Chapter 230: Looking for a Son-in-Law Worthy of a Dragon
The drilling technician standing nearby reminded, "Just before he left, Li Tang instructed the drill crew leader to keep drilling nonstop until they're out of that black rock layer!"
Right then, the drill team completed another round of coring and laid out deeper rock samples in the core boxes.
"It's still molybdenite!" the technician exclaimed after checking the fresh core—once again, all pitch black, unmistakably the same.
"This ore body is ridiculously thick!" Peng Dezhi was both excited and bewildered.
At the Tangshangou molybdenum mine, twenty or thirty kilometers away, they had seen thick molybdenum zones before—but not like this.
Over 40 meters already—and they hadn't even reached the bottom. It was hard to imagine how extensive the molybdenum layer underground might be.
"What now?" the technician asked.
"Follow Li Tang's instructions: keep drilling until we get through the ore body!"
Peng was now practically trembling with excitement. "Once we're through, sample the core and send it to the lab. Let's just hope the grade isn't too low."
The thickness looked incredible, but the actual molybdenum content couldn't be judged by eye—it had to be tested.
"We took some quick readings—most of it's over 0.1%."
"Really?"
"I came in a rush and didn't bring my equipment."
"A 0.1% molybdenum grade is nearly double the industrial cut-off!" Peng's head was spinning from the excitement.
This was it—they had definitely hit ore!
"Better than the discovery conditions at Tangshangou—at least in this borehole."
"We should assign a dedicated drill tech team to this hole. Monitor every step, log every core—don't miss a single layer!"
Peng was fired up now.
"You'll continue overseeing the drilling. I'll return to HQ, gather the technical staff, and convene a meeting to discuss the next steps."
Every day the drill advanced, new records were being set—greater depths, thicker mineralization. It was transforming the geological team's understanding.
When they hit 600 meters, the drill couldn't go any further.
Peng returned to the rig site.
"We've seen ore starting at 220 meters—every core since then has shown mineralization," the drill tech explained.
"Now we're at 600 meters, and it's still ore. That's about 380 meters of molybdenite!"
"Three hundred eighty meters…" Peng murmured.
"And the grade is stable—consistently above 0.06%, which is the industrial threshold. This borehole is unmatched in domestic molybdenum exploration!"
"Thick, stable ore with a good grade!"
Peng let the numbers swirl in his head—sweetness filled his chest.
"I asked molybdenum experts in Huazhou about this—they said even Luoyi Molybdenum's mine, the biggest in China, doesn't have such favorable conditions!"
"But now we've got a problem—the drill rig is too small. It's rated for 400 meters. We're at 600—it's beyond capacity. It's overheating, and if we keep pushing, we risk breaking the rods or jamming the hole."
Peng had seen this coming.
"So we haven't even drilled through the ore body yet?"
"No, sir. The mineralization seems endless."
"We underestimated this area's molybdenum potential!" Peng sighed.
"Not just underestimated—we didn't think there was any at all." The technician had tracked every stage of drilling.
"We always figured we'd drill through soon. But now? We still haven't hit the bottom."
"When I brought the rig in, Boss Li personally suggested using a larger one—rated for 1,000 meters."
"He said that?" Peng blinked.
A 1,000-meter drill rig was massive—transport alone would cost tens of thousands. And operating costs? Sky-high.
No one used one for initial exploration. The norm was to start small—light gear that could be hauled in by mule caravans. Most early holes were 200 meters at most.
"I was going to use a small rig. But when Li Tang made his suggestion, I compromised with a 400-meter unit."
"Turns out he was right. His vision was ahead of ours."
Peng now fully respected Li Tang's technical insight.
"No wonder he's the boss who found Qinglong Copper. The man's a genius!"
"What's the plan now?"
"Do what he said: bring in 1,000-meter rigs and drill three more holes near this one."
"We have three large rigs at the bureau. If we need more, we'll have to borrow."
"Do you know about the updated work plan?"
"Yes."
"Then follow the new plan. Lay out boreholes on a 200-by-200-meter grid around this area."
Peng finished assigning tasks and headed for the nearby town where Shazhai Molybdenum's technicians were based. They'd rented a house there for fieldwork.
Most tech staff were already in the field, working alongside the geological bureau's team. As the person in charge, He Runqi visited periodically to oversee operations.
Seeing Peng arrive covered in leaves, He ran up.
"Captain Peng! Did you just come down from the mountain?"
"The only drill site we've started—has hit ore," Peng panted.
"We know. Our staff has been following the drilling updates closely."
"Where's Li Tang?" Peng asked directly.
"He's in the county seat. He stopped by a few days ago, but said he had to return to Yanjing."
He Runqi had settled into his leadership role and was capable of handling responsibility.
"Is something urgent? You can tell me—Shazhai Molybdenum is under my management. If it's something that must go through Mr. Li, I can get in touch."
"It's nothing urgent."
Peng was visibly disappointed not to find Li Tang.
"I just wanted to talk geology. How he found this ore—it's been bugging me. I wanted to hear it straight from him."
The whole reason for his visit had been to ask Li Tang about his methodology. That first hole, drilled exactly where Li Tang suggested, had struck what appeared to be a massive molybdenum ore body. It was driving him crazy.
"Should I contact Mr. Li?" He Runqi offered.
"No need. If he's already gone, I'll wait until he returns."
Peng shook his head and looked at He Runqi, still puzzled.
"A project this big, and your boss just walks away? Isn't he worried something might go wrong?"
"He reviewed the revised work plan and said your approach was correct."
He Runqi conveyed Li Tang's instructions.
"He told us to fully support your work. If you need anything, just ask me."
That settled Peng a bit.
At least now, in Li Tang's eyes, the bureau wasn't falling behind or screwing up.
And their technical implementation was on track.
…
In Yanjing, at the Wukuang Group headquarters.
Qin Jianshe had just moved into his new office on the company's executive floor, having officially taken up the role of Technical Department Director.
In rank, this placed him on par with subsidiary general managers—equal in title to Zhao Hepu.
But in terms of real power, budget, and projects, he was worlds apart.
Zhao managed thousands of employees. Qin had just a handful. And no projects yet.
Just as he was getting used to his new office, Niu Fu summoned him.
When he arrived, he was surprised to find not just Niu Fu, but also Shenxia Group's General Manager, Li Xingchao.
"Mr. Li is here too," he greeted politely.
"Mr. Li is doing great. Shenxia's annual revenue has been climbing steadily. At year's end, the higher-ups even gave special praise!" Niu Fu said, exchanging the usual business pleasantries.
Li waved off the flattery.
"You guys at Wukuang have done incredible things under Mr. Niu. The whole country can see it."
He motioned to Qin.
"Director Qin, please sit."
Qin had been standing until now. Given the invitation, he took his seat.
"Is Mr. Li here today to discuss a new collaboration?"
"No, not work today."
Li Xingchao, who oversaw a group with hundreds of billions in annual revenue, had the charm and poise of a man who had once turned heads as a young heartthrob.
But now, this powerful CEO looked… awkward.
He glanced at Niu, then at Qin, hesitating.
"What, need a loan?" Niu deadpanned, face solemn.
He looked like someone who was tough to borrow money from.
"No, not a loan."
Li looked at Qin, searching for a way to break the ice.
"First, Director Qin—congrats on your promotion."
"Thank you," Qin replied politely, still unsure why he had been called.
And Li, for all his commanding presence, was dithering like a man with something personal to confess.
"Okay, laugh if you must, but…"
Li finally began.
"I have two kids. A son and a daughter."
Today wasn't about business—it was about personal matters. That explained his nervous energy.
"If it were work-related, I'd be decisive. But this—this is family."
He laughed awkwardly.
"My son is 25. Been married two years."
"I went to the wedding," Niu said. "What, throwing another one?"
"Don't joke."
Li continued,
"My daughter is 27. Still unmarried. Doesn't even have a boyfriend!"
"At 27? Most girls have two kids by then," Niu said, still poker-faced.
"Exactly!"
Li didn't care about dignity anymore.
"My wife and I are worried sick. Another New Year's gone by, and all the relatives won't shut up about it. My daughter? She gets off work and just stays home. Never socializes, never talks to guys."
"That would stress any parent."
"We used to think she had time—maybe she'd meet someone through work. But now she's nearing thirty. No progress. It's scary how fast time goes."
"I've seen your daughter. She's very pretty."
"Pretty, yes. But what does that matter?"
Li sighed.
"Last year, some boy sent her a gift. I was thrilled. Secretly checked him out—clean-cut, decent-looking. Thought maybe, just maybe…"
"Didn't work out?"
"She said he had no ambition."
"What does that mean? Every man starts from zero. You can't expect a 20-something to have everything."
"She said she wants a man like me."
Li pointed to himself.
He was proud—he'd clearly done something right as a father.
But it only made things harder.
Where in the world could he find a young man who was as successful as him?
Unless she married someone his age—and he knew plenty of powerful, older men.
But that wasn't acceptable. Not to him.
And definitely not to his proud daughter.
"You've come to the wrong place if you're looking for matchmaking help," Niu said, finally understanding what was going on.
Li's buildup finally reached its point.
"I was hoping you could help arrange a blind date."
"A date?"
Niu turned to Qin.
"Director Qin is married—with two kids and a happy family. Mr. Li, this idea is off the mark."
He said it with such a serious face it was hard to tell if he was joking.
Li nearly lost his composure. He almost cursed the man out.
"I'm not suitable," Qin said, just as confused. Why had they called him?
Then Li finally said it:
"Li Tang."
"Ohhh—"
Niu and Qin both understood now.
Ah, so that's what this was about.
Niu pointed at Li, smiling.
"Now I get it—you're trying to find a son-in-law worthy of a dragon!"
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