Reinventing the Millennium.

Chapter 1443 Opportunity (4k)

As time went on to 2016, the 23rd floor of Yike welcomed guests on the first day of the Gregorian New Year. Qiu Ciyun, CEO of Bingxin, and special advisor Zhang Rujing came to visit together.

Fang Zhuo took two days to digest the non-binding photoresist breakthrough expectations and did not tell anyone else about the news in order to avoid bringing unnecessary pressure to Xinyang, but he still shared the latest situation with the two.

Qiu Ciyu has recently been recuperating due to illness, while Zhang Rujing has just returned from Qindao. Both of them were stunned when they heard the news and immediately asked about its authenticity.

"We are talking in private, so we may not know what will happen." Fang Zhuo said.

Qiu Ciyun and Zhang Rujing knew best what changes this breakthrough in time would bring. They didn't say anything, but just drank tea calmly and silently.

Zhang Rujing was drinking when he suddenly asked, "Why are your hands shaking?"

Qiu Ciyun answered steadily, "I just recovered from a serious illness, my hands are shaking a little, what's wrong?"

He asked back: "Why are you shaking your legs?"

Zhang Rujing explained: "I've been in the car for a long time. I'm old and my blood circulation is not smooth. I'm swaying a little. This is normal."

Fang Zhuo smiled but said nothing.

The two looked at each other and sighed at the same time.

Qiu Ciyun turned to Mr. Fang and said, "Mr. Fang, since you can't guarantee it, you should keep it to yourself and tell me when you have definite news. This gives people hope but not clear hope... It's better not to tell me."

Fang Zhuo laughed: "You can't let me be the only one to suffer this. What I've been going through lately has made me lose weight."

Qiu Ciyu shook his head and put down the teacup.

Zhang Rujing stood up and paced around the office.

He took a few steps and arrived next to the desk, where he saw four words pressed under the glass. They were the words "Keep Improving" that Dr. Jiang Shangzhou had given to Mr. Fang.

"Mr. Fang, it's so hard to keep improving." Zhang Rujing said with emotion, "How come you came up with such an interesting slogan when you first established the company?"

Fang Zhuo replied: "Young people's original intentions are good. If things are not accomplished, no one will remember them. Now that things have been accomplished to this point, everyone thinks it is good."

Zhang Rujing stared at the words under the glass.

Fang Zhuo was quiet for a while, then broke the silence: "Dr. Liang has already arrived at SMIC. He is still confident in the research and development of 10nm, but I am suddenly worried about one thing. Once SMIC becomes a member of Yike's supply chain, it will immediately follow in Bingxin's footsteps."

Zhang Rujing nodded solemnly: "This is a problem. The mainland's semiconductor industry will inevitably face more stringent measures. No one will listen to you when you say dumping or not."

Qiu Ciyun next to him said: "The main reason is that the blockade is effective quickly and can immediately meet the opinions of all parties."

Fang Zhuo made an objective statement: "SMIC has many overseas customers, and most of the equipment it purchases each year is American. The follow-up situation is still quite serious, and we need to do more resource integration."

Zhang Rujing nodded in agreement. 2015% of SMIC's revenue in 35 came from the North American market. Once restricted, the market share will inevitably be greatly weakened.

Moreover, like Bingxin, the yield rate will be affected, and because SMIC's equipment accounts for a larger proportion of American products, the impact of this part will also increase accordingly.

He thought about it and said, "The problem with SMIC..."

Qiu Ciyun was thoughtful, and suddenly said, "Boss Fang wants your SMIC!"

Zhang Rujing turned around and looked at Mr. Fang who picked up the teacup and drank tea again.

Fang Zhuo took a sip of tea, looked helplessly at Qiu Ciyun who had not talked about this matter, and said: "It's not about whether to do it or not, I am considering how to face greater challenges in the future with more strength. Now it is not just Bingxin's business, we need to unite and gather all the forces in the industry."

Zhang Rujing looked at Mr. Fang for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "You are quite particular. You want to acquire SMIC and you even gave me a heads-up, right?"

He stated: "You are a shareholder of SMIC, you are the leader of the alliance, you have nothing to do but shout the slogan of 'we are of the same blood' and want to merge. If you think it is conducive to development, then do it. What can I object to?"

Although as a founder, I do have feelings for the company and its name, but the current situation is so unusual, what else can I say?

Fang Zhuo walked up to Mr. Zhang and patted his arm. "Mr. Zhang, I'm not saying that we are really going to acquire SMIC. I'm just thinking about how we should deal with this situation."

He continued, "I have been reflecting on whether there are any problems with my ideas and practices this week. The idea of ​​Dr. Liang leading a team to SMIC to tackle the 10nm project came from Professor Hu. If he hadn't come to Shanghai to talk to me in person, I'm afraid he wouldn't have taken such a move."

"To be honest, a person's energy is limited. Yi Ke and Bing Xin have all kinds of things to do every day. Professor Hu's reminder is very important. I have actually been very nervous during this period, fearing that I have made mistakes or not done enough."

Zhang Rujing looked at Mr. Fang with deep eyes: "Mr. Fang, do whatever you want. No matter what you do, who can be dissatisfied? If anyone dares to point fingers, I will be the first to come to your door and tie him up in front of you."

Fang Zhuo laughed in silence: "Mr. Zhang, hey, it sounds like Bingxin is really going to acquire SMIC, but that's not happening yet. Now I look at Xinyang's progress, Dr. Liang's process, and the efforts of domestic manufacturers. That's what I think."

"The Missing Thing".

"Just a thought".

Zhang Rujing nodded and didn't say anything more on this topic. As he said just now, whether it was his own position or the situation of the domestic semiconductor industry, SMIC would let Mr. Fang, the de facto leader, do whatever he wanted. Whether he was reluctant or half-hearted, it was all up to him.

However, he came here mainly to accompany Qiu Ciyun to listen to Bingxin's strategy of changing companies, and to listen to Liang Mengsong's plans for the research and development of 10nm and Bingxin.

The unguaranteed breakthrough of Xinyang was a pleasant surprise, while the invisible acquisition of SMIC was a surprise.

Zhang Rujing took a while to digest the surprise and started talking about 10nm again.

Bingxin's research and development of advanced processes became a multi-line process several years ago, and internal work on 10nm began after the first generation of 16nm was launched.

However, due to the arrival of Amei Yanxuan, Bingxin’s positioning of this process needs to change. Originally, it was intended to be a transitional process, but now its positioning needs to be considered.

Ice cores cannot make the best choice in theory, they can only make better choices based on the current situation. Under the entire system, the ice core technology is beginning to increasingly play the role of technology empowerment and needs to be carried out in multiple fields.

Fang Zhuo chatted with Zhang Rujing about the research and development of ice cores for a while, and talked with Qiu Ciyun about the work he was currently responsible for. Defa didn't need to go for the time being due to health reasons. There had been communication with the higher-ups there, and the overall foundation was still relatively solid.

After the three of them chatted for a while, Secretary Liu Zonghong suddenly knocked on the door and said that Bowman, the senior vice president of DuPont, wanted to speak to the boss.

Fang Zhuo was somewhat puzzled by DuPont's call. Neither Yike nor Bingxin had any business dealings with DuPont. However, at this time...

After the call was connected, he didn't exchange pleasantries and asked directly: "Did DuPont get the license to cooperate with Bingxin?"

The photoresist market is dominated by American and Japanese manufacturers. The only American manufacturer here is DuPont, which has a 17% market share in the world. However, Bingxin gradually avoided American suppliers several years ago and ended its cooperation with DuPont.

"Mr. Fang, we also want to get a license, but... this is a very difficult thing at the moment. Washington is more interested in how to destroy the ice core." Bowman's tone was full of regret. "They want to see the embarrassment of the ice core in June, and they want to see your regret even more."

Fang Zhuo was not even interested in discussing these matters, and asked calmly, "What is the purpose of your call?"

Bauman sensed that Mr. Fang had no intention of greeting him, so he asked after a little hesitation: "Mr. Fang, have Chinese manufacturers made any breakthroughs in ArF photoresist?"

"Why do you ask like that?" Fang Zhuo felt a little strange, but his words remained calm.

"Just seeing that Mr. Fang, Yi Ke, and Bing Xin are all very... all very..." Bowman tried to find the right words to describe the situation he felt, "calm."

He confirmed, "Yes, calm down. Yike has lost the huge US market, and Bingxin has been besieged by various measures. Both companies have suffered great losses in stock prices, but I noticed that Mr. Fang also issued a countdown for his return. So, I think it is necessary to make this call. We need to have a sincere discussion about future cooperation."

"Since DuPont doesn't have permission, what is there to discuss now?" Fang Zhuo said, "If Chinese manufacturers make a breakthrough, what is there to discuss in the future?"

Bowman smiled and said, "Mr. Fang, it's not that DuPont hasn't tried hard. We applied to BIS for permission to cooperate with Bingxin as soon as possible, but due to various factors, the permission could not be approved. But this does not mean that it will never be approved. If the Chinese manufacturer has made a breakthrough, it is cause for celebration. As long as the breakthrough is real, DuPont's permission may be approved soon."

He waited for a few seconds, but saw no response from Mr. Fang, so he continued lobbying, "I agree with what Mr. Fang said that dumping is worse than blockade. I also disagree with the current policy adopted by Washington, but DuPont can do nothing about it. What is more worrying is, will this measure, which is full of political factors, spread to a larger area?"

Although DuPont has no cooperative relationship with Bingxin, it still has other Chinese customers. The market cannot only look at the present, but also at future expectations. The current situation is not a good forecast.

Today's call is not only with the head of Bingxin, but also with the leader of China's semiconductor industry.

Fang Zhuo listened to the call, finding it both absurd and funny: "DuPont needs a breakthrough from a Chinese manufacturer to put pressure on Washington, right? You guys are really good at calculating."

"Doesn't this further prove your point, Mr. Fang? Only when the blockade really backfires will those bureaucrats face up to the consequences. Even if Chinese manufacturers achieve a breakthrough, the increase in production capacity and product quality will not happen overnight." Bowman said calmly, "DuPont can provide products that meet the requirements of Bingxin, SMIC, Huahong and other companies at that time."

He continued to advise: "Japanese manufacturers cannot be trusted. BIS only needs to wave its hand and they will bite back. As long as DuPont can get the license, it must be an extremely strong license."

Today's call is to protect DuPont's own market share, and is also aimed at the market share of Japanese manufacturers.

Fang Zhuo fully understood what DuPont meant and said, "Then wait. I hope DuPont can get the license."

Bauman sensed that Mr. Fang was about to hang up the phone, so he spoke faster: "We at DuPont are just as eager as Mr. Fang to see breakthroughs from Chinese manufacturers, but DuPont can offer more. Our EUV photoresist has been verified, which is an advantage for manufacturers and products in the market."

"Do you think SMIC can buy EUV, or will China also have a breakthrough in EUV?" Fang Zhuo asked with interest.

Bowman gave the same answer: "No matter what, we at DuPont and Mr. Fang are looking forward to this day. DuPont is always willing to play fair in market competition. At least, it is fairer than JSR Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Ohka."

Fang Zhuo couldn't help but laugh and ended the call.

When he passed these contents to Zhang Rujing and Qiu Ciyun, they received the comments that "DuPont is really smart" and "it is too cunning".

"Mr. Fang, you should also convey DuPont's expectations for Xinyang." Zhang Rujing said with a smile.

"They are already under a lot of pressure. If Xinyang has a breakthrough, we might invite people from DuPont to the celebration party. This will also make it easier for them to talk when they return to Washington and prevent them from thinking that we are deceiving them," said Fang Zhuo.

Qiu Ciyun thought about the current situation and said, "I hope it will be as DuPont wishes."

DuPont's plan is also clear. Even if domestic products make a breakthrough, it will not be able to take up the market in a short time. If it becomes a supplier, companies generally will not easily change.

It is happy to see a situation of checks and balances and competition, and sees an opportunity to devour its Japanese competitors, so it particularly hopes to obtain the invisible permission of the leader of China's semiconductor industry.

"Just waiting for Xinyang." Zhang Rujing said before leaving.

Fang Zhuo patted Mr. Zhang on the shoulder and said, "Let's suffer together first."

Based on the present, there is hope for the future.

……

AMD CEO Lisa Su arrived in Shanghai, but she only came to meet with Mr. Fang and chatted for a long time before hurriedly flying to Singapore.

Yike has withdrawn from the US market and is now facing some lawsuits, so AMD's previously announced new products have to be launched through a new computer brand YA from Singapore.

AMD will hold a press conference on January 1 to launch the Ryzen series based on the new ZEN architecture, with Ryzen 16, Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 to compete with its competitors. They use the world's leading 7nm process based on the second-generation FinFET and will be given new and amazing vitality.

Singapore's computer brand YA has already skillfully connected with many American channels, hoping to grow in the market together with AMD.

At the same time, Schroeder, president of iCare USA, officially resigned, declined offers from Google and other companies, and quietly founded a new company dedicated to using innovative interaction models and content distribution mechanisms to provide high-quality social media services to users in the United States and Europe.

(End of this chapter)