Chapter 336: Unexpectedly Became Famous
The reason Li Tang flew directly to Toronto instead of Vancouver was primarily due to Niu Fu's request. He accompanied Hu Zhenchi and his team to visit Noranda.
This marked their return to Canada after their failed attempt to acquire Noranda at the end of the previous year.
Hu Zhenchi was familiar with the management at Noranda, thanks to their previous negotiations. However, when he clearly expressed Wukuang Group's continued interest—this time aiming specifically at acquiring certain subsidiaries and key assets—Noranda hesitated.
When Noranda's major shareholders signaled their intention to sell stakes late last year, giants like Vale, BHP, and Eagle Magnesium quickly entered the scene, submitting competing offers. This bidding war dramatically boosted Noranda's share price, especially after news leaked that Wukuang Group had placed a massive $6 billion bid. Noranda's stock soared even higher.
Yet, at a critical juncture, Canada's Conservative Party openly opposed the sale, and Canadian citizens fiercely protested, unwilling to see their country's crucial mineral resources fall into Chinese hands. Demonstrators even gathered outside Noranda's headquarters, vehemently opposing the sale.
Ultimately, the acquisition fell apart at the last moment.
Noranda's stock price plunged, and its major shareholders felt it unwise to sell at such depressed valuations.
In recent months, the acquisition drama had mostly quieted down.
When Wukuang Group proposed acquiring Noranda's subsidiaries individually, management and major shareholders were not particularly enthusiastic. After all, they had little motivation to sell their most valuable assets separately, especially as these assets included lucrative nickel and copper mines.
"The Falconbridge subsidiary holds Canada's largest nickel mines, along with several significant copper mines in Chile and Peru. Noranda owns nearly 60% of Falconbridge, effectively making it their parent company," one of the team's analysts explained to Li Tang again. "Before arriving in Canada, Falconbridge CEO Kintley assured us that our proposed partial investment or full acquisition aligned with their strategic interests. Falconbridge mines copper and nickel; we specialize in marketing these minerals. It's a perfect match."
Hu Zhenchi scratched his head, looking at Li Tang helplessly. "Falconbridge supports us, but their backing isn't enough. Any transaction involving Falconbridge requires Noranda's approval. Since the last deal collapsed, Noranda's enthusiasm has considerably cooled."
"Is there any way to bypass Noranda?" Li Tang asked.
"No," Hu Zhenchi shook his head. "Noranda holds absolute control."
Li Tang reclined on the sofa, hands clasped behind his head, contemplating without success.
Unquestionably, Falconbridge's assets—valuable nickel and copper mines—were Noranda's lifeline and primary profit source. Noranda's sprawling network of subsidiaries involved in smelting and refining copper, nickel, and zinc appeared impressive but were mostly financial drains.
Taking control of Falconbridge meant acquiring Noranda's core assets, effectively capturing the company's heart. Unfortunately, such a deal seemed nearly impossible. Canadians weren't fools; they wouldn't allow Wukuang Group to easily pick such low-hanging fruit.
"The longer you wait, the lower your chances of succeeding," Li Tang warned confidently.
By year-end, copper prices would soar past $4,000 per ton. After that, prices would become completely unmanageable, reaching $5,000, $6,000 per ton, and beyond—like a wild horse escaping its reins. By then, $6 billion wouldn't be enough; the price would at least double!
"But we really don't have many options," Hu Zhenchi replied helplessly. Though he didn't fully grasp Li Tang's foresight, he was inclined to follow Li Tang's suggestions.
In his mind, since they'd encountered obstacles, perhaps it was best to pause briefly. Given Noranda's deteriorating financial situation, waiting might even drive the price down.
This idea, of course, directly contradicted Li Tang's perspective.
"President Hu, are you considering taking a break?" Li Tang could see Hu Zhenchi's hesitance and recognized the current deadlock.
"We can only wait and see," Hu Zhenchi answered vaguely. Outright admitting defeat would feel humiliating.
"Maybe that's wise," Li Tang agreed cautiously, aware he couldn't decide for Wukuang Group. "Will you return to China directly, or stay longer?"
"You mentioned checking out coal and iron ore projects?" Hu Zhenchi asked.
"Yes," Li Tang nodded.
"I'll accompany you and see what opportunities arise," Hu Zhenchi laughed awkwardly. Actually, this arrangement had been suggested by Niu Fu, instructing them to follow Li Tang and observe how he handled overseas operations, hoping to learn from his experience.
"No problem," Li Tang didn't mind having company.
Just then, someone interrupted, "Falconbridge just called. Our recent meetings with Noranda have caught the attention of both Conservative and New Democratic parties. We're on television again."
"Let's watch it then."
Since it was late and they'd just finished dinner, Hu Zhenchi's spacious hotel room had a living area and a TV. When they turned it on, footage immediately appeared, showing Noranda executives escorting Hu Zhenchi, Li Tang, and the others out of their headquarters.
"This footage is from when we left Noranda's headquarters," someone recognized the setting.
"Look! We're on camera!"
"President Hu looks impressive!"
Everyone was amused, trying to recognize themselves. The video wasn't particularly clear, but they could identify themselves by their clothing.
"Li Tang, with sunglasses and a suit, you look quite handsome," Hu Zhenchi joked.
Throughout the meetings, Li Tang had remained mostly silent, appearing distant and reserved. He typically didn't wear sunglasses but had bought a pair the day before when shopping in Toronto with Li Xinqi, He Runqi, and Lin Xiaoshu. The large brown sunglasses obscured half his face and made him stand out on camera. Yet, amid so many people, no one particularly noticed him.
Wukuang Group employees didn't say anything, and Noranda executives didn't realize this young man was the famous owner behind Lianying Mining.
The scene quickly shifted back to the studio.
"That guy in the center is Layton, the New Democratic Party leader. He's our fiercest opponent," Hu Zhenchi explained with some hostility. "He found out we returned and is surely about to start spreading misinformation again."
Indeed, Layton glared angrily at the camera, loudly denouncing the deal: "Our government provides China with development aid of $55 million Canadian dollars annually. That's enough to build schools and hospitals for our citizens. Yet now a Chinese company plans to use that very money to buy our iconic Noranda! I must protest this outrage!"
Falconbridge CEO Kintley calmly responded, "Wukuang Group has expressed interest in purchasing Falconbridge alone, rather than all of Noranda."
Layton fiercely interrupted, "If they buy Falconbridge, they'll fire you and all management immediately! They'll replace your high-paying positions with their own people. Trust me—they've done this before. People my age have witnessed the disasters that follow!"
Kintley countered patiently, "They've formally assured us that if the acquisition happens, no employee would lose their job, and all benefits would remain unchanged."
Layton refused to back down. "Those are empty promises! Within one or two years, they'll reveal their true colors and impose their outdated management practices."
The program continued in this contentious vein. Li Tang soon grew bored, left quietly, and returned to his own room.
Listening to such nonsense was pointless. He'd rather enjoy a peaceful evening resting with his girlfriend.
To Li Tang's astonishment, by the following morning, his name had suddenly exploded across Canada.
The Globe and Mail, Canada's most influential newspaper, ran a headline on its front page: "Li Tang, the Secretive Owner of Lianying Mining, Joins Bid for Noranda—What's His Real Intent?"
Immediately, Canada's mining, financial circles, and countless curious citizens erupted in excitement and speculation.
Who hadn't heard of Li Tang? The billionaire behind Lianying Mining! The original major shareholder of Northern Dynasty Minerals, instrumental in discovering the legendary Pebble Project!
He was already a household name in Canada, yet few truly understood him. Even long-time employees at Lianying Mining in Australia rarely knew their boss's real identity. Rumors swirled wildly: some claimed he was a young, reclusive genius; others said he was actually a woman disguised in short hair; even more outlandishly, some insisted he knew martial arts and could survive leaps from skyscrapers!
The more absurd the story, the more eagerly people discussed it.
But now, with the authoritative Globe and Mail asserting that Li Tang had joined Wukuang Group's bid for Noranda, the claim was undeniably credible.
That day, Noranda's stock price soared dramatically.
Noranda executives were baffled: When had Lianying Mining's mysterious owner appeared? They hadn't heard anything about it!
Only when they saw the newspaper did it dawn on them—the picture accompanying the article was taken directly from the TV broadcast.
The photo looked like a group shot, clearly showing the Noranda company headquarters in the background.
This part was easy to identify.
The newspaper had zoomed in dramatically on the group photo, featuring a young man wearing sunglasses. However, the enlargement had significantly reduced the picture's clarity, making it very blurry. It was almost impossible to distinguish this young man as the mysterious owner behind Lianying Mining.
In fact, the image was so unclear that even if someone said this person was the President of the United States, others wouldn't easily dispute it.
Yet, the reporter from the Globe and Mail, Erwin, confidently insisted that the young man with sunglasses was indeed Li Tang, the owner behind Lianying Mining.
He claimed he had met this legendary figure multiple times and could recognize him at a glance!
Li Tang examined the newspaper, furrowing his brows in confusion. "Is this really me?"
He suspected that if he showed this photo to his own parents, even they wouldn't recognize him.
Faced with doubts from the public, Erwin personally appeared on a television show, pledging on his life that he had made no mistake.
"That night, while watching the news, I immediately recognized him. That young man is definitely Li Tang!" Erwin emphatically pointed at the TV screen, pausing the video on Li Tang wearing large brown sunglasses that obscured half of his face, looking particularly cold and aloof.
Among everyone wearing glasses, only he wore sunglasses, making him stand out distinctly.
No wonder Erwin had spotted him immediately.
Falconbridge CEO Kintley appeared once again on the talk show, staring closely at the image of the young man wearing sunglasses. He thought deeply, furrowing his brow, but he couldn't recall anything particularly special about this young man.
"One thing I'm certain of," he finally said, "is that I saw him among the Chinese delegation. He always sat next to Mr. Hu. Initially, I thought he was Hu's son."
He slightly remembered the scene, but couldn't recall anything this young man had said. "He appeared to be very low-key."
The TV host asked, "Why was he mixed in with Wukuang Group's acquisition team?"
Kintley thought hard again and finally shook his head. "During the entire meeting, he never spoke. He was completely silent."
Erwin quickly jumped in, providing additional information: "Let me explain. Li Tang's first job after university was at a subsidiary exploration company under Wukuang Group, working as a technician. After one year, he left to start his own business. But his connection to Wukuang Group didn't end there. During his tenure, he discovered the Qulong copper mine for Wukuang. Even after leaving, he collaborated with them again on the world-class Talege copper-gold mine! Those who have done their homework know there's an obscure company in China called Zhongcheng Mining, founded by Li Tang himself. Today, its largest shareholder is none other than Wukuang Group! Why do I mention this company? Because Zhongcheng Mining not only owns the world-class Talege copper-gold deposit but also the Talege coal mine—an incredible coal deposit with over six billion tons of reserves!"
Suddenly, the guests in the studio and viewers at home understood the connection.
Erwin emotionally continued, "Trust me, Zhongcheng Mining will soon become a heavyweight giant in the global mining industry! Its assets are too significant! If Zhongcheng Mining ever goes public, and if you have the chance to buy its shares, do not hesitate!"
"I know about the Talege project," Kintley nodded, clearly impressed.
"Beyond the Talege project," Erwin went on, "those familiar with the Australian mining market and its stock exchange know that Lianying Mining's largest shareholder is Nanyang Investment, holding 60%. Li Tang is its largest shareholder, and the second-largest shareholder is Wukuang Group!"
"I see!" The host couldn't help exclaiming. "Li Tang and Wukuang Group are closely connected, so his appearance in the acquisition team isn't surprising."
"This is truly unexpected," Kintley admitted, stunned to realize that the famous owner behind Lianying Mining had sat silently before him during their recent meetings.
Why was someone of such status so discreet? It puzzled him.
Putting himself in Li Tang's shoes, Kintley knew he would have loudly announced his status and achievements to the world at every opportunity. Being low-key was not typical among Western entrepreneurs.
He had often heard about the modesty and reserve of Chinese people. Now, finally seeing it firsthand, he felt deeply impressed.
"He has always been low-key—perhaps the most low-key billionaire on earth!" Erwin remarked regretfully. He had repeatedly tried, without success, to get a deeper interview with Li Tang.
Erwin then turned to Kintley, resuming his journalist role. "Is Li Tang truly here in Toronto to acquire Noranda?"
"I honestly don't know," Kintley shook his head, genuinely puzzled. "He never said a single word to me."
"I've heard last year's acquisition attempt failed. Has the situation changed now?" Erwin pressed.
"They've shown interest in Falconbridge specifically, but success seems very unlikely, as Noranda has basically lost interest in selling."
Kintley repeated points he had previously made on TV. "Just before coming here, I called Mr. Hu from Wukuang. He acknowledged the acquisition was nearly impossible and said they had already suspended the plan."
"Suspended the acquisition? Then why are they still in Toronto?"
"Yes, they're still here today. I plan to meet them at their hotel after this show to bid farewell."
"Are they returning to China?"
"No, they are heading to Vancouver next," Kintley replied, suddenly cautious. Realizing he had revealed too much, he frowned slightly. "Is their itinerary really important? That's their private business. Perhaps they just want to explore Canada. We have plenty of beautiful places."
"No," Erwin disagreed strongly. "They're not here for sightseeing!"
"They came for an acquisition, which failed," the host joked.
"No, believe me—they never came here primarily to buy Noranda," Erwin confidently insisted.
"What are they here for then?" The host, sensing an exciting topic, quickly asked.
"They're here to invest in projects—maybe exploration or perhaps mining development!" Erwin declared with unwavering confidence. "I understand Li Tang. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a remarkable legacy! Pebble Project, Simandou iron ore mine, Talege copper-gold mine—every country he visits ends up discovering world-class mineral deposits!"
"Are you saying they will discover a world-class mineral deposit in Canada?" Kintley stared at Erwin in shock, astonished by his bold prediction. Finding significant mineral deposits wasn't easy!
"Never underestimate Li Tang's magical abilities," Erwin insisted, his eyes filled with admiration like a devoted follower.
These powerful statements quickly ignited the public imagination.
Viewers across Canada immediately began speculating: What world-class mineral deposit would Li Tang discover this time? Could it trigger another incredible wealth-creation story?
More than half of the world's listed mining companies traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, making Canada a unique hub for global mining exploration. Canadians, naturally, were passionate about mining news. The country was abundant in mineral resources, and every new major discovery typically sparked an investment frenzy.
People admired exploration experts who could uncover significant mineral deposits—especially someone as legendary as Li Tang.
The news of Li Tang's presence in Canada excited many investors, explorers, and curious onlookers alike. Overnight, discussions spread everywhere, as people speculated about the enigmatic young man from the East. What kind of extraordinary actions would he take? What minerals would he target?
Inexplicably, Li Tang's name had become wildly popular in Canada overnight.
Even Liu Naishun was stunned. He rushed to Li Tang with a newspaper in hand, anxiously asking, "Mr. Li, what's going on?"
"I honestly have no idea," Li Tang himself was equally confused.
He had merely accompanied Hu Zhenchi to some meetings, barely spoke a word, yet somehow landed on newspaper front pages and TV news discussions. It was baffling.
Sometimes, Li Tang mused, Canadians in this vast, wealthy country truly had nothing better to do after filling their stomachs. Instead of wasting time on meaningless gossip, couldn't they focus on more productive pursuits?
"What do we do now?" Liu Naishun knew Li Tang was an extraordinary figure, but he hadn't expected such a huge reaction.
"We've booked flights for Vancouver today. Let's see your coal mine first," Li Tang calmly replied. "We came here mainly to meet you. Honestly, I don't have the capability to buy Noranda. That's Wukuang's business. Myself and Shenxia Group came here primarily because we've heard of your reputation. We deeply admire your success transitioning from China to Canada's coal industry."
"Great," Liu Naishun responded enthusiastically, thrilled at the prospect of cooperating with the influential Shenxia Group. Such cooperation would leapfrog his business twenty years ahead.
"The cars are ready. Let me help with your luggage," Liu eagerly offered, determined to make a good impression.
"No need, really," Li Tang said casually, picking up his and Li Xinqi's bags effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Erwin, desperate to photograph Li Tang clearly, hurriedly urged his driver to speed toward their hotel.
But by the time they arrived, Li Tang and his team had already checked out and were heading to Vancouver. Erwin vowed, undeterred, "I must find them again!"
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