Chapter 112: Resolving the Qi He Mine Issue

My words had just fallen,

Mine Director Chen immediately said, "Chairman Zhao, we have no unreasonable demands; as long as our wage issue is resolved, the mine can resume operations later."

I nodded.

Soon, Du County also rushed over from Lanling.

Kong Shi directly said to us, "Today we are holding a meeting here on solving the Qi He Mine issue. Du County has just arrived, and you are the second largest shareholder of the Qi He Mine.

You tell us, what should be done with the Qi He Mine?"

Du County looked at me,

and then said, "Kong Shi, Niu Ju, Chairman Zhao, you are all here. As for this Qi He Mine, if I were to decide, I would make it a pillar industry of our county."

Kong Shi asked in confusion, "A pillar industry of your county? This Qi He Mine has already shut down, didn't you know?"

Du County smiled,

"Kong Shi, of course I know,

if it didn't shut down, we still couldn't negotiate with Da Heng Group to purchase the Qi He Mine.

From what I understand, this mine has always belonged to our Lanling County,

and was bought by Chairman Zhao more than ten years ago.

We want to buy it back."

"Old Du, think it through; the situation of this mine isn't as optimistic as you think. Don't treat Lanling County's money as a joke," Kong Shi said.

"Of course, Kong Shi, this isn't a joke. I have long researched the Qi He Mine, and the main issue is poor management,

if management were in place, the Qi He Mine should be profitable.

Chairman Zhao is too busy; he simply has no time to manage this Qi He Mine. I'm right, Chairman Zhao?"

I turned to Kong Shi and said, "Kong Shi, Du County is right; my energy is now focused on the Xin Cheng development project.

We truly have no capacity to deal with the Qi He Mine."

Mine Director Chen, also nearby, said, "It's been six years since I last saw Chairman Zhao inspect the Qi He Mine."

Kong Shi fell silent for a moment,

then said to me, "Jianqiang, with the Qi He Mine managed like this, you are responsible."

I told Kong Shi, "Your criticism is correct; I truly am responsible. It's all my fault."

"Since Lanling County wants to buy, and you have no confidence to keep operating, discuss a price for this," Kong Shi said.

I looked at Du County and said, "Du County, may we hold an internal meeting of our group to discuss how much to sell for?"

Du County smiled, "Chairman Zhao, things have come to this point; we can wait."

I quickly gathered Sun Dajun, Shi Yong, Ya Li, and Director Xiao for a closed‑door meeting to discuss how much the Qi He Mine assets could be sold for.

In the conference room,

I briefly explained the situation to everyone,

then asked Xiao Feng, "Xiao Feng, what is the valuation of our Qi He Mine?"

Xiao Feng replied, "Chairman, based on coal reserves and annual output, the Qi He Mine is valued at roughly one hundred million."

After hearing Xiao Feng, I said, "That was the valuation from over ten years ago; it's been mined for ten years, and the remaining reserves are actually not much."

Of course, we just need to know that.

We must offload the Qi He Mine, and do so quickly, which aligns with the development path designed by the company.

Sun Dajun, you speak, what price is appropriate for us to sell?

Sun Dajun, hearing my question,

looked at Ya Li,

and said, "One hundred million, perhaps."

Shi Yong said, "Nonsense, after ten years of mining it's only a few million; Du County of Lanling isn't easy to fool."

I said, "President Kang, say a few words. Though you're an outsider, we've never treated you as one, and I'd like to hear your opinion."

Ya Li then said, "We now want to quickly dump the indebted assets we hold, so the previous valuation can be ignored.

It's already shut down and still owes wages.

If someone can take over this mess, that would be good.

I think selling the Qi He Mine for ten million would be fine."

After Ya Li finished speaking,

"President Kang is right; I'll tell Kong Shi shortly that we only want ten million. We won't sell below that, and they must also settle the owed wages. That way our group sheds a burden and can move forward unencumbered."

After I finished, everyone agreed.

I then had Xiao Long help me out of the office and walk into the lobby.

Kong Shi asked, "Jianqiang, how did your negotiations go? You can't just demand a random price."

I laughed, "Kong Shi, we wouldn't act recklessly. I had Accountant Xiao compute a valuation; the Qi He Mine is worth one hundred million.

We have always held a large share, so since Du County of Lanling wants to acquire our shares, we'll sell for ten million and transfer the Qi He Mine to Lanling County."

Upon hearing this,

Kong Shi said, "Jianqiang, you're crazy. This mine is worth over a hundred million, and you want to sell it for ten million."

I helplessly said, "Kong Shi, I truly can't keep managing this mine; the brothers on the mine still need to live, and I can't let this amount of money affect the big guys."

Du County, delighted, laughed, "Chairman Zhao, in front of so many people our words can't be a joke. You really sell for ten million."

I said, "Du County, rest assured, a gentleman's word is hard to retract. If you can accept, we can sign the contract today."

"I certainly agree. Kong Shi, you are the witness here; you can't let Chairman Zhao backtrack," Du County said to Kong Shi.

"You old Du have snagged a great bargain again; it's just that Da Heng Group, Jianqiang's, is facing cash‑flow difficulties. If that weren't the case, they certainly wouldn't sell," Kong Shi said, looking at me.

I looked at Mine Director Chen and said: "It's still Kong Shi who understands me. Du County, the price has already been settled today, I have something I want to tell you,"

"That's the issue of unpaid wages; you must resolve it, you can't let everyone make a trip for nothing, their money must be accounted for."

"It's Chairman Zhao who thought of everything thoroughly; thank you, Chairman Zhao, for still thinking of us who contributed at the end." Mine Director Chen said happily.

Du County waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, brothers of Qi He Kuang, listen up: as soon as the contract is signed, you will belong to the county enterprise; your insurance will be handled uniformly by the county, and the owed wages will also be paid by the county."

After you go back, the county will send a work team to inspect your mine in person, and then we will discuss the next steps for resuming production."

As soon as Du County's words fell, the workers burst into applause.

This is exactly what everyone wanted; thus, Mine Director Chen said: "Today, I took the lead on this matter; now that it's settled, everyone should head back."

Kong Shi, let them go first; I will personally take responsibility for any punishment or penalty that should be applied.

Kong Shi, arrest me."

Kong Shi then said: "Old Chen, that's fine; I know you well enough—let's go, everyone head back; from now on, just work honestly."

After Kong Shi finished speaking, Mine Director Chen then led everyone away.

The remaining matter is for us to sign a contract with Du County.

We quickly signed the contract in the conference hall on the third floor,

Upon signing the contract, everyone was happy.