Chapter 155: Getting Something for Nothing?
Nobu was clearly more familiar with current affairs and policies. "Whether Huaxia can successfully join the World Trade Organization, right now is a very critical period! Countless people have worked hard for many years, and this year holds real hope! We've been striving to present a friendly and open image and have been offering very favorable policies to foreign investors. Foreign guests are treated with great care."
"This has risen to the level of national policy?" Xiao Yongyue was dumbfounded.
"I made some inquiries with people in Yanjing. Word is, Lucas has brought in a globally influential media outlet to report on this issue."
The Land Bureau was under the dual leadership of Tibet Province and the national land department. Nobu had frequent contact with people in Yanjing and was well-informed about shifts in the national land authorities. "To eliminate the risks posed by negative foreign media coverage and snuff out trouble in the cradle, there's a real chance that you'll have to give up the exploration rights to the Gongcun copper-gold mine."
"That serious?" Xiao Yongyue let out a slight sigh.
This sense of powerlessness was rare for him.
But the fact remained—his influence in Yanjing was virtually negligible.
When he heard that Li Tang had run into trouble in Tibet Province, he had pounded his chest and promised he'd take care of it.
Yet faced with this looming crisis from Yanjing, he was completely helpless.
"The Department of Mineral Resources Management just asked us to go over and clarify things," Li Tang remained relatively calm. "We don't need to believe every bit of hearsay, and there's no need to scare ourselves or mess up our own game plan."
"At this sensitive moment, anything involving foreign guests and being reported by foreign media will undoubtedly draw significant attention!"
This time, Nobu had called both Li Tang and Xiao Yongyue over to give them a heads-up. "This issue may be far more serious than you're imagining!"
"Let's go to Yanjing and see for ourselves. No need to spook ourselves," Li Tang made up his mind—no matter what, the exploration rights to the Gongcun copper-gold mine had to be protected.
They boarded a plane to Yanjing.
The Department of Mineral Resources Management was not large, but it bore tremendous responsibility.
It was in charge of gathering nationwide mineral resource data, drafting mining-related policies and standards, approving large-scale mining rights, and also resolving mining rights disputes.
The Land Bureau office building was stately and solemn, exuding an aura of overwhelming authority.
Xiao Yongyue, who usually walked with swagger, now treaded carefully, as if afraid of stepping on ants.
Nobu and Dawa were familiar with the place. They went straight to the office of the director of the Department of Mineral Resources Management, knocked on the door, heard a response, and walked in directly.
"Director Chen, we're here," Nobu greeted.
Chen Aimin, who recognized Nobu and Dawa, noticed Xiao Yongyue and raised his eyebrows slightly. "Xiao Yongyue? While I was reviewing documents related to Gongcun Gold Company, I saw one shareholder was Gaolu Potash Company. I wondered if it was that famous potash firm in Tuyue Province. Seems it really is you!"
"I'm surprised Director Chen remembers me," Xiao Yongyue bowed respectfully.
"You came here last year or the year before to submit additional geological and environmental evaluation materials," said Chen Aimin warmly.
"Yes," Xiao Yongyue replied, not elaborating.
He had previously wanted to build a rapport with Chen Aimin, hoping to learn more about relevant domestic and international policies and regulations. But Chen Aimin had never shown interest.
Xiao rarely came to Yanjing, and now that he was in this unfamiliar and complex environment, he felt out of place.
Chen Aimin didn't engage much with Xiao Yongyue, but turned his attention to the young man, Li Tang. "The largest shareholder of Gongcun Gold Company is Yanjing Zhenguan Geological Exploration Tech Company. I looked it up—its sole shareholder is Li Tang."
He examined Li Tang's face. "You're Li Tang?"
"Yes, I am," Li Tang nodded quickly.
"Li Tang is quite a name."
Chen Aimin chuckled. "We're all in the mining industry, so I'm sure we've heard the name. You share the name with someone from Wukuang Group—he's made quite a name for himself."
"He is that Li Tang from Wukuang Group!" Nobu chimed in.
"You're that Li Tang?" Chen Aimin looked at Li Tang in disbelief.
"I used to be."
"How did you end up running a private company?"
"I left Wukuang Group earlier this year."
"What happened?"
Chen Aimin was just about to ask more when someone knocked on the door from outside: "Director Chen, the people from the Gaya Consulate have arrived."
"Very well, let them in!"
Chen Aimin quickly stood up and adjusted his attire to welcome the Gaya Consulate officials.
The Gaya Consulate group, accompanied by Lucas, entered the room with a forceful presence.
To Li Tang's surprise, he spotted Parker from Xinan Resources and Alice from Gao Sheng!
The director's office wasn't very large and was already filled with project documents from all over the country.
With so many people, it suddenly felt quite cramped.
But no one paid the surroundings much attention—their focus was entirely on each other.
Seeing the standoff between the two sides gave Chen Aimin a headache. He knew this mineral rights mediation would be anything but simple.
"Please, let our friends from Gaya speak first," he said with a warm smile, trying to ease the tension.
Lucas immediately launched into a preemptive accusation: "Our Land Mining Company came to Huaxia over a year ago, bringing our capital, technology, and advanced equipment, hoping to help Huaxia discover more mineral resources. We chose Tibet Province because of the harsh living conditions. We cooperated with the Geological Exploration Bureau to investigate the Gongcun copper-gold mine. We trusted Huaxia and its mining authorities, so we invested generously. The Geological Bureau promised us the exploration rights. But these two men used bribery, coercion, and other disgraceful means to steal the exploration rights from us!"
"Bribery, coercion—are these serious allegations true?"
Chen Aimin immediately grew serious. If there was real evidence, this was no longer simple mediation—it involved legal liability.
Dawa quickly shook his head. "None of that happened!"
"They're all in this together!"
Lucas pointed first at Li Tang and Xiao Yongyue, then at Nobu and Dawa, acting like a mad dog.
"Don't rush. Speak clearly," Chen Aimin remained calm. "I assure you, in Huaxia, any disputes over mining rights are handled fairly and impartially. No favoritism toward either side. You can rest assured on that."
As he spoke, camera flashes kept going off—harsh and glaring.
A huge video camera stood at the door, obtrusive and out of place.
He pointed toward the media equipment and smiled bitterly. "Can we ask these journalists to wait until our discussion is over before doing any interviews?"
"We're from Gaya's Financial Post. We heard Huaxia is applying to join the WTO, and many of our companies are operating here. We're here to report on Huaxia's mining sector to provide reference information for other foreign investors."
The reporter explained, "Please rest assured—we'll report truthfully. What we see is what we'll publish."
"We require approval for foreign media interviews," said Chen Aimin, clearly troubled.
Foreign media often reported on Huaxia with bias, cherry-picking facts, quoting out of context, or even taking a superior tone, trying to shape the country to their expectations.
These skewed reports led to misconceptions among foreign citizens about Huaxia.
But these foreign outlets couldn't be scolded or censored easily.
"This is the reality that foreign enterprises face in Huaxia. I believe the media should show the world the real mining environment here," Lucas pressed on firmly. "This is our right. The media is free."
Chen Aimin forced a bitter smile and gave up resisting the media presence. He brought the conversation back on track: "You say you've been treated unfairly—do you have direct evidence?"
"Yes."
Lucas presented receipts and vouchers from the past six months spent in Huaxia, along with photos showing joint exploration work with Geological Team Six.
"We started work at the Gongcun copper-gold mine earlier than anyone else. We spent heavily on equipment, sampling, and lab testing. These photos show us working with Geological Team Six."
He pointed angrily at Li Tang and Xiao Yongyue. "We achieved initial results, but they got wind of it and stole our findings and our exploration rights!"
"These receipts and photos do show some involvement. In the mining industry, there's something to be said for 'first come, first served.'"
Chen Aimin briefly flipped through the materials. "I understand that the exploration rights to the Gongcun copper-gold mine belong to Geological Team Six. They applied years ago and have been renewing the rights since. Let me ask—did you ever sign a formal exploration cooperation agreement with them?"
"Well…" Lucas was momentarily speechless, but tried to explain, "The Geological Team agreed to transfer the rights to us. That's why we got involved."
Chen Aimin understood. "Then what are you asking for?"
"We want the Gongcun copper-gold exploration rights returned to us. They belong to us!" Lucas insisted.
"Do you agree?" Chen Aimin turned to Li Tang.
"There's no such thing as grabbing things out of thin air!"
Li Tang remained calm. "If foreign companies can enter Huaxia, point at anything valuable and say it's theirs—what's next? They enter a village and snatch local chickens and ducks because they're tasty? See a pretty girl and say, 'Nice girl, very good'?"
Chen Aimin almost burst out laughing but had to restrain himself and scolded, "Mind your tone—this is a formal occasion!"
"I'm just making a point. Foreign investment is good for our economy, and I understand giving them incentives."
Li Tang spoke with logic but also firm conviction. "But everything must follow rules and procedures! The exploration rights currently belong to Gongcun Gold Company!"
With that, he slapped a copy of the exploration rights transfer agreement onto the table.
"Black and white, clear as day!"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen