The Nanjing Provisional Government's Ministry of the Interior promulgated the "Provisional Newspaper Law of the Republic of China," which stipulated that if a newspaper published an inaccurate report or investigation and defamed an individual, the person defamed could request a correction. If the newspaper failed to comply with the request, the person defamed could file a lawsuit and the newspaper could impose a penalty. However, this law was opposed by the press and was soon abolished.
Cao Zhaolian casually dusted off his cigarette ash and looked up at Huang Wanzhen. "Ms. Huang, if you want to sue the newspaper, you need to think it over."
Huang Wanzhen asked seriously, "In this situation, can you help me file a lawsuit and get it accepted?" If the case couldn't even be accepted, it would be a pure waste of time and money, and she definitely couldn't do it.
Cao Zhaolian pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "A newspaper in the Shanghai Concession once published an article insulting the President. The government filed a lawsuit with the Concession's Joint Court, and the general manager and editor-in-chief were each fined 100 yuan."
"Even if a case is filed, it's hard to say. The outcome will vary from person to person."
Huang Wanzhen, having heard about the President's case, had already considered giving up on this method and considering other options. Unexpectedly, Cao Zhaolian said that the results vary from person to person. Who is she? The tutor of Xu Shengyi, the granddaughter of the Minister of Justice! She's worth a few bucks on a normal day, but now that she's involved in a lawsuit, she's even more valuable!
Moreover, the Huaming Daily had published an article titled "Huang Wanzhen, General Manager of Buteford Company, and Chief Justice Xu, the official clothing designer for Governor Song's residence." Chief Justice Xu was also implicated in her accusation of misappropriating the "official" clothing.
"Sue! Sue now!" Huang Wanzhen made the decision immediately.
That night, Huang Wanzhen looked at several newspapers on the table and was lost in thought until late at night. She found the little stone the next day.
This little stone had worked at a newspaper before, so he was well-known to everyone. Huang Wanzhen suggested some ideas to him, "I want to publish a story targeting Minister Xu's residence in a tabloid. Do you think it's possible?"
Little Stone asked quietly, "What news? Can you tell me more details?"
"Didn't the Huaming Daily report that I was the official designer for Minister Xu's residence? I want to find a tabloid to give me a scathing scolding, saying that I'm just a small-time tailor, but I dared to inflate my reputation and claim that my wares were 'official' just because I made a few pieces of clothing for Minister Xu's residence. Whose influence did I rely on to carry out such a bold move? Did Xu Yingjie give me the courage? Do you think any newspaper would dare to publish such information?"
Huang Wanzhen paused and waved her hand, "Don't go to Editor Zhan. I'm afraid of getting him into trouble."
"What's so bad about this?" Little Stone straightened his back and patted his chest. "News like this involving government officials, which is targeted, is always popular. This is good news."
Huang Wanzhen shook her head. "Don't publish it in the Xinmin Daily. I'm afraid something might happen. It's better to find one or two tabloids. Don't let anyone know that I'm the one who wants to publish it. It's best not to expose yourself. You work around me, and if you expose yourself, it's easy for people to associate you with me."
Little Stone rolled his eyes and smiled slyly, "Got it, Manager."
"But singling out General Xu isn't a good idea. I think Governor Song should be included as well. The Huaming Daily mentioned two companies, and singling out one seems too targeted, which isn't a good idea."
Huang Wanzhen patted his shoulders twice and said, "You are right. Let's do as you say."
Huang Wanzhen, who had not been seen for some time, hailed a rickshaw after school and went to Xu's house on the back street of Chang'an.
"Sheng Yi has been entangled in lawsuits recently, which has delayed his studies. I feel very sorry about it. Why don't I find a tutor for Sheng Yi in school?" Huang Wanzhen held the cup of coffee, looking like she was thinking about Xu Shengyi.
Mrs. Xu smiled good-naturedly, "Who doesn't have problems? Your knowledge has been verified by the entrance exam, so I'm relieved. Besides, Sheng Yi and you get along very well, which is rare."
Huang Wanzhen stood up gracefully and bowed to Mrs. Xu, "Thank you for your understanding, Madam."
After completing all the formalities, Huang Wanzhen went to Xu Shengyi's yard.
"Teacher Huang, you are finally here. Look, I bought "Pride and Prejudice" myself."
Huang Wanzhen took it, flipped through it, and handed it back to her. "This is a hardcover edition. The publisher and label are both in English. It must have been bought directly from abroad. This means that this book was not bought by you. Someone else bought it from abroad and gave it to you as a gift."
Xu Shengyi lowered his head, pursed his lips and smiled secretly, "Su Jingyuan gave it to me." There was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Huang Wanzhen looked at her face carefully and saw that she didn't blush. She thought, she probably isn't in love.
"Did you meet at the Su family banquet?"
"Yes." Xu Shengyi nodded. "My mother said that as long as I get admitted to Beiman Girls' High School next year, she will get us engaged."
Huang Wanzhen pulled out a chair, sat down, and asked her facing her, "So do you want to be admitted to Beiman Girls' High School, or not?"
"Of course I wanted to pass the exam," Xu Shengyi explained to Huang Wanzhen quite seriously, "Nowadays, many families choose wives not only to look at the family background, but also to ask about the woman's education. I am not bad looking, I am smart, and I have read a lot, but I have never been to school for a few days, so I seem to be inferior to others."
"Beiman Girls' High School is one of the best schools in China. As long as I pass the entrance exam, it will prove that I have no problem with my studies. Even if I don't succeed with Su Jingyuan, I can still find another good man."
Huang Wanzhen was momentarily unsure whether Xu Shengyi liked Su Jingyuan or not. Seeing that Xu Shengyi was not shy about matters between men and women, she simply asked directly, "So, do you like Su Jingyuan or not?"
"Haha, Teacher Huang, that's an interesting question. Since ancient times, marriages between men and women have always been based on the principle of being of equal status. My Xu family is well-off, and Su Jingyuan's family background is also good. Our family backgrounds are a good match. As long as he doesn't indulge in drinking, gambling, whoring, and ruining the family reputation, then we're almost there. What does it matter whether I like him or not?"
Huang Wanzhen almost gave Xu Shengyi a thumbs up. Just in terms of this mentality, compared with Shen Junru, there was simply heaven and earth between them.
"Okay, then let's work hard together and try to get into Beiman Girls' High School next year."
Little Stone was very efficient. It only took him two days to tell Huang Wanzhen that the work was done. When Huang Wanzhen secretly asked how much it cost, Little Stone smiled and held up three fingers. Huang Wanzhen raised an eyebrow and asked, "How much?"
"Three dollars!" Little Stone was afraid Huang Wanzhen wouldn't believe him, so he counted on his fingers and told her where all the money had been spent. "That beggar was really pitiful. I wanted to give him a few dollars and send him away. Later, in the middle of winter, I saw he was freezing, so I bought him some warm clothes. Plus, the carriage to Hebei Province had a canopy, so the fare was two cents more. So I spent a little more. The total was three dollars and twelve cents."
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