429: Chapter 429 A Moment's Depths! Domestically Produced Equipment Goes into Production

Lin Bin looked at Lei Jun, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.

"Old Lei, we cannot agree to this proposal! Although those friends supported us before, it is better to keep the equity in our own hands.

Looking at our current financing situation, we are just a hair's breadth away from the red line. If they take another 40%, we will be in real danger.

Once they take absolute controlling interest, whose name will Xiaomi bear in the future?"

Lei Jun still didn't speak. Just like with Xiaomi India, he didn't know if this company was still called Xiaomi or... All he could say was that capital always carries its own interests.

But at this moment, Zhou Shouzi spoke for him: "What they want is likely absolute controlling interest, not just a financial investment; it can be considered a strategic acquisition.

Using capital to make Xiaomi the agent for International Semiconductor in China—this valuation isn't because Xiaomi is worth that much, but because of Lei Jun's reputation."

Lin Bin nodded; he thought the same.

After all, if Transsion continued its current trajectory, it would truly be a nightmare for International Semiconductor.

Lin Bin returned the document to Zhou Shouzi: "Then reject it!

12 billion USD looks like a lot, but it's not as if Xiaomi can't survive on its own. We haven't finished spending our last round of financing, and provided we don't build cars, it's enough to last us another two or three years."

Zhou Shouzi glanced at him, wanting to say something but holding back... After all, car manufacturing was more than just a PowerPoint presentation; the project had to be initiated, as it was written into the contract.

"Old Lin, you have seen the car manufacturing PPT, and you are also participating in the smart home layout.

It is said that Transsion is launching several car models this year. The buzz around cars will definitely rise, and then netizens' attention will shift to us. We can't just keep holding a PPT project to shut them up.

If we don't build cars, we will truly lose our reputation!"

After Lei Jun finished speaking, Lin Bin felt his vision go dark. Losing one's reputation? Blindly building cars is what ruins one's reputation.

Back then, they drew that blueprint just to prove a point, and now all the pressure was mounting.

He also knew that Lei Jun really wanted this money; otherwise, he would have rejected it directly without needing him to step in.

The pity was that once they took this money, Xiaomi would no longer be Xiaomi.

Seeing that Lin Bin remained silent, Lei Jun stood up and walked to the window, asking again with his back turned to him: "Old Lin, what do you think?"

Lin Bin chuckled; now all the pressure had shifted onto him.

He looked at Lei Jun again; in his eyes, there was exhaustion, unwillingness, struggle, and, of course, hesitation.

Lin Bin had never seen such complex emotions before, because back when he worked at Kingsoft, he never hesitated, when he founded Xiaomi, he never hesitated, and even when every Xiaomi product failed, he never had any hesitation.

But now he was panicked, because he also knew this wasn't a good outcome.

"You are the CEO." Lin Bin shook his head, "This decision should be made by you."

Lei Jun smiled bitterly again, and only after a long while did he turn around: "Arrange to talk to them, preferably at Dami Company.

But the terms must be changed: the shares released will be at most 30%, then only one seat will be added to the board, and major decision-making power must be reserved for us.

Overseas markets can use Qualcomm entirely, but for the domestic market, besides Qualcomm and MediaTek, we must keep some room for maneuver."

Lin Bin finally nodded; Old Lei hadn't become too impulsive.

"Then what if they don't agree?"

"Then it depends on how much they want Xiaomi, and how much they want us to be this puppet endorser!"

...

Just as the United States was searching for a new conspiracy, Transsion Semiconductor's second factory officially went into operation.

This time, a total of two production lines officially started production at the second factory, with a design specification of 14nm and a designed monthly capacity of 40,000 wafers, which could significantly increase the popularization speed of 14nm.

At the same time, the process for this production line fully adopted the NSE-CX14C model Lithography Machine. It did not use the more advanced immersion type, but all adopted the second-generation Quadruple Patterning technology, which greatly improved the yield rate.

The first-generation technology was exhibited at last year's exhibition, but to ensure the yield rate, the process was only set at 22nm, and Transsion was subjected to endless ridicule.

But after a few months of revisions, 14nm could finally be sold at "cabbage" prices.

After the wafer fabrication was completed, Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing walked out of the cleanroom and hurriedly reported this good news to his boss.

"Mr. Shen, the first and second domestic 14nm complete solutions have officially entered production, with an expected monthly capacity of 40,000 wafers.

The current yield rate is 88.2%, and it is still steadily improving."

He was very satisfied with the current yield rate; after all, TSMC had just resolved 22nm, and their yield rate only reached 70%. They still needed some time before they could reach their 16nm node.

"Make an official announcement! Send a gift to the world semiconductor industry; this can also be considered another round of our counterattack."

So, Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing hurried back to the office and began preparing to announce the good news.

"Transsion Semiconductor's second factory is officially in production, and 14nm wafer capacity can be increased by another 40%.

Adopting advanced second-generation Quadruple Patterning technology, on the premise of ensuring yield, the speed is further increased.

At the same time, the price of the 22nm process has been lowered again, and the 14nm process is officially open for global foundry services.

Please visit the Transsion official website for foundry details."

Just after Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing posted on Weibo, Shen Fei immediately followed up:

"Thanks to the United States, and thanks to those netizens who questioned us. Under everyone's supervision, the Quadruple Patterning technology has been optimized once again.

We are currently considering transferring this process to older equipment, and by then, everything will be 14nm.

In addition, our research on the immersion Lithography Machine has also made milestone progress.

I said milestone; I rarely use this word, but today is indeed a big event, and I hope the relevant parties interpret it well."

"Damn, Mr. Shen is provoking me. Watch me conquer the world with just a keyboard..."

"To the guy above, last year, when Transsion's 22nm process and split-screen were targeted, you definitely had a hand in it, kid!"

"Understand the guy above [doge]"

"But Mr. Shen really should thank the United States. Every time they stir things up, the foundry capacity doubles. This is really not bad. However, Apple's order has already been taken. Whose order is next?"

"Please! Mr. Shen, take Qualcomm's order, okay? We really don't want to use the 'fire dragon' anymore."

Meanwhile, this news immediately caused a chain reaction. TSMC and Samsung stock prices plummeted again, with an average drop of up to 7% for each.

The decline in stock prices was only one aspect; the bearish outlook from investment banks was the real danger.

After all, this time it really caught Wall Street off guard. They had thought Transsion's Quadruple Patterning was false advertising, and after analysis by engineers, it seriously violated the laws of physics.

TSMC had also tried to replicate the related technology, but all attempts ended in failure.