Chapter 138: Turn Their Scheme Against Them: Husband and Wife Join Forces to Fight the Evil Merchant!

Seeing Wang Jianmin's pallid face, Lu Qingshan felt a surge of complex emotions. In his previous life he had seen too many people like this, waving a legal banner while conducting unsavory deeds.

"Comrade police, I really don't know anything!" Wang Jianmin persisted, "I'm just a legitimate businessman!"

"A legitimate businessman would use a fake ID?" Chen Zhiguo sneered, "Wang Jianmin, we've already uncovered your true identity. Li Jianye has fully confessed, including the matter of the food company behind you."

Hearing that, Wang Jianmin collapsed completely, slumping in his chair: "Factory Director Lu, hear me out, I was forced…"

"Forced?" Lin Yue'e rose, fury in her eyes, "You people bully us farmers and then claim you're forced?"

Lu Qingshan patted his wife's shoulder, signaling her to stay calm, then looked at Wang Jianmin: "Speak, what really happened?"

Wang Jianmin glanced at Chen Zhiguo, then at Lu Qingshan, and finally compromised: "Actually… we have a big boss behind us, the owner of a large food company in Chuncheng. They target projects like yours, scheming to ruin them and then buy the equipment and technology at low prices."

"Why?" Lu Qingshan asked knowingly.

"Because the policies have improved, and the state is heavily supporting projects," Wang Jianmin said with a wry smile, "After they acquire your technology and equipment, they can apply for support on a larger scale, and a single project can obtain millions, even several hundred million, in funding."

The villagers listened, their anger swelling.

"How shameless!" Zhao Tiezhu swung his fist, "Isn't this openly stealing our livelihood?"

"Brother Qing Shan, we must never let them succeed!" Liu Fugui, his face flushed and neck thick with anger, added.

Chen Zhiguo continued the interrogation: "What is that food company's name? Who is the boss?"

"Chuncheng Northern Food Group, the boss is Sun Dahai, the deputy general is Li Zhiyuan," Wang Jianmin blurted out, "They've done this with several projects in the Northeast, all successful."

Lu Qingshan felt a stir upon hearing the name. In his previous life he had indeed heard of Sun Dahai, a figure who thrived in both the underworld and legitimate circles, whose methods were extremely ruthless. He never expected to encounter him so early in this life.

"Qing Shan, are you okay?" Lin Yue'e noticed her husband's expression was unusual.

"I'm fine," Lu Qingshan recovered, "Brother Chen, how do you plan to handle this case?"

"The evidence is solid and the amount involved is huge; it must be handed up to higher authorities," Chen Zhiguo's eyes flashed coldly, "But before that, we need to protect Shanwan Village's project first."

At that moment, the village committee's phone rang again.

Zhao Yongnian answered, his face growing serious: "What? People from the province are coming? Okay, okay, we'll prepare immediately."

After hanging up, Zhao Yongnian said excitedly, "Qing Shan, Director Li of the Provincial Industry Department called, saying the province has dispatched a special investigation team to come over and thoroughly uncover this matter!"

Wang Jianmin's face grew even paler upon hearing that.

"It's over, it's over…" he muttered to himself, "President Sun definitely won't let me go…"

"What you should worry about now isn't Sun Dahai, but legal punishment," Chen Zhiguo said coldly.

Just then, Li Ming rushed in: "Factory Director Lu, something terrible has happened!"

"What is it?" Lu Qingshan felt a knot in his heart.

"I just got a call from the plant saying someone reported quality problems with our equipment; the industry and commerce department has already gone to investigate!" Li Ming said, panting.

Lu Qingshan and Chen Zhiguo exchanged a glance; it was clear the other side was desperate and reckless.

"Don't panic, the mountain folk have clever plans," Lin Yue'e suddenly spoke, wisdom shining in her eyes.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Qing Shan, do you still remember the listening device from yesterday?" Lin Yue'e smiled faintly, "Since they want to play, we'll play with them to the end."

"Yue E, what are you thinking?" Lu Qingshan's eyes flickered with anticipation.

"It's simple." Lin Yue'e walked to the listening device, deliberately raising her voice: "Oh Qing Shan, since the equipment has issues, let's pause the project. After all, Manager Wang said they're willing to buy everything."

"But Yue E, wouldn't that make all our effort wasted?" Lu Qingshan played along.

"Never mind, first secure the principal. At worst we can restart next year," Lin Yue'e sighed, "Tomorrow you call Manager Wang and tell him we accept his terms."

Having said that, Lin Yue'e gave a subtle signal to the crowd.

Although everyone didn't understand her intention, they all chose to cooperate.

Sure enough, within an hour another call came to the village committee.

"Factory Director Lu, this is Deputy General Li of Chuncheng Northern Food Group, I heard you encountered some difficulties?"

Lu Qingshan answered: "Hello President Li, indeed we have encountered some problems."

"How about this: I'll come personally tomorrow, and we can discuss in detail," the voice on the line said excitedly, "Our group has strong financial resources and can definitely solve all your problems."

After hanging up, Lu Qingshan couldn't help but praise, "Yue E, that move was truly brilliant."

"We call that luring the snake out of its hole," Lin Yue'e said proudly, "Make them think we're really giving up, and the real big fish will appear."

Chen Zhiguo nodded, "Sister-in-law, this strategy is indeed clever; when Deputy General Li arrives tomorrow, we can catch them all in one net."

Just as everyone praised Lin Yue'e's wisdom, Qian Jin suddenly ran over.

"Qing Shan, the equipment tuning is complete!" Qian Jin said excitedly, "Come take a look, the results are even better than we expected!"

The group went to the plant and saw various machines running in orderly fashion.

The meat‑drying equipment sliced meat uniformly, the mineral water line filled sparkling soda and bottled water crystal‑clear, and the Chinese‑medicine processing machines made Yao Bai'nian adore them.

"This machine is truly advanced!"

Yao Bai'nian stroked the processing machine, eyes full of delight, "With this, our Chinese‑herb processing efficiency can increase more than tenfold!"

The villagers watched the modern equipment, excitement sparkling in their eyes.

"Brother Qing Shan, this is our wealth‑making machine!" Zhao Tiezhu said with a goofy grin.

"Exactly!" Lu Qingshan looked at the machines, his heart swelling with pride, "With these, Shanwan Village can truly soar!"

Lin Yue'e walked to her husband's side and whispered, "Qing Shan, do you think Deputy General Li will bring more people tomorrow?"

"He definitely will."

"Since they want to play big, we'll see them through. Then they'll learn what it means to steal a chicken and lose the rice!" Lu Qingshan said, a cold glint in his eyes.

At that moment, the sound of a car came from the village entrance.

A military‑green jeep rolled in slowly, and several uniformed men stepped out.

"The provincial investigation team has arrived!"

Zhang Xincheng went to greet them.

Looking at these figures that embody the forces of justice, Lu Qingshan felt a warm current rise in his heart.

This time, he will not let anyone destroy Shanwan Village's development, nor will he let his wife and the villagers be harmed.

Tomorrow is the moment of the final showdown.