Seeing Wang Yi in a great mood, Director Qin couldn't help but ask one more question:
"Could it be that your payment system is already under development? Or even almost complete?"
Wang Yi didn't hide anything:
"To be honest, Xingyi Technology's payment system indeed started development a long time ago. Once the license is issued and after some debugging, it will be pretty much ready."
Payment is essential.
Not to mention getting the license in half a year.
Even if it wasn't granted, Wang Yi would spend tens of millions, or even one to two hundred million, to acquire a licensed company; it had to be done!
Therefore, Wang Yi had already arranged for people to develop the payment system, and it was now in the final stages, just waiting for the license to be in place.
Now that the license was issued half a year in advance and would be in place in half a month, everything was just right.
"As expected, you always plan three steps ahead, never fighting a battle you're not sure about!"
Director Qin's expression was somewhat complex, and he wondered in his heart:
'The payment license issue just came out, and many companies haven't reacted yet, not even realizing the significance behind it, but Wang Yi immediately targeted it and even developed the payment system in advance!'
'This guy isn't old, how can he have such a mature vision and foresight?'
'It's incredible!'
In fact, Leibus and Wang Xing of Meituan in his previous life were all slow to react on payment licenses.
When it was easy to apply in those two years, they didn't apply and had no ideas.
Two years later, when it became difficult to apply, they started applying, and naturally, they couldn't get it.
Left with no choice, Leibus spent 600 million to acquire a licensed company.
Evergrande's Xu and Meituan's Wang Xing also poured money into acquiring licensed companies, spending no less either.
One can only say that if you don't plan ahead, you'll have to burn money.
Five or six hundred million, even for Leibus, was not a small sum.
Wang Yi waved his hand decisively:
"Director Qin is joking. Other giants developed earlier, are stronger, and are deeply rooted in traditional fields. Xingyi Technology started late, lacks a solid foundation, and cannot compete with them in traditional fields, so we can only work harder in emerging fields!"
Wang Yi clearly knew that Director Qin sounded like just a director, not a high position.
But a director of a real power department at such a young age was no ordinary feat.
Moreover, Director Qin's position was not just a simple director; he also held several important positions in other departments, and his future prospects were immeasurable.
A position should not be judged solely by its title, but more by its power; promotions in name but demotions in reality are everywhere.
Conversely, countless bigwigs wanted to snatch a position of real power like Director Qin's!
Director Qin was quite speechless:
"You, ah, are truly modest!"
"Too modest."
He muttered to himself even more:
'If I believe even one bit more, then I, Qin, lose!'
'However, Wang Yi is a practical person, much better than those entrepreneurs who only know how to draw big cakes, raise money, and run away!'
Wang Yi sighed:
"Currently, Gaode Navigation still uses the Empire's GPS satellites, which means we are somewhat controlled by others. To put it bluntly, once they block our signals, no matter how powerful Gaode Navigation is, it will be useless. Only when the Beidou network is successfully deployed and we switch to Beidou navigation will navigation security be truly realized!"
Director Qin strongly agreed:
"Excellent, Wang Yi, you have excellent strategic vision and foresight. Regarding the matter you mentioned before, I'll give you a heads-up: the top leadership attaches great importance to it and has already organized academicians and experts to hold meetings to study this issue."
"Lithography machines, semiconductor matters?"
Wang Yi couldn't help but ask, feeling a bit excited.
In other areas, Wang Yi could handle things himself, but lithography machines were too difficult to manage.
Wang Yi's B-plan was to purchase a batch of DUV lithography machines and invest in building his own wafer fab before the Empire sanctioned and suppressed Xingyi Technology.
At the same time, he would poach Old Liang and other semiconductor bigwigs, experts, and technical backbone staff, investing heavily in researching and developing his own chip manufacturing processes.
This way, even if sanctioned and suppressed, Xingyi Technology could self-produce chips.
And by using multi-exposure technology, DUV lithography machines could mass-produce 7-nanometer chips, or even 5-nanometer chips, which would be sufficient to ensure chip supply for the next ten-odd years.
But this was just a B-plan, or a last resort, treating the symptoms but not the root cause.
7-nanometer chips could still be made, and 5-nanometer chips were also plausible.
But for more advanced 4-nanometer and 3-nanometer chips, DUV lithography machines would not suffice, unless EUV lithography machines were developed.
Therefore, the best strategy was to achieve a breakthrough in EUV lithography machines, or use methods like a lithography factory to achieve an overtake.
Only then could they catch up to or even surpass Europe and America, which was the best of the best strategies.
But this kind of thing was not something Wang Yi could handle; it required the machinery of a great nation and national power deployment.
And Xingyi Technology's role was merely to throw a brick to attract jade, and then, like Huawei, invest heavily in technological research and development.
Other aspects would still need official leadership to handle.
Director Qin nodded:
"That's right, after several consultations, although opinions varied, the final decision was to thoroughly achieve localization of the entire semiconductor industry chain to prevent blockades and suppression. Lithography machines are the top priority!"
"That's great!"
Wang Yi was overjoyed, not expecting that a casual suggestion he made would actually be seriously studied and highly valued by the officials.
Being highly valued since 2012 was much better than being highly valued from 2018!
Director Qin's expression was somewhat complex:
"To be honest, initially, the matter you proposed wasn't given much importance. Many people opposed it, thinking that at this juncture, investing huge sums in researching lithography machines, or even other semiconductor industry chains, wasn't strictly necessary; we had more urgent areas needing breakthroughs where we needed to spend money."
"But with the development of Meiyou Technology, and with the development of Xingyi Technology, you transformed from Boss Wang to Chairman Wang, your status rose, and your influence grew."
Director Qin smiled:
"Therefore, your proposal began to attract more attention and importance from more influential people. Even many old academicians came out in support. After several rounds of research and consultation, it was finally included in the official strategic plan: it must be broken through!"
Wang Yi suddenly understood; it was still the same principle: a person's name casts a shadow.
Previously, when Wang Yi's career was just starting, his proposal for officials to vigorously develop lithography machines and semiconductors didn't attract much attention.
But now, Wang Yi was not who he used to be; he had become the famous Chairman Wang, whom even BAT dared not underestimate.
That made all the difference.
This proposal also began to attract attention and importance.
The final outcome was naturally beautiful.
What Director Qin didn't say was that the payment license was granted to Xingyi Technology so quickly partly because Xingyi Technology's development speed was terrifying, its prospects unlimited, and its strength considerable.
Especially with the complete sell-out of Xingyi xphone 1, it proved that Wang Yi was a practical doer, and Xingyi Technology truly had strength, not just hype.
On the other hand, Wang Yi proposed the localization of the entire semiconductor industry chain and the smartphone industry chain!
These proposals won official attention, recognition, and promotion.
As the proposer, Wang Yi and Xingyi Technology therefore entered the view of the top leadership, and were thus affirmed and supported.
Coupled with Wang Yi's acquisition of Gaode, taking Gaode private from the US stock market, and its subsequent listing on Da A, demonstrating awareness for protecting national strategic security, also added many points!
Furthermore, Xingyi Technology's industrial layout in high-tech fields such as smartphones, semiconductors, and data centers was also affirmed and praised by officials.
If Xingyi Technology was just a company selling clothes and cosmetics, without these high-net-worth industrial layouts, it would not be worth mentioning.
All four of these aspects were indispensable for the payment license to be processed half a year in advance!
Even one less point, and this matter would have been difficult!
These layouts made by Wang Yi struck a chord with the top leadership.
The businesses and directions developed were also beneficial to the country and the people.
It was hard not to support.
Wang Yi smiled:
"With the national machinery taking action, DUV lithography machines are expected to achieve domestic breakthroughs in about five years. As for EUV lithography machines, it will be a bit more troublesome, but it's only a matter of time; a breakthrough will happen sooner or later!"
Director Qin was not so optimistic:
"Huge sums have already been invested in DUV lithography machines, and research and development has begun, with hope within five years. However, the EUV lithography machine project is very difficult and not optimistic. Nevertheless, the officials are pushing both EUV and DUV lithography machines forward simultaneously!"
Wang Yi understood that the two types of lithography machines represented two generations of technology, or rather, EUV lithography was an entirely new technology.
So there was no need to wait several years for DUV lithography machines to be developed before advancing EUV lithography machine research; that would be too slow.
Instead, they would directly launch projects, researching two generations of products and two generations of technology simultaneously!
Wang Yi admired such courage.
He simply said:
"EUV lithography machines are indeed difficult; they require too many upstream and downstream industries, and we are far behind. But thinking differently, if an EUV lithography machine is hard to make, would it be easier to build an EUV lithography factory...?"
"EUV lithography factory?"
Director Qin's eyes lit up:
"Tell me more in detail."
Wang Yi pondered slightly, about to speak, but Director Qin directly interrupted:
"Chairman Wang, please wait a moment. I'm not an expert in such complex technical matters. Could I record a video and show it to the experts and academicians later?"
"No problem."
Wang Yi waved his hand.
"Thank you!"
Director Qin smiled kindly, immediately took out his Xingyi xphone 1, and started video recording:
"Alright, Chairman Wang, please continue."
Wang Yi nodded:
"As we all know, ASML's EUV lithography machines are powerful and can achieve chip processes below 5 nanometers because they can produce 13.5-nanometer extreme ultraviolet light sources. This light source is key to future chips with processes below 5 nanometers."
"While DUV lithography machines' deep ultraviolet light sources can at most produce 10-nanometer chips. Only through multi-exposure technology can 7-nanometer and 5-nanometer chips be mass-produced. Even then, the yield rate for 5-nanometer chips is not high, and the cost is not low. As for 4-nanometer and 3-nanometer chips beyond 5 nanometers, that's even more unrealistic; they can only rely on the extreme ultraviolet light source of EUV lithography machines."
"Similarly, what we essentially need is not an EUV lithography machine, but a 13.5-nanometer extreme ultraviolet light source!"
"We currently cannot build EUV lithography machines, and it will be very difficult in the future. But if we do the opposite, and achieve an extreme ultraviolet light source through other means, we can also manufacture 4-nanometer, 3-nanometer, or even 2-nanometer, 1-nanometer chips."
"For example, the lithography factory I mentioned earlier!"
Wang Yi paused, then continued:
"Build a lithography factory, achieve an extreme ultraviolet light source through particle collision, and then, through the lithography factory model, achieve the effect of an EUV lithography machine."
...
"Of course, I am not a semiconductor professional. The above content is merely based on my immature thoughts, spoken casually."
"Whether it can be achieved, I don't know. If it cannot be achieved, please forgive me, esteemed experts."
As for whether it could be achieved, he didn't know, but theoretically, it should be possible.
The EUV lithography machine of Huaqing University in his previous life was going to take this route, completely different from ASML's technical route.
If it could truly be achieved, it would directly avoid ASML's patents from the root.
After all, if the method of generating extreme ultraviolet light sources was different, there would be no patent infringement to speak of.
The difficulty of domestic technological breakthroughs was not just about making the same products and equivalent technologies, but also about avoiding Western patent barriers and adopting completely different technological routes.
This made it even more difficult.
But even so, in his previous life, almost all the pearls on the industrial crown were plucked clean.
Director Qin smiled and extended his hand:
"Thank you, your views are very important, and I will report them immediately. Regardless, I am very grateful."
"Director, you overstate it. If I'm wrong, just consider it nonsense and bear with me."
"Heh heh, no, that won't happen. Scientific exploration inherently involves speaking without reservation and holding nothing back. Especially such an ingenious suggestion, it holds significant meaning!"
Wang Yi waved his hand:
"Just immature thoughts, I hope they have some reference value. Lithography machines are difficult, photoresists are also difficult, it all depends on the national machinery."
Director Qin nodded:
"Don't worry, photoresist is also an area vigorously supported by officials; a breakthrough is a must!"
Wang Yi breathed a sigh of relief.
If officials gradually solved these difficult problems, then things would be stable.
After another exchange, Wang Yi left the management committee.
Director Qin then headed straight to a classified location to report Wang Yi's ideas.
Whether it worked or not, it was a new idea, and it would be good to have academicians and experts assess it.
If it didn't work, it could still serve as a reference.
If it succeeded, that would be even better, an overtake might even be possible.
By then, Wang Yi would have made a great contribution.
There was nothing he could do.
Building a wafer fab was possible, developing chips was also possible, but developing lithography machines was truly beyond Wang Yi's capability.
It was too difficult.
He could only share all the ideas he knew to offer some help.
If a lithography factory was built and domestic EUV breakthrough was achieved, that would be ideal.
But if a breakthrough couldn't be made, there was no other way but to make do with DUV lithography machines and multi-exposure technology.
As for domestic DUV lithography machines, with vigorous official support, it would still take at least four or five years to develop successfully.
Wang Yi's first phase of the wafer fab would be completed by the end of this year; he simply couldn't wait.
He still had to order ASML's DUV lithography machines first!
ASML's lithography machines usually had to be ordered about a year in advance.
Ordering at the beginning of 2012 and receiving delivery at the beginning of 2013 would be good.
At that time, the wafer fab would be delivered, and the machines could be installed and debugged directly upon arrival.
As the saying goes, "The army moves, provisions go first."
Semiconductor bigwigs and technical talent needed to be recruited now.
This entire year would be spent recruiting talent, building the team, and then conducting 65nm process research and development.
Initially, Wang Yi didn't want to bite off more than he could chew, so he would start with 65nm, taking one step at a time, slowly.
After the wafer fab was debugged next year, mass production of 65nm would begin in the middle or latter half of next year.
Successfully mass-producing 65nm chips before the end of 2013 would be considered a success.
Of course, the gambling agreement with the Imperial Capital stated that as long as equipment investment exceeded 17 billion and 65nm was successfully mass-produced by the end of 2014, it would be fine.
There was plenty of time.
In the initial stage, the focus was on steady progress, not being too aggressive.
Once there were more troops and generals and the architecture was mature later, cross-generational R&D could be undertaken.
Like Samsung in his previous life, despite falling behind TSMC, with Old Liang's support, it skipped 16nm directly and developed 14nm, achieving an overtake.
TSMC was so furious that it sued Old Liang on grounds of non-compete agreements and technology leakage!
Similarly, with a mature architecture later on, Wang Yi also had semiconductor bigwigs like Old Liang, and recruiting other semiconductor talent to form an R&D team could also achieve cross-generational R&D.
As for investing in SMIC... Wang Yi studied it for a while and then dismissed the idea completely.
The current SMIC, ever since Old Zhang was forced to leave by TSMC, had fallen into an era of chaos marked by power struggles.
Coupled with TSMC holding 10% of the shares, it was completely a troublemaker.
As a result, many of SMIC's top and middle management only knew how to vie for power and scheme against each other.
Conversely, practical talents who diligently engaged in R&D and didn't take sides were marginalized and suppressed, forced to leave SMIC.
This chaotic era led to slow process breakthroughs and serious talent drain at SMIC.
Wang Yi knew that this chaotic era would last for nearly a decade until Old Liang joined many years later, ushering in a new era of rapid breakthroughs.
But this new era didn't last long before Old Jiang, Old Liang's nemesis, was invited to be the president, a move of "killing the donkey after it grinds the mill," which almost started a new wave of chaos...
One could only say it was chaotic, extremely chaotic.
Wang Yi was reluctant to invest in such a quagmire of a company; it had no value.
As for a full acquisition? Even more unrealistic!
With TSMC as the major shareholder and troublemaker, Wang Yi couldn't acquire SMIC!
Instead of that, it was better to focus on his own Xingyi Semiconductor.
Wang Yi had a plan: purchasing DUV lithography machines, recruiting talent, and poaching semiconductor bigwigs—these matters had to be put on the agenda.
Wang Yi was resolute.
As soon as he returned to headquarters, he called for Jian Ziyan:
"Ziyan, from now on, Xingyi Semiconductor will start recruiting talent. As long as they are strong, compensation is not an issue."
"Okay, Chairman, I will contact professional headhunting firms shortly to recruit and poach people."
Wang Yi nodded:
"Pay close attention to SMIC. Anyone who wants to resign, switch jobs, or is being marginalized, as long as they are technical talent, capable, and have a good work ethic, we'll take them all!"
"Understood!"
Many semiconductor talents, to strengthen the country's semiconductor industry, returned to China to develop and joined SMIC.
However, their initial passion was ultimately suppressed and marginalized by power struggles, forcing them to leave dejectedly.
These people were Wang Yi's best recruitment targets.
Wang Yi needed their technology!
Wang Yi appreciated their passion!
Wang Yi would provide their platform!
With these talents, a team could be built, and then bigwigs could be poached, making things stable.
After all, bigwigs would also bring some trusted talents with them when they switched jobs.
"Additionally, contact ASML and tell them we want to order 20 DUV lithography machines for delivery within one year."
"Okay, Chairman,"
Jian Ziyan responded.
Wang Yi continued:
"As for other equipment, we'll discuss that once the lithography machines are finalized. Recruit people first."
Other equipment was not as scarce as lithography machines, so there was more time.
Currently, funds were limited, so the priority was lithography machines.
After two months, Xingyi xphone 1 continued to sell well, and funds were abundant, then other equipment would gradually be added.
Trying to "eat a big fat man in one bite" was unrealistic.
Wafer fab equipment was too expensive, totaling nearly 20 billion yuan to get everything started, and Wang Yi couldn't afford to burn that much.
Fortunately, the Gaode Map "top up 200 get 200 back" lifetime membership event could temporarily raise over 10 billion yuan, enough for the turnover of lithography machines and other equipment.
Selling phones and making money this month, then returning over 10 billion to users next month, would be stable.
The main strategy was to leverage the time difference in capital turnover.
There was also the subsequent data center that needed to raise funds, order servers, network equipment, etc., which was also a huge investment.
But it wasn't a big problem; the money earned from shorting Baidu would just fill the gap.
These projects were all "money-burning ancestors," giving Wang Yi a big headache, and he could only "rob Peter to pay Paul."
After giving these instructions, Wang Yi went to the payment system development department:
"How's the payment system development coming along?"
Project manager Chu Runshan replied:
"Chairman, the basic framework is almost complete, only the final testing remains, which will probably take a little over a month. If we work overtime, three weeks should be enough. Of course, we still need the license; without it, even if our system is ready, it's meaningless."
"About three weeks, good progress."
Wang Yi nodded with satisfaction.
The payment license would be issued in half a month, which would be after the Spring Festival.
January 22, 2012, was New Year's Eve, earlier than previous years.
Adding debugging, the payment launch would definitely be after the New Year, so it didn't really matter.
WeChat launched WeChat Red Packets during the 2014 Spring Festival, stealing Alipay's thunder.
Wang Yi could easily launch "Chat Red Packets" during the 2013 Spring Festival, stealing Alipay's thunder a year earlier.
As for the 2012 Spring Festival, it was out of the question; there wasn't enough time, and the user base couldn't support it.
It was better to launch a regular payment system first; this way, they wouldn't be targeted by Alibaba.
After all, many payment licenses had been issued currently, and many companies were doing payment, but none were large in scale.
Xingyi Technology launching "Chat Pay" would be fine as long as there were no major moves.
This year, they would bide their time and accumulate users.
By the end of the year, when "Chat" users exceeded 100 million, they would directly launch "Chat Red Packets," a decisive blow against Alibaba!
No, it would be best if users reached 150 million, or even 200 million.
If the number was too small, launching "Chat Red Packets" would be meaningless.
Regarding this, Wang Yi said:
"In about three weeks, the license will be almost settled. Finish the final testing as soon as possible!"
"Okay, Chairman, we'll try to get it done within three weeks!"
"Mm."
Wang Yi looked at everyone's development results, pointed out some shortcomings and suggestions, asked them to rectify, and then left.
Chu Runshan's expression was somewhat complex:
"Chairman understands technology better than we do!"
"Indeed, I didn't even notice the problems, but the Chairman pointed them out incisively."
"Bosses of other companies who don't understand technology are easy to fool, but Chairman Wang of Xingyi Technology comes from a technical background. If we don't do well, we'll all be fired collectively, so let's all put in more effort!"
"Yes!"
In the evening, the ratings for "The Cliff" were still surprisingly high, ranking first concurrently.
Xingyi Video's on-demand views exploded again.
To watch "The Cliff," the number of new members exceeded 1.5 million!
There was nothing they could do; Xingyi Video's anti-piracy measures were too good; it was the only source network-wide, with no pirated resources available, so people had no choice but to bite the bullet and become members!
At a pub near the company, Ye Changpeng and Gu Qing sat opposite each other.
Ye Changpeng ate his food and exclaimed:
"Chairman Wang has such a keen eye! 'The Cliff' wasn't expensive to buy, and who knew it would be so popular? It truly deserves to be the best spy drama of the year!"
Gu Qing, across from him, strongly agreed:
"Indeed, the permanent online exclusive broadcast rights plus second, third, and fourth round satellite TV broadcast rights, all for only 20 million, truly not expensive, a super bargain. I estimate Xinli Media must be crying now."
"That's right, Wang Ziyi even called me today, saying she regretted it. A golden Phoenix worth over 100 million was sold for 20 million! A huge loss!"
Ye Changpeng smiled:
"Yesterday, when 'The Cliff' premiered, very few companies were willing to sponsor or advertise on network platforms. There was no choice but to arrange it for Meiyou, Zhenyou, and Xingyi xphone 1. Now it's great; viewership exploded last night, and today advertisers are coming knocking, and four big brands at that!"
"Yes, just on Xingyi Video, the advertising fees and sponsorship fees these advertisers are paying for 'The Cliff' can exceed 20 million! That's already broken even. The new member revenue from 'The Cliff' has also surpassed 20 million, pure profit!"
"Not only that, with 'The Cliff' being a huge hit, the second, third, and fourth rounds will definitely be bought by satellite TVs, bringing in tens of millions in satellite TV broadcast rights revenue every year from now on."
"It's a huge profit, haha."
"Wang Ziyi must have cried herself unconscious in the restroom!"
"Chairman Wang also told us to seize the opportunity to launch a spy drama zone to attract spy drama fans and turn them into loyal Xingyi Video members; that's even more farsighted!"
"Exactly!"
Gu Qing raised his glass:
"To the explosive popularity of 'The Cliff'!"
"Cheers!"
Ye Changpeng was in a great mood.
After a few rounds of drinks, Gu Qing sighed quietly:
"We should have called Chairman Wang to drink with us!"
"Don't disturb Chairman Wang's studying. What if he has another exam tomorrow?"
Ye Changpeng shook his head.
"He should be done with exams, right?"
Gu Qing's expression became complex:
"Alas! Who would have thought that Chairman Wang, who single-handedly built Xingyi Technology, is just a freshman in college?"
"There's nothing we can do; Chairman Wang is too strong. Fortunately, I joined Xingyi Media, otherwise I'd regret it terribly!"
Ye Changpeng was full of emotion, then changed the subject:
"By the way, how are things progressing with those copyrights Chairman Wang asked you to acquire?"
"Talks are showing some promise. Shengda originally didn't want to sell a few copyrights, so I sweet-talked them."
Gu Qing grinned:
"I told them, 'Don't you want to go public? You need sufficient performance and need to prove that your website's novels have sufficient IP value.'
'Just package and sell these to me, and I'll give you a terrifying price, hundreds of millions.'
'With this transaction, your IP value will be recognized by capital, and you can aggressively hype it for a strong public listing.'"
"And guess what happened?"
"What happened?"
Ye Changpeng was full of curiosity.
"Upon hearing about going public, Chairman Chen was tempted, and those few blockbuster works he originally didn't want to sell, he changed his mind and decided to consider."
"Hahaha, Little Gu, brilliant!"
"There's no other way; these entrepreneurs just want to go public to make money. When they hear something helps with listing, it's like a woman seeing Helena Rubinstein, they can't hold back!"
"Clever, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"However, 'The Three-Body Problem' is not progressing smoothly, it's troublesome. That professor couple has too big an appetite."
"Take it slow, no rush."
"Hmm, can only take it slow!"
(End of chapter)