Chapter 231: No Exception

One hour after the trial had just concluded, Liang Sen had not yet recovered from the previous shock, and the momentum of the second round was even more overwhelming.

Sitting at the plaintiff's table were Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild Chairman Hong Jingbao, Vice Chairman Cheng Long, Vice Chairman Lin Qingxia, three popular superstars, as well as Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild Councilor Li Junuan and Tianbo Law Firm Assistant Lawyer.

The lawyer appearing for the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild was the founder and chief member of Tianbo Law Firm, former honorary secretary of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Knight, non-official member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and Queen's Counsel Owens.

As for the defendant's table, it was occupied by a full thirty lawyers; these lawyers were all representatives of various media outlets and newspapers, and Liang Sen was attending on behalf of Banana Daily.

This case, which could be called the trial of the century in Hong Kong, began at three in the afternoon and lasted until the evening.

With the evidence conclusive, the defendants lost the case without exception, among which Banana Daily was ordered to pay 75 million in damages to the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild, including 175 million in punitive damages; the two cases directly and openly emptied out all the assets left behind by Feilao Li, not a single cent less.

When the trial ended, major Hong Kong media outlets interviewed the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild at the entrance.

Chairman Hong Jingbao said to the media with high spirits: "Our Performing Artistes Guild was established under the initiation of Sir Chen Jiajun. We must first thank Sir Chen for giving us this opportunity, allowing us the chance to make our voices heard."

When accepting an interview, Cheng Long said: "Sir Chen Jiajun is a boss who truly loves the film industry..."

Lin Qingxia said during her interview: "Brother Bao, Brother Long, and I, including Miss Zhao Yazhi who could not come today because she is filming in Taiwan, have all been slandered by various rumors. Thank you, Sir Chen..."

After the two trials ended, the major media outlets in Hong Kong were all grateful for Chen Jiajun's mercy; if Chen Jiajun had really fought them to the bitter end, the fate of the wiped-out Feilao Li would likely have been their own.

Consequently, everyone reported on the two trials, which could be called the trials of the century, with extreme caution.

From then on, whenever Hong Kong media involved reports on Bar Group, Zhongba Group, Tesla Group, Hongxing Group, and especially that person Chen, they were always extremely cautious.

While these media outlets were grateful for their narrow escape, the next day, a lawsuit that would cement Chen Jiajun's nickname as the Hong Kong King arrived.

This time, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, known as the last line of defense for the Hong Kong government, stood in court.

At the opening of this trial, Queen's Counsel Owens was in a completely different state from yesterday; his aura was fully unleashed, he was radiant, his steps were steady, and he walked up to the former ICAC Commissioner Ban Naixin:

"I would like to ask Mr. Ban Naixin, you have consistently stated that when you went to Chen Family Zhuangyuan that day, you held no malice toward Sir Chen Jiajun; is that true?"

Ban Naixin nodded: "Of course."

"What was your reason for going to Chen Family Zhuangyuan to arrest Sir Chen Jiajun?" Owens nodded, then continued to ask.

Ban Naixin said with a frank tone: "I suspected that Tesla Group and its Chairman were using Bar and Zhongba Group to obtain huge profits. Therefore, I invited Sir Chen Jiajun, as well as the General Manager of Bar and Zhongba, to return to the ICAC for questioning."

"Very well, then the whole matter that day is already very clear; this was a formal inquiry by the ICAC, so may I ask why there were so many media present at the scene?" Owens turned to look at the gallery and spoke.

"This... I am not clear about that." Ban Naixin replied somewhat guiltily.

"Do you mean to say that the media were not invited by you or the ICAC? Yes, or no?" Upon hearing Ban Naixin's answer, Owens immediately turned around, his gaze piercing.

Ban Naixin shook his head and said: "I only invited Banana Daily to report on it to avoid some bad speculation from the outside world; as for the other media, I really don't know why so many appeared."

"I understand. Then do you admit that the presence of so many media at the scene was an oversight by the ICAC, and why my client was not wearing a mask—was that an oversight by your ICAC? Yes, or no."

Owens keenly seized upon Ban Naixin's loophole and said righteously.

"Yes."

For a moment, Ban Naixin was dejected.

"Very well, then may I ask, you invited my client back to the ICAC to accept questioning; what matter were you questioning him about?" Owens pressed.

Ban Naixin replied: "We suspected that the 3,000 Tesla double-decker buses purchased by Zhongba and Bar Group, with a total loan of 3 billion, involved serious transfer of benefits."

"Based on what judgment did you suspect this case involved a transfer of benefits?" Owens put on an expression of listening intently.

Ban Naixin's face darkened slightly: "First is the interest-free loan of up to 3 billion.

Secondly, Tesla was an unknown car manufacturer before this; we do not believe Tesla's double-decker buses could be sold for a price of 1 million."

"Your Honor, please allow the judge and the jury members to permit our witness, the legal representative of HSBC, to appear in court." Hearing Ban Naixin's answer, Owens immediately spoke to the judge.

"Request granted." The judge said.

The legal representative of HSBC walked to the witness stand, and the judge asked: "May I ask, based on what did HSBC provide an interest-free loan of 3 billion to the two groups?"

"First, Bar Group and Zhongba Group are the only two franchised bus companies in Hong Kong, with a very long history of operation and a good reputation. Sir Deng Zhaojian of Kowloon Motor Bus and the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of China Motor Bus, Sir Bao Yugang, are both public figures known to the people of Hong Kong."

"Secondly, Bar Group and Zhongba Group represent the travel interests of the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens."

"Third, we have analyzed the finances of Bar Group and Zhongba Group; the annual average profit of Bar and Zhongba over the years is about 70 million Hong Kong dollars. However, the Sunshine Bus Company established by both parties, as well as the 1,000 bus stops, have an estimated annual profit of 300 million Hong Kong dollars. This indicates that Bar Group and Zhongba Group have the ability to repay their debts."

"Fourth, we have conducted research on the double-decker buses of Tesla Group; Tesla Group is now an internationally renowned bus group, their products have international recognition, and they are widely purchased by Taiwan, Singapore, and other places."

"Therefore, we judged that the value of these 3,000 double-decker buses is 3 billion."

"Based on the fact that Bar and Zhongba Group represent the travel interests of the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens, represent the image of Hong Kong, and that Bar and Zhongba Group have profitable lines, we made the 3 billion interest-free loan."

The legal representative of HSBC Group explained righteously.

"Does the defendant need to question the witness?" The judge looked at Ban Naixin.

Ban Naixin shook his head with a gray face.

"Does the plaintiff need to question the witness?" The judge looked at Owens.

Owens stood up: "Your Honor, the witness's testimony just now is already clear enough; our side does not need to ask questions, thank you."

"Does the witness have any supplementary testimony?"

"No, Your Honor." The legal representative of HSBC Group said.

"The witness may leave the stand." The judge nodded.

After the witness left, Owens continued: "The witness's testimony just now proves that this was not a transaction involving a transfer of benefits. May I ask Mr. Ban Naixin, when you decided to question Sir Chen Jiajun, did you conduct a complete investigation?"

"We all believed at the time that it exceeded common sense; Tesla Group had just been established not long ago." Ban Naixin explained.

"Your Honor." ICAC representative Lawyer He Shouji said to the judge: "I believe this was the personal behavior of Lord Ban Naixin and cannot represent the overall image of the ICAC. Moreover, after the fact, the ICAC also apologized to the three groups and the three parties involved."

"I object, Your Honor. Ban Naixin is an ICAC Special Commissioner, and before initiating the investigation and questioning of Sir Chen Jiajun, he had already applied for the relevant procedures with the Department of Justice.

Furthermore, the ICAC is not about individuals; as a government disciplinary force, any personnel who join the ICAC can represent the ICAC. Mr. Ban Naixin also indicated his status as an ICAC Special Commissioner to my client." Owens said loudly.

"Your Honor, this was merely the personal behavior of Mr. Ban Naixin when he was an ICAC Special Commissioner..."

Both sides loudly stated their own points, completely unconcerned about whether the other side heard clearly, caring more about whether their own side's voice overwhelmed the other.

The judge struck the gavel hard: "Order! Order."

After suppressing the sharp, tongue-lashing argument between the two sides, the judge spoke again: "Please maintain silence and wait for this court, in conjunction with the jury members, to give a verdict."

After the Chief Juror handed the jury's opinion to the judge, the judge looked at everyone:

"This court now delivers its verdict: the plaintiff's charge of dereliction of duty against the Independent Commission Against Corruption is dismissed; the plaintiff's charge of deliberate fraud against the Independent Commission Against Corruption is dismissed; the charge of failure in regulatory oversight against the Independent Commission Against Corruption is sustained; the charge of abuse of power against the Independent Commission Against Corruption is sustained. Considering that the plaintiff did not name a specific individual perpetrator when filing the suit, no specific criminal punishment can be meted out. Therefore, this court rules that the defendant, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, is not subject to criminal penalty, but must pay the plaintiff a total of 15 million Hong Kong dollars in compensation for mental distress, reputational damage, and other losses. Court adjourned."

The Independent Commission Against Corruption paid 15 million, and no additional specific criminal punishment was imposed on Ban Naixin; this was the result of pressure exerted by the Hong Kong government on Tianbo Law Firm, and Chen Jiajun had no complaints about this.

What he wanted was the result, and that result was to make the disciplined services of Hong Kong wary of his power at all times.

After the judge finished reading the verdict, the public gallery, including Kowloon Motor Bus, Zhongba Group, and Tesla Group, erupted in cheers. Sir Deng Zhaojian even embraced the veteran employees of Kowloon Motor Bus.

Chen Jiajun did not join in the post-victory revelry; he stood up, straightened his suit, and walked out of the courtroom under the escort of several bodyguards.

As he walked out of the courtroom, he happened to see a dejected Ban Naixin walking out from inside, despite being surrounded by a dozen Reporters.

Ban Naixin ignored the Reporters' attempts to corner him and, without saying a word, slowly walked down the steps toward the parking lot.

Chen Jiajun stood on the steps and called out to Ban Naixin, who was descending: "Mr. Ban Naixin, do you still remember what I said to you back then?"

Ban Naixin turned his head to look at Chen Jiajun, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say.

"How does it taste?" Chen Jiajun strode up to Ban Naixin.

"Sir Chen, you have already won; if you wish to continue humiliating me, please feel free." Ban Naixin's mouth was extremely bitter.

Chen Jiajun handed over a business card and said: "This is my business card. I highly recognize your personal ability. If you have nowhere else to go, you can consider working for my group."

"My group has developed to this point, and it also needs an internal disciplinary inspection organization. I would like to invite you to serve as the head of our internal disciplinary inspection organization. Also, remember, you did not lose to me; you lost to the timing, the location, and the people. Think about it, goodbye."

After speaking, Chen Jiajun brushed past Ban Naixin, and He Guorong, who had already resigned from the Political Department, respectfully opened the car door.

Before getting into the car, He Guorong gave Ban Naixin a meaningful look, which seemed to declare victory and yet also contained a hint of pity.

At this very moment, Ban Naixin felt even more like a dog.

Even if He Guorong was forced to resign from the Political Department, he still had a good place to go; what about himself?

Thinking of this, Ban Naixin felt even more lost.

The next day.

Chen Jiajun opened his eyes in bed and sat up, shaking his still-aching head.

Last night, to celebrate Chen Jiajun's complete victory, Dumu, Jing Kun, Tian Yangsheng, and a group of others dragged him to a Bar to drink and revel. Chen Jiajun had forgotten how much he drank, and when he opened his eyes again, he was already lying in a guest room at Chen Family Zhuangyuan.

Chen Jiajun got up, walked over, picked up a glass, and took a large gulp of water to moisten his parched throat.

At breakfast, He Guorong flipped through some documents and reported: "Big Brother, the compensation has arrived. After deducting everything, there is a surplus of 305 million dollars. In addition, there is a surplus of 2.5 billion from the black money of the Hong Kong Jockey Club..."

"Also, Big Brother, can I borrow a sum of money from you?"

"Borrow money? A Rong, when you submitted that Political Department roster to Han Yili, were there some personnel who were not registered on the list?" Chen Jiajun quickly realized something and asked.

He Guorong bit the bullet and said: "Yes, that's right. I have already disbanded this group of brothers on the spot. I am asking to borrow money from you for the sake of these brothers."

"Give me a reason."

He Guorong replied: "Big Brother, I want to tell you my story."

"I participated in the Korean War. That was the first time I stepped out of my hometown and saw what this world was really like. I originally thought it was a glorious operation, but reality taught me a painful lesson."

"After coming out of the prisoner-of-war camp, I joined MI5 and voluntarily applied to come to Hong Kong to seek a job. I originally thought this was a position that would allow me to better understand the Chinese people; that was my only interest in coming to Hong Kong."

"I experienced the era of money. I do not agree with Lei Luo's system of corruption, but I strongly agree with his concept that 'as long as you wear the uniform, you are a cop, one family, no distinction between us'."

"I have been a soldier; I understand what it means to be brothers-in-arms better than the average Agent or Police officer. If, and I mean if..."

Looking at the anxious He Guorong, Chen Jiajun waved his hand and said: "No need for 'ifs'. I will not lend you this money, but I need this group of people to be used by me."

"I will soon draft a relevant plan for the specific affairs. Once successful, they will be given high positions in the future."

"Yes, thank you, Big Brother." He Guorong was overjoyed.

(End of chapter)