Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 465 - 461: Master Tang and His Apprentice, a Sneaky Move?

Chapter 465: Chapter 461: Master Tang and His Apprentice, a Sneaky Move?

Saturday, day off.

At least in Zhang Wei’s original plan, Saturday was supposed to be a day off for him to prepare to deal with the class-action lawsuit.

But early in the morning, he received a call from Ni Qiuping.

"Old Ni, what’s up? Calling me on the weekend?"

"It’s because of your damn case, get your ass to the courthouse immediately, this instant!"

On the other end of the phone, Ni Qiuping was grinding her teeth with irritation.

Because, as a judge, she would expect to have a break during the big weekend too.

But because of Zhang Wei’s case, she had not slept well last night and had to come to the courthouse to deal with matters this morning.

Zhang Wei had no choice but to call Xia Qianyue, who had been staying at Zhang’s Martial Arts School these past few days, and set off for the city court.

Since Zhan Qingze was hospitalized, the dormitory at the martial arts school was vacant, which conveniently accommodated Xia Qianyue.

However, Zhang Wei thought since Xia Hanhan was his girlfriend, perhaps cohabiting could be an option, right?

Unfortunately, with the case at hand, Zhang Wei was too embarrassed to bring it up.

Once the case was over, he’d have to find a way to properly communicate his feelings with his "main girl."

Zhang Wei and his companion rushed to the city courthouse by subway.

Under the watchful gaze of the weekend on-duty court guard, they walked into the civil court judge’s office area and then entered Ni Qiuping’s office.

Ni Qiuping had already arrived before them, now sitting in her office with a particularly "friendly" look in her eyes.

"You little bastard, you’re here. Sit down for your dear mama, and if you dare to babble further, I’ll kick your ass so hard it’ll blossom!"

Zhang Wei was unaffected by Ni Qiuping’s "warm and friendly" greeting.

If Old Ni talks to you like that, it means she doesn’t treat you like an outsider.

"Old Ni, who is the other party?"

Ni Qiuping rolled her eyes. Didn’t you hear what I just said? Dare to babble one more word, and I really will kick you.

Nevertheless, she still said, "Hehe, who else could it be? The dog-faced strategist of the Fierce Tiger Hall."

"The dog-faced strategist, that Master Tang?"

"You’ve heard of him too?"

Zhang Wei and Xia Qianyue exchanged glances—it was the latter who had given a briefing just last night.

"Heard of him, but not familiar."

"This Master Tang, if I may say so, is much like you, equally shameless. He’s also a lawyer and acts as the Fierce Tiger Hall’s external agent."

Ni Qiuping seemed quite knowledgeable about Master Tang and started to enlighten Zhang Wei and company.

Through her introduction, Zhang Wei gained a preliminary understanding of Master Tang.

Since Fierce Tiger Hall was a gang, it was involved in a lot of litigation.

There were not only civil lawsuits but also criminal and even business lawsuits.

After all, Fierce Tiger Hall, as a large gang, naturally had many industries.

And gang industries involving some shady trades was a normal occurrence.

Legal procedures, tax documents, greasing palms to handle relationships, these were all matters that required a professional to help settle.

Moreover, when the underlings went out, made enemies, got into fights, they also faced litigation, and at that point, a lawyer was needed to manage the situation.

If the gang had a conflict with others and something happened, when the situation escalated and couldn’t be resolved by the rules of the underworld, legal means were needed to sort things out.

The Fierce Tiger Hall, to be honest, was a place that shunned the light of day, thus it couldn’t just use any outside lawyer to handle its matters.

Therefore, a gang would usually have a dedicated lawyer to settle these matters that were beyond their rough members’ comprehension.

Master Tang was such a person; he had handled many troubles for the Fierce Tiger Hall and was deeply trusted by Lord Tiger.

Of course, Master Tang was also a cunning and calculating man; he never personally took action, instead, he let the Fierce Tiger Hall’s people do the work while he himself avoided leaving any trails.

And as the Fierce Tiger Hall grew bigger, the workload became too much for Master Tang alone, leading him to train a group of disciples for the gang.

These disciples, at face value, were all lawyers, but they didn’t handle ordinary cases; they were exclusively lawyers for the Fierce Tiger Hall.

"Oh, isn’t this the gangland lawyer who specializes in smoothing things over?"

Zhang Wei mumbled, clearly understanding Master Tang’s role.

An image of someone cunning and deceitful, someone who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, flashed through his mind.

This person, he muses, must be very much like his former self.

No, that’s not right!

At least Master Tang didn’t hide who he was; he openly worked for Fierce Tiger Hall.

Whereas the former Zhang Qiansheng, for the sake of money, could work for many people, and for the sake of reputation, he could sanctimoniously do good deeds.

In comparison, perhaps Master Tang was a bit more pure.

Of course, it was a purity in the direction of being a bad person.

As Ni Qiuping was enlightening Zhang Wei, a series of footsteps sounded outside the office.

"The old fox is here!"

In fact, without Ni Qiuping’s warning, Zhang Wei could sense that the person outside the door was up to no good.

Even before stepping into the office, the temperature around him seemed to inexplicably drop several degrees, sending a chill through him.

"Judge Ni, you’re all here already, you’ve really come early," a cold voice said, followed by a man who was obviously adept at scheming, walking in slowly with his hands clasped behind his back.

Behind the elder, followed four or five men and women; although all dressed in suits, they carried an aura that Zhang Wei found disturbingly familiar.

"They’re all hypocrites!"

Although these people appeared to be lawyers, there was no sense of justice in their hearts—they were his former ilk.

"This must be Lawyer Zhang, indeed..."

Master Tang opened his squinted eyes, glanced at Zhang Wei, and then seemed surprised.

He had received news about Zhang Wei and knew that he had only recently obtained his practicing certificate, but he hadn’t expected his opponent in this round to be so young.

"Master Tang, I’ve heard much about you. My name is Zhang Wei!" Zhang Wei quickly greeted with a salute.

"And I have long heard of you, Lawyer Zhang!" Master Tang also saluted in return, exchanging a polite word.

The smile was all on the surface; there was no sincerity in it whatsoever. That was Master Tang’s smile.

And his disciples stood there expressionless, not even deigning to give Zhang Wei a proper glance.

"Lawyer Tang, what exactly is the purpose of initiating this pre-trial motion? Could you please explain quickly? It’s the weekend, and I would like to get some rest," Ni Qiuping interjected urgently, with a stern face.

"Oh, Judge Ni, you look well; haven’t seen you in a few days," Master Tang returned nonchalantly, showing no reverence toward Ni Qiuping. After all, despite both being in the circle, their real professions were vastly different.

"Since you put it that way, I won’t take up too much of everyone’s time," Master Tang said as he slowly took a seat opposite Zhang Wei and smiled, "The reason I initiated this motion is that I hope Judge Ni will dismiss the case against Dongxing Securities."

Zhang Wei stifly noted it was as he expected—Fierce Tiger Hall couldn’t sit still any longer and had sent someone to try to kill the case outright.

"Why?" Ni Qiuping promptly asked.

"Quite simple—the mastermind behind Dongxing Securities’ case has been identified. It’s Zhan Qingze, who is currently in the hospital. He’s a broker at Dongxing Securities and it’s because of his mistakes—or rather, his calculations, greed, ambition, and even madness—that he wiped out the investors’ 20 billion in funds. Therefore, I believe that until the public trial verdict against Zhan Qingze is out, there is absolutely no need to waste time on the civil suit initiated by Lawyer Zhang."

Master Tang said, looking at Zhang Wei, "Lawyer Zhang, I heard you are no longer defending Zhan Qingze as his attorney. It seems like you too believe he is guilty, right?"

Zhang Wei inwardly cursed—what a move!

Master Tang was certainly not an easy opponent; he was already smearing Zhang Wei.

What does he mean "I also believe Zhan Qingze is guilty", implying that’s why I gave up being his defense attorney.

I decided to sue the entire Dongxing Securities to prevent a conflict of interest, which is why I chose to terminate my employment agreement with Zhan Qingze.

"Master Tang, you are mistaken!"

Since the other party had spoken up, Zhang Wei naturally had to counter.

"In fact, whether it’s the Financial Bureau, the Investigation Division, or the prosecution team from Procuratorate Headquarters, no one has truly proven that Zhan Qingze is the mastermind responsible for misusing the 20 billion belonging to the investors. They are all still in the evidence-gathering stage."

"As long as Zhan Qingze hasn’t been officially identified as the perpetrator of this financial fraud case, he remains just a suspect—and a case can have multiple suspects."

Zhang Wei said, looking towards Master Tang, "Therefore, we believe that Dongxing Securities is the one who should be responsible for the investors’ loss of 20 billion in funds!"

"Isn’t Lawyer Zhang being a bit premature? Zhan Qingze is about to be convicted!"

"But as long as Zhan Qingze is not convicted, we can also provide evidence against other people, you know~"

"You want to question Dongxing Securities?"

"Shouldn’t Dongxing Securities be questioned?"

"This is not a small case, Lawyer Zhang. You don’t seriously think that you alone can defeat a securities company with assets close to a hundred billion, do you?"

"Master Tang really knows how to intimidate someone. But just because you can’t do it, doesn’t mean I can’t."

Zhang Wei said, smilingly looking towards Master Tang, "I think, Master Tang, you better prepare well."

"This time, the representative lawyer of Dongxing Securities should be you, Sir. As a junior, I should definitely learn a lot from my senior."

Seeing Zhang Wei was not at all afraid of him, Master Tang also found it amusing.

"Lawyer Zhang, you’re joking. Now is the time for you young people, this old man couldn’t possibly contend with you in court."

As he spoke, he moved his fingers, and a male lawyer behind him stepped forward.

"This is my best disciple, Sun Kongwen. Let him spar with you on this case. You’re all young people; it’s a good opportunity for you to exchange ideas."

"Master, although Lawyer Zhang has a good reputation, I don’t think it’s anything significant. I will definitely win this case!"

Sun Kongwen glanced at Zhang Wei and declared his position with an incredibly disdainful tone.

Young people are indeed very confident.

"Haha, you little rascal, don’t be too eager to show off."

However, Master Tang waved his hands at his best disciple and then looked at Zhang Wei with a sneer:

"It’s not certain whether this case will go to court or not. I heard that Zhan Qingze, although seriously injured, should be almost recovered after about ten days to half a month."

"Once he’s recovered, the Financial Bureau and Procuratorate certainly won’t be able to wait. They will definitely hold a public trial immediately. As long as his guilt is confirmed, Dongxing Securities won’t need to worry about this case."

Having finished speaking, Master Tang also gave Ni Qiuping a meaningful glance.

"This is true. If the case on the other side is finalized and the suspect’s guilt is confirmed, then our civil court case indeed has no need to proceed."

Ni Qiuping also nodded in agreement.

If it’s the same case, then it needs to be determined who is responsible for the shortfall of 20 billion. If it’s proved that Zhan Qingze is responsible, then one case cannot have two defendants, which would naturally make Dongxing Securities innocent.

"That’s why I say, our case really has no need to proceed, and just preparing for this case will take a significant amount of time. How can it be tried before Zhan Qingze recovers?"

Master Tang didn’t need to say more, because everyone understands the rationale.

There’s no need to continue with things that are meaningless.

But Zhang Wei was clearly also prepared.

"Judge Ni, although I will submit this document on Monday, since Master Tang brought it up, I might as well give it to you now."

He immediately took out a signed document from his briefcase.

"Judge Ni, this is a joint request from the victims of this case. They are all eagerly hoping that the municipal court can hold a trial as soon as possible to give them justice."

"Not only that, but the families of the victims are also eagerly hoping for a speedy conviction of the real culprit of this case, so that they can seek justice and receive compensation at the earliest. For many of them, their entire livelihood depends on that sum of money."

Zhang Wei said, opening the joint request document and displaying it in front of Ni Qiuping.

"In fact, there are many similarities between this case and Zhan Qingze’s public prosecution case. The investigative department under the Financial Bureau has already prepared some of the evidence for public viewing, so I believe that this case should go through an urgent trial, starting as soon as next Monday!"

"Judge Ni, about starting the trial next Monday, isn’t that timing a bit improper?"

Seeing Zhang Wei directly mention a date, Master Tang immediately objected.

His plan was to delay, at best for ten days to half a month, until Zhan Qingze recovered and faced a public trial, until he was convicted.

Once Zhan Qingze was convicted, there would be no need to continue with this case.

It would be a solution to the problem without spilling blood!

"Master Tang must be joking. You’re just a representative lawyer and you can’t make this decision."

Zhang Wei sneered, recalling, "I remember Qian Moli, the CEO, also said that they will actively cooperate with the Financial Bureau investigation to give the investors justice."

"Since the CEO made such a statement, I believe she also hopes to go to court as soon as possible to prove her and Dongxing Securities’ innocence, right?"

As he spoke, he looked towards Ni Qiuping, signaling her to make a decision.

"Judge Ni, I think the court date is too early. It’s not suitable, considering this is no small case and requires time for preparation."

"How much time do you think is needed?"

"Well... naturally, the more thoroughly prepared the better!"

Ni Qiuping chuckled.

You just hope this case doesn’t get started, right?

"Lawyer Tang, although I too don’t enjoy hearing cases every day and would like some rest, if I were lazy, that would be irresponsible to the public."

As Ni Qiuping spoke, she picked up a petition, "Have you seen this petition? There are over 200 signatures on it, which means that possibly a hundred families are waiting on this money urgently, I must be responsible for these many families!"

"But, Dongxing Securities and General Manager Qian are innocent..."

"Isn’t that even better, to give these families an explanation, my conscience can also be clear!"

Ni Qiuping said and then made a decision directly, "Decided, I will schedule the court date as soon as possible, if there’s nothing else, then it will be next Monday."

Upon hearing Ni Qiuping’s decision, Master Tang’s face changed.

Next Monday, that time is too soon.

It’s not that he was unprepared, but that this allowed Zhang Wei’s plan to succeed, which irritated him internally.

"Judge Ni, next Monday really is... It seems General Manager Qian Moli will be away at a meeting, won’t that be a conflict..."

"General Manager Qian doesn’t have any plans to be out recently, and I would know if she were to leave Dongfang Capital."

Zhang Wei spoke and took out another document from his briefcase, a schedule of events.

"This is a planned schedule from the administrative department of Dongxing Securities. According to this timetable, General Manager Qian is not only not busy on Monday but has nearly no appointments, and she can completely attend court!"

Zhang Wei said, smilingly looking towards Master Tang: "Master Tang, you said General Manager Qian has a meeting, but what kind of meeting is it that the administrative department knows nothing about?"

"This..."

Master Tang never expected that you, young man, would actually get your hands on Qian Moli’s itinerary.

"Judge Ni, since General Manager Qian is free next Monday, then that’s very good. As for her schedule afterward, I suggest that you kindly remind General Manager Qian on behalf of the court not to leave Dongfang Capital before the case is closed, otherwise, it might give the impression of fleeing the scene out of fear that the wrongdoings will be exposed, looking like an escape from crime, you know!"

"Alright, I understand."

Although annoyed by Zhang Wei’s commanding attitude, Ni Qiuping still nodded.

"Master Tang, then let’s meet on Monday!"

Seeing that his objectives had all been met, Zhang Wei promptly took his leave with Xia Qianyue and bode farewell to both Ni Qiuping and Master Tang, striding off.

"Clever boy, you’re indeed well-prepared!"

Master Tang also stood up, watching Zhang Wei’s departing figure with his eyes slightly squinted.

"Well then, Judge Ni, we’ll take our leave too!"

Master Tang and his group left the courtroom and went back to Fierce Tiger Hall to report.

Hearing that the civil case was going to open next Monday, Zhang Dihu was very annoyed.

That kid is too cocky, he needs a lesson!

That was Zhang Dihu’s exact words, but Master Tang was in a dilemma.

Zhang Wei was obviously not someone to be taken lightly, and this young man was smart too, not easily schemed against.

But since Lord Tiger had given the order, Master Tang had to carry it out even if he didn’t want to.

"Since this youngster is guarding against us, then let’s find some other means to disgust him, consider it a way for Lord Tiger to knock some sense into the kid!"

Master Tang grabbed the information his disciples had gathered and quickly started looking through it.

Suddenly, he had an idea.

"You’re representing the victims’ families, aren’t you? And you pride yourself on fighting for justice, right? Well, I’m going to tarnish your reputation!"

"Recently, you’ve been working on a minor case to qualify for civil proceedings, so, what if the defendant in that case suddenly dies? Wouldn’t people start thinking you might have had something to do with it?"

Master Tang called someone from Fierce Tiger Hall and began plotting.

It sounded like someone was going to be in trouble again.

Tonight, another sleepless night.