Chapter 121: The Master Behind the Scenes
After taking a quick look around the Tiemu Town project site, they left slightly ahead of the expert acceptance team.
On the way back, Lai Xiangrong intentionally got into He Feiyang's special vehicle.
"Director Lai, the higher-ups have already decided—you are one of the candidates for the position of general manager of Hualu Corporation, and a strong contender at that," He Feiyang said bluntly, revealing a startling piece of news.
Lai Xiangrong immediately sat upright, visibly flattered and surprised.
Of course, deep down he knew this was expected. Everyone had guessed it—after all, the formation of Hualu Corporation was centered on Huazhou Aluminum Plant. If Lai Xiangrong hadn't made the shortlist, the thousands of employees at the plant wouldn't have accepted it.
"Thank you to the higher authorities for their support, and thank you, Director He, for your guidance! I will certainly live up to everyone's expectations in my future work!"
He straightened his back and, seeing He Feiyang in a good mood, smiled and said, "Director He, there's more than one position in Hualu's leadership. Would it be convenient for you to share the arrangements for the others? You see, several of our deputy directors at the plant have seniority and proven capabilities. I'm sure the leadership has sharp eyes and can see their overall qualities clearly…"
"Why don't you just directly ask me which other people from your plant besides yourself are being considered for the executive team?" He Feiyang clearly saw through Lai Xiangrong's thoughts.
"If you're willing to tell me, it saves us from pointless guessing." Lai Xiangrong maintained his smiling demeanor.
"You wish!"
He Feiyang's expression turned stern. "The establishment of Hualu Corporation and the selection of its leadership team have all gone through strict evaluations and the best candidates have been chosen."
"Aren't you the top leadership?" Lai Xiangrong chuckled.
"That's enough. Don't go digging around for confidential information!"
"It's going to be announced sooner or later. I just want to get a sense of it in advance. Besides, we just found a large-scale bauxite deposit. That's a major achievement—surely it earns our team some extra credit?"
"Hmph!" He Feiyang glared at him but eventually relented. In a low voice, he said, "Originally, Luo Qinzhong wasn't on the list. After I return, I'll recommend adding his name. But in the end, it's up to the higher leadership to decide who is most suitable."
"Understood." Lai Xiangrong was quite pleased.
"This merger is a serious push by the central authorities. The goal is to consolidate the resources of major aluminum plants, share smelting technology, eliminate redundant management layers, and fully embrace market-oriented reforms."
He Feiyang gave Lai Xiangrong a meaningful look. "Your plant is taking the lead in this. You must fully cooperate with the reform process—don't create unnecessary trouble for our Reform Office. And don't entertain any notions of establishing your own power base."
"Never!" Lai Xiangrong quickly shook his head. "I wholeheartedly support the leadership's reform and development strategy!"
As soon as they returned to Huazhou Aluminum Plant, someone came running over to report to Lai Xiangrong: "Director Lai, reporters from Huazhou Daily and Nonferrous Metals News have been waiting for a while. They want to interview you!"
"What's there to interview me about?"
Lai Xiangrong had just seen He Feiyang off to the guesthouse and was finally hoping for some tea and rest. "Tell the reporters to find Li Tang. He's the celebrity now—he's the one with a story to tell."
"They just got back from the site. Li Tang refused the interview, so they came to you instead. They want to hear from you about the brilliance of the Yunshang Bauxite discovery."
"What's going on in Li Tang's head?"
Lai Xiangrong found the young man increasingly difficult to read, but he nodded. "If the media is interested in the project, I'll talk with them. But have them give me a list of their questions in advance—I won't answer just anything."
Huazhou Daily and Nonferrous Metals News had both devoted large spreads to Huazhou Aluminum's discovery.
Huazhou Daily even ran the story as its front-page headline: "Major Breakthrough in Bauxite: A Large Deposit Found in the Formerly Blank Zone!"
Nonferrous Metals News not only reported the discovery but also published a feature on the history of Huazhou Aluminum and a mystery-style article: "Qulong Copper Mine, Yunshang Bauxite—Who Is the Mysterious Man Behind the Discoveries?"
Wukuang Group.
Every morning, the latest papers were delivered to the offices of senior executives. Each floor had a newspaper rack filled with various publications, especially those related to mineral resources.
Niu Fu picked up a copy of Nonferrous Metals News, glanced over the headlines for anything interesting, and saw that half the page was dedicated to the Yunshang Bauxite achievement.
The mystery-style article speculating about Li Tang's identity made it sound like the hidden figure was some all-powerful behind-the-scenes master.
Amused, Niu Fu couldn't help but picture Li Tang's face.
Since when did that kid become a "mysterious figure"?
He chuckled, took the paper, and walked over to Ou Pingguo's office next door.
"You read today's Nonferrous Metals News?"
"No. Anything big or interesting?"
Ou Pingguo unfolded the day's edition, found the relevant article, and immediately understood what caught Niu Fu's eye. "Huazhou Aluminum found a major bauxite deposit! And they even wrote a whole piece guessing who Li Tang really is!"
"It's quite a fun read."
For once, a smile appeared on Niu Fu's usually serious face.
"So that's why I haven't seen Li Tang lately—he's been working on a project for Huazhou Aluminum."
Ou Pingguo's chuckle was deep.
"I heard about that a while ago."
Niu Fu remembered Lai Xiangrong's congratulatory phone call, and how odd it had seemed at the time—only later realizing it was because of Li Tang's involvement again.
"That young man, Li Tang, seems quite close to you, President Niu."
"Not really. He doesn't come to me directly. I just happen to hear things from Lai Xiangrong."
"Ah, I see. Huazhou Aluminum is undergoing reform, and now they've found a big deposit—it's a double blessing. We should properly congratulate Director Lai."
"I think Huazhou Aluminum owes a debt of gratitude to Wukuang Group. Without Li Tang's help, their bauxite project wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"That's true."
"That young man, Li Tang, really has extraordinary technical skill!"
Niu Fu set down the paper and said thoughtfully, "Our international investment team just received news that an Austrian iron ore company is facing funding issues. They're seeking loans and investments, and their stock price is at a historic low. Our technical team analyzed it and submitted a recommendation—we could consider acquiring it."
"Oh?" Ou Pingguo wasn't sure why Niu Fu was telling him this.
International investments weren't in his purview. He had never meddled in that department.
"Global expansion is a core strategy for our group now. But our technical team still lacks experience abroad."
Niu Fu looked at Ou Pingguo and said, "My suggestion is to bring Li Tang into the acquisition team. First, he can offer reliable technical support. Second, it'll help develop his international perspective."
So that's the plan.
All of Ou Pingguo's doubts instantly vanished. He nodded and said, "That's a great idea. Being able to go abroad—many people want such a chance. I don't think Li Tang would refuse. I'll contact him right away and get this sorted."
"Good." Niu Fu stood and walked out of the office.
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