Chapter 244: Convening the Shareholders' Meeting
Nothing in life ever goes completely smoothly.
Li Tang understood this well—but that didn't stop him from feeling angry.
It was clear that Mongolia's regulatory authorities were signaling danger.
Today had merely been a test, a way of pricking him with a needle to see if he would flinch, to see if he would back down or resist.
If he showed weakness, they would escalate. Next time it wouldn't be a needle—they might just throw a spear and stab him through.
He wasn't going to leave them with even the faintest illusion of that possibility.
Even if standing his ground brought disaster—even if it meant completely falling out with Mongolia's regulatory agencies and losing the hundreds of millions they'd already invested—he would still resist to the end.
Compromise? Bowing his head? Letting others control him? None of those were options.
Back at Nanhuang Resources' office, he immediately convened a management meeting. With a steely expression, he announced, "I must return to Yanjing immediately."
"What did you talk about with Bayar?" Qin Jianshe hadn't gone along, so he was out of the loop.
"It has nothing to do with whether our documents were well-prepared or not. When I spoke to them just now, it became clear—they want to use the mining license as a bargaining chip to negotiate a deal with us."
"They issue the licenses, but by the usual process, we're fully entitled to receive it," Qin said immediately, sensing something was off.
"In the past, Bayar and Jirigala were lukewarm toward us, but they still followed the rules," Guo Fengchun added. "This isn't right. This behavior isn't proper."
"They're overstepping," Qin Jianshe muttered, lost in thought.
"What's caused Bayar's attitude to change so drastically?" Guo Fengchun had dealt with the Ministry of Industry and Trade often and considered himself to have a decent read on Bayar. This situation was baffling.
Their attitude had changed too quickly. Not long ago, they had been fully cooperative with the license application.
"Whatever the reason for this shift," Li Tang said, "their current attitude is just the beginning. More moves will follow."
"Could they actually dare to revoke our exploration rights?" Guo Fengchun, usually diplomatic, now showed some youthful fire.
"I don't think they'd go that far," Qin said calmly. He understood the wider implications and knew that was a drastic step.
"No matter what they try next, I won't let them think they can toy with us. If we just let them get away with this—if we let them climb on our heads and humiliate us—I'll be the first to say no!"
Li Tang remained firm. "Even if we lose everything in the end, I will not compromise!"
Though clearly emotional, he had not lost his reasoning. "What matters most now is killing their twisted ideas in the cradle!"
"Ah..." Qin Jianshe sighed softly.
This was still Mongolia. They held the home field advantage. They had the regulatory power.
Most investors, faced with a warning from the Ministry, would look inward—try to find a compromise that cost the least.
This was business. Bowing one's head wasn't shameful.
Profit was king.
But Li Tang's attitude? It was the posture of a man who refused to bend.
A young man with a spine.
One who didn't weigh every move like a businessman, but still operated from a purer, more technical mindset.
That was why Qin Jianshe had always enjoyed working with Li Tang—even though the man was more than twenty years younger than him, he had never once complained about taking orders from him.
Their work together was straightforward, free of bureaucracy.
Li Tang looked over at Qin seriously. "I'll be flying back to Yanjing this evening with Alice. Minister Qin, you'll be fully in charge here."
He then looked to Guo Fengchun, Ren Qinqin, and the others. "We may not yet know what the Ministry of Industry and Trade truly wants, or how firm their opposition will be, but our work must continue. Revise the mining application documents according to their feedback and keep submitting. Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
That evening, Li Tang boarded a flight back to Yanjing.
The next morning, he walked into the office and immediately instructed Alice to notify all shareholders of Zhongcheng Mining: they were to convene a critical shareholders' meeting that very afternoon.
When He Runqi saw Li Tang suddenly show up, he was delighted and rushed in to greet him, oblivious to the heavy mood.
"When did you get back?" he asked, beaming.
"Last night," Li Tang said with a faint smile, though his heart was heavy.
"You should've called me! My house renovations are done—furniture, appliances, everything in place. You still haven't come over for dinner!"
Ever since leaving Wukuang Exploration to join Li Tang in this venture, He Runqi had undergone internal struggle—but now it was clear he had made the right choice.
Not only had he bought a house in Yanjing, but his job was full of promise.
Every day he was fired up, dreaming of a bright future.
"It was late when we got back," Li Tang said.
Seeing He Runqi's round, dark face, he couldn't help but smile more genuinely. "You've lost weight, haven't you?"
"Have I?" He Runqi hadn't noticed.
"You have," Li Tang nodded. "You've been managing several domestic projects this year. Looks like it's worn off your fat. I feel bad—let's go eat sometime. My treat."
"Sure!" He Runqi laughed. "Let's wait for Class Leader to get back. We'll have a feast in Yanjing. Still so many places we haven't explored."
"Where is he?"
"He's still in Huizhou Province, handling the Shazhai Molybdenum project. He's pretty much managing it solo. We hired more people recently—after all, it's a large molybdenum deposit. He's training new recruits and running the entire operation."
He gave Li Tang a quick overview of current affairs. "The Gongsun Copper-Gold Mine project in Tibet is also active. Not much work there, so I sent Yang Kaile over with some old and new techs to assist Geological Team Six."
"Everything's well-organized. Great job," Li Tang praised.
He Runqi grinned from ear to ear. "We're currently working on the mining license for Shazhai Molybdenum. It's complicated."
"That kind of application is always slow—at least half a year, maybe a full year. If it's not smooth, could take several years," Li Tang said, knowing full well how strict China's mining approval process was, especially for strategic resources.
He didn't push for results—just understood the situation.
Though Li Tang hadn't applied any pressure, He Runqi still felt a heavy sense of responsibility—but he had no complaints.
Then, he grew curious. "There's been a lot of news about the Talego Copper-Gold Mine lately. A few days ago, I went to speak with Director Chen from the Mineral Resources Administration. He brought it up too."
"Did he?"
Li Tang's mood soured again. He couldn't feel happy about that topic right now.
Seeing his serious expression, He Runqi toned things down. "Something wrong with the project?"
"A small issue."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"You already have plenty on your plate. Don't worry about this," Li Tang said calmly. "It's nothing major. We'll resolve it soon."
"I've never seen you this serious," He Runqi said, even he noticing the tension.
"What, can you read faces now?" Li Tang joked.
"Of course!"
Nothing ever goes perfectly.
Li Tang understood that well, yet he couldn't help but feel angry.
It was obvious that Mongolia's regulatory authorities were sending him a dangerous signal.
Today's meeting had only been a test—a small jab to see if he would react. If he flinched or backed down, they would surely go further.
Next time, it wouldn't be a needle—it would be a javelin thrown straight into his chest.
But he wasn't going to give the Mongolians any such hope.
Even if it led to disaster—even if it meant breaking ties with the Mongolian authorities and losing hundreds of millions in investments—he would fight back with everything he had.
Compromise, bowing his head, letting others control him—none of these were acceptable options.
Upon returning to the office of Nanhuang Resources, he immediately held a management meeting. With a stern face, he declared, "I have to return to Yanjing immediately."
"What did you talk about with Bayar?" asked Qin Jianshe, who hadn't accompanied him and didn't know the details.
"It's not about how well our documents were prepared. The conversation was short, but they made one thing very clear—they're using the mining license as a bargaining chip."
"But the license is issued through normal procedures. We should receive it by right," Qin said, immediately sensing something was wrong.
"In the past, Bayar and Jirigala's attitude was lukewarm, but they always followed regulations," Guo Fengchun noted. "What they're doing now doesn't follow the rules at all."
"They've overstepped," said Qin, his brow furrowed.
"What changed Bayar's attitude so drastically?" Guo Fengchun had dealt with the Ministry of Industry and Trade many times and thought he understood Bayar fairly well. This shift didn't make sense.
Especially since not long ago, they had been actively supportive of their mining rights application.
"Whatever their reasons, the fact is they've shown their hand," Li Tang said grimly. "And I don't believe that's the end of it. There will be more."
"Would they actually go so far as to strip us of our exploration rights?" Guo Fengchun asked, his youthful fire showing through.
"I don't think they're that bold," Qin replied calmly. He knew this situation involved a much wider scope.
"No matter what they try, I won't let them push us around. If we let them do whatever they want—even climb on our heads—I'll be the first to say no."
Li Tang's tone remained firm. "Even if we end up losing everything, I won't compromise."
Though clearly emotional, he hadn't lost his logic. "Right now, the most important thing is to kill their scheme before it grows."
"Ah…" Qin sighed softly.
This was, after all, Mongolia. They had home field advantage—and they controlled the regulatory hammer.
Most investors, when warned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, would immediately reflect and seek a soft resolution.
In business, lowering your head wasn't shameful.
As long as there's profit, that's all that matters.
But from Li Tang's tone, it was clear: he was a man of principle.
A young man with a spine.
One who didn't act like a traditional businessman, but as someone pure—perhaps a bit too pure.
It was this quality that made Qin Jianshe happy to work with Li Tang, even if Li Tang was more than twenty years his junior.
Their work environment was simple and free of bureaucracy.
Li Tang looked at Qin and said firmly, "Alice and I are catching a flight back to Yanjing tonight. You're in full control here, Minister Qin."
Then he turned to Guo Fengchun, Ren Qinqin, and the others. "We don't know what the Ministry really wants or how far they'll go. But our work must not stop. Revise and resubmit the mining license documents according to their feedback. Thank you, everyone."
That night, Li Tang flew back to Yanjing.
The next morning, as soon as he got to the office, he told Alice to notify all shareholders of Zhongcheng Mining that they must gather that afternoon for a critical shareholders' meeting.
When He Runqi saw Li Tang suddenly appear in the office, he was excited and rushed in. As usual, he didn't notice that something was wrong.
"When did you get back?" he asked happily.
"Last night," Li Tang replied with a faint smile, his mind still heavy.
"You should have called me! My place is all renovated. New furniture, appliances—everything's ready. You haven't come by for dinner yet!"
Ever since leaving Wukuang Exploration to join Li Tang's venture, He Runqi had struggled internally. But now he knew it had been the right decision.
Not only had he bought a home in Yanjing, but the job was also promising.
Every day he was energized, dreaming of a bright future.
"It was late when we got back."
Seeing He Runqi's round face made Li Tang's mood lighten. "You've lost weight, haven't you?"
"Really?" He Runqi hadn't noticed.
"Definitely." Li Tang nodded. "You've been managing several domestic projects—must have melted the fat off. I feel bad about it. Let's get a good meal together sometime."
"Alright!" He Runqi laughed. "Let's wait for the class monitor to come back. We'll feast in Yanjing. So many places we still haven't been."
"Where is he now?" Li Tang asked.
"He's in Huizhou, overseeing the Shazhai molybdenum project. He's in charge of everything. We've hired more people—since it's a large deposit, it needs more hands. He's training them and managing operations."
Then he quickly updated Li Tang on recent affairs. "The Gongsun Copper-Gold Mine project in Tibet is also running. I sent Yang Kaile with a few techs to support Geological Team Six."
"Everything's running smoothly. Good job," Li Tang praised.
Beaming, He Runqi added, "We're mainly working on the mining license for Shazhai Molybdenum. It's pretty complicated."
"Such approvals are always strict and slow—could take half a year, maybe longer."
China's regulations on strategic mineral development were among the strictest in the world.
Li Tang understood and didn't push.
Even though Li Tang wasn't applying pressure, He Runqi still felt it—but had no complaints.
He finished reporting and then asked curiously, "There's been a lot of media attention on the Talego Copper-Gold Mine lately. When I visited Director Chen from the Mineral Resources Bureau, he brought it up."
"Oh?" Li Tang's expression tightened.
Seeing that, He Runqi quickly adjusted his tone. "Something wrong over there?"
"Just a small problem."
"Is there anything we can help with?" He Runqi asked eagerly.
"You've got enough on your plate. Don't worry about it."
Li Tang knew this wasn't something most people could help with, but he didn't want to dampen Runqi's enthusiasm. "It's nothing major. We'll settle it soon."
"I've never seen you so serious," He Runqi said, clearly sensing something wrong. "Your face doesn't look right."
"Oh? You can read faces now?" Li Tang joked.
"Of course!"
…
Upon receiving the notice, Li Xingchao didn't ask why the emergency shareholders' meeting was being held that afternoon. He quickly made his way from the GM's office to the finance department.
Li Xinqi and Xiaoxi were busy helping the finance director organize some paperwork. When they heard footsteps, they looked up and greeted him formally as a superior.
"Xinqi!" Li Xingchao was used to his daughter addressing him formally at work. He waved her over. "Come to my office for a moment—I need to talk to you about something important."
They didn't usually have work overlap. Li Xinqi's direct supervisor was the finance director, so she assumed it was personal. "I'm busy. I'll come find you at lunch."
Everyone in the company knew she was his daughter, but no one ever treated her differently because of it—thanks to her professional behavior.
"It's urgent," Li Xingchao said again.
"I'm busy right now." She had work that had to be completed that morning.
Seeing the finance director approaching, Li Xingchao waved. "This isn't about work. You all keep at it—I'll just have a quick word with Xinqi."
The finance director stopped mid-step and quietly returned to his post.
Once they were alone, Li Xingchao leaned in. "Li Tang is back in the country."
Li Xinqi paused, then returned to her work. "So what?"
"He's been gone a long time. Now that he's back, at least go say hello."
"If he's not interested in me, it's not right for me to chase him."
"What nonsense! That kid... all he does is work. Never thinks to make a call!"
"He did call me once."
"Really?" Li Xingchao's eyes lit up.
"He said the thermos you gave him works really well."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"You're interrupting my work," she said.
"I'll take this task off your hands," he offered.
"No. I'm the only one familiar with it. I have to finish it this morning."
"I'll take care of it." With that, he walked into the director's office.
"Director!" the man quickly stood up. "Li Xinqi has been very diligent. That task—"
"Assign it however you see fit. I want to borrow Xinqi for the afternoon. I have a very important meeting."
"Of course! I'll let her know now. I'll finish her task myself."
"No rush. This afternoon is fine."
After lunch, riding in the GM's car, Xinqi looked confused. "What's this meeting?"
Notebook in hand, she was prepared to take minutes like a real assistant.
She thought it would be a typical corporate gathering, with execs giving speeches and rows of staff seated below.
She had even brought her assistant Xiaoxi, after getting her father's approval.
"You'll see soon," Li Xingchao said with a smile.
When the car pulled into the parking lot at Yunding Tower—
"Yunding Tower!" Xiaoxi whispered excitedly. "We're going to see Li Tang again!"
Xinqi froze. "Dad, are you using this 'meeting' as an excuse to set me up?"
"How can you call it a setup?" Li Xingchao laughed. "It really is a shareholder meeting. Li Tang personally requested all executives attend."
"A real meeting?" she asked, skeptical.
She felt like her dad was trying to push her into Li Tang's arms. It made her uneasy... and a little shy.
"You're part of the financial oversight team. Reviewing Zhongcheng Mining's operations is part of your job," Li Xingchao said sincerely. "You have every right to attend the meeting."
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on February 2, 2026.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen