Chapter 203: Measured in Billions
They began debating again.
Especially the representatives from Jiujiang Copper and Tongdu Nonferrous, who now looked visibly troubled.
Each company had only invested 5 million yuan at the start—barely enough to own 2% each. Now, that share felt embarrassingly small.
With a resource like the Taluge Copper-Gold Mine, who wouldn't want to own more?
If only they had invested more earlier! But regret changes nothing.
Now they wanted to increase their stake—but others wouldn't just sit back and let them.
Some in the room noticed Li Tang's composed expression. Li Xingchao smiled knowingly and asked, "Li Tang, do you have something else in mind?"
"I do," Li Tang said calmly. "For the next round of project funding… I think we should go with a loan."
He didn't want to dilute his own equity too early.
If they went with proportional new share issuance to raise 80 million yuan, Li Tang would need to contribute 34 million to maintain his 42.5% stake.
Right now, that kind of cash wasn't readily available to him.
So the only viable solution was financing the expansion via loans.
Upon hearing this, Li Xingchao nodded in approval. "With the kind of results Taluge has shown, if you say you're short on funds, the top leadership will help arrange financing for you themselves."
Niu Fu didn't care why Li Tang chose loans, but he was the first to support him. "I agree with Li Tang's decision. A 50 to 100 million yuan loan isn't a problem at all."
"I support it too," said Li Xingchao, followed by Cheng Muyie, Qian Hao, and Luo Qinzhong—all raising their hands.
Purple Mining, the third-largest shareholder, didn't have its chairman Chen Jinhe present due to the short notice, but they had sent a representative who had already received instructions: support Li Tang fully.
Seeing the consensus forming, Feng Sinian and Geng Feiran knew they had no choice but to raise their hands as well.
They were minor shareholders. Their opposition would be meaningless.
The vote showed overwhelming unity behind Li Tang's leadership.
"In that case, we'll begin the loan arrangements before the New Year," Li Tang announced, turning toward Niu Fu and Li Xingchao. "We'll probably need help from the shareholders to coordinate with banks—guarantees, etc."
"Wukuang Group is willing to guarantee the loan for Zhongcheng Mining," Niu Fu declared, without hesitation.
Given the value of Taluge, he wasn't the least bit worried about the company repaying its debts.
"Shenxia Group will help as well," Li Xingchao said with his usual calm demeanor.
"With everyone's help, I feel completely at ease," Li Tang said, offering a grateful smile. "And thank you all for making time to attend this meeting."
"The shareholder meeting is officially adjourned!"
"Let's go eat!" Niu Fu said, rising like a host inviting his guests. "Since the Taluge project has achieved such outstanding success, let's celebrate properly!"
Wukuang Group, besides Li Tang, was the biggest shareholder in Zhongcheng Mining.
They were also the earliest participants, having been involved since the very first round of exploration licensing talks.
Wukuang had invested 30 million yuan and held 17% of the shares.
Purple Mining had invested the same amount but held only 12.2%—a notable difference.
This clearly reflected the depth of the relationship between Li Tang and Wukuang.
Had he not respected that history, Li Tang wouldn't have chosen them first as a partner.
Because of that decision, Wukuang now had the most influence in Zhongcheng Mining after Li Tang.
Anyone paying attention could see that Li Tang and Wukuang's combined 51% ownership had clearly been planned from the start.
Plus, Li Tang held a one-vote veto power.
That kind of authority would be priceless in a mine of this value.
Everyone present wanted more shares. But having a seat at the table and some voice in the process was already a win.
When the conference room doors opened, everyone exited with smiling faces and lively conversation.
The buzz in the air was unmistakable—everyone was still giddy about the Taluge discovery, and the discussion naturally continued.
Lu Zhentian, general manager of Jintian Copper, had also stayed in Yanjing, hoping to get a private meeting with Gores from BHP Tuo, but like others, he'd been ignored.
He'd spent the past few days hanging out with Feng Sinian and Geng Feiran. When they went to Zhongcheng's shareholder meeting, he'd had nothing better to do and tagged along.
Not being a shareholder, he wasn't allowed into the meeting. He sat in the outer lounge area.
Through the glass wall, he saw the lively discussions inside, even some executives standing and speaking passionately.
Unfortunately, the soundproofing was excellent—he couldn't hear a word.
Bored, he chatted with some of Zhongcheng's staff. Though they weren't very specific, they mentioned the company had achieved "remarkable results."
He had been there at the founding meeting of Zhongcheng Mining. He knew its sole focus was the Taluge project.
Could it be they really found something big?
He'd always envied companies like Jiujiang Copper and Tongdu Nonferrous for having their own mines and producing their own concentrate.
His own company only handled smelting and downstream operations—never upstream mining.
So when he saw Feng Sinian and Geng Feiran walk out, beaming, he rushed up to ask, "What's all the excitement about?"
He could feel the energy in the room.
"Taluge has turned out to be a world-class deposit," Feng said frankly. He didn't see the need to keep it secret—it would be public soon anyway.
"A world-class deposit?" Lu was stunned. He couldn't grasp what that meant exactly.
Feng clapped him on the shoulder with some regret. "We only invested five million, 2% of the company. We're kicking ourselves. If we'd had more vision and invested 50 million, we wouldn't have to worry about copper feedstock again."
In truth, equity percentage dictated everything.
When the Taluge mine starts production, shareholders will have first rights to buy copper concentrate.
Lu didn't fully understand—but he could tell from Feng's tone that Taluge was extraordinary.
Feng went on, "You missed your chance, brother. You didn't invest a cent. The Mining Association meeting—that day, you were there too, remember?"
"What exactly is going on? Tell me everything!" Lu dragged Feng aside for details.
Feng, only knowing part of the technical data, repeated what he could. "Twenty-three million tons of copper reserves…"
Lu's jaw dropped more with each word.
Meanwhile, in the general manager's office, Niu Fu gathered a few key people.
"I want to introduce some friends from Guizhou," he said, gesturing toward the room.
Han Dexun, Zhou Zhenxing, and Li Zaiqiang hadn't expected that these top state-owned enterprise executives would personally come over to shake hands. They immediately stood, smiling nervously.
Even after decades in the workplace, they were still a little intimidated in the presence of such powerful people.
"Hello," Han greeted awkwardly.
Niu nodded and pointed to one man. "This is Li Zaiqiang—Li Tang's father."
"Really?" several executives said in unison.
"To raise a talent like Li Tang, you must be a well-educated man with vast knowledge!" one said.
"An extraordinary son reflects a remarkable upbringing," said another. "Come visit us sometime and share your insights."
"Here—let's exchange contact info. If you're ever in Yanjing, call me. And if I'm in Guizhou, I'll definitely reach out."
Everyone lined up to shake Li Zaiqiang's hand.
Hearing that he was Li Tang's father, no one dared treat him casually.
Li Zaiqiang had never been shown this kind of deference before. He was clearly overwhelmed.
His palms were sweaty with nerves as he shook hands.
He understood clearly—this wasn't because he was named Li Zaiqiang, or because he worked at the 101 Geological Team, or even because he had contributed to the Taluge project.
It was simply because he was Li Tang's father.
That alone was enough to command respect.
And that, more than anything, filled him with pride.
"This is Director Han of the Guizhou Geological Bureau, and this is Team Leader Zhou from the 101 Geological Team," Niu introduced them as well, not overlooking their presence.
The others shook hands with the two men warmly.
"Nice to meet you…"
Han and Zhou were stunned. They'd never dreamed these mining executives would initiate conversation with them.
In the past, it was almost impossible just to get a meeting with one of them.
Now, here they all were.
Naturally, they were a bit starstruck and extremely cautious.
Of course, they understood why they were being greeted this way.
They weren't naive enough to think this would lead to deep friendships or future projects.
But they also knew: exchanging contacts with Li Tang's father was already a win.
"Let's go. Time for dinner!"
Niu Fu laughed and, on behalf of Zhongcheng Mining, made the announcement. "Since the Taluge Project has achieved such a huge milestone, and everyone's here, let's celebrate!"
In another building, Luo Qinzhong arrived at the reform committee office to meet with his boss, Lai Xiangrong, and brief him on the shareholder meeting—just in case he was caught off guard during dinner later.
But at the office entrance, he saw Lai trudging out, tea mug in hand, looking grumpy and disheveled.
"Director Lai, what happened?" Luo asked.
After the merger that created Hualü General Company, Lai had been appointed the first general manager.
Unexpectedly, instead of staying at Huazhou Aluminum, Luo had been promoted to deputy GM—Lai's right-hand man.
He still oversaw his original responsibilities.
Lai didn't look happy.
"Got chewed out by Director He all afternoon," he grumbled.
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