Chapter 150: I'm Investing!
After explaining themselves for quite some time at the police station, they finally cleared up the misunderstanding and were released from suspicion.
But when they tried to approach Dengba again to discuss a potential partnership, he outright refused to meet with them.
With no other options, they had to drive back to the provincial capital and head to the Department of Natural Resources.
When Nobu saw Li Tang, he greeted him warmly, full of concern.
"Are you here to continue work on the Qulong project? Or the Qinglong one?"
"Neither," Li Tang shook his head.
"Oh? Launching a new project?"
Nobu was always happy to see major companies like Wukuang Group or Zise Mining come into Tibet to conduct exploration. Big companies brought money—and money stimulated the local economy.
"Something like that," Li Tang nodded, then explained,
"I'm no longer employed by Wukuang Group."
"What?" Nobu was visibly surprised.
"I've started my own exploration company. I have funding.
This time, I came hoping to partner with Geological Team 6 on a copper-gold exploration project."
Li Tang gave a wry smile.
"I tried to speak with Team Leader Dengba yesterday, but because of a misunderstanding, he thought I was a scammer. I ended up being questioned by the local police for half the day."
"That really happened?"
Nobu was clearly displeased on Li Tang's behalf.
"They don't know who you are—unbelievable."
"Well, now Dengba doesn't believe I'm who I say I am, and I can't get a proper meeting."
This was exactly why Li Tang had come to Nobu—he needed help to resolve the misunderstanding.
Back when he represented Wukuang, the department had been very supportive.
But now that he represented a small, unknown private company, no one was obligated to help him.
If they did, it would be out of kindness.
If they didn't, he couldn't complain.
Nobu understood what Li Tang wanted.
He looked him in the eye and asked, "So you've started your own company, and you're planning to fund an exploration project out of pocket?"
"Yes," Li Tang nodded.
"What's your registered capital?" Nobu asked.
"Ten million yuan," Li Tang replied.
That number could be misleading—some companies register 100 million but don't have a penny in the bank.
Nobu nodded, then asked, "How much are you planning to invest in this project?"
"Initially ten to twenty million. If the results are good, the investment could go up to fifty or sixty million."
Li Tang didn't hold back, dropping big numbers.
He could realistically fund the initial phase himself—ten or twenty million was within his reach.
But fifty or sixty million? That would be harder.
Nobu was astonished. He looked at Li Tang with newfound respect.
"All from your personal funds?"
"Yes," Li Tang said firmly.
"That would make this a major project,"
Nobu said, deeply impressed. He'd never seen a private entrepreneur willing to invest tens of millions in mineral exploration in Tibet.
Only the state or big state-owned enterprises ever dared to do that.
Even if a private company had the money, they'd rarely risk it all on mining, where the failure rate was high and there were no guarantees.
This young man in front of him suddenly seemed very different.
"I heard your father is a geological engineer with the Qianzhou Geological Bureau. He worked on Qulong, right?
Forgive me for asking—but how do you personally have this kind of capital?"
"It's my private money," Li Tang answered without explaining further.
"If we agree to work together, I will follow the contract strictly and make payments on time.
I also welcome oversight from your department or the Geological Bureau."
"If you really have the capability, of course we'd welcome you to explore in Tibet."
Nobu didn't press further. Everyone with money had a few secrets—it was normal.
"Thank you, Director Nobu, for your understanding and support."
"Let's do this: tonight I'll host a dinner. I'll invite someone from the Geological Bureau.
You two can get to know each other. The Bureau is on the same level as our department, so all I can do is clarify your identity.
Whether or not a deal happens, that'll be up to your negotiations."
"Thank you, thank you!"
This was exactly what Li Tang needed.
If he could just clear up the misunderstanding and have an open discussion, that would already be half the battle.
That night at dinner, Nobu introduced Li Tang and He Runqi to leaders from the Bureau.
Everyone had heard of Li Tang's name before.
And with Nobu vouching for him, trust was quickly established.
The next morning, accompanied by the Bureau's Director Dawa, Li Tang and He Runqi returned to Geological Team 6.
When Dengba saw Dawa personally escorting the two young men, he was stunned.
He had written them off as scammers just days ago—he'd even had them taken to the police.
Now, here was Director Dawa, unexpectedly arriving in Duide County—without warning.
And what shocked him most was that Dawa wasn't there for a surprise inspection—he was accompanying Li Tang and He Runqi!
"Director, why did you bring these two with you?" Dengba greeted Dawa respectfully, speaking in their native language to try and understand what was going on.
The situation had spiraled completely beyond his understanding.
"They're investors from Yanjing—here to fund exploration,"
Dawa replied in Tibetan, then turned to Li Tang and He Runqi, smiling.
"Everyone, this is Li Tang and He Runqi—big bosses from the capital!"
He then gestured toward Dengba.
"This is Team Leader Dengba from Geological Team 6."
"We've met,"
Li Tang didn't hold a grudge. He offered a handshake and smiled.
"Let me reintroduce myself. I really am Li Tang—the real deal."
Dengba hesitated, then took his hand, blushing.
"Nice to meet you…"
"Li Tang used to work at Wukuang Group. He led the Qulong and Qinglong projects—he's famous across the country.
I heard Qinglong might even become the world's largest copper mine. That news has gone global.
We've had several foreign visitors at the Bureau asking about it recently," Dawa explained proudly.
"And as for Geological Team 6—though it was only formed in 1998—it's composed of elite staff from the Bureau.
We've done extensive work in the central Gangdise mineral belt.
Just driving here, we passed by an area near Gongcun where gold was visible at the surface.
That's where Team 6 has been focusing their exploration."
Seeing everyone still standing at the door, Dengba quickly said,
"Director, Mr. Li, Mr. He—please, let's sit inside."
Now that Dawa had validated their identities, Dengba no longer doubted them and was much more welcoming.
The office was simple and sparsely furnished.
Li Tang didn't mind—he got straight to the point.
"Does Geological Team 6 hold the exploration license for the Gongcun Copper-Gold project?"
Dawa replied,
"The license was originally under the Bureau's name, but after forming Team 6, we transferred it to them.
It's now one of their key assets.
Actually, gold was first discovered near Gongcun back in 1993.
But due to funding issues, the project never moved beyond preliminary surveys."
Dengba had been listening and now understood.
So Li Tang and He Runqi had come specifically for the Gongcun project!
Seeing how well Dawa and Li Tang were getting along, a hint of worry flickered across his face.
"Director, Mr. Li—Land Mining from Canada is already involved in the project.
Lucas himself visited the site not long ago," Dengba said cautiously.
He didn't want Dawa to get so caught up in the excitement that he promised something he couldn't deliver.
Dawa, of course, knew about Land Mining.
Even though geological teams operated with some autonomy, partnerships with foreign companies always required higher-level approval.
"Yes, this needs to be clarified," Dawa said, not hiding anything.
"With Nobu introducing you, I wouldn't dare try anything shady.
Here's the situation: due to chronic funding shortages, Land Mining came to Tibet and heard about Gongcun.
We showed them surface gold anomalies and some previous geochemical results.
They were interested and joined the early-stage work—providing crucial funding."
Hearing this, Li Tang felt a jolt of anxiety.
"Did you transfer the exploration license to Land Mining?"
Dengba glanced at Dawa, hesitated, and said,
"The license hasn't been officially transferred.
But we do have a verbal agreement.
Land Mining funds the drilling.
If they reach a certain investment threshold, they'll earn the rights.
We carry out the exploration work."
Now it was all clear to Li Tang.
Land Mining paid the exploration fees.
Team 6 did the work.
If the foreign company invested enough, they got the mining rights.
Team 6 had sold themselves far too cheaply.
"In a place like this, attracting investment isn't easy,"
Li Tang sympathized.
The entire mineral industry was struggling.
If someone was willing to invest, even just to keep paying staff—it was already a blessing.
No one had the energy to think about long-term ownership.
"Since we first found signs of gold in 1993, we've always believed this license held great promise.
We've applied for more funding—but support has been limited,"
Dengba sighed.
"So when Land Mining showed up, they solved our funding crisis."
Li Tang nodded and turned to Dawa.
"Does the Bureau support this deal with Land Mining?"
"This was a decision made by our leadership," Dawa admitted.
"How much is Land Mining planning to invest?" Li Tang asked.
"We set the threshold at 20 million yuan.
If they invest that much, the license goes to them."
"20 million?"
Li Tang raised an eyebrow.
"Lucas, the company's CEO, already agreed.
He said they could easily spend over 10 million USD if they find significant gold."
For a cash-strapped Bureau, it was an offer too good to refuse.
"Where is Lucas now?"
"He went back to Canada—to raise funds, it seems," Dengba said.
"When he returns, we'll sign the formal contract.
We've worked with him for over six months. He's trustworthy. He'll be back—with money."
"No need to wait for Lucas,"
Li Tang said boldly, relieved that he'd arrived in time.
If he'd come any later, the contract would've been signed.
"What do you mean?" Dengba asked.
"The Gongcun Copper-Gold project—I'm investing."
Li Tang raised his hand, his tone decisive.
No one understood the value of this license better than he did.
"Huh?"
Dengba blinked, then looked at Dawa, confused.
He assumed Dawa had already reached an agreement with Li Tang.
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
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