267 Court
As the door opened, the four of them walked to their seats from different directions. The others were already prepared in the gallery. Liu Ze and Zhou Xuan were still whispering to each other, waiting for the battle between the two sides to start.
Everything in the court was being broadcast live. Millions of people outside the court were paying attention to this lawsuit that could change everything. The final outcome involved many people.
As Cheng Yue slowly stood up on the field, he said in a powerful and majestic voice, “May I ask if the plaintiff and the defendant want to apply for leave?”
“There’s no need,” the two of them said in unison, as if they had already discussed it.
Seeing that the two of them were very straightforward in their answers, Cheng Yue did not delay any longer and spoke again. “The Tang Corporation’s firearms smuggling case is now officially in session. Next, let’s invite the plaintiff, Shan Yue’s lawyer, to state the facts of the case. During this period, please keep the venue quiet.”
“Your Honor, hello to all the members of the jury. I’m Xi Feng, the defense lawyer of the Shan Corporation.”
He held the information in his hand and calmly faced the public. “As the chairman of the Tang Corporation, Tang Li, has always been involved in firearms smuggling in private, our plaintiff, Shan Yue, discovered this crime by chance. The law of the Federal Center City clearly stipulates that those who smuggle firearms will be sentenced to three to seven years in prison if the situation is light. If the situation is serious, they will be sentenced to life imprisonment. Please refer to the severity of the situation.”
Cheng Yue looked at the movements below the stage and smiled. “May I ask if the plaintiff’s lawyer has finished his statement?”
“Yes, we’ve finished explaining the facts of the case.”
“Then let’s move on to the next segment.” Cheng Yue’s stern eyes observed the changes on both sides. “Please provide the witnesses and physical evidence of the case on behalf of the plaintiff. Tell the witnesses their rights and obligations, or declare the witnesses who have not arrived.”
Xi Feng’s expression was calm and natural. “Your Honor, we can only provide physical evidence of the incident. There are no witnesses to testify.”
Before Cheng Yue could speak, Ning Rong, who was beside Tang Li, spoke first. His tone was filled with disdain and ridicule. “Could it be that Lawyer Xi has really been blinded by your winning battle results? Or are you relying on your unreasonable conceit? Without a witness, you dare to take over this lawsuit with the evidence in your hand. Should I praise your confidence, or do you think you’ve won too much and want to lose to try what it feels like?”
Xi Feng had a smile on his face as he silently stared at Ning Rong in front of him. He did not say anything and waited quietly.
As expected, before Xi Feng could speak, Cheng Yue scolded loudly, “Lawyer Ning, you’re also an experienced lawyer. You should be very clear about the basic process of the lawsuit. Now is the time for the plaintiff to provide witnesses and evidence. It’s not time for the two sides to debate. Please pay attention to your words. Overly intense words won’t be good for your subsequent debate. You’re only here to defend the defendant, not to use this occasion to resolve personal grudges.”
At this moment, the smile on Xi Feng’s lips deepened. This was because he did not need to say anything in this situation. After all, Cheng Yue’s position today was not for show. Ning Rong had snatched his right to speak, so he naturally could not sit still and wait for death.
However, some were happy, while others were worried. After Ning Rong heard these words, the anger in his stomach was ignited in advance. He was instantly furious. In his eyes, Cheng Yue was only a judge after all. Just as Ning Rong was about to open his mouth to argue a few more words, Tang Li, who was beside him, grabbed his arm.
No matter what Cheng Yue said now, he did not reject Tang Xia’s request. The assistant’s final decision still depended on Cheng Yue’s decision, so Tang Li did not want to ruin the relationship between the Tang family and Cheng Yue.
She quietly leaned over to Ning Rong’s side. “We have to calm down. We can’t become enemies with Cheng Yue. The final punishment depends on his intentions.”
Under Tang Li’s persuasion, Ning Rong could only swallow his anger and raise his head slightly to Cheng Yue. “I understand, Your Honor.”