PDLP Chapter 836: Seeking Help
Chapter 836: Seeking Help
Huang Xiaochuan skillfully scalded the cups, rinsed the tea, and brewed the tea, completing the process in one smooth motion.
After pouring the tea into their respective teacups, Huang Xiaochuan didn't even call out to Zhang Gaolei. He picked up his own cup, tasted it first, and exclaimed, "This tea is quite good! This place has a good atmosphere!"
Zhang Gaolei picked up his small teacup, took a few sips, and nodded: "It's not bad!"
After Zhang Gaolei put down his cup, Huang Xiaochuan refilled both of their cups, looked at Zhang Gaolei, and said, "What's on your mind? Say it now!"
Zhang Gaolei naturally wouldn't stand on ceremony with his friend. Besides, he did have something to ask of him, and there were some things he couldn't say at Chen Zhe's house, so he invited his friend out.
"To be honest, I have a favor to ask of you."
Huang Xiaochuan looked up at him: "Is it about Huaxin?"
Zhang Gaolei slapped his thigh: "It's so easy talking to you. You guessed it before I even said anything."
He then gave a wry smile: "You have no idea how difficult it is to develop our country's chip industry."
Huang Xiaochuan understood perfectly and knew how much pressure Zhang Gaolei was under. This guy was almost always on the go, bringing in talent, technology, materials, and equipment, each of which required a lot of his energy.
Huang Xiaochuan picked up his teacup and gestured for Zhang Gaolei to drink first: "After you finish this cup, tell me specifically what kind of help you need."
Zhang Gaolei finished his tea in one gulp and began to tell his friend about the difficulties he was facing.
"Damn it! Let me start by talking about lithography machines! Especially those high-end equipment from ASML, we simply can't buy them. We're completely blocked by the Wassenaar Arrangement. And those Western devils are both cunning and wicked. They don't want us to acquire the technology at all. They just want us to undertake low-end manufacturing and become a dumping ground for their high-end products."
I went through all that trouble to get my hands on some equipment that was two or three generations behind, even equipment that other people had discarded. And even then, it felt like I was doing something thieving. It's so frustrating.
As Huang Xiaochuan listened, he refilled Zhang Gaolei's teacup, gesturing for him to take a sip and speak slowly.
After taking a sip of tea, Zhang Gaolei continued, "Let's talk about talent! To be honest, this is still a very scarce resource in our country. I can only poach people from those few famous semiconductor manufacturers with high salaries, but we can't poach the core technical backbone. They're very strict with us. I heard that if their tourist destination is China, these people can't even leave the country. You see, you see, they're so vigilant against us! We're currently training our own, but as you know, technology won't stand still and wait for you. Besides, we're still so far behind."
"Now, we are facing a big problem, namely the dual pressure of funding and market. When I first wanted to start this wafer fab, you told me that it was a bottomless pit of money. Thanks to you and Lao Ding for giving me so much support, I have been able to get to where I am today. But the wafer technology is being updated and iterated too quickly. Research and development costs money, capacity expansion costs money, and the money we earn just can't keep up with the consumption."
Moreover, those international semiconductor giants are using their economies of scale to wage a price war against us in the market. You know, our costs were already very high, and now our profits are even thinner. Damn it, we're really putting in the work of a flour seller but earning the money of a cabbage seller.
Huang Xiaochuan nodded after hearing this, finding the analogy very apt.
Zhang Gaolei continued, "According to reliable sources, they may launch an investigation against us, which could cause some trouble."
Huang Xiaochuan knew what Zhang Gaolei was talking about. Indeed, it was a critical period of technological containment, and his original plan to transfer part of Sun Microsystems' R&D department to China had been temporarily shelved. So he understood what Zhang Gaolei meant.
So he asked directly, "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"
Seeing his friend ask him, Zhang Gaolei immediately sat up straight: "Xiao Chuan, I know you're wealthy and don't lack money, but asking you to continue investing in me is problematic. First, the amount is huge and it's a bottomless pit; I don't know when it will be resolved. Besides, you've already invested quite a bit. Second, I'm not afraid to tell you, some things can't be solved with money."
Huang Xiaochuan nodded slightly, holding his teacup, and then asked, "So, what are your plans?"
It seems Zhang Gaolei has done his homework and is well-prepared: "First, I hope to leverage your influence in the international academic community, as well as the offshore funds and business networks you control, to help us open up some secret channels for importing equipment and technology. I know how much influence your capital has overseas."
Huang Xiaochuan did not refuse, but nodded slightly again: "Continue."
Zhang Gaolei held up two fingers: "Second, talent. I know you've invested in and funded dozens of top international physics and materials science labs, and you have close ties with several top global universities. Could you help us attract or recommend some top Chinese semiconductor experts back through collaborative research, scholarships, or other legitimate means? Of course, I understand the principle of 'spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones,' and I certainly won't treat these people unfairly; they are all treasures."
"Third, I need the assistance of a strong legal team to deal with the upcoming investigation. I know you have a top-notch legal team and experience in dealing with this kind of thing. I also know you have had good working relationships with some lobbying firms in Washington."
Huang Xiaochuan's acquisition of Sun Company truly astonished Zhang Gaolei. He never expected that his classmate and friend would have such abilities, so he always kept this matter in mind.
Although he is now a Microsoft shareholder, he can't command Microsoft's legal team and connections. Besides, why would he go to such lengths when he has this great talent right in front of him?
After saying this, Zhang Gaolei picked up his teacup and drank it, then let out a long sigh: "These are the few places I want to ask for your help with. I'm not short of money for now. Although the pressure is high, I can still manage. If I really can't handle it anymore, I can ask you for help then."
Huang Xiaochuan pondered for a while, but it didn't take long before he decided he would definitely help, but he needed to think carefully about how to help.
After thinking it over, he picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
"Old Zhang, maybe you and others don't really know how important what you're doing is, but I do, so I'll definitely help you with this. I've agreed to the three things you just told me. I'll arrange for someone to come to you. Just tell them what you need."
Seeing that his friend readily agreed, Zhang Gaolei felt completely relieved. He knew that if the things he had just mentioned were known to the outside world, they would cause his friend a lot of trouble. But even so, his friend agreed without hesitation, which moved Zhang Gaolei deeply.
Several major events that could change China's chip industry were discussed and decided in a tea room of a club.