135: Mutual suspicion

The engineers looked at each other with varying expressions, their hearts already in turmoil.

"I can't die. My wife is waiting for me, and I have a seven-year-old son," a forty-something engineer murmured, picking up a contract and signing his name.

As long as he was alive, there would always be a chance to see his child; if he died, it would be absolutely impossible.

With the first person signing, the others stopped holding out. At worst, they would just help these detestable Chinese people.

A bad life is better than a good death.

In the end, five engineers remained. They were led by an engineer in his fifties; they were the core engineers of this group.

"Colleagues, could you help me introduce these engineers?" Li Xiuwu looked toward those who had already signed the contracts.

After signing the contracts, these people were already enveloped by the Faction Aura. A sense of relief washed over them, and they felt that Li Xiuwu was very kind and had a great attitude, causing them to lower their guard.

"Boss, this is Professor Dulos. He is one of the main researchers for this Lithography Machine. These people beside him are his students, who also participated in the research of this machine," someone stepped forward and revealed their information.

"Matthews, you're despicable!" someone behind Dulos pointed at Matthews.

"Boss, this person is named Reeves; he's a genius."

Not wanting to be left behind, others also introduced these people to Li Xiuwu, even revealing their family backgrounds and family members.

"Professor Dulos's grandson is three years old this year; he must be very cute."

The moment Li Xiuwu said this, Dulos's whole body trembled. The several people following Dulos also lost their resolve because their families had all been exposed by the others.

The soldiers ordered to protect these engineers watched Li Xiuwu in shock. In just a few moments, he had incited them into internal strife, reporting each other's information, especially regarding their families.

Furthermore, Li Xiuwu was clearly using their families to threaten them.

"For the value of the Lithography Machine, I paid forty million dollars, while you are only worth five hundred thousand dollars."

"I'll sign," Dulos gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with hatred as he looked at Li Xiuwu, but he was also afraid that Li Xiuwu would truly harm his family.

The final five people also signed the employment contracts.

"Excellent. From now on, we are all one family. If you have any difficulties in life, just say so. It's not impossible for you to see your families in the future."

Li Xiuwu checked the contracts and put them away with satisfaction.

"Everyone, let's discuss how to install it together."

Li Xiuwu called Qiu Lianhai and Du Tianhua to discuss how to install the equipment.

With these specialized engineers to consult with, things became much simpler.

Although Li Xiuwu and the others were still guarded against them, the progress was much faster once their suggestions were verified.

"A Lithography Machine, 12 inches..." Du Tianhua's hand shook when he learned the specific details of the equipment.

"Old Qiu, give me a hand. I want to go out and see."

Du Tianhua also joined the crowd gathered around the vehicles.

Unloading, transporting into the lab, installation, and debugging—none of it was simple. Everyone was busy for over a month.

This wasn't an assembly line for production; it was purely for research use.

The installation of this Lithography Machine filled the entire lab with excitement. With the cooperation of the engineers, who also possessed certain technical skills—especially Dulos and his students, who held some core technologies of the Lithography Machine—the project advanced.

In a sense, Dulos was even more precious than the Lithography Machine itself.

While the installation and debugging were underway in Xian,

North America's investigation into the Lithography Machine continued. ASML, Motorola, the Philippines, and even the Guam Navy became subjects of the investigation.

Everyone along the entire chain was investigated.

North America believed the sinking of the freighter was too bizarre. Why did it head toward Guam, turn east, and finally sink into the sea?

What was the cause of the sinking, and did anyone survive?

The Netherlands believed it was the US military that sank the freighter due to internal strife within Motorola.

During the investigation, they suspected each other. A Lithography Machine couldn't disappear for no reason. Since they couldn't find information from the ship, they started checking orders for production lines.

A single Lithography Machine could do nothing on its own; it required other supporting equipment.

This equipment came from different manufacturers. After an investigation, no new orders were found besides Motorola's.

Motorola also conducted its own investigation. Old York seized upon Duke Krumen's blunders and attacked him relentlessly. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he jumped from the Industrial Department back to the Transportation Department to regain control of shipping.

Because the Lithography Machine was lost, the plan to upgrade and sell the Chip Factory in Japan was interrupted. The ordered etching machines, spin coaters, and other equipment were all stored in warehouses at the Japanese docks.

Old York used Duke Krumen's mistake to gain leverage and return to the Transportation Department.

With Old York leaving the Industrial Department, the upgrade plan for the Japanese Chip Factory was completely shelved, and the supporting equipment was left to gather dust in the dock warehouses.

Duke was kicked out of the company, and Old York took control of the Transportation Department. Motorola lost over three hundred million dollars due to this power struggle.

But Old York had made forty million dollars and returned to an important position. Foxis also received over five million; he felt fantastic and followed Old York to the Transportation Department.

"Boss, I have not failed my mission," Foxis bragged to Li Xiuwu, using a Chinese idiom he had learned.

"Good job. A two-million-dollar year-end bonus will be sent to you at the end of the year." Li Xiuwu didn't waste words and directly fulfilled his promise.

"Boss, you are truly wise." Foxis was moved by Li Xiuwu's words. When he said he'd give money, he really did. Including the two-million-dollar bonus, he would get seven million dollars this time. This was a fortune, and this money wouldn't be subject to asset division in a divorce.

Wait, divorce? Why would I divorce? I am Old York's most loyal subordinate.

"Boss, I want to continue serving under Old York," Foxis stated his intention.

"Boss, please believe in my loyalty. I'm not trying to betray you. I'm thinking that those pieces of equipment stored at the Japanese docks might also be moved, but it will require long-term planning."

If those pieces of equipment were brought over, they could directly assemble a production line.

However, those pieces of equipment were currently under North American scrutiny.

"Foxis, I think that equipment might become a focus of North American attention. You can't touch it; it would be dangerous."

"I can wait. A year or two from now, that equipment will also be very important to you, Boss," Foxis said.

Li Xiuwu fell silent. This equipment represented core technologies that would be difficult for China to break through in the short term.

"I agree, but don't even think about it for at least a year," he instructed Foxis.

Worrying about Foxis was one thing, but he was also concerned that if Foxis was exposed, the trail would lead back to him.

Before they had mastered the technology, this would cause unnecessary trouble.