Reinventing the Millennium

AMD urgently needs ice core to empower it.

But Fang Zhuo was not in a hurry, he just handled his work step by step, and then made arrangements for the "small company".

Frankly speaking, if AMD is willing to license the ZEN architecture, US$400 million is not really a premium. Fang Zhuo even thinks that there is no problem with more. After all, this is all their research and development efforts.

Fang Zhuo did not see Su Zifeng in the evening, but received another text message from her while having dinner with Zhang Rujing.

"Mr. Fang, there is something I need you to confirm again. Yike cannot announce products based on the ZEN architecture earlier than us."

Fang Zhuo showed this information to Zhang Rujing.

After reading the information, Zhang Rujing looked at the smile on Mr. Fang's face and asked doubtfully: "ZEN architecture? Does AMD have products with this architecture?"

"It hasn't been sent yet. Didn't you read this information? They have been researching it for several years. If you buy it now, Yike will just buy a semi-finished product." Fang Zhuo said with a smile.

"No, so you are still interested in this?" Zhang Rujing meant something that has not yet been verified, "Yike's R\u0026D power is so strong, do you want to use this to enter more fields? This It’s interesting. They haven’t published it yet. If you can publish it in advance and come up with a name... Where can AMD go to explain it? "

"It won't be this price once it's verified. AMD still has stuff, and I won't try to occupy the magpie's nest." Fang Zhuo put away his phone and said with satisfaction, "This time it can be considered a door-to-door delivery. It's already Yes, it takes time to digest the research and development itself, and we also need to focus on external challenges during this time.”

Zhang Rujing thought about this word in his mind, "Occupy the magpie's nest. If others don't know, have you done enough?"

He coughed, but still praised: "Ice core's wafer manufacturing capability is like a weapon that has been polished for a long time. It can really exert its power in the hands of you and Yi Ke."

Zhang Rujing still expressed respect for the other party's general judgment. What he said was good must not be bad, and this good thing was largely due to the attraction that the ice core now bursts out.

Fang Zhuo said with a smile: "Yes, the advanced manufacturing process is very delicious, don't you want to come back and experience it yourself?"

Zhang Rujing heard such a joking invitation unexpectedly. The chopsticks he was about to pick up food suddenly stopped hanging in the air. He was stunned for several seconds before he exhaled and said with a smile: "I am an old man, so I can't."

Fang Zhuo took a sip and asked, "Is there Mr. Zhang Zhongtong?"

"It can't be compared. Zhang Zhongyi is like a monster." Zhang Rujing shook his head and looked at Mr. Fang in front of him. "He is like a monster. You are really a monster. You can just fight. I'd better work on big silicon wafers that can fight." If you hit me, I'll hit you."

Zhang Zhongtong is 83 years old this year. His comeback successfully stabilized the situation of Taiwanese reporters, and he quickly made the decision to develop 28nm. The company is still prospering, far exceeding the predictions of the media at the time.

Zhang Rujing is 66 years old this year. He is indeed an old man, but he is 17 years younger than Zhang Zhongqi.

"The world's number one is very fragrant. 16nm is very fragrant. AMD would rather abandon its current position and come to Ice Core." Fang Zhuo seduced, "You really don't want to give it a try?"

Zhang Rujing smiled and said: "How fragrant is it?"

"It's more fragrant than this plate of big bones." Fang Zhuo pointed to the soft and fragrant beef bones stewed in front of him.

Zhang Rujing smiled and shook his head: "Large silicon wafers are still far from the world level. From the perspective of the entire semiconductor industry chain, domestic design, manufacturing, packaging and testing are already good, and electronic products are also very popular around the world. Strong competitiveness, although the gap in equipment is also large, several manufacturers are making efforts, but the foundation of silicon wafers is still very weak, and it is monopolized by a few giants. "

He smiled and said: "If you can do this basic thing well, there will be one less area where the ice core will be constrained in the future. Not only should you not invite me, but you should also press me into the silicon chip and prevent me from coming out. When? When it comes out, we can send the silicon wafers to your 16nm production line.”

The more advanced the process, the higher the purity requirements for silicon wafers.

Zhang Rujing's large silicon wafers have now made breakthroughs and are already one of SMIC's suppliers. However, whether SMIC or Ice Core, the most advanced manufacturing processes are still purchased from Japan and Germany.

"Big Silicon Chip is on the right track, but it can't do it without you? Are you afraid that you won't be able to compete with Zhang Zhongtong after your comeback?" Fang Zhuo said.

"Hmph, I'm afraid." Zhang Rujing had a tough temper. "What am I afraid of? Am I afraid of your provocation?"

Fang Zhuo nodded and said suddenly: "I understand, you know the situation of Bingxin and know that Bingxin will have a hard time, so you don't want to come here now!"

Zhang Rujing knew that this was the second round of provocation, but he almost laughed angrily and glared at the leader of the ice core in front of him: "Fang Zhuo, don't do this, I won't accept it!"

"What if? Even today, you still don't like our ice core? Even if you want to go back, you have to go back to the ice core?" Fang Zhuo shook his head.

"Who can look down on ice core? In this world now, who can look down on the number one ice core? I will not return to SMIC. Times have changed. Wang Ningguo is doing well now, and SMIC is back on the track of rapid development. "Zhang Rujing was silent for a while, and then continued, "I can't keep up with the times, so don't mess around at this time."

When Zhang Rujing was at SMIC, there was a gap of several generations from the current advanced manufacturing process. Nowadays, the ice core situation is becoming more and more delicate. He feels that it is better not to add any additional undesirable factors.

"Oh, it turns out that the reporter got frustrated once. It's strange. I'm not afraid of the chairman of Bingxin, but you, a wage earner, are afraid of this and that." Fang Zhuo took another sip of wine, shook his head and said, "It's strange. It’s so weird.”

"You're a loser!" Zhang Rujing scolded.

"Who is it?" Fang Zhuo asked.

Zhang Rujing stared at Fang Zhuo.

Fang Zhuohun looked at him carelessly.

In the end, Zhang Rujing was defeated. He slapped his chopsticks on the table and said, "Wait a little longer!"

"Okay, Mr. Zhang, SMIC's orthodoxy is in Bingxin. I have pure SMIC flavor here. If you come, you won't have any friends!" Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "It's just that Mr. Qiu was your deputy in the past. Now I’m afraid it will be the other way around.”

"I can't be a deputy. If ice core needs it, I can just be a consultant." Many thoughts flashed through Zhang Rujing's mind, including fierce battles in R\u0026D at SMIC, high-spirited rapid development, reluctant resignation in tears, and others. Steady progress in silicon wafer manufacturing...

If possible, he would of course be willing to shine in the wafer manufacturing sector again.

However, even though he was relieved, Zhang Rujing still hesitated in his heart about how useful he could be.

"Come on, come on, come on, let the storm come more violently, let's do it!" Fang Zhuo reached out to touch the wine glass and drank the last glass of wine tonight.

Zhang Rujing also drank it all in one gulp, and the hesitation in his heart was suddenly affected by Fang Zhuo in the center of the whirlpool. After all, standing outside the whirlpool and watching it is not as enjoyable as jumping into the whirlpool!

…

As Fang Zhuo dealt with the work at hand, he happened to go to Luzhou with AMD's Su Zifeng on Christmas Day to inspect recent work and promote cooperation by the way.

Accompanying him on this trip was Zhang Rujing, who was already ready to move.

The group arrived in Luzhou. When they saw Qiu Ciyun squatting in Luzhou and presiding over the work, Zhang Rujing only waited for a brief greeting before eagerly pulling Qiu Ciyun behind and asking a question about yield rate.

"What is the 16nm yield rate of Ice Core now?"

Qiu Ciyun's smile was stuck on his face. The yield rate is a very confidential issue. By combining this number with the quotation, the combat effectiveness of the ice core can be roughly assessed.

This answer is extremely confidential inside the ice core, let alone being asked directly by outsiders like this.

"Ahem, Mr. Zhang, you..."

You are so confused!

Qiu Ciyun paused and continued politely: "You are presumptuous."

"It's your family who always wants me to come to the ice core. He thinks you're not good at what you do and wants me to take your place." Zhang Rujing said seriously, "If you don't tell me, I'll go check it out myself later. "

"I'm not good at what I do, so why should you come here?" Qiu Ciyun looked at his former boss, "How many nails can you put in your body?"

"Okay, I'm not replacing you, I'm here to be a co-CEO." Zhang Rujing still looked serious.

Qiu Ciyun really believed it this time.

The agreement signed by Mr. Zhang and Taiji should have expired now. Moreover, at that time, it was to restrict the development of SMIC. But now Ice Core has successfully captured 16nm and became the number one in the world. What are the so-called restrictions? significance?

However, Dr. Liang is the co-CEO.

Can a company still have two co-CEOs?

Qiu Ciyun walked behind the team with confusion, thinking about the current position of Bingxin and the ability of Mr. Zhang. Luzhou is the headquarters of Bingxin, and with the upgrading of process technology, branch factories have been built. The sequence is changed from 1 to 1-1, 1-2, 1-3. People are really needed here.

Otherwise, Shencheng can also have a general leader role, because the A/B/C line of "Huali Phase 1" also has many affairs.

"Mr. Qiu, Mr. Qiu, why are you running behind me?" Fang Zhuo suddenly realized that there were fewer people around him and turned around to call the CEO, "Mr. Su is still waiting for your introduction."

Qiu Ciyun walked forward quickly with a smile and said in a friendly tone: "Ah? What can I introduce to you? In four words, No. 1 in the world."

Su Zifeng did not expect that such a modest tone contained such high-spirited content. She was stunned for a moment before smiling: "Yes, AMD is here to be number one in the world."

"Hey, Mr. Qiu, you... you are very strong, but Intel and Taiji are not bad either. Although Intel does not provide wafer manufacturing, and although Taiji has not yet stabilized production capacity, they are not worse than our ice cores. No matter where you go, you can't be careless." Fang Zhuo said seriously, "We still need to expand our lead. President Su's AMD is here to help us expand our advantage."

When Su Zifeng heard this, she didn't know for a moment whether Mr. Fang or Mr. Qiu was more energetic.

Qiu Ciyun smiled and introduced to prospective customers the manufacturing process that is still the only one in the world so far, but Mr. Fang fell behind again while they were communicating.

"Do you want to listen? Can you understand?" Fang Zhuo asked.

Zhang Rujing was really happy: "What? Even if I am not as good as you in other aspects, I am not even as good as you in this? Can you understand me?"

Fang Zhuo said frankly: "I didn't understand, so I stopped listening and came to the back."

Zhang Rujing: "..."

Hey, that seems to make sense.

Zhang Rujing, who once again felt Mr. Fang's sincerity, could only ask the slightly presumptuous question again.

"You're not too old to be confused, are you?" Fang Zhuo was very straightforward.

"Huh? You, you..." Zhang Rujing was not sure of Fang Zong's malicious logic for a moment.

"I mean, you are so old, you won't reveal it to others after I tell you, right?" Fang Zhuo warned patiently.

Zhang Rujing nodded in understanding: "I am really getting angry and confused."

"I can't tell you, Bingxin has strict rules and regulations, even I have to follow the process." Fang Zhuo shook his head, raised his hand and made a "seven" gesture, without giving a clear answer.

In fact, there have been many foreign media discussions and speculations about Bingxin's 16nm yield recently.

Up to now, the implementation of Bingxin's 16nm process has become an established reality with the hot sales of Yike Mars 8.8 series, so some speculations have turned to the important yield.

For example, several experts in the "IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits" have publicly discussed the Bingxin process, believing that Bingxin's first introduction of FinFET 16nm is likely to have a yield of only 30%-40%, and no more than 50% at most.

The reason why Bingxin can ship in large quantities is that its cooperation with Yike is not a simple foundry, but a closer distribution of benefits. The profit growth of Mars 8.8, the world's number one, can cover the high cost of low yield.

This is the way of Yike, not the way of Yike + Bingxin.

Now, Zhang Rujing knows a more accurate number. The 7-digit number is much better than expected. Even if it is 70%, it can completely match the mature yield of 20nm of other manufacturers.

And every 1% increase in this number can bring huge profits.

Zhang Rujing silently evaluated the latest information. Although he had sighed many times in his heart, he couldn't help but marvel at this moment. Bingxin's world number one is too strong!

This is not a forced start as the outside world speculated, but an extremely solid process operation. Maybe it was not high at the beginning, but now it has grown rapidly to the point where it is not afraid of competition.

Zhang Rujing walked a few steps and suddenly felt that there was a look at him from the other side. He turned his head and found several familiar faces.

"Hey, it's really Mr. Zhang! Why are you here?"

"Mr. Zhang, are you here to deliver a large silicon wafer?"

The suspicious senior R\u0026D executives confirmed that the person behind the crowd was Zhang Rujing, and immediately came over excitedly.

Zhang Rujing smiled and just exchanged a few words, and suddenly slapped his head: "When did you come here?"

"We didn't jump over, we came here for technical exchanges." This answer made Zhang Rujing feel a little relieved, but he changed the subject again, "However, Bingxin is really well-deserved. Mr. Zhang, can you help me say that I want to stay in Bingxin."

Zhang Rujing kept smiling and said: "For technical exchanges, you have to finish the technical service before coming here."

Peng Fahai, who was speaking, sighed: "But, it's fun here..."

Zhang Rujing still kept his usual Advised: "Try not to disrupt the plans of both sides."

Peng Fahai reluctantly nodded, and suddenly asked: "Boss Zhang, why did you come to Bingxin today? Are you here to deliver a large silicon wafer?"

Fang Zhuo, who walked to the back of the team again, interrupted and answered: "Boss Zhang came to Bingxin to work, and the large silicon wafer will have to wait."

Peng Fahai: "..."

Even though Zhang Rujing is an old hand, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at this moment, and tried his best to explain: "It's fun here..."

Peng Fahai looked at his old boss dimly. The large silicon wafer can still wait, but you, Boss Zhang, can't wait, right?