GBP Chapter 379 Legal Affairs Officer Xiao Sizi's Inquiry
Chapter 379 Legal Affairs Officer Xiao Sizi's Inquiry
Deep within the Weiyang County government office of Chang'an's Jingzhao Prefecture, a peculiar method of "diagnosing legal cases" quietly circulated among the thick scrolls of legal texts. This method, like a spring breeze, swept through the East and West Markets, attracting wealthy merchants eager to learn more. And the one who wielded this secret method was none other than a legal advisor known as "Little Sizi"—Fang Qing.
This elegant name originated from a delicate and adorable rhinoceros horn paperweight on her desk. Its single horn pointing to the sky and its endearing appearance made it look exactly like a young mythical beast. It lay quietly on the mountain of scrolls, as if it were the embodiment of her keenly perceptive spirit, dedicated to "diagnosing" the pulse of wealthy merchants.
When the clinic first opened, the presence of adorable children as the clinic's patrons amazed everyone.
In the midsummer season, the air inside the Emergency Cases Office was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and a unique "reflection and evaluation" tea gathering was in full swing. Several wealthy merchants, dressed in brocade robes and exuding an air of extraordinary elegance, sat on either side of a long sandalwood table, but their eyes were involuntarily drawn to the small figure at the head of the table.
Fang Qing, nicknamed "Little Sizi," was so petite that she was almost swallowed up by the oversized robes of a legal official. Her face was bare, save for a pair of exquisite Western Region "ai dai" (eyeglasses) perched on her nose. Behind the lenses, her eyes shone like stars reflected in a cold pool, strikingly clear. She tiptoed, laboriously pushing scrolls of plain silk-bound "Medical Inquiry and Symptom Reports"—her "recovery case studies"—towards her "patients" (merchants).
"After the Shangsi Festival last year, your businesses received your first 'legal consultation'," she began, her voice carrying a childlike clarity, yet each word was precious, her composure as steady as an experienced physician's whispered advice. "The changes that followed are evident to all. Especially your business—" Her gaze behind her glasses turned precisely to a robust merchant with a bushy beard, pointing with her small hand, "from being passively entangled in litigation to actively settling disputes, from frequently appealing to accepting the judgment and ending the conflict, years of entanglements have been largely resolved, and business operations have become far smoother than ever before. Such a 'recovery from a long-standing illness' deserves a toast!"
The one named was none other than the manager of "Longchang," the shop that had suddenly realized his mistake after the initial diagnosis. At this moment, his steel-needle-like beard trembled, and he actually grinned, revealing a genuine smile. He clasped his hands and said loudly, "Young legal expert, you are truly wise! Your esteemed institution's method is indeed the elixir of life for our business!" Looking at the lovely little girl in front of him, who spoke such astonishing words, he almost wanted to reach out and touch her head, but he quickly suppressed this inappropriate impulse.
Little Sizi nodded slightly, a glint of wisdom flashing in her glasses, as if to say, "It's nothing, just a trivial matter." With a flick of her small hand, a screen behind her unfolded with a "whoosh," displaying an inked diagram of the "Five Methods of Diagnosis," which she then began to explain in a clear, crisp voice, as if reciting a family medical classic:
"By posting notices to recruit talented individuals, we are seeking out skilled lawyers to gather those who are knowledgeable in law, adept at mediation, and adept at judgment, to form our 'consultation' team!"
"When issuing a prescription, the business must present its own 'ailment,' detailing the pain of contracts, the disturbance of employees, and the poison of lawsuits, and providing a detailed description of the 'symptoms'!"
"The written diagnosis is my direct diagnosis after 'observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation,' pointing to the root of the serious illness and issuing this 'diagnosis' in black and white!"
"The consultation and acupuncture treatment involves gathering renowned doctors (wise men) and patients (businesses) to discuss effective remedies and prescribe the right medicine for the symptoms!"
"Focusing on chronic and intractable diseases is a radical cure for the 'stubborn ailments' of commerce!"
The ink marks on the screen seemed to come alive, reflecting scenes of Xiao Sizi leading a group of "little doctors" buried in "medical records" (files), "observing, listening, inquiring, and feeling the pulse" (talking late into the night by candlelight) in the store's warehouse, and "debating with the doctors" (a battle of wits) during consultations... The light and shadow flowed across her small figure, revealing a convincing dignity and sharpness.
"A good beginning and a good end," Wang Yanwen, the composed military advisor of the Jingzhao Prefecture, stroked his beard and smiled, his voice sounding particularly mellow amidst the aroma of tea. "'Diagnosing the law' to examine the symptoms, and 'looking back' to verify the effectiveness, only then can a harmonious whole be achieved. This is not only a perfection of the government office, but also a good path for the coexistence and prosperity of commerce and law. The divine physician Xiao Sizi has made a great contribution."
Early Signs of Talent: The "Longchang" Pulse Diagnosis Method Reveals Its Profound Potential.
However, this method was not easy to implement at first, and it was fraught with difficulties. Little Sizi still remembered that last winter, in order to form her "Emergency Cases Department Medical Team", she walked all over the government offices of the Jingzhao Prefecture in three days with her short legs. With her little face upturned, her words were as earnest as the sound of golden bells. Her persistence and sincerity finally persuaded several legal scholars to put aside their airs and be willing to be "assistants" for this child.
On the day she first entered the wealthy merchant house "Longchang" in the West Market, she was greeted by the head manager's scrutinizing gaze behind his glasses and his distant bow: "Military Advisor Fang... young lady," the head manager said, looking at the exquisitely beautiful girl before him, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible disdain, "Our company's contracts are all based on the 'Yonghui Code,' and lawsuits... occasionally occur, but they are nothing more than minor ailments. Why would we need the 'miracle doctor' to come in person, young lady?"
Little Sizi wasn't annoyed at all. She simply stretched out her small hand and solemnly adjusted the slightly large hood on her nose, her gaze as calm as a deep well: "Laws are the bones and muscles, while illness hides in the skin and muscles. Uncle shopkeeper, don't underestimate me because I'm small. May I have the honor of seeing your 'medical records' (contracts and legal documents)?" Her confident demeanor made her look exactly like a little miracle doctor who was well-prepared.
For the next seven days, Xiao Sizi and her "little doctors" immersed themselves in the vast sea of medical records (contracts and legal documents) on the "Longchang" ship. The oil lamps in the duty room burned all night, the scent of ink mingling with the aroma of tea. Beside the mountain of files, Xiao Sizi's small body was almost buried in them, her glasses nearly touching the silk paper, fine beads of sweat glistening on her nose. Her small hands, holding a vermilion pen, moved swiftly across the scrolls, marking and annotating, the red and blue ink swirling, like weaving a net to capture disease.
One dark night, she suddenly raised her head from the pile of files, her piercing eyes gleaming with a sharp light, as if she had discovered a ailment! Her little finger pointed precisely to the vague clauses regarding the transfer of money and inspection of goods in several subcontracting contracts: "Here! A hidden trap has been planted! If the other party runs out of money or there are discrepancies in the goods, we will be mired in trouble, and the risk of losing the case is seven or eight out of ten!" Her clear childish voice was particularly distinct in the quiet night, startling her dozing subordinate next to her.
The final "diagnosis report" was like a boulder thrown into the calm lake of the "Longchang". In the book, Xiao Sizi and his team listed the five major "chronic diseases" and seventeen "symptoms" of "Longchang" with almost ruthless precision. In particular, they marked the trap clauses in several construction contracts with "dangerous" in bright red cinnabar! After each "symptom", there was a "treatment strategy" (solution) that hit the nail on the head and could be followed immediately. Every word was precious and went straight to the heart of the matter.
The "consultation on acupuncture" was scheduled for three days after the "diagnosis report" arrived. Inside the secret chamber of the "Longchang" ship, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. Facing a barrage of questions from the head manager and several grave-faced owners, Xiao Sizi, seated in a specially made high chair, remained calm and composed. Her speech was measured, each word carrying immense weight, and she occasionally gestured with her small hands. Her composure beyond her years was remarkable.
"Pre-litigation preservation is all about speed. The sooner you 'lock the acupoints' (secure money and property), the shorter the 'pain' (the period of entanglement) can be. ... The 'clue' to this lease agreement lies in the interlocking of the 'delivery' and 'signing' documents. If one link is missing, the loss could exceed ten thousand taels of silver..."
This adorable child's eloquence truly sealed the deal! She cited legal provisions with meticulous precision, as if reciting a familiar text; she analyzed old cases with pinpoint accuracy, hitting the nail on the head. Her demeanor was exactly like that of a seasoned, experienced doctor sitting at her consultation table, pointing out the root of the problem.
The head steward, who had initially harbored doubts, gradually relaxed his furrowed brows, his pen flying across the paper. Finally, he put down his pen heavily, sighed deeply, and looked at the small figure in the chair. His gaze was complex, but it ultimately turned into heartfelt admiration: "Military Advisor Fang... Little miracle doctor! Such a ailment has never been so clearly understood by anyone in our organization! I am truly impressed! It is... a divine skill!" He almost wanted to applaud the child's insight.
Xiao Sizi picked up her pen and neatly wrote on the jade-covered "Medical Records Book" (Qing Book) she carried with her: "The law is not a quick fix, but a fundamental elixir." After writing, she gently touched the rhinoceros horn on her desk that pointed to the sky. Behind her glasses, her bright eyes shone with a light that revealed her understanding of the world and her commitment to upholding the order of commerce.
The name of the adorable child doctor resounded throughout Chang'an's commercial district.