Chapter 146: The Baika Gold Mine
When Alice saw Li Tang again, she couldn't help but recall the failed Coastal Resources acquisition. In her heart, she blamed the failure on him.
If it hadn't been for what Li Tang said at the time, she might already have officially become the financial advisor for Wukuang Group's acquisition, completing her first major deal since arriving in China.
She didn't have a great impression of Li Tang, but that didn't stop her from getting down to business.
"We went to Wukuang Group to ask about you, and they told us you've left and started your own company. They also gave us your office address."
Alice opened with a clear explanation for her visit.
"This is Mr. Parker, CEO of Xinan Resources from Canada.
He saw your name in the newspapers, learned that you discovered the world's largest copper deposit—Qinglong Copper Mine—and heard you're China's most renowned geologist.
So he came here to seek your cooperation."
"Welcome!"
Li Tang was quite relieved that the office looked tidy and well-decorated—especially his own. It looked quite upscale and professional.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and appearances matter for a company too.
He invited the foreign guests to sit and had someone buy coffee. After a few pleasantries, he got straight to the point.
"Mr. Parker, are you planning to launch a mineral exploration project in China?"
Contrary to the typical tall, imposing image of Westerners, Parker was short, with shifty little eyes that gleamed sharply.
From the moment he entered the office, he had acted overly familiar—even arrogant.
He sank deep into the sofa, arms stretched across the backrest, one leg crossed over the other, looking completely relaxed and self-important.
His small eyes constantly scanned the room, sizing up the decor and setup.
"The decor is modern. I've seen too many shabby old offices in China. Yours looks pretty good,"
he commented bluntly.
"Too bad the space is a little small."
"It's enough," Li Tang replied with a faint smile, not sure what to make of the guy.
"We've been conducting mineral exploration in China for many years now.
Recently, we've partnered with the Geological Bureau in Yunnan to look for gold deposits."
Parker looked Li Tang straight in the eye.
"You're China's most famous geologist. I believe you're qualified to work with us."
Such directness made Li Tang chuckle.
"Thank you, Mr. Parker. I'm honored that your company would consider collaborating with me."
"We'll pay you a lot. Enough to make you one of the richest men in China," Parker said with utter confidence—the kind that comes from a deep wallet.
"Very generous!"
Li Tang found the man's approach far too direct—almost blunt.
But if someone was offering money, there was no reason to turn them away.
"What project are you conducting in Yunnan?"
"The Baika Gold Mine Project," Parker said, his leg still shaking.
"Baika Gold Mine?"
Li Tang frowned. That name sounded very familiar.
He searched his memory for fragments related to the project.
Something about it tugged at him—he'd definitely heard it before.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember what was so special about it.
"We've just started the project," Parker said confidently.
"We plan to invest heavily in exploration.
Xinan Resources has the world's top geologist teams and the most advanced instruments.
We're sure Baika will yield a massive gold deposit.
The project has already begun—and we've already found gold!"
"If you have the best geologists and equipment, and you've already found gold,
why come to me for help?" Li Tang asked, puzzled.
"We initially hired an older Chinese geologist from Yunnan.
He's supposedly one of China's most famous experts—a professor-level engineer."
Parker tapped his temple with a finger and scoffed,
"But that old man's brain doesn't work. His thinking is outdated.
He only knows techniques from decades ago.
He didn't even recognize the equipment we brought, let alone know how to use it!"
"Older engineers tend to be less adaptable. It's normal,"
Li Tang said, trying to smooth things over.
Parker suddenly sat up, still grumbling:
"It's not just technical. The guy is nuts. I offered him one million yuan—more than he'd earn in a lifetime—and he turned it down!
God! There are still idiots in the world who don't like money!"
"…"
Li Tang didn't know how to respond.
He'd figured it out: this guy had no filter. He said whatever was on his mind.
Parker continued, like he'd opened the floodgates:
"You wouldn't believe it—he looked like a beggar. Always wore the same blue uniform, so faded it was half white, all patched up.
In the dead of winter, with snow falling, he went prospecting in sandals.
I was terrified his feet would freeze into ice blocks and shatter if I tapped them with a geology hammer!"
"There was one time I asked him if he knew what a pool party was.
He said yes—then took me to a flooded rice field in the countryside, full of muddy water.
He tried to get me to catch fish with my bare hands in the muck.
Then he cooked those fish without even descaling them.
They were full of bones—I swear he tried to kill me with those fishbones.
It was the worst fish I've ever eaten! And they used their own chopsticks to serve me—probably covered in saliva! It was disgusting!
And they just kept smiling—so creepy and fake!"
"And in the field, he was like a rock.
Didn't understand our plans.
Just made us waste money doing pointless tasks!
And the local regulators—they only listened to him.
Kept inspecting us and giving useless advice.
None of them knew anything about gold mining—but they all acted like experts!"
"What we need is a cooperative partner…"
This guy just wouldn't stop complaining.
If Li Tang didn't interrupt, he'd probably keep going for another hour.
Li Tang cut him off. "Mr. Parker, calm down. I understand how hard it is to adapt in a foreign country.
Let's talk about the Baika Gold Mine Project.
I'd like to confirm—have you officially cut ties with that old geologist?"
"Yes. He left on his own. Probably too embarrassed to stay!"
Parker was still angry about it.
"He left on his own?"
Li Tang thought for a moment, then asked,
"What exactly made him quit?"
"Different visions. Different ideas."
"That's all?"
"Of course!" Parker seemed certain.
"That old fool didn't understand the tech—and didn't even want money!"
Now Li Tang was suspicious.
He'd always respected China's veteran geologists.
They had worked through the country's toughest years, providing vital resources for national development.
From Parker's rants, it was clear that the man he dismissed so easily was actually a professor-level senior engineer!
Such a person would be more than qualified to oversee any gold project.
But in Parker's words, the man had been demonized—turned into a villain.
There was likely more to the story.
Li Tang had no blind admiration for foreigners—nor did he think this Western prospector sitting before him was superior in any way.
Looking into Parker's beady eyes, Li Tang asked calmly,
"If you can't be honest with me now, then even if I agree to work with you, we're bound to clash later.
To be blunt—my exploration skills come from learning under veteran Chinese geologists.
I respect our system. I follow regulations.
Your Western style of exploration won't work here."
Parker's reaction was intense.
"Oh no—you too? Can't handle cutting-edge methods?"
"I'm using the world's most advanced techniques," Li Tang replied with a smirk.
"Finding Qinglong Copper Mine proves that."
"Gold is different! In gold exploration, we're the ultimate authority!" Parker shot back.
"There's no point arguing," Li Tang said coldly.
"Just tell me—why did that geologist really quit?
If you won't explain, I won't work with you."
"You Chinese are so backward."
Parker pulled out a thick wad of cash and waved it in the air.
"Don't you like money?
With this, you can buy a mansion, women, a yacht!"
"I like money."
Li Tang's suspicion deepened.
The more Parker talked, the clearer it became—he was hiding something.
From the moment he entered, he'd tried to belittle others and elevate himself, seeking control.
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