Chapter 73: The Reward Contract

Chapter 73: The Reward Contract

"A miracle…"

"Or rather," Li Tang said, shifting the phrasing, "how much would Huazhou Aluminum be willing to pay to acquire a large-scale bauxite deposit?"

He raised the stakes further: "Let's say this large-scale bauxite deposit is located within Huazhou Province, close to your aluminum plant, and the ore grade is perfectly suited for industrial mining."

"If that were the case," Luo Qinchong answered seriously, "the acquisition price would easily be in the tens of millions."

"And yet you'd only pay tens of millions for a deposit that might have required 20–30 million yuan in exploration costs to find?" Li Tang chuckled. "That's a bit stingy, don't you think?"

Though Li Tang's tone was light and joking, every word hit home with clarity and confidence. Luo Qinchong couldn't help but grow curious. "Why are you so sure you can find a new deposit?"

Luo didn't dare dream of a large-scale deposit. Even finding a 1–2 million-ton small deposit would be extremely difficult.

"I'm someone with superpowers," Li Tang said jokingly.

Luo immediately thought back to the Qulong Copper Mine.

If this young man really could discover a new bauxite deposit…

"How about this," Luo said, testing the waters, "for every 1 million tons of bauxite you help us find, I'll pay you 100,000 yuan. How's that?"

"What if I find 20 million tons?"

"That would be a large-scale deposit. Then I'll pay you 2 million yuan."

"And if I find 100 million tons—a super-large deposit?"

"Then you'll get 10 million yuan."

Under Li Tang's persistent questioning, Luo Qinchong's blood started to rush. It was like he'd returned to his younger, bolder self.

"If a plant director isn't willing to pay 2 million for a 20-million-ton deposit, he doesn't deserve his title!" Luo said, pounding the table. "He should be replaced for hogging the seat and doing nothing!"

The moment the words left his mouth, he instinctively looked around—thankfully, no one else was nearby to hear them.

"So, do we have a deal?" Li Tang asked.

"One must be a little mad sometimes—or else we're already old," Luo said with conviction. "Give me a moment—I'll have a contract drafted right now."

True to his style, Luo acted quickly. That same day, he had his staff prepare a formal agreement, with the core terms being exactly what they had discussed: payment based on exploration results.

This performance-based consultant contract was a first for Huazhou Aluminum.

Then they made their way back to Lai Xiangrong's office.

Lai reviewed the contract and let out a chuckle. "What makes you think you can find a new deposit?"

To him, only someone completely ignorant would sign such a contract.

Experienced consultants would charge a high upfront fee regardless of results—they knew the odds of failure.

"If they don't find anything, we don't pay them a cent!" Luo argued. "But if they succeed, everyone wins! Think about it: if they help us discover a 20-million-ton deposit, and we give them 2 million yuan, that's just ten cents per ton! Where else can you get a deal like that?"

"Twenty million tons?" Lai scoffed, tossing the contract onto the table.

Then he picked up the office phone and dialed a number.

…

Back at Wukuang Group headquarters in Yanjing, on the top floor, in the general manager's office, Lang Hemin and Niu Fu were chatting casually, the atmosphere relaxed.

Earlier, a senior SOE official had summoned them to discuss the Qulong Copper Project, urging them to accelerate exploration efforts and promising that upper leadership would continue to follow the project closely.

There was no explicit praise—but their concern spoke volumes.

Ring ring…

The phone rang.

Niu Fu stood up and walked to the desk. "Hello, this is Niu Fu."

His voice was deep, full of authority.

"This is Lai Xiangrong from Huazhou Aluminum."

"Director Lai! Long time no see."

"Apologies for the sudden call, General Manager Niu. It's just that two of your employees—Li Tang and He Runqi—are at our facility right now."

"Li Tang?" Niu Fu's tone immediately warmed. "Director Lai, thank you for looking after our people! That young man has been working hard up in the Tibetan mountains. Conditions have been rough. It's good for him to be able to enjoy a bit of comfort at your plant."

"Uh…" Lai's brain stalled for a moment.

The general manager of Wukuang Group was personally thanking him—for Li Tang?

Clearly, this young man was not as ordinary as he appeared.

"Director Lai," Niu asked curiously, "Li Tang was just in Tibet—how did he end up at your aluminum plant?"

"He's friends with our deputy director, Luo Qinchong, so he came to visit."

"Ah, I see. Good, good. Our two companies work closely together, and I've heard great things about Huazhou Aluminum's recent performance."

After a few more polite exchanges, they ended the call.

Now that he had confirmed Li Tang's identity, and more importantly, learned that General Manager Niu personally valued him, Lai Xiangrong's entire demeanor changed.

He stared at the silent desk phone for a long moment, then slowly raised his eyes.

Looking through his reading glasses at Li Tang and He Runqi, his gaze was completely different now.

"Li Tang, what's your position at Wukuang Group?"

"I'm a team leader in the Resource Evaluation Department at Wukuang Exploration Company," Li Tang answered honestly.

"Really?" Lai looked skeptical. Based on Niu Fu's tone, it sounded like Li Tang might be his nephew.

He picked up the previously discarded contract and began reviewing it again. "A reward of 100,000 yuan for every 1 million tons of newly identified reserves… You're confident in your prospecting ability?"

"Yes," Li Tang nodded.

"I'll approve this arrangement—but on one condition: you can only participate in new exploration projects. No working on old mining zones."

"Agreed."

"And if you don't find anything, don't expect me to show any leniency. You'll get nothing."

"No problem."

"Alright then. I approve the contract in principle. But I hope you take this work seriously," Lai said as he picked up his pen to sign, then looked up again. "By the way, did General Manager Niu approve this?"

"General Manager Niu?" Li Tang shook his head. "My direct supervisor is Qin Jianshe, and he already gave the green light."

"Very well." Lai pushed the signed contract across the desk. "I wish you success."

"And I hope Huazhou Aluminum finds a big deposit," Li Tang replied as he signed his name.

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