In Zhoushan, Zhejiang, a 90-year-old woman has captured national attention for learning the law to defend her son, who is facing criminal charges in a high-stakes business dispute involving over RM70 million.
Lin, a 57-year-old businessman, had once gone into business with Huang, a former top tycoon in Zhoushan. Huang had paid Lin a sum of 56 million yuan (approximately RM33.3 million), but six years later, Lin was arrested on suspicion of extortion. Lin maintains that the money was a legitimate debt repayment. His case is currently being heard in court.
Determined to fight for her son’s freedom, Lin’s 90-year-old mother, Madam He, began studying law on her own. She appeared in court recently to assist in his defense, saying, “I’m a mother. I want to save my son. If he is guilty, he should be punished accordingly. But if he is not, I hope he can come home soon.”
According to reports from Chinese media, Lin is the actual controller of two companies involved in the gas supply industry for shipyards. Since 2009, his companies had been in business with Huang, who was once worth 8 billion yuan and ranked 88th on the 2009 Hurun Rich List. Lin’s companies faced long-standing issues with delayed payments from Huang, which eventually forced him to halt operations in 2013. By then, Huang allegedly owed Lin over 100 million yuan (RM59 million).
While a partial payment was made, Huang later claimed in 2023 that he had been extorted by Lin between 2015 and 2017. The case was submitted to the Zhoushan Dinghai District Prosecutor’s Office, which alleged that Lin used illegally obtained financial documents to pressure Huang’s companies and demand payments, even threatening to report them to tax authorities. The prosecution claims Lin and his company’s financial officer, Li, extorted a total of over 117 million yuan (about RM70 million) from Huang and his firm.
The defense, however, argues that Lin was merely demanding what he was owed and that no threats or intimidation were involved—therefore, the charges of extortion are not applicable.
On July 30, at 9:30 a.m., Lin’s 90-year-old mother appeared in court alongside defense lawyers. Despite her age, she had prepared diligently for months, using a magnifying glass to read through legal documents and laws such as the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Law. She even taught herself how to use a computer and frequently visited the court to study case files, regardless of the weather.
During the hearing, she reportedly became emotional and suffered a spike in blood pressure up to 190. Medical staff advised her to seek hospital treatment, but she refused to leave the courtroom.
“She’s a strong-willed woman,” said Lin’s niece, Ms. Li. “Even though the family opposed her idea, she insisted on learning law and defending her son. She wakes up at 4 a.m. every day to study.”
Madam He, who only completed middle school, says she may not understand every detail of the legal books, but she is determined to do her best to support her son in court.
Online, many netizens were deeply moved by her story, commenting, “She may be old, but she’s got a heart of steel,” “A mother’s love knows no limits,” and “A small hero facing a giant villain.”
