Rebirth 07: Start adding points from elementary school students

Chapter 496 Too Late

Of course, Li Yan would not tell anyone that “the lithography machine is too simple”.

But he did think so. It was not just a momentary thought, but a very clear idea.

Of course, it is undeniable that the key to "replicating" the lithography machine is still the word "replica".

If he hadn't bought this lithography machine, Li Yan would never have been able to figure out how to use it...

?
Ever since he first understood the difficulty of lithography machines, he has always felt a sense of confusion in his heart.

Does this thing use some extraordinary knowledge, or is it simply because of the monopoly that has accumulated enough industrial advantages?
Judging from various advanced materials and feedback from professional experts, what is holding them back is cost.

Research costs, manufacturing costs.

Everyone actually knows the principle.

But the road ahead is long and the cost of exploration is very high.

The result of blindly investing heavily in the market is likely to be that you will repeat all the mistakes made by your predecessors, and end up paying a huge price to reach the end...

Then I found out that others had moved the finish line far back.

In a utopian world, human scientific research results should be interoperable, and only if everyone avoids duplicating each other's paths can there be hope of continuously breaking through the limits of science and technology.

And the fact is, making money is really important.

Once a technological monopoly emerges, its owner will do everything possible to maintain it.

The monopolist exchanges technology for money, and the monopolist is also happy to exchange money for technology.

It’s just like the thoughts of all the copycat phone manufacturers before Li Yan’s Jiaolong phone came out.

I can buy the raw materials with money, simply package them and sell them, making money over and over again.

From a business model perspective, this is a good model that can be replicated, mutually beneficial, and form healthy competition.

Li Yan suddenly thought of developing his own operating system.

Is it really that difficult?
If it was really as difficult as climbing to the sky, Li Yan could have solved it on his own when his overall skills had not yet reached 70% progress.

Could it be that the combined strength of China, with so many great people, is not as strong as that of a half-finished product like Li?
Now that Li Yan has broken through 70% across the board, wouldn’t he be able to kill the academician with just a smile?
With a skill that has reached 78% progress, wouldn’t that mean he is at the top of humanity?

Will you become a superman after 80%?
Obviously not.

Li Yan did not go to learn with the idea of ​​completely replicating the lithography machine. Before buying this machine, he had accumulated a lot of knowledge base. He understood the principles and had thought about many possible operating methods.

During the disassembly process, for many details, Li Yan did not have a sudden realization of "this is how it is done", but rather a calm attitude of "as expected".

Until everything was disassembled, Li Yan didn't find anything particularly amazing.

This can be seen from the fact that his "Mechanical" skill has difficulty making any further progress after breaking through 70%.

One thing that must be admitted is that if Li Yan were to test the ideas in his mind without any reference, the amount of testing would be very terrifying.

Spending money is inevitable, and spending time is also necessary.

Continuous trial and error, continuous matching, is the only way to success.

To put it more optimistically, even if Li Yan had not bought this lithography machine, he would definitely be able to make it.

You mentioned these things. As the vice president of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the national-level person in charge of the lithography machine project, is it possible that Shi Lei doesn't know about them?
Of course not.

Li Yan had to re-examine the meaning of the four words "can't do it".

In the context of "must be done", using an abacus in a tiled house and putting drafts in sacks were still ways to handle the most cutting-edge technology of mankind at that time.

After all, there is currently no "must-do" requirement to develop one's own operating system or lithography machine.

Then these studies need to consider cost-effectiveness, and some problems will only become problems when resources are limited.

"The parts for lithography machines come from all over the world. It is not a product that can be made by one country alone."

In fact, there is no "can't", just "don't need to".

Unnecessarily high investment is not reasonable.

Academician Ni's self-developed operating system research eventually led to him being stripped of his position as chief engineer of Lianxiang, and all subsequent research was just "part".

But some studies have only "part" of them and are meaningless.

Li Yan sighed.

The reason why he achieved these two things was because he gave an answer to the key issue of "interest".

He spends his own money.

And if he succeeds, he can indeed get exaggerated profits.

In the end, a win-win situation was achieved for all parties - except those on the opposing side.

"After studying it for so many days, I didn't understand any new 'whys' at all. It's just a collection of 'hows'. When I told you it was a 'toy', I must have been joking. I just didn't expect that it was actually no different from a big toy that was difficult to make by assembling parts."

Li Yan really didn't intend to show off with this rhetoric, nor did he intend to reveal the progress of lithography machine development to anyone so early.

But when Shi Lei heard that Li Yan had found the optics laboratory, he couldn't sit still.

There's nothing he can do. It was this old man who forced him to tell the truth and show off.

"You've got it done?"

Shi Lei's expression now is very complicated, and even with Li Yan's writing skills, it is difficult to describe it clearly.

"That's definitely not a done deal."

Shi Lei actually felt relieved.

"I thought you had mastered the lithography machine in such a short time. It's really scary."

"I still need some time." Li Yan sighed, "Like I told you before, I can understand the size and function of all the parts, but I still need some help to produce them."

"Hmm?" Shi Lei frowned again. "From what you said, you have completed the theoretical research?"

"You can say that."

Shi Lei's expression still fluctuated violently, "What?"

"There's no need to get so excited, Mr. Shi." Li Yan smiled softly, "It's just a theory."

"You have completed your theoretical research?"

Li Yan raised her eyebrows, looked at Shi Lei in front of her with a shocked expression, and took a sip of coffee.

"Let's wait until I and the Optics Laboratory finish testing the optical components before we discuss progress."

Li Yan's rare politeness calmed Shi Lei down, and he found the explanation that made it easiest for him to understand:
The theoretical research that Li Yan mentioned is not the outrageous method of "understanding all the parts" discussed before.

So from theoretical research to implementation, there are still many layers of testing in between.

"Yes, it's my idea that's outrageous. I actually thought that you can make products immediately after completing theoretical research." Shi Lei laughed, "Obviously, we all know that photolithography is an industrial problem after all."

Li Yan didn't plan to explain anything, but just sighed:

"But I have to admit that I have also benefited from the motherland. Without China's current industrial level and development potential, it would be wishful thinking for me to build a lithography machine with my personal ability."

Shi Lei didn't understand what the words "it's natural" meant.

But it doesn't matter, he just needs to know that there are things he needs to communicate with later. Li Yan needs to first confirm what kind of high-tech industrial conditions there are at present, so that he can better grasp the opportunity for the birth of domestic lithography machines.

The lithography machine project was originally intended to counter sanctions against the United States, and the timing must be something that requires careful consideration.

Whatever is done, the impact must be maximized.

If you want to show off, you have to be the best you can be. Not only should the results be explosive, but they should also come at just the right time.

For example, when America can no longer sit still.

The Jiaolong mobile phone has been officially launched internationally, with sales outlets in more than 20 countries on six continents.

The results on the first day were amazing.

In relatively developed regions, most of the sales easily achieved the "sold out" achievement.

On the contrary, in the underdeveloped areas, there was much ado about nothing. There was a constant stream of people entering the stores, and news media came in one after another, but the final transaction volume was mediocre.

Sun Miao, who had been holding back for a few days, talked incessantly in front of Li Yan, his eyes brighter with every piece of data he mentioned.

"In Southeast Asia, our achievements are also very impressive. Currently..."

"That's enough." Li Yan interrupted him. "The situation is basically the same as I expected. For underdeveloped areas, the selling price may still be a bit high. Sun Miao, you can organize the relevant departments and come up with a price control plan based on the current sales situation. We can make concessions in some places and increase prices appropriately in other places. Don't let them think it's a bargain and say the first batch of discounts is over."

"Okay." Sun Miao held back his emotions.

Li Yan continued to operate something on the computer with an expressionless face. Ten seconds later, he said:
"Anything else?"

Sun Miao scratched his head awkwardly, "Uh, Mr. Li, do you think your grades are not good enough?"

"Not really. More than half of the sales outlets have been sold out. There are long queues in many European countries. It would be pretentious to say you are not satisfied."

"Yes, the sales volume is amazing! It is basically a replica of the domestic curve! And the potential of the international market is obviously greater! We can continue to expand the business of Super Life Circle in the future..."

Sun Miao excitedly released his emotions for two minutes, but he didn't see any change in Li Yan's expression.

Is this a way to make money? No one had expected that the high-tech industry would expand into the international market so smoothly.

Maybe. After all, even Sun Miao himself is no longer excited about the dividends.

When the amount of money exceeds a certain level, making money becomes a task and a habit.

Humans are creatures whose stimulation threshold is constantly increasing.

"Yes, even I have begun to think about pursuing higher goals, let alone you."

Why are you suddenly bringing this up?
Li Yan put away her speechless expression, "Brother Miao, you don't have to think so much. I just simply feel that the current results are all within expectations, so I am not excited. It does not affect my value judgment of these work achievements, don't worry."

“…As expected of you.”

"Of course, business is not completely rational, but the basic logic will not deviate. If the product's advantage in 'competitiveness' is strong enough, the business rules will become very simple and crude." Li Yan said, "When our mobile phones go to developed regions, they are basically the embodiment of 'good quality and low price'."

Sun Miao nodded frantically.

“Everyone can do the math to buy the best product in this category at a price far lower than similar products. In the face of absolute advantages, the ‘risk’ can be simplified in evaluation.”

"Risk?" Sun Miao said, "You mean, we need to control the speed of expansion..."

Li Yan shook her head. "The international market is different from the domestic market. We can control the direction of the public opinion war to a certain extent in China, but not abroad. We have to push the volume when it's time to push it. With the current trend, for at least a month, you don't have to think about control. Instead, you have to think about whether the current production capacity can keep up."

"Oh! So you mean that foreign capital is waging a propaganda war against us?"

Li Yan smiled and said, "The war of public opinion is also a two-fold situation at home and abroad. No matter what, as an electronic product, as long as you have both the ultimate cost-effectiveness and advanced leadership, you will naturally occupy the high ground of public opinion. At present, the company that forms the most direct competition with us is still Pineapple Company. Just look at how angry they are because of Mr. Huang's handwritten letter, and you will understand how much advantage we have."

“So, what risks are you worried about?”

Sun Miao blinked his eyes sincerely.

Can’t stand it... Li Yan has a feeling that the intelligence of his elites will be reduced when facing him.

"When you are advancing at full speed, you must be especially careful of those behind you." Li Yan said, "Being at the front is the most eye-catching. Our enemies are definitely not just what we see, and they are definitely not kind people.

"Especially those opponents you thought you had defeated."

Sun Miao seemed excited by these two sentences, "We have already set off a bloody storm, and the old king will surely launch the most fierce attack on the new king!"

...I'm not the eldest brother, don't be so childish. Being childish is what Mr. Li should do at his age.

Moreover, Li Yan highly suspected that Sun Miao did not understand the meaning of his words at all.

"Judging from the current sales volume and the performance of Pineapple Phone 5, we have undoubtedly become the world's number one in the mobile phone field. And we have inflicted such a heavy blow to Pineapple Phone. It is impossible for America to sit idly by." Li Yan explained.

“So they will definitely go all out in the war of public opinion.”

Li Yan decided not to chat with Sun Miao anymore.

He sighed softly, "They have the ability to strangle us, and this is the way to destroy us from the root. Take chips for example. If they are shameless enough to sanction us directly, we will have problems with the subsequent production of Jiaolong Phone 2, not to mention Jiaolong Phone 1. Self-developed systems and super life circles are all nonsense. The so-called 'industry leader' will become a joke in an instant."

Sun Miao's eyes widened. "No way, isn't the theme of international cooperation? We are also a big customer of chip manufacturers..."

will not?

At least in the future, America won't even bother to act.

Before his rebirth, Li Yan, an ordinary person who had nothing to do with the electronics industry and seldom read the news, knew all this.

Li Yan was suddenly stunned. How could memories be revived synchronously to such an extent?

But there is nothing to be surprised about. As a player in the game, he has even made plans for this possibility in advance. There is not much significance in knowing that "the Americans will indeed do this."

While Sun Miao was still surprised, there was a sudden and rapid knock on the office door.

"Come in."

It was Wang Zi who looked a little nervous: "Mr. Li, Secretary Huang, representatives from Shiyuan and Huaxin International came to visit suddenly and said they have something very urgent to discuss with you."

When Li Yan arrived at the meeting room, he saw that the middle-aged men all had serious expressions and knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for had come.

"Li Yan," Secretary Huang was here in person, so it was natural for him to speak up, "According to reliable information, the United States wants to force us to return the lithography machines by accusing us of problems with the lithography machine deal with Asma."

"If he says there's a problem, then there's a problem?" Li Yan didn't expect the solution to be so rough.

"Alas," the CEO of Sinochip International sighed, "They have plenty of ways. After all, Asma is controlled by them. They can even say that there is a problem with the lithography machine and recall it."

"What about the money I spent on the lithography machine?"

"Of course we will try to get it back..." Secretary Huang was stunned for a moment after saying this, "This is not the crux of the problem. You are so smart, you should know what America's move means."

"Just targeting me." Li Yan's tone was relaxed.

Shi Lei smelled something and asked, "Well, what do you think?"

"Just recalling this one? No direct cut-off from the Chinese market or anything like that?"

"No, it shouldn't be necessary, right?" Secretary Huang was a little confused about what Li Yan meant.

The point of the issue now is not that the research on lithography machines is about to be interrupted?
Li Yan sighed, "Well, that means they still underestimated me."

Hmm? The big guys opposite Li Yan all leaned forward with their eyes wide open.

Kind of funny.

"They are late." Li Yan said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)