Chapter 256: This Too Takes Time—You Understand
Today's meeting was arranged by Ma Shuyuan from the Economic and Commercial Section.
Li Tang arrived early with Qin Jianshe and Guo Fengchun at the venue Ma had provided.
Before entering, Qin Jianshe was still puzzled. "Why didn't Alice come with you?"
"She went to Austria."
"Austria?" Qin Jianshe was baffled. "Your company doesn't have any projects there. And with the Talego Copper-Gold Mine situation heating up, why would she go to Austria?"
"She's scouting a new project," Li Tang replied, unable to say more.
The meeting room was inside the consulate—spacious and spotless.
Ma Shuyuan had arranged the venue and was managing the meeting logistics.
He'd specifically asked Li Tang and his team to arrive an hour early.
When he saw Li Tang, his attitude was one of respect—perhaps even admiration. "Just got in from Yanjing?"
"Arrived last night. Got some rest," Li Tang said, energized.
"I asked you to come early so we could sync up beforehand. There are a few things I still don't fully understand," Ma said, motioning for everyone to take a seat.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he got right to the point. "Lately, mining company reps from Mongolia—even folks from the Asset Management Committee—have been knocking on my door almost every other day."
"We know you've put in a lot of good words for us," Qin Jianshe said. As a Wukuang Group representative, he had been in regular contact with Ma recently.
"In a very short time, iron ore, copper, molybdenum, coal… nearly all of Mongolia's major bulk export trades have been cut in half."
Ma's work lately had been entirely consumed by this issue. "It's a huge blow to Mongolia's export trade. And since their economy relies entirely on imports and exports, the ripple effects have hit every corner of their system."
He sighed. "People here are panicking. Every day someone comes to me to complain, asking me to fix it."
Ma had spent years in Mongolia and had become friends with many locals.
But first and foremost, he was Chinese.
"I understand your position," Li Tang said. He knew this trade war was painful on both sides. There would be no winners.
"Agula from the Asset Management Committee met with me recently. He strongly condemned the current situation," Ma explained, his gaze focused on Li Tang. "But he also expressed a strong desire to see this trade war brought to an end."
This was a meeting among insiders—no need for formalities.
Ma had asked them to come early for a reason. It was all in good faith.
Li Tang didn't hide anything. "The mining license for the Talego Copper-Gold Mine and this trade war are one and the same."
Everyone in the room already knew that.
It was just that the trading companies, led by Wukuang, always denied the connection—insisting the trade suspension had nothing to do with the license issue.
"So what are you hoping to achieve by coming here today?" Ma asked.
He wanted to understand Li Tang's bottom line before the formal meeting began, to ensure everyone stayed on the same page.
"Can this trade war end today?" he asked.
He knew Li Tang was sharp.
But trade involved many companies. Could Li Tang truly speak for them all?
In other words, could Li Tang make the final call?
"If we're granted the mining license, the trade war will end."
Li Tang's words were few, but powerful.
"Got it," Ma said, now reassured.
Li Tang had made it clear: today's meeting wasn't just another formal encounter—it was a real attempt to resolve the deadlock.
Bayar and Jirigala arrived next.
So did Agula from the Asset Management Committee.
When they saw Li Tang, their emotions were mixed.
This young man had surprised them far beyond expectation.
And the pain he had caused them—unprecedented.
Over the past few weeks, they had been forced to reevaluate Li Tang from the ground up.
It felt like they were meeting someone entirely different.
He sat before them—familiar, yet distant.
There was now an unspoken aura around him. A shroud of mystery.
How much power did he truly hold? How much more had yet to be revealed?
They didn't know.
But what he'd already shown—his tactics, his disruptive capability—had nearly toppled their entire mineral trade sector.
He had shaken their economy for the year.
He could no longer be treated as just a young man.
Nor as an ordinary businessman.
"Director Li..."
Bayar still remembered the short meeting in his office—the moment he'd denied the mining license application.
He never imagined the storm that would follow.
That this young man, after turning away, would unleash a thunderous counterattack.
"Minister Bayar, Director Jirigala," Li Tang greeted them politely, then looked curiously at Agula—a man he had never met.
"This is Agula, chairman of the Asset Management Committee. He oversees all of Mongolia's enterprises," Ma explained.
"So you're Li Tang, the head of Nanhuang Resources and Zhongcheng Mining?" Agula studied his face.
He'd heard the name many times, but this was their first encounter.
After enduring the fallout from the trade war, he dared not underestimate this young man.
"I am," Li Tang nodded.
"Was it your order to suspend cross-border mineral trade?" Agula asked.
He was an older man, but carried a warrior's presence—like a knight on horseback, ready to charge at any moment.
"I don't have that kind of authority," Li Tang said calmly. "I'm just a mining exploration company executive."
Like the other trade companies, he would never admit the trade war was orchestrated.
They blamed "unavoidable natural and technical difficulties."
Everyone knew the truth, but no one would say it out loud.
"Your trade companies have breached contracts. Not only have they refused to deliver goods, they haven't even sent payment for what's been received!"
Agula's voice boomed, laced with fury. "This kind of behavior violates market principles and disregards the spirit of contract law!"
"Our company doesn't engage in mineral trade," Li Tang replied calmly.
It was clear: he wasn't about to take the blame.
"Mr. Ma, is this the attitude you invited us here to face?"
Agula was furious at Li Tang's composure. He turned to Ma Shuyuan. "These people aren't serious about solving anything!"
His tone aimed to seize the moral high ground and take control of the narrative.
Ma knew Li Tang had come with full intention to resolve the issue. He also knew Li Tang's goal and bottom line.
He smiled to ease the tension. "Let's all stay calm. I can assure you, today's meeting will produce a result that satisfies both sides."
He gestured toward Qin Jianshe and Guo Fengchun. "These two represent Wukuang Group."
"Can you speak for all of Wukuang Trading?" Agula asked.
Guo looked to Qin. Technically, Qin had seniority.
And he had just spoken with Niu Fu, who'd said clearly: let Li Tang handle it.
In truth, Qin didn't even know the full plan. Li Tang was better informed than he was.
So he looked at Li Tang.
Li Tang nodded. "Yes."
"Alright," Agula said, unwilling to delay any longer.
If this dragged on another two or three months, Mongolia's entire trade economy would collapse.
"Let's be honest today. No need to hide behind polite talk."
He had made up his mind. "We must resume mineral trade immediately. It benefits both sides. This isn't a one-sided issue."
"I understand," Li Tang nodded.
"And you want the mining license for Talego Copper-Gold?"
Agula had clearly pointed out Li Tang's demand.
In truth, both sides were playing with open cards. The crux of the conflict was obvious—there was no fooling anyone.
"This isn't about what we want or don't want. According to your country's Mining Law, we have the legal right to apply for a mining license."
Li Tang had flown a long way to attend this meeting.
That didn't mean he was compromising.
He just wanted to minimize the damage on both sides and resolve the issue quickly.
Letting it drag out indefinitely was meaningless.
"The approval process for a mining license takes time," Bayar finally spoke up.
"But that's not what you told me the last time we spoke," Li Tang replied, his voice calm but firm.
"Perhaps you misunderstood me," Bayar said, trying to defend himself.
"Mr. Ma," Agula said, turning to Ma Shuyuan, who was serving as mediator. "As you can see, this is just a misunderstanding! Minister Bayar already said the license will be issued—it's simply still in the review process."
Ma nodded. "Yes, this misunderstanding needs to be clarified."
"Mining license approvals always take time," Agula said, raising his voice suddenly. "But the mineral trade—that can't stop for another second! Many of our mines have already reduced output. Our warehouses are full of ore! Even our trains are packed and stuck on the rails. They can't unload. If this goes on, the equipment will be damaged!"
He stared directly at Li Tang, trying to intimidate him and emphasize the urgency of the situation.
To him, resuming mineral trade was far more urgent and critical than approving the mining license.
"I need your commitment—today—to immediately resume rail transport and mineral trade!"
The forceful tone, the aggressive posture—it didn't faze Li Tang.
"We don't engage in mineral trade," he replied calmly. "But I can assure you, I'll pass your message to Wukuang, Shenxia Group, and the other companies. I'll urge them to expedite rail repairs, restore operations, and even assist however possible—within reason."
Then he shifted gears, his tone firming. "But the license application has dragged on for far too long. Your so-called 'review' process feels suspiciously like deliberate obstruction."
He wasn't here to compromise. That had always been his position.
Agula realized that intimidation wouldn't work on this young man and quickly changed tactics. "So, you want Minister Bayar to issue the license right now?"
"No. I have no intention of interfering in your internal approval procedures," Li Tang replied.
He always respected their process—he never tried to force their hand. That wouldn't be business—it would be overstepping.
But that didn't mean he'd let himself be jerked around.
If the donkey won't pull the mill, he wasn't about to strap himself in and do it by hand.
At the critical moment, cracking the whip was necessary.
"We're following the legal process. Please be patient," Bayar said, sticking to his line. "But what's truly urgent is restoring mineral trade."
Some things shouldn't be said too bluntly—but dancing in circles got tiresome too.
It was like the age-old debate: which came first—the chicken or the egg?
"Let me put it this way. Once we receive the license, I'll return to China and personally help you resolve the trade issue," Li Tang said.
His meaning was crystal clear.
He didn't say it outright, but everyone understood:
No license, no trade.
"You're rich—you can afford these losses!"
Agula was clearly frustrated. "But if you don't reopen the railway, we'll breach our contracts with Korea and Japan. The penalties will multiply over time! You're not even trying to see things from our side!"
He feared that the trade routes to Korea and Japan—carefully nurtured as a way to reduce dependence on the Chinese market—would collapse due to this crisis.
For Mongolia, losing that market would be catastrophic.
"I guarantee that we'll follow due process in reviewing your license. There won't be any deliberate delays!"
Bayar was now offering his strongest assurance yet. "It'll take time, but a little longer or shorter won't hurt you."
"Agreed," Li Tang nodded.
"But every extra day of halted trade is deadly for us."
Bayar was cracking under pressure from Agula and the other mining firms. "I think you can resume trade now."
"I'll do that after we get the license. Then I'll have the time and bandwidth to help you resolve the trade issue. After all, that's not really my job."
Li Tang's voice was calm and steady.
But every word pierced like steel.
"You're not here to solve problems!" Agula snapped.
"I've already given you the solution," Li Tang replied, eyes unwavering.
"I'll sign the approval today!" Bayar finally relented.
But Li Tang wasn't so easily fooled. Even Bayar's signature wasn't the final say.
The real green light had to come from higher-ups—and the Parliament.
"You keep backing down, but I haven't seen you actually take action," Agula said bitterly. "I'm starting to doubt your sincerity and ability to resolve this."
Sensing the mood turning tense, Ma Shuyuan spoke up. "Minister Bayar's signature still needs to pass through a few more steps. Since both sides are willing to cooperate, maybe you could offer some help too."
"My being here is already proof of my sincerity," Li Tang said. "But for your sake, Mr. Ma, I'll do something."
He paused, thought for a moment, and added, "Here's what I'll do—I'll call back to China and try to get part of the mineral trade restarted. But I don't think full resumption is realistic right now. This will take time—you understand."
Hearing that, Agula finally began to calm down. He saw a glimmer of hope.
"Our top priority is restoring rail service. We must get the shipments to Korea and Japan moving again!" he said, clearly stating the most urgent matter.
"I can't promise that," Li Tang shook his head. "Railway maintenance doesn't get resolved with a phone call. I'll try to increase trade volume, but I can't say which part will come back first."
Agula still didn't feel fully reassured—but at least there was now a path forward.
"Just don't go back on your word."
"And I hope Minister Bayar will also keep his word," Li Tang replied. "Let's make sure nothing goes wrong again."
"Don't worry."
Bayar finally caved. He turned to Ma Shuyuan. "Let Mr. Ma serve as witness. He'll monitor our progress."
"I trust Minister Bayar's integrity," Ma said, feeling the negotiation had achieved something.
It seemed the matter was finally heading toward resolution.
The parties dispersed.
Bayar signed the license application and submitted it for further processing.
Agula, for his part, promised to advocate for it in the necessary political circles.
On the mineral trade side, Li Tang made a call to Niu Fu.
"Bayar has agreed to fully support our mining license application," Li Tang summarized the day's discussion. "I also committed to helping them restart some of the mineral trade."
"That's good," Niu said after a moment of thought. "Then let's start by resuming iron ore trade. Copper concentrate is more important to them—higher economic value. Hold that card back."
"I don't know much about trade. I'll follow your lead."
"Keep an eye on them. Most Mongolians are straightforward, but some are slippery. If you see signs of backpedaling, call me right away."
"Understood."
"Iron ore trade can resume today. All contracts and payments are already in place."
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen