Chapter 184: Poisonous Fernando
Just as Li Tang and his group were packing their bags, preparing to leave for Yanjing, Miles suddenly barged in with several people from Canada.
"Miles! I must meet with those Chinese representatives!" shouted a tall, thin middle-aged man, visibly agitated. "We agreed that the Mengguo exploration license had to be held for me! And now you've transferred it to the Chinese without even waiting for me to arrive!"
The group was visibly tense and anxious.
"They don't know how to explore!" the man continued to grumble. "They'll ruin this exploration license!"
At that moment, Li Tang happened to be walking out the hotel entrance with his suitcase and ran right into the group.
Miles recognized him immediately. After many meetings, he knew very well that this young Chinese man wasn't ordinary. In fact, within the entire Chinese delegation, Li Tang was the real decision-maker.
He had even personally heard from Hu Zhenchi that Li Tang had full authority over the Taluge copper-gold project in Mengguo.
"That's the one in charge," Miles pointed at Li Tang.
"You're the person in charge?" The tall, thin man with a horse-like face stared at Li Tang in surprise. "To be honest, you and I share the same vision — we both see the great potential in the Taluge copper-gold project. Clearly, you acted faster, and now the license is yours."
His tone remained polite, as if trying to negotiate.
"And you are?" Li Tang looked at him with confusion.
"I'm Fernando, CEO of Aiwanghao Company from Canada."
Fernando invited Li Tang to sit on a sofa in the hotel lobby. He took out a box of cigars and offered one. "The finest cigars in the world — come, let's enjoy one together!"
Li Tang also studied this man curiously.
He'd heard many legendary stories about Fernando. But now that he was right in front of him, he felt much more real and down-to-earth.
"I don't smoke cigars," Li Tang declined politely.
"Just one — give it a try."
One of Fernando's assistants prepared the cigar with great care: warming it up, cutting the tip, lighting it slowly — the whole process was ceremonial.
Li Tang accepted one out of politeness, clumsily holding it like a sausage between his lips. He took a gentle puff — a hint of vanilla flavor lingered. After holding the smoke in his mouth for a while, it left a slight sweetness.
It wasn't his thing.
Fernando, clearly practiced, smoked with ease, legs crossed. He smiled, "Miles told me you've secured the Taluge exploration license. I'm not here to cause trouble — I just want to cooperate."
"Cooperate?" Li Tang wasn't surprised that Fernando had come looking for him.
If he hadn't stepped in, Fernando would have made billions from the Taluge project.
That was Fernando's allure — he had a gift for discovering hidden treasures in desolate corners of the world.
This Canadian even had a famous nickname: Poisonous Fernando.
Back in the 1990s, he discovered a massive nickel mine in Canada. Then, in 1996, at the peak of the nickel market, he sold the license for $3.2 billion to a major nickel company.
Nickel prices dropped in the following years — but that wasn't his problem. He'd already cashed out.
"We can invest," Fernando offered. "We can also provide technical teams to participate in exploration."
When his horse-like face became stern and his eyes bulged slightly, it created an oppressive intensity. "We can discuss equity participation."
"I don't doubt your sincerity, Mr. Fernando," Li Tang replied clearly, "but in this project, we don't lack funds or technology."
That was a polite rejection.
Just then, Alice came downstairs with her suitcase, heading toward the lobby.
She noticed Li Tang, saw him sitting across from Miles and Fernando, each holding cigars — it looked like a pleasant conversation.
"Excuse us, we have a plane to catch. We can't talk much longer," Li Tang said, standing and offering his hand. "If there's a suitable project in the future, I'll be sure to contact you."
Fernando stood up and shook hands but said nothing, cigar still in his mouth, watching Li Tang walk away.
Hu Zhenchi, Zhao Hepu, and the others were already in a shuttle bus, waiting.
Seeing Li Tang arrive late, Zhao asked, "Where were you?"
"Ran into Miles, had a quick chat."
Li Tang didn't go into detail. He stowed his luggage and buckled in.
Alice followed him onto the bus and sat beside him. "That was Fernando just now, wasn't it?"
"You know him?" Li Tang was surprised.
"I've seen him before."
"Seems like you've got quite the network."
"My father's a project development director. He often deals with mining big shots. Seeing Fernando isn't strange."
Alice looked indifferent. "He's famous in the U.S. and Canada. Whenever he's involved in a project, countless funds and investors rush in."
"I bet he's rich himself," Li Tang said, remembering the $3.2 billion nickel deal. "He could live comfortably forever."
"Not sure if he's rich, but he certainly looks the part." Alice turned and sniffed. "You smell like cigar smoke."
"You saw me smoking one."
"What did you talk about?"
"He wants to invest in the Taluge copper-gold project."
"And you agreed?"
"No. I turned him down."
"Why?" Alice exclaimed.
"Why should I agree?" Li Tang was puzzled by her reaction.
"If you team up with Fernando, you'd gain access to a network — especially in capital markets."
"And then?"
"When your project needs funding or if you want to go public and raise money through new shares, those capital connections will help."
Alice clearly believed he'd missed a big opportunity.
Li Tang wasn't fazed. "I don't lack funding."
"But I heard you pledged your most valuable mining license to get a loan," Alice said immediately.
"You misunderstood." Li Tang smiled but didn't explain.
With Wukuang, Purple Mining, Huajin, and other state-owned giants behind him — why would he worry about capital?
Compared to foreign capital groups, he preferred trusting these domestic players.
"I don't get it," Alice replied, clearly frustrated by his refusal to take her advice.
"You were critical to this exploration rights deal. Don't worry about your fees — once we're back in Yanjing, I'll sign off on it."
Li Tang now had money at his disposal. After all, the investment funds from the companies had begun to arrive in Zhongcheng Mining's account, and as its CEO, he had full authority over the finances.
Of course, the enterprise investments wouldn't all arrive at once. The agreements included a buffer period and a phased payment structure.
But Li Tang's 50 million loan had already been transferred in full.
"I'm not worried about money," Alice replied flatly, clearly displeased that Li Tang hadn't taken her advice seriously.
"Does this mean I've won the bet?" Li Tang chuckled.
"What bet?" Alice played dumb.
"See? You Americans aren't all straight shooters — you're dodging."
"Who's dodging?"
"We agreed — if I completed a foreign acquisition, you'd work for me for free for three years."
During the negotiation process, Li Tang had discovered that Alice was truly capable — especially when analyzing opponents and crafting negotiation strategies.
As his company planned to expand abroad, he needed people like her.
If he had someone like Alice, at least his teams abroad would face fewer challenges.
"I..." Alice was speechless.
She loved her current job and had never thought of leaving.
But when Li Tang invited her, she realized she didn't actually want to say no.
"Come see me when you're in Yanjing. Our office is in Yunding Tower." Li Tang smiled smugly.
"I make a hundred thousand dollars a year at my firm. Will you match that?" Alice asked.
That was over 800,000 yuan — a top-tier salary in China.
Li Tang was startled but didn't show it. He joked, "Wasn't the bet that you'd work for free?"
"I need food and a place to live!" Alice rolled her eyes. "Yanjing isn't cheap. Without money, I'd be homeless."
"I'll give you housing, okay? You'll get meal subsidies too. Sound good?"
Li Tang laughed. "Full support — you'll be free to focus entirely on work."
"I feel like you're conning me," Alice said suspiciously.
Li Tang stopped joking and spoke seriously, "I'm sincerely inviting you to join us and help build something great."
Alice was touched by his sincerity.
"In the short term, you might not make what you did at your old firm. But long term? You'll gain far more."
Li Tang had unwavering confidence in the company's future. "You came to China because you wanted to make something of yourself — to live boldly and with purpose. If you join me, you're choosing the right path!"
"I'll think about it..." Alice replied, suddenly uncertain.
For the rest of the journey, she seemed distracted.
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