Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 75: This Arrogant Fraud!

Need a compass to draw it for you?

Li Tang shrugged and didn't respond.

Ding Shaoying pressed his finger into the center of the circle and asked, puzzled, "What's here?"

"A mine," Li Tang said, tapping the table with his pencil, tone firm.

"What kind of mine?" Ding asked again.

"Bauxite."

A few polite chuckles rippled through the room. The older the technician, the more restrained their laughter—but their faces couldn't fully hide the skepticism.

"This must be your first time working in Huazhou Province, right?" Ding asked with a knowing smirk.

Li Tang hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, this is my first time here."

It was technically true. Although he'd been here many times—at least in his prior life—he had never visited during this lifetime, so he wasn't lying.

"The spot you marked," Ding continued, "has already been investigated by several predecessors from our geological institute. Work started there back in the 1950s and 60s. It was revisited in the 70s and 80s. I can tell you with confidence—when it comes to County A of Luoyi City, our team has detailed data on every mineral occurrence."

That was the unquestionable advantage of local survey teams. They had access to vast historical data spanning decades.

Ding didn't want to humiliate a young man in front of everyone, but he felt it was better to point out the truth than let the kid keep believing in fairy tales.

"That area is a blank zone—a no-mine area. There's no bauxite," he said flatly.

"I know," Li Tang replied.

He turned and pointed at the provincial bauxite distribution map on the wall. "I've studied that map. County A doesn't show a single bauxite mining license."

"Not just no license. There's no sign of mineralization at the surface, no ore-bearing formations, no favorable geological conditions."

Ding's tone grew sharper as he addressed the two young men. Before the gathered leadership of Huazhou Aluminum, he directly ripped into their "proposal."

"All the bauxite deposits we've discovered so far have one thing in common: the ore-bearing layer must be exposed to surface weathering and leaching, which is how large bauxite deposits form."

"You're right," Li Tang nodded.

"Whether a location has bauxite can be seen directly at the surface. If there are no visible mineral signs above ground, there's no way there's bauxite below. Do you understand that?"

"I understand," Li Tang agreed calmly. "Your viewpoint reflects the traditional understanding of mineral exploration."

"You can't just draw circles on a map and expect to find ore. That's like fishing for a needle in the ocean. The earth is vast, and mineral deposits are extremely rare."

Ding now sounded like he was lecturing a student. "Exploration isn't a game. You kids need to spend a few more years studying before you can call yourselves experts."

Clearly, he was calling them impostors.

Lai Xiangrong stood with his hands behind his back, eyes half-closed behind his reading glasses, pretending to nap—unwilling to take sides and risk offending anyone.

Bi Junjie smirked, as if he had expected all this from the start.

Luo Qinchong, however, looked clearly anxious.

He had invited Li Tang here. If the kid was being mocked and exposed before even beginning the project, that was a massive loss of face.

Everyone assumed Li Tang had been shamed into silence.

He Runqi, in particular, looked like a student caught cheating on a test. Surrounded by scolding adults, he stood frozen.

But Li Tang remained calm, relaxed, and composed.

He lifted his chin and addressed the room confidently.

"Based on your collective experience," he said, "I can understand why you believe Tiemu Town in County A can't possibly have bauxite. Using current exploration models and techniques, I agree—it seems like the wrong place to start a project. I get that. That's the limitation of your knowledge and methods."

Still arguing?

He was now openly challenging the entire industry's experience and logic.

It was pure ignorance and arrogance.

What an insufferable fraud.

Ding Shaoying, who had initially tried to remain rational, now found himself growing furious. "This kind of empty, exaggerated talk makes you sound like a liar and a swindler."

"Chief Engineer Ding, please don't get upset," Luo interjected quickly, trying to mediate. He knew Li Tang's background and didn't want things to spiral. "Li Tang, why don't you explain to everyone why you chose that spot? Help them understand your reasoning so we can work together better."

But Li Tang simply shook his head. "At this point, I can't explain why I believe there's bauxite there."

Now everyone was even more suspicious.

Even He Runqi took a small step to the side, distancing himself from Li Tang.

How could he still be this shameless?

Faced with a roomful of doubt, Li Tang stood firm and raised his head.

He looked directly at Lai Xiangrong and Luo Qinchong.

"We've already signed the contract. I assume that means you trust me. My position remains: the project should be implemented in that location."

"At least give us a reason," Luo said bitterly.

"No reason," Li Tang said flatly. "The results will prove I'm right."

"But…" Luo looked to Lai, unsure how to respond.

"I support Li Tang's decision," Lai suddenly said, lifting his heavy eyelids and speaking clearly.

"Were you asleep just now?" Bi asked, surprised.

"Just resting my eyes," Lai replied, then scanned the room with a meaningful smile. "All departments—cooperate fully with Li Tang's work. We must find ore. Big ore."

With that, he turned and left the room.

That brief sentence was a powerful endorsement—a full show of support for Li Tang.

Even Luo was stunned.

This was the same man who had scoffed at the young geologist's qualifications just days ago.

Now he was standing behind Li Tang's "ridiculous" idea?

Had the sun risen in the west?

Bi Junjie followed closely behind, and once inside the adjoining office, he asked, "Lai, that spot Li Tang circled has zero chance of containing bauxite! Everyone saw that—he's clearly making things up."

"So what?" Lai still wore that enigmatic smile.

"What's the budget for that exploration project?"

"Three million."

"Three million?" Bi felt a stab in his heart. "You're throwing away three million to let two kids play in the dirt?"

"Well, Wukuang Group's 35-million-yuan Qulong Copper Project still had Li Tang's name at the top," Lai replied, his eyes deep with meaning.

"As long as Li Tang remembers what we did today, those three million will be worth it. If no ore is found, the project won't move past the early phase—we'll only lose a few hundred thousand at most. But if I ever need a favor from Niu Fu later on, Li Tang will be the key. That connection could bring in tens of millions."

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