Reinventing the Millennium

This was the first time Fang Zhuo had met the head of Changdian since returning to China, and it was after his brother Zheng Danrui returned to Beijing and called him. The meaning of the other side was that it was basically done.

But judging from the intention of the person involved... the brother may not be reliable.

However, this kind of thing is inherently difficult. Fang Zhuo was grateful to his cousin Zheng Danrui from the bottom of his heart for being able to do this.

There was a small episode before the meal, but Zhang Rujing, who was a little late, happened to save the situation, and the meal was finally eaten.

Fang Zhuo was not angry with Wang Xinchao's unexpected behavior. After all, it seemed that it was not his turn to be angry. Well... it was not Yike or Bingxin that was acquired.

The atmosphere of the lunch quickly turned from cold to hot again under Zhang Rujing's simple questions.

Since Bingxin mass-produced 16nm, although domestic and foreign media have been buzzing, and Yike Mars 8.8 series has also set a record for sales, Bingxin itself is still very low-key, and no executives have come out to be interviewed.

The news about Bingxin is mostly just digging out details from past events, and then making reasonable speculations and guesses. The specific performance of Bingxin's first-generation FinFET and the development of 16nm process technology are still kept low-key.

Although some people are looking forward to Bingxin International's information disclosure on the Hong Kong stock market, more people are very sure that Bingxin will definitely be vague in the financial report at that time.

In response to Zhang Rujing's inquiry, Fang Zhuo picked out some things that could be said or not, and talked about them, and verified and corrected his gossip.

"Bingxin's R\u0026D is indeed done in three shifts. Everyone is very hard-working. Well, it should be said that everyone is particularly hard-working, so this breakthrough has come about."

"I originally wanted to give this overtime action a name, but Dr. Liang is not a very romantic person. Overtime is overtime, no matter how you name it, it still has to be overtime."

"In fact, Mr. Zhang, we are not working overtime this year, but from the risk trial production of 28nm to the eve of mass production, it has been two years."

"Dr. Liang led by example. In addition to flying to Intel for FinFET technical exchanges, he has not missed a day."

Fang Zhuo spoke with respect.

It was because of him that everyone at the table knew that Bingxin's R\u0026D was operating in this way. This R\u0026D position has become a production position...

There have always been rumors that Bingxin's overtime is very fierce, but combined with Bingxin's 16nm breakthrough, including Zhang Rujing, who is very concerned about Bingxin, thought it was just desperate overtime in recent months, but never thought it had been two years.

Thinking about the situation when he entered the door today, he asked: "You Bingxin is working too hard."

"Oh, not all R\u0026D is like this. We have formed a R\u0026D team of about 600 people. They are the hardest-working group, but there is no way they are not fierce and hard-working." Fang Zhuo said lightly, "Bingxin can't do research and development slowly. We can't know that other companies are working hard. We don't work hard. This time, 16nm is a gamble of manpower, funds, and resources. It's lucky."

Zhang Rujing sighed: "Yes, Bingxin is gambling a lot this time. If you are not careful, I am afraid that all the efforts to catch up with the process will be wasted. The record will not wait for anyone. Yike is also gambling and has not looked for other factories."

He knows best how much time and energy Bingxin has spent on catching up. If the cross-generation fails this time, not to mention returning to the pre-liberation era overnight, it will also give up most of the gap that has been hard to catch up.

Not to mention Yike, its current "No. 1 in the world" of the Mars 8.8 series is the risk of not being able to produce flagship products before.

Zhang Rujing and Fang Zhuo were talking, and everyone else at the table was listening silently. However, Wang Xinchao of Changdian felt that he was being pointed at in his words. Who was "slow in research and development"?

"There is no way. The competition is getting more and more fierce. Bingxin only announced 16nm on November 15, but as far as I know, Taiji also had similar research and development overtime in June this year." Fang Zhuo said, "Taiji didn't know the progress of Bingxin's research and development at that time. According to its public plan, it will mass produce 16nm in Q1 next year. The overtime in June is probably for the research and development of 10nm. Mr. Zhang, do you think the competition is fierce?"

Bingxin kept it a secret, and Taiji still formed an overtime team at the absolute leading moment in the middle of the year. This is exactly the reaction to the fierce competition in the industry.

Wang Xinchao listened to the further news, and the anger that had been grumbling in his heart suddenly subsided a lot. Fang Zhuo is a person of character, and what Bingxin did is indeed extraordinary.

In the field of wafer foundry, one is the world's number one now, and the other was the world's number one in the past. Both companies have to work hard on research and development to seek advantages...

He drank a glass of wine by himself.

"It's really unavoidable. Fortunately, Bingxin won the bet this time, but once the bet is won, other things will come to the door. Alas, when can we fight openly." Zhang Rujing sighed.

"There is no absolutely fair thing in the world." Fang Zhuo is in a good mood now, and smiled, "I am actually very fortunate to have a successful breakthrough this time. Bingxin can continue to optimize 1FET and will be very competitive in the next two or three years."

Zhang Rujing nodded carefully. Although he was in Qindao, he was also paying close attention to the situation of Bingxin. He vaguely felt that Bingxin might face a situation far more severe than SMIC.

Today's Bingxin is unprecedented in the mainland.

Once, every step taken by SMIC was a step for the mainland semiconductor industry. Later, this position was replaced by Bingxin, and now, even Bingxin's further progress is a step for global semiconductor wafer manufacturing.

As an old semiconductor person, Zhang Rujing cannot but be proud of this.

"It's not easy, it's not easy." He said this, and then said naturally, "Mr. Fang, I'd like to toast Bingxin. Our mainland semiconductor industry should really unite and compete with all our strength."

These words were recognized by everyone present.

Wang Xinchao remained silent, but he still raised his glass. This was not to Fangzhuo, but to Bingxin.

As for whether to unite or not...

He could hear the harmony between the two of them, but, again, Changdian had its own plans and development.

Fang Zhuo and Zhang Rujing chatted for a while. Instead of continuing to talk about ice cores, they talked about the development trends of domestic and international semiconductors.

He has experience in front-line mixing and also has support from the IDC data team. When it comes to integration, games, and trends, he is also very organized.

Su Zifeng was more interested in this topic and talked about AMD's observations and practices based on Mr. Fang's words. Although AMD was weak in front of Yike, its revenue last year was 5.5 billion US dollars, and it was in the same field as Intel. Competition, what she said is very thought-provoking.

"Mr. Fang is right. He mentioned the trend of integration when he was in the United States in the middle of the year. By the end of the year, there had been three or four acquisitions that had an impact on the global industry. Intel was forced by Bingxin to advance its acquisition on December 31. With the launch of new processors, Taiwan will also mass-produce 16nm in advance. Qualcomm is still facing severe challenges in digesting Avago.”

"Competition in the global industry is not only fierce, but also more complex."

"Based on this situation, AMD was firstly forced, and secondly, it was forced to be more proactive in reducing heavy assets and transforming into an asset-light chip design company."

"The manufacturing process of ice cores is so critical. If Mr. Fang hadn't said it today, I would have no idea about the hard work that ice cores have put into this, but I also believe that such hard work will be richly rewarded."

"Bing Xin and Yike have been sharpening their swords for ten years. I admire them very much."

Su Zifeng did not hesitate to praise her, and her attitude as the CEO of a large international company made Wang Xinchao feel even more complicated.

"AMD's future prospects are very good. I believe that AMD and Ice Core's wafer manufacturing will have a 1 plus 1 greater than 2 effect." Fang Zhuo said with a smile.

When Su Zifeng heard this and Mr. Fang's clear tone, she couldn't help but have a brighter smile on her face: "Yes, AMD has excellent chip design capabilities, and Ice Core has the world's number one wafer manufacturing. The company’s cooperation will definitely have good prospects.”

Fang Zhuo nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "I have two opinions on the cooperation between Ice Core and AMD. Actually, AMD can..."

Seeing Mr. Fang's serious expression, Su Zifeng also pricked up her ears and listened carefully.

Others at the table also listened carefully. Although Mr. Fang was giving guidance to AMD, he might also be able to provide guidance to his own company.

However, Fang Zhuo only said half of it before shaking his head: "Forget it, we'll talk about this later."

"Hey, Mr. Fang, this is not good. Don't say half of what you say, finish what you say!" Wang Ningguo, CEO of SMIC, was unhappy.

Zhang Rujing was equally dissatisfied: "Yes, Mr. Fang, everyone here is our own people, you say what you say."

As soon as he finished saying this, he suddenly turned his head and glanced at Wang Xinchao next to him.

Wang Xinchao suddenly felt uncomfortable. Hey, Mr. Zhang, who are you looking at? You are being unreasonable. I just stayed here to save your face... You still want me to go out now!

"No, I haven't thought it through yet. I'll wait until I can sort out my thoughts." Fang Zhuo declined with a smile.

With him pushing the blame like this, it was difficult for others to ask questions, so they could only angrily ask Mr. Fang to drink an extra glass of wine, even if the matter was revealed.

But Su Zifeng couldn't hear the rest of the words, and spent the rest of the luncheon quite unsatisfied, wanting to discuss his thoughts on AMD cooperation with Mr. Fang.

When the luncheon was over, Su Zifeng couldn't wait to go back to Yike's president's office. However, even though she was anxious, she could only watch Wang Xinchao, the head of Changdian, pull Mr. Fang aside after the meal.

"Mr. Fang, do you have to acquire Changdian?" Wang Xinchao ate and drank, but in the end he did not leave, but communicated with Fang Zhuo alone.

"No." Fang Zhuo said concisely.

Wang Xinchao said in surprise: "Then...then everyone else..."

"Mr. Wang misunderstood me. I don't necessarily have to acquire Changdian. If Changdian is unwilling, I will never force it. I will try to acquire STATS ChipPAC." Fang Zhuo explained.

The anger in Wang Xinchao's heart aroused again. Xingke Jinpeng was the target that Changdian was already in contact with. He had told Mr. Fang about this at the beginning. If he wanted to cut him off now, why not destroy Changdian's development plan and use this to force him? Acquisition?

What a misunderstanding!

No misunderstanding at all!

He said with a cold face: "Mr. Fang, if you force us like this, that's not at all..."

"Mr. Wang, what do you mean by forcing you?" Fang Zhuo interrupted, "Does Bingxin have to report to Changdian when acquiring other companies and ask for your approval, Mr. Wang? If you don't want to sell, then this matter ends here. So far, everyone is competing on the same field, what else do you want?”

He continued: "Is it true that only Changdian is the only one in the world that wants to develop? Bingxin will do it for the benefit of Changdian, not even acquiring other companies in the same field as yours? Does this make sense?"

Wang Xinchao was silent. He couldn't argue with his words, so Fang Zhuo came back with his previous words.

The problem is, competing with Bingxin and Mr. Fang... can they win?

The main factor of acquisition is funds. Changdian has to gather funds from many aspects. How can it compare with the powerful Yike system?

Thinking about it this way, Mr. Fang is still forcing Changdian.

But Bingxin itself is Changdian's largest customer and the main factor for the company's substantial growth in performance in recent years.

Wang Xinchao had to remain silent.

He stared at Mr. Fang, looked into his eyes, and saw only an unshakable look.

After a moment, Wang Xinchao sighed, "Boss Fang, are you forcing me or forcing me to do something?"

"I have said everything I should say, Boss Wang. If you think I am forcing you, you may not know more coercive means." Fang Zhuo paused and reminded, "Although Xinchao Technology is the controlling shareholder of Changdian, it only holds 14.11% of the shares, and the company's equity structure is dispersed."

This is what Boss Qiu Ciyun mentioned when he talked about integration. Fang Zhuo did not expect that he would finally tell Wang Xinchao, the head of Changdian, in person.

An idea flashed through Fang Zhuo's mind. Could Boss Qiu have such a brilliant plan?

Wang Xinchao looked at the old demon Henglong in front of him, thinking about the situation of his own company, thinking about the rich experience of the old demon in using capital power to fight for control of the company, and thinking about the development of the domestic semiconductor industry. After all...

He shook his head, not wanting to talk anymore, and turned around to end the communication with Boss Fang.

Forget it, forget it.

Fang Zhuo did not try to persuade him to stay. Time was running out. Bingxin had worked hard with Changdian for advanced packaging, but the latter's progress was not satisfactory.

He did not lie. If Changdian was really determined to refuse, it would find a way to acquire Star Semiconductor.

Fang Zhuo glanced at Wang Xinchao's back, guessing what he was thinking, and turned around to see Su Zifeng's eyes.

"You help Mr. Zhang to the hotel first, wait for him to sober up, and don't drink at night." Fang Zhuo first instructed the secretary. Mr. Zhang was happy at noon and drank a little too much.

Liu Zonghong nodded and left.

"Mr. Su, let's go to Luzhou together in two days. It's more appropriate to discuss cooperation between companies there." Fang Zhuo further expressed his attitude of agreeing to cooperate.

Su Zifeng smiled and agreed naturally.

She asked curiously: "Mr. Fang, has Changdian agreed to be acquired?"

"Not necessarily, we have to wait for news." Fang Zhuo shook his head.

Su Zifeng just saw Wang Xinchao's expression when he turned around, and felt that it was a bit sad, helpless, and frustrated. Maybe he had already given in to Mr. Fang in his heart.

She smiled and said, "Mr. Fang, forgive me for being blunt, I think Mr. Wang respects Mr. Zhang 50% and loves him 50%."

Fang Zhuo heard the meaning behind his words and asked, "What about me?"

"Mr. Wang respects you 30%, fears you 30%, and is afraid of you 30%." Su Zifeng said with a little sarcasm.

Fang Zhuo thought, "There is still 10% love, which is not bad."

Su Zifeng filled in the last point: "Finally, there is 10% fear."

Fang Zhuo laughed: "It doesn't matter what he does. Anyway, I love everyone, but sometimes, this form of love is not understood."

Su Zifeng understood that Changdian might be facing the strict love from Bingxin or Mr. Fang.

At least, Mr. Fang himself thought so.