Life 1984

In Xizhou, spring is warm and flowers are blooming.

In the headquarters office of Sihai Group, Li Yunhai finished talking about work matters with Chen Hong, Qian Changbao and others. I saw Jiang Zhijun rushing in like a storm.

"Mr. Li, there's something wrong with the lithography machine. The problem is huge and our technicians can't solve it."

"Such a big problem?"

"Yes, Mr. Li, Blue Ocean Computer's shipment volume is very large, the lithography machine is paralyzed, and our orders are postponed."

"Contact Nikon and ask for technical support. Let me make the call!"

Li Yunhai contacted Nikon’s Michiko.

Michiko said to send a technician over immediately.

Li Yunhai said that we are waiting for production. Can the problem be solved remotely?

Michiko said she was sorry, but such a problem could only be solved by sending a technician over.

Li Yunhai understood that the other party was afraid of technology leakage.

In addition, when the manufacturer dispatches technicians, the travel expenses and technical consulting fees are paid by Sihai Group. This is also an important part of the manufacturer's income.

Li Yunhai could only ask Michiko to send technicians over as soon as possible. He also said that Xizhou is now connected by plane, and your technicians can fly over directly and arrive on the same day.

Michiko said we should arrange it as soon as possible.

It was noisy over there, and Li Yunhai heard someone talking next to him.

His Japanese level was not bad, and he understood the other party's conversation and asked: "Ms. Michiko, are you ready to cooperate with South Korea and build a branch in South Korea?"

"Yes. Mr. Li, how did you know? This matter is still under negotiation."

"Can you cooperate with us and build a factory in our country?"

"This? Mr. Li, I can't decide on such a big matter."

"Michiko, please make sure to facilitate this. Do you think this is a good idea? We will provide money, land and people, and you only need to provide technology. We will each hold half of the shares."

"Mr. Li, I will truthfully report your request to the company. Whether it can be fulfilled, I can't reply to you now."

"Ms. Michiko, our market is much larger than that of South Korea. Whether it is population, land area, or expected future consumption capacity, South Korea cannot compare with us. The control of production costs also gives us a great advantage."

"Mr. Li, do you know how much investment is needed to build a photolithography machine branch?"

"I don't care how much money you need to invest. I will take care of the funds. You only need to provide technology and dispatch technicians and managers. But I also have one requirement, which is that all the latest technologies in your headquarters must be produced in our branch factory. "

"Mr. Li, as far as I know, you can only produce 286 chips now. Even if you get our latest lithography machine, you won't be of much use."

"We are negotiating with Intel to license the production of 386 chips."

"Okay, I will help you fight for it. I will first arrange for technicians to go over and help you solve the problem."

"Thank you, Miss Michiko."

Li Yunhai put down the phone and said to Jiang Zhijun: "Notify the photolithography machine workshop and let them prepare. The technicians from the Nikon manufacturer will be here soon. By the way, you tell Yue Hua that when the technicians come for repairs, they must follow them throughout the process. We need to learn how to repair these machines. We need to ask technicians from the manufacturer to come over. It will cost us too much."

Jiang Zhijun smiled and said, "Mr. Li, I understand."

Li Yunhai sighed: "We are also studying lithography machine technology, but the gap is still too big. If someone else's lithography machine has a problem, we can't even repair it!"

Jiang Zhijun said: "The main reason is that we don't have some parts and components, only the manufacturers have them."

Half an hour later, Michiko called and said that the technicians would leave tomorrow. She also said that the company attached great importance to cooperation with Sihai Group and was willing to discuss cooperation in building a factory. But you have to be mentally prepared. Investing in a photolithography machine factory requires more than US$20 billion.

Li Yunhai couldn't help being stunned after hearing this.

More than 20 billion US dollars of investment!

In 1990, the official exchange rate between the US dollar and the RMB was around 1:5.

In other words, Li Yunhai wants to invest 100 billion yuan!

And he can only hold half of the shares.

Of course Li Yunhai had some ideas when he did this.

He wanted to completely obtain Nikon's photolithography machine technology.

As long as Nikon comes to build a factory in China, Li Yunhai will have the opportunity to learn from foreigners and learn skills.

However, such a large investment was beyond Li Yunhai's ability to bear.

For a while, he couldn't come up with so much money.

In addition, he also needs to consider cost-effectiveness.

Even if he obtains Nikon's current technology, in less than ten years, Nikon's technology will be replaced by the new technology of ASML in the Netherlands.

With this money, wouldn’t it be better to invest in the research and development of new technologies?

Nikon's current lithography technology is the most advanced in the world. Their company's best machine is the NSR1505EX machine. The initial resolution was 500 nanometers, but over time, it was upgraded to 250 nanometers with an overlay of 100 nanometers. This is also the world's first lithography machine using DUV tools using KrF lithography technology, and also the world's first excimer stepper.

However, in the future layout of lithography machines, due to the shift of the global industrial chain, the world has abandoned Toyo, coupled with the decision-making errors of Nikon's senior management, it has missed the development direction of the new generation of lithography machines, thus falling behind ASML.

However, Nikon's technology in many aspects is still worthy of recognition and learning. For example, there are many technologies in the fields of optics and chemistry.

Li Yunhai wants to gradually mature his chip technology through joint ventures and technology transfer. Thereby reconfiguring existing equipment and accelerating the development of domestic lithography machines.

Therefore, if this cooperation can be successful, it will be of great milestone significance to my country's lithography industry.

The establishment of the photolithography machine factory will also drive the common development of related supporting industries.

In this sense, the cooperation between Sihai Group and Nikon is imperative.

Li Yunhai immediately replied to Michiko, saying that you are welcome to come to negotiate and I hope that the two companies can reach cooperation as soon as possible.

After ending the call, Li Yunhai came to the Research Institute.

Professor Ni and others have already taken out a prototype of the touch tablet computer and asked Li Yunhai to come over and watch it.

After Li Yunhai saw the prototype, he couldn't hold back.

Because this tablet is so different from what he imagined.

This is simply a notebook with the screen installed in the original keyboard area.

"So thick? So heavy?" Li Yunhai exclaimed before turning on the machine to try it out, "Professor Ni, is this too big? How do you use this thing?"

Professor Ni said: "Mr. Li, there is nothing we can do. This is the thinnest thing we can design and produce."

Li Yunhai turned on the computer and tried it out, shook his head and said, "This won't work. The playability of this system is too low."

Professor Ni said: "Mr. Li, this is the best system we can make. How about we improve it?"

Li Yunhai also knows that the most important thing about a tablet is the adaptation of the system and software.

If it can't be thinner, lighter and easier to use than a PC, then what's the point of such a tablet?

Li Yunhai said: "Continuing research and development, the most important thing about tablet computers is ease of use. Just like our typewriter screen, you can open a function and use a software by pressing it with your hand, without too many tedious operations. So we need to simplify the process.”

Professor Ni said: "Then the workload will be huge. We have to develop our own program because there are not many adapted programs on the market."

Li Yunhai touched his chin and thought for a while, then said: "Professor Ni, have you ever played a game console? It's like the kind found in street arcades. There are many game options on a screen. Which game you want to play, just click on it. It can be played. The icons are made large and clear. The tablet programs we want to make are similar to those for game consoles. But we have more programs!"

Professor Ni said: "I understand, let's work harder. But our tablet can be connected to an external mouse, and it is very convenient to operate it with a mouse."

Li Yunhai smiled and said: "Then it is not called a tablet computer, but a touch screen computer. But your idea is also acceptable. Touch screen computers are also an innovation. You can either click on the screen with your fingers to operate, or you can use a mouse. Our notebooks can be developed in this way.”

Professor Ni said: "Mr. Li, it's graduation season soon. Do you think we should go to Qingbei to recruit a group of college students? To enrich our R&D team."

Li Yunhai said: "Okay, after we move into the new office building, we will make a batch of enrollment brochures and then go to Beijin. We are in urgent need of a large number of scientific researchers."

In the evening, Li Yunhai returned home and saw Liu Jie and Xiao Wen coming to visit.

Liu Jie and Xiao Wen made up for their wedding, and they now move to the Commerce Bureau dormitory.

After having a wife, Liu Jie has indeed changed a lot. He used to hang out in various dance halls every night, and no matter where he saw a beautiful woman, he would try his best to flirt with her.

He is much more honest now and has no time to go out and fool around at night.

"Brother, is there any way to help Xiaowen find another job?" Liu Jie handed a cigarette to Li Yunhai and stated his intention.

Li Yunhai asked: "With such a good job and high salary, why do you want to change jobs?"

Liu Jie said: "Their work has no freedom at all, the hours are not fixed, and the breaks are not fixed. Even if you get off work, you may not be able to go home. This job is glamorous on the surface, but behind the scenes it requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. The most important thing is, how could she get pregnant and give birth to a baby while working?"

Li Yunhai asked Xiao Wen: "You finally became a stewardess. Are you willing to give up this job?"

Xiao Wen smiled and said: "Mr. Li, flight attendants are just a job, and they eat youth food. I have never done it before, and I find it very interesting. Only after I actually started working did I know the hard work involved. To put it bluntly, we Just a waiter." Li Yunhai said: "Then you can transfer to ground staff!"

Xiao Wen said: "It's difficult for the ground crew to move around. Every turn is a carrot and a pit."

Li Yunhai said: "Then what do you want to do?"

Xiao Wen smiled and said nothing.

Liu Jie said: "After much thought, only your company's salary package is the highest. Xiaowen also agrees to work in Sihai Group."

Li Yunhai said: "No problem! As long as you discuss it well, I can arrange a job for Xiao Wen. But there is one thing you have to think clearly about. Our company is a private enterprise."

Liu Jie said: "As long as you make money, who cares about these things in what age? Xiao Wen is a college student and studied liberal arts. You can make arrangements."

Li Yunhai said: "Then work in the group office? But the salary will definitely not be as high as being a flight attendant."

Liu Jie said: "We want to have a child. She flies in the sky every day, which is dangerous and we don't have time. How can we do this? I think it's better to be down to earth. That's it."

After sending them off, Lin Zhi said: "Yunhai, you think it's strange that Liu Jie is here. His parents' workplace didn't arrange it, but they arranged for Xiaowen to come to our company."

Li Yunhai said: "We need to recruit people anyway. Xiao Wen has a university degree and is qualified to work in an office. By the way, prepare yourself. We will go to Beijin in May to recruit students in Qingbei."

"Can students from Qingbei join our company?"

"As long as you can make money. How many students from Qingbei go abroad every year? They work in foreign companies, how can they have any establishment? Isn't it just to make more money?"

"Okay, let's try it."

On this day, Nikon's technical staff came to Xizhou.

Accompanying them were several executives from Michiko and Nikon, who came to discuss cooperation with Sihai Group in building a factory.

Li Yunhai arranged for them to stay at Tianhua Hotel.

Nikon technicians went to the workshop to repair the photolithography machine that day.

Li Yunhai ordered Yue Hua and others to follow these technicians throughout the process and learn as many techniques as possible.

In the evening, Li Yunhai entertained Michiko and his party at the restaurant of Tianhua Hotel.

After dinner, Li Yunhai sent them back to their room and specifically chatted with Michiko.

"Miss Michiko, our negotiations will be held at ten o'clock tomorrow morning in the small conference room of the hotel. Are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

"Thank you, Mr. Li."

"Miss Michiko, please give us a few kind words. We must win this project."

"Mr. Li, an investment of more than 20 billion US dollars is not a small amount. Are you sure you want to participate in this project?"

"No problem, I decided to invest!"

"Okay, Mr. Li. Let's talk about the specific matters during the negotiations tomorrow, right?"

Li Yunhai said goodbye and went home, and called Lin Zhenbang to talk about the matter.

Of course Lin Zhenbang supported the project and asked: "Where do you plan to build it?"

Li Yunhai said: "Of course it is built in Xizhou Sihai Industrial Park."

Lin Zhenbang said: "Yunhai, let me be honest. For such a large investment and a high-tech company, I think it is better to place it in Shanghai or Pengcheng. It is a good thing for entrepreneurs to have feelings, but more importantly, they must have an overall view. . In addition, no matter where it ends up, you can make some fuss about such a big project. Preferential loans, policy preferences, etc. You are a smart person and don’t need me to say more."

"I know how to do it. Dad, Lin Zhi and I plan to recruit a group of talents in northern Qing Dynasty and will visit you then."

"Okay, you should have gone to Qingbei to recruit people long ago!"

The lithography machine was repaired that night.

Jiang Zhijun reported to Li Yunhai immediately.

Li Yunhai asked what the problem was.

Jiang Zhijun said that a control electronic board failed, and Nikon technicians replaced the entire electronic board, so we could not learn any maintenance skills. Unless we can produce such circuit boards ourselves.

Li Yunhai was silent.

At ten o'clock the next morning, Li Yunhai met with people from Nikon Company and conducted the first round of negotiations.

The conditions proposed by Li Yunhai are very favorable, which is why Nikon is willing to come to negotiate.

In their original plan, they never considered establishing a photolithography machine factory in my country.

But Li Yunhai is willing to provide funds, which solves one of the biggest problems and is also an advantage that South Korea cannot provide.

In addition, the two companies have always cooperated, which is also a plus.

What Nikon is most worried about now is the sales of photolithography machines.

In their view, our domestic electronics industry is relatively underdeveloped and there is not much demand for photolithography machines.

Li Yunhai proposed that in addition to producing photolithography machines, the joint venture can also produce other products. Nikon's greatest strength is optics, high-quality optical instruments including biological microscopes, digital cameras, etc.

Nikon launched its first digital camera in 1986 and has been a world leader in this field.

Li Yunhai's ambition was so great that it greatly exceeded Nikon's expectations.

Nikon thought that Li Yunhai just wanted to cooperate in the production of photolithography machines, but unexpectedly he wanted to have a comprehensive cooperation.

The senior executives who came here did not have such authority and had to ask the headquarters for instructions.

This is the end of the first round of negotiations.

Two days later, the two sides held a second round of negotiations.

After discussing with senior executives of Nikon Company, they decided to cooperate with Sihai Group.

Although Toyo people are not optimistic about my country's photolithography machine market, they are very optimistic about the market for other products, especially the industrial microscope and camera market.

They proposed that the two parties first cooperate on optical and medical products.

However, Li Yunhai insisted on achieving comprehensive cooperation, especially cooperation in lithography machine technology. If there is no lithography machine, then the entire cooperation is out of the question.

Negotiations reached a deadlock again.

Three more days later, the two sides launched the third round of talks again.

This time Nikon compromised and was willing to cooperate comprehensively, including photolithography machines.

However, the other party made a request that all technologies could only be in the hands of Japanese people.

Sihai Group invested money and efforts, but could not obtain any technology from the other party.

Of course Li Yunhai disagreed.

He spent so much money and provided a vast domestic market, just to switch to Nikon's technology.

If the other party does not provide technology, then such cooperation is meaningless.

In other words, Li Yunhai invested more than 10 billion, but only helped Nikon build several processing plants, and could only earn some processing fees.

This input-output ratio is too low.

Both sides insisted on their own opinions and refused to give in to each other.

The negotiations were unsustainable and had to be suspended.

The Nikon people went home.

Li Yunhai's plan to exchange funds for technology failed.

Sihai Group can only continue its own research and development.

The failure of the lithography machine this time also reminded Li Yunhai that the life of this machine was almost over and it was time to buy a new lithography machine.

Li Yunhai faces the most important choice next: Should he continue to purchase Nikon photolithography machines? Or develop and produce photolithography machines yourself? Or choose to cooperate with other brands?

Every step Sihai Group takes is so difficult!

And the time soon came to the end of March.

Sihai Group has ushered in the biggest event in its history, which is the relocation of its headquarters. (End of chapter)