128: Chapter 129 A National Treasure-Level Expert's Deceptive Maneuver!

As the head of the Central Bank, who controls the nation's financial lifeline and macroeconomic fundamentals, Shen Che, the eldest son of the Shen Family, perfectly exemplified what it meant to be "swift and decisive."

Less than ten days had passed since the closed-door meeting at the Dongjiao Hotel.

It was just the end of March.

A top-secret research team, composed of the nation's most elite and absolutely loyal semiconductor physicists, microelectronics experts, and authorities in materials science, arrived quietly in Shanghai under the personal leadership of Shen Che.

To avoid drawing attention, the official reason given for the inspection was high-sounding: the central government was conducting an in-depth "on-site assessment of research capacity and technical nodes" for core hard-tech enterprises in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta.

Under this perfectly constructed, grandiose disguise, Shen Che led this "national treasure-level" expert team, which represented the highest intellectual level of China's semiconductor industry, as they marched into the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.

They took a tour of several tech giants, including SMIC.

However, those truly at the center of the power vortex knew clearly that this was nothing more than a classic "open maneuver."

For a company at the level of SMIC, every time they conquered even the smallest process node or improved their yield rate by a fraction of a percentage point, it was reported directly to the high-level officials in Beijing via a dedicated line.

Their technical cards were already well-known to Beijing.

There was absolutely no need for a big shot like Shen Che to bring such a luxurious team of experts for some "on-site inspection."

Outside the strictly sterile wafer workshops of those giant enterprises, these top scientists, usually obsessed with their academic work, merely went through the motions absent-mindedly, listening to the reports from company leaders and nodding in perfunctory approval.

Because everyone knew clearly in their hearts that this grand trip south was definitely not to watch these conventional tech companies tread water.

Their true purpose, their "secret clandestine move," was to go and verify with their own eyes a facility hidden in the suburbs of Shanghai—a place rumored to have not only bypassed all Western patent walls but also achieved a "miracle" with a 75% perfect yield rate.

The only real goal of this national treasure-level team was that underground laboratory codenamed "Sheshan."

March 26th, Shanghai, Jiyuan Technology headquarters, President's Office.

Shen Du leaned back in his large executive chair, flipping through the monthly summary report just delivered by the finance department.

Looking at the figures on the paper, the revenue of the Xinghuo Platform was skyrocketing like a money-printing machine, and the terrifying cash flow brought by Meituan's aggressive expansion in the national local life service market made even the usually composed Shen Du curve his lips into a pleased smile.

The thrill of such wealth accumulating frantically by the tens of millions every day was enough to intoxicate anyone.

However, this pure happiness did not last long.

"Buzz—buzz—"

From the deepest part of his desk drawer, the pitch-black, logo-less dedicated phone suddenly emitted a dull and rapid vibration.

This sudden tremor instantly washed away all the enthusiasm about money in Shen Du's mind.

He sat up straight, pulled open the drawer, and pressed the answer button.

On the other end of the line, Secretary Shen Hai's voice lacked any pleasantries.

With an unquestionable authority, he issued a direct order: "At three o'clock this afternoon, arrange everything on your end; it would be best if you were there in person to receive them."

"The research team sent from above has already arrived in Shanghai.

Starting this afternoon, they will move into your underground laboratory and stay for a week.

They will conduct the most rigorous on-site assessment of the full set of chip technology and equipment you currently possess."

Shen Du took a deep breath, his eyes instantly becoming incredibly sharp, and he replied in a deep voice: "Understood, I will make the proper arrangements."

The phone hung up crisply, leaving only a "beep-beep" busy signal.

Shen Du had just put down the phone and was about to get up to make arrangements when, without warning, a crisp mechanical notification sound rang deep in his mind.

Immediately after, a light blue virtual screen projected directly onto his retina.

At this critical juncture, the system had unexpectedly popped up a bombshell message!

[Ding! Main quest updated...]

[New main quest: "Roaming the Four Seas" has been unlocked!]

[Quest goal: Complete the overall IPO preparation for Jiyuan Technology, aim for the NASDAQ listing, and the total market value must reach 10 billion USD!]

Looking at this extremely hardcore quest goal, Shen Du's breath hitched slightly.

In 2012, a market value of 10 billion USD was absolutely a terrifying threshold that would place one in the first tier of domestic internet companies.

But when his gaze moved down to the quest reward section, he couldn't help but be stunned.

[Quest reward: Cross-Era Bonus (Top Secret)]

[System prompt: Due to the underlying technology unlocked this time being too advanced, to prevent causing a severe shock to the host's current mentality and worldview, the specific reward content is temporarily hidden and not suitable for display.

The reward rules remain "choose one out of three"; if the goal is exceeded, it will automatically be upgraded to "choose two out of three"!]

"Hidden?"

Shen Du stared fixedly at the words "Cross-Era Bonus," his pupils churning with massive waves of shock.

Previously, when the system issued quests, whether the "Era Bonus" was a Lithography Machine blueprint or something else, it would at least clearly tell you what it was.

Now, it was different.

It had pulled a "because the technology is too advanced and I'm afraid to scare you, I'll just censor it" maneuver on him!

From "Era" to "Cross-Era"—though there was only a one-character difference, Shen Du could guess with his eyes closed that this reward hidden behind the mist was definitely some kind of nuclear-level gift package capable of completely subverting existing global physical laws or the technological tree!

"Hoo—"

Shen Du exhaled a long breath, forcibly suppressing the shock and fanaticism in his heart.

He no longer dwelled on the temporarily invisible reward.

He grabbed the car keys and the dedicated phone from the table, stuffed them into his pocket, and strode out of the office.

The most important thing right now was to handle the big shot about to land in Sheshan and firmly hug the thickest thigh of the national team!

Leaving the President's Office, Shen Du walked hurriedly toward the private elevator while impassively taking out his personal phone and decisively calling his trusted aide, Lin Zimo.

As soon as the call connected, Lin Zimo's groggy voice, clearly not yet fully awake and heavy with nasal congestion, came through the receiver: "Hello... Mr. Shen, what instructions do you have so early in the morning..."

"The sun is about to set, and you call this early in the morning?"

Shen Du coldly interrupted him, his tone as heavy as sinking iron: "I'll give you twenty minutes to wash up and get the car ready.

Come with me to the Sheshan laboratory."

Upon hearing the five words "Sheshan laboratory," the sleepiness in Lin Zimo's brain on the other end of the line instantly dissipated, and he sat bolt upright in bed.

He knew all too well the weight of that place; it was the true lifeline of Jiyuan Technology.