Chapter 142: He's Gone Too Far!
"Zise Mining is moving fast. Their ambition is huge," Niu Fu said, stating his first impression.
"Their metallurgical technology is excellent," Lang Heman commented.
"And Qinglong Copper Mine… did they really find 14 million tons?" Niu still found it hard to believe. "They even claim it could reach 30 million tons. Isn't that exaggerating a bit?"
"There's always some hype in publicity, but Qinglong Copper Mine really does have excellent mineralization. The exaggeration won't be too far off," Lang said calmly, watching Niu's expression. Then, almost casually, he added, "By the way, the detailed exploration project for Qulong Copper Mine—the one with a 30 million yuan budget—was already approved by the board.
But so much time has passed, and there's been no movement.
I remember when we spoke to CCTV, we proudly declared that Qulong was China's first ten-million-ton super copper deposit.
Looking back now… it seems we broke our promise."
"The Qulong project…"
Even Niu Fu, who usually carried an air of authority, felt subdued in front of Lang Heman.
After all, even half a rank in officialdom can crush someone.
"Chairman, the funding for Qulong's detailed survey has been allocated. We're moving forward—just slowly. But the weather's too cold now. Especially in the Tibet Plateau—everything's frozen solid. Work won't be able to resume until spring."
"Zise Mining is moving faster than us."
Lang didn't criticize anyone. He wasn't interested in pointing fingers.
The group had sprawling responsibilities. Decisions filtered through multiple layers of management. Delays were sometimes inevitable.
Lang rarely intervened in day-to-day affairs. He delegated authority and only stepped in for major matters.
He wasn't rushing Qulong's development. Still, after reading the Qinglong reports, he couldn't help but feel uneasy—and a few questions lingered in his mind.
He set down his teacup and asked, "This Li Tang… he helped Huazhou Aluminum find Yunshang Bauxite. And now he's involved with Zise's Qinglong Copper Mine?"
"That…"
Niu Fu, for once, found himself unable to explain. He was clearly confused by what was going on.
Lang didn't push him further. Instead, he picked up the newspapers again, smiling. "Do you know where I got these papers?"
"There's something special about them?" Niu asked, puzzled.
"I got a call from the ministry this morning. They asked me to come by and review these articles. These are the exact papers they showed me."
Lang laughed. "You've read the reports. Chen Jinhe of Zise personally stated that it was Li Tang who discovered Qinglong.
The ministry has heard. Now, the senior leadership is very interested in Li Tang.
The minister told me, 'If you get a chance, bring him over—we'd love to meet the guy behind all the buzz.'"
"Alright, I'll bring Li Tang by sometime," Niu finally smiled.
"His name keeps popping up—tied to every major new discovery."
Lang laughed heartily. "I haven't even met the guy yet—just heard his name. That's a bit embarrassing.
You all say he's a young man. I'd really like to meet him."
"Seeing him is easy. I'll call him up right now." Niu stood, reaching for the desk phone.
"No rush, no rush," Lang waved his hand. "No need to summon him just for a greeting. Not worth the trouble."
Lang took his leave.
After escorting Lang to the door, Niu walked back to his office, but still picked up the phone.
He called Zhou Tianqi's office and said, "Tell Li Tang to come to my office right away."
On the other end, Zhou Tianqi didn't mind acting as a messenger.
He put down the phone and walked to the large open-plan Resource Evaluation Department. He glanced around but didn't see Li Tang.
"Where's Li Tang?" he asked aloud.
The staff froze like deer in headlights.
Someone stammered, "He left."
"Left? During working hours? Where'd he go?"
"I just came from HR. I heard he's processing his resignation. All his personal stuff is gone from his desk."
"What resignation?!"
Zhou Tianqi's voice rose sharply, and the atmosphere became tense. No one dared speak.
Liu Kaisheng stepped out of his office, asking carefully, "Director Zhou, did Li Tang really quit?"
"Quit?! I didn't approve it—where does he think he's going?"
Zhou was livid. He glared at Liu. "Go find him. Bring him back to see me immediately!"
"Okay, okay…"
Liu, seeing the fire in Zhou's eyes, rushed to the dorm area with his team.
They knocked on the door of Li Tang and He Runqi's dorm—no answer.
Only then did someone remember to try calling.
Liu Kaisheng rushed back and dialed Li Tang's number.
"Where are you?! Get back here now! Director Zhou is urgently looking for you!" Liu yelled into the receiver.
Li Tang was supervising the final stages of his apartment renovation. Hearing Liu's panic, he answered calmly,
"Director Liu, I've resigned. My one-year contract ended. I chose not to renew."
"You're really leaving?" Liu was caught off guard. "Why the rush? Director Zhou's looking for you. Why not come in and talk first? The resignation can wait."
"I already spoke with Director Zhou."
Li Tang hung up.
After his interrogation with the Supervisory Board, he'd basically figured out who had reported him.
There weren't many people who even knew about the Huazhou Aluminum contract, let alone the exact figures.
He had made up his mind to leave.
And honestly, now was the best possible time—a graceful exit.
Liu Kaisheng, stunned by the dial tone, walked back to Zhou Tianqi's office and reported,
"Li Tang's really gone. He's got something urgent and won't be coming back today."
"What urgent thing?"
Zhou Tianqi wanted to curse.
Liu said nothing.
"Go get Qin Jianshe!" Zhou snapped.
"Right away."
Liu, relieved, hurried to the next office to call Qin.
"Director Zhou, you asked for me?" Qin entered and saw Zhou looking furious.
"Did you know Li Tang resigned?" Zhou questioned, clearly suspecting Qin of encouraging it—as some kind of power move.
"I knew. I told him to take some time off to calm down."
"He packed up his desk and went to HR to process his resignation!"
"Is that so?" Qin raised his eyebrows. "I didn't know that part. But don't worry, I'll try to talk him out of it.
Li Tang's a talent. We have to keep him."
"Then go talk to him! Calm him down! Get him back to work!"
"Understood." Qin left.
As the clock ticked past the end of the workday, Zhou Tianqi kept checking his watch—but Li Tang didn't return.
Another day passed. Qin still couldn't convince him to come back.
Finally, Niu Fu called again.
Zhou Tianqi, after long consideration, realized Li Tang's resignation was final.
Gritting his teeth, he decided to tell Niu face to face.
"What's going on?"
Niu's voice was sharp as Zhou entered his office.
"I called you three times! Told you to get Li Tang to see me. What happened? Are you so close to retirement you think you don't have to work anymore? Is running an errand too hard for you?!"
Zhou didn't argue. He remained quiet, eyes dull, voice low and hoarse.
"President Niu, take a look at this."
He handed over Li Tang's resignation letter.
Then he stood silently, arms at his sides, waiting for the explosion.
"Resignation? You?"
Niu assumed at first that Zhou was quitting. That would've been a dream come true.
But when he glanced at the signature, he was stunned.
"Li Tang resigned?!"
"He gave me this several days ago. He hasn't been back to the office since."
"You approved it?"
"I told him to his face—I won't sign it."
"And I absolutely won't either!"
BAM!
Niu slapped the resignation letter onto the table, eyes blazing.
"He's being dramatic. Takes offense at the smallest slight—how can someone like that be a leader?"
"I told him the same," Zhou agreed.
"Go get him. Calm him down. If he wants time off, let him submit a leave request! What's with the drama of a resignation?"
"I've already contacted him and made our stance clear."
Zhou gritted his teeth. "But his attitude is firm. He's dead set on leaving."
"He's not coming back?"
Niu's eyes bulged. "He's gone too far!"
"President Niu, may I speak bluntly—please don't be angry."
"Out with it!"
"Li Tang's contract was for one year. It expired. Under labor law, he's no longer bound to the company. Even if we refuse to accept his resignation, we can't legally stop him."
"What did you say?"
Niu stood up so fast his chair nearly toppled.
He stared at Zhou, trembling with fury.
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