Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 61: The Banquet

As the temperature plummeted in Tibet Province, snowflakes filled the sky.

After completing initial surface exploration work, Li Zaiqiang felt confident about the progress and returned to Guizhou Province.

Li Tang, along with He Runqi and others, boarded a flight straight back to Yanjing.

With the Spring Festival approaching, employees from across the country had returned to company headquarters. Word had spread that there would be a generous year-end bonus, and everyone was in high spirits.

There wasn't much pressing work during this period, so Li Tang took the opportunity to tour new residential developments around the company. Initially, he planned to buy a regular apartment. But on a whim, he ended up purchasing a commercial property, a half-floor unit of 400 square meters, at an average price of 3,800 yuan per square meter.

The down payment was 450,000 yuan, with the longest mortgage term set at 20 years. Including various fees, most of the money he had left was now gone.

It was a completed property, and Li Tang quickly received his deed.

He hadn't even discussed the decision with his parents—he feared they would oppose it. After all, with his current salary, he couldn't even afford the monthly payments. And to them, buying half a floor of commercial space probably made no sense at all.

Standing in the middle of the empty office space, with the evening sun pouring through the windows, Li Tang felt a powerful sense of pride.

"This place will be worth its weight in gold someday!" he said aloud, heart full of satisfaction.

He Runqi, who had accompanied him throughout the buying process, looked around the spacious unit and could only form one impression—huge.

"You can't live in this. Why'd you buy it?" he asked, utterly baffled.

"I don't know."

"You're wasting your money. Over 400,000 yuan! That's more than a lifetime's spending! And now you have to pay back a mountain of debt. Just thinking about it gives me anxiety."

"You don't get it." Li Tang slowly turned a circle in the space, smiling more with each step. "You should buy a place too! The nearby residential units are even cheaper. A little over 100 square meters, and the down payment is only about ten grand. Even if you have to borrow money—buy it!"

"I don't have ten grand. If I had that kind of money, I'd be the richest man in my hometown," He Runqi grumbled, feeling it was all a distant dream.

"You will. I'll help you make money. Big money."

"If I ever buy a place, I won't use a bank card. I'll carry a sack of cash in and pay on the spot!" He Runqi laughed.

The property remained unfurnished. Li Tang didn't have the time or money to decorate it for now.

After buying the property, he returned to the office, spending his days waiting for the year-end bonus and longing to return home for the holiday.

Unexpectedly, he was pulled away by Zhao Hepu to attend an award ceremony hosted by the Metallurgical Association.

The bioleaching metallurgical technology project had won multiple awards.

Both Wukuang Group and Li Tang personally were named in the list of contributors to the achievement.

After the award ceremony, there was a formal banquet.

Everyone was dressed sharply, polite and proper.

"Li Tang, come, let's go toast a few of our old friends."

At this event, Wukuang Group basked in the spotlight. Without even having a formal research institute, they had received high-level research awards—a feat worth talking about.

Niu Fu was glowing with pride. He led Li Tang and Zhao Hepu through the crowd toward a group of industry leaders.

"Li Tang, let me introduce you. This is Chairman Lu Shenyin of Haigang Steel, and this is General Manager Li Xingchao of Shenxia Group…"

One by one, Niu Fu introduced Li Tang to these influential figures. Then, with an affectionate hand on Li Tang's shoulder, he added, "This is our group's very own Li Tang."

"So you're Li Tang!"

"Congratulations, young man."

The executives smiled warmly and toasted him, their eyes filled with approval.

Earlier that day, the bioleaching project had received major national attention. It was listed as a key research achievement.

The main recognized units were Purple Mining, the Metallurgical Research Institute of the Nonferrous Metals General Institute, Wukuang Group, and a single individual—Li Tang.

During the acceptance speech, Hao Zhengzhi had spent a significant portion of his remarks thanking Li Tang, showing just how vital his contributions had been.

"Li Tang!" Chairman Lu of Haigang Steel turned to him seriously. "I've heard that bioleaching can be used not just on low-grade copper ore but also on iron and other low-grade minerals. This technology could revolutionize our entire national resource industry. You, my friend, are a great man!"

Faced with such high praise, Li Tang quickly shook his head. "Not at all, not at all."

"You're clearly a brilliant scientist. Are you experienced in iron and steel metallurgy?" Lu pressed, clearly interested. "Cold-rolling, hot-rolling, or even high-end automotive sheet processing—are those within your scope?"

"I do have some understanding of steel metallurgy, but I'm definitely more familiar with copper smelting," Li Tang replied honestly.

He knew well that steel metallurgy would dominate China's metallurgical landscape over the next twenty years.

While he had general knowledge, he wasn't truly an expert in it—at least not yet.

"Chairman Lu, I heard your company is negotiating with Nichuan Steel in Japan?" asked Li Xingchao, joining the conversation.

"We've been in talks for a long time. Nichuan Steel is sincere—they're offering technical shares," Lu said with a sigh. "Our steel industry started too late. We're still lagging behind in many areas and must pay a hefty price to bring in foreign technology."

Hearing this, Li Tang couldn't help but recall the future of the steel industry.

Nichuan Steel was currently the world's largest producer of crude steel.

Behind them stood Japan's powerful Sankei Zaibatsu.

Through cooperation with Haigang Steel, the Sankei Zaibatsu would eventually break into China's industrial sector, spreading their influence into every corner.

Especially in high-value steel processing—like automotive sheet metal—their joint venture with Haigang would eventually command over 50% of the market share.

Lu's inquiry about Li Tang's expertise in steel metallurgy was mostly a casual question. He hadn't expected much from it.

The executives chatted animatedly, discussing the future of metallurgy and capital operations with insight and enthusiasm.

Zhao Hepu, not yet a member of that elite circle, saw that Li Tang was standing idly beside them, sipping wine with nothing to do. He quietly pulled him aside and brought him over to a more familiar group of people.

"Old Qian!"

Away from the top dogs, Zhao's chubby face relaxed into a big smile as he greeted a friend.

A few people chatting nearby turned their heads and, recognizing Zhao, nodded in greeting.

The mining industry, as large as it was, was also small. Executives of major companies often knew each other, and some had worked at multiple firms over their careers.

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