Chapter 209: Don't Let It Slip Through Your Fingers
On this matter, there really wasn't much room for negotiation.
Even if Li Tang wanted to bring in a heavyweight partner like BHP, there was no guarantee the other shareholders would agree.
And even if the shareholders did agree, higher-level regulatory agencies would definitely scrutinize such a partnership with extreme caution.
Most importantly, deep down, Li Tang didn't actually want to collaborate with BHP—at least, not yet.
Maybe there'd be an opportunity in the future, but that time wasn't now.
Gores locked eyes with Li Tang, projecting a commanding aura—as expected of someone at the helm of a global mining empire. His gaze was filled with confidence, the kind that came from being in power for so long.
"You must understand," Gores said slowly, "Taluge is not located in China—it's in Mengguo. When you eventually try to develop the project, you'll face all sorts of challenges. At that point, you'll see how invaluable a global company like BHP can be."
He noticed Li Tang's calm eyes, seemingly unaffected by his pressure. "Countless junior exploration companies dream of working with us, you know."
"Li Tang, there's no need to decide today. Think about it carefully," Wu Yan added. He sensed Li Tang's tone was too firm and not very friendly.
The air was heavy with tension. Both sides had drawn lines, making real dialogue nearly impossible.
But Li Tang didn't flinch. He calmly lifted his teacup, blew on it, and said, "You're guests today. Please have some tea—this is the good stuff. As you know, we Chinese have a deep-rooted tea culture."
His casual, almost indifferent manner felt like rejection in BHP's eyes.
In fact, it was rejection.
"International junior exploration firms usually scramble to go public, raise capital, and launch exploration projects," Miles began again, trying a new strategy. "If they hit a deposit, the stock price soars—they sell off their shares, make a fortune, and achieve financial freedom. That's the fastest way to monetize a license. You now hold a license worth a fortune."
He leaned forward slightly. "But Zhongcheng Mining is not publicly listed. Turning this discovery into capital is difficult. And given the scale of Taluge, only companies like BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, or Anglo-American can afford it. You have no real options—sooner or later, you'll have to work with one of us."
"It would be an honor to work with any of those giants," Li Tang said respectfully. He knew who they were—industry titans.
"But Taluge will require tens of billions of dollars in development costs. Ask yourself—does any Chinese company have that kind of money?"
Miles shook his head and wiggled his finger. "No Chinese enterprise can raise that kind of capital. Unless your government steps in, there's no way you'll ever develop it."
Wu Yan chimed in, "If you can't develop it, the license is worthless in your hands. You won't even recover the cost of exploration."
He was trying to reason with Li Tang. "Mining is risky. No Chinese company has the experience or the capital to develop a project like this overseas."
He leaned in and lowered his voice. "Don't let it slip through your fingers."
There. They'd said it as plainly as possible.
Any normal young person would've second-guessed themselves after hearing so many sincere warnings.
But Li Tang's expression didn't change.
"We at Zhongcheng Mining have no plans to bring in strategic partners at this time," he said.
He wasn't interested in dragging things out. He knew exactly why BHP had come—to test his attitude. It was better to be clear now than to waste everyone's time.
They were all busy, after all.
"Come on, have some tea. It really is good tea," he added, smiling as he lifted the pot and refilled everyone's cups.
Gores, Miles, and Wu Yan exchanged looks. Their eyes said it all.
They had achieved part of their goal—they now knew where Li Tang stood.
But they hadn't secured an opening for cooperation.
They could tell Li Tang's rejection was absolute.
The tea had gone cold.
And none of them even lifted their cups—not to sip, not even to hold.
Maybe they weren't tea drinkers.
Or maybe they had never planned to drink anything at all.
When they left, their faces were expressionless. Li Tang waved politely, watching the elevator doors close, wondering if he had been too cold.
He'd been raised to treat guests with warmth.
"I think they made some valid points," Alice said gently, now standing beside him. There were things she couldn't say in front of others, but now, as his most trusted assistant, she felt obliged to speak her mind. "You really could have considered their offer. There was no need to shut the door so completely."
"I agree—they had good points," Li Tang replied, smiling at her.
"Then why did you refuse so directly?" she asked, baffled.
"I don't know. Maybe it's youthful pride. Or some irrational emotion. I just didn't want BHP involved in Taluge."
Li Tang turned and went back into the office to clean up the table himself.
He didn't have the heart to ask Alice to play the hostess again.
But she followed him in and helped him clear away the cold tea. As she worked, she shared her thoughts.
"For you—and for Zhongcheng Mining—the only realistic path is to sell the license to a mining giant. That's what all the junior companies do. Find a big deposit, watch the stock soar, and cash out."
"But we're not like them," Li Tang said softly. "We didn't launch Taluge just to make a quick buck and live like millionaires. I've never needed much. As long as I can eat three meals a day and sleep in a warm bed, I'm content. If my parents are safe, that's enough."
"You sound like an old man who's seen too much of life."
"Do I look that old?"
"No—but your life is awfully boring, isn't it?"
"What kind of life would you consider exciting?"
"…"
Alice had no answer.
"No sickness, no debt. A hot meal with meat and vegetables—that's the most exciting life I can imagine," Li Tang said, smiling. He could see her confusion and knew she didn't yet understand the essence of life. Young people—whether in China or the West—rarely did.
But Alice wasn't ready to give in. "But think about the lives of the ultra-rich—sports cars, private jets, yachts, and women lining up for attention. That could be your life. It's all within reach."
"That life's too far from me."
Li Tang had once dreamed of luxury and worked hard to attain it. But somewhere along the line, that dream faded.
Alice didn't understand. "You've worked so hard to build Taluge. You took the biggest financial risk. Why?"
"Why?" Li Tang thought carefully, then smiled awkwardly. "Maybe… a dream."
"Your dream is to find a mine—and then not make money from it? Don't you like money?"
"I do," he admitted without shame. "And that's exactly why I don't want to work with BHP."
"If you don't work with them or other giants, you'll never make money. You and your partners simply don't have the capital to develop Taluge."
"That's where you're wrong."
Li Tang looked her in the eye. "Do you remember what you told me about why you came to China?"
"Because I love adventure," she said, unsure.
"No. You said you believed in China's mining market."
"I did. And I still do."
"Then you're still underestimating our shareholders."
Li Tang had seen firsthand what China was capable of. "Don't look down on state-owned companies like Wukuang or Purple Mining. Sure, their annual profits are in the tens or hundreds of millions. But when it matters—they can raise tens of billions."
"Really?" Alice sounded skeptical.
"You'll see it happen."
Li Tang took a sip of tea, his eyes distant and steady. "Soon, the entire world will be shocked by what China can do."
…
As they left Yunding Tower and sat in the back of a luxury car, Gores' face was a mask of cold silence.
Miles sat beside him, equally frustrated.
The Taluge prospecting license had once belonged to BHP. And now it was in the hands of a young Chinese man.
Miles had originally insisted on including a royalty clause in the transfer agreement. That way, if a deposit was found, BHP would at least receive ongoing payments.
But Gores, wanting to save $3 million, had removed the clause.
If that clause had been included, today's meeting wouldn't have felt so humiliating. At the very least, they'd be entitled to a piece of the profits.
Of course, Miles wasn't about to blame his CEO out loud.
"I have an idea we might try," said Wu Yan from the front passenger seat, turning back to look at them.
"Li Tang used to work for Wukuang Group. And Zhongcheng Mining's operating team is mostly made up of Wukuang personnel. Wukuang is also a major shareholder. If we can convince Wukuang—specifically, Director Niu Fu—we might influence Li Tang's decision."
"Director Niu invited you to dinner a while ago, Gores. You were too busy then. But what if I call him now and set something up?"
Gores had almost forgotten about that.
Hearing Wu Yan's suggestion, he nodded. "Alright."
"I'll arrange it," Wu Yan said, taking on the task immediately.
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