Chapter 205 – I've Been Wronged!
"What happened that made him criticize you like that?" Luo Qinzhong offered some comforting words. "Director He has always been very supportive of our work. He's strict because he cares."
"It wasn't you getting scolded, of course you don't care."
Lai Xiangrong swayed as he walked out, shooting Luo Qinzhong a glance, and said irritably, "You speak nicely about Director He, but he's not even here to hear it."
"I'm just stating the truth." Luo Qinzhong had always been known for his straightforward personality.
"Enough, I don't even want to talk about it."
Lai Xiangrong wiped his deeply wrinkled face, then waved his hand. "Look at this, he even sprayed me with spit. Director He spent the entire afternoon scolding me head to toe. I didn't take in half of what he said—it went in one ear and out the other. But my face was drenched in his spit."
"That just shows how much the higher-ups value you. A beating shows love, scolding means they care. It's also about humbly accepting their criticism!" Luo Qinzhong said cautiously, then asked, "What was it about that he had to call you over and criticize you?"
"The new company's restructuring. It was supposed to be a merger of several highly profitable aluminum plants across the country. But in the very first year after its formation, the financial performance is dismal. You've seen the report—our Huá Aluminum Corporation lost nearly ten million!"
Lai Xiangrong felt embarrassed. After all, as the top leader, he bore responsibility. "The higher-ups' goal for the reform was for these profitable aluminum plants to become greater than the sum of their parts through the merger, and to set an example nationwide. But we ended up with losses in the first year. That's on me. I won't shift the blame."
"It's only the first year. It's too early to talk about success or failure." Luo Qinzhong remained optimistic about the company's future.
After the restructuring, Huá Aluminum Corporation was virtually unmatched in the domestic alumina industry. The potential for future growth was enormous. But to unleash that potential, more time was needed to integrate internal resources.
Lai Xiangrong, having just been harshly criticized, felt wronged. He glanced at Luo Qinzhong and couldn't help but grumble, "It's all because of you. At that mining association meeting, which was just a formality, you went and spent 15 million!"
He didn't really blame Luo Qinzhong's decision—he was just venting. After all, he was the only one who got scolded today, and yet the one who caused the problem didn't get a word of it.
If he had known, he would've had Luo Qinzhong report directly to He Feiyang and gone to the shareholder meeting at Zhongcheng Mining himself.
"That 15 million was an investment into Zhongcheng Mining…"
Luo Qinzhong wasn't bothered by the complaint—in fact, he felt a bit pleased. He had brought this up at the perfect time.
"If we hadn't spent that 15 million, our financials would've shown a profit of a few million. At least it would've looked better!" The reason Lai Xiangrong got scolded was because of the loss. Profit vs. loss—that's the difference between praise and criticism.
A full-year loss doesn't sound good when it gets out. As the main figure behind Huá Aluminum's reform, the loss made Director He lose face. Naturally, someone had to be scolded, and that was Lai Xiangrong.
He was older and had thick skin, but getting scolded like that still didn't feel good—it was only human.
He knew the scolding was mostly symbolic. It wasn't going to cost him his job or anything. He let it go quickly.
Then he asked, "Weren't you at the Zhongcheng Mining meeting? What are you doing here?"
"The shareholder meeting's done. There were only two items on the agenda; it didn't take long."
Luo Qinzhong pulled out his notebook and the meeting documents from his briefcase and handed them over. "I came to report the meeting details to you in person. Also, Zhongcheng Mining is holding a banquet. I came to go with you."
Lai Xiangrong didn't take the documents. He was still in a foul mood and didn't feel like working. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. I've just been scolded—how can I focus on work?"
"This is very important!"
Luo Qinzhong insisted on handing over the documents. "These materials are all related to Zhongcheng Mining's Talgo Copper-Gold Mine project. During dinner, everyone will be discussing this project. If you don't know anything about it, it'll be awkward."
"Awkward over a meal?" Lai Xiangrong couldn't argue with Luo Qinzhong and took the documents. He flipped them open casually, still half-hearted.
"There's a summary in my notebook with all the key points and Li Tang's speech. Maybe you should read that too?"
Luo Qinzhong opened his notebook and presented it. It was a deputy's job to pass along meeting insights to their superior.
"This meeting is that important? You really need to report it now?"
Seeing Luo Qinzhong so persistent, Lai Xiangrong didn't refuse. He quickly skimmed the notes.
What he saw shocked him.
Though he had spent his entire life at Huazhou Aluminum Plant and was most familiar with aluminum smelting and mining, after decades in the industry, he still had some knowledge of copper and gold mining.
"23 million tons of copper reserves?" He saw the eye-catching figure, underlined for emphasis.
"Yes, that's why Zhongcheng Mining invited everyone to dinner—to celebrate," said Luo Qinzhong, who was so insistent because he wanted Lai Xiangrong to understand the importance of the news.
Such a big discovery—if the head of Huá Aluminum didn't even know about it, he'd be a laughingstock!
At best, he'd seem out of touch; at worst, completely negligent.
"23 million tons of copper, and it's high-grade too—based on a 0.6% grade estimate. And there are three high-grade ore bodies with an average grade over 3%…"
As Lai Xiangrong read on, he was deeply shaken. "If I remember correctly, our country's largest copper mine—the Qinglong Copper Mine—only averages about 0.6%, right?"
"Yes," Luo Qinzhong nodded.
"This mine is huge and incredibly high-grade. It's almost unreal!"
"There's also 760 tons of gold!" Luo Qinzhong added with a smile.
Just as expected, Lai Xiangrong was completely thrown off by the news.
The typically cautious enterprise leader, who had guided Huazhou Aluminum through its toughest years, was clearly moved by the discovery of such a major mine.
Anyone in the industry knew how important and meaningful a major, high-grade deposit could be.
"Incredible. Absolutely incredible!"
Lai Xiangrong reread the notes again and again, then picked up the printed documents and started flipping through them while standing, licking his fingers to turn the pages. The teapot in his hand became a hindrance.
"Let me hold that for you," said Luo Qinzhong, quickly taking the teapot.
By the time he finished reading, Lai Xiangrong had a comprehensive understanding of the project.
"This is phenomenal!"
He stood still like an old tree root—weathered but still resilient. "This mining right could impact not only our country's copper industry, but even change the global copper market landscape!"
"The Talgo Copper-Gold Mine is very likely the largest undeveloped copper mine in the world!"
"And it's Li Tang again!"
Lai Xiangrong handed the documents back to Luo Qinzhong, took his teapot, opened the lid, and took a deep gulp of strong tea. Letting out a long sigh, he said, "Why is it always him?"
"His abilities are beyond doubt now," Luo Qinzhong said.
"Indeed, this young man never fails to surprise."
Lai Xiangrong couldn't help but picture Li Tang's young face. "Is this the power of the new generation?"
"There aren't many young people in this new era who are truly remarkable."
Luo Qinzhong had yet to see another youth as impressive. "There's only one Li Tang—he's one of a kind!"
"You're right."
Lai Xiangrong capped his teapot and looked up at Luo Qinzhong. "Looking at it now, that 15 million you spent—it was worth every cent!"
"I kind of regret not investing more to get a bigger stake."
Instead of being smug, Luo Qinzhong actually felt a little regretful. "That investment has already yielded over a hundred-fold return! If I'd been bolder and invested 30 million like Purple Mining, Huá Aluminum would've gotten a much larger share!"
"Now that you mention our company, I realize—I need to report this to Director He right away!"
Lai Xiangrong snatched the documents, grabbed his teapot, and turned back with a spring in his step, full of energy.
"Director Lai, where are you going?" Luo Qinzhong hurried after him.
"I got scolded all afternoon—I've been wronged!"
Lai Xiangrong strode proudly into the reform leadership office and slammed the documents down in front of He Feiyang.
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