Chapter 1148
Silicon Wafer Scam! Eagle Poisons
This is essentially strangling us at the source!
Su Dingping's expression turned completely cold, his sharp gaze sweeping over the furrowed brows of everyone present. The conference room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the low rumble of the ventilation system; no one spoke.
Self-developed purification technology!
A thorny, endless road to restoration lay before us.
But there is no way out!
"understood."
Su Dingping's voice was surprisingly calm, yet it contained an unwavering determination.
"We developed the ultra-high purity silicon purification technology ourselves!"
I will personally oversee this task and assemble a dedicated materials task force.
but--"
He abruptly changed the subject, his eyes scanning the entire room like a hawk's.
"We can't waste the other brothers' time! The foundation isn't stable, so the house can't be built, but we can first fire the bricks and install the steel bars! Elder Yuan!"
"Chief Engineer Su?"
Yuan Tao immediately responded.
"Everyone in the lab, start learning from the experts right away! Optical systems, precision mechanics, principles of excimer lasers, mask fabrication, alignment algorithms... learn everything you can from every sub-field of lithography machines, and tackle the really tough problems right away!"
We can't wait even a day longer!
Su Dingping's instructions were clear and forceful.
"We need to walk on two legs! While we break through the gap in materials, our technological reserves must immediately catch up with a vast ocean!"
"Yes, Chief Engineer Su!"
Yuan Tao and the senior experts behind him were invigorated and responded enthusiastically.
This arrangement was undoubtedly the most efficient way to break through. The young researchers' eyes were once again ignited, filled with an urgent need to "catch up."
"in addition."
Before the meeting ended, Su Dingping seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps throwing out a bait, as he gazed intently out the window toward the distant entrance to the base.
"We need to give those greedy vultures outside...some fun, so they think there's still something to gain."
In the afternoon, at the main entrance of the Longxin Laboratory base.
Tang Ping's steps no longer carried the ease and comfort of the past.
He walked along, irritably smoothing his wind-blown hair, a lingering gloom hanging over his brow. The deadline given by the Eagles was drawing ever closer.
The threat of "defection equals extradition" hangs like an icicle overhead.
As for that damned, priceless star-simulating device blueprint, there has been no further news from Longxin's side.
He felt like someone walking a tightrope on the edge of a cliff.
"Team Leader Tang."
A calm voice sounded beside me.
Tang Ping jolted awake and turned to see Su Dingping standing beside him, still wearing the same faded work jacket, his expression calm but his eyes unfathomable.
"Chief Engineer Su...!"
Tang Ping instantly put on a professional and enthusiastic smile.
"What's up?"
His heart was pounding. Had Su Dingping noticed something? Or was he finally about to give him his next instructions?
Su Dingping didn't look at Tang Ping's forced composure, but walked slowly alongside him, his gaze fixed on the busy construction site in the distance.
"There have been some changes."
His tone was devoid of emotion.
"The Energy Department has made significant adjustments to the research and development direction of the Longxin Laboratory for the next stage. The Zhulong Power Plant project will continue to advance, but the focus of technological breakthroughs must now be shifted."
Tang Ping's heart skipped a beat, and he forcibly suppressed the urge to ask further questions.
"Transfer? What about the follow-up to the stellarator..."
"A stellarator?"
Su Dingping chuckled softly, as if he had heard a somewhat unrelated word, with a hint of helplessness and self-deprecation.
"That's basic science research, which has a long cycle and slow results. The imminent threat now is the new move by the Western tribes. Dragon Heart Laboratory has received a new mission: to solve the chip bottleneck problem as soon as possible."
"chip?!"
Tang Ping was genuinely stunned for a moment.
This turn of events was completely unexpected.
"That's right, chips."
Su Dingping stopped and finally turned his head to look directly at Tang Ping.
"The eagle has made great strides at the 130nm node, while we are still stuck at the low-end level of 350nm."
High-end chips, whether for military weapons, the control core needed for the Tenglong No. 1 power plant we are building, or even the future development of artificial intelligence, all depend on imports. It's like handing over our heart to someone else!
Loongson Labs has made a strategic shift, focusing all its efforts on the Loongson lithography machine project!
He paused, then changed the subject, asking as if casually.
"Team Leader Tang, you have a wide network of connections, but there's a crucial problem that's holding us back. The most basic raw material for lithography machines—12-inch ultra-high purity electronic-grade silicon wafers—is completely monopolized by the Germanic tribes and the Eastern Wilderness tribes."
The West is pressuring us so much that not a single shipment can get through.
"I wonder if you... have any connections that could help us with our immediate needs? It doesn't need to be large-scale, just enough for initial technical experiments and analysis."
A surge of elation instantly welled up in Tang Ping's heart! It was like a pillow being delivered to someone who was sleepy!
This is a golden opportunity! Su Dingping needs his help!
This shows that Tang Ping's value still exists! As long as we grasp this thread, we have a chance to continue getting closer to the core and obtain what he has been dreaming of! The star-simulating device blueprints—that's the key that the eagle truly dreams of!
A strong will to survive and greed instantly took over Tang Ping.
He barely hesitated; his face immediately lit up with 100% enthusiasm and sincerity.
"Chief Engineer Su! You're being too polite! For the strategic security of the tribe, I, Tang, will support it even if it means going bankrupt! 12-inch electronic-grade silicon wafers, right? Things are indeed very tightly controlled... but!"
He glanced warily to the left and right, lowered his voice, and appeared mysterious and reliable.
"Give me some time, I'll contact a completely reliable secret channel! Three days! Three days at most, I'll give you a definite answer! I'll risk my life to get you some samples!"
"Oh?"
A perfectly balanced expression of gratitude and surprise appeared on Su Dingping's face.
"That's really... thank you so much, Team Leader Tang! If we can really solve this difficult initial problem, it will be a godsend for our Loongson project, allowing us to move forward with much of the subsequent work..."
He emphasized the word "follow-up" with a subtle undertone, his gaze seemingly drifting suggestively towards the more central laboratory area. Tang Ping's heart pounded! Follow-up!
He was almost certain that Su Dingping was implying that once the silicon wafers arrived, there was a chance to obtain the more crucial information about the stellarator blueprints!
This carrot was so sweet that he couldn't resist it!
"Chief Engineer Su, please rest assured!"
I'll definitely help you out! It's all for the tribe!
Tang Ping patted his chest, making a solemn vow.
He didn't even bother with any more pleasantries. After a hasty farewell, he immediately found a quiet corner and dialed the encrypted satellite phone number that could change his destiny without hesitation.
The call connected quickly. The voice on the other end was low and suppressed, clearly showing dissatisfaction and suspicion from being repeatedly urged but making no progress.
"It's me...there's been a major breakthrough...a new opportunity...potentially more valuable..."
Tang Ping's voice trembled slightly with excitement. He covered the microphone and quickly and concisely explained Su Dingping's requirements for the "Loongson" project and the crucial role of the 12-inch high-purity silicon wafer.
"...Understood, I know the risks...They're desperate for a meal...Yes, this is the perfect wedge to pry open the internal intelligence chain!...Understood! I'll immediately compile the specifications and requirements..."
The other party seemed to hesitate for a moment, but under the immense temptation and the pressure of time, they ultimately chose to make the deal.
"Don't worry! With the supplies in place, I'll definitely get something deeper and more valuable, it won't be the same peripheral information as last time..."
Tang Ping made the promise almost as if he were swearing an oath. After hanging up the phone, his back was covered in cold sweat, but his eyes gleamed with a desperate, mad light.
……
three days later.
It was still in that relatively secluded corner.
A specially made small shockproof and temperature-controlled chamber was secretly handed over to Tang Ping.
"This is what Chief Engineer Su wants."
The person making the handover was very cautious, and spoke in a very low voice.
"We're using the last strategic reserves from the Great Chief's mansion laboratory! This is the only batch left! The stuff is extremely sensitive; the Chief's office is watching it closely!"
The box was unmarked, cold and mysterious.
Inside were the 12-inch ultra-high purity electronic-grade silicon wafers that Longxin Laboratory had been desperately seeking but which were firmly blocked by the West!
Tang Ping's hands trembled slightly as he took the box. The weight of the box represented a weighty task and... a bargaining chip about to be won!
He dared not delay any longer, and carrying the "key to the door," he strode toward the heavy security door in the core area that required Su Dingping's personal approval to enter.
Su Dingping was indeed waiting for him in a highly confidential analysis room, where only a few core researchers with serious expressions and Yuan Tao were present.
The door slid shut and locked silently after the two entered.
The air seemed to freeze, with only the low hum of the analytical instruments breaking the silence.
"Chief Engineer Su, I have successfully completed my mission!"
Tang Ping carefully placed the incubator on the central stainless steel platform, his tone carrying a hint of flattery after completing the task and an almost imperceptible desire for credit.
He held his breath, his eyes fixed on Su Dingping's movements.
Su Dingping did not immediately open the box. His gaze swept over the incubator and then fell on Tang Ping's face. He nodded.
"Thank you for your hard work, Team Leader Tang."
"The items...are they in any trouble?"
"It was a bit... complicated... but thankfully, it was delivered safely."
Tang Ping spoke vaguely, his heart pounding. Finally, unable to contain himself, he asked in a low voice, his face full of anticipation and uncertainty.
"Chief Engineer Su, that...that stellarator...the follow-up..."
"What happened next?"
As if reminded by him, Su Dingping revealed a knowing expression that seemed to say, "Finally remembered that there was such a thing," and his tone became calm.
"Oh, that. Team Leader Tang has been keeping this in mind, thank you for your hard work."
He walked to a safe next to him, opened it with a complex biometric identification and password, and took out a brown paper document bag that was noticeably thicker than the last one. The document was clearly written in bold on the bag: "Stellarator Device - Core Parameter Optimization Draft".
Tang Ping's eyes were practically glued to the file folder, and his breathing instantly became heavy. Grade C! Higher than the last grade!
This is definitely the more crucial information!
"Since Team Leader Tang also contributed a lot to this matter."
Su Dingping held the file bag but didn't hand it over immediately, as if weighing its weight, his tone carrying a hint of sincere insincerity.
"Then I can't let you work for nothing."
This section presents the team's recent review and optimization of the stellarator's magnetic confinement system, including the addition of design diagrams for key secondary subsystems and detailed operational parameters. Theoretically, this represents a significant improvement over the previous design, with the energy loss rate expected to decrease by several percentage points.
As he spoke, he slowly untied the white tamper-evident seal on the document bag.
Just as Tang Ping's heart was in his throat, thinking he was finally about to succeed, Su Dingping's hand holding the document froze in mid-air.
He raised his head, his gaze like an invisible searchlight, and gave Tang Ping a meaningful, deep look. His eyes were complex and unfathomable, carrying a hint of inexplicable "expectation" and a subtle sense of control.
As if casually, or perhaps as a reminder, he gently patted the edge of the document he had brought.
"but."
Su Dingping's tone carried a hint of earnest advice.
"Team Leader Tang, the data involved here is calculated based on our Longxin team's unique model. Although the general approach is correct, the specific set values for several key magnetic field strength gradients and plasma boundary current frequencies are still..."
He paused slightly, and a barely perceptible smile seemed to appear on the corners of his mouth.
"...It still requires a lot of experimental data and engineering prototypes to gradually refine and adjust it. Hopefully, this seed data can truly help those who are interested in conducting further research."
After saying that, he finally handed the stellarator blueprints, which were obviously "expanded" but whose contents had still been tampered with, to Tang Ping's hands, which were trembling slightly with longing.
The moment Tang Ping got his hands on the modified "Star-Stellarator - Core Parameter Optimization Draft," its heavy weight immediately warmed his heart, as if he had grasped the key to unlock an endless treasure.
He forcibly restrained the urge to open the package on the spot, tightly protecting the document bag with both hands, his face filled with gratitude and excitement at finally fulfilling his mission.
"Chief Engineer Su! I can't thank you enough! You've done me a huge favor! Don't worry, if you need any more of these silicon wafers, just let me know and I'll find a way! It's all for the tribe, for the tribe!"
He uttered grand and righteous words, but his feet kept retreating, as if afraid that if he delayed even a second, Su Dingping would change his mind.
Su Dingping stood in front of the cold, white steel table in the analysis room, watching Tang Ping's almost fleeing figure disappear through the heavy security door. The last trace of feigned "expectation" on his face vanished completely, leaving only a bottomless, icy pool.
Yuan Tao, who had been silent for a long time, pressed a button on the table. Several core researchers immediately stepped forward and carefully transferred the temperature-controlled box containing strategic materials to the ultra-clean materials analysis room inside.
The moment the door closed, a mixture of excitement and worry appeared on Yuan Tao's weathered face. (End of Chapter)