Chapter 177: After Three Days Apart, You Must See Them with New Eyes
After hearing Li Tang's plan, Lang Hemin, Niu Fu, and Ou Pingguo all fell silent.
"An investment of one to two hundred million…" Niu Fu was seriously considering Li Tang's words.
This investment was even larger than the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine project.
Last time they met with Li Tang, they had been discussing an investment of 50 million.
After a brief negotiation, Lang and Niu had rejected the Gongcun project.
The investment seemed too large and the risk too high at the time.
In hindsight, if they had put in 50 million to develop Gongcun, it would definitely have been worth it.
They had some regrets, but what was done was done.
"This investment doesn't need to come entirely from Wukuang Group,"
Li Tang said, breaking the silence. He took the initiative to elaborate further.
"For mutual trust, I'll also invest my own funds. If we lose, we all lose together. If we profit, we all share it."
After the Gongcun project, Li Tang had learned a deep lesson—
one person's strength is always limited.
Especially in the mining industry, without external support and strong partners,
it's hard to achieve anything.
In the Gongcun project, it was only with Xiao Yongyue's influence
that he had been able to get the work off the ground.
But to take the project to the next level—
just obtaining a mining license, not to mention environmental approvals and other bureaucracy—
was already stretching Xiao's influence to the limit.
If Wukuang Group became the partner,
all those roadblocks would be cleared instantly.
The foundation of a good relationship was already there—why not use it?
Li Tang had the vision,
Wukuang had the power.
They complemented each other perfectly.
Hearing this, Niu Fu was visibly surprised.
"How much capital can you bring to the table?"
"At least fifty million," Li Tang replied conservatively.
That wasn't an empty promise.
If he had to, he could sell his shares in Gongcun to Hongda Group and raise the money easily.
He might take a loss doing so,
but it would be the more strategic choice.
"Let's assume the upper limit is two hundred million.
Even if you put in fifty, there's still a gap of a hundred and fifty million,"
Niu said, looking to Lang.
Only the board could approve an investment that large.
Lang, as always, kept a relaxed demeanor,
like a seasoned elder watching from the sidelines.
"I support Li Tang. I believe in his projects."
Since Lang had given his blessing, Niu followed up with the numbers:
"Our group can probably mobilize twenty million or so right now."
Zhao Hepu exchanged glances with Ou Pingguo—
clearly, they'd discussed this beforehand—
and spoke up decisively:
"Our Mining and Metallurgy Company is willing to lead this project.
We can contribute twenty to thirty million!"
Although the Mining and Metallurgy Company was big,
with many employees and vast mining and smelting operations,
its profit margins were modest.
Twenty or thirty million represented nearly a full year's profit.
This was a massive commitment.
They were going all in.
"You want to take the lead?" Niu looked at Zhao with interest.
"We're ready to take on more responsibility!" Zhao declared with conviction.
"Chairman Lang is sitting right here. Are you declaring a battle pledge in front of him?" Niu said playfully, as though issuing battlefield orders.
Zhao hesitated for a moment,
then steeled himself:
"If it comes to that, I won't back down."
"Alright," Niu nodded in approval.
Lang laughed and turned to Li Tang.
"If Hepu supports your plan this much,
then Wukuang Group will stand behind him as an unshakable pillar."
For Li Tang, this brief exchange felt like watching a captivating drama.
He was moved—and impressed.
He had always heard Niu Fu was Wukuang's top man,
and Zhao Hepu a general in the Metallurgy Division.
Now he realized, even so-called internal rivalry could be a form of healthy competition.
He was happy with Wukuang's support.
But even with that, they were still short by about 100 million yuan.
Niu already had a plan.
"Li Tang, your proposal involves going overseas,
which means more risk—
but also possibly more reward.
I think we need to spread that risk."
"Please go on," Li Tang said.
Though no longer part of Wukuang, he still respected the elder leadership.
"Like you said, the first step is to negotiate with BHP-Billiton and get the license.
Then we can deal with the funding.
For the missing capital, I suggest bringing in more partners."
"Who?" Li Tang asked.
"There are so many copper companies in China.
They all admire you.
Some have even asked me where you've gone—
eager to collaborate with you!"
Niu smiled.
"If you personally present the project, they'll be lining up to join."
"Hm…" Li Tang fell into thought.
"A while from now, the Mining Association and Nonferrous Metals Association
will hold a meeting in Yanjing about 'fair competition' among major miners.
You should attend. You can discuss your plan at the conference."
"I don't object to more partners," Li Tang said.
He understood that large-scale joint ventures must have multiple shareholders.
More people, more money, more power to get things done.
Still, he voiced a concern:
"If too many SOEs get involved, each one is a top dog in its region.
They won't want to be subordinate.
Once the project is underway,
some will try to take over decision-making or push their own agendas."
"Your concern is valid," Niu agreed.
"That's why I need veto power.
No matter how much funding others bring,
I need to hold at least one-third of the shares."
Even now, when he stood as a private businessman,
Li Tang refused to bow and scrape.
"If you're putting in fifty million,
plus your contribution in planning, technology, and expertise,
you're entitled to equity beyond your capital input,"
Niu said, glancing at Lang,
and agreeing readily:
"You'll be the core of this project.
Without unified leadership, no company can succeed.
Everyone pulling in different directions means guaranteed failure."
"I also have one more request," Li Tang added.
"I hope Wukuang Group will hold a large share—
so that together, you and I can maintain majority control."
He trusted Wukuang and the men sitting before him.
As long as they held the reins together,
it didn't matter how many other partners came on board—
no one could take control away.
It was like setting two locks on the vault,
securing ownership tightly.
Better to have awkward talks now than major conflicts later.
He would bring vision and leadership to the table—
but his own interests were non-negotiable.
Lang and Niu exchanged a glance.
Their eyes were filled with approval and admiration.
Clearly, Li Tang had thought even farther ahead than they had—
and had a firm grip on control.
Lang smiled and nodded.
"These are all reasonable conditions. No problem."
"Then I wish you success," Niu concluded, visibly encouraged.
They signed a memorandum of understanding on the spot
and immediately entered preparation mode.
Under Niu's instruction, the international investment firm
was tasked with facilitating negotiations with BHP-Billiton.
Li Tang's former schoolmate Guo Fengchun,
after hearing the details, quickly got a grasp of the assignment.
"Since it involves BHP-Billiton,
and given what we know about Austrian corporate law,
handling the transfer of the license shouldn't be an issue."
He frowned, though.
"But you said the license is in Mongolia?"
"Yes, over 200 square kilometers," Li Tang confirmed.
Truthfully, he didn't know that much about Mongolia.
"Well, there are two key challenges:
First, will BHP-Billiton agree to the deal?
Second, will Mongolia approve the license transfer?"
Guo's frown deepened.
"Honestly, I don't know much about Mongolia either.
This could be tough."
At the time, global information exchange was still slow.
Most people thought of Mongolia as a vast steppe full of cattle and sheep—nothing more.
As for the people, laws, infrastructure, or mining policies—
those were all big unknowns.
Still, Guo didn't dwell on the difficulty.
"There are experts in China who understand Mongolia.
If we can find someone, things will be much easier."
"Thanks, senior," Li Tang said sincerely.
"It's what I'm here for," Guo replied.
He personally saw Li Tang to the elevator,
and as the doors closed, he was still waving goodbye.
A few months ago, Guo had been shocked when Li Tang suddenly resigned.
Now, he was even more shocked by his return.
The first time they worked together,
Li Tang was a technical lead—technically under Guo's management.
This time, he was representing the entire Wukuang Group.
Guo had received orders from above:
cooperate fully with Li Tang.
The contrast was stark.
It brought to mind the old saying:
"After three days apart, look at him with new eyes."
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