Chapter 37

In September, Yuyang City had plenty of sunshine and excellent air visibility. For Yuyang City, which was supported by the coal industry, this was rare good weather; the sky was high and the clouds were light, and the air was surprisingly good. In recent years, due to the state's heavy-handed crackdown and strict control of environmental pollution, the major coal mining groups in Yuyang City had successively strengthened their control over environmental pollution. The coking plant under Lin's Mining Group and the coal chemical plant under Gao Husheng's Gao's Group had both replaced many sewage purification devices. On one hand, this allowed their respective leaders behind the scenes to write a bright page in their political achievements, and on the other hand, it made sufficient preparations for monopolizing the coal chemical industry in Yuyang City in the future.

In the VIP room of the banquet hall of the Junyue International Hotel in Yuyang City, Lin Dafa, Gao Husheng, and Ma Lan, the three most prominent figures in the Yuyang coal industry, sat around a table, each followed by their drivers and bodyguards.

After the waiter poured tea and water for everyone present, he consciously and quietly exited the private room.

Lin Dafa took a sip of tea, smiled, and said, "I invited the two bosses here today to discuss the development of the Baishui Town coal mine. Both of you should have heard about it, haha."

Gao Husheng and Lin Dafa were classmates in elementary school, but he dropped out halfway and herded sheep until he was over thirty before opening a coal mine. He had no education and was a rough man. He laughed loudly and said, "Lin Zong, everyone definitely knows about this matter. Does it even need to be said?"

Lin Dafa chuckled and asked Ma Lan, "Ma Zong, you've heard about it too, right? You must have gotten some news from Bureau Chief Wang."

Ma Lan smiled calmly and said, "Since Lin Zong and President Gao both know, I know too, hehe. Lin Zong, what are your thoughts?"

Lin Dafa lit a Zhonghua cigarette. He was an old hand in the industry and the first of the three to enter the coal industry. He said slickly, "The Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government don't have any movement, and I don't know if there's any movement at the Coal Bureau. Ma Zong, you have a good relationship with Deputy Bureau Chief Wang, why don't you inquire for the three of us?"

Gao Husheng tilted his face and said, "Ma Zong, did Deputy Bureau Chief Wang reveal any wind to you? Why don't you reveal it to me and Lin Zong?"

Ma Lan smiled and said, "Lin Zong, look at what you're saying. Deputy Bureau Chief Wang is only the second-in-command of the Coal Bureau. How could he be as well-informed as Bureau Chief Zhang? This is something President Gao and I should be asking you."

Gao Husheng looked at Lin Dafa suspiciously again and said, "Lin Zong, has Bureau Chief Zhang been in contact with you privately recently?"

Lin Dafa's mouth moved a few times, he tightened his face, and then smiled again, saying, "Well, none of us have any news, haha. However, the coal seams in Baishui Town will have to be mined sooner or later. I estimate that the Municipal Committee will make an evaluation and tender by the end of the year at the latest."

Gao Husheng said, "Isn't it rumored that Vice Mayor Yu said to let the Coal Bureau handle this matter?"

Lin Dafa said, "But the Coal Bureau doesn't have any news now. No matter who handles it, the three of us sitting here are the only ones in Yuyang City with the strength to bid, haha..."

Gao Husheng nodded triumphantly and said, "That's right, besides the three of us, what other boss in Yuyang City has the strength to bid!"

A look of contempt appeared at the corners of Lin Dafa's mouth. He glanced at the triumphant Gao Husheng, calculating in his heart that these two stumbling blocks were not easy to deal with, so why not give them some benefits? So he looked up and smiled, "The proven coal reserves in Baishui Town are 3 billion tons. I estimate that if it's tendered externally, it won't be taken for less than 7 or 8 billion. President Gao, can you raise so much money at any time?"

Gao Husheng's laughter stopped abruptly. He widened his eyes and said in surprise, "7 or 8 billion? That much?"

Lin Dafa looked at his surprised appearance, smiled slightly, took a puff of his cigarette, and nodded, "Lin Zong, how about it? Money isn't a problem for you, right?"

Gao Husheng picked up his tea, took a big gulp, patted his chest, and said, "It's not a problem! It's just 7 or 8 billion! As long as they tender it, I'll bid!"

Lin Dafa knew that Gao Husheng definitely couldn't come up with that much money at any time, but if he could raise it before the bidding started, it would still be a headache for him. If all three of them bid, it would only drive up the price. He wanted to win the mining rights for that mining area, but he didn't want to pay an outrageously high price.

Ma Lan had been listening all this time without speaking. She understood that Lin Dafa meant to make her retreat in the face of difficulties. 7 or 8 billion was indeed an astronomical figure for Xinmao Mining, but she had long thought of a way. Yesterday, she had talked about cooperation with the people in charge of the thermal power plant. If she bid, she would form a consortium with the thermal power plant, each holding 50%, to win the mining rights. At that time, she would send coal to the thermal power plant at the mine-mouth price, without adding freight or raising prices, for ten consecutive years.

Lin Dafa extinguished his cigarette butt and sized up Gao Husheng and Ma Lan, knowing that both of them had some special abilities, otherwise they wouldn't have made it to where they were today. So Gao Husheng simply stopped beating around the bush and said straight to the point, "President Gao, Ma Zong, how about this? I know you two also want to participate in the bidding, and I, Lin Dafa, also want to. In terms of seniority in this industry, I am higher than you. In terms of connections, I am not worse than you. In terms of economic strength, you definitely can't compare to me, Lin Dafa. We can make a deal. I'll give you two 5 million each, and you withdraw from the competition. How about it?"

Gao Husheng thought about it. His own strength was limited, so he hesitated. But Ma Lan was unmoved. Her goal wasn't just money; she also wanted to bring down Lin's Mining and ruin the son of this sixty-something-year-old man with graying hair in front of her.

Seeing that they each had their own thoughts, Lin Dafa asked, "What do the two bosses think? I'm giving you 5 million for nothing, and if you insist on competing, you definitely won't be able to beat me. If not, we'll compete together at that time, drive the price up, and when it reaches a price you can't afford, then you'll have to withdraw." Lin Dafa smiled contemptuously, giving them a warning.

Gao Husheng thought for a while and said, "That's fine, Lin Zong. Your word must count. One week, as long as the money is in the account, I will definitely not participate in the competition. How about it?"

Lin Dafa nodded and said, "President Gao, don't worry, my word, Lin Dafa, counts!" He turned to look at Ma Lan and asked with a smile, "Ma Zong, haven't you considered it yet?"

Ma Lan was definitely unwilling, but she didn't refuse directly. Instead, she smiled with some sophistication and said, "Lin Zong, let me go back and consider it carefully."

Lin Dafa's smile stiffened, and he said, "Alright then, Ma Zong, consider it carefully." Lin Dafa's words were like needles hidden in cotton. In his heart, whether you consider it or not, the coal mining rights for Baishui Town will definitely fall into my hands, Lin Dafa.

Ma Lan smiled and nodded. Lin Dafa also smiled, a smile with a knife hidden in it.

Lin Dafa lit a cigarette, turned his head, and angrily ordered his subordinate behind him, "Hurry up and let the waiter serve the food! Damn it, why is it so slow!"

Ma Lan stood up and said, "President Gao, Lin Zong, you guys eat. I have something to do, so I'll go first."

Gao Husheng said blankly, "Ma Zong, what's the matter? You're leaving without even eating?"

Ma Lan said, "There's something at the company, I have to go over. You and Lin Zong eat slowly."

Lin Dafa smiled with needles hidden in cotton, "Then Ma Zong, I won't see you out." Watching Ma Lan's back, the smile on his face gradually stiffened, turning into an angry look. He bit his teeth tightly and fiercely ground the cigarette he had just lit in the ashtray.