The Fence in the Courtyard

A school dispute in his youth and a simple mediation shaped by the rules of the time and the habits of local officials left Chen Yu burdened with grievances and resentment for years. Against a backdrop of changing laws and a gap in legal understanding at the grassroots level, he did not become embittered or lose his way. Instead, he stayed true to himself and sought justice through the proper channels. With the support and guidance of lawyer Lin Yuan and juvenile prosecutor Qin Xue, his personal struggle over four years did not spark division or conflict, nor did it unleash a wave of blame and retribution. Instead, in the gentlest and most level-headed way, it prompted Qingzhou City's grassroots legal system to reflect on itself and undergo comprehensive reform.

Local judicial workers across the city broke away from years of prioritizing stability above all else, abandoned experience-based practices, and completed training on the new law, process reforms, institutional improvements, and comprehensive legal education in schools. With realistic warmth, this book tells the story of two sides growing together through the pursuit of justice. It shows how the quiet perseverance of ordinary people can expose gaps in the rules and improve local governance, affirming that the rule of law is never fixed: it advances by correcting its mistakes and grows through reform. The story brings to life the warmth, inclusiveness, and strength of grassroots justice in the new era.