Chapter 145: Lin Yue'e's Fierce Defense of Her Husband, a Stack of Ledgers Slaps the Scoundrels!

Ma Defu was left speechless by the questioning, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his small eyes darted around, clearly looking for a way to extricate himself.

"Deputy Mayor Ma, since you can't point out any illegality on our part, please retract those words you just said!" Lu Qingshan pressed on step by step, his voice growing colder.

At that moment, Lin Yue'e came over holding a thick folder, her face bearing a resolute expression.

"Leaders, I will explain in detail the source of our funds," Lin Yue'e's voice was gentle yet carried an unquestionable firmness.

She opened the folder and took out various certificates one by one: "Our start‑up capital is 20,000 yuan, which comes from my husband's previous hunting and sale of wild goods; here is the receipt."

Ma Defu leaned forward to glance at the yellowed receipts, which indeed recorded sales of various wild delicacies at the county state‑run hotel, spanning from last winter to this summer.

"Next is a bank loan of 500,000 yuan, this is the lending certificate from the Jiangyuan County Credit Union, with interest settled monthly and never overdue. This is the province‑issued certificate for a 1,000,000‑yuan interest‑free loan…" Lin Yue'e produced another stack of bank documents.

Ma Defu took them and examined them; the documents clearly listed the loan purpose and repayment plan, all in compliance with regulations.

"The forthcoming income all comes from legitimate operations," Lin Yue'e's voice grew more Confidence, "In August, Dingxiang Food earned 280,000 yuan, Jingyi Chinese herbs 220,000 yuan, Yuanqi beverage 250,000 yuan; in September they were 320,000, 260,000 and 290,000 respectively."

She continued, pulling out thick sales contracts and invoices: "These are sales contracts, these are bank transfer vouchers, these are tax‑reduction certificates. Three factories, three separate accounts, completely isolated. Every cent has a source, every cent has a destination!"

Ma Defu stared at the dense stack of documents, his complexion growing increasingly grim. The evidence was so conclusive that he could not refute it, and all originated through proper channels, leaving no fault to be found.

"And this," Lin Yue'e produced the final document, "These are the tax certificates for our three factories; over the past two months they have paid a total of 120,000 yuan in various taxes, all on time and in full!"

The 120,000‑yuan tax proof laid before him made Ma Defu's face turn completely pale. How could a company that pays taxes normally be engaged in illegal fundraising?

Zhang Zhidong looked at the evidence, a satisfied smile on his face, "Ma Defu, do you have anything else to say now?"

Ma Defu opened his mouth, but no sound emerged. The few subordinates he had brought also bowed their heads, daring not to look at anyone.

At that moment, Ma Defu's secretary rushed over and whispered a few words into his ear.

The secretary's words are unknown, but Ma Defu's complexion instantly turned deathly pale, a bead of sweat the size of a bean rolling down his forehead.

"Yes... yes... I understand..." Ma Defu's voice grew softer, finally almost inaudible.

The secretary greeted Party Committee Secretary Zhang Zhidong and stepped back behind Ma Defu.

Ma Defu stood rooted for a few seconds, then hurried to his subordinates, lowering his voice to speak urgently.

The men who heard him changed expression, all nodding in understanding.

"Ahem…" Ma Defu cleared his throat, forcing a smile uglier than crying, "Well... perhaps we haven't grasped the full picture; since the provincial inspection team has confirmed no issues, then... then there is no problem."

The sudden reversal left everyone present stunned. The very people who moments ago were storming to freeze the accounts had suddenly softened.

"Deputy Mayor Ma, what do you mean by this?" Zhang Zhidong asked, squinting.

"There's nothing special, just... just a routine inspection. Since there's no problem, Secretary Zhang, let's go back," Ma Defu spoke with a slight stutter.

Deputy Bureau Chief Li stepped forward: "Deputy Mayor Ma, since this is a routine inspection, our provincial inspection team formally issues an inspection report."

He retrieved a formal document from his briefcase: "After a comprehensive inspection, the three factories in Shanwan Village all operate in accordance with national regulations, with complete procedures, clear finances, and robust product quality. The provincial government has decided to grant each factory 500,000 yuan in support funds, totaling 1,500,000 yuan, to be disbursed within three days."

The 1,500,000‑yuan support fund! The news sparked excitement among the workers present, who burst into applause and cheers.

Hearing the news, Ma Defu's complexion grew even grimmer. With the provincial government ready to provide support funds, why was this deputy mayor still probing for illegal fundraising? It was courting death.

"Furthermore," Deputy Bureau Chief Li's voice hardened, "No unit or individual may arbitrarily accuse a lawfully operating enterprise of illegal fundraising without concrete evidence. Such conduct constitutes overstepping authority and will bear responsibility!"

The remark was clearly aimed at Ma Defu, whose face was already as white as paper.

"We... we will leave immediately," Ma Defu could stay no longer, hastily waving to his subordinates.

The few men trudged dejectedly toward the vehicles; the workers voluntarily cleared a path, but their gazes held contempt and anger.

As Ma Defu was about to board, he suddenly turned and gave Lu Qingshan a cold smile: "Lu Qingshan, do you think this is over? Just you wait!"

Having said that, Ma Defu slipped into the car, and several vehicles roared away, leaving a cloud of dust.

Lu Qingshan watched the receding car silhouettes, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes. This Ma Defu was clearly prepared, and his parting threat indicated the matter was far from over.

"Qing Shan, ignore him," Zhang Zhidong patted Lu Qingshan's shoulder, "Some people cannot stand to see others succeed, but as long as you walk the righteous path, no one can touch you."

"Director Lu, the province's support for you is steadfast; if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to contact us," Director Wang reassured.

Lu Qingshan nodded, his anger gradually subsiding. With provincial and municipal backing, plus iron‑clad evidence, no conspiracy could intimidate him.

"Leaders, since we've come this far, why not come to my home for a visit?" Lu Qingshan invited sincerely.

"Sure, we'd also like to try Shanwan Village's local dishes," Deputy Bureau Chief Li replied with a smile.

The party walked toward Lu Qingshan's home, and the workers dispersed, their faces alight with excitement. Today's battle was fought brilliantly, not only repelling the trouble‑makers but also securing the 1,500,000‑yuan support fund.

Walking along the road, Lin Yue'e quietly clasped Lu Qingshan's hand: "Qing Shan, I saw you were angry just now."

"Indeed, I was angry," Lu Qingshan did not hide it, "We conduct our business honestly; why should we be defamed?"

"But you handled it well, without impulsiveness," Lin Yue'e said with satisfaction in her eyes, "If it were the old you, you might have acted immediately."

Lu Qingshan gave a wry smile. In his previous life he was indeed impulsive, but after rebirth he realized that true strength lies in solving problems with wisdom.

At that moment, Zhao Tiezhu hurried over: "Brother Qing Shan, more people have arrived at the village entrance! This time it's from the county, saying they have an important announcement!"

"More people?" Lu Qingshan thought, "What's happening today, wave after wave?"

"Let's go take a look," Zhang Zhidong showed interest as well.

The group walked back toward the village entrance and saw two cars bearing county‑government plates parked there, with Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin standing beside the vehicles.

"Secretary Zhidong, you're here too!" Zhang Xincheng greeted enthusiastically.

"Old Zhang, what's this?" Zhang Zhidong asked, a hint of puzzlement in his voice.

Zhang Xincheng smiled mysteriously: "I have good news for Qing Shan. The provincial government just issued a document deciding to establish the province's first rural enterprise demonstration zone in Shanwan Village, Jiangyuan County, allocating 300,000 yuan for infrastructure construction!"

The 3,000,000‑yuan infrastructure fund! The news exploded through the crowd like a bomb.

Lu Qingshan gazed at the three factories in the distance, a surge of ambition rising within him. Shanwan Village's future truly seemed poised to soar.