Rebirth of America, this is my era

Chapter 202 Storm

Chapter 202 Storm
Ethan actually paid attention to everything related to MOS 6502. After all, this world's best chip was the reason why he really entered the electronic game and personal computer industries and led the way in these two industries. When the electronic game and personal computer industries were booming, the 6502 that supported them also sold very well. Around September last year, the total shipment of 6502 exceeded one million pieces. In May of this year, it broke the record of one and a half million pieces. In addition to major computer companies and electronic game companies, countless individuals also bought it. Because when cheap chips flooded the market, even the general public would be full of endless enthusiasm for technological progress.

But even if Ethan had a detailed grasp of the sales data of MOS 6502, his understanding of or involvement in Chuck Petrus and their parent company MOS was still very limited. The reason for this was... the split of the MOS 6502 founding team.

When the research and development team of MOS 6502 parted ways due to the distribution of interests, Ethan, who initially intervened in the project as a white knight, was somewhat embarrassed.

Before, when he helped these people solve legal problems, he showed a majestic attitude of "I will use my hands to make your dreams come true". But now, when the developers of cheap chips themselves are arguing over profit issues, Ethan, who saved them with his glorious image, is not suitable to stand on either side.

So, when Ethan learned that the R&D team of MOS 6502 split up and left, even if he wanted a -bit chip from the bottom of his heart, he couldn't urge Chuck Peteau. Since he couldn't put pressure on Chuck Peteau, he would call him regularly to maintain the relationship between the two parties, and leave other matters to fate. That was his only choice to maintain his image.

Ethan thought that all his efforts would be rewarded.

Not to mention rewriting history, I got a 32-bit chip that didn't exist in the previous life.

He will be able to use the cheapest 16-bit chip in history that he had in his previous life, right?

But now?

When he turned a blind eye, the major shareholder of MOS actually made big news for him?

This is crazy!

Fxxk you!

"Rockwell started out as a truck bearing manufacturer. After making their first fortune, they began to venture into other fields and invented the world's first powered miter saw, becoming a big star in the civilian manufacturing industry... Even if they had kept these businesses, they would have been a frequent guest on Fortune 500, but they didn't. Instead, they crossed over to the aircraft manufacturing industry, merged with North American Aviation, acquired the largest printing press supplier in North America, and then swallowed up Collins Radio, a leader in avionics equipment, and directly transformed into an aerospace manufacturer, and developed rockets and spacecraft specifically for our country's space program..."

"Allen Bradley's company started out with compression resistors, and then the sonic filter they launched was selected by NASA and became a member of the Apollo program..."

"On the surface, Rockwell's acquisition of Allen Bradley is aimed at Allen Bradley's industry in the defense field, but in fact it is not the case, because Allen Bradley had already been involved in the programmable logic controller industry as early as 1970. At that time, they needed a stable manufacturer, so they acquired the majority stake of MOS that year. At the same time, Rockwell announced last year that it would enter the computer industry..."

"So, according to our guess, Rockwell's acquisition target this time should still be the 6502, because now the whole world knows that it is easy to use. It not only makes the Destiny game earn a lot of money, but also allows Apple Computer to spend more money elsewhere to improve its market competitiveness..."

On the way to Mountain View, Steve Ballmer read the contents of the Wall Street Journal to Ethan, who had no interest in reading the newspaper. When Ethan learned that Rockwell had announced its strategic plan to officially enter the computer field, he sighed heavily and leaned his head heavily on the headrest of the car seat.

Having lived two lives, he knows very well that when a large company wants to get involved in other fields, acquiring a bunch of companies related to the target field is the best way to intervene in the target industry. Spending a certain amount of money to buy a certain market share is much faster than starting from scratch.

Precisely because this type of acquisition can help a company achieve cross-border operations in the shortest possible time, it must be kept confidential before the acquisition is proposed to avoid being discovered by competitors.

In this situation, hostile takeovers, which are Carl Icahn's favorite method in the financial field, have become the most common means used by large companies. They first buy up stocks on the market, and then raise their hands to make an offer when the share exceeds 5%. When the acquisition offer appears, even if competitors want to respond, it will be too late.

Of course, this behavior will also catch the target company off guard.

"Okay, okay, I get it. This is not an intelligence issue."

Ethan waved his hand, signaling Ballmer beside him to stop reading.

As someone who worked in finance in his previous life, he understood that when a giant really wanted to acquire a company, it would be impossible for them to let the outside world discover their buying spree, because the acquisition of a company's stock in small batches does not need to be announced publicly, and this is also the weakness of listed companies.

Since this kind of terrible thing cannot be prevented, Ethan will not lose his temper about this accident. Now he just wants to go to Chuck Pete's company to see the latest situation.

When he arrived in Mountain View, the first thing he saw was the endless chip factories. After three years of development, the area has grown from a few kittens to a large flock of ducks.

Although this place has never belonged to him personally and he has not come here very often, but...

It’s important!

"Mr. Jones, why are you here?" Ethan's sudden visit made the white man who had served as the general manager when the company was first founded rush out of the office. The years had left deep marks on his body, making him bald, with an oily face and a protruding belly.

Such a change made Ethan feel a little emotional. After staring at him for a while, Ethan said, "Come and take a look." At the same time, he also asked, "Is it okay here?"

"Everything is fine! Everything is fine!" The general manager with round cheeks looked like a Maitreya Buddha, and said with a smile: "Mr. Jones, it is really thanks to you. With your help, the order volume of our production company has been increasing year by year. If nothing unexpected happens, this year will definitely set a new record."

Ethan nodded slightly at these words, and the happy tone of Chuck Pete, the general manager of the company, also made him realize a problem. The news of Rockwell's acquisition did not seem to have spread here.

But this is normal, right?

Before the advent of the Internet age, all information was transmitted so slowly.

And since there is no news of acquisition, it means that there will be no changes in the factory.

This fact gave Ethan a sense of being on the wrong track.

But the next second he shook his head again, trying to get rid of all the sudden thoughts.

Just because news is delivered slowly doesn’t mean events will move slowly.

In this day and age, by the time the general public hears a piece of news, the events related to it may have happened several days ago, so - you still have to run!
Thinking of this, Ethan smiled at the general manager, “Would you like to show me the factory some time?”

"Of course!"

The fat manager raised his right hand and said, "Please come in!"

Under his leadership, Ethan also took a tour around the Chuck Pete Chip Company. There were fifteen delivery rooms and thirty production lines built in the nearly ten-acre factory.

With full efforts, after removing the waste chips, tens of thousands of finished chips can be produced every day.

Excluding mandatory holidays, this production capacity can meet all current market demands.

This fact made Ethan aware of it.

In the computer field, Allen Bradley is really worth being acquired.

“Have you been in touch with your parent company recently?”

After touring the factory, Ethan followed the fat manager to his office.

After taking a sip of the tea that the other party had brewed himself, Ethan asked what was on his mind, "Has Chuck contacted you recently? I think he should be very happy after seeing that his chips are selling like hot cakes, right?"

"Oh - Mr Jones -"

"You're right, I also think Mr. Paddle will be excited about what he has achieved."

The fat manager happily agreed with Ethan's words, but at the same time he said regretfully: "But it's a pity that I haven't communicated with him for a long time."

"The last time we met was at last year's annual meeting."

"?" Ethan raised his eyebrows at this remark, "Haven't contacted you for half a year?"

"Yes." The fat manager nodded and said, "I am responsible for submitting reports from the factory to the parent company. I go there every month, but I have never seen Mr. Paduo."

“People in the parent company always say he’s very busy.”

"Of course, I can understand this. After all, he is researching sixteen-bit chips, right?"

The fat manager could understand Chuck Petrus's busyness, but Ethan couldn't.

Because Chuck Petrus seems to have been working on sixteen-bit chips since '76?
It's been seven or eight years now. In a few months, Nezha will be born, but Chuck Padre hasn't developed the sixteen-bit chip yet?
This is not right!

Even if a lot of people left the original team, it wouldn't be right!

"Oh, so that's how it is." Ethan smiled at the strange message that suddenly appeared, "But burying yourself in research all the time will put a lot of psychological pressure on people."

"So, you call the company now?"

"Tell Chuck that we can break through the sales this year?"

"It just so happens that I haven't seen him for a long time, and I also want to hear his happy laughter."

Such words made the factory manager hesitate for a moment, but in Ethan's gentle smile, he still agreed to the proposal, and when he picked up the receiver and made a call...

However, he found that the secretary who answered the phone said that Chuck Petrus was not in the company.

"Not here?" asked the factory manager.

"Yes, Mr. Paduo is on a business trip recently." The secretary on the other end of the phone replied.

"Oh - this is such a pity -" the factory manager hung up the phone with a sigh.

This result also made Ethan express his disappointment. After staying in the factory for a while, he called over the company's financial director and his personal accountant, Allen Massey, on the pretext of wanting to check this year's financial statements. He asked him to keep an eye on it here while he returned to Palo Alto.

"Somewhat something is wrong."

Looking at the big bald head in front of him, Ethan said, "Is Chuck on a business trip? Why would a technician like him go on a business trip? And why would he go on a business trip at this time? Isn't this a little funny?"

Ballmer, who witnessed all this, nodded in agreement and suggested, "Boss, why don't you give them a call and ask them if Mr. Paddo has any conflicts with the manager here?"

To be honest, Ballmer's proposal is simply nonsense.

When MOS was the majority shareholder of Chuck Pettle's chip company, Chuck Pettle had a conflict with the general manager of the company named after him? Isn't this mentally ill?
If this general manager makes Chuck Petrold unhappy, then Chuck Petrold can just replace him, right? He has power! Why avoid him?

But Ballmer's words still made Ethan pick up the phone. When he dialed the number according to the record, the answer he got was different from what he had just heard.

"Mr. Jones, Mr. Paddo specifically told us a few days ago that his research and development is at a critical stage and he cannot see anyone during this period. I'm sorry."

"?"

This answer made Ethan frown.

Ballmer, who was listening on the side, had his mouth slightly open, looking confused.

If the acquisition offer they heard this morning surprised them, then Chuck Padre's reaction now made them realize something was wrong, because under normal circumstances...

"Under normal circumstances, when Chuck Peteau learned that the major shareholder of his company might be acquired, he should have contacted the people around him and informed them of the fact, instead of suddenly disappearing like he did now, and he should not have been willing to continue researching chips there." Ballmer said seriously, "Put yourself in his shoes. If my boss might be replaced, I would definitely not be able to work with peace of mind. I want to understand the fields that the new boss is currently involved in, I want to understand the new boss's views on our existing business, and I want to understand whether the new boss will cut projects and lay off employees. Before I figure all this out..."

“It’s impossible for me to work.”

Ballmer's idea is the attitude of a normal person.

Ethan could understand and accept it.

But his acceptance also meant that he really felt that there was something wrong with Chuck Petrus.

"But what exactly is the problem?" Ethan couldn't figure it out.

Just when he was wondering whether he should go to MOS, at four o'clock in the afternoon, one hour before the end of get off work, Ballmer rushed in again.

In the stormy times, Ethan could accept his unreasonableness, and as he looked up, Ballmer also said loudly, "Boss, there is a problem again..."

“Ding-ling-ling!——”

Before he could finish, the dedicated line on Ethan's desk rang.

While pushing the white paper in front of him to the bald man, he picked up the phone receiver.

Then he saw Ballmer writing furiously.

Then, he heard a roar——

"Ethan!!! Have you watched the news???"

This is the voice of Xiao Qiao.

"I'm watching, what's wrong?"

Ethan asked back, looking at Ballmer.

And the bald man had already raised the paper.

【Commodore International makes an offer to acquire MOS! 】

Such news made Ethan's pupils shrink suddenly.

When he glanced at the bald man for confirmation, Steve Jobs on the other end of the phone shouted, "Commodore International just announced that it has acquired 5% of MOS's shares! They are going to acquire MOS!"

"They are our direct competitors to Apple!"

"If this deal is reached, it will definitely be a huge blow to us!"

"No! Not just apples! Your video games too!"

boom--

Ethan felt like his head was about to explode!
What the hell!

Two people competing for one company?
What kind of international joke is this!

But no matter how shocked he was, he knew that he couldn't show any abnormality at this moment.

Take a deep breath.

Force a smile.

"What are you talking about?"

He said calmly: "It's not a big problem. Give me some time. This matter can be easily resolved."

"Really?" Xiao Qiao was skeptical.

"Of course." Ethan said, "Wait for my call."

"Okay." Jobs breathed a sigh of relief.

After hanging up the phone, Ethan stared at Ballmer.

"Is this real?" Ethan asked loudly.

"Yes, boss!" Ballmer nodded and said, "The latest news."

"MFxxk!" Ethan cursed.

Just as he was about to think of a countermeasure, the phone on the table rang again.

"Jingle Bell--"

This fact made Ethan shake his head, pick up the phone, and say, "Hello?"

"Mr. Jones, I would like to know if Commodore International's acquisition of MOS will have any impact on our Nintendo Kyoto chip production company?"

The guy on the other end of the phone was Minoru Arakawa.

"Mr. Jones, our Nintendo Kyoto Chip Manufacturing Company has always produced and sold MOS 6502 chips in accordance with the wishes of you and Mr. Chuck Pete."

"We have been working very hard to promote MOS 6502."

The harsh question made Ethan's face stern.

Although he wanted to grab Arakawa's collar and punch him in the face, he knew he couldn't do that. "Of course there will be no problem. We have a contract. These are just some minor incidents that will be resolved soon. You just need to wait a while and you will find that everything is back to normal."

"Okay, Mr. Jones, we at Nintendo believe in you."

Arakawa Minoru hung up the phone.

"Oh!"

The busy tone made Ethan slam the receiver on the phone.

"MFxxk!"

He cursed again, then looked at the bald man and continued: "Go and help me check..."

"Jingle Bell--"

The ringing of the bell again was like an invisible hand, which instantly made Ethan's breath stop.

The continuous interruptions made him stare at the phone on the table with anger on his face.

After finding out that the phone that rang this time was not his own private line but the company's internal line, he immediately picked up the receiver and yelled, "Who is it? What's going on?"

The sudden roar seemed to scare the staff on the other end of the phone.

After a two-second pause, the administrative girl's voice was heard.

"Boss...someone called to see you..."

"Who?" Ethan asked in a bad tone.

He knew there was something wrong with his emotions, but he just couldn't control them.

And his inquiry received an unexpected answer.

"Yes, the other party said that he, he is the CEO of Motorola, Robert Galvin——"

"?"

This name surprised Ethan.

Because he had no idea why the CEO of Motorola was calling at this time.

However, even though Ethan thought this guy was a bit nosy, he still had to answer the call at this moment.

"Get in."