Chapter 34: Teaching by Example
Li Tang's plan was crystal clear, and his vision was well-structured.
He knew exactly which research team in the field of biohydrometallurgy would become the most accomplished in the future.
By bringing out this future knowledge now, he could help reduce the R&D timeline for domestic research institutes.
After hearing his proposal, both Zhao Hepu and Qin Jianshe gradually realized that Li Tang's ideas were not just wild talk.
Initially, they had thought the young man was simply boasting—claiming to be the sole possessor of a technology no one else in China had mastered sounded too much like a scam.
But now that he proposed working with the Metallurgical Institute of the China Nonferrous Metals Research Academy, everything made more sense. The value of the theoretical system he was offering could be validated by professionals very quickly.
The Nonferrous Academy was the leading authority in China's metallurgical R&D and had multiple academicians on staff.
"Your proposal makes a lot of sense," Zhao Hepu said, standing up. "I'll convene an internal meeting as soon as possible and push for a decision! At the same time, we'll get in touch with the Metallurgical Institute immediately!"
Clearly eager to move things forward, he left the room at once.
Watching Zhao disappear down the hallway, Qin Jianshe picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, then noticed that Li Tang's cup was empty. He lifted the teapot and refilled it for him.
He had always respected technical talent—especially elite technical talent.
"Your exploration skills are impressive. And now it seems your metallurgical knowledge is just as strong." Qin looked at Li Tang's young face with admiration. "Seriously, who—or what—are you?"
"You're teasing me again, Director Qin. I'm just me."
Li Tang wasn't someone who got caught up in flattery. No matter how much praise he received, it didn't affect him.
"Just kidding," Qin said, smile fading as he grew more serious. "You've compiled a very valuable set of technical documents."
Hearing that, Li Tang immediately became alert. If Qin started talking about how "valuable things should be contributed to the company," that would be problematic.
"I know you've been working hard compiling this material. While others sit around chatting, you're always busy."
To be fair, real effort rarely went unnoticed.
Qin stared at him with genuine respect. "I get along well with Director Zhao. Our two companies collaborate a lot. We're coworkers and friends. But there's something you need to understand—when something is your achievement, you need to hold on to it. No matter how high-ranking someone is, they don't have the right to take it from you. Understand?"
"Not really," Li Tang replied honestly, shaking his head.
"You need to apply for a patent for your bioleaching technology," Qin said bluntly.
Seeing the dazed look on Li Tang's face, he added more plainly, "Put it this way: when it's time to talk money, don't be shy. Even among family, accounts must be settled clearly—let alone between different companies. Sure, selfless contribution is noble and admirable, but it's hard to be a saint. It's better to be practical. Don't you agree?"
"I hear you," Li Tang said, finally catching on.
So Qin wasn't urging him to give the technology away—he was teaching him how to negotiate!
"We can only talk like this in private," Qin continued. "You're a team leader now. In public, you should always emphasize noble values and dedication."
He took another sip of tea, looking completely at ease.
"I understand," Li Tang said, smiling.
He had already grasped the deeper meaning behind Qin's words.
Clearly, Qin saw him as more than just a twenty-something team leader. He worried that Li Tang's thinking might still be too naïve, so he offered this bit of hard-earned wisdom—this was mentoring by example.
…
The next morning, just as Li Tang arrived at the office and was preparing to continue organizing his materials in the computer room, an assistant from Mining and Metallurgy Company arrived to fetch him, requesting his presence in the general manager's office upstairs.
When he walked in, aside from Zhao Hepu and Lu Kanqing, there were two new faces—both wearing glasses and exuding a scholarly air. One was older, with white hair, the other in his thirties with a short, clean-cut hairstyle.
As soon as Li Tang entered, Zhao gestured for him to sit beside him, then introduced the guests.
"This is Director Lü Fengnian, PhD supervisor from the Metallurgical Research Institute, and this is his student, Dr. Zheng Chengxian. Both are highly regarded experts in the field of metallurgy."
"Oh, not at all," Lü Fengnian said modestly, though he looked curiously at Li Tang.
They had arrived ten minutes earlier and had spent that time in polite small talk. It was now clear they had been waiting for someone—but they hadn't expected that someone to be such a young man. He looked more like a student than a specialist.
"This is Li Tang, one of our top graduates at Wukuang Group. His expertise in biohydrometallurgy is quite exceptional!" Zhao declared without hesitation, praising him profusely.
Had Li Tang been older, Lü and Zheng might've believed him instantly. But he looked too young, too inexperienced—it was hard to take at face value.
They figured Wukuang probably didn't have a more suitable expert and had sent this young man to put on a show.
"I must say, I'm surprised to see someone so young already contributing to this field," Lü said diplomatically, trying not to sound dismissive.
Zhao didn't bother explaining further and got straight to the point.
"Director Lü, Dr. Zheng, when we contacted you yesterday, we might not have fully explained why we invited you here. So let me clarify. Our company runs a copper mine—Demen Copper Mine. Due to its low ore grade and large volumes of accumulated tailings, we're planning to introduce bioleaching to recover the leftover copper."
"I understand," Lü nodded.
"We know your institute is a leader in this field. So we're hoping to explore the possibility of collaborating with you."
Zhao was succinct and to the point.
"In China, bioleaching is still a frontier topic," Lü said. "It's very much in the research phase. For your company to already be thinking about using it to recover low-grade ore—well, that shows tremendous foresight. You're ahead of the curve."
He began with some polite praise but soon furrowed his brow slightly.
"To be honest," he continued, "our institute does have a team working on biohydrometallurgy. We've developed a solid foundation. But…"
Zhao caught the shift in tone and quickly asked, "Have you encountered difficulties?"
"Every research project faces challenges in its early stages. But these are technical problems—we'll solve them as a team."
Lü sighed and then got to the real issue. "Your Wukuang Group and our Institute have a good relationship. We've worked together before. Our offices aren't far from each other. Frankly, we'd be happy to collaborate with you on bioleaching research. But—what you may not know is—we already signed an agreement with Zise Mining last year. We're working together on this exact technology."
"Ah, I see," Zhao said, suddenly understanding.
"We also signed a confidentiality agreement. So, during the research period, we can't enter a second partnership on the same topic," Lü added with a regretful smile. "I came today just to explain things in person."
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