Chapter 915
Is it too late to change your mind now?
What truly shook the industry was another piece of information—employee staffing.
An anonymous user claiming to be a "mid-level manager at Galaxy Semiconductor" posted a long thread on Zhihu titled "Let me explain the organizational structure of Galaxy Semiconductor."
"Many people think that Galaxy Semiconductor's 'staffing' is the kind of secure job where you sit in an office, drink tea, and read newspapers. No, not at all. Our staffing is a 'specially appointed expert' management system. What does that mean? It means that your staffing follows the person, not the position. If you are in this position, you are an expert. If you are transferred, your expert status remains. If you retire, your benefits remain."
"But the prerequisite is that you have to have real skills. Galaxy Semiconductor's assessment is inhumanly strict. You think it's like a state-owned enterprise where 'doing good or bad makes no difference'? That's not the case. Our KPIs are even more like those of private enterprises. Technical breakthroughs, yield improvement, cost control—each has hard targets. If you don't meet them, you'll lose your expert status. So those who want to get a permanent position can just give up."
"Then why give them a permanent position? Because of stability. Semiconductor R&D is a long-term, high-investment, and high-risk endeavor. Without stable prospects, who would be willing to spend ten years tackling tough challenges? A permanent position doesn't mean a guaranteed job; it gives you the confidence to focus on scientific research."
This post was pushed to the top of Zhihu's trending list.
In the comments section, countless people expressed their feelings.
"So this is how you can play with the staffing system. It's not for lazy people, it's for people who actually get things done."
"Is this the legendary 'let professionals do professional things'? Providing sufficient guarantees, sufficient respect, and sufficient pressure, Galaxy Technology's approach is indeed brilliant."
"I've learned my lesson. From now on, if anyone says that state-owned enterprises are inefficient, I'll use Galaxy Semiconductor to refute them. It's not that state-owned enterprises are inefficient, it's that you don't know how to manage them."
What shocked the capital market was another piece of information: Galaxy Semiconductor's technology roadmap has been officially recognized by the authorities as "one of the core technology paths of the national semiconductor industry development strategy".
This statement comes from another document published on the official website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC).
The document is short, but its wording is unprecedentedly strong.
"Galaxy Semiconductor's independently developed 'synchrotron radiation light source lithography technology' has broken the foreign monopoly in the high-end lithography field, achieving a breakthrough from 0 to 1. This technology route has completely independent intellectual property rights, is not restricted by foreign patents, and has the conditions for large-scale industrial application. The country will fully support the industrialization and promotion of this technology route and provide comprehensive guarantees in terms of policy, funding, and talent."
What does this equal?
This is equivalent to the government officially stamping and confirming that the path of the lithography factory is viable.
From now on, domestic chip manufacturing will follow this path.
On the afternoon the news broke, A-share semiconductor stocks collectively surged.
SMIC rose 7%, Hua Hong Semiconductor rose 9%, Naura Technology rose 5%, and the entire semiconductor index rose 3%.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, ASML's stock price, which had already fallen by 40%, dropped another 5%.
In addition to these changes, there have also been new changes on another level.
Those companies that previously kept their distance from Galaxy Technology or even secretly sabotaged it have begun to subtly change their attitudes.
First, several suppliers who had previously refused to supply Galaxy Supermarket took the initiative to call and said, "There was some misunderstanding before, and we hope to renegotiate the terms of cooperation."
Then the departments that were holding back the land for Galaxy Education suddenly said, "The plan has been adjusted, and we can continue to move forward."
Then, the company that had poached the engineers from Galaxy Aerospace sent a message through a middleman, saying, "It was all a misunderstanding, and it won't happen again."
Zeng Qun, the founder of CATL, suddenly gave a media interview at the company's headquarters in eastern Fujian.
During the interview, the reporter asked him what he thought of the "three points on employee benefits" proposed by Galaxy Technology.
Zeng Qun was silent for a few seconds, then said something that surprised everyone: "We are studying how to gradually implement a similar system at CATL."
When the news reached Tangdu, Wang Donglai was drinking tea in his office.
"boss."
Wa's voice rang out, seemingly with a rare hint of amusement: "It seems that CEO Zeng of CATL has given in."
Wang Donglai put down his teacup, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"What did he say?"
"He said he was studying how to gradually implement a similar system at CATL. Although the wording was very careful, judging from his tone and expression, this decision was serious. It wasn't just a perfunctory gesture or a public relations effort; it was a well-thought-out decision."
Wang Donglai nodded, showing little surprise.
“He should do it. CATL has 25,000 employees. If we poach a third of them because of salary issues, their production capacity will collapse. Rather than being passively attacked, it’s better to take the initiative. Zeng Qun, regardless of his other skills, has the ability to assess the situation.”
"Boss, do you think he genuinely wants to change, or is he being forced into it?"
Wang Donglai thought for a moment, then said, “It’s not important. What’s important is that he changed. Twenty-five thousand workers have seen their wages increase, their jobs are now secure, and their lives are better. That’s enough. As for whether he was sincere or forced, that’s his own business. History only looks at the results, not the motives.”
Wa paused for a moment, then said, "Boss, you've changed."
What has changed?
“In the past, you would get angry and wonder why they couldn’t take the initiative to treat their employees better. Now you’re not angry anymore; you’re just pushing them. You use technology, the market, and the system to force them to change. You no longer expect them to have a change of heart; you directly change the rules.”
Wang Donglai smiled.
That smile held a sense of relief, but also a deeper sense of certainty.
“Wa, do you know, it took me a long time to understand a principle: you can’t expect everyone to be a good person. You can only make rules so that good people are rewarded and bad people are punished. What Galaxy Technology is doing is not teaching others how to be a person, but proving one thing: being good to employees can lead to business success. When enough people see this proof, and when enough companies verify this logic, it will become the new rule.”
He stood up and walked to the window.
"Now, this proof is being seen by more and more people. Those companies that are still hesitant will start to do the math—is it really worth raising employee wages? They will find that raising wages is not a cost, but an investment. With more stable employees, higher efficiency, better products, and a better reputation, profits will actually be higher. They will do the math."
"When more and more companies start to calculate the costs and benefits and start to follow our lead in changing the rules, then we won't need to force them anymore. The market will force them, consumers will force them, and employees will force them. At that time, treating employees well will no longer be 'Galaxy Technology's requirement,' but 'the industry consensus.'"
He turned around and looked at the report on Galaxy Semiconductor's investment on his desk.
"Wa, tell me, what is the biggest significance of Galaxy Semiconductor receiving investment?"
Nuwa did not answer immediately.
This issue requires deeper consideration.
“Boss, on the surface, the biggest significance is that we have obtained funding and policy support. But on a deeper level, the biggest significance is that it proves that your path is correct. When the national team enters the field, everyone will understand that what Galaxy Technology is doing is not just business, but strategy. It is not just about making money, but about change. It is not just about the company, but about what the higher-ups are doing.”
"And when everyone understands this, those dissenting voices, those hands that try to trip us up, and those hesitant eyes will all change. Because no one wants to go against the strategy from above."
Wang Donglai nodded.
Nuwa's analysis was incisive.
"That's why Zeng Qun changed his tune. It wasn't that he had a change of heart; it was that he realized—he had to cross this river whether he wanted to or not. Rather than being swept away by the current, he might as well swim across." "Boss, how many companies do you think are still hesitant?"
Wang Donglai thought for a moment, then said, "There are many. But they will figure it out one by one. Because the market waits for no one, employees wait for no one, and the times wait for no one. Those who can't keep up will be eliminated. This isn't something I'm forcing them to do; it's the law of nature."
He walked back to his desk, picked up the report, and turned to the last page.
That's a diagram of Galaxy Semiconductor's equity structure after the capital injection.
The numerous state-owned enterprises, like flags, are planted across Galaxy Semiconductor's territory.
"Wa, tell me, how do those core employees feel right now?"
"According to the monitoring of the internal platform, they are excited, but more than that, they feel at ease. One engineer posted on the intranet with the title 'Finally, I can focus on scientific research with peace of mind.' He said that he used to always feel anxious, afraid that the company would go bankrupt, that the project would fail, and that his efforts would be in vain. Now he is not afraid. With the backing of the state and the guarantee of a position, he can move forward with confidence and boldness."
Wang Donglai nodded, a hint of relief appearing on his face.
"That's right. What researchers fear most isn't hardship, but uncertainty. You don't know if your research is meaningful, how long the company can survive, or whether you'll still be in this position tomorrow. This uncertainty is more draining than any difficulty. Now, they feel at ease. With that ease, they can focus on their research. With that focus, they can produce results. And with results, the country becomes stronger—that's a positive cycle."
"Although we have provided them with ample benefits, our status as a private enterprise still doesn't completely reassure them."
“Their thinking, according to conventional thinking, should be boycotted, but for me, this is exactly what I want.”
He put down the report, leaned back in his chair, and looked out the window at Tangdu City.
"Wa, tell me, what will Tangdu be like five years from now?"
Wa paused for a moment, then said, "Based on current data projections, Tangdu will become one of the core cities of the global semiconductor industry in ten years. According to the plan, Galaxy Semiconductor's lithography factory will increase from one to fifteen, expanding from Tangdu to the whole country. Tens of thousands of engineers will work here, and hundreds of thousands of workers will be employed here. The city's total economic output will more than triple. More importantly, it will become a place that global scientific and technological talents aspire to. Not just because there is a lot of money, but because here, they can find their meaning in life."
Wang Donglai smiled.
"Wa, the future you've depicted is beautiful."
“Boss, this is not what I described, this is what you are creating.”
Wang Donglai did not answer.
He simply looked out the window, at the Tang Dynasty imperial city under construction, at the vehicles coming and going, and at the hurried pedestrians.
What will Tangdu be like five years from now? He doesn't know.
But he knew that future was gradually becoming a reality.
All he can do is keep moving forward, leading those who are willing to follow him, step by step, toward that future.
Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.
At the construction site of the Tang Imperial City, the steel arms of the tower cranes slowly rotate in the morning light, like the pulse of this ancient capital awakening.
Further afield, in Galaxy Semiconductor's lithography factory, those gleaming machines are working tirelessly, producing chip after chip.
Those chips will become mobile phones, computers, cars, rockets, and every step this country takes toward the future.
Wang Donglai stood by the window, watching all this, a slight smile playing on his lips.
He recalled the words he wrote when he first founded Galaxy Technology: "Technology changes lives, innovation changes the world."
Now, that statement is becoming a reality.
It's not because of him alone, but because hundreds of thousands of people are willing to work with him.
It's because a country is willing to back him up.
It's because this era needs people like him.
He took a deep breath, turned around, and walked back to his desk.
There is still so much to do.
The critical temperature for room-temperature superconductivity needs to be pushed even higher.
The plan to launch the entire arrow to the moon needs further refinement.
The land for Galaxy Supermarket still needs to be negotiated.
The approval process for Galaxy Education still requires some effort.
Filming for "All or Nothing" will continue.
There are still people inside the park waiting for him to rescue them.
"Wa, what are the plans for today?"
"At 2 PM, I had a video conference with the space agency to discuss the technical plan for landing the entire rocket on the moon. At 4 PM, I had a meeting with the Hangzhou municipal government to discuss the land issue for the Galaxy Shopping Mall. At 7 PM, I spoke with Guo Xingtong on the phone to check on the filming progress of 'All or Nothing'."
Wang Donglai nodded.
"Leave the communication with Hangzhou about the Galaxy Supermarket to Nie Yun. If it really doesn't work out, just give up on Hangzhou. There are many cities in China, and it doesn't necessarily have to be built in Hangzhou."
"Okay, boss."
"By the way, boss, Mr. Zeng from CATL sent a message wanting to schedule a meeting with you."
"I won't see him. Arrange for someone else. As long as we follow our rules, cooperation is not out of the question."
Now, there are not many things that Wang Donglai can still handle personally.
Unless it's something extremely important, or something that no one else dares to make a decision about, they won't come to Wang Donglai.
Therefore, the massive Galaxy Technology Group has hundreds of thousands of employees and countless tasks to handle every day.
But only a few items were on Wang Donglai's desk.
However, this does not mean that Wang Donglai has completely lost control of Galaxy Technology.
With Nuwa watching over him, he could rest assured. (End of Chapter)