"Remember, at this time, it’s crucial to keep this a secret. Make sure not to let any information slip!"

After some thought, he carefully instructed Wang Dachui before hanging up the phone.

This case... it’s clearly a major one! Good thing I stumbled upon it; otherwise, those lawyers in Zizhou would have definitely snatched it up. If our firm can secure the representation for this major case... we might be able to expand from Jin City to Zizhou! This could be our chance to break into the Zizhou market!

"With Qin Mu in Jin City, it’s likely that there will be fewer cases for us," Zhang Wei said with a wry smile, shaking his head.

If I want to take on cases... I’ll have to look for opportunities elsewhere now. According to the information I have, the number of civil disputes and civil cases in Zizhou is more than triple that of Jin City! That’s practically a red ocean! As long as we leverage this melon-stealing case... our firm has a perfect opportunity to make a move into Zizhou! Of course, the key is still to maintain secrecy. If those wolf-like lawyers in Jin City find out... we’ll inevitably have to share some of the representation rights!

...

「The next day. Zizhou. Zhaojia Village.」

News of the public prosecution hearing had spread throughout Zhaojia Village. The elderly villagers gathered again at Zhao Dezhu’s house.

"Brother, the court staff came this morning and brought me a subpoena."

"I received one too, saying the hearing is in five days and that I must attend."

"This subpoena also says that we’ve committed several crimes. It looks quite frightening."

"What about the lawyer? Brother, didn’t you say you were responsible for finding a lawyer?"

"..."

In the hands of these elderly people were subpoenas and copies of the indictment, which detailed each person’s situation. Court staff had gone door-to-door, personally ensuring everyone received their copy. The documents even included sentencing recommendations: some called for four years in prison, some for three, and some for one year. They looked very official.

"Everyone, don’t panic. I’ve already contacted a lawyer. He’ll be here in a bit," Zhao Dezhu said calmly, looking at the assembled villagers.

In his hand was also a subpoena, calling for a five-year prison sentence for him, but he wasn’t panicked. It’s just prison, he thought. It’s not like I haven’t been before; I’m already familiar with the routine.

"Is this lawyer you found reliable? I called my son, and he said that if we get a strong enough lawyer, we might not have to go to prison."

"Ah, what a mess this has turned into! My granddaughter found out about this a few days ago. She said if I go to prison, it will affect her grad school application, and she cried her eyes out."

"My grandson too. He said he’s preparing for the civil service exams; he’s been studying for years and his political background check is just around the corner. He begged me not to go to prison."

"Let’s hope the lawyer is strong enough so that none of us have to go to prison."

"..."

The crowd sat around in the yard, all with their heads bowed, sighing heavily.

By now, everyone in their families knew about the situation. Their most beloved grandchildren had even threatened to sever ties, accusing them of jeopardizing their futures.

At this moment, they felt a pang of regret. If only we hadn’t coveted those petty gains and stolen the melons back then, they thought.

Now... they, their families, and all of Zhaojia Village were suffering greatly. Going to prison wasn’t what scared them. But the impact on their families and their village was immense.

Half an hour later, a lawyer in a formal suit, carrying a briefcase, arrived and walked into Zhao Dezhu’s yard.

"Hello everyone, thank you for waiting." Upon meeting them, he offered a gentle smile and introduced himself, "My name is Wang Dachui, and I am a lawyer from the Legal Pioneer Law Firm."

As he spoke, he took a stack of business cards from his briefcase and handed them out.

After the case was officially filed, he had immediately employed various methods to put himself forward, managing to contact Zhao Dezhu. He was the first lawyer to arrive in Zhaojia Village.

At that moment, more than fifty people were gathered in the yard, all of them elderly individuals awaiting trial out of custody.