 - 341 Zhang Wei’s Sophistry, The Final Witness!

Chapter 343: Chapter 341 Zhang Wei’s Sophistry, The Final Witness!

Checkmate!

Lan Zhengye believed his move was a checkmate.

He didn’t bother with Qian Zhisui’s own testimony, nor with his grudge against Chen Xianfeng.

He merely pointed out one thing, the starting point of Qian Zhisui’s illegal actions, which is the purpose.

Since you say that you did it for the millions of Parkinson’s disease sufferers around the world, shouldn’t you have made the information public the moment you obtained the data?

But you didn’t, why?

Isn’t it because in your heart, you thought of overcoming Parkinson’s disease, of becoming famous and celebrated?

Dare you say you didn’t?

Lan Zhengye was in luck.

Qian Zhisui did not deny this and even fell into his trap!

"I... this... I..." When asked like this, Qian Zhisui was at a loss for words.

"Doctor Qian, back to the same question, why did you have to choose the Northern Laboratory, just because they didn’t care about patents and were able to provide funding?"

"Then why not other laboratories in the Southern region? Even with the issue of Pioneer Medical Technology, considering the Parkinson’s disease sufferers worldwide, there must be laboratories interested in your research, right?"

"Did you think that making a significant contribution in the field of this terminal illness would bring you immense fame, make your name known to everyone in the scientific and medical communities, and immortalize you in history, bringing honor to your ancestors?"

Lan Zhengye walked up to Qian Zhisui and demanded coldly, "Doctor Qian, dare you say you didn’t have such thoughts?"

"I..."

"Doctor Qian, yes or no, just answer me simply!"

"I..."

Qian Zhisui was rendered speechless, looking around, even casting a pleading glance at Zhang Wei and Wang Yali.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t help him.

Now, he was the one being interrogated, not the two of them.

"Witness, please answer the question!"

Old Chen added fuel to the fire, issuing an immediate warning.

"I... I actually did have that kind of thought, but..."

"Isn’t that settled then!"

The moment Qian Zhisui loosened up, Lan Zhengye found his chance and sneered.

"Alright, my questioning is over, and I believe everyone present understands the character of Doctor Qian now!"

He didn’t give Qian Zhisui any chance to defend himself, opting for a quick attack, concluding the questioning.

Qian Zhisui’s mouth was agape, he had more to say, but was unable to utter a word.

His court experience was too shallow; a slight use of tactics by Lan Zhengye had him completely under control.

So much so, that now he looked as aggrieved and pitiful as a child whose toy had been snatched away...

Qian Zhisui turned his pleading eyes toward Zhang Wei, almost on the brink of tears.

"Hey, you big man, why are you so psychologically fragile?"

Seeing this, Zhang Wei was also helpless.

But after all, the opposition was his client; he couldn’t just stand by and watch, could he?

"Judge Chen, the defense requests additional questioning!"

"Alright..." Old Chen thought for a moment and agreed.

Zhang Wei approached the bench again and gave Lan Zhengye a rather peculiar look.

You’re playing tricks, why have you been learning from me lately?

Lan Zhengye returned a glance to Zhang Wei.

This is called using the barbarians’ techniques to control the barbarians!

Zhang Wei returned to the courtroom.

"Doctor Qian, seeing as you are so worn out, I won’t waste everyone’s time and will just ask you a few simple questions!"

"May I ask, how significant is Parkinson’s disease worldwide? How many patients are there in our country? How many people die globally each year? What measures are taken internationally for Parkinson’s disease? You’re clear about all these, right?"

Light dawned on Qian Zhisui’s face upon hearing Zhang Wei’s questions.

He was all too familiar with these questions.

"Cough cough, PD has always been an international challenge and a true terminal illness. Currently, there are no completely curative solutions. The scientific and medical communities’ current approaches are to use medications to delay the onset of symptoms, aiming to alleviate the patients’ suffering."

Qian Zhisui said, turning toward the jury box, "At present, there are over 10 million people around the world with Parkinson’s disease, and just Dragon Country has over 3 million. Every year, there are about 200,000 to 300,000 people who die from Parkinson’s."

"It can be said that curing Parkinson’s disease is a major challenge for the scientific and genetic communities, and countless people around the world are eagerly awaiting a solution to this problem."

"Mhm, countless people eagerly await indeed, so solving this problem would bring great fame and fortune, wouldn’t it?"

"It should..."

Zhang Wei nodded and continued, "Then I want to ask, Doctor Qian, are you an ordinary person?"

"I definitely am."

Qian Zhisui glanced at Zhang Wei, what kind of question is that from you?

"Well, there you have it, you’re just an ordinary person!"

Zhang Wei, however, smiled lightly, "In my view, everyone has their own selfish desires, aspires to become famous overnight, to earn a vast amount of money, to gain endless fame, and even to climb to the top of society. These are all human ambitions and the goals for which we strive!"

"My client, Doctor Qian, devoted a full six years of his life to curing Parkinson’s disease, tirelessly researching day and night, all for the sake of cracking this century-long problem."

"So what if he pursued a bit of fame and wealth along the way?"

Zhang Wei spread his hands and asked with a peculiar expression, "He wants his name to be celebrated by the world alongside a certain physicist who discovered the three laws of mechanics, and a certain inventor known for sticking out his tongue. What’s wrong with that?"

"Haven’t any of you ever had such dreams as a child, and my client is simply holding on to his childhood dreams. Why do you look at him as if he’s a bad person?"

"What’s wrong with holding on to a childhood dream?"

Caught off guard by Zhang Wei’s question, everyone, including Lan Zhengye, was dumbfounded.

Could this really be an excuse?

"Is... is there a connection between these two things?"

Lan Zhengye glanced at Lu Wenwen beside him, who was also looking confused.

They felt as if they had been led astray by someone’s argument.

If even the high procurators had been drawn in by the argument, then the jury naturally couldn’t withstand Zhang Wei’s "sophistry."

Quite a few people actually began to ponder.

If Qian Zhisui held on for a bit, what was so wrong with that? All he wanted was to make a name for himself, but wasn’t his starting point also to solve Parkinson’s disease?

When put that way, it seemed they could understand him again.

Zhang Wei’s sophistry had taken effect, at least reversing some people’s thoughts.

"Doctor Qian, let me ask further, if you took research materials and data out, then why did you choose the Northern Laboratory?"

"Because they had enough research funding," Qian Zhisui replied.

"Can we then say that it is necessary to have sufficient funds to support the continuation of your research?"

"Certainly, any research requires financial support; just having vengeance and ideals is not enough."

"So when Lan Gaojian mentioned other laboratories earlier, even if they wanted to support your work, they couldn’t offer substantial financial backing, hence you didn’t consider them, right?"

"Yes."

Qian Zhisui hurriedly nodded, explaining, "I’ve put my heart and soul into this project for six full years, naturally, I wouldn’t want the project to fall through in its later stages due to financial and resource issues, and end up with nothing."

"So when I evaluated these laboratories, I not only considered their scientific research capabilities but also whether they had sufficient resources to support the advancement of this research."

"Oh, I see now!"

Zhang Wei nodded, summarizing, "So you considered the Northern Laboratory because you thought they were the only ones capable of meeting the requirements to continue researching the solution for PD genetics because they not only had ample funding but also solid research capacities. Other interested labs couldn’t fulfill both conditions for your project?"

"Yes."

"So you considered them, also for the sake of completing the project, and also with the welfare of over 10 million Parkinson’s patients worldwide in mind?"

"Yes."

"Who would’ve thought, Doctor Qian, you’re such a considerate person, I thank you on behalf of all those patients around the world!"

"Uh..."

Qian Zhisui thought that while your question sounds pretty good, the last part... maybe there’s something slightly off about it.

However, overall, Zhang Wei’s supplementary questioning did make a good impact.

At least many in the courtroom also felt that Qian Zhisui’s thorough considerations were truly for the sake of the patients.

Why he would go to the Northern Laboratory actually involved multiple considerations!

"Objection!"

Detecting the shift in the courtroom’s atmosphere, Lan Zhengye could no longer sit still and immediately protested.

"Objection sustained!"

Old Chen glanced at Zhang Wei and warned, "Lawyer Zhang, are you sure your last statement wasn’t a jest? The patients worldwide don’t need you to speak on their behalf!"

"My apologies, Judge Chen, I got a bit carried away. But I have finished my questioning," Zhang Wei quickly apologized and returned to the defense bench.

On the prosecution bench, Lan Zhengye sat down, with no intention to add further questions.

"The defendant, you may step down!" Old Chen waved his hand, dismissing Qian Zhisui.

The latter returned to the defense bench looking stunned, his expression instantly tensing up.

The entire courtroom felt the same tension.

Because the defense’s self-testimony had ended, what remained were the final statements from each side.

"Finally, the last moment has arrived!"

On the judge’s bench, Old Chen also let out a sigh. Was it finally time to determine the outcome?

The closing arguments from both sides!

Whether it was Lan Zhengye or Zhang Wei, both were eloquent speakers. Their closing arguments were very compelling.

And now, with some aspects of the case still unclear, the final moment would be decisive.

Thinking this, Old Chen was about to raise the gavel to announce the final phase of the trial.

"Hold on, Old Chen!"

But suddenly, a voice interrupted his raised hand.

"What’s going on with you, kid?" Old Chen couldn’t hold back any longer and immediately questioned the person who interrupted.

Zhang Wei raised his hand and stood up, and in an instant all eyes in the court focused on him.

"Judge Chen, I still have a witness to summon!"

"Huh?" Old Chen was puzzled.

Another witness?

The rest of the courtroom also looked at each other in disbelief.

You still have a witness? Who else could there be?

Sitting in the prosecutor’s witness stand, Chen Xianfeng quickly pulled over his son-in-law and asked in a cold voice, "That woman, are you sure you sent her out of the country?"

"Father-in-law, rest assured, my people have definitely completed the task; that woman really left the country. I even have the photos of them boarding the plane and the plane taking off!"

The son-in-law hurriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead and even showed the photos on his phone.

Seeing the photos, Chen Xianfeng finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked towards Zhang Wei.

The most threatening woman has left; what witness do you have up your sleeve, kid?

Could it be you want to summon someone else from my company? They all are my loyal subordinates, there’s no way they would betray me!

You’re definitely out of moves now, kid!

Not just Chen Xianfeng, many people also believed that Zhang Wei was in fact trying to delay time, to put off the final verdict.

It’s a common tactic for the defense—they always like to drag it out, hoping to make it last till the end of the day. Wouldn’t that gain them one more day?

"Objection!"

Faced with the defense’s maneuvers, naturally, someone from the prosecution couldn’t hold back.

Lan Zhengye and Lu Wenwen both stood up at the same time.

Those two really have some sort of tacit understanding.

"One of you standing is enough, no need for both, right?"

Old Chen waved his hand, attempting to pacify the situation.

Then he gestured with his hand to both the prosecution’s stand and the defense’s stand at the same time.

Zhang Wei and Lan Zhengye both stepped forward.

"Lawyer Zhang, what’s the situation? There shouldn’t be anyone left on your public witness list, right?"

"Old Chen, let’s not beat around the bush, I have one last witness!"

Zhang Wei looked at Old Chen, his expression becoming extremely grave.

And just as Lan Zhengye was about to speak, Zhang Wei cut in first, "I know Lan Gaojian is going to bring up the public notification system to make his point, but I can’t help it, because this witness is somewhat special and couldn’t be added to the defense’s witness list even if I wanted to!"

"Oh, how special?" Old Chen immediately showed interest.

Zhang Wei nodded towards the prosecution’s stand.

"Damn it, kid..." Old Chen instantly became uneasy.

You’re messing around again, aren’t you?

"Judge Chen, I haven’t even spoken yet, could you—"

"Lan Gaojian, hold your tongue, I need a moment!"

Lan Zhengye was just about to say something, but he was interrupted by Old Chen too.

Lan Zhengye was inwardly bitter. It was one thing to be interrupted by Zhang Wei, but now not even Old Chen was giving him face.

I’m the Prosecutor General!

However, at this moment, Judge Chen was experiencing some difficulty, because it was apparent Zhang Wei was about to pull some clever trick again.

"Lawyer Zhang, how crucial is this witness..."

Judge Chen was worried, catching onto this, Zhang Wei immediately straightened his expression and said gravely, "This witness can directly influence the outcome of this case; her testimony is crucial!"

Zhang Wei tensed his face, and Judge Chen followed suit.

Lan Zhengye, pushed to the side by the other two, was forced to tense his face too.

The three of them faced each other, expressionless.

In the end, it was Old Chen who couldn’t hold out and compromised.

"Alright then, this is the last witness. If you can’t prove anything, don’t blame me!"

"Thanks, Old Chen!"

"Hmm?"

"Ahem, thank you, Judge Chen!"

Zhang Wei hurriedly corrected himself, knowing that everyone was aware it was Old Chen, but not daring to call him that in court.

"Ahem, after deliberation, the court has decided to give the defense the opportunity to call their final witness!"

Judge Chen announced with a strike of the gavel, then signaled that Zhang Wei could begin.

"The defense requests to call the witness, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe from the Procuratorate Headquarters Major Crimes Division, to testify in court!"

As soon as Zhang Wei spoke, the entire courtroom was shocked.

Countless gazes converged on the prosecution’s stand.

Well, well, well!

What a character!

Zhang Wei’s slick moves have once again gone through the roof!

Summoning just anyone wouldn’t do, he went straight for his opponent, and it’s Xiao Baihe no less.

"Holy shit!"

In the audience, Zhao Chunming and Guo Wufeng couldn’t stay seated, both of them stood up abruptly.

"Holy shit!"

Next to them, Tie Ruyun also couldn’t stay put, exclaiming in shock as he too stood up straight.

Every newcomer they had brought with them was completely dumbfounded, jaws dropped to the floor.

They never would have imagined that something like a defense attorney summoning a prosecutor to testify in court could really happen.

Right before their eyes, Zhang Wei summoned Xiao Baihe.

How many times could you witness something like this in a hundred, even a thousand trials? Probably not even once, right?

Bizarre!

Mind-blowing!

Such an astonishing move!

Only Zhang Wei could pull something like this off.

The audience was utterly shocked by Zhang Wei’s slick maneuver.

But the most shocked of all had to be the prosecution’s bench.

"This guy really has the guts!" Lan Zhengye turned his head.

"This, this is just... I’m speechless!" Lu Wenwen turned her head.

"Ying Ying, how did you get summoned too?" Tan Yingying felt a sense of commiseration towards Xiao Baihe all of a sudden.

Of course, Xiao Baihe was also taken aback.

She hadn’t expected Zhang Wei to summon her.

"Old Xiao ah, stop dawdling, hurry up and get over here!"

On the other end, Zhang Wei was already waving and calling her over.

A vein on the beautiful forehead of Xiao Baihe seemed to pop.

So annoying!

Can’t you stop calling me Old Xiao? I have a name, it’s Xiao Baihe.

Although Xiao Baihe was irritated, she still took her seat in the witness stand.

She thought to herself, if it were not for the sake of justice, she would never have agreed to this absurd summoning!

"Hello there, Old Xiao!"

"Lawyer Zhang, please refer to me as Prosecutor Xiao!"

Xiao Baihe felt it was necessary to emphasize the importance of addressing her correctly.

"Okay Old Xiao, got it Old Xiao!" Zhang Wei said with a slight smile, indicating he understood.

All right, Xiao Baihe gave up.

Do whatever you want, I’ll just answer your questions; I won’t bother with anything else.

I can’t be bothered to deal with idiots!

Seeing Xiao Baihe look at him like he was a moron, Zhang Wei just chuckled.

"Ahem, Old Xiao, remember the meal we shared over the weekend?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole room was in uproar.

What a story!

You mean to tell me a prosecutor and a defense attorney can be fraternizing together?

"Objection, objection, they are colluding!" Chen Xianfeng was the first one who couldn’t stay seated, immediately expressing his protest.

"Sorry, Chairman Chen, your protest is invalid!"

Zhang Wei chuckled, "Old Xiao and I go way back, and she’s not the prosecutor in charge of this case, merely an assistant responsible for routine paperwork, not involved in the case proceedings."

"Moreover, Old Xiao and I didn’t have any private contact. When we ate together, there were people from the investigation department watching over us!"

The person keeping watch was naturally Xia Qianyue.

This was why Zhang Wei had arranged to meet with Xiao Baihe and insisted on bringing Xia Qianyue along.

A meeting between two people could be considered private, but not if there was a third person present.

What other identity does Xia Qianyue have?

She’s from the heavy case squad of the investigation department.

So with someone from the heavy case squad present, the interaction between Zhang Wei and Xiao Baihe wasn’t private anymore.

"Chairman Chen, if you have any objections to my contact with Old Xiao, you are more than welcome to make a complaint to the relevant authorities. But I suppose after today, you’ll have more pressing concerns of your own!"

Zhang Wei said, his face revealing a hint of coldness.

And suddenly, Chen Xianfeng felt the pressure.