Reinventing the Millennium

Time has entered 2016, and the 23rd floor of Yike welcomed guests on the first day of the new year in the Gregorian calendar. Bingxin CEO Qiu Ciyun and special consultant Zhang Rujing came to the door hand in hand.

Fang Zhuo spent two days digesting the non-binding photoresist breakthrough expectations. He did not tell others about the news to avoid unnecessary pressure on Xinyang, but he still shared the latest situation with these two.

Qiu Ciyun was recuperating due to illness recently, and Zhang Rujing had just returned from Qindao. When they heard the news, they were stunned, and then asked whether it was true or not.

"As long as we talk in private, nothing will happen." Fang Zhuo said.

Qiu Ciyun and Zhang Rujing knew best what changes would be brought about by this breakthrough in time. They did not speak and just drank tea calmly and silently.

Zhang Rujing was drinking and suddenly said: "Why are your hands shaking?"

Qiu Ciyun replied steadily: "I have just recovered from a serious illness. My hands are shaking a little. What's wrong?"

He asked, "Why are you swinging your legs there?"

Zhang Rujing explained: "After riding all the way, I am old and my blood is not flowing smoothly. I shook my head. This is normal."

Fang Zhuo smiled and said nothing.

The two looked at each other and sighed in unison.

Qiu Ciyun turned to the other party and said: "Mr. Fang, since there is no guarantee, you should keep it in your heart and wait until there is definite news before telling me. This gives people hope but does not give clear hope... It is better not to tell me. ”

Fang Zhuo laughed loudly: "You can't just let me suffer. The things I've been through recently have made me lose weight."

Qiu Ciyun shook his head and put down the tea cup.

Zhang Rujing stood up and paced around the office.

He walked a few steps and came to the desk. He saw the four words pressed under the glass, which were "Keep Progress" presented to Mr. Fang by Dr. Jiang Shangzhou.

"Mr. Fang, alas, it's so difficult to maintain progress." Zhang Rujing sighed, "You said you just established the company, why did you come up with such an interesting slogan?"

Fang Zhuo replied: "Young people have good intentions. If things don't get done, no one will remember them. When things get to this point, everyone feels good."

Zhang Rujing stared at the words under the glass.

Fang Zhuo was quiet for a while and then broke the silence: "Dr. Liang has arrived at SMIC. He is still confident in the research and development of 10nm. But now I am suddenly worried about something. Once SMIC becomes a member of Yike's supply chain, it will immediately Follow in the footsteps of Ice Core.”

Zhang Rujing nodded solemnly: "This is a problem. The mainland's semiconductor industry will inevitably face more stringent measures. What you say about dumping or not, they won't listen."

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

Fang Zhuo made an objective statement: "SMIC has many overseas customers, and most of the equipment purchased every year is from the United States. The subsequent situation is still quite severe, and more integration of resources is needed."

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

Moreover, like ice core, the yield rate will be affected, and because SMIC has more American equipment, the impact of this part will also expand.

He thought about it and said: "SMIC's problem..."

Qiu Ciyun was thoughtful, suspicion was evidence, and suddenly said: "Mr. Fang wants your core!"

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

Fang Zhuo took a sip of tea, glanced helplessly at Qiu Ciyun, who had not talked about this matter, and said: "It's not about whether or not, it's about me thinking about how to be more powerful to face bigger challenges in the future. It's not Bingxin now." To unite and unite all forces in the industry is a matter of one family.”

Zhang Rujing looked at Mr. Fang for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: "You are quite particular. If you want to acquire SMIC, why don't you say hello to me?"

He expressed his position: "You are a shareholder of SMIC and you are the leader. If you have nothing to do, you can shout the slogan of 'we are united' and want to merge. If you think this is conducive to development, then do it. What can I say against it?" of."

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

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

He continued: "I have been reflecting on whether there are any problems with my ideas and practices this week. Dr. Liang's idea to lead the team to SMIC to tackle 10nm came from Professor Hu. If he hadn't come to Shanghai to talk to me in person, I'm afraid it wouldn't be possible. There will be no such 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 was actually very nervous during this period, for fear of doing something wrong. Something was not done enough.”

Zhang Rujing looked at Mr. Fang with deep eyes: "Mr. Fang, you can do whatever you want. No matter what you do, who can still be unconvinced? Who dares to point fingers, I will be the first to come and tie him in front of you. ”

Fang Zhuo laughed dumbly: "Mr. Zhang, hey, you are talking as if Bingxin is really going to acquire SMIC. It hasn't happened yet. Now let's take a look at Xinyang's progress, secondly look at Dr. Liang's process, and thirdly That’s all I think about the efforts of domestic manufacturers.”

"The Shadowless Thing".

"Just a thought".

Zhang Rujing nodded and didn't say much on this topic. As mentioned just now, whether it was his own position or the situation of the domestic semiconductor industry, SMIC allowed Mr. Fang, the de facto leader of the alliance, to do what he wanted and refused to return the favor. Whether you welcome him, half push him away, or half accept him, just let him go.

However, the main purpose of his trip here was to accompany Qiu Ciyun to listen to Ice Core's strategy of changing companies, and to hear Liang Mengsong's plans for 10nm research and development and Ice Core.

Xinyang's unguaranteed breakthrough is an unexpected surprise, while SMIC's acquisition without a trace is an unexpected surprise.

Zhang Rujing digested the surprise for a while and then talked about 10nm again.

Ice Core's research and development of advanced processes became a multi-line process a few years ago, and internal work on 10nm has already begun after the first generation of 16nm was launched.

However, due to the arrival of Ami's strict selection, Ice Core's positioning on this process needs to change. Originally, it was intended to use it as a transitional process technology, but now it needs to consider its positioning.

Ice core cannot make the theoretical best choice, and can only make better choices based on the current situation. Under the entire system, the ice core process begins to play an increasingly technical enabling role, and is increasingly needed. Expand in various fields.

Fang Zhuo chatted with Zhang Rujing for a while about the research and development of ice cores, and then talked with Qiu Ciyun about the work he was currently responsible for. Considering his health, Defa did not need to go there. He had communicated with the upper management there, and the overall foundation was It is still relatively stable.

After the three chatted for a while, secretary Liu Zonghong suddenly knocked on the door and came in, saying that Bowman, senior vice president of DuPont, wanted to talk to his boss.

Fang Zhuo was a little puzzled by the call from DuPont. Neither Yike nor Bingxin had any business dealings with DuPont. However, at this time...

After getting through the phone, he did not exchange greetings and asked directly: "Has DuPont obtained a license to cooperate with ice cores?"

The photoresist market is dominated by American and Japanese manufacturers. The only American manufacturer here is DuPont, which has a global market share of 17%. However, Ice Core gradually avoided American suppliers a few years ago, and its relationship with DuPont ended cooperate.

"Mr. Fang, we also want to get a license, but... this is a very difficult thing now. Washington is more interested in how to destroy ice cores." Bowman's tone was full of regret, "They are more interested in how to destroy ice cores." I want to see Bing Xin’s embarrassment in June, and I want to see your regrets.”

Fang Zhuo wasn't even interested in talking about this and asked flatly: "What's the purpose of your phone call?"

Bowman felt that Mr. Fang had no intention of greetings at all, and asked hesitantly: "Mr. Fang, have Chinese manufacturers made a breakthrough in ArF photoresist?"

"Why do you ask this?" Fang Zhuo felt a little strange, but his mouth remained calm.

"It's just that Mr. Fang, Yike, and Bing Xin are very...very..." Bowman struggled to find the right words to describe the situation he felt, "Calm."

He confirmed: "Yes, calm down, Yike has lost the huge US market, Bingxin has been blocked by various measures, and both companies have suffered huge losses in stock prices, but I noticed that Mr. Fang also issued a Countdown to return, hey, so, I think it’s necessary to make this call and we need to have a sincere discussion about future cooperation.”

"Since DuPont has no license, 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 worked hard. We applied to BIS for a license to cooperate with ice cores as soon as possible, but due to various factors, the license could not be approved, but this is not It means that it will never be approved. If the Chinese manufacturer makes a breakthrough, it will be gratifying. As long as the breakthrough is real, DuPont's approval may be granted soon. "

He waited for a few seconds, but did not see a response from Mr. Fang, and continued to lobby: "I very much agree that dumping is greater than blockade mentioned by Mr. Fang. I also do not agree with the current policy adopted by Washington, but DuPont has nothing to do about it, and it is even more embarrassing. What people are worried about is, will this kind of politically-charged measure spread on a wider scale?”

Although DuPont has no cooperative relationship with Ice Core, it still has other Chinese customers. The market cannot only look at the present, but also future expectations. The predictions under today's circumstances are not good.

Today’s phone call is not just with the head of Bingxin, but also with the leader of China’s semiconductor industry.

Fang Zhuo listened to this call, which was both ridiculous and funny: "DuPont needs breakthroughs from Chinese manufacturers to put pressure on Washington, right? You guys are very calculating."

"Doesn't this prove your point even more, Mr. Fang? Only when the blockade really brings backlash, will those bureaucrats face up to the consequences. Even if Chinese manufacturers make breakthroughs, the increase in production capacity will not be achieved overnight, and the quality of products will not be improved overnight. Yes." Bowman said calmly, "DuPont can provide products that meet the requirements of Ice Core, SMIC, Huahong and other companies."

He continued to persuade: "Japanese manufacturers cannot be trusted. BIS just waved their hands and they came to bite them. As long as DuPont can get a license, it must be an extremely effective license."

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

Fang Zhuo fully understood what Dupont meant and said, "Then just wait, I hope Dupont can get the permit."

Bowman sensed that Mr. Fang was going to hang up the phone, and he spoke faster: "We at DuPont are looking forward to the breakthrough of Chinese manufacturers just like Mr. Fang, but DuPont can provide more. Our EUV photoresist has been verified, which is the advantage of 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 still gave the same answer: "No matter what, we at DuPont are looking forward to this day just like Mr. Fang. 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 laughing and ended the call.

When he told these contents to Zhang Rujing and Qiu Ciyun, he got the evaluation 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 great pressure. If Xinyang has a breakthrough, we may invite DuPont people to the celebration banquet to attend, so that they can talk to them when they return to Washington. Don't think that they are being deceived." Fang Zhuo said so.

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

DuPont's plan is also obvious. Even if domestic products make breakthroughs, they will not be able to eat 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 the opportunity to devour Japanese competitors. It also particularly hopes to get the invisible permission of the leader of China's semiconductor industry.

"Just wait for Xinyang." Zhang Rujing said this before leaving.

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

Based on the present, there is a dawn in the future.

...

AMD's head Su Zifeng 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 rely on a new computer brand YA from Singapore to debut.

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

The Singaporean computer brand YA has already skillfully connected with many US channels, hoping to grow in the market with AMD.

At the same time, Yike's US president Schroeder officially resigned, declined the recruitment of 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 American and European users.