Chapter 182: Tremendous Influence!
Li Tang further explained, "We needed seventy million to acquire the exploration rights from BHB Tuo. The remaining 130 million yuan will all be invested directly into the exploration work."
"Seventy million just for the exploration rights?" Someone else voiced disbelief.
What on earth were Li Tang and Wukuang Group up to?
Another person questioned the equity split, "You're investing 80 million but holding 51% of the shares, while we're putting in 120 million and only getting 49% — isn't that unfair to us?"
By this point, representatives from Wukuang Group had already handed out a basic project plan to each company present.
Li Tang pointed at the summary in everyone's hands, "We came up with the idea, we're handling the operations, and we've already achieved the first milestone — securing the exploration rights. I believe we deserve a greater share. That's our reasonable stake."
People began raising all kinds of questions. Li Tang answered what he could and ignored the ones he didn't want to address. His attitude was clear — he wasn't desperate for every company to join.
If they wanted to make money together, they'd have to take on some of the risk.
No one was forcing them to participate.
As the room fell into silence, full of murmurs and contemplation, no one willing to make a decision on the spot, someone from the second row suddenly spoke up:
"I want to ask, with an investment this large, what is your ultimate goal?"
Li Tang didn't hesitate for even a second. "Another Qinglong Copper Mine! Or one even bigger!"
His words were like thunder on a clear day, lighting up the minds of everyone in the room.
These were all insiders, the heads of major mining enterprises.
Who wouldn't envy Purple Mining's Qinglong Copper Mine?
It was the largest copper mine in China, with reserves nearing 20 million tons!
It had proven that China could host world-class copper deposits.
The room buzzed again, with renewed intensity. Clearly, many were tempted.
Qian Hao, who had been whispering in Luo Yi Molybdenum's general manager Cui Mingyuan's ear since the beginning, could no longer hold back.
Now that the project and partnership terms were laid out, he leaned in again, urgently whispering, "President Cui, I've been telling you for ages about how impressive Li Tang is. I won't repeat myself. You know how well I know him. I'll say it straight — whatever idea or project he brings up, just follow his lead!"
"Isn't that a little too impulsive?" Cui Mingyuan, though annoyed by Qian Hao's flashy appearance and flamboyant attire, knew he had good instincts and often got results.
Months ago, Qian Hao had pushed hard to recommend Li Tang and urged the company to bring him in for new ventures.
Now that Luo Yi Molybdenum was stabilizing and preparing to diversify into copper, bauxite, and gold, it made sense.
Though still in the early stages, Qian Hao had already made notable progress in this direction.
Qian Hao was the kind of person who, once he found someone or something worth betting on, would latch on and never let go. "President Cui, I'll stake my head on this. Just invest in this project. Invest in Li Tang! I'm excellent at reading people — and Li Tang is the right one to follow!"
"Blind loyalty isn't a virtue," Cui Mingyuan muttered, fed up with Qian Hao's constant chatter.
"I'll put it plain — if we lose money, I'll bring you my head!" Qian Hao exclaimed dramatically.
Yet, in his bright white suit, raised eyebrows, and exaggerated expression, he looked more like a rogue than a serious executive.
But Cui Mingyuan knew he had his own methods. Torn, he replied, "Let me think."
"What's there to think about? By the time you decide, the opportunity will be gone!" Qian Hao grumbled.
"Could you show me some respect in front of others?" Cui Mingyuan snapped.
"I just want to get this done!" Qian Hao grinned, quickly switching his tone. "I'm just worried you'll miss the boat."
"Then shut up if you can't talk properly," Cui Mingyuan said, exasperated.
Every company was whispering and weighing their options, but no one had stepped forward.
Li Tang didn't want to wait any longer. He said, "I'll give everyone one day to decide. We're heading to Mengguo soon, and time is tight."
As he turned to return to his seat, someone stood up and declared loudly:
"Li Tang, this may be something we should've discussed privately, but since we've opened the floor, I'll speak up. Our company, Purple Mining, was hesitant not because we weren't going to invest — but because we were debating how much to invest. Initially, I suggested we cover the full 120 million shortfall for Zhongcheng Mining. But due to tight timing and the challenge of raising that much in under a month, we've decided to contribute 30 million and acquire shares accordingly."
The speaker was Chen Jinhe of Purple Mining, seated at the edge of the front row. Compared to the long-established copper giants, Purple Mining was a newcomer, less experienced.
"Your company just acquired the Qinglong Copper Mine — the largest in the world — and that's still not enough?" someone exclaimed.
No one in China's nonferrous metal sector could ignore Purple Mining anymore.
Industry analysts agreed that the future landscape of copper mining would include Purple Mining as a major player.
The Qinglong Mine alone had more reserves than any other domestic company.
"We, at Shenxia Group, will invest 20 million!"
That voice came from the second row. It was Li Xingchao, general manager of Shenxia Group, the same one who'd asked Li Tang earlier about his goal. He didn't stand up, but his voice was firm.
Though Shenxia wasn't involved in copper, it dominated the coal industry — crucial for smelting copper.
They were invited mainly for their coal supply relevance.
"I've already discussed the exploration rights in Mengguo with Wukuang Group's Niu. I'm optimistic about this project," said Cheng Muyie of Huajin General Corporation. Standing up, he smiled around the room and announced, "We're investing 20 million!"
"I represent Hualü General Corp and we're in for 15 million!" said Luo Qinzhong, vice GM of Hualü and former deputy director at the Huazhou aluminum plant. He stood, biting the bullet to commit to the investment on the spot.
Seeing Luo, who had come alone and still dared to commit 15 million, Qian Hao was beside himself with frustration seeing Cui Mingyuan still unmoved. He couldn't help but prod, "Why are you still hesitating?"
Cui Mingyuan glanced around, astonished by the unexpected enthusiasm.
Since when were people so generous?
Thirty million, twenty million — were they printing money?
Under pressure, he turned to Qian Hao and muttered, "You go announce it."
Qian Hao was momentarily stunned, then grinned and stood up. "We at Luoyi Molybdenum are investing 25 million!"
"Jiujiang Copper — 10 million!"
"Tongdu Nonferrous — 10 million!"
The momentum swept up the room, and the two old-guard companies quickly added their support.
Ten million each was no small amount, but with others pledging more, it gave them cover in case of loss.
A Wukuang rep then stood up and said, "The 120 million gap has been filled. Jiujiang and Tongdu can each invest five million instead — how about that?"
"Deal." Neither company objected.
Other companies, either lacking a copper business or uninterested, stayed silent.
The success of this pitch was astonishing. Even Niu Fu was surprised — especially by the support from Shenxia, Luoyi Molybdenum, and Hualü.
Was it for Wukuang's sake?
Clearly not.
They'd done joint ventures before — everyone was a state-owned enterprise, on equal footing. No one really held more authority.
This overwhelming response could only be credited to one thing — the name "Li Tang" carried tremendous influence.
Niu Fu turned to the young man beside him and couldn't help but admire his talent and magnetism.
As the lead on this project, Niu Fu stood and said, "Now that we've reached a consensus, I ask all participating leaders and colleagues to follow the project plan and finalize the partnership agreements and funding soon. Let's build a brilliant future together!"
The meeting room erupted into applause.
Afterward, many approached Li Tang, hoping to learn more about the Mengguo exploration rights — and to get to know him personally.
Niu Fu, seeing Li Tang surrounded, called him over to introduce him privately to Cheng Muyie of Huajin.
This meeting had a specific purpose.
"I heard you plan to sell the Gongcun copper-gold mine for 50 million?" Cheng asked, already briefed by Niu Fu.
"I don't have much choice." Li Tang smiled wryly. "Compared to Gongcun, I believe in the Mengguo Taluge project more."
"You really are an authority in copper-gold exploration!" Cheng gave him a thumbs up. "I'm glad I canceled my plans to attend this meeting. Otherwise, I'd have missed the chance to work with you."
"Thank you for your support!" Li Tang sincerely replied.
Looking at Li Tang's youthful face, Cheng was amazed. "You're so young, and you left Wukuang even though you were doing well. Did something happen? Well, it's good for us — we get to benefit from your success."
At that, Niu Fu frowned, "Even if Li Tang left, he's still one of us at Wukuang!"
"Of course, of course," Cheng said amiably. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have approached you first."
"Enough chit-chat — let's talk business," Niu Fu said, exchanging a glance with Li Tang.
Understanding the cue, Li Tang asked, "President Cheng, are you interested in the Gongcun copper-gold mine?"
(To be continued...)
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