683: Chapter 683 The New Secretary of South Korea

Su Yezi gently placed the court trial documents in front of Chu Qianlan, her fingertips pausing slightly: "CEO Chu, this trial is led by the Supreme Commercial Court of South Korea, with fifteen companies led by the Semiconductor Alliance filing a joint lawsuit."

"Their core demand is that 'Xingyuan Exploration has abused lithography technology patents, implemented technical monopolies, and infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of the alliance companies,' and they are demanding that we disclose the core parameters of 20-nanometer lithography and pay $1.2 billion in so-called 'technical lag losses.'"

Chu Qianlan picked up the documents, flipping through them casually. His gaze swept over the list of plaintiffs; it included both Samsung and Hynix from South Korea, Toshiba Semiconductor trying to fill the void after Japan was sanctioned, and even several Chip design companies hiding in the background from the US. It was clearly a meticulously planned siege.

A faint, cold smile curled the corners of his lips. He tossed the documents back onto the table, his tone nonchalant yet carrying absolute control: "Abusing patents? Monopolizing technology? They don't deserve to use those words."

Su Yezi stood to the side and continued to add: "CEO Chu, regarding the South Korean court, the US and the Semiconductor Alliance have already applied pressure in advance. Two members of the judge panel are legal consultants with long-term cooperation with Qualcomm, and they have also built up public opinion in advance, claiming that we have '35 patent infringements.'"

Chu Qianlan tapped his fingertips on the table, producing a rhythmic and steady sound. His eyes were cold as ice, without a ripple of emotion.

"The same old tricks again." He spoke lightly, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable sense of oppression: "Pressuring judges, manipulating public opinion, making exorbitant demands—besides relying on hegemony to act like rascals, what else does the Semiconductor Alliance know how to do?"

Su Yezi straightened her expression and continued her report: "The South Korean side's attitude is ambiguous. They dare not openly offend the US, yet they fear repeating Japan's mistakes. Executives from Samsung and Hynix have privately sent word that they were forced to participate in the lawsuit and hope that we will not cut off the supply of high-end materials completely as we did with Japan."

"Forced?" Chu Qianlan sneered, a flash of mockery in his eyes: "There is no such thing in the world as having your cake and eating it too. Since they dared to stand in the defendant's dock and attack us, they must be prepared to bear the consequences."

"The outcome of this matter remains to be seen. With Japan as a cautionary tale, I presume South Korea will not disregard the facts and risk being sanctioned by ruling that we lost the lawsuit."

Su Yezi nodded, quickly noting the key information in her memo: "Understood. I will immediately synchronize your stance with our Legal Counsel team and PR group stationed in South Korea."

"In addition, public opinion in South Korea has already begun to ferment. Half of the netizens are worried about repeating Japan's mistakes and are calling on the court to 'remain neutral and judge the case according to the law.'"

Chu Qianlan looked up, his tone cold and clear: "Then add another layer of pressure on them. Notify President Qu: 'Maintain normal supply to South Korea, but keep the goods scarce. Do not significantly increase orders, and let South Korea keep its inventory.'"

"Yes." Su Yezi recorded quickly: "I will communicate with President Qu and unify the external narrative: 'Global orders are surging, and production capacity is saturated. We can only fulfill contracts and cannot increase supply. This way, we won't burn bridges, yet we will still have a firm grip on their throats.'"

Chu Qianlan nodded slightly, tapping his fingertip gently on the court documents: "As for the Legal Counsel team, have them compile the technical appraisal reports from our previous victory in Japan, our global patent authorization documents, and the Semiconductor Alliance's past monopoly case precedents into a booklet, and submit it to the South Korean court three days before the trial."

His tone was flat, yet carried an unquestionable power: "Tell them not to fear the so-called Qualcomm consultant judges. When the evidence is laid out on the table, no one will dare to openly twist the truth. Japan's fate is right before their eyes; the South Korean political and business circles know better than anyone the price of offending the Xinghai Group."

"Understood!" Su Yezi felt reassured. With that textbook countermeasure against Japan as a precedent, even if South Korea is pressured by the US, they would never dare to go so far as to completely break ties.

Chu Qianlan leaned back in his chair, his gaze returning to the window. His tone was so flat that it was almost impossible to discern any emotion: "The trial is just a formality; the factors that truly determine the outcome are all outside the courtroom!"

Su Yezi felt a jolt in her heart, instantly understanding the weight of Chu Qianlan's words. Just like the patent lawsuit trial in Japan a year ago, although Xingyuan Exploration held the absolute upper hand in evidence, it still could not withstand the pressure from the US.

The real battlefield was never in the courtroom, but in the arena of supply chains, technology, capital, and national confidence. Fortunately, having the cautionary tale of Japan, South Korea surely would not dare to underestimate Xingyuan Exploration again.

Two days later, Du Guangbai hurried into the office: "CEO Chu, the new Municipal Party Committee Secretary of Shenzhen has taken office!"

"Oh?" Chu Qianlan raised his eyes, his expression still flat, without much ripple: "Who is his successor?"

Du Guangbai stepped forward quickly and placed a brief personnel notice on the table: "It is Qin Haoran, who was parachuted down from the central government. He previously held an important position at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, focusing on the technology industry and advanced manufacturing. He has a pragmatic style, an excellent reputation, and... he has publicly expressed support for the development of private technology leaders."

Chu Qianlan casually picked up the document and glanced at it, his fingertip tapping the paper lightly: "Qin Haoran... I have some impression of him."

He was not particularly sensitive to local personnel matters, but the mess left behind by Secretary Lin Wentao was too deep. The attitude of the new secretary would directly affect the development environment of the Xinghai Group in Shenzhen going forward.

Du Guangbai's tone carried a hint of relief: "The first stop after Secretary Qin took office was to conduct research at high-tech enterprises in the High-Tech Zone. In his speech, he specifically mentioned 'respecting corporate autonomous operations, supporting core technology breakthroughs, avoiding selective law enforcement, and not setting invisible thresholds.' These words were clearly meant for us."

A subtle smile appeared on the corner of Chu Qianlan's lips: "He's a sensible man, at least."

When Secretary Lin Wentao was in office, he had caused obstacles everywhere, harassed them with audits, and set up hurdles for land use, making the government-enterprise relationship extremely tense. Now that they have a secretary who understands technology and values industry, the Xinghai Group's development in its home base can naturally avoid a lot of meaningless internal friction.

"I heard from friends," Du Guangbai added, "that Secretary Qin will come to inspect Starry Sky Technology and Xingyuan Exploration soon to discuss industrial planning in person."

Chu Qianlan put down the document and leaned back in his chair, his tone calm: "If he comes, we will make arrangements. No need for special grandiosity; just receive him normally. If he wants to see the technology, the R&D, or the supply chain, open it all up for him to see."

He paused, his eyes calm: "Government-enterprise relations should fundamentally be about everyone staying in their lane and doing their duty. He manages the business environment, and we focus on technology and employment. We don't interfere with each other and achieve mutual success. As long as they don't stir up trouble, naturally, it will be good for everyone."

Du Guangbai nodded: "Understood! I will communicate with President Qu and President Ma immediately so they can prepare."