Chapter 138: Eighteen Million Yuan
Xu Zexue was slightly stunned, then gave a subtle signal to the supervisors beside him to start recording immediately.
A report coming from a subsidiary general manager was never a trivial matter.
His friendly smile disappeared instantly, replaced by a serious, focused expression.
"What are you reporting? A specific matter, or a specific person?"
"I want to report Qin Jianshe and Li Tang."
"What's the issue?"
"They've sold out the interests of our group for personal gain."
"Can you elaborate?"
"Have you heard of the Yunshang Bauxite Mine, Chairman Xu?"
"Yes, I've heard of it. A large bauxite deposit discovered by Huazhou Aluminum Plant. Apparently, it's stirred up a lot of discussion in the academic community—supposedly a completely new type of mineral deposit."
"Our Wukuang Exploration Company was involved in that discovery.
To be more precise, Qin Jianshe and Li Tang were involved."
"That sounds like a good thing," Xu said, puzzled.
"Wukuang Exploration signed a technical consulting agreement with Huazhou Aluminum. After completing the work, Huazhou paid us five thousand yuan."
Zhou Tianqi pulled out a copy of the consulting agreement and the corresponding 5,000 yuan invoice and handed it over.
Xu scanned the documents but remained confused. "Finding a large bauxite deposit, and Huazhou only paid 5,000 yuan in consulting fees? That seems… too low."
"Exactly. Far too low."
Zhou stood up and handed over another document.
"This is a receipt I came across by accident—290,000 yuan, paid in full."
"Oh?"
Xu took the thin receipt and immediately noticed the anomaly.
"This is not a transaction between companies. This was transferred directly to Li Tang's personal bank account!"
"Yes." Zhou Tianqi nodded.
Having said his piece, he looked down at the cigarette now burning low between his fingers, took one last drag, and looked around for an ashtray.
There wasn't one.
Xu didn't notice his fidgeting; he was too busy studying the document.
After a long silence, he looked up.
"You're alleging that Qin Jianshe instructed Li Tang to sell out the group's interests, helped Huazhou Aluminum discover Yunshang Bauxite, and in return, they personally profited?"
"Yes."
Zhou nodded without hesitation. "As for exactly how they did it, and what dealings they had with Huazhou Aluminum—that needs further investigation."
"Alright."
Xu Zexue looked grave, his mind already racing.
If Qin Jianshe and Li Tang had used Wukuang's research to help Huazhou Aluminum locate Yunshang Bauxite, then this could indeed constitute a serious breach—possibly even a crime.
"This matter will be thoroughly investigated."
He then asked, "Director Zhou, aside from this, is there anything else you'd like to report?"
"No, that's all." Zhou shook his head.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
"I'm just doing my duty."
Zhou stood, nodded, and left the room.
…
After staying in Jian'an Province for several days, the Geological Bureau finalized the settlement process and successfully received the 7+ million yuan in exploration fees from Zise Mining.
Han Dexun and the others returned to Qianzhou in high spirits.
Li Tang, however, stayed behind at Zise Mining's guesthouse, enjoying free meals and lodging, with a personal driver taking him on sightseeing trips.
But the 18 million yuan reward still hadn't arrived.
As time passed, he grew more and more anxious.
Each time he checked with Chen Jinhe's office, the response was always the same:
"Soon, soon…" and then nothing.
As the sole proprietor, manager, and general errand boy of Zhenguan Exploration Tech, he had to manage everything personally—especially when it came to money.
Then he got an urgent phone call from Qin Jianshe, insisting he return to Yanjing immediately.
Left with no choice, he caught a flight from the warm southern weather back to a snowy northern capital.
Just as he landed, Zise Mining notified him: the 18 million yuan had been transferred to his company account.
Elated, he rushed to the bank to confirm—and sure enough, the funds had arrived.
It seemed he'd chosen the right partner. Trusting Zise Mining had been the right call.
18 million yuan…
In the year 2000, that was a staggering amount of money.
Outside of the major state-owned enterprises, very few private firms could produce that much in cash on short notice.
The Qianzhou Geological Bureau had mobilized nearly all its core personnel to complete the year's Qinglong exploration task, and in the end, they had pulled it off.
But in total, they'd received only around 13 million yuan in exploration fees, including costs.
Their actual net profit was probably just about five million.
Compared to Li Tang's 18 million yuan, it was like comparing a candle to the sun.
Of course, Han Dexun, Zhou Zhenxing, and Li Zaiqiang had no idea that Li Tang had a separate agreement with Zise Mining.
Let alone that he was personally receiving that enormous reward.
Had they known, the excitement over the 7-million settlement would've been far more muted.
Without comparison, there's no pain.
Li Tang, on the other hand, was overjoyed.
He walked out of the bank feeling triumphant and headed straight to the company to see Qin Jianshe.
Seeing Li Tang's light steps and carefree expression, Qin had words on the tip of his tongue—but swallowed them.
"Director Qin, you called me back so urgently—what's going on?"
Li Tang could see that something was bothering him and asked directly.
Qin saw that Li Tang was in a great mood, thought for a second, then shook his head.
"It's nothing."
"Really?"
Li Tang remembered how frantic Qin had sounded on the phone. Now, face-to-face, he said it was nothing?
Seeing that Qin wasn't in the mood to talk, Li Tang left without pressing further and returned to his office.
"Li Tang's back?"
Liu Kaisheng spotted him passing by and greeted him warmly.
"Just got back. You're looking well, Director Liu." Li Tang smiled.
In the Resource Evaluation Department's open office, more than 30 people turned their heads as Li Tang walked in.
He Runqi hadn't gone to Tibet with Li Tang this time. He'd been enjoying a relaxed few weeks in the office—until loan payment day rolled around.
Paying 2,500 yuan per month in mortgage felt like death by a thousand cuts.
Unless the year-end bonus came in heavy, he'd soon be broke.
He'd borrowed 50,000 from Li Tang for the down payment. Whatever was left, he'd already used for repayments.
"You went to Tibet without me?" were the first words out of his mouth.
"You worked hard in Huazhou, so I figured you needed a break."
Li Tang sat down, ignoring the eavesdropping stares.
"I don't need a break! I'm a workhorse—exploit me all you want!"
He was desperate to earn money. Fieldwork came with bonuses. Office work paid a dry 700–800 yuan per month. Hopeless.
"Tibet's snowed in. No work until next spring."
"Spring?"
He slumped into his chair, his round face full of gloom. "It's too hard."
"What's wrong?" Li Tang asked sympathetically.
"If my bonus isn't good this year, I don't know how I'll make next month's mortgage."
Around them, coworkers whispered behind his back. Everyone knew He Runqi had taken out a loan to buy a house.
"What was he thinking? Making 700 yuan a month and buying property? Was he kicked in the head by a donkey as a kid?"
"If he can't pay, the bank will seize his house and lock him up!"
"With 100k for a down payment, he could've lived comfortably for decades!"
"Even just the interest on a fixed deposit would be more than his salary!"
"He's a bit slow, isn't he?"
These kinds of jokes had been flying around for weeks.
Most thought buying property was a dumb move. The company provided dorms and cheap meals. Who needed a house?
He heard it all, tried to laugh it off—but inside, he regretted it terribly.
If not for Li Tang's pressure—more like coercion—he'd never have made that choice.
Now the house just sat there. He had no money to furnish it, let alone live in it.
He'd bought a home he couldn't use.
Every night, he had nightmares about losing a bag full of cash.
Seeing his pained expression, Li Tang glanced behind him and snapped,
"That's enough."
The mockers fell silent instantly. They could joke with He Runqi, but Li Tang? No way.
"Come on, workday's over. I'm buying dinner."
Li Tang checked the time, grabbed He Runqi, and headed out.
After a big, satisfying meal, they waddled home like two penguins, bellies round and arms swinging, crunching through the snow.
"Full?" Li Tang laughed.
"Stuffed... but—"
He didn't dare ask for money again. He still hadn't paid back the first 50,000.
Li Tang hadn't touched the 18 million in his company account, but his personal account still had a few hundred thousand yuan.
He had no major expenses—just flights here and there.
"I know you're broke," he said gently. He knew exactly what He Runqi earned.
"…"
Hearing that hit a nerve. He Runqi kicked a tree in frustration. Snow cascaded down and buried him.
"What are you doing?" Li Tang laughed.
Now covered in snow, He Runqi stood motionless. "I'm just frustrated."
"I'll lend you more."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I already owe you 50k. If you lend me more, I'll never pay it back. Even if you sold me, I wouldn't cover it."
"I'm not asking for instant repayment. When you make it big, you can pay me with interest."
"You keep giving me money—I feel like I'm drowning in debt."
"I'll lend you 100k…"
He Runqi rolled his eyes.
"Listen," Li Tang continued, "Use it to furnish your place. Move in. Next year, bring your parents to visit. Let them see the city—that's real filial piety.
They've lived their whole lives in the countryside. Let them enjoy something new."
"I could still bring them without renovating."
"And where would they sleep? In your bunk bed dorm? You want them to see that?"
"Well…"
"Make the place livable. Let them stay in comfort. That's what counts."
"Is this really a good idea?"
"I'm wiring the money tomorrow."
"Are you secretly planning to sell me to a farm in America?"
"With that scrawny body? They wouldn't even want you."
…
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