Who would still start a business seriously after being reborn?

Chapter 657 Can a person die from holding in their pee?
Enze Capital reacted strongly, demanding that the European Commission and relevant regulatory bodies pay close attention to the matter and conduct a serious investigation into Intel and AMD's actions in accordance with EU antitrust laws and regulations, in order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of EU companies from infringement.

Meanwhile, the EU was also shocked by the Wintel alliance's tactics for several days.

Are they crazy?
Is it really that blatant?

The Wintel alliance's supply disruption was quickly escalated by Enze Capital into a accusation of US tech giants suppressing EU companies.

Most importantly, every word presented by Enze Capital is true.

Enze Capital boasts the purest British heritage, while Momo Group is a technology company wholly owned by a European enterprise.

Now, the Wintel alliance's actions are clearly aimed at suppressing the globalization efforts of European companies.

Enze Capital's statement quickly won the natural sympathy of political forces, media, and the public who were wary and dissatisfied with American technological hegemony.

The statement caused an uproar in European public opinion.

Many European media outlets began reporting on the issue with headlines such as "Is America's Technological Fist Crushing European Capital?" and "The Wintel Alliance's Monopolistic Ambitions," offering a completely different perspective from North American media.

Just as Enze Capital's statement attracted widespread attention, Lei Jun, a well-known internet celebrity in the European internet and media circles, also got busy.

He seemed to become a sought-after guest on financial talk shows on major European television and radio stations overnight.

From the BBC and Sky News in the UK, to BFM TV in France, ZDF in Germany, and Euronews in Europe, you can see his approachable figure everywhere.

In a prime-time interview program, when asked by the host about the chip supply disruption, Lei Jun did not answer directly, but smiled and said: "Host, viewers, I'm sure you all know about the Toshiba incident in the 80s."

"Let's not talk about the Toshiba incident for now, since it's too far removed from our lives. Let's talk about Europe instead. How was Alstom, a French company that was once a global giant in the rail transportation and power equipment sector, dismantled step by step and then acquired by General Electric of the United States? Behind those so-called commercial negotiations, how many non-market forces were at play?"

"Furthermore, my friends in German industry, do you still remember how your semiconductor and telecommunications equipment industries gradually lost their competitiveness under the long-arm jurisdiction and various security reviews of the United States?"

“Looking back over the past few decades, from Japan to South Korea to Europe, almost every company or industry that could challenge the United States’ dominance in the technology sector has encountered similar tactics. They either used their market monopoly to suppress the company or launched so-called antitrust investigations.”

"Their goal is actually only one thing: to maintain the United States' absolute control over core technologies."

"Today, they can unite to cut off our chip supply. Tomorrow, they can take similar action against any European company they don't like, for any reason."

"you……"

Lei Jun's inflammatory remarks spread rapidly across the European continent via radio waves and the internet.

Many European parliamentarians, industry leaders, and academics have also begun to speak out on social media, echoing his views and calling on the European Commission to take a tough stance to protect Europe's strategic interests and investment security.

Enze Capital's statement and the storm that Lei Jun stirred up in the European media sphere quickly had an effect.

Although public opinion is still only at the level of ordinary people and has not yet begun to ferment, the more the higher-ups remain silent, the faster this fermentation will occur.

However, none of this matters to Cheng Yi. Europe and America are one family; they quarrel in bed and make up in bed. At most, these good friends will argue for a while, vent their dissatisfaction, and then have a roundtable meeting to discuss the matter, and the matter will be more or less settled.

As for the supply disruption...

Lianxiang will certainly not be greatly affected, after all, Lianxiang has the support of two foreign-funded enterprises from Europe and the United States. The European company Momo Group and the American company IBM account for nearly 40% of the shares of Lianxiang Group.

As for Honor Computer and Hasee Computer, their situation is likely to be much more difficult.

When the Wintel alliance and the EU hold a roundtable meeting, the EU will certainly have to make some small concessions, and these small concessions will inevitably harm the interests of Enze Capital and Momo Group.

But these are also things that Cheng Yi wants to see.

The human heart is something that must be influenced slowly and subtly.

They tolerated the Wintel alliance bullying them once, and the people of Europe tolerated it too.

The Wintel alliance bullied them twice, and they could tolerate it; so could the people of Europe.

But when the Wintel alliance bullied them three times, that was something even an uncle could tolerate but an aunt couldn't.

Cheng Yi's current goal is to have the Wintel alliance constantly push the EU's bottom line, forcing the EU to shift its development focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

Cheng Yi's current goal is something he was almost achieving in his previous life. Before his rebirth, due to the repeated suppression and restrictions imposed by the United States on European semiconductors, more than 40 European semiconductor and related industry chain companies frequently communicated with China.

If he hadn't died and been reborn, he might still be able to see those companies come to China for talks one day.

Actually, the whole world is a makeshift operation, and everyone is driven by profit. There are no truly unbreakable alliances, not even the Wintel alliance.

Deep within the campus of Handong University, a detached building is hidden behind a grove of maple trees, appearing exceptionally tranquil.

This was originally the school's old library. After careful renovation, it became the office building of Momo OS System Company. It retains the solemnity of academia while injecting some technological vitality.

Cheng Yi's choice to place his office here suggests a sense of being a hidden master in the city.

Inside the office, Cheng Yi frowned, his fingers holding a rook that had recently been captured, his eyes fixed on the chessboard as if trying to see through the red and black pieces.

His opponent was Gao Lifu, the president of Handong University.

Gao Lifu calmly picked up the purple clay cup beside him, gently blew away the floating leaves, took a sip of tea, and had a faint smile on his face.

"Principal Gao, your hindsight is truly brilliant," Cheng Yi muttered, clicking his tongue. Since the office moved here, Gao Lifu had become a regular visitor.

The principal, who was a scholar, and Cheng Yi were close friends despite their age difference. Their relationship had always been very good. After Cheng Yi moved in, Gao Lifu and he often played chess together.

"Playing chess is like being a person; you have to be calm and collected to see the future." Gao Lifu put down his teacup, shifted his gaze from the chessboard to Cheng Yi, and said, "Speaking of seeing the future, China Mobile and China Netcom have been coming to my office quite frequently lately."

"Oh? It's still about getting the dorm internet?" Cheng Yi didn't even look up, still thinking about how to get rid of that damned cannon fodder, Gao Lifu.

“Yes.” Gao Lifu nodded and said, “Now the voices of students in universities are getting louder and louder, and operators are also eager to expand the market. I think it’s inevitable that broadband access will be restored in university dormitories. There’s no stopping it. I estimate that the policy will be relaxed in the second half of the year, and at the latest next year, universities across the country will probably gradually open up. You need to think of a countermeasure for your campus computer lab in advance.”

Campus computer labs currently rely heavily on the network environment of specific areas within universities.

Once personal broadband becomes widespread in dormitories, the uniqueness and user stickiness of campus computer labs will inevitably be greatly impacted.

"It's alright," Cheng Yi replied, though his mind was clearly still on the game. He said, "When water comes, dam it with earth; when pawns come, generals block! I'll capture your cannon!"

Taking advantage of Gao Lifu's distraction, he suddenly smashed one of his cannons onto the chessboard.

If Gao Lifu moves the cannon, the cannon will be destroyed; if he doesn't move the cannon, the vehicle will be destroyed.

Gao Lifu smiled and shook his head, slowly moving his horse to block Cheng Yi's killing move.

He chuckled and said, "Having drive is a good thing, but while you may despise the enemy strategically, you must take them seriously tactically. Once the internet wave enters the ivory tower, the changes it brings may be revolutionary."

Cheng Yi ignored Gao Lifu's reminder. He stared intently at the chessboard, muttering to himself, "Damn it, I've lost nine games in a row! I really miss King of Glory, where there was a safety net after a losing streak."

Just then, the office door was pushed open with a bang.

Wu Jun, president of Shenzhou Computer Company, rushed in, his face covered in anxiety and sweat, and he didn't even notice that there were other guests in the room.

Cheng Yi, his train of thought interrupted, looked up somewhat displeased. Seeing that it was Wu Jun, and glancing at the precarious situation on the chessboard, he waved his hand and said, "Jun'er, you're the president of a big company, don't panic so easily. Can't you see I'm playing chess with Principal Gao? Sit down for a while and wait for me to finish this game."

Wu Jun was taken aback, then noticed Gao Lifu sitting to the side, and hurriedly nodded awkwardly in greeting: "Hello, Principal Gao."

Then he stood there, rubbing his hands, hesitant to speak, his anxiety deepening.

Gao Lifu was a sensible man. Seeing this, he smiled and stood up, saying, "Official business is more important. Since you have other matters to attend to, let's continue this game another day. Anyway, this game..."

He glanced meaningfully at the chessboard and said, "It's about time to end this."

"No, Principal Gao!" Cheng Yi quickly stopped him, saying, "I still have a chance to turn things around. Let's adjourn this game and continue tomorrow."

Cheng Yi's demeanor clearly showed that he was already desperate after losing, and he seemed determined not to give up until a winner was decided.

Gao Lifu was amused by him and didn't insist. He laughed and said, "Alright, let's close the disc then and continue tomorrow. You guys go ahead and get back to your business. I'll go back and deal with some documents too."

After saying that, he straightened his clothes and strode out of the office.

Cheng Yi watched Gao Lifu leave, then quickly walked to the chessboard and, with lightning speed, quietly picked up one of Gao Lifu's knights and stuffed it into his drawer.

After Cheng Yi finished doing all this, he turned around, his face regaining its usual composure, and said, "Alright, now tell me, what's making you so anxious?"

Wu Jun stared wide-eyed at Cheng Yi's series of outrageous moves, almost forgetting the purpose of his visit.

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady, and said, "President Cheng! What else is it? It's about the chip supply disruption, of course. We've reported it to you several times. You have to give us some instructions, right? At least hold a meeting so we can think of a solution."

"What countermeasures are you thinking of?" Cheng Yi walked to the water dispenser, poured himself a glass of water, and said in a calm tone, "Don't we still have some stock? I told you to stock up before we turned against each other."

"President Cheng! Our chip inventory, at most, can only sustain production for Honor, Lianxiang, and Shenzhou for another month. After that, all production lines will have to shut down. We have tens of thousands of employees."

Seeing that Cheng Yi wasn't in a hurry, Cheng Yi paced back and forth in his office anxiously, saying, "Everyone is in a panic right now. Downstream distributors are frantically urging for goods and asking about the situation. If we don't find a solution soon, we'll have to shut down production completely next month, and the chain reaction that will be triggered will be unimaginable."

Cheng Yi smiled when he saw Wu Jun's anxious expression.

He walked over to Wu Jun, patted him on the shoulder, and mimicked Gao Lifu's words, saying with a composure beyond his years: "Jun'er, doing business is like playing chess. You have to be patient to see far ahead."

"You're a veteran in the business world, how come you still lose your composure so easily when something happens? Let me ask you, can't a person die from holding in their pee?"

"Huh?" Wu Jun was bewildered by the sudden vulgar metaphor and muttered, "This... of course not."

“That’s it.” Cheng Yi spread his hands and said, “Chips are, in the end, commodities. As commodities, they have distribution channels. If they don’t sell directly to Zhang San, can they stop them from selling to Li Si, Wang Wu, or Zhao Liu?”

Wu Jun seemed to understand a little, but his brows remained furrowed as he said, "You mean to purchase through third-party channels? But that's too risky. Intel and AMD's statements are very strong, clearly indicating strict enforcement. Which distributor would dare to defy the rules and resell large quantities of chips to us? If discovered, they could very well be placed on the supply cut-off list. Moreover, such piecemeal purchases would cause costs to skyrocket, and the supply could not be guaranteed to be stable at all—it's just a drop in the ocean."

"Who says we have to go through those big, well-known distributors?" Cheng Yi said. "The world is so big, there are always some gray areas. These Western countries have never lacked knights-errant willing to take risks for profit. Besides..."

He sat in his office chair, looked at Wu Jun, and said, "Who says chips can only be shipped directly from the United States to China? Can't they first go on a trip to Southeast Asia, then a vacation in Europe, change their packaging, and then legally and compliantly enter the country?"

Seeing Wu Jun's still confused look, Cheng Yi knew he needed to give him more information to stabilize morale.

He walked back to his desk and sat down, gesturing for Wu Jun to sit down as well.

(End of this chapter)