89: Chapter 89: Starting to Develop Our Own Chips!!!

Inside the laboratory.

Zhao Chengping and Chang Hongsheng watched the busy researchers; they didn't step forward to disturb them, only watching quietly from outside the glass window.

"That young man is Zhou Fan, right?"

"Yes, that's him!" Chang Hongsheng followed Zhao Chengping's gaze and nodded slightly.

"The new generation really surpasses the old!"

Looking at the youngest yet calm and steady figure inside, Zhao Chengping couldn't help but feel even more surprised.

He could clearly see that the entire laboratory was revolving around Zhou Fan, and even the research group leader, Wei Zhicheng, was acting as an assistant.

This undoubtedly meant that Zhou Fan's abilities had been recognized by everyone.

This was a national-level engineering project, and the lowest-ranking members were Level 3 researchers—positions that PhD students from top universities would take at least three to five years to reach. Yet, this group of top-tier talents was now willingly following the orders of a young man under twenty.

Even with Zhao Chengping's experience, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

"Not only is he exceptionally capable in software engineering, but he also has such high talent in basic materials research. Such a genius is rare; his future is limitless!"

At this point, Zhao Chengping couldn't help but feel a desire to recruit talent. He looked at Chang Hongsheng and asked, "Has this Zhou Fan graduated from university yet? Would he be willing to come to our institute?"

"I've already asked. This fellow is currently managing Fanmi Technology and has set up his own separate laboratory. He hasn't considered coming to the institute at all; otherwise, I would have brought him over long ago!"

Chang Hongsheng couldn't help but smile bitterly.

He had extended an invitation the first day he met Zhou Fan. Unfortunately, he knew very well that Zhou Fan had his own plans and was not someone who would easily change his mind or goals, so he never brought it up again.

"That really is a pity!"

Hearing this, Zhao Chengping also shook his head, his tone filled with regret.

However, his tone soon shifted, becoming a bit serious.

"This child has made such a great contribution to our project; you mustn't mistreat him!"

"Whether it's material rewards or honors, I remember your project group has a reward fund. Allocate some from there; consider it a token of our appreciation!"

Zhao Chengping's tone was somewhat complex. He knew that as a shareholder and chief technology officer of Fanmi Technology, Zhou Fan likely didn't lack money. However, that didn't mean they could comfortably enjoy his results or his help for free.

"Don't worry, leader. I'm aware of all this. Whether in terms of material rewards or honors, we definitely won't mistreat Zhou Fan!"

"Good, arrange this personally!" Zhao Chengping nodded and then turned to walk out.

"Aren't you going to meet him?" Chang Hongsheng quickly followed and couldn't help but ask.

"No. There are some issues with the outer protection system. The experimental results for the materials of the optical window and outer protective shield are not ideal. I must rush over there to see if I can find a solution!"

Zhao Chengping's tone returned to being serious, and his brows furrowed slightly; clearly, the problem he mentioned was not a small one.

"Then I'll see you out!"

Chang Hongsheng didn't try to make him stay, as there were still many things in the project group waiting for him to handle.

...

The weather was getting colder and colder.

The temperature change in the north was particularly noticeable. After the sun went down, it felt chilly even when wearing a coat.

But the atmosphere inside the laboratory was buzzing with excitement. Ever since Zhou Fan helped Wei Zhicheng and the others find the direction for improving the H1-type material, the project members had hardly rested.

They were working around the clock every day!

But even so, no one complained of exhaustion. They all had a fire in their bellies, using every bit of time to speed up the project's progress. After all, they didn't know when Zhou Fan would leave.

They had discovered that with Zhou Fan around, the project seemed to go exceptionally smoothly. Even when problems arose, Zhou Fan could always quickly find a direction for a solution. Over time, they admired this young man more and more.

Every time they looked at Zhou Fan, there was even a hint of fanaticism in their eyes!

Inside his single dormitory, Zhou Fan, who had just returned, received a call from Lei Jun.

"There's news from Gaotong. They want Fanmi to provide 30% of its original shares. They will invest according to the company's current estimated market value as a condition for deep cooperation between both parties!"

Lei Jun's tone was heavy, even tinged with anger. If they really gave away 30% of the original shares, it was uncertain whether the company would still belong to him and Zhou Fan in the future.

In his view, Gaotong showed no sincerity whatsoever; they were simply treating them like pushovers. It was truly infuriating!

"What do you think?" Zhou Fan's tone was very calm. He had already anticipated this outcome and wasn't surprised.

"Of course it's impossible!" Lei Jun spoke without the slightest hesitation. "If we really give them the shares, it would be equivalent to working for them. We formulated the Domestic Substitution Plan and started laying the groundwork when the company was first founded specifically to avoid being restricted by foreign technology!"

"They're just dreaming!!!"

The uncontrollable anger inside made the usually humble and gentle Lei Jun swear.

"Then let's speed up the cooperation with Haicheng Microelectronics. What's the reaction over there?" Zhou Fan asked after a moment of silence.

"After the other party saw the information you provided, they signed a strategic cooperation agreement with us that same day. They also admitted that with your feasibility plans, there's hope for breakthroughs in several of their core technologies!"

When mentioning this, Lei Jun was clearly excited, and his tone became more cheerful as he couldn't wait to tell Zhou Fan the details.

"Especially regarding the lithography machine system, they're already jointly developing autonomous research and development with us, including motion control and various subsystems!"

"They have already achieved mass production of 90nm lithography machines. If the core technologies currently being worked on, including optical components and light sources, can achieve breakthroughs, we should be able to produce 65nm lithography machines!"

Lei Jun grew more excited as he spoke, and one could even sense a slight tremble in his voice.

Because he knew what a 65nm lithography machine represented. Although it was still a generation behind the most advanced foreign lithography technology, it could at least be applied to high-end smartphones. Once produced, Fanmi's second-generation phones would at least not be without chips.

"Good. Lin Wenwu's system should be almost finished, right? Tell him to split off two groups to start working on a self-developed chip architecture!"

Zhou Fan was also somewhat surprised by Lei Jun's words; he hadn't expected Haicheng Microelectronics' technical foundation to be better than he had imagined.

In this way, the progress of chip localization could be accelerated a bit more. Perhaps the second-generation Fanmi phone could be released next year as scheduled.

"Okay, I'll inform Lin Wenwu!"

Lei Jun spoke while suppressing his inner excitement. They were finally going to start self-developing chips; his urgency was actually no less than Zhou Fan's.

After all, Gaotong's side was essentially refusing to cooperate, so they had to find a way to make chips themselves.

"Zhou Fan, there's one question I still want to know. If we have chips manufactured with a 65nm lithography machine, in terms of performance, roughly how much... worse will they be compared to foreign 45nm chips?"

After a brief silence, Lei Jun's tone became serious again, even heavy.

"We have our self-developed system and software optimization that far exceeds the android system. In terms of overall performance, it shouldn't be too far off!" Zhou Fan gave a conservative answer after thinking for a moment.

"With those words from you, I'm relieved. We'll wait for you to come back!!" Lei Jun's tone became excited again.

"Okay!"

The call ended.

Zhou Fan stood up and went to the window. Feeling the night breeze blowing gently, he was also somewhat excited.

self-developed system, self-developed chips...

The future of fanmi mobile phones might be destined to be full of thorns, but the rise of localization in the smartphone field was a full decade earlier than in his previous life!

Perhaps in this life, the path of Huaxia Technology's rise will truly change. He couldn't quite imagine that future right now!

A moment later, he turned and sat at his desk.

The project here was already on the right track. Once he clarified the next research and development plan, he would be able to return.

Opening his laptop, he began to tap the keys rapidly, formulating the next R&D plan.

That night,

One lamp, one person.

Almost until dawn!