84: What do you think I'm doing?

Zhang Nanjing's expression was grim: "The company's equity, as well as national and local management, will not allow them to act recklessly."

He went to Taiwan in '97 and founded a semiconductor company. In just three years, he developed it into the world's third-largest semiconductor company, only to be betrayed by major shareholders who sold the technology he developed to TSMC.

In a fit of rage, he left that company and came to the mainland in 2000 to found SMIC.

This time, in only three years, he brought SMIC's chip technology to 110nm, with only a one-year generation gap compared to TSMC's 90nm. It was at this moment that he was sued by TSMC.

At the same time, SMIC's R&D personnel were being headhunted by the global semiconductor industry with triple the salary.

SMIC then introduced Motorola as a shareholder, resulting in foreign holdings exceeding domestic holdings.

"Regional leaders want short-term political achievements; as for whether there's a technological breakthrough or not, they're only in office for a few years anyway," Li Xiuwu spoke up.

"Without the compromise of local holdings, how could Motorola have entered the field?"

Zhang Nanjing's expression was not very good, partly due to his current situation—the TSMC lawsuit made him very uncomfortable. He faintly felt this was a form of political pressure, as someone had already leaked information to him that as long as he withdrew from SMIC, they would stop suing him.

Additionally, the changes in SMIC's equity made him feel restricted.

"Chief Qiu, give me the list." Li Xiuwu reached out his hand.

Qiu Wanjun took out a list.

"These are the researchers who have already signed contracts with us. Elder Zhang might as well take a look."

When Zhang Nanjing saw the list, his face turned extremely pale; this was nearly 40% of SMIC's R&D staff.

"Within a year, I will invest a minimum of three billion, with no upper limit. My company might not be profitable for ten years, but I can wait."

"Only enterprises controlled in our own hands will not be subject to any external threats."

Zhang Nanjing looked at Li Xiuwu, shocked by his immense determination.

But for SMIC, he had already put in too much effort and established a complete industrial chain; he still couldn't let it go.

"Elder Zhang need not be troubled. Perhaps mine is just a guess; maybe those foreign holding shareholders will support you in vigorously researching chips to overtake foreign competitors," Li Xiuwu said finally.

Zhang Nanjing was speechless; these words sounded more like mockery.

Zhang Nanjing indeed did as he thought when he came—he only ate and didn't discuss business, but he left with a heavy heart.

After Zhang Nanjing left, Li Xiuwu also remained silent. He had confidence in the chips, but chips were only one link in the semiconductor industry; manufacturing chips was the more acute problem.

"Chief Qiu," Li Xiuwu suddenly spoke.

"Does the Boss have any other instructions?"

Li Xiuwu tapped on the table, and only after a while did he speak.

"The scramble for chip talent is coming to an end. I have some other layouts that need someone to handle contact and negotiations. Do you want to continue in this role, or go serve as the General Manager of Dream Time?"

Li Xiuwu was also considering Qiu Wanjun's work arrangement; what he excelled at was negotiation and investment.

Investing in the internet, overseas game agency rights, and this headhunting operation—he had done them all very well.

Dream Time was also doing well under his management, but with so much money in the company, he hadn't thought about independently expanding internet projects, which showed a lack of understanding of the internet.

Qiu Wanjun hadn't expected Li Xiuwu to ask this question, and he considered it carefully.

He had always worked according to Li Xiuwu's instructions, and Dream Time had only completed the tasks Li Xiuwu assigned.

Although the profits of Dream Time were quite good, his ability was too far behind the company's development, and many people in his team were not adapting well.

"Boss, I should be more suited for commercial negotiations."

"Mhm." A smile appeared on Li Xiuwu's face.

Li Xiuwu rested that night. He looked at the night view of Shanghai with its flickering neon lights; it was already a major metropolis.

The next day, accompanied by Qiu Wanjun, Li Xiuwu toured various industrial and technology parks in Shanghai.

The Shanghai authorities were also having a headache over this 'cost-reduction westward relocation.' The westward relocation of high-tech industries meant moving away the very foundation of Shanghai's development. Leaders of various districts were also actively applying to higher authorities for tax rate adjustments.

Low taxes, tax exemptions, and even support policies.

Li Xiuwu gained a general understanding of the environment to prepare for the subsequent company arrangements.

After staying in Shanghai for a few days, he returned to the capital. Just as he returned, he heard the news that Big Beard Zhang had been beaten up.

"Where did you hear that from?" Li Xiuwu looked at the excited Zhu Yawen.

"It's spreading through the circles. They say he was beaten black and blue and didn't dare to call the police," Zhu Yawen told Li Xiuwu mysteriously.

Li Xiuwu wondered who did it. Wang Cheng?

Not only was Zhu Yawen talking about it, but Liu Yifei was also gossiping about the news: "Big Beard Zhang was beaten by people his wife hired because he cheated."

"Why are you looking at me?" As Li Xiuwu listened, he saw Liu Yifei's gaze fall on him.

"What's with that look? Do you want to hit me too?"

"Hmph." Liu Yifei withdrew her gaze.

"Don't forget we're going to an auction in a few days?" Liu Yifei reminded him.

"The seventh day of the fourth lunar month." Liu Yifei was wearing white pants and a light pink top, looking very much like a young girl.

They took a car to Huaxing Mansion, where the real estate auction was scheduled.

In the mansion's garage, many luxury cars were parked. They weren't particularly flashy, looking low-key and ordinary, yet all were worth a fortune.

Li Xiuwu sat in the car deep in thought. Too many things had happened recently, and he needed to think them through carefully. After today, there would be even more things, and many preparatory matters would have to unfold.

Liu Yifei glanced at Li Xiuwu. Accustomed to him being like this, she took out a book and read quietly.

"He's here." Liu Xiaoli suddenly spoke and pushed open the car door.

Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei both snapped back to reality and got out of the car, seeing a middle-aged man step out of the car next to them.

"This is Li Xiuwu, the young man I told you about," Liu Xiaoli introduced Li Xiuwu.

When Chen Jinfei saw Li Xiuwu, he sized him up from head to toe.

So this was the youth Liu Xiaoli thought highly of, who was said to have a deep connection with Golden Culture.

"This is Xixi's godfather, the president of Tongchan. You can just call him Uncle Chen."

"Uncle Chen," Li Xiuwu said simply, glanced at him a few times, and withdrew his gaze.

Chen Jinfei's eyes flashed. This kid was a bit arrogant, but considering his past and his unclear relationship with Golden Culture, being a bit arrogant was normal.

"Let's go in first." Chen Jinfei had no interest in dealing with Li Xiuwu; his mind was entirely on the land being auctioned today.

Chen Jinfei and Liu Xiaoli walked in front, while Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei followed behind.

"Can anyone attend the auction?" Liu Xiaoli suddenly asked.

Chen Jinfei turned his head, saw Liu Xiaoli's expression, and suddenly remembered the purpose of their visit.

"Participating in the auction requires capital verification. To qualify for entry, one needs three hundred million in cash," Chen Jinfei said regarding the auction entry.

"Speaking of which, I should thank you. If you hadn't contacted Xixi's uncle, it would have been difficult for me to get so much cash."

As Chen Jinfei spoke, his eyes turned toward Li Xiuwu behind them. An entry threshold of three hundred million should scare the life out of this kid, right?

Li Xiuwu didn't catch the meaning in Chen Jinfei's words at all. Three hundred million? He didn't even realize what Chen Jinfei and Liu Xiaoli were trying to do.