Chapter 90: For the Glory of the Nation
"Two yuan per ton?"
Li Tang wasn't about to object to earning more.
But he was a little suspicious—why was the other party being so generous, practically throwing money at him?
"Of course, I do have one condition,"
Chen Jinhe added with a seemingly simple smile.
"For any copper deposit under five million tons, you'll receive no payment. If the reserve exceeds five million tons, then for every ton beyond that, we'll pay you two yuan."
Old fox!
Li Tang couldn't help but curse in his mind.
A moment ago, he had thought the man was being generous—and now, it was clear he was just trying to get something for nothing!
How many copper deposits in all of China exceed five million tons?
You could count them on one hand.
To get paid, you'd have to find a world-class deposit. Globally, very few would dare to accept such a deal.
But exceptions exist—and Li Tang was one of them.
The fact that he was standing here negotiating with Chen Jinhe was already something extraordinary.
"Alright. I'm willing to accept President Chen's challenge." He agreed with a smile.
He accepted even such a harsh condition?
Could it be that he truly believed he could find another deposit like Qu Long?
Chen Jinhe watched Li Tang's confident expression, his mind racing: Is this kid for real?
Before he could say anything else, Li Tang spoke again.
"President Chen, if you start a project here, wouldn't you prefer to work with the Jian'an Province Geological Team? After all, that's your old unit."
"What do you mean?"
Chen Jinhe clearly understood but still asked anyway.
"The 101 Geological Team of Guizhou Province is now seen as a star exploration team. They discovered the Qu Long Copper Mine!"
Li Tang's voice rose, as if selling a hot item on a market stall. "I hope the 101 Geological Team can be part of our cooperation."
"That's one of your conditions?"
"That's my request."
Li Tang was confident he would earn a substantial reward from the partnership with Zise Mining.
In that context, helping his father's team land a project was a simple favor.
"I'll give it serious thought."
Zise Mining had always worked exclusively with the Jian'an Geological Team. Choosing to work with another would require careful consideration.
Originally, Chen Jinhe had planned to bring the Jian'an team along to Tibet.
"Your father, Li Zaiqiang, is the Chief Engineer of the 101 Team?"
"He's my father, though he's still acting in the role for now." Li Tang nodded. "If you would consider working with them, President Chen, I'd like to thank you on their behalf."
"I'll give you a definite answer once I've thought it through."
Chen Jinhe wasn't brushing him off—he really did need to weigh the pros and cons.
Regardless, he was in a good mood now. He stretched out a pair of rough, calloused hands and clasped Li Tang's tightly.
"Let's hope we can find the second Qu Long!"
Their goal was now the same: find a major deposit.
"Looking forward to working together!" Li Tang smiled faintly.
"This kind of partnership—well, it's a first for Zise Mining. In the past, we hired experts only after we had a project in hand, and they'd come to guide us. But in our cooperation, you'll be providing the exploration area, methods, and even the theoretical model."
Chen Jinhe laughed heartily, still unable to believe that he'd agreed to partner with a guy in his early twenties on what seemed like such an uncertain venture.
"We don't even have a feasibility report yet—not even a clear plan. Li Tang, I really do trust you. Don't let me down."
Li Tang knew full well it was this trust that made the partnership possible.
And if he hadn't believed in Chen Jinhe, he never would have agreed either.
Trust, after all, was mutual.
Back at the hotel, the first thing Li Tang did was call Qin Jianshe.
"Li Tang." Qin Jianshe's voice sounded weary.
Li Tang didn't ask why. He got straight to the point.
"Director Qin, I've just arrived in Tibet. I spoke with President Chen Jinhe of Zise Mining, and I'm planning to cooperate with them on a copper exploration project here."
"You're working with Zise Mining?"
Qin Jianshe immediately perked up.
"I'm providing technical services."
"You're dropping the bauxite project in Huazhou?"
"I'm not the one running that project. I just offer technical advice—I can manage both. By the way, Director Luo from Huazhou Aluminum Plant called earlier. The first drill hole struck bauxite, and it looks like a decent find."
"You struck bauxite? Then congratulations are in order."
"I wanted to check with you first. After all, I'm still employed by the company. Working with Zise Mining could be seen as doing side jobs."
"Sigh—"
Qin Jianshe let out a long breath. "What's happening with your father? Has he already withdrawn from Qu Long?"
"The last drill hole is almost done. After that, they'll be packing up and heading back to Guizhou."
"I'm really upset with the leadership's decisions regarding Qu Long. I feel like I've let you and your father down. I made a promise—once ore was found, the detailed exploration would go to the 101 Team. But now, this is no longer something any one person can decide."
"Still more internal disputes at the top?"
"This won't be resolved in less than six months to a year."
It was clear that these issues had been weighing on Qin Jianshe.
"As for your cooperation with Zise Mining—go ahead. The company doesn't have any major projects at the moment. Don't worry about it. Do it just like you did with the aluminum plant in Huazhou. Ask Zise to send over a technical consulting contract. That way it looks like you're just being assigned to offer services. I'll sign it. As for the consulting fee, let them decide—whether it's a few thousand or tens of thousands—just make sure it's not some insulting figure."
"Director Qin," Li Tang's tone suddenly turned serious, "signing this contract could affect your future."
"What do you mean?"
"If I help Zise Mining find a major deposit—and you approved it—upper management might take issue with that."
Li Tang knew Qin Jianshe had always looked out for him. He didn't want to succeed at someone else's expense.
At the very least, he wanted to give him a heads-up so he'd be prepared.
"Are you overthinking it?"
Qin Jianshe didn't seem concerned. "Just do what you need to do. Leaders won't care about a small consulting job."
"I mean, what if I actually find another deposit as big as Qu Long?"
Li Tang asked earnestly.
"You really think you'll find another one like Qu Long in Tibet?"
Qin Jianshe chuckled.
He clearly didn't believe lightning could strike twice.
"I have a feeling I will," Li Tang said solemnly.
"Well, if you do, that'll be a huge boost to China's industrial development. If the leadership punishes me just because I let you do a bit of technical consulting—so be it! For the good of the nation, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make!"
Qin Jianshe laughed. "Don't overthink things. Just go do your work."
He had clearly underestimated the weight of Li Tang's warning.
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