486: Chapter 486 Short Selling! The Transition of the Three Kingdoms!

"Start shorting!"

As Huang Tianya began his move, Samsung's previously rising stock price plummeted by half.

Lee Kun-hee began emergency measures to protect the stock, but it was to no avail.

After the afternoon market closed, the team finished their calculations, and an assistant pushed the door open to report:

"Mr. Huang, all positions have been closed. After deducting costs and leverage fees, this shorting operation yielded a profit of 2.047 billion USD, and the funds have been fully recovered."

"Understood."

Huang Tianya nodded, and after everyone left, he grinned.

He wouldn't use this money to buy mines; it would be used to build a new factory.

The third phase of the wafer fab would use entirely domestically produced equipment, starting at 14nm, while simultaneously fully testing the domestically produced immersion Lithography Machine!

...

South Korea, Samsung Chairman's residence.

Lee Kun-hee looked at the financial report and stock price chart in his hand, feeling a tightness in his chest.

He had intended to rely on the support of the United States to try one more time; after all, the previous failure had been swift, but that was because he lacked the support of the United States...

But this time... he hadn't expected the failure to be just as swift.

He stood up with his cane, but suddenly his vision went dark, and he stumbled a step.

Lee Jae-yong, who was nearby, rushed forward to support him, seemingly panicked as he ordered someone to call the family doctor, but no one on the scene moved!

"No need!" Lee Kun-hee waved his hand and looked at his son standing by his side. "You submitted this report on purpose, didn't you?"

Lee Jae-yong just smiled without saying much!

Lee Kun-hee let out a long sigh, instantly understanding, and then revealed a hint of desolation.

His health was already poor, and his energy was not what it used to be.

The board of directors had long harbored resentment; consecutive strategic mistakes had already left many veterans dissatisfied. He hadn't expected his own son to have already begun forcing him out!

These tactics...

It is unknown what the father and son discussed next, but early on the morning of April 30th, Samsung Electronics released an announcement:

Due to health issues, Lee Kun-hee officially resigned from his position as Chairman of Samsung Electronics, with his son Lee Jae-yong appointed as Chairman of Samsung Electronics, taking full control of all business operations.

...

Guangzhou, Transsion headquarters.

Shen Fei watched the trending topics online and immediately understood that an era belonging to Samsung had officially ended, and Lee Jae-yong's rise to power would definitely involve more underhanded tactics.

After all, a new official always brings new policies!

"Xiaofei, you must be careful. This Lee Jae-yong is more eager for quick success and instant benefits than his father, and his tactics will likely be even more unscrupulous. You must protect the core technology on your end."

Less than half an hour after Samsung's official announcement, Zhang Shixin called him.

"Dad, don't worry! Our intelligence organization isn't just sitting around. If they want to mess with us, they'll have to see if they have the capability."

Subsequently, Mr. Ren, Big Mouth Yu, and others also called to offer their regards.

However, Shen Fei had anticipated this and had already set his pieces in Samsung into motion.

Soon, the first secret letter was transmitted over:

On his first day in office, Lee Jae-yong secretly met with TSMC's Vice President, Department Head Liu De.

The two sides talked for over three hours at a private club in Seoul. Although it is unknown what they discussed, it was certainly about the manufacturing technology for Transsion chips.

"Mingzhu, what do you think about this?"

After speaking, Shen Fei looked at his wife...

"I feel they are targeting our Quadruple Patterning Technology. After all, this technology has indeed changed the entire lithography industry, and their pride and joy, the immersion Lithography Machine, has already been matched. Lee Kun-hee could hold back while he was in office, but now that Lee Jae-yong has taken over..."

Zhang Mingzhu did not finish her sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.

After all, she had previously helped Shen Fei analyze these people, and her assessment of Lee Jae-yong was that he had courage but lacked strategy.

This is not to say he lacks ability, but simply because he is young and a bit too impulsive.

...

Guangzhou Semiconductor Wafer Fab, Zone 1.

Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing left early today, so the duty management here was currently being handled by Deputy Factory Manager Zhou Mingyuan.

He is 35 years old and was among the first batch of top talent recruited by Huang Tianya. Because he is a Ph.D. in Materials Science, he manages the wafer fab alongside Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing.

Stepping out of the cleanroom, his phone received a message.

It was a message from that same headhunter: "Mr. Zhou, Samsung has raised their offer again. An annual salary of 30 million Chinese Yuan, a one-time signing bonus of 5 million, permanent residency in South Korea, and the position of Deputy Director of the Samsung Semiconductor Lithography Technology Research Institute, leading an independent team. As long as you come over and bring the algorithms and tuning parameters for the Quadruple Patterning Technology, you can name your own terms."

Seeing that he didn't reply, the headhunter sent another message, unwilling to give up:

"If you are unwilling to come to South Korea, that is fine. We can pay you a service fee; depending on the technology, there is no upper limit. We can even afford 100 million USD."

Zhou Mingyuan looked at these messages, his eyes turning cold.

This was already the third time the other party had contacted him. The previous times could be considered probing, and the conditions offered were far beyond the industry standard.

But this time, it wasn't about poaching; it was clearly about stealing technology.

He wanted to block them directly, but on second thought, this matter wouldn't end so easily.

Although Mr. Huang had already harvested a sum from them, it wasn't enough; it hadn't hurt them to the bone!

Moreover, Lee Jae-yong was eager to establish his authority upon taking office, so targeting the wafer fab was inevitable.

And the other party was clearly prepared, as they knew exactly what their specific projects were... As for whether there were other moles inside the factory, that shouldn't be the case.

After all, the benefits at China Star were already maximized; surely no one would give up such a bright future for some so-called South Korean residency.

So, Zhou Mingyuan replied appropriately: "This time, there's finally some sincerity, but it's still stingy. I'll consider it."

This sentence instantly made the headhunter on the other side smile.

The other party sent a series of messages one after another...

But he didn't reply, because he had already headed directly to Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing's residence, which was in the residential area next to the factory.

"Xiao Zhou, why are you here? Please, come in..."

Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing knew he must be here for something else, so he didn't rush to ask about the parameters of Machine No. 3.

"Factory Manager, something has happened."

Zhou Mingyuan sat down and said anxiously: "I've been stuck with a stinking fly these past few days. All it does is disgust me every single day!"

Next, he explained the matter of the Samsung headhunter trying to poach him.

"They want all the core technologies! But this price... they really take us for fools."

"Maybe eating too much kimchi rotted their brains, but that headhunter is still contacting me."

Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing looked at the message he replied with: "You did well in this matter."

Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing read it carefully and finally said seriously: "To be honest, besides you, TSMC is also contacting people in the R&D department, but most have refused. Since they came directly to you this time, it seems they are desperate."

Factory Manager Yuan Guoqing stood up and grabbed his coat: "Let's go find Mr. Shen now. This matter is too big; he must make the call."