85: Chapter 85 The Alliance's Solid Backing!

Three days later, the news of the "Yayun Private Club" being raided and shut down by the police caused quite a stir in a specific circle in Magic City, as they were all regulars there.

The news brief was vague, only mentioning "suspicion of organizing illegal gambling, lending, and other criminal activities," but the footage of dozens of people being taken away and large amounts of cash and ledgers being seized still made those in the know feel a secret chill.

Long Zaitian smashed a second cup in his office. Brother Hui was a secret asset he had carefully cultivated, used not only to handle some shady "entertainment" needs but also as a crucial node for gathering intelligence and setting traps. Now that he had been uprooted, although it couldn't be traced back to him for the time being, losing an arm like this was still painful.

He had a premonition—he was almost certain—that this report had everything to do with Chen Fan!

He had originally intended to slowly dismember the Spark Alliance in a relatively "gentle" way; now, he had changed his mind.

"Send out the word," he said coldly to his trusted assistant. "Exert maximum pressure on all known banks that have business dealings with Spark Alliance members. As for the reason... just say their overall operational risk is too high and their related guarantees are complex. Especially that Hongda Metals, where someone just died, and Yonggu New Materials, whose cash flow is about to break—they are all hidden dangers.

Demand that the banks tighten credit for them across the board: no renewals for those maturing, increased interest rates and additional collateral for those not yet due, and hold guarantors accountable! I want them to be unable to borrow a single cent!"

Meanwhile, Chen Fan was in an emergency meeting of the Spark Alliance.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was solemn. The news of Brother Hui's establishment being raided brought a hint of satisfaction, but the subsequent rumors of banks tightening credit felt like a giant boulder pressing down on everyone's hearts.

"President Chen, it's not that we're being disloyal," a boss of a precision injection molding factory spoke up with difficulty; he had joined the alliance later. "My small factory relies on two bank loans for turnover. The bank manager just called and said our 'associated risks are prominent,' and they want to recall the loans early and hike the interest rate by 3%... This... I really can't hold on!"

"Yes, President Chen," another female boss in surface treatment said worriedly. "The Long Corporation is clearly targeting us now. What happened with President Li... it was too terrifying."

One after another, three or four more members with smaller scales and weaker risk resistance expressed similar hardships and intentions to withdraw. They were grateful for Chen Fan's previous help, but under the realistic pressure of survival, fear outweighed loyalty.

Wang Yonggu was so angry his face turned red, wanting to slam the table and curse, but Chen Fan stopped him with a glance.

Chen Fan calmly scanned these faces showing shame or fear, feeling little emotion. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—it's human nature. The Spark Alliance needs comrades who can weather storms together, not just partners who only share in prosperity.

"I understand everyone's difficulties," Chen Fan spoke with a steady voice, without accusation or pleading. "The alliance is joined voluntarily, so naturally, one can leave voluntarily. Those who want to go, please register with President Lin after the meeting. The technical support and order discounts previously provided by the alliance will continue until the end of the current term as per the contract. After that, we'll be even, with no further obligations."

His decisive and straightforward way of handling things made those who wanted to withdraw even more ashamed, and they lowered their heads, not daring to look at him.

"However," Chen Fan's tone shifted, his gaze becoming sharp as he looked at those who remained in their seats despite their anxiety, "to the brothers who choose to stay, I, Chen Fan, will leave you with this: as long as my Fanxing Technology doesn't fall, and as long as I, Chen Fan, have a breath left, I will never let the Long Corporation crush any of you! I'll bear the pressure from the banks! I'll find a way to fill the holes in liquidity! If they want to fight, then we'll fight to the end!"

His words were powerful and resonant, carrying a determination to burn his bridges, which lifted the spirits of the remaining members and reunited their wavering hearts.

"President Chen, we believe in you!"

"Damn it, let's fight the Long family! At worst, we'll just start over from scratch!"

The remaining members spoke up one after another, their eyes reigniting with fighting spirit.

The meeting ended. Those who stayed left with a sense of tragic determination, while those who withdrew slunk off to find Lin Hao to complete the procedures.

In the office, only Chen Fan and Lin Hao remained.

"Fan Zi, the situation is worse than expected." Lin Hao spread out the latest financial reports, his brow furrowed. "The five million for Wang Yonggu was just covered, but the other remaining members are all experiencing varying degrees of liquidity crises. Bank loan recalls and supplier payment demands are all hitting at once. All the cash we can mobilize... has already been padded in. We've even diverted the money for next month's materials for Keyu. And," he paused, his voice dry, "our credit limits at several major banks have also been completely exhausted. The banks hinted that it's impossible to increase them in the short term."

Chen Fan looked at the imminent break in the capital chain on the report and was silent for a moment. Long Zaitian's financial strangulation was indeed precise and ruthless, directly aiming at his current biggest weakness—the hunger for capital brought by rapid expansion and a relatively weak financial shield.

Exhausting all cash and credit limits was like firing all your bullets while the enemy was still surrounding the city.

"We... need a sum of quick money, a huge sum sufficient to stabilize our position and reassure the alliance members," Chen Fan said slowly, his gaze looking out the window as if searching for something.

"A huge sum? Where from?" Lin Hao smiled bitterly. "Unless 'Xuanniao' can be mass-produced and launched immediately..."

"That's too slow," Chen Fan replied, his thoughts spinning rapidly.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind.

"Lithography machines! Especially EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography machines! This thing is the crown jewel of the global semiconductor industry. The technology is monopolized by a few foreign companies, with a single unit costing over 200 million USD, and even then, there's no supply; you have to wait in line for years or even longer! If he could 'build' one, no, even if he just 'repaired' or 'upgraded' one to a near-standard level..."

"Lin Hao," Chen Fan turned abruptly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes, "go check immediately if there are any research institutes or companies in the country that have scrapped or severely outdated lithography machines with their main structures still intact. No matter what method you use, get me one!"

Lin Hao was stunned. "Lithography machine? Fan Zi, you... what do you want to do? That thing is more complex than a nuclear reactor. We..."

"Don't ask, just go do it!" Chen Fan's tone was unquestionable. "Remember, be quick! Be discreet! Money is no object!"

Although full of doubt, Lin Hao immediately took action out of absolute trust in Chen Fan.