455: Chapter 455 Undercurrents and a Firm Stance

Two days passed, and the online discussion intensified. Topics like "Deep Blue Semiconductor increases Lithography Machine prices by 20%" and "State-owned enterprises pay 40 million extra for equipment" successively hit the trending lists. Within half a day, the reading volume for related topics exceeded 150 million, with over 8 million discussions.

Netizens' emotions were complex; some accused Deep Blue Semiconductor of sucking the nation's blood, some understood Deep Blue Semiconductor's counterattack, and more people directed their spearheads at the culprit.

"It was clearly the Jiang family using their power to block the network access license, yet in the end, they made state-owned enterprises foot the bill. This move is just too outrageous!"

"40 million! That's enough to build several Hope Primary Schools, yet it's being wasted because of a power struggle. It's heartbreaking!"

"Deep Blue Semiconductor was forced into this. Their R&D funds come from Starry Sky Technology's profits. With Starry Sky Technology's earnings decreasing, they naturally have to find ways to increase income and reduce expenditure."

"As a leader of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Executive Vice Minister Jiang Hongbo does not set a good example, but instead uses his power for personal gain. He must be strictly investigated!"

"The Lithography Machine involves key national projects. Raising prices will increase the financial burden. Deep Blue Semiconductor should not use national interests to vent personal grievances."

"As an enterprise that has mastered core technology, it should have more social responsibility rather than taking the opportunity to raise prices."

...

Online public opinion was like boiling water, with opposing views colliding fiercely, and the trending search lists were firmly occupied by related topics.

Netizens supporting Deep Blue Semiconductor dug up the complete timeline of the network access license stall from before the new year, attached audio clips of Jiang Zhe's veiled threats during negotiations, and shouted, "Counterattacking is not a crime!"

Opponents, citing "state-owned enterprise procurement concerns the national economy and people's livelihood," accused Chu Qianlan of "abusing technological advantages" and "kidnapping national projects."

Just as public opinion fermented to its peak, a central-level media outlet suddenly spoke out, publishing a commentary article titled "Technological Autonomy and Social Responsibility Should Go Hand in Hand."

The article both affirmed Deep Blue Semiconductor's technological breakthrough in breaking overseas monopolies and tactfully pointed out, "Corporate pricing should take into account both market laws and public interests, especially in fields involving key national projects, where more prudent consideration is needed."

This commentary was like a stabilizing force, instantly cooling the noisy public opinion field to some extent.

Many netizens who had originally followed the trend and accused them began to reflect, and the camp supporting Deep Blue Semiconductor also reined in their radical remarks.

However, even more explosive news was yet to come.

An anonymous insider from a state-owned enterprise revealed information on a social platform, posting excerpts of contracts and payment vouchers between three state-owned enterprises and Deep Blue Semiconductor.

The vouchers showed that the additional expenditure for two of the state-owned enterprises totaled 80 million, and these funds all came from adjustments to special scientific research funding, causing two originally planned basic material R&D projects to be forced to suspend.

Once the screenshots of the revelation were posted, the internet instantly exploded.

The public opinion that had tended to calm down boiled over again. The spearhead was no longer limited to the Jiang family's authoritarian oppression; more people began to question the damage this game had caused to the national scientific research layout.

However, this wave of public opinion had just risen when it was quickly suppressed.

On social media platforms, the wave of public opinion that had just surged was like a stream of water suddenly cut off; trending posts disappeared at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the popularity curve of related topics plummeted like a cliff.

The critical posts that netizens had just finished editing were blocked in batches, and even several active whistleblower accounts were directly banned temporarily, leaving only the cold prompt "Content Violation."

This situation had already occurred once before the new year; there was no need to think twice to know that Executive Vice Minister Jiang Hongbo had made a move.

In Starry Sky Technology's office, Chu Qianlan looked at the public opinion monitoring data captured by the Nuwa System, his eyes calm and waveless.

Although Executive Vice Minister Jiang Hongbo's thunderous methods could temporarily suppress public discussion, they could not erase the undercurrents surging within the industry.

After several days of fermentation in public opinion, those who should have received the news already knew the cause and effect.

Moreover, the influence of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology could not cover the entire Longguo network; those private forums and small social platforms still retained related posts.

The traces of public opinion being forcibly suppressed were too obvious; the voices of questioning that had just fermented were like a tide with its throat choked, stopping abruptly.

But deleting posts and banning accounts could only erase surface traces; it could not stop private communication among industry insiders.

Many scientific research institutions contacted Deep Blue Semiconductor privately, cryptically asking if the price increase was a "short-term counterattack," hinting that if the high price was maintained for a long time, it might affect subsequent cooperation on national-level projects.

There were even two scientific research units that had originally planned to purchase that suspended intention communication on the grounds of "funding adjustments."

After Chen Shijie summarized these feedbacks, he walked into CEO Chu's office with a grave expression: "CEO Chu, after public opinion was suppressed, many partners are adopting a wait-and-see attitude, and two scientific research units have even suspended their purchase intentions."

Chu Qianlan's tone was calm but carried an unquestionable certainty: "Don't pay attention to these. Our Lithography Machine is unique in the country. If they want to wait and see, then we will sign contracts with the companies lined up behind them."

"Understood." Chen Shijie nodded: "There is another tricky situation: News came from Longke Academy that a higher-level department is inquiring about the Lithography Machine price increase, hinting that we should 'consider the overall situation' and appropriately lower the price."

"Consider the overall situation?" A cold, sharp smile curled up on the corner of Chu Qianlan's mouth. "Executive Vice Minister Jiang Hongbo certainly knows how to leverage the situation. Reply to Longke Academy and say that Deep Blue Semiconductor's pricing fully complies with market laws. As for the rest, there is no need to explain too much."

Back then, Executive Vice Minister Jiang Hongbo blocked the network access license, which could be said to be fully compliant with procedures. Then now, Deep Blue Semiconductor raising the price of the Lithography Machine can only be considered a commercial act and cannot be called illegal at all.

Chen Shijie's fingertips holding the file turned slightly white, and his tone carried a bit of hesitation: "CEO Chu, I'm afraid the hint from Longke Academy is not just a casual mention. It is said that the department inquiring about this matter is at a higher level. If we insist on not complying, it may affect our eligibility to apply for subsequent national-level projects, and even affect Deep Blue Semiconductor's high-tech enterprise qualification certification."

Chu Qianlan's eyes were as deep as a cold pool: "High-tech enterprise qualification? Our 45nm Lithography Machine, Xingyuan Exploration's patent layout—can these solid technological breakthroughs not even be worth a reasonable market pricing?"

He looked up at Chen Shijie, his tone firm and unquestionable: "Reply as I said; the pricing will absolutely not be adjusted. If they really want to cancel our qualification, then we will pay taxes as an ordinary enterprise. The lost tax incentives will naturally be made up from the subsequent equipment sales prices."

As an influential private enterprise, as long as Deep Blue Semiconductor does not break the law or evade taxes, there are not many means the government can use.

Chen Shijie felt a jolt in his heart. The high-tech enterprise certification provides tax incentives of over ten percentage points; for Deep Blue Semiconductor, with an annual revenue of tens of billions, this could save hundreds of millions in taxes every year.

But even so, Chu Qianlan was still unwilling to make concessions on pricing, which was enough to show his attitude.

"Understood! I will reply to Longke Academy right away." Chen Shijie turned and left.