Chapter 151: What Can You Do to Him?
"I only met him yesterday, through an introduction by Nobu," Dawa quickly explained to Damba in the local dialect. "I have no relationship with him, and we haven't formed any kind of cooperation."
Damba breathed a sigh of relief. If Dawa had already struck a deal with Li Tang, this whole thing would have become very difficult to handle.
"This matter still needs further discussion," Dawa said with a smile toward Li Tang. "Li Tang, you haven't even looked at the data here. You don't understand the geological conditions of this place at all. Deciding to invest in exploration now seems quite rash. I think you should first review the geological data. We're willing to share it with you."
With that, he quickly instructed Damba, "Go and fetch the materials."
After a while, members of Geological Team No. 6 placed a set of documents in front of Li Tang.
Dawa personally began explaining, pointing at a regional geological map. "This narrow strip from the southwest to the east of our Tubo Province is the Gangdise Metallogenic Belt."
He pointed toward the edge of the provincial capital. "Here is the famous Qulong Copper Mine. It's located right on the Gangdise Metallogenic Belt! This mine was discovered by you—you understand it even better than we do."
"I know," Li Tang nodded, unsure of Dawa's intentions.
Dawa's finger shifted northeast. "This is the mineralized site of the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine. On both sides of this point—also on the Gangdise Belt—multiple other mineralized points have been observed."
"What exactly are you suggesting, Director Dawa?" Li Tang asked directly.
"I just think we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket." Dawa smiled, pointing at a few other mineralized sites. "Let Land Mining Company handle Gongcun. You don't need to compete with them. These other nearby sites also contain gold deposits. You could..."
"No!"
Li Tang interrupted him without hesitation. "I came here for one reason only—to explore the copper-gold resources in the Gongcun region!"
He knew better than Dawa or Damba the true value of the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine.
"Let's not argue," Dawa remained patient. "We'll first introduce you to the results of our work in this area over the past few years and take you on a field visit. Once you've understood the mineralization characteristics across the whole region and seen each site, you'll realize the other spots I'm recommending are just as valuable for investment."
Li Tang was firm as ever. "Director Dawa, Captain Damba, you probably don't realize this, but I'm very familiar with the Gangdise Metallogenic Belt! There's no need for you to brief me—no one knows this place better than I do!"
His words came off as arrogant.
"You're right—if you didn't understand the Gangdise Belt, you wouldn't have discovered Qulong," Dawa responded, then continued to share his thoughts. "But the southern and mid-eastern sections of the belt differ significantly in stratigraphy and the genesis of the copper-gold deposits."
"No need to elaborate—I'm very optimistic about Gongcun's prospects!" Li Tang's tone remained resolute, unmoved by Dawa's attempts.
Dawa and Damba exchanged glances, both clearly frustrated. They couldn't help but wonder how someone so young could be so stubborn.
Dawa had brought Li Tang here with a plan—to secure investment from both Lucas and Li Tang by assigning them to different locations. When someone comes to invest in your projects, you don't drive them away.
But seeing Li Tang's attitude, they knew it would be difficult to cater to both parties.
"Let's not rush things. Stay in Duide County for a while and get to know the place better," Dawa said, hoping to buy time.
Li Tang could sense Dawa and Damba's growing concern. "Let me be blunt: Whatever amount Land Mining Company can invest, I can match it!"
"This isn't just about money," Dawa replied, clearly conflicted.
"Then what is it about?" Li Tang tried a patriotic appeal. "We're a homegrown enterprise. Are we more foreign to you than some overseas company from thousands of miles away?"
Dawa and Damba looked at each other again, speechless.
"Do you really think it's appropriate for the mining rights to fall into foreign hands?" Li Tang didn't dare say it outright, but he strongly opposed letting Land Mining Company take control of such a vital resource.
This was a resource of the Chinese land. If a foreign company were granted the mining rights, it would border on exploitation.
Countries like the U.S., Canada, and Austria often rely on their financial and technological advantages, and their superior awareness of mining rights, to secure mineral assets worldwide and extract immense wealth.
But do they ever help locals prosper?
Once the resources are gone, they simply leave, abandoning ruined environments and unresolved social tensions.
Dawa and Damba looked uncomfortable. Damba said grimly, "If you had come six months ago, we wouldn't have hesitated. We wouldn't even need to set a minimum exploration investment—you'd have gotten the mining rights right away. But..."
"But what?"
"We're people of integrity, and we believe Lucas is a trustworthy friend."
Damba tried his best to explain. "We've already reached a verbal agreement with Lucas, and he's been working hard to raise funds. If we now hand the project to you, we'd be breaking our word. We pride ourselves on being men of honor—we can't do that."
"In business, emotions have no place. Lucas probably just wants to make a fortune off us!" Li Tang said, pained.
"If you put it that way, there's no point talking anymore," Damba, who had never warmed to Li Tang, was clearly irritated.
The conversation had reached a stalemate.
Dawa returned to the provincial capital. Li Tang and He Runqi stayed in dorms arranged by the sixth geological team. After days of negotiations, Damba's attitude toward Li Tang gradually cooled.
The cooperation reached a dead end. They bid farewell to the geological team and returned to the provincial capital to consider alternative plans.
Facing such a setback on their first venture was a heavy blow.
In the car, after a long silence, He Runqi spoke up. "I overheard the geological team leaders talking. They said we can't even come up with the tens of millions needed for exploration. They believe we're just trying to get the mining rights to resell them to Land Mining Company for a profit. They even said we're opportunists exploiting our background."
"In the end, they just don't trust us." Li Tang glanced at the rearview mirror, where a youthful face stared back.
In the mining industry, youth isn't an asset—it's a liability.
"They really look down on us!" He Runqi was angry, but also a little unsure. "Li Tang, can we really come up with that much money?"
"Yes!" Li Tang answered firmly.
"What do we do now?" He Runqi asked. "Should we consider Dawa's suggestion and explore other sites?"
"No, we must acquire the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine rights!" Li Tang's voice was equally resolute. "We can't let a foreign company take it!"
"This is tough." He Runqi had no ideas left.
"If we were here on behalf of Wukuang Group, with a letter of introduction and a high-level executive, things would be easier," Li Tang said, reflecting on the natural advantage state-owned enterprises had.
When Niu Fu came to inspect the Qulong Copper Mine, even provincial leaders showed up.
If a high-level directive came down, the Geological Bureau and Team No. 6 would execute it without hesitation.
"Should we ask Wukuang Group for help?" He Runqi suggested tentatively.
"If Niu Fu were willing, we could get it done," Li Tang replied. "But he's the general manager of Wukuang. His favor isn't easily obtained. No, we're not at that level of relationship."
"What about Zise Mining?" He Runqi knew Li Tang had strong ties with them.
"Unless we collaborate directly with Zise Mining," Li Tang said. "During the New Year, I called Chen Jinhe. He mentioned their focus this year is on securing the Jin Yindong Gold Mine in Qianzhou. They likely don't have the resources or energy for another gold mine."
"Sigh..." He Runqi sighed deeply.
Just then, Li Tang's phone rang.
They were near the provincial capital, where reception was good. A call came in.
He pulled over, looked at the screen—and saw it was from Xiao Yongyue.
"Li Tang, you're in Tubo Province?" Xiao Yongyue clearly knew where he was.
"Boss Xiao, are you tracking me?" Li Tang laughed.
"Of course not! I was chatting with Director Nobu a few days ago. He told me you were here investing in a gold mine."
Hearing this, Li Tang finally understood why Xiao Yongyue had risen to power in the mining world.
Anyone who regularly connects with people like Nobu is not your average person.
Li Tang had met Xiao twice, and each time he felt incredibly valued—as if, in Xiao's world, he was the sun itself.
This feeling of being important—it felt good.
And it probably wasn't just him. Anyone useful to Xiao likely received the same treatment.
Li Tang couldn't help but think that true success really lies in the details.
"Yes, I'm here in Tubo. I've just finished negotiations with the sixth geological team."
"Finished?" Xiao Yongyue laughed. "Brother, I know everyone in Tubo. If you run into trouble, just say the word. Black or white, I can take care of it."
Li Tang immediately realized Xiao must already know he'd hit a wall.
"Boss Xiao, you really do have eyes everywhere. I've only been here a few days, and you already know everything I've done. Honestly, I left Wukuang full of confidence, thinking I'd make my mark. Now I realize people only respected me because I represented Wukuang—not because of who I am."
"You really left Wukuang?"
"I left before the New Year."
"Perfect. It's even easier for us to work together now. I was worried I'd have to deal with a state-owned company. Honestly, I hate dealing with big SOEs—too many rules."
"Where are you now?"
"Still in Gaolumu City—digging in the mud every day."
"Your mud is valuable!"
"Just making an honest living."
"Can we meet? Should I wait here or come to Gaolumu?"
"I'll come to you. I'll help smooth things over with your situation—no problem at all."
"Then I'll be waiting for your arrival!"
After hanging up, Li Tang gripped the steering wheel, looking at the winding asphalt road stretching to the horizon, his emotions complex.
He had avoided Xiao's cooperation offers before, thinking he could go it alone.
Now that he was truly in the business world, he saw how complicated things really were.
He was a well-known name in the mining world, yet at Geological Team No. 6, they barely gave him the time of day.
What can you do to him?
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