Chapter 345: Chapter 238: Chairman of Superstar Group!

Qingshi City is the provincial capital, and the Intermediate People’s Court is exceedingly grand. A large sum of money was spent before its construction, and its scale makes one instinctively think it’s a High Court.

At this moment.

May 2nd, eleven o’clock in the morning.

Numerous figures are gathered at the entrance of the court.

"How much longer until the trial starts!?"

"Two and a half hours, the trial starts at half past one in the afternoon. I guess this case won’t be over in just a few hours!"

"Have all the parties involved in the case arrived? Why don’t I see anyone here yet..."

"Hehe, the defendant probably doesn’t dare to come. Caught smuggling counterfeit drugs on the spot by the police, and even causing deaths... I don’t know what they’re thinking, defending such a person..."

"Shh, say a little less. The case hasn’t been defined yet, the defendant is not considered guilty..."

"..."

In front of the court entrance.

A continuous clamor of noise arises, and upon looking, it’s mostly reporters in suits.

Some are men, some are women, most of them have standard appearances, but their hearts are entirely different!

In the crowd, a young reporter is eagerly saying to those around him:

"Why can’t we talk just because the court hasn’t declared a verdict!?"

"Isn’t smuggling highly dangerous counterfeit drugs a fact? This has already been announced by customs and the police!"

Wang Hao looks at his peers around, speaking impatiently.

"Even if the court rules not guilty, would these drugs become legal!?"

"Defending a bunch of smugglers... and it’s counterfeit drugs!"

"As for the previous reputation... hehe, who knows what they were thinking while working before, maybe they just wanted to build a reputation for themselves! Now for money, isn’t the true self exposed?"

Hearing this, some of the surrounding reporters nod, while others frown slightly, but more of them agree.

Who is Wang Hao talking about?

Naturally, it’s Xu Liang!

The law profession is like this, no matter how good your prior reputation was or how capable you are.

Anyway, as long as you take on a defense case that is superficially and subjectively seen as guilty, you immediately get labeled as a lackey, money-grubber, or heartless, instantly becoming a scum!

Even if you don’t get paid, it’s the same.

Countless lawyers who took on legal aid, forcibly defending executioners, have gone through this!

It’s just...

"Isn’t this going too far!?"

In the crowd, reporter Zhang Tao suddenly looks displeased and pulls Wang Hao back.

"A gentleman assesses deeds, not thoughts!"

"If it weren’t for this lawyer, no one would know about the ten thousand tons of radiative contaminated steel materials in Sunzhou now!"

"Do you know there’s this kind of construction in Hanhai City!?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hao’s face turns cold, and he says:

"Group Leader Zhang, I’m just talking about the facts!"

"You!"

Zhang Tao is angry inside, but looking at the gazes from around, he can’t move, so he just keeps glaring at Wang Hao.

Upon seeing this, Wang Hao immediately becomes gleeful.

He had arranged to come to Qingshi City for an investigative interview concerning this case, but he didn’t expect Zhang Tao and Li Ye to also come, and not long ago, they had a falling out...

Of course, with the favor of the editor-in-chief, Wang Hao naturally doesn’t dare to be too reckless towards Zhang Tao.

So, he starts targeting Xu Liang who helped Zhang Tao become the group leader!

"I haven’t said a single lie."

Wang Hao says gleefully.

Zhang Tao’s face turns sullen, and just as he can’t help wanting to drag him to a corner.

A voice suddenly sounded.

"The plaintiff has arrived!"

Hearing this, everyone looks over in unison.

They see a few black cars slowly stopping in front of the court, and a group of suited people with an ’elite’ aura getting out of the cars.

The people on both sides are Chai Shiring and Sha Jin, along with other assisting lawyers.

And the man at the front, being surrounded...

He is about 175 centimeters tall, somewhat overweight, with single eyelids and rough skin. His face is full of flesh, and he wears a delicate mechanical watch, and as you get closer, you can smell a hint of medicine.

This is....

"Chairman Han Chengguang of Superstar Pharmaceutical Group!?"

"Why has he come to the court to be involved in the trial!?"

In a daze, someone recognizes the man and speaks out in shock.

With this reminder, a few people around immediately recall this man’s identity, looking pleasantly surprised, they rush forward and hand over their microphones.

When it comes to Han Chengguang, not a single longtime reporter in Qingshi City doesn’t know him!

In their eyes, Han Chengguang is a legend.

In the early years, he started with trading medicinal materials, accumulated enough capital, immediately established a pharmaceutical factory, and secured distribution rights for various medicines to earn large profits, then established ’Superstar Pharmaceutical Group’ overnight!

At that time, there were countless pharmaceutical companies competing in Lanshan Province.

But, Superstar Pharmaceutical Group, relying on the two advantages of ’rapid research and development’, and ’good efficacy’, managed to suppress other companies firmly!

Following that, they acquired hospitals and established ’Qingshi City Tianshan Hospital’, and didn’t forget to provide benefits to the residents of Qingshi City, often providing various free medical services.

Some schools even reached cooperation with the group, where the group would send people to conduct free check-ups for kids!

It can be said that Han Chengguang’s reputation in Qingshi City is extremely good!

"Mr. Han, Mr. Han, may I ask if your presence at the court suggests..."

"Chairman, I’m a reporter from Mingmei Newspaper. How does the group view this current smuggling case?"

"The deceased, Li Guang, died due to the effects of the medicine. Is there a direct relationship with the smuggling of counterfeit drugs!?"

"..."

Han Chengguang had just gotten out of the car, and he was immediately surrounded by people.

Numerous flashes pressed upon him.

A few lawyers stepped forward to separate the people around, trying to escort Han Chengguang into the court, but...

Han Chengguang didn’t hurry to leave. He looked at the surrounding reporters, then his expression turned serious, and he spoke:

"Everyone, everyone, please be quiet."

He raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

A few seconds later, apart from the sound of cameras clicking, there was no other sound. Seeing this, Han Chengguang cleared his throat and spoke seriously:

"I know you are all wondering why I would appear in court."

"More curious about how this case is viewed by the pharmaceutical group!"

"Now, I will give a very clear response to everyone..."

Han Chengguang frowned, looking as if he were bearing a great burden.

He spoke heavily:

"Just yesterday, May 1st."

"Regarding the Imatinib smuggled by the defendant in this case, the legitimate medicine manufacturer contacted the group, expressing their anger at the large number of counterfeit drugs appearing around Superstar Pharmaceutical Group!"

"And according to the other party, if this incident is not perfectly resolved... the pharmaceutical company will terminate its cooperation with Superstar Pharmaceutical Group!"

"Meanwhile, they will reassess the market potential of Imatinib within Eastern Country. If the expected goals cannot be met...."

Saying this, Han Chengguang paused, his tone deep, and spoke seriously:

"The other party might choose to exit the Eastern Country market!"

"This has already severely harmed the pharmaceutical company, and even the interests of everyone present!"

"For the benefit of patients in Qingshi City, and even Lanshan Province, now and in the future... Superstar Pharmaceutical Group will spare no expense to win this lawsuit!"

"Therefore, I will personally file a complaint against the defendant in this trial!"

After speaking.

The reporters were instantly in an uproar.

The reason Imatinib dares to be priced expensively lies in its exceptionally good efficacy!

If, as the other party claims, the pharmaceutical company plans to withdraw from Lanshan Province...

Forget about counterfeit drugs, even the original would be unaffordable!

A few words instantly ignited the crowd’s emotions.

Seeing this, Chai Shiring and others noticed the effect had been achieved and hurriedly cleared the surrounding people.

"Make way, make way!"

"Only two hours left before the trial, please do not interfere with the trial process!"

With pushing motions, several voices sounded near the crowd’s ears.

The surrounding reporters instinctively made way, allowing Han Chengguang and Chai Shiring to enter the court.

But fortunately, it wasn’t long before Xu Liang and his team’s figures appeared in front of them.

Regrettably.

Xu Liang didn’t even glance at them, directly leading his team through the crowd into the courthouse.

...

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Meanwhile, entering the courthouse.

Han Chengguang and Chai Shiring’s expressions instantly turned cold, their faces expressionless, as if they were not the amiable faces just moments ago.

Under the entourage of the legal team, they quickly reached the waiting room inside the courthouse.

"Clap!"

The door opened, and Han Chengguang directly took a seat.

Then, he crossed his legs, turned to look at Chai Shiring beside him, and with a tug at the corner of his mouth, he smiled and said:

"Lawyer Chai, it’s up to you and your team next."

"The Chairman is eagerly awaiting the outcome."

Chai Shiring smiled, then suddenly paused and said:

"Mr. Han, there are still two hours until the court convenes, may I ask you something."

"Did the death of the defendant Li Guang have anything to do with Superstar Pharmaceutical Group?"

"What exactly did the group do?"

The moment these words fell.

The waiting room became instantly silent.

Han Chengguang still smiled, but remained silent, quietly watching the other party.

Chai Shiring continued: "Of course, I am not interested in this, it’s just... it might become a breakthrough in the case."

Blue Shield Law Firm is not foolish, on the contrary, Sha Jin and others are very smart!

They can naturally spot the doubts in the case, but...

"No." Han Chengguang smiled, then paused, changing the topic.

"Is this point very important to Lawyer Chai?"

Is it important?

Chai Shiring paused, then smiled and said:

"Not really."

He didn’t care how Li Guang died.

After Kong Jian and the others were arrested, whether the dozens from the Mutual Aid Association could still survive without cheap drugs, he didn’t care either.

To him, these people dead or alive didn’t matter, for they wouldn’t live long anyway, it was just a matter of lingering on borrowed time.

What Superstar Pharmaceutical Group did to an eight-year-old child, he didn’t care about.

He only cared about....

Three million!!!

"Pleasure working with you."

Chai Shiring showed a smile and shook hands.

Han Chengguang also smiled.

He liked this kind of lawyer, who, knowing there was an issue, would still not address it, do the job for money, and even promote a positive image for the group.

"Pleasure working with you."

...

...

At the same time.

Inside the judge’s waiting room.

"How should the case be judged?"

"It’s a bit tricky, neither side has submitted any valid information during the evidence presentation period."

"On one side is the pharmaceutical company, on the other side are the patients... hmm."

"Let’s first listen to both sides’ arguments, maybe there’s no need even to adjourn."

"Haha, if the old chap hasn’t woken up, you take a nap first!"

"..."

Bursts of debate occasionally erupted.

The presiding judge of the counterfeit drug case, Zhao Jiaqi, sat at his chair, his face full of concern.

He said in a solemn voice:

"Do not underestimate the power of public opinion!"

As it is said, for ordinary cases, look at legal precedents, for major cases, look at public opinion, and for serious cases, look at politics!

The counterfeit drug case has already exceeded ordinary cases, reaching the level of major cases, and the public opinion in Qingshi City has long been bound by Chai Shiring, if it’s not judged well... the reputation and credibility of the court will decline significantly!

But the problem is...

"Even judging by public opinion isn’t appropriate!" said a frowning judge.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the waiting room fell silent.

Public opinion leans towards the pharmaceutical company.

But they can’t impose too heavy a sentence on Kong Jian and others!

Why?

Because Kong Jian does not represent himself, but the survival hope of over seventy people in the Mutual Aid Association, and even the sole path for desperate patients!

Completely banning smuggled drugs from entering Lanshan Province?

That would be too harsh.

Yet, if slightly indulgent, allowing smuggling, from a legal standpoint, this is evidently illegal, and even infringes on the interests of legitimate pharmaceutical companies!

The research and development of a drug, the time cost, and financial cost are astronomical figures!

Always facing the risk of going down the drain, the reason pharmaceutical companies still research new drugs is to recoup and profit from the brief patent protection after developing a new drug!

If a niche drug, during the patent protection period, is allowed to be overrun by generic and counterfeit drugs, causing significant losses...

The ultimate outcome is that no other company will invest in research and development of new drugs in this field.

What about these few sick individuals then?

They are just left to fend for themselves!

So...

"No matter which direction you think, this case is very difficult..." Zhao Jiaqi murmured.

In a daze, the familiar figure of a person emerged in Zhao Jiaqi’s mind.