Dozens of candles on the huge chandelier emit a light that is no less than that of a gas lamp. Together with the more than ten chandeliers around it, it illuminates this six-hundred-year-old hall. The aroma of the special candles when burning spreads out everywhere, matching them
The light emitted also filled the entire old hall.
There is no doubt that this is a grand party!
But the venue for the banquet was not the home of a noble or a wealthy businessman, but Lincoln College, one of the four major law schools in the Loen Kingdom. It was held in the old hall, the oldest building in the college.
Anyone who has a certain understanding of the four major law schools knows that such banquets are rare in history. As a law school that is more conservative than the nobility, they still retain the black robes today as new universities are gradually taking shape.
The tradition of wigs and high-table meals requires all students to eat 12 meals at the long table, on average once a month.
Even students like Rawls who have gone through the back door must abide by these old-fashioned rituals, otherwise the college will never grant him the qualification of a barrister.
But now, in the old hall of Lincoln's Inn, a feast is being held in a moot court hall for college students!
Even if the invited guests were already inside the old hall, they could not believe that the conservative Lincoln College would make such an astonishing move. They could guess that Lincoln College might be making big moves.
In a corner of the old hall, Merino, who is the supervisor of Lincoln's Inn, is wearing a black tuxedo and a lawyer's unique tie. His strong body holds up the clothes. Although there are many students serving as waiters in the old hall, Merino
Nuo's expression was not as serious as usual. He passed a glass of red wine in front of the three people beside him and introduced with a smile:
"Rawls, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Austin, the first dean of Backlund University Law School. He is now concentrating on writing. You should read his book "The Scope of Jurisprudence"."
Austin's hairline has not receded much, his eyes are melancholy, and there is a thick beard around his mouth. His movements are very awkward, like a child being led to meet his elders. His status in the legal world is not very high, but he has a certain
scope of influence.
Rawls knew this Mr. Austin relatively well. When he "persuaded" lawyer Merlino, he mentioned that Backlund University was preparing to establish a legal education, and he was referring to Austin.
He was the first professor of jurisprudence at Backlund University, established the law school and served as the dean. However, due to his own personality and physical problems, Backlund's law did not develop. Recently, Backlund University seems to have regained its reputation.
Picked up law school, ready to expand.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Austin. I like your point of view very much. The purpose of legislation is to maximize human happiness."
Mr. Austin finally had a smile on his melancholy face, but he still boasted a little nervously:
"I have seen your defense in the Nozick case. It was very good. It was much better than mine." In fact, this is not flattery. After all, this gentleman's extremely nervous character did not make him successful in his lawyer career.
Outstanding performance.
Next, Lawyer Merlino introduced the two people next to Rawls. Albert Wein, who was tall and thin and intimidating, but had some funny movements; his hairline was severely receding, and he was over fifty years old.
A gorgeously dressed Alexander Coburn.
The former holds a BA from Tingen University and qualified as a barrister at Lincoln College. He is now a lecturer at Tingen University, teaching logic and ethics, but often publishes legal articles. His family has great influence in the newspaper industry.
, not only owns the "Tingen Daily News" and the "Ahowa Daily News", but also owns part of the shares of the "Daily Observer", the fourth largest newspaper in Loen.
The latter is a famous playboy in the Kingdom of Loen. He is over fifty but not yet married. He only has two illegitimate sons and one illegitimate daughter. Although his private life is chaotic, he performed extremely well in his early career as a lawyer. Now he is the Kingdom of Loen.
The Attorney General is the King's legal adviser and has the authority to respond to inquiries from Parliament and the Cabinet on legal matters.
These three are the ones that Lawyer Merino asked Rawls to focus on, and they are also the first difficulty in the cooperation between Lincoln's Inn and Adrian Law Firm. Although the two parties have not yet started cooperating, the news has been frequently attended by Rawls.
The banquet has almost spread over the past few days.
Although Austin no longer teaches at Backlund University, he is likely to represent Backlund University this time. They have invested heavily in law school, which has aroused the vigilance of three other law schools. If Lincoln College also participates,
When they come in, they will be under a lot of pressure.
The four major colleges not only occupy the legal community of the Loen Kingdom, but also have their own power in the political arena. Many cabinet ministers either come from the four major colleges themselves, or are honorary members of the four major colleges. For example, the current Prime Minister Agushed Nigen is the inner hall.
By birth, Police Minister Baird Kaman is an honorary member of the Middle Temple.
Austin definitely wanted to find out more about the big moves of Lincoln College for Backlund Law School, which he founded, so this jurist, who was not very healthy physically and mentally, came to Tingen.
Alexander Coburn, the Attorney General, naturally came here on behalf of the royal family. Although he did not have a good relationship with King George III, other members of the royal family and cabinet members were friendly with him. In addition, he has always been rigorous in his work, so he came here.
Tingen is also a normal thing.
But Albert Venn is a little strange. Although he was invited and his family has great influence, he does not have much influence in the legal world. He is from Lincoln College, so it is unlikely that he will organize the college and
Cooperation with Adrian Firm.
But why did Attorney Merino let Rawls pay attention to him?
Merino left temporarily after the introduction, leaving the three of them and Rawls in a corner of the old hall.
After the four people chatted for a while, Mr. Austin, who was qualified as a barrister but had a nervous personality, was the first to retreat. He could write books, but he could not keep up with the discussions of Rawls' three barristers.
Rawls looked at Austin's shocked back and shook his head. He had no idea what the purpose of this gentleman's coming here was, or was it that Backlund University didn't even have anyone who could talk?
Albert Venn is very young, not yet thirty years old this year, but he behaves extremely funny. He often can't hold the wine glass in his hand steadily, as if it will break at any time. His eyes follow Austin's back, his eyes wandering.
Revealing the same sense of melancholy:
"If Mr. Austin continues like this, I'm afraid..."
"His health has always been bad. If it weren't for the law school with only twenty or thirty people, he wouldn't have come to Tingen." Coburn brought the wine glass in his hand to himself and shook it gently, but
His eyes were on Rawls.
Rawls, who knew what he meant, took a sip of red wine and said:
"Perhaps Mr. Austin should not establish a law school. This kind of thing should be left to professionals."
Attorney General Coburn nodded and said extremely disrespectful words:
"Well, that makes sense! I just think that our King is not suitable to be a King."
Rawls and Albert Venn looked at each other, both of them knowingly did not take up the topic. The latter said with a recalling tone:
"I used to be the same as Mr. Austin. I had been depressed due to physical reasons, and I slowly became cheerful until I got better." He has been suffering from a disease since he was born, and has some muscle weakness. Even now he has difficulty controlling his body.
"So, boys, hurry up and join the banquet. There are many beautiful girls waiting for us today." Attorney General Coburn seemed to have seen the lover of his dreams, patting the two of them on the shoulders and heading towards the center of the banquet.
Go.
Within three minutes of the four people communicating, only two people were left.
"Mr. Coburn is really a smart man." The thin Wayne looked at Coburn as he approached the two girls like a young man. He turned to look at Rawls, "Now there are only two of us left.
Now, we should be able to have a good talk."
"Of course." Rawls glanced around and shrugged, "It's too noisy here, so let's go out and talk."
He now understood that among the three people, only Mr. Austin from Backlund University really wanted to clarify the situation. The Attorney General came to Tingen only because of his own responsibilities. After all, although Lincoln College agreed to negotiate with Adri
An's firm, but it hasn't started yet. At least until Rawls returns to Backlund with a barrister from Lincoln College in Ahowa County, there will be pressure from all parties.
But Rawls has not figured out what Albert Venn is thinking. However, as a "briber", his opponent is an ordinary person. There is nothing that a single bribe cannot do. Even if it cannot be done, there can still be a second bribe.
Second time...
…
The old hall and library of Lincoln College were not originally connected, but they were connected after undergoing a major project a few years before Rawls enrolled.
As a dull law school, the only place to relax here is the library. After all, there are many books collected there, including some banned books. Most of the books in the library are donated by graduated students. As people who have been there, they are the most capable.
Understand the students.
But now those students who cannot leave school have all gone to the old hall to pass their boring time, and there are not many people in the library.
"The library was my favorite place when I first entered school, although it was a bit small." Rawls, who had not been back here for a long time, rarely expressed his feelings.
Albert Venn walked very slowly and stopped from time to time. He glanced at the familiar library and said:
"I don't have any feelings about this place. I only come here to look up information when I'm writing."
"You weren't here in the first half year?" Rawls turned and looked at him. You must know that the first half year of Lincoln College is a semi-enclosed study, and you absolutely cannot leave school without permission.
"Haha, I'm not in good health, and I still have to study at Tingen University." Wayne blinked, as if he really needed daily treatment.
Rawls knew that the other party was just like him, even relying on his family's power in Tingen, he didn't have to pay any price, he just needed to give a legitimate reason.
"Then you missed a lot of good things." Rawls relied on his memory to skillfully find a book with a green cover and handed it to Wayne.
""Finney Hill"?" Wayne took the book and frowned at the title. As a Bachelor of Literature, he had read many books. This book selected for the college library was very familiar, but
He wasn't sure he had seen it.
"This book also has another name - Memoirs of a Woman in Pleasure."
Albert Venn raised his head and glanced at Rawls. This book was banned! But this kind of thing is normal in Loen. It seems that there is no difference between this young barrister and a normal Loen man.
Wayne bent down and stuffed the book back on the bookshelf, stood up and said:
"I have a fiancée, unlike you."
"I am only twenty-three years old and you are already thirty!"
"No, twenty-nine years old."
"Bribery" successful!
…
"You should be curious to know why Lawyer Merino said that I am a difficulty in your cooperation, right?" Albert Venn glanced at Rawls, "You should know that my family has great influence in the newspaper industry.
, but this is only on the surface. The people behind "Backlund Daily", "Backlund Post" and "Tasok Daily" are the decision-makers of the newspaper industry, and we can only be at their mercy.
The Wien family has some shares in the "Daily Observer", but not much. Now the "Backlund Post" wants to acquire the "Daily Observer", so I have to come to the banquet and even stop you.
cooperate."
What does this have to do with my cooperation with the college? Behind the Backlund Post is the New Party, but there is absolutely no need for them to do this. After all, I have the Conservative Party behind me and the Backlund Daily. Doing so only
It just makes me sick.
"The person who is presiding over this merger and acquisition is your acquaintance Hibbert Hall. He seems to have a strong opinion of you."
Rawls frowned slightly. He was not too surprised or angry about this incident, but he felt that his sources of intelligence were still too few. Before this banquet, Lawyer Merino knew about Albert Venn
He knew the purpose of his visit and knew who was behind it, but the Adrian Firm, as a partner, had no relevant information at all.
I don’t even know much about this merger and acquisition case. After all, such a large-scale merger cannot be negotiated for only a few years. You must know that mergers and acquisitions do not depend on the target you want to acquire, but whether your competitors are willing.
"Isn't there any action from Backlund Daily?"
"It is said that this is part of the agreement between Duke Negan and Duke Hall." As the Wayne family is well-known in the newspaper industry, there are naturally various gossips.
Rawls frowned. Duke Negan was not an idiot. He could be assassinated by the Twilight Hermits, so his ability was naturally very strong. But can this kind of thing be compromised? The newspaper is the mouthpiece of the party!
"You don't want the merger to go through?"
"In addition to the top three newspapers, the Wynn family has some shares in newspapers across the country. Once the merger is successful, the new party will overwhelm the conservative party, and the two parties will fight. We can't afford to offend either party! If you can do it,
, the Wayne family supports your cooperation with Lincoln College."