Chapter 157: Because I Am Li Tang
Chen Aimin examined Li Tang once more, trying hard to recall whether they had met before. "Your name has appeared on CCTV news, and even on foreign newspapers. But I feel like I've never seen you in person—those reports didn't include your photo?"
"Probably not," Li Tang shook his head. "My appearance isn't important. The media probably used the name 'Li Tang' as a symbol."
"You're really that Li Tang from Wukuang Group?" Chen Aimin asked again.
"I was indeed working at Wukuang Group last year."
"Alright. I believe you."
Chen Aimin fell silent for a moment, visibly more serious. "I've spoken with people from Land Mining Company. They made their position clear—they want the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine exploration rights back. No room for negotiation."
"They're the ones acting like robbers," Li Tang retorted, his stance firm. "We obtained those rights legally and through proper channels! Why should we just hand them over because they say so?"
"Hold on, don't be so quick to argue."
As someone caught in the middle, Chen Aimin was still trying to come up with a solution that would satisfy both parties. "Look, Land Mining is a foreign exploration firm. They bring advanced concepts and technology to our industry. You, on the other hand, are deeply rooted in China and understand our systems well. You're naturally complementary. What if… both sides take a step back and jointly develop the mining rights?"
"Impossible." Li Tang's tone was unwavering. "The exploration rights are ours. There's no room for compromise."
"Why are you so stubborn?"
"This isn't about being stubborn—it's a matter of principle. If someone tries to rob me, I will never yield!"
"You're young, but your will is quite strong."
Chen Aimin now had a better read on Li Tang's position. He pondered for a moment before continuing. "China is vast. Take Tubo Province for example—it's practically a blank canvas for mining investments. If you want to look for resources there, there's plenty of land with no assigned exploration rights. You could pick any of those areas."
He observed Li Tang closely. "Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine hasn't had much exploration yet. No one even knows if there's anything underground. You might drill a few holes and come up with nothing but useless rock. Then all this fighting will have been pointless."
Li Tang sat calmly, listening without interrupting.
"I honestly don't understand—why are both you and Land Mining so fixated on Gongcun's exploration rights?" Chen had reviewed the mine's materials, and with his expertise, he had concluded the site held only potential. That's it.
Such "prospective zones" existed all over China.
Why were both sides so obsessed with this one?
"Gold is a precious metal. For large-scale gold deposits, applications for mining rights need to be submitted here, correct?" Li Tang asked.
"Correct. Large-scale gold deposits have far-reaching implications and are taken very seriously."
"What's the largest known gold deposit in China?" Li Tang asked casually.
"You're from Qianzhou Province, right?" Chen asked in return.
"Yes. Born and raised."
"In terms of known reserves, the biggest gold deposit is Yunigou in Qianzhou—around 150 tons. It was originally discovered by our domestic geologists, but due to difficult mining conditions and lack of funds, they brought in foreign capital. Now, unfortunately, the mining rights belong to an Austrian company."
Chen couldn't help but sound regretful.
"150 tons—is that a lot?" Li Tang asked, though he knew the answer. He just wanted to press the point.
"You're asking if the largest gold mine in the country is 'a lot'?" Chen replied, almost incredulously. "That one mine holds nearly half of Qianzhou's total proven gold reserves. Economically and strategically, it's huge!"
"I suspect that Gongcun's gold reserves are close to Yunigou's."
Li Tang paused for a beat, then calmly delivered the bombshell.
The words hit Chen Aimin like thunder from a clear sky.
He needed a while to process what Li Tang had just said. Then, staring at the young man before him, he saw nothing but sincerity in his face.
"You're not joking?" he asked, still skeptical.
"I'm not," Li Tang said, with absolute certainty.
"Finding a large-scale gold deposit is extremely difficult."
"I know. But I'm confident in Gongcun."
He didn't give specific numbers, but according to later exploration results, the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine had over 100 tons of gold reserves—essentially another Yunigou.
On top of that, it also had over a million tons of copper, and deep drilling suggested even more potential. The long-term prospects were unimaginable.
Such a deposit was rare in all of China—and extremely valuable.
"I've never visited the Gongcun site myself," Chen admitted. "I've only seen some preliminary reports. So far, surface-level anomalies have been detected, and some gold indicator elements have shown promising signs. But based on the available data, no one could draw a definitive conclusion."
He leaned in slightly. "So what makes you so confident that Gongcun is a super-large gold deposit?"
"Because I am Li Tang."
The words came so naturally from his mouth.
It was the kind of thing that would sound arrogant coming from anyone else.
But when Li Tang said it, it didn't feel off.
Chen Aimin couldn't help but think of the Yunyun Bauxite Mine, the Qulong Copper Mine, and the Qinglong Copper Mine. In each case, Li Tang had played a decisive role.
"Comparable to Yunigou…"
"If that's true, this would be a major, game-changing discovery."
"If what you say is true, we'd need to escalate this. Not even our department could approve the mining rights—it would require central government authorization."
Chen muttered to himself, weighing the pros and cons.
Li Tang waited patiently. He knew the director needed time to digest everything.
But one thing Chen had said earlier triggered Li Tang's memory.
In the original timeline, Land Mining Company had secured Gongcun's exploration rights and quickly began work. After discovering a large deposit, they submitted a mining rights application—but approval was delayed for years.
They tried everything. Even partnered with a large Chinese state-owned enterprise. But the authorities still didn't approve.
Eventually, they gave up and sold all their shares to the Chinese company.
Even then, just holding the exploration rights brought them over 3 billion yuan in valuation.
That was in a fire-sale scenario. Under normal conditions, the mine would've been worth far more.
It showed just how seriously top leaders took large-scale gold mines.
Most mining rights are approved at the provincial level.
But precious resources—especially gold—require central approval.
There's even a regulation: for large-scale gold mines, mining rights cannot be granted to individuals or private enterprises.
As Li Tang thought back, Chen Aimin finally made up his mind.
"I'll have to report this to my superiors," he said. "But I'll tell you this: if Gongcun truly holds a major gold deposit, we absolutely cannot allow the rights to fall into foreign hands."
"I completely agree with you, Director Chen."
"Come on—let's get lunch. Decisions are better made on a full stomach."
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