209: Chapter 210 Double Victory, Double Smash in Financial and Public Opinion

The sunset in Jiangcheng dyed the glass curtain wall of Singularity Technology's headquarters a warm orange-red. Employees filed out of the office building, their faces glowing with a long-awaited sense of relief. The victory in the public opinion war had been thorough and satisfying—the stock price had returned to 130 yuan, operations were fully restored, and even overseas cooperation orders had increased by 20% compared to before. Everyone felt that this series of attacks centered around Singularity could finally come to an end.

In the top-floor conference room, the core team was holding a summary meeting. Song Zhiwei looked through the latest public opinion data, a smile playing on her lips. "The counterattack through the live broadcast exceeded expectations. The topic #Tianming Group Malicious Smearing# trended on global hot searches for 24 hours, and overseas netizens' support for Singularity increased by 35%. Ogilvy PR has announced bankruptcy liquidation, and the relevant rumor-mongers are being investigated by the police, which has completely cleared out the hidden dangers in public opinion."

Zhou Yurou added, "Good news from the supply chain side as well. The three Grade-A tertiary hospitals that had previously suspended cooperation have not only restored the 'Singularity Doctor' system but also added orders for 500 sets of equipment. The 'brave peace and health' aid stations in Europe have resumed medicine distribution, and local health departments even issued public apologies, saying they 'shouldn't have easily believed the rumors'."

Wang Jingdong pushed up his glasses, his tone carrying a hint of gratification. "On the legal front, our lawsuit against Ogilvy PR and the rumor-mongers has been accepted by the court. Based on the evidence collected, the probability of winning exceeds 90%. Additionally, there's progress with the international patent organization; the invalidation declaration for Aivda's Photon Chip patent has entered the substantive examination stage. If nothing goes wrong, we should have results within three months."

Zhang Fan sat in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the table, but there wasn't much joy on his face. He watched the sky gradually darken outside the window. The system warning in his mind had never disappeared; instead, he had just received a new prompt: [Detected abnormal actions from core suppliers! Three top global chipmakers (Qualcomm, ASML, Texas Instruments), two sensor manufacturers (Nordic Sensing, Ouguang Semiconductor), and five core component suppliers have simultaneously received 'Termination of Cooperation' instructions. The source of the instructions points to Tianming Group's core servers. Risk level: SSS (Fatal).]

"Everyone, stop for a moment." Zhang Fan's voice broke the relaxed atmosphere of the conference room, and everyone's eyes instantly focused on him. "I just received a system warning. Tianming Group's next move is here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Yurou's phone vibrated frantically. She picked it up and looked, her face instantly turning pale. "It's an email from the head of Qualcomm China... They say 'based on global business adjustments, all cooperation with Singularity Technology is terminated effective immediately. No further chip products will be provided, and all signed orders are cancelled'."

Immediately after, Song Zhiwei's tablet also popped up a message: "ASML and Texas Instruments have also sent notices of termination. The reason is the same as Qualcomm's—'business adjustment'!"

"Nordic Sensing and Ouguang Semiconductor as well!" Zhou Yurou's voice trembled. "They're not just terminating cooperation; they also say 'Singularity Technology poses a risk of patent infringement. To avoid legal disputes, all authorized technologies are being withdrawn effective immediately'!"

The atmosphere in the conference room froze instantly, and the previous lightheartedness vanished without a trace. Everyone knew this was no coincidence—ten core suppliers terminating cooperation at the same time with highly consistent reasons meant Tianming Group was definitely pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"This is a 'pulling the rug from under us' move!" Wang Jingdong's expression became extremely grave. "Qualcomm's chips, ASML's lithography machine parts, Nordic Sensing's medical sensors—these are all key components of our core products. Moreover, it's impossible to find alternative suppliers in the short term!"

Zhou Yurou quickly pulled up the supply chain inventory report and projected it onto the screen. "Current inventory of core components can only sustain production for one month at most. If we can't find alternative suppliers, the production lines for AI medical equipment, the Star Core Engine, and Photon Chips will all come to a complete standstill in a month!"

"What about the overseas orders?" Song Zhiwei asked urgently. "We've already taken 12 billion in overseas orders for Q1 next year. If the production lines stop, we'll not only have to pay massive liquidated damages but also completely lose the trust of our overseas customers!"

Zhang Fan's fingers clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white. He knew how ruthless this move by Tianming Group was—the patent war, financial war, and public opinion war were all external pressures, but the supply chain blockade was directly strangling Singularity's lifeblood. Without core hardware, no matter how advanced the AI algorithms or how powerful the software systems, they would all be nothing but castles in the air.

"Old Gu, have you found out how Tianming persuaded these suppliers?" Zhang Fan asked, his voice remaining steady without a hint of panic.

Gu Jingshen's fingers flew across the keyboard, and a string of capital flow data popped up on the screen. "Found it! Tianming paid 'breach of contract compensation' to every supplier, ranging from 500 million to 2 billion, totaling as much as 12 billion. Additionally, they threatened the suppliers, saying 'if they continue to cooperate with Singularity, Tianming will join forces with Western governments to sanction their overseas business'. Companies like Qualcomm and ASML have a high proportion of overseas markets; they simply can't withstand that kind of threat."

"12 billion in breach of contract compensation?" Song Zhiwei gasped. "Tianming really went all out to destroy us!"

Zhang Fan stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the city's myriad lights. The night deepened, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter. "They think that by grabbing us by the throat, they can make us surrender? They forgot that we anticipated this day long ago and laid out a plan in advance."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his tone firm and powerful. "Zhou Yurou, immediately activate the 'Independent Supply Chain Emergency Plan'—increase the production capacity of Rhine Photonics' Photon Chip lines to the maximum, prioritizing supply for AI medical equipment and the Star Core Engine. For the domestically developed sensor production lines, accelerate the ramp-up; they must reach mass production standards within 30 days to replace the products from Nordic Sensing and Ouguang."

"Song Zhiwei, you are responsible for contacting domestic chip manufacturers like Huawei HiSilicon and SMIC to negotiate short-term cooperation. Purchase their alternative chips to keep the core production lines running for now. At the same time, send letters to all overseas customers explaining the situation and promising that 'delayed order deliveries will be compensated with 10% liquidated damages' to stabilize customer confidence."

"Wang Jingdong, the legal team must immediately draft 'unfair competition' lawsuits against suppliers like Qualcomm and ASML for 'malicious termination of cooperation'. Simultaneously, submit a 'monopoly investigation application' to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, accusing them of colluding with Tianming Group for a supply chain blockade in violation of the Anti-Monopoly Law."

"Old Gu, have the authorities continue tracking Tianming's capital flows to see where their 'breach compensation' funds are coming from and if we can find any financial loopholes. Also, monitor the suppliers' dynamics; if any supplier wavers, immediately send someone to negotiate and offer better cooperation terms to try and win them back."

"Most importantly," Zhang Fan paused, his tone becoming heavier, "notify the R&D center to speed up the implementation of the 'Fully Independent Supply Chain System'. I want to achieve 100% independent control of core components within three months, so we never have to look at others' faces or be held back by anyone again!"

Looking at Zhang Fan's determined gaze, the panic in everyone's hearts gradually settled. They suddenly remembered that ten years ago, facing Wang Tianhua's frame-up, Zhang Fan was also this calm and composed, turning the situation around step by step. Now, facing the more powerful Tianming Group and a more fatal supply chain blockade, he still hadn't backed down; instead, he had already prepared his counterattack cards.

Zhou Yurou immediately nodded. "Understood! I've already contacted Rhine Photonics. Their third mass production line can go into operation tomorrow, with a monthly capacity of 100,000 units, which is enough to meet the needs of our core products. As for the independent sensor production lines, the R&D team has overcome the final technical hurdle and can start mass production now."

Song Zhiwei also regained her confidence. "I'll contact the domestic chip manufacturers right away. Huawei HiSilicon wanted to cooperate with us before, so we should be able to reach an agreement this time. As for the overseas customers, I will personally interface with them to win their understanding with our technical strength and sincerity."

The atmosphere in the conference room became high-spirited again, with previous panic replaced by firm conviction. Zhang Fan looked at the busy figures of his team members, knowing full well that this supply chain blockade war would be the toughest battle they had ever encountered—but they had no way back and could only rise to the challenge.

In the night, Singularity Technology's headquarters remained brightly lit. In the R&D center, engineers were working overtime to debug production lines; in the Legal Department, lawyers were drafting litigation materials through the night; in the PR department, employees were writing customer letters and statements.

Zhang Fan stood by the window, holding Li Yong's photo, and said softly, "Uncle Li, don't worry. No matter how great the difficulties, I will protect our cause and hold onto the original intention of 'saving people'. Tianming wants us to fall, but they forgot that the harder it gets, the more powerful we become."

A life-and-death struggle centered on the supply chain had officially begun. Tianming Group thought this was the final straw that would break Singularity, not knowing that this was precisely the opportunity for Singularity Technology to break its dependence and achieve full independent control. And the victory in this war would completely rewrite the landscape of the global technology industry.