Chapter 548: The social world
However, after much persuasion from the old comrades, the sons finally agreed to meet Gao Yuliang. On that calm afternoon, the sun shone through the mottled leaves into the agreed courtyard. Gao Yuliang had been waiting early, and when he saw the young people coming, he quickly stood up to greet them. He asked everyone to sit down, and then began to tell the story of Qi Tongwei in detail.
"Dear young talents, Qi Tongwei's efforts in the political and legal circles over the years are obvious to all. He was born in poverty and has worked hard all the way to where he is today. Yes, he may have made mistakes in some things, but they are definitely not as serious as the outside world says. He was caught by his political opponents and maliciously exaggerated." Gao Yuliang spoke earnestly.
A young prosecutor spoke first: "Teacher Gao, this is not what we know. Qi Tongwei used his power for personal gain and colluded with unscrupulous businessmen, which has crossed the legal red line. His behavior has undermined the fair image of the political and legal system. This is not simply a misunderstanding."
Gao Yuliang explained anxiously: "He has his own reasons. In this big melting pot, sometimes he has no choice. Many of the things he did were also to promote the progress of some work, but his methods may not be appropriate."
Another young lawyer retorted: "Teacher Gao, everyone is equal before the law. We cannot forgive illegal and criminal behavior because of so-called difficulties. What he did constitutes a political original sin, which is an unavoidable fact. If we do what you ask, it will be a blasphemy against the law and a trampling on public trust."
Gao Yuliang's face became solemn: "I understand your concerns, but if Qi Tongwei is convicted like this, it will chill the hearts of many grassroots political and legal cadres. He was once a passionate young man with ideals, and it was this environment that changed him little by little."
The young people were unmoved. They looked at each other and shook their heads. A young man working in the Commission for Discipline Inspection said seriously: "Teacher Gao, our duty is to uphold the dignity and justice of the law. Qi Tongwei's case should follow the normal judicial procedures. If he is truly innocent, he will be judged fairly. We cannot interfere because of personal relationships. This is a matter of principle."
Seeing that everyone was unmoved, Gao Yuliang's forehead was covered with beads of sweat, but he still tried to persuade them: "Young people, I understand that you stick to your principles, which is commendable. But I don't want you to break the law. I just hope that in this complicated situation, I can give Qi Tongwei a chance to defend himself and let the truth be more fully revealed. Although he made mistakes, his crime is not punishable by death, nor will he be completely thrown into the abyss and never recover. It is not excessive to help him this time, both emotionally and rationally."
His voice was a little tired and vicissitudes, and his eyes were full of earnestness. However, his words made the young people present look at each other in disbelief. In their minds, Gao Yuliang has always been a respected senior in the political and legal circles, but now he is begging for Qi Tongwei so humbly, which is really different from their previous perception of him.
A young man working in the judicial department could not help but say: "Teacher Gao, you have always been a role model that we admire, but if we intervene in this matter, even just once, it will have a great negative impact on our careers and will also undermine the credibility of judicial justice. Qi Tongwei's case has already attracted widespread public attention. How can we interfere in private?"
Qi Tongwei was listening on the side, feeling anxious. He quickly took over the conversation and said in a low voice, "Brothers, I know I was wrong, and I regret some of my reckless actions. I have worked at the grassroots level for many years, and have done a lot of practical things for the people, but I lost my way in the whirlpool of officialdom. I don't ask you to help me get out of this predicament completely, I just hope to have more time to make up for my mistakes, organize evidence, and prove that I am not as bad as the outside world says. I still have an old mother at home who needs to be supported, I can't just collapse like this, please give me a hand for Teacher Gao's sake."
His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes revealed a hint of pleading and helplessness. But the young people remained unmoved. One of the young people working in the court responded seriously: "Qi Tongwei, we are all aware of your situation. Everyone must be responsible for their own actions. If you can be given a break because of family factors, where is the dignity of the law? We cannot destroy the balance and fairness of the judicial system because of your personal demands."
Gao Yuliang sighed and stood up slowly from his chair. He said, "I know my request today has made things difficult for you and violates the judicial philosophy we have always upheld. But I really can't bear to see Qi Tongwei being ruined like this. He was once a young man full of justice, and it was the helplessness and temptations that led him to where he is today. I just want to give him a chance to redeem himself."
An older young man said, "Teacher Gao, we respect you, but we cannot agree to your request in this matter. The judicial process is rigorous and fair. It will not let a bad person go, nor will it wrongly accuse a good person. Qi Tongwei should believe in the law. If he is really wronged, the truth will come out in the regular judicial process. We cannot set a precedent of breaking the rules just because of human relationships."
At this point, the atmosphere was deadlocked. Gao Yuliang's face was full of loss and helplessness, while Qi Tongwei's eyes were empty, as if he saw his own bleak fate in the future. And these young people firmly guarded the bottom line of judicial justice. They knew that once this gap was opened, it would bring unpredictable consequences. In this seemingly calm afternoon courtyard, a contest about justice, human feelings and legal dignity was carried out silently. Everyone was under tremendous pressure and test in their own position, and the development of things was increasingly moving in an irreversible direction. What awaited them in the future would be a more complicated and difficult situation. Whether it was the ups and downs of the fate of Gao Yuliang's master and apprentice, or the various challenges faced by young people in the process of adhering to their principles, they were like heavy clouds, shrouding this land for a long time.
Seeing everyone's resolute attitude, Qi Tongwei felt despair surge in his heart. Suddenly, his legs softened and he knelt down. In this quiet afternoon courtyard, his crying seemed particularly abrupt and embarrassing. "I, Qi Tongwei, know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong! As long as I can get through this, as long as I can get rid of Hou Liangping's relentless pursuit, I swear to turn over a new leaf and become a new man.