Rebirth 98, the rise started from ripping off Microsoft

As soon as Lu Yiming heard Hu Zhengming's tone, he knew that the two of them had reached a crucial point. In ancient times, it was necessary for the emperor to choose his ministers, and the ministers also chose the emperor. This is especially true in the modern business field.

Real high-level talents can never be poached by money alone. You have to have enough career and achievements to make dragons and phoenixes among these people work for you.

Especially for Hu Zhengming, a leader in the semiconductor field, Lu Yiming valued it very much, so he said solemnly: "Professor Hu, please tell me."

Based on past experience, Hu Zhengming said to Lu Yiming in a serious tone: "Process catch-up is a project that will continue to burn money, and as long as it fails, it will not be able to bring profits. When I was at TSM, their annual R&D The cost is close to 10% of the annual revenue, which is quite strong, and it is impossible for Yixin to move forward without spending money, and it is not a small amount of money.”

Although Lu Yiming is already the richest man in Asia, in Hu Zhengming's view, semiconductors are a national-level industry. Not to mention the power of the whole country, at least tens of billions of funds must be invested, and success may not be guaranteed. Private capitalists invest in this industry. , To be honest, it is better to speculate in stocks.

Take 100 billion to the stock market, and the trader can easily cut leeks.

But it can be used to engage in semiconductors, let alone trading, you don’t have the qualifications to take over.

If it weren't for Lu Yiming's sincerity, he has already built the factory, purchased the machines, and heard that he is still vigorously developing a new generation of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, Hu Zhengming would not have accepted the invitation of Yixin Technology at all.

Afterwards, Hu Zhengming thought of Hu Weiwu again, so he went on to say: "I heard from Mr. Hu that the research and development investment of the Godson project last year was less than 10 billion, and the revenue was far lower than that of TSM. If the research and development investment does not increase. It is even more difficult to catch up.”

Lu Yiming understood Hu Zhengming's meaning in an instant - the Godson project had to continue to spend money, and it was super doubled!
Regarding the current situation of Loongson, he also talked with Hu Weiwu when he was in Zhonghai. Many of the latest news came from Bian Bo. Loongson’s research and development investment in 04 was about 8000 million. However, it includes chip design and chip processing.

When Hu Zhengming comes to a chip, it must be brought in for research and development, and the research and development is chip processing. After all, no matter how good the design is, if you can't manufacture it, it means nothing.

If other bosses heard that the scientific research funding would be doubled, they might be so impatient that they would jump their feet. With an investment of [-] billion a year, there is no guarantee that they will make money within five years. do that?

Moreover, Hu Zhengming wanted money and doubled it when he came here, so it might be a real challenge to change someone.But Lu Yiming is different. He knows the future trend, and he is even more fortunate that the problem can be solved by throwing money at present.

As we all know, problems that can be solved with money are not problems.

Therefore, Lu Yiming happily said: "Okay, starting next year, the research and development expenditure of Yixin Technology will be doubled."

Although Hu Zhengming is stating the facts, in fact he has no hope. After all, capitalists pay attention to profits and return on investment. It is risky and risky to invest in chips with large and slow results, and they have to face the patent barriers of the predecessors. Who is in the right mind? Will capitalists invest in this?

As for the country's prosperity and technological progress?

That's none of my business.

Hu Zhengming had already experienced this kind of thing several times, so he just cried poor routinely, but unexpectedly, Lu Yiming agreed without hesitation, and didn't even bargain with him.

In his view, the declaration of scientific research funding is a kind of extravagant asking price to pay back the money on the spot. If I apply for double, even if the boss refuses to agree, adding 30% is also very good.As a result, Lu Yiming doubled directly without any hesitation.

Lu Yiming's attitude immediately made Hu Zhengming feel that his choice of returning to China was very correct.

He agreed to come to Yixin Technology, more or less with a patriotic heart, hoping that the semiconductor industry of the motherland can improve, and Yixin really has the initial conditions. Naturally, he does not want to waste time on the sidelines. End to promote the development of the entire industry.

In the end, before Hu Zhengming recovered from the shock, Lu Yiming asked: "Then I will invest 20 billion first, do you think it is enough?"

20 billion!
Hu Zhengming was a little excited. He tried his best to restrain his emotions, and said in a calm tone as much as possible: "For the time being, it is enough. With this money, we can start to overcome the difficulties of 90nm. This step is relatively good. Next The 65nm is a huge test, and we will continue to burn money at that time."

During Hu Zhengming's tenure as the technology executive of TSM, in addition to helping TSM complete the technical accumulation of fin field effect transistors, the most important job was to upgrade the 90nm processing technology.

This is his old business, so he is still very confident in helping Yixin Technology solve this step.

"Okay, Professor Hu, let me do it, and let me solve the money problem."

After listening to Hu Zhengming's words, Lu Yiming became excited instantly. Lin Benjian's extreme ultraviolet lithography machine has already taken shape, and it will be successfully developed in a few years. This is thanks to the rapid development of the domestic optical field in the past few years. , A large number of geniuses emerged one after another.

There is no doubt that this is the result of Lu Yiming burning a lot of money before.

But it wasn't the first day that Hu Zhengming came out to play around. Lu Yiming talked so lively, but how much he could implement in the end was a question.

"Mr. Lu, your 20 billion is a real 20 billion, won't it shrink?"

Lu Yiming laughed and said, "Never shrink!"

Although this is what he said, Hu Zhengming's worries are still there.Over the years, Lu Yiming has spent a lot of money, investing in the layout of the semiconductor industry, and supporting the development of the software industry.

Of course Lu Yiming knew what Hu Zhengming was thinking. In fact, these things that Hu Zhengming was worried about had happened more than once in history.

He resolutely said to Hu Zhengming: "You don't have to worry, I will make chips even if I sell iron. At worst, I will be the richest man in Asia first. Besides, making money has never been a difficult thing for me. We will Don't compare, see if you burn money faster or I make money faster?"

Lu Yiming, the richest man in Asia, many of them are counted in the value of the shares in the hands of well-known companies, such as Facebook and Google.If you want to realize it, you can sell these stocks directly, and exchanging money is definitely not a problem.It's just that cashing out is a one-shot deal. After the sell-off, whether you can keep your position as the richest man in Asia is a question mark.

But Lu Yiming didn't care at all. He never felt that the title of Asia's richest man brought him any value. If it was gone, it would be gone.

When Hu Zhengming heard this, he was immediately overwhelmed with emotion.

"In order to make chips, Mr. Lu is willing to give up the throne of the richest man in Asia. It seems that he has true love for the chip industry."

Lu Yi clearly changed the subject, and said with a smile: "You think too much, I'm just optimistic about the chip industry, and I plan to become the world's richest man based on this."

Hu Zhengming: "..."

Good guy, did I touch myself?

Although Lu Yiming's words were too truthful, Hu Zhengming did not shake his opinion of Lu Yiming.

Even if Lu Yi made it clear that it was because he was optimistic about the development prospects of this industry and in order to make a lot of money in the future, that's fine, at least he was willing to invest.Is it better than those so-called entrepreneurs who don't even shout slogans?
How can a capitalist not want to make money?
But those who are willing to devote themselves like Lu Yiming, calm down, and "play a long line to catch big fish" are still rare.

With the official joining of Hu Zhengming, the shelf of Yixin Technology has finally been set up.

Fuda Microelectronics Laboratory is responsible for chip research and development, and Yixin Technology is responsible for chip processing. In this way, the combination of two swords can be described as a strong alliance, and the development potential far exceeds that of any domestic counterpart.

History has come to this point, and it is already stepping on a fork in the road of fate. Even Lu Yiming himself can't predict whether he will win or lose in the future.

But some things have to be done.

In the office, Lu Yiming was resting his legs on the desk, watching the latest story with relish.Li Yiwen sat across from him nervously sorting out the company's information.

He said dissatisfiedly: "According to your tossing method, Future Capital will go bankrupt within four years!"

His interests are highly tied to Lu Yiming, if Lu Yiming goes to the street, he will have to take a break.

Lu Yiming calmly removed the story from his face, and said with a smile: "Four years? It's better than I expected. I thought I would go bankrupt in three years. It seems that my operation is not enough."

Li Yiwen said depressedly: "Are you still in the mood to joke here?"

Lu Yiming joked: "People who love to laugh are not too unlucky."

Li Yiwen glared at him and said, "Aren't you talking nonsense? Which unlucky bastard can laugh?"

Lu Yiming withdrew his legs and said with emotion: "Don't worry, the enemy has no guns or cannons for us. Don't underestimate the strength of the leeks in the beautiful country."

In a few years, there will be a subprime mortgage crisis. When the time comes, we will go to a beautiful country to make some national disasters. Will we have the funds for the construction of semiconductors?
Lu Yiming believes that as a beacon of civilization and a free country, the beauty of hospitality must not let him return without success.

Li Yiwen shifted the topic to Hu Zhengming: "After Hu Zhengming came to Yixin Technology, he quickly integrated the entire technical team successfully, and the cohesion was unprecedentedly strengthened. Where did you find such a talent?"

Lu Yiming was very proud, and said: "Professor Hu as the CTO of Yixin Technology must be enough to calm down any great talent who comes to Yixin. After all, this is a technical expert who used to be the chief technology officer of TSM. His Academic achievements, academician honors and other aspects need not be repeated, they will impress other technical personnel who have been dug over, and even help us attract more talents in the industry."

Liang Mengsong is Hu Zhengming's disciple, and Lu Yiming also recruited Hu Zhengming through Liang Mengsong's relationship.

In the semiconductor industry, many talents know each other. In a sense, it can be said that "pull out the carrot and bring out the mud". If you find a top talent, you can follow the vines and dig other talents. Price.

A talent like Hu Zhengming who understands both technology and management is really rare.And he was in charge of upgrading the 90nm process during the TSM period, which is the next step of Yixin's process direction.

It can be said that according to the strength that Yixin itself can provide, Hu Zhengming will lead the company to conquer 90nm sooner or later, and even work hard, maybe there is hope to catch up with the world's first-class 65nm process level.

Difficult, but worth trying!

A few days later, Lu Yiming went to Yixin Technology for a walk as usual. Speaking of this matter, he asked Hu Zhengming: "Professor Hu, how likely is it that our thing can catch up with the world's first-class?"

Hu Zhengming was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "There is still a huge gap between the research and development capabilities of Yixin Technology and TSM. As for the introduction of technology, I am afraid it is impossible. We can only catch up with ourselves. But we are working hard. The opponents are not sleeping, and TSM will not let us grow."

With the factory put into production, Yixin Technology has the capability of small-scale mass production, and a stage with room for display has gradually been built.

Can it catch up with the world-class footsteps in the future?

Can you fight head-on with the industry giant TSM?

Although Lu Yiming knew that the road ahead would be extremely tortuous, not only would he encounter fair competition in the free market, but he would also encounter unreasonable suppression from Damei, but every time he thought of these, he felt even more excited.

To be hysterically suppressed by the most powerful force in the world is definitely a badge of honor.The most wonderful thing in the world is the affirmation from the enemy.

Hu Zhengming said very rationally: "The biggest problem facing Yixin Technology at present is the market. Our current chips are still at a backward level. We can't expect our partners to cooperate with us under the banner of patriotism. This is simply not true. What is possible is that what other companies want is profit. We can’t sell products, and we can’t make money to continue investing in research and development. It’s impossible for you to spend money alone.”

"Even if we really gritted our teeth and insisted on spending money to reach the world's advanced level, as long as they lower the price, our customers will lose again. This has happened many times in history. For example, in the field of shield machines , in the field of high-speed rail. When our technology is not good enough, they will sell it at a very high price. Once our technology catches up, they will cut the price and smash the market. Our products still cannot be sold. After all, products with similar technology levels have cost advantages. and technological maturity.”

In order to monopolize the memory stick market, the Samsung Group in Bangzi Country once engaged in a frenzied price war, killing the entire DRAM market into a river of blood.

Don't think that only domestic companies like to fight price wars, and foreign companies will only become more ruthless in price wars.

In order to stabilize the morale of the army, Lu Yiming said: "As long as Godson goes into production, we can get official orders and some research and development subsidies."

However, Hu Zheng made it clear that he would not accept this at all: "Relying on these things will not really make Yixin Technology develop and grow. We must have a stable market as our rear."

The current chip market is mainly on the PC side. In this regard, Lu Yiming does not think that a newcomer like himself can shake the market share of traditional giants such as Intel.

Obviously, Hu Zhengming also thought so.

Lu Yiming said: "Don't worry about market share. I don't pay attention to Intel at all, and I never regard it as a competitor."

Hu Zhengming was puzzled: "If you want to make chips, who else is your opponent but Intel?"

Lu Yiming said frankly to Hu Zhengming: "No, I shouldn't say that. Intel is just one of my opponents, and computer chips are just a part of chips. In addition to computer chips, I also value mobile phone chips. Even in the future Mobile phone chips are no less important than computer chips."

"Mobile phone chip? What kind of chip does a mobile phone need?"

The feature phones currently in use only need a circuit board to solve the problem, and there is no such thing as a chip at all.

A chip is technically a circuit board, but it is a "VLSI".Not a conceptual thing.

Lu Yiming briefly told Hu Zhengming about the smartphone.

Hu Zhengming was suddenly shocked: "Your idea is really wonderful!"

The current mobile phone has not yet entered the smart era, and the requirements for chips are not high. If Yixin Technology enters the market early, it can be said that it will use the same starting line as traditional semiconductor companies. This advantage is too great!
Even better, it can bypass Intel's "Maginot Line of Defense" around the field of PC chips and directly create a brand new blue ocean market.

Hu Zhengming admired Lu Yiming's strategic choice and said: "In this way, Yixin Technology is indeed likely to stand out from the encirclement."

After learning about Lu Yiming's brand new secret plan, Hu Zhengming thought about it carefully, and then said: "According to Mr. Lu, I think the chip development and processing ideas have to be adjusted."

The chip designed before was mainly based on the needs of the PC side. Now that Lu Yiming has informed the smartphone strategy, Hu Zhengming naturally has to adjust the direction and focus of research and development.

Lu Yiming raised his eyebrows and asked, "Do you want to change it?"

Hu Zhengming explained: "In the current chip field, there are mainly two architectures, one is Intel's X86, and the other is ARM. The focus of the design of the two chips is different. ARM pays more attention to function The power consumption should be lower, while the x86 architecture pays more attention to performance. For computers, due to the large size of the computer, the corresponding space is also large, so it is still possible in terms of heat dissipation. So for the choice of architecture, you only need to choose a more A high-performance chip is enough, but for a mobile phone, the volume and space are relatively small, so the cooling capacity is not very strong, so when choosing an architecture, pay more attention to the cooling performance.”

"I think that Yixin Technology can first develop a chip specifically for the needs of smartphones based on the ARM architecture."

Lu Yiming thought about it. The A-series chips of the previous fruit phones were all self-developed, so they could develop their own performance to the extreme. The chip performance is at least better than that of the previous generation. It can be seen that the chip R&D design was spent on spending money. , the ability is still very strong.

With successful cases, Lu Yiming naturally did not hesitate: "The first and second generations of Maomao mobile phones can use the ARM architecture, but I hope that the third-generation and later Maomao mobile phones can have an exclusive chip architecture. The performance strength has to be unique.”

Hu Zhengming said in embarrassment: "It is possible, but..."

"but what?"

"You have to pay more."