Rebirth of the Mining Tycoon

Chapter 44: Deal

Just as they were chatting, a cheerful ringtone suddenly interrupted them.

Zhao Hepu pulled out his compact mobile phone. He assumed it was someone from home calling on the landline to check on him, but instead, it was an unfamiliar number.

He answered, and there was a brief pause before a low, slightly hoarse male voice came through. From the tone and cadence, it was easy to tell he was middle-aged: "Hello, is this President Zhao?"

The accent carried a strong regional flavor, and the intonation was almost completely flat.

A southerner.

"This is Zhao Hepu. Who's speaking?"

"I'm Chen Jinhe, General Manager of Purple Mining," the voice said with a kind chuckle.

Zhao Hepu hadn't expected a call from Purple Mining so late at night. Especially considering the impression he had already formed of Chen Jinhe—as arrogant and dismissive.

"What is it?" he asked bluntly.

"I've been quite busy these past few days. When you visited us, I wasn't able to meet you in person. My apologies. As for your proposal regarding collaboration on bio-metallurgical research, I've reviewed it and given it a lot of thought. I believe we can work together."

Chen Jinhe spoke slowly, with unpolished Mandarin but enunciated clearly.

"Oh?" Zhao Hepu was caught off guard but quickly adjusted. "President Chen, what made you change your mind?"

"I think your group's expertise in bioleaching is among the most advanced in the country. Your research and application of bio-metallurgy align closely with what we at Purple Mining are aiming for. I believe our two companies are destined to collaborate."

"So President Chen is thinking from a technical perspective and believes we should work together?"

"Yes! Would you be available tomorrow, President Zhao? I'd like to come to Yanjing and discuss the partnership face to face."

Zhao thought for a moment, then readily agreed, "Of course! I look forward to your visit, President Chen."

"I have a small personal request—I'd really like to meet Li Tang from your company."

…

At Lao Wang's BBQ Restaurant in Yanjing.

Just as Zhao Hepu was about to put away his phone, he suddenly remembered something urgent. He quickly pulled it back out and dialed the company's duty office.

"Arrange for a car right now and have Li Tang brought to Lao Wang's BBQ! Immediately! Also, notify the legal department to return to the office—tonight, we're working overtime!"

He slammed the phone down, suddenly in high spirits. Then he grabbed three lamb skewers, tore the meat off in a single bite, juices running down his chin.

He was thoroughly enjoying the moment. He shouted, "Boss, grill another hundred skewers—have them ready in half an hour!"

Qin Jianshe, sitting across from him, looked surprised and amused. "Is all this urgency really necessary?"

"If I'm not in a hurry, someone else will be sitting in my chair before I know it!"

Zhao wasn't referring to the literal chair beneath him, but rather his position as the company's general manager.

He had been acting general manager for over a year now, and by all rights, it was time for his promotion to be made official. But due to the unresolved issues at the Demen Copper Mine, the group's senior management had become increasingly critical of him.

Rumor had it that one of the company's party committee members had even suggested finding a new candidate for the general manager role.

When that news reached him, his heart nearly stopped.

…

At that time, Li Tang was preparing for bed.

Suddenly, there was an urgent knocking at the door—thump thump thump—at such a late hour that it startled him. No one usually disturbed him at this time.

He thought it might be He Runqi with some emergency, or perhaps having one of her episodes again. Slipping on his slippers, he opened the door and found one of the company's drivers standing there.

"What is it?"

"Urgent matter!"

"What happened?" Li Tang's heart skipped a beat.

"You need to come with me immediately—to Lao Wang's BBQ Restaurant!"

"Huh?" Li Tang was full of confusion.

Looking at the driver's serious expression and his heavy breathing, it didn't seem like a joke.

But why would going to a BBQ place require such drama?

"Hurry up!" the driver urged.

"Give me a moment."

Li Tang quickly changed, then went downstairs to get He Runqi before getting into the company car.

"Where are we going at this hour?" He Runqi had already been asleep and now looked bleary-eyed.

But sitting in the comfortable back seat of the company car, her mood quickly improved. She leaned close to Li Tang and whispered, "This is a good car. It's usually used by senior executives."

"I have no idea what's going on," Li Tang replied with a serious expression.

He'd asked the driver, but the man hadn't been able to explain much—just that it was urgent.

When they arrived at Lao Wang's BBQ, the aroma of grilled meat filled the air. At a window seat, they saw Qin Jianshe and Zhao Hepu drinking and chatting cheerfully. Only then did Li Tang relax.

So it was just a barbecue—no big deal.

"Over here, come sit!" Zhao Hepu stood up and waved as soon as he saw the company car pull up. He also called to the boss, "Bring the skewers—quick!"

"Hello President Qin, President Zhao!" He Runqi shrank into her seat like a startled bamboo rat, her eyes darting toward the food with hunger but too timid to eat.

"Eat!" Zhao Hepu said warmly, pouring beers for the two young people.

The table was already covered in empty skewers—it was clear the two executives had been eating and drinking for quite some time.

Calling these two younger staff over probably hadn't been in the original plan.

Seeing the amused look on Qin Jianshe's face, Li Tang had a faint idea of what was coming. "President Zhao, calling us here in such a rush—what's the matter?"

"Drink first. Come on—bottoms up!"

After three large beers, Zhao finally got down to business. "You've got a full set of bioleaching technical data, right?"

"Yes, we've discussed this before," Li Tang nodded.

"Authorize our Mining & Metallurgy Company to use that set of data," Zhao said, looking at Li Tang with hopeful eyes. "Have you filed for a patent yet?"

"No."

"No patent? That's okay. Here's the deal—authorize our company to use the technology, and we'll pay you a licensing fee."

Zhao wore a big smile, full of sincerity. "Just name your price. As long as it's reasonable, I'll do my best to secure it for you within the company!"

"President Zhao, did Purple Mining reach out to you to initiate cooperation?" Li Tang asked.

"Tomorrow, Purple Mining's general manager Chen Jinhe is flying to Yanjing to discuss the deal with me." Zhao was still impressed by Li Tang's ability to read between the lines—he had guessed the truth immediately. "To be honest, they're doing it because of your technology. Here's what I propose: you get a licensing fee, and our company uses the tech to negotiate with Purple Mining. You also said it yourself—building a bioleaching plant will require cooperation with them."

To seal the deal, Zhao was clearly prepared to offer Li Tang the highest possible financial compensation.

That intent was plain on his face.

"Talking money doesn't hurt friendships," Qin Jianshe chimed in.

Li Tang glanced at him, still unsure where Zhao's bottom line lay. After a moment of thought, he decided to go with his gut and named a number. "500,000 yuan?"

At property prices in Qianzhou Province, that was equivalent to four or five apartments.

"Deal!"

Zhao responded without hesitation. He raised his glass, beaming. "Cheers—to a successful partnership! And here's to our cooperation with Purple Mining achieving great results—and solving the Demen Copper Mine crisis once and for all!"

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