Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 62: Spring Festival

The man Zhao Hepu had greeted as "Old Qian" turned around and gave him a warm hug. "President Zhao, you've put on weight again!"

"I want to introduce someone impressive to you all!" Zhao Hepu said with a hearty laugh, pulling Li Tang out from behind him. "This is Li Tang from our group!"

He proceeded to introduce the people standing around. "This is Deputy Director Luo Qinchong from Huazhou Aluminum Plant, this is Deputy General Manager Qian Hao from Luoyi Molybdenum, and this is…"

Zhao went around introducing Li Tang to each of the executives from some of the most well-known enterprises in the industry.

Everyone was friendly and welcoming to the young man.

Out of courtesy, a few even handed Li Tang their business cards.

"Director Luo, I heard your aluminum plant is undergoing reforms. Are you getting promoted?" Zhao asked Luo Qinchong in a familiar tone.

"No idea." Luo furrowed his brow. "Word is they're planning to merge several large aluminum plants to form a new company. It's still under review at the top. If it goes through, it won't be for another two or three years. Right now, people are anxious. No one knows what our roles will be after the merger."

"Once the integration is complete, your company will be the largest aluminum producer in the country. You'll have a strong voice in the industry—life will be much better!" Zhao said optimistically.

"In general, yes. But with so many companies merging and only a limited number of management positions in the new company, how will they divide it all up?" Luo sighed. He clearly felt uncertain about his future.

Li Tang listened quietly, but as he thought about it, some memories started coming back.

Several units, including Huazhou Aluminum Plant, would later be consolidated into Hualü Group—China's largest alumina producer and a global leader.

While he was still pondering, Zhao suddenly patted him on the shoulder. "Director Luo is clearly troubled. If you ever run into technical difficulties, just call Li Tang! He's an expert."

"Li Tang, here's my card. If you ever come to Huazhou Province, give me a call!" Luo Qinchong handed over his card and turned back to Zhao. "I heard the issue at Demen Copper Mine has been resolved. You must be free now—what big project are you working on next?"

"There is a big one," Zhao said with a smirk. "We're searching for copper in Tibet. Li Tang initiated the project. If things go as expected, we're looking at a super copper mine with reserves exceeding ten million tons!"

"For real?" Luo looked genuinely shocked.

He knew a thing or two about copper mining—and China didn't have a single ten-million-ton copper mine.

"It's true!"

"That's incredible!" Luo now looked at Li Tang with newfound respect. "Looks like President Zhao has full confidence in your judgment."

"I've recently been studying the resource situation in Tibet," Zhao added. "According to Li Tang, it's a strategic zone. You should consider investing in bauxite mining there too. If you get a project going, hand it to Li Tang. His father is a geological expert!"

"Definitely!"

The banquet was really a networking event—people from various backgrounds mingling within their respective circles, deepening relationships and expanding connections.

Li Tang hadn't come with any agenda. He barely drank and spent most of the evening enjoying the fruit and snacks.

Back at the company, he received a year-end bonus of 3,000 yuan.

Considering he'd only worked there for six months, that was a significant sum.

In fact, some senior employees got less than him.

He Runqi, for example, received just over 1,000 yuan, but he was still thrilled.

The company held a year-end review conference, followed by a dinner party, and then everyone went on Spring Festival break.

Li Tang boarded a plane home, lugging several bags of New Year goods, eager to return to Zhucheng, Guizhou.

When he arrived at the familiar building, he looked up and saw bright red couplets on the doorframe and two red lanterns hanging high—full of New Year spirit.

He unlocked the door and stepped inside—only to find the home empty.

A phone call later, he learned that his parents had moved.

Their new home was in the housing complex next to the Geological Bureau: a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment just over 100 square meters. It had basic furnishings, but not much in the way of furniture or appliances.

"How did we end up with a place over here?" Li Tang asked after finally locating the new home.

He'd heard that the 101st Geological Team had built new housing behind their old dormitory. They could be bought for two or three thousand yuan.

"We didn't buy it—the Bureau gave it to your father as a reward," his mother, Tang Chuqiu, explained.

"A reward?"

"Your dad was named 'Geologist of the Year' and also got some kind of provincial labor award. The Bureau gave us this place. They said the units built by the 101st were too small—most were 50 to 60 square meters, at most 80. So they gave us the biggest one over at the main bureau housing."

She pointed to a wall in the living room, smiling proudly. "See how your dad's hung all his certificates in the most obvious place? As if he's afraid people won't see them."

"Not bad!" Li Tang chuckled, already understanding what had happened.

He turned to see his dad sitting on a wooden sofa, admiring his award plaques with a pleased expression.

"Dad, did they give you your commission from the project? You know how sneaky companies can be—if they give you a house and deduct your bonus, we didn't really gain anything."

At current local prices, the apartment, around 105 square meters, was worth just over 100,000 yuan.

According to the 101st's rules, the person who secured a project received a 3% commission.

With the Tibet copper project's 5-million-yuan preliminary budget, Li Zaiqiang was supposed to receive 150,000 yuan.

"You're always thinking about money," his father grumbled.

"Mining & Metallurgy already transferred 3%—that's 150,000 yuan. The company didn't stiff you, did they?"

"Why are you so obsessed with asking?" Zaiqiang looked nervous.

"They gave you the money, right?" Li Tang asked, suddenly worried.

"They gave it." Li Zaiqiang bit his lip and nodded reluctantly.

Smack!

Tang Chuqiu slapped his arm. "You lied to me! You told me the unit wasn't giving out bonuses this year, you old fox! Hand over the money!"

Under her stern glare, Zaiqiang reluctantly handed over his salary card and cast a resentful glance at Li Tang.

His hard-earned money hadn't even warmed in his pocket before it was taken.

"How much is in here?" Tang Chuqiu demanded.

"150,700 yuan."

"How much?!"

"150,700," he repeated with a weak voice. "150,000 is the commission. The 700 is this year's bonus."

"That much?!" Chuqiu clutched the card like it was a treasure, hurried off to the bedroom, and shut the door to hide it.

Suddenly, their household had real financial stability. Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.

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