16: Chapter 16: Barriers and Encirclement

The newly zoned industrial land for Spark Technology seemed to have transformed into a massive construction site overnight.

Pile drivers roared, tower cranes stood like a forest, and vehicles transporting building materials flowed in an endless stream—a scene of intense activity.

Two prominent project signs stood tall: [Spark Graphene Material Preparation Center], [spark super energy Battery Production Base].

In the temporarily constructed project headquarters, Wu Hao and Yang Yang had practically made this place their home.

Their eyes were bloodshot, yet their spirits were in a state of extreme excitement.

The complete technical data Su Chen had handed over to them was like opening a door to a new world; every formula and every process parameter within it was exquisite, far surpassing their previous understanding.

"Old Yang, look at this yield control algorithm for roll-to-roll transfer; it's simply a stroke of genius!" Wu Hao pointed at the computer screen, his voice raspy but full of excitement.

"According to this plan, the cost can definitely be kept below ten yuan per gram! This will be a feat that changes the landscape of materials science!"

Yang Yang nodded heavily, pointing at the battery structure design drawing: "Exactly! The composite ratio of activated carbon and lead paste, the additives in the electrolyte... every detail is impeccable."

"I have a premonition that once our 'spark super energy' battery is released, the existing consumer electronics battery market will experience an earthquake!"

Under the passionate leadership of the two top scientists, the project progressed rapidly.

Drawings were quickly converted into construction blueprints, and equipment procurement lists were issued with the highest priority.

Lin Wan coordinated all the company's resources, ensuring that personnel, funds, and materials flowed into these two core projects without any obstacles.

The terrifying execution displayed by Spark Technology shocked all the builders and engineers involved.

The goal was clear: it must be built and put into mass production by May 1st!

However, the waves encountered by the giant ship of Spark Technology, accelerating as it was, were becoming increasingly violent.

Inside Chen Yonghao's office at the Lingyun Technology headquarters, smoke swirled.

He looked at the intelligence brought by his subordinates regarding Spark Technology's large-scale construction of new material and battery factories, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

Although he didn't know exactly what Spark was doing, this reckless investment made him feel extremely uneasy.

"We cannot let them continue to develop so smoothly!" Chen Yonghao viciously stubbed out his cigarette and roared at the several executives in front of him.

"The progress of the 'Star Hunter' project must be accelerated! Also, notify Yihang and Jiguang; the price war continues, and the intensity must be increased! Even if we suffer temporary losses, we must drag Spark into the quagmire of the market!"

He pondered for a moment, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes: "Also, I remember that the core main control chip for Spark's drones is purchased from 'Ruixin Technology,' right?"

"Contact President Sun of Ruixin immediately and apply pressure! Either stop supplying Spark or raise the price significantly! I want them to know who the one in charge is in this industry!"

The encirclement by the "Hezong" alliance extended from the market level to the upstream supply chain.

A few days later, an official letter from Ruixin Technology was placed on Su Chen's desk.

Citing "tight production capacity and rising raw material costs," the letter announced a 50% price increase for the special-purpose main control chips supplied to Spark Technology, and that supply volume for the next quarter would be reduced by 30%.

"This is blatant obstruction!" Lin Wan held the letter, her tone filled with indignation.

"Ruixin has always been our stable supplier, and our cooperation has been very pleasant. For them to suddenly pull this move, Lingyun must be playing tricks behind the scenes!"

Su Chen looked at the letter, his eyes cold.

chips were the heart of modern technological products.

Although Spark Communications was already researching image processing chips, highly integrated core components like flight control main chips could not be produced in-house in the short term.

This move by Lingyun directly pinched the throat of Spark's production capacity.

"Tell Production Director Liu Jian to enable the backup chip plan, adjust the production line, and prioritize the supply of high-end products. At the same time, have the procurement department immediately look for alternative suppliers; even if the cost is higher, we must ensure there is no disruption in supply." Su Chen quickly issued instructions.

"Also, notify Spark Communications that the self-research project for the flight control main chip should be given the highest priority! We must firmly hold the 'heart' in our own hands!"

The internal response was orderly, but external harassment followed one after another.

Zhou Tianyu naturally would not let this opportunity pass.

Using his status as a 5% shareholder, he sent several inquiry letters to the board of directors of Spark Technology through "Tianqiong Capital" which he controlled.

The letters were "rigorous" in wording and cited precedents, expressing "serious concern" regarding Spark Technology's recent "huge and unclear" capital expenditures (mainly referring to the graphene and battery factories).

They demanded that the company disclose detailed core business secrets such as project feasibility study reports, investment return forecasts, and technology source assessments, and questioned whether the management was conducting "aggressive investments that damage the company's long-term value."

These letters were directly copied to the CSRC and major investment institutions, intending to create public opinion pressure and label Spark Technology as "opaque" and "making reckless decisions."

In CFO Shen Nanpeng's office, the atmosphere was heavy.

"This is a classic case of Zhou Tianyu's true intentions lying elsewhere." Shen Nanpeng threw the stack of inquiry letters on the table and sneered, "He doesn't care about the details of these projects at all; he just wants to use this method of legal harassment to drain our energy, interfere with the company's normal operations, and even spread panic in the capital market."

Legal Director Liang Zhen pushed up his glasses, a cold glint flashing behind the lenses: "Don't worry, he is playing a 'bright' scheme, but we can also fight back with compliant means."

"To these inquiries, we will respond one by one in a 'full and compliant' manner, but the content will be kept to the minimum requirements for information disclosure, and we will never reveal any core technical details. At the same time, I will draft a lawyer's letter warning him against abusing shareholder rights and interfering with the company's normal business order."

Although the response was appropriate, Zhou Tianyu's harassment did force Shen Nanpeng and Liang Zhen to divert a great deal of energy to handle these trivial yet dangerous paper wars.

And at the Spark Technology R&D center, the hidden undercurrents also began to ripple.

Li Mengqi, using the alias Lin Xiao, had become a highly valued member of the pre-research team due to her outstanding abilities and "positive" attitude.

She keenly noticed that the company's resources had recently clearly tilted towards the fields of materials and energy.

Wu Hao and Yang Yang, the two parachuted scientists with mysterious backgrounds but extraordinary abilities, had attracted her high attention.

During a lunch break, she "inadvertently" chatted with a colleague responsible for laboratory material procurement.

"Brother Zhang, I see that the quantities of high-purity graphite, special electrolytes, and such things on your procurement list have increased significantly recently. Is it because we have some new project starting?" Lin Xiao held her coffee, her tone relaxed and natural, as if she were just asking casually.

The colleague had no suspicions and replied casually: "Yeah, it's what Dr. Wu and Dr. Yang asked for. I'm not sure exactly what they are doing, but the level is very high, and it was all specially approved by Director Lin."

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was attentive.

Li Mengqi's heart stirred.

Wu Hao, Yang Yang, high-purity graphite, special electrolytes, high-level project... These fragmented pieces of information were quickly pieced together in her mind.

She could basically confirm that Spark Technology was secretly developing a new type of battery technology, and the investment was huge, with an extremely high level of confidentiality!

That night, in the safe house she rented, an encrypted message was sent out through a special channel:

"Target company suspected of launching a top-secret new battery R&D project, led by two parachuted top scientists (Wu, Yang), and has invested heavily in building a dedicated production line. The technical direction may be related to graphite materials and lead-carbon systems. Specific performance parameters are unknown, but it is judged to be of extremely high strategic importance. — Mole"

On the other end of the information, Zhou Tianyu looked at this intelligence, and a look of satisfaction finally appeared on his face.

Although it was not specific enough, the direction was already clear.

Spark Technology was indeed brewing a big move, and it was a big move related to energy!

This further confirmed his judgment and made his covetousness for Spark Technology even more intense.

He immediately shared this intelligence with Chen Yonghao.

Upon receiving the news, Chen Yonghao was even more worried, becoming more urgent in his urging of the "Star Hunter" alliance, and also strengthened the blockade on Spark's supply chain.

Spark Technology, on the road to sprinting towards the dawn, had the alliance's encirclement and interception in front, the cold arrows of capital harassment behind, and a poisonous snake hidden inside that could erupt at any time.

Su Chen stood in front of the office window, watching the bright lights on the construction site in the distance, his gaze as firm as iron.

The barrier was being built brick by brick.

And the war of encirclement and counter-encirclement had already entered its most intense stage.