491 Unyielding Spiri (2/2)
”Then Shun, the successor of Yao, killed Gun and let Gun's son continue to tame the flood. His name was Yu. He finally tamed the flood after thirteen years of work. During that time, he never went home, even when he passed by his own house. Thirteen years later, his son barely knew him.
”In Christianity, God saved everybody and the humans just hid on a boat. Inn China, we didn't get any help from gods. Without boats, we didn't compromise to the flood. We had to fight on our own. W fought had to fight against the flood!” Dai Li's tone was calm but his voice was persistent. He took a deep breath and went on,
”There are many similar myths in China. One story says that there were ten suns in the sky, searing the earth, and one skillful archer saved the planet by shooting down nine of them. One story says that a bird called Jingwei tried to fill the sea with pebbles. Another story says an old man called Yugong decided to remove a mountain with a shovel because it was in his way.
”I've heard many such stories throughout my life. Some are about brilliant heroes and others are about fools. However, when natural disasters came, our ancestors never chose to compromise, never chose to escape, and never chose to wait for God's help. They chose to fight, to defeat disasters! If they couldn't do it in a year, they would spend ten years, or twenty years. If one generation couldn't make it, two, maybe even three, generations would try until they succeeded!
”Many people say that the Chinese are materialists. They think we don't believe in gods and that we have no religious belief. That's because we know that no god can save us in times of trouble! We have to fight like our ancestors and never give in!
”In Christian mythology, god may not be perfect, but he is absolutely invincible. In China, we think that a man is the master of his own fate! If God gets in the way of our survival, we will push him down!
”Therefore, today, I will not compromise or give in. I firmly believe that I am innocent, so I will not plead guilty. Even if I am found guilty, I will choose to continue to appeal. I will fight firmly to the end, because an unyielding spirit flows through my blood!”
As he listened, Wilfrid nodded earnestly. ”I see. I understand what you mean. Mr. Li, let's discuss the trial this afternoon! I'll do everything I can to help you win this case.”
...
Pointing to the document on propensity for violence in his hands, Wilfrid said, ”A for the problem of propensity for violence, we can apply for a professional psychological test to prove that you aren't abnormally prone to violence. It will take some time. Therefore, we need to apply for an extension of the case on the grounds of preparing key evidence.”
”I have no problem with that.” Dai Li then sat in thought for a few seconds before he asked Wilfrid a question. ”Since we have to apply for an extension anyway, why don't we prepare more evidence? I have an idea, but I don't know how to implement it and I'm not positive it would work.”
”That's why you pay me,because that's where my value lies. If your idea is really good for the case, I can help you implement it in the most effective way,” said Wilfrid.
”I remember this morning that Reiss listed the reasons for my first-degree murder charge. One of them was that the gunshot could have killed the victim directly, so he affirmed that I didn't care about the life of the victim,” said Dai Li.
Recalling the situation, Wilfrid said, ”Reiss tried to distort the reason you shot the gun. He intended to make the jury think you are a murderer who killed people indiscriminately.”
”If we can prove that I have the ability to make sure that the shot would not kill that man but just disable him temporarily, wouldn't it mean that I did care about the life of the victim? Could I be cleared of the first-degree murder charge that way,” asked Dai Li.
Wilfrid thought for nearly half a minute, then said, ”This causal relationship is valid. How can you prove that you are able to shoot somebody with such accuracy?”
”I can prove that I shoot well. Is that enough?” asked Dai Li.
”It depends on how well you shoot,” Wilfrid said.
”As well as a professional shooting athlete. I'm as good as an Olympian 50-meter rifle athlete. How about that?” asked Dai Li.
Wilfrid thought for a while. He took out his laptop and searched something. Minutes later, he said, ”According to the information I have found, it's complicated because athletes who shoot don't do so in actual combat situations. However most people know they can shoot very well. The jury is made up of everyday people. If they see your results are the same as a professional athletes, it will prove that you can shoot well.”
”Then I'll give them a shocking performance!” Dai Li lowered his voice and discussed his plan.
...
Nick Reiss looked at his watch. Court would begin in half an hour. He looked at Dai Li, and saw that Dai Li and Wilfrid were talking about something.
Haven't they talked it over? It's taking so long! Reiss sighed, and reluctantly continued to wait.
Wilfrid finally ended his discussion with Dai Li ten minutes later. He stood up, adjusted his clothes, and walked over to Reiss.
”It seems that you two have reached a decision.” Reiss firmly believed that Dai Li would plead guilty, so he was relaxed. He stood up and walked to meet Wilfrid.
”Do you have good news for me Wilfrid?” asked Reiss with a big smile.
”I'm afraid I have to disappoint you, Reiss!” Wilfrid was also smiling. ”My client will not accept your proposal. He will not plead guilty and the trial will continue.”
”Ah?” Nick Reiss looked surprised. Though he had prepared for this possibility, he thought the probability of Li rejecting his deal had been extremely low. In all the cases he had dealt with, every defendant in similar cases chose to compromise with him and plead guilty.
Reiss couldn't help but ask, ”Wilfrid, have you really told your client all the risks involved in this decision?”
”Please don't doubt my professionalism, Reiss.” Wilfrid became serious and said, ”My client considered his options and decided that this was the course he wanted to take. As his attorney, I will do everything I can to do it well. So...” Wilfried intentionally paused for dramatic effect. ”See you in court!”