29: Chapter 29: First Signs of Talent, Storm Brewing

Having gained national-level recognition and initial orders, Xingchen Heavy Industry felt as if it had been injected with a stimulant, and the entire company was filled with soaring enthusiasm.

Lu Qiming's team went all out to optimize the design of "Beichen No. 1" to prepare for mass production; although the initial monthly capacity was only one unit, its symbolic significance and strategic value were immeasurable.

Meanwhile, the mid-range machine tool project led by Chen Zhiyuan and Zhao Qing was also progressing rapidly.

In another spacious workshop, four production lines had been set up.

Chen Zhiyuan pointed to a production line currently in trial operation and introduced it to several procurement heads from state-owned enterprises who had come to inspect: "This is our upcoming mass-produced four-axis linkage machining center. Its positioning accuracy can reach 0.002 mm, and its repeatability is 0.001 mm. Equipped with our self-developed numerical control system, its efficiency in processing complex housings, impellers, and other workpieces is 25% higher than foreign products at the same price point, with better stability."

A representative from a large state-owned automobile engine company carefully examined the workpieces produced by the prototype and nodded repeatedly: "Good! Excellent! This performance can fully meet our needs for finishing next-generation engine cylinder heads and crankshafts, and the price is only 70% of imported equipment! Mr. Chen, our group hopes to sign a letter of intent for the first batch of ten units and discuss a five-year long-term strategic cooperation!"

The three-axis vertical machining center production line led by Zhao Qing was even more popular.

With its astonishing price-performance ratio—performance exceeding the international market mainstream level by six years, yet with a highly competitive price—this machine tool quickly became a market "hit."

Not only did major state-owned enterprises place orders, but many excellent private enterprises, such as those in robot joint manufacturing, precision molds, and high-end components, also flocked to it, and orders flew in like snowflakes.

"Mr. Zhao, you have really solved a big problem for us!" said the owner of a private technology company from the south excitedly, "In the past, buying foreign brands was not only expensive but also had slow after-sales service. Your machine tools have better performance, more reasonable prices, and faster service response. This is the 'heart' that Made in China needs!"

The gates of Xingchen Heavy Industry were almost broken down by customers coming to negotiate cooperation.

As CEO, Lin Wan was extremely busy, but she handled everything in an orderly manner, arranging business negotiations, production coordination, and government liaison perfectly; her growth speed made Su Chen and the veterans secretly admire her.

The four-axis machine tool had a monthly capacity of 10 units, priced at 12 million; the high-precision three-axis machine tool had a domestic price of 1 million, with a monthly capacity of 100 units, and these would be the mainstream products of Xingchen Heavy Industry in the future.

On the surface, Xingchen Heavy Industry and Spark Technology were both forging ahead, looking spectacular.

Spark Power's battery business continued to provide massive cash flow for the group, while Xingchen Heavy Industry had won reputation and a solid position on another level through technological breakthroughs.

However, shadows always grow in the brightest places.

Across the ocean, in an ornately decorated office, Zhou Tianyu stood respectfully before a blonde, blue-eyed, and imposing middle-aged foreign man; this man was Mr. Smith, the head of the Asia-Pacific region for "Global Capital."

"Mr. Smith, according to the intelligence we have obtained, Spark Technology, or rather, Su Chen, has ambitions far beyond batteries and drones. He has established a wholly-owned 'Xingchen Heavy Industry' and has already made breakthrough progress in the field of high-end machine tools. This poses a serious threat to the interests of our alliance members in the field of high-end manufacturing, and more importantly, it may change the industrial foundation of the East." Zhou Tianyu reported in a sinister tone.

Smith looked at the limited information about Xingchen Heavy Industry and the blurry photo of "Beichen No. 1" on the screen, his eyes cold: "The spread of technology needs to be managed. It seems that the gentle warnings to Spark Technology are no longer working. It is time to let them understand who holds the power over the global technology supply chain."

He picked up the internal phone and issued an order: "Launch the 'Broken Chain' operation. Contact the Department of Commerce and initiate a 337 investigation against Spark Technology and its affiliated companies on the grounds of 'suspected use of improper means to obtain technology' and 'threatening national security.' At the same time, notify our 'friends' to stop supplying all high-end chips to Spark Technology."

The storm arrived without warning.

A few days later, Shen Nanpeng rushed into Su Chen's office with a livid face, forgetting even to knock.

"Mr. Su, something big has happened!" He placed an emergency report on Su Chen's desk, "The US Department of Commerce has just announced the initiation of a '337 investigation' against us! That's not the most critical part; we have just received notifications from almost all major chip suppliers, including Texas Instruments, Nvidia, and ON Semiconductor, stating that they will suspend the supply of all core chips to us on the grounds of 'supply chain review' and 'export control'! This includes the key chips for our drone master control, image processing, and power management!"

Su Chen stood up abruptly, took the report, and scanned it quickly; his face sank instantly: "How much longer can our chip inventory last?"

"The drone product line, at most... one month." Shen Nanpeng's voice carried a hint of bitterness, "Starting next month, if there are no chips, the entire line will shut down! Domestically... there are currently no alternative products of the same specifications!"

The office fell into a dead silence; the foundation of Spark Technology had been shaken, and this was no longer commercial competition, but a precision strike aimed at strangulation.

Su Chen walked to the window, watching the bustling traffic downstairs, his eyes as sharp as knives; he tapped on the window frame lightly, as if questioning this sudden crisis, and also as if brewing a storm of counterattack.

"Understood." His voice was unusually calm, yet contained cold power, "Notify everyone, call an emergency highest-level strategic meeting. Also, have the Spark Investment team report to me immediately on their research into the domestic semiconductor supply chain over the past six months."

Crisis is both danger and opportunity; Su Chen knew that another, even more arduous battle had begun.