Chapter 844: Hao Tao Agrees to Testify

Zhu Sheng, after listening to Hao Tao finish speaking, nodded.

"All the wealthy are eager to immigrate; they think that place is a paradise for the rich."

"Zhu Sheng, what you said is very correct.

We lawyers serve the rich; only the rich can afford the high attorney fees. Rich criminals can be bailed,

the poor have no money to post bail.

If you study the law thoroughly,

you will understand that their laws are sound, but who operates these sound laws?

It's still people; everything can be manipulated by humans.

Why do some Western countries have no corrupt officials?

"We here brag about their political integrity," Hao Tao finished, then paused.

At this moment, looking at Hao Tao's demeanor, I felt he must be thirsty.

I was in the room holding a cup and poured a glass of water for Hao Tao,

Hao Tao took it,

"Thank you, Zhao Ge. My current ailment is that I can't speak too much; the more I speak, the thirstier I become."

Hao Tao finished speaking and drank the water down.

"A weak heart makes one prone to thirst.

Later, let Dean Yang examine Xiao Hao again," Zhu Sheng said.

"Sure, I'll arrange it," I said.

"That would be too much trouble for you, Zhao Ge. Sigh, I'm just glad to be alive. I have food and shelter, and doctors and nurses with me; if it weren't for you, Zhao Ge, I would have died long ago," Hao Tao sighed.

"No need to be formal; this is all within our duties. Please continue," Zhu Sheng said.

"Alright, Zhu Sheng, you might never have gone abroad, or lived there long, so you don't really understand the local customs there.

Some things are truly not as they publicize,

regarding power and money, human nature is equally greedy.

They hold elections every four years, and at every presidential transition there is an unwritten rule: not to revisit old accounts.

That is, not to audit the previous president's accounts, for mutual protection.

Also, the president's powers are limited; in fact some governors wield great authority, and their terms can be very long,

they can legally engage in corruption, and the president has no authority to intervene.

Governors are elected locally,

and there are many aspects of these local elections that can be manipulated.

I won't go into further detail. As long as you know, that's enough; they can have family succession.

Moreover, some states enact laws that serve their family's enterprises.

These people are protected by law, so there is no corruption, because their corruption is legalized.

Including various incomes; there are specialists who help them evade taxes and launder money.

Also, some people, after retirement, take positions in corporations,

so their earnings reach tens of millions of dollars.

Everything has its reason.

Since I am familiar with the law,

the Wang Family values me highly,

they hand over smuggled treasures to an art auction house.

and then purchase them with their own money.

These are, of course, high fees; each artwork costs tens of millions of dollars.

We then help invest that money into his other foreign accounts, making the money legal.

and there is no tax to pay.

You know, Wang Ge, the properties he invested in Deng ta guo amount to half a street.

It pains me to see it; this money is ours, yet the Wang Family has transferred it out," Hao Tao said with a look of deep sorrow.

"Sigh, there are some things we cannot do.

I believe it will get better; the higher-ups also have strong opinions on these matters.

Moreover, their impact on society is extremely harmful, and the higher-ups are actively working to patch these loopholes.

Hao Tao, I will ask you now.

If one day you are required to testify,

would you dare to confront the Wang Family?" Zhu Sheng asked directly.

Upon hearing Zhu Sheng's question, Hao Tao was startled.

Then he lifted his head,

let out a long sigh,

"Zhu Sheng, what more is there for me to be afraid of now.

My life was saved by Zhao Ge,

the Wang Family wants to kill me.

Now, apart from you, no one can protect me.

Zhu Sheng, I am willing to be a witness.

Willing to point out the Wang Family's deeds."

Hearing Hao Tao say that, Zhu Sheng was very happy.

"Hao Tao, that's right. You now have a clear understanding.

If you want to live, you need our protection. Here you are absolutely safe. The Wang Family has enormous power, and they wouldn't dare come here looking for you.

That will do; I don't need to ask about anything else.

Are you idle every day now, or still idle,

Write down everything about the Wang Family, even if there's nothing.

That will be useful to both of us."

Hao Tao nodded,

"Alright, Zhu Sheng, I will definitely write it down."

"That's good. You also need to reflect seriously on yourself; after all, you're young and life's road is still long.

In the future, don't entertain any crooked paths; stick to the right way and go further." Zhu Sheng instructed Hao Tao.

Hao Tao kept nodding.

I then asked Hao Tao, "Hao Tao, based on your knowledge of Wang Ge, he said after the New Year he would come to Zaocheng. Why hasn't he returned from abroad yet?"

"Zhao Ge, I have some understanding of this matter.

It is because the foreign political situation is unstable; the real estate project he invested in has already been seized by others.

He has been handling this matter abroad.

You should know that abroad they look down on us very much,

Our social status abroad is even lower than Lao Hei's.

Wang Ge's property apparently made those people envious, and they began to seize it directly."

"They dare to seize openly. Isn't there legal protection?" I asked, somewhat incredulous.

"I still say the same thing: the law doesn't really protect us.

Because of skin color, status is determined.

If they can't find a legal flaw to prevent them from taking your money, they'll just take your money directly.

Let you seek legal protection for yourself.

In recent years the foreign economy has been sluggish; the lower‑class people especially engage in zero‑price purchases, i. e., they just seize directly, and the law doesn't catch them. If it's under $950, they aren't prosecuted.

Anyway, some of their laws over‑protect criminals, even condoning crime.

They often talk about human rights, but in fact they over‑protect criminals, so who will protect ordinary good people?

In foreign lands the weak have very little space to survive.

They only protect the strong, because their founding principle was survival of the fittest, the jungle law.

It remains so today.

I think Wang Ge is definitely dealing with this; you should know the city where he invested in property erupted in riots, no need to ask—someone must have taken advantage of the chaos."

Hao Tao explained.

I and Zhu Sheng nodded.

At this moment the young Nurse came out,

"The patient can no longer speak now; he's too weak. If you want to talk to him, come back tomorrow."

I and Zhu Sheng quickly stood up and shook hands with Hao Tao to say goodbye.

After Zhu Sheng and I left the room,

I took out a cigarette and handed it to Zhu Sheng,

"Zhu Sheng, is the foreign country really as worthless as Hao Tao says?"

Zhu Sheng smiled,

"Jianqiang, you can listen to these words; Hao Tao is a bit one‑sided. In fact every system has its pros and cons.

Their democratic elections and separation of powers were good in principle, but over time they become corrupted.

Because rights, when overly restricted, cause society to stagnate.

If unrestricted, they lead to chaos.

Also the electoral system, with too many people voting, is democracy,

but it is fundamentally detrimental to social development.

In fact many people are blindly obedient, or lack political awareness.

Voters cater to these ballots, or do many things harmful to society for the sake of votes.

Where we are, we only see the surface and don't understand deeply.

Some aspects of foreign countries aren't worthless. To have developed to this point, they must have their own advantages."