The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 457 Win-win
From any perspective, Mr. Ren's considerations are correct. He is also a business owner, and he can help in any way he can, but he cannot gamble with the future and fate of his own company just to help.

Liu Hua tapped his fingers on Lao Ren's desk a few times. He thought for a moment and then said, "I know I'm being abrupt. I'm doing this for my company, and you're doing this for yours. Let's try to create a win-win situation."

"How about this?" Liu Hua continued, "I believe I have some expertise in semiconductors, both in hardware and software. Last year you launched optical transmission and data communication services, and this year you officially entered the GSM wireless communication business. How about I help you optimize and improve your solutions?"

With a thud, Lao Ren slid off his chair. This plan was more than just feasible; it was absolutely perfect.

Liu Hua is an absolute authority in the semiconductor field in China. If he were to personally take charge, his technology would definitely improve by several levels.

Actually, Lao Ren had his own little scheme at first. He planned that if Liu Hua's students were all over the world, and if he could introduce his favorite student to work at Huawei, Lao Ren would definitely sign the contract without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, Liu Hua agreed to take action personally; it was like a windfall.

Old Ren scrambled to his feet, smiling as he asked, "Where's the contract? I'll sign it now."

"Aren't you going to reconsider? Besides, we haven't even discussed the price of this chip."

Old Ren shook his head: "With such good exchange terms, what am I even considering? If I think about it for even a second longer, it would tarnish your status in academia and insult my own intelligence."

Liu Hua was only there to discuss things and hadn't prepared a contract beforehand, but Lao Ren couldn't wait to have his company's legal counsel draft it. He couldn't miss such a good opportunity and couldn't hesitate for a second. He wanted to sign the contract today to put his mind at ease.

Three months, 3.5 million chips of various types. Of course, these are not the most advanced ones. Liu Hua cannot produce the most advanced ones for the time being. Moreover, Liu Hua's asking price is not high enough. The price is basically the same as that of domestic companies, so as not to impact other domestic companies.

Old Ren said doubtfully, "Your factory has just started up. Isn't this price a bit too cheap? If you were one of those state-owned semiconductor companies, you would be able to bring down costs because of your larger scale. You can't bring down your costs yet."

"I'm losing money to gain publicity," Liu Hua said with a smile. "And I can afford to lose."

"That's true. You're basically the richest person in the country, and you should be considered one of the top people internationally as well."

Liu Hua certainly wouldn't lose money to gain publicity; the chip manufacturing technology he used was obtained through a system exchange, and its yield rate was frighteningly high.

Furthermore, some less advanced chips are printed using 3D printers, which further reduces costs. It is estimated that by the end of the year, about half of the chips may be printable using 3D printers, which will further reduce costs and improve yield rates.

Old Ren was very happy and insisted on treating Liu Hua to dinner. Instead of going to a fancy hotel, he wanted to go to his favorite street food stall.

To show his hospitality, Lao Ren ordered a bunch of famous Cantonese dishes, such as Dragon and Phoenix Dumplings and raw marinated dishes.

"Boss Ren, you've never eaten these things before," the food stall owner said with a smile. "Why did you decide to try them today? I've recommended them to you so many times before, but you never dared to eat them."

Liu Hua laughed heartily: "Because I'm here today, Boss Ren is using me as a guinea pig. Old Ren, you don't dare to eat it, but you want me to? Do you think I dare to eat it?" "You don't dare to eat it either?" Old Ren said with a smile: "I thought you'd come all this way to the South, so shouldn't I let you try some local specialties?"

Liu Hua shook his head: "I've never eaten anything so bizarre in my life. It's truly an eye-opener. No wonder some people say that people from eastern Guangdong dare to eat people from Hubei and Jianzhou."

Old Ren could only turn around and say to the boss, "Then just order the same menu as before."

The owner brought over a plate of stir-fried beef noodles and said with a smile, "I didn't touch any of those dishes you mentioned. You look like an out-of-towner, and I've never seen many out-of-towners dare to eat these kinds of dishes."

Liu Hua said with a wicked grin, "Old Ren, didn't you hear? The boss is trying to provoke you. Why don't you try the boss's good intentions today?"

Why don't you try it?

Liu Hua shook his head: "When it comes to food, I've never been very daring. Even though I'm from Beijing and grew up here, I wouldn't dare to try douzhi (fermented mung bean juice). Speaking of douzhi, next time you come to Beijing, I'll treat you to some."

In the era before the internet was widespread, it was difficult for outsiders to know about the local delicacies, especially the unusual ones.

For example, people from other places don't know just how bad West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce is now.

As they ate and chatted, Lao Ren said gratefully, "If you had personally taken charge this time, our company's plan would have been secured. Three months and 3.5 million chips are just a trial run. As long as we cooperate well, you won't have to worry about chip orders. Our company's products cannot be separated from chips, and the number of orders will continue to increase in the future."

"I'm not worried about that. Everything is difficult at the beginning." Liu Hua said while drinking sweet potato soup. "With our company's technology, our chips are going for a high-quality and low-priced approach, so we definitely won't have to worry about sales. Our company's production equipment is much more advanced than that of ordinary chip processing companies."

"Isn't chip production all about lithography machines and etching machines?" Ren Zhengfei asked curiously. "Have you developed the latest generation of lithography machines? I've heard that ASML from abroad is quite advanced in this area, and Nikon and Canon from Japan also have good technology."

Liu Hua smiled dismissively: "Our technology has an overwhelming advantage over them. We're not even on the same level. Even if they have another fifty years, they still won't catch up with us."

"You're not using a lithography machine after all?" Old Ren exclaimed in surprise. "You've discovered a new principle for chip manufacturing?"

Liu Hua nodded, and Lao Ren slapped the table with joy: "Great! You should announce it. You are all my suppliers, and I was kept in the dark. This should be publicized in a big way to boost morale in the country."

Liu Hua waved his hand: "No, I don't plan to do this. I know you, Lao Ren, are a trustworthy person, which is why I'm telling you this. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't even mention it."

"Thank you for the compliment," Old Ren said with a smile. "But you've piqued my curiosity. I happen to have some free time recently, so could I come and visit your place?"

(End of this chapter)