Chapter 159: The Majesty of the Imperial City
In the chaos and haste, Lucas hadn't even had time to consult a lawyer about the contract. At the ceremony, their interpreter had skimmed the agreement just to confirm that it was indeed a share donation contract. The interpreter had said yes—so Lucas signed his name alongside Li Tang's.
Handshake. Camera flash. The moment was immortalized with smiling faces.
"Don't take it the wrong way—it's a heartfelt gesture. In China, we say: A small gift carries deep affection," Li Tang said with a gentle smile, his clear eyes shining. "Believe me, this share—however small—could be worth hundreds of thousands of yuan in the future. It's enough to repay your investment in the Gongcun project."
"I feel like you're mocking me!"
Around them, enthusiastic applause and cheers rang out. But Lucas felt like a beggar, accepting a handout.
"That's too harsh. We're partners now," Li Tang replied calmly.
Truthfully, this had been discussed privately between Li Tang and Director Chen Aimin. Chen had hoped to calm the situation and reduce the risk of negative international press coverage, and he suggested that Li Tang offer some form of compensation to Land Mining Company.
Li Tang thought quickly and came up with this "equity donation" plan.
After all, 0.01% was worth almost nothing.
Those who dared to do big things couldn't be constrained by trivialities.
Besides, there was a deeper strategy behind this gesture.
Up to now, the Gongcun Copper-Gold project had only one deep drill hole—and it had been funded by Land Mining Company.
This borehole had already reached terminal depth, but the chemical analysis results were never seen by Dawa, Damba, or any of the Chinese geologists.
That was suspicious.
Why had Lucas rushed back to Garan to raise funds?
Why had he made such a scene to regain the exploration rights?
Why had he gone into hysterics after failing?
Others might not have guessed, but Li Tang was nearly certain:
Lucas had struck gold in that hole.
And not just any gold—a major find.
In a single day, Lucas had gone through a cycle of rage, madness, elation, and finally, hollow despair.
His once carefully combed golden hair was now a mess from all the shouting and frustration.
His unshaven face was covered in stubble, giving him the look of a man who hadn't groomed in days.
He looked utterly worn out—a middle-aged man crushed by life.
Just standing there, unmoving, he looked pitiful.
He knew in his heart that the exploration rights to Gongcun were now forever out of reach.
He had failed—completely. And there would be no second chance.
"You're Li Tang?" he asked, forcing himself to calm down.
"I am." Li Tang nodded with a smile. "You're now a partner in the Gongcun Copper-Gold project. I hope we can work together smoothly. If I'm not mistaken, your company drilled a hole there and has the chemical analysis results. I hope you'll be willing to share that data."
"So, you're already certain there's gold there?" Lucas still couldn't understand why this young man had fought so hard for Gongcun. "There are many mineralized spots along the Gangdise Belt. Why did you insist on this one?"
"You already know why," Li Tang said meaningfully.
Now that Lucas and Li Tang were finally talking, Chen Aimin relaxed. At least they wouldn't end things on a bad note.
"Everyone," he announced, "our department has arranged a dinner. Please, join us at the dining hall."
As the mediator, Chen Aimin believed it was only right to host the guests properly.
On the way to the restaurant, he walked side-by-side with Li Tang. "Chairman Lang asked me to pass along a message. When you get a chance, stop by and visit."
"Is something going on?" Li Tang was a bit puzzled.
"He didn't say," Chen replied.
"Alright. Once things are wrapped up here, I'll stop by Wukuang. I haven't visited in a while—I miss my colleagues."
"Chairman Lang values you highly. He was deeply regretful about your departure."
Wukuang wasn't the only one.
Even though this was Chen's first time meeting Li Tang, he had long heard of him—his name was practically legendary in the industry.
Chen still couldn't figure out why someone like Li Tang had left Wukuang Group. With his abilities, he could've risen to great heights in the state-owned system.
"Leaving Wukuang seemed kind of sudden," Chen remarked.
"Not really. I was there for over a year. I just felt I wasn't suited for that kind of work. So I left. Honestly, I owe a lot to the leaders who mentored me."
"Starting your own business is much harder than staying in the system," Chen said with a half-joking tone. "And the mining industry is full of risk."
"Young people should take risks," Li Tang replied.
"That's a good attitude. Whether in a state-owned firm or a private company, as long as you contribute to the country, I'll support you."
"Then I'll be relying on your guidance in the future."
"Let's make sure we strike gold at Gongcun," Chen said seriously, giving Li Tang a firm pat on the shoulder.
He had pushed hard to back Gongcun Gold Company. He hadn't given Land Mining Company any substantial support.
That decision would inevitably offend the foreign company and draw critical coverage from outlets like the Garan Financial Post.
If higher-ups felt he mishandled the situation, he'd be held accountable.
He had taken a big risk—with no personal gain.
There was only one way his decision would be vindicated: if Gongcun turned out to be a major deposit.
If they could prove that, then any backlash would be washed away.
For now, he had chosen to believe in Li Tang.
…
Walking side-by-side, Li Tang and Chen Aimin made quite the scene—and it didn't go unnoticed.
Nobu, Xiao Yongyue, and the others perked up their ears, listening closely.
Most of it was small talk, nothing special.
But it was that very casualness that struck them.
The ease and closeness between Chen and Li Tang… it meant something.
And it got them thinking.
The dinner wasn't extravagant, but it was respectable—enough to show hospitality without being lavish.
After dinner, Nobu and Dawa were taken to a hotel arranged by the Resource Management Department. Xiao Yongyue also got a free room.
Since they rarely visited Yanjing, the group of middle-aged men took a walk through the brightly lit streets to enjoy the cityscape.
"Yanjing is so big," Dawa marveled. "Two turns and I can't find my way."
"Well, that's why it's the capital," Nobu chuckled.
"I've been here a few times. It's nothing like our plateau," Xiao said. Still, he was proud of his homeland. "But every place has its beauty. Our snow-capped mountains are just as majestic."
"You're right about that," Nobu gave a thumbs-up.
After a moment, Xiao spoke again, this time with a trace of solemnity. "Do you guys feel like Li Tang is really… powerful here in Yanjing?"
Nobu and Dawa nodded in agreement.
"Before we came, I spoke with Director Chen. From his tone, I could tell he wanted to keep things low-key, maybe even give the rights to Land Mining."
Nobu was just stating facts—no judgment. "To be fair, accommodating foreign guests isn't a bad thing. It shows grace."
"But Chen changed his mind after that closed-door talk with Li Tang," Dawa observed. "Something about their conversation made him flip."
"What could they have talked about to cause that?"
As they walked, they fell silent, each pondering that unanswered question.
They had waited outside on that cold bench for so long—while something big had clearly happened inside.
The curiosity was unbearable.
"Li Tang… is not simple," Xiao finally said. "Maybe he has a powerful background."
Xiao had seen a lot over the years—crooked, slick, cowardly, and bold types. He could read people well.
In Gaolumu City, his influence was enough to shake the business world.
But in Yanjing, the seat of power, he felt a strange sense of awe.
And watching Li Tang move so smoothly here, with a calm precision that got things done quietly and effectively…
What everyone thought would be a tough fight over the Gongcun rights—was resolved in just one day.
That was true skill: quiet maneuvering, effortless victory.
Next to Li Tang, Xiao suddenly felt like a country bumpkin.
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