Chapter 158: A Performance
"Director Li," Chen Aimin closed the door behind him as he entered the office, "I have something I need to discuss with you."
Seeing the door shut, Li Zhenbin looked at him in surprise. "What's with the door? It's the middle of the day—can't this be said openly?"
"It's about the Land Mining Company matter."
"Oh? Has it been resolved?"
Of course, Li Zhenbin was aware of the issue. The Garan Consulate had contacted him directly, and he had assigned it to Chen Aimin. "I heard the Garan Financial Post is also involved. This must be handled carefully. We need to keep the situation under control."
"I'm afraid it's not going to be easy to contain the impact."
"What happened?" Li Zhenbin was immediately alarmed.
"Land Mining Company brought in the Garan Financial Post to use media pressure as leverage to force us into a compromise."
Chen Aimin knew very well what they were doing. It was a classic tactic—public pressure through foreign media. "In my opinion, we at the Resource Management Department cannot compromise with foreign companies at the expense of our domestic enterprises."
"It's just an exploration license, not even for a large mine. What's there to feel compromised about? And it's not about currying favor either."
"I don't want to agree to Land Mining Company's demands."
"You have to be careful. If we deny them, the Garan Financial Post will publish reports accusing China of unfair treatment, make up false scandals—"
Li Zhenbin knew all too well how foreign media operated. When it came to China, they always sensationalized the negatives.
"Even if we do give in, do you think they'll write something positive about us? Of course not. They've already made a habit of bias."
"You need to think this through. If this spirals and has far-reaching effects, and leadership blames us, who will be responsible?" Li Zhenbin wasn't threatening him—this was a real accountability risk.
Chen Aimin stood still, silent for a long time, then clenched his jaw. "I want to take the risk this time."
Li Zhenbin gave him a strange look. "Risk what?"
"The exploration rights for Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine are currently in Li Tang's hands. If he's the one leading the project, it may very well become a major discovery."
"Li Tang?"
Li Zhenbin scratched his head. "That Li Tang from Wukuang Group? But this is a private enterprise's license. What's it got to do with Wukuang? Neither Lang Hemin nor Niu Fu mentioned anything."
"It's the same Li Tang we know."
"He's interested in the Gongcun exploration rights?" Li Zhenbin mused. "From what I've heard, every project he's touched has had great success."
"Qulong and Qinglong are still under exploration. Now he's moved on to a new project?"
"I'm not sure."
"So he's optimistic about this gold prospect? If that's the case, then we should take this more seriously."
Even so, Li Zhenbin remained clear-headed. "But if we offend those foreign interests, who knows how badly we'll be smeared by their media? We can't predict the international fallout. In the worst-case scenario, both of us could lose our jobs."
"No matter what we do, foreign media won't stop attacking us."
Chen Aimin's eyes were firm. "If something goes wrong and someone needs to be held accountable, I'll take responsibility."
Li Zhenbin looked at his subordinate quietly and sighed. "This won't benefit you at all."
"It'll benefit the country."
There was a quiet sense of righteousness in Chen Aimin—like a general ready to charge into battle.
"If that's what you believe is right, then do it."
Soon, both Lucas and Li Tang were summoned again to the director's office.
"Is there a dispute over the Gongcun Copper-Gold Mine exploration rights?" Chen Aimin's voice was stern as he looked at the group, both foreign and domestic.
"I believe there is none," he said.
Everyone present held their breath.
If Chen Aimin decided to prioritize the "greater good" and ordered Gongcun Gold Company to relinquish the rights to Land Mining Company, their resistance would be meaningless.
And for Lucas and his team, everything depended on this decision. Winning back the rights would bring glory, riches, and perhaps billionaire status.
They leaned forward anxiously.
Chen Aimin could have chosen to delay, negotiate, and drag things out. But as he'd told Li Zhenbin earlier—if it's for the good of the country, what was there to fear?
This country was built by blood and sacrifice. In the face of national interest, every citizen must become steel.
"I've heard your opinions, seen your evidence, and understand your respective claims."
He paused, then declared with unshakable conviction: "I believe there is no dispute over Gongcun's exploration rights. Gongcun Gold Company acquired them legally and in full compliance. There's nothing more to argue."
That statement made his stance crystal clear: full support for Gongcun Gold Company!
"Oh, damn it! You're all colluding against us foreigners!" Lucas shouted, devastated. "I'll sue you in international court! I won't let you get away with this!"
"Land Mining Company didn't sign any formal agreement with Geological Team Six," Chen replied coolly. "So when the team transferred the rights to Gongcun Gold Company, there was no procedural violation."
He stood firm.
But the flashing cameras reminded him of the real-world consequences. "You've made great efforts in participating in this project. Your contributions won't be forgotten. They deserve our respect."
He turned to Li Tang and offered a suggestion. "According to Mr. Lucas's receipts, they've spent over a million yuan during their work here. How about offering them a token of gratitude?"
"Sure."
Given how supportive Chen had been, Li Tang wasn't about to be stingy. He smiled at Lucas. "Honored guest, thank you for your efforts."
"That's it?" Chen frowned. "At least offer something of real value. Maybe reimburse some of their costs?"
"We don't have the funds," Li Tang said frankly.
"We don't want compensation! We don't want money!" Lucas, now past disappointment, was seething.
He was the only one who knew the true value of Gongcun. Everyone else—including even the consulate—seemed unfazed.
But for Lucas, he had lost everything—his shot at untold wealth and top-tier status in Garan.
There wouldn't be another chance like this.
"Giving me money would be an insult!" he screamed. "I'll see you all in international court! You stole our mining rights!"
"You don't want money—so what do you want?" Chen still wanted to defuse the situation with some gesture of goodwill.
"I want my exploration rights back!" Lucas's face turned red with fury. "Without our technology, without Land Mining's involvement, you Chinese would never find that gold!"
"It's a complex, structure-controlled gold deposit—you don't even know how to look for it!"
"Without me, you'll fail!"
He was hysterical—his anger and despair flooding out uncontrollably.
The others in the room recoiled, watching his breakdown in silence.
"How about this," Li Tang said calmly. "We'll give Land Mining Company a small equity share in Gongcun Gold Company, as a gesture of gratitude. I sincerely appreciate what you've done."
He planned to offer them 0.01%—essentially worthless, but it would look good in front of the media and help Chen's efforts to save face internationally.
Li Tang even felt a bit sorry for Lucas. He turned to Xiao Yongyue. "Boss Xiao, do you agree?"
"You're the majority shareholder. Your call," Xiao shrugged. He hadn't expected to earn much anyway.
"Alright, we'll give them a small portion from our company's stake," Li Tang finalized the decision.
Clap, clap, clap…
Chen Aimin began applauding. He was moved by Li Tang's gesture. "Li Tang is a man of character—this is a very sincere act. Mr. Lucas, do you accept?"
"Equity gift?" Lucas was caught off guard.
He had consulted lawyers. Given Land Mining's current position, even an international lawsuit would likely fail.
He knew that deep down.
So when he heard "equity gift," he was stunned—and overjoyed.
"Yes, we accept."
"Then let's formalize it," Chen urged.
"Today," Li Tang replied.
He whispered to He Runqi, who immediately went off to have a share donation agreement drafted and even had a big plaque made.
That evening, they used the meeting room at the Resource Management Department to hold a formal equity donation ceremony. A red banner read:
"Equity Donation from Gongcun Gold Company to Land Mining Company – Long-Lasting Friendship Between China and Garan!"
The atmosphere was solemn and spirited.
Li Tang handed the giant plaque bearing the share amount to Lucas.
Lucas straightened up, smiled for the cameras, and posed.
Flashbulbs from the Garan Financial Post captured every moment of this diplomatic "friendship."
Li Tang and Lucas sat at the main table and signed the equity donation agreement.
"Okay!" the photographer signaled—he had enough material.
Lucas shook Li Tang's hand again. Then he flipped the plaque to read the actual number: 0.01%.
"What does this mean?"
He had seen a wall of unreadable Chinese characters on the contract and, eager not to miss out, had signed it on the spot.
With Chen Aimin and the media present, he hadn't worried about trickery.
But now, seeing the plaque, joy turned to confusion.
Alice was nearby. She read the Chinese for him: "Mr. Li Tang is giving Land Mining Company 0.01% of Gongcun Gold Company."
"0.01%?!" Lucas cried out.
"Are you mocking me?!"
At last, he understood. The rushed event, the last-minute contract, the flashy ceremony—it was all for show.
A show staged for the Garan Financial Post.
They'd been manipulated, hurried along, and then gleefully photographed signing away for practically nothing.
It was all so harmonious… and so hollow.
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