Chapter 9: Brilliant Design

The factory security guard, being diligent in his duties, stopped Chen Xiao, eyeing him suspiciously. "Hey, kid, this is a factory. You can't just stroll in here."

Unfazed, Chen Xiao confidently presented the intricate circuit diagram he had designed and said, "I'm from Demag in Germany. I'm here to discuss potential cooperation with you."

He handed the circuit diagram to the security guard and exchanged a few words in English.

To his surprise, the ruse worked like a charm, leaving the security guard momentarily stunned before swiftly letting him through and providing directions.

During the 1990s until around 2020, there was a strong fascination with anything foreign.

In this era, foreign "trash" and wanderers could easily cross the ocean and even become professors at universities or high-paid foreign teachers at prestigious middle schools.

Expecting a potential business opportunity, Li Delong, the owner and director of Delong, rushed down with his office and technical chief to greet the supposed German company representative.

Much to their confusion, they were met with a young man instead.

"Are you from Demagie?" Li Delong, sporting a fashionable slanted haircut, leather jacket, and shiny leather shoes, embodied the image of a nouveau riche in the 1990s.

"No, I'm not," Chen Xiao replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Damn it..." Li Delong was left speechless. "Kid, scram! Where are the security guards? Get them out of here! Why is everyone allowed in?"

Li Delong had eagerly rushed down, believing a potential business opportunity had presented itself. Little did he know he was dealing with an ordinary teenager.

The security guards quickly escorted Chen Xiao away, and he interjected, "I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to discuss business with you."

Chen Xiao confidently unraveled his motherboard circuit diagram and said, "I need a batch of these motherboards, and I wanted to see if you can produce them."

The factory's technical head, Wang Xiang, who wore glasses, approached and examined the dense circuit diagram. He realized that Chen Xiao wasn't joking.

After graduating from Shuimu University, Wang Xiang had worked for a Japanese-funded integrated circuit company in Yangcheng before returning to Jiangzhou to care for his parents. He was the only college-educated employee at Delong.

Despite being in Jiangzhou City, Wang Xiang received an impressive salary of hundreds of thousands of dollars due to his high education and technical expertise.

Stroking his glasses, Wang Xiang asked, "Is this the machine tool's motherboard?"

Dealing with an expert makes matters easier.

Wang Xiang scrutinized the design in detail, initially furrowing his brow, then growing surprised, and ultimately astonished.

This was indeed the machine tool's motherboard circuit diagram. While there was nothing wrong with it, the design was ingenious and flawless!

The integrated circuit diagram appeared complex, but each circuit group was simple, utilizing the most basic components and comprehensible wiring.

As Wang Xiang marveled, he noticed that the design was nothing short of perfection. It flawlessly circumvented potential issues like electromigration and latch-up effects that endangered integrated circuits.

Complex designs like these were most susceptible to such effects.

The circuit diagram brought by Chen Xiao appeared deceptively simple, but the complexity of its design was beyond Wang Xiang's capabilities. Even if Wang Xiang had access to a computer and professional software, he would struggle to design what Chen Xiao had done by hand!

Wang Xiang realized that only his university professor might be capable of such intricate hand-drawn circuit diagrams.

"This... Who designed this?" Wang Xiang inquired.

Nonchalantly, Chen Xiao replied, "I designed it."

"What! You designed it?" Wang Xiang was taken aback, considering Chen Xiao's youthful appearance of being merely seventeen or eighteen years old.

[Influence +2, cumulative influence 18.]

Chen Xiao reaped a few more points of influence.

"I'm Chen Xiao," he clarified.

"Brother Chen, let's go to my office and discuss this further."

Li Delong owed much of his factory's success to the boldness and watchful eye of Wang Xiang.

Consequently, he held this top student in high regard.

Li Delong nodded and said, "Alright!"

In the office, Wang Xiang carefully reviewed Chen Xiao's machine tool motherboard circuit diagram once more, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Demag's five-axis?" Wang Xiang deduced the corresponding equipment from the integrated circuit diagram, showcasing his expertise.

Chen Xiao nodded, confirming, "Yes."

Before coming to Delong, he had been involved in the business of acquiring CNC machine tools and was well-versed in their intricacies.

CNC machine tools manufactured in Germany and Japan boasted stable performance and sophisticated designs.

Not only were the mechanical equipment and chips challenging to replicate, but even domestic motherboard manufacturers found it difficult to imitate them, resulting in the need for expensive imports.

Wang Xiang's excitement began to rise. Unable to contain himself, he asked, "Is this motherboard your design, UU Kanshu www.uukanshu.com? Are you trying to replicate DMG's equipment? What about the chips and mechanical parts?"

Chips?

Chen Xiao wryly smiled, knowing that the chip problem would remain a challenge for another twenty or thirty years. There was no immediate solution.

As for the machine tool's mechanical equipment, some highly precise parts were beyond Chen Xiao's current capabilities to solve.

He explained, "It's not a replica. The motherboard is the only component that's damaged. The chips and mechanical parts are intact. Imported replacements are excessively expensive and not readily available. So, I designed my own and hoped to produce them as replacements."

Wang Xiang nodded, acknowledging, "This is a tremendous achievement!"

DMG machine tools were widely used in various fields throughout Xia Kingdom. Chen Xiao's inherited circuit diagram could be applied to additional equipment with minor modifications, making it an invaluable asset.

However, Chen Xiao didn't share the same sentiment. His goals extended beyond a mere circuit diagram or machine tool. This endeavor was meant to earn him some influence, helping Chen Qiang regain his self-confidence. Using it to generate income or build a career was far from his intentions.

From design to production to sales, everything could be accomplished within four or five years.

Wang Xiang took the initiative and inquired, "How many units do you need? Our equipment should be capable of production, albeit with some minor complications. As for the price... It may cost over a thousand yuan per board."

A price exceeding 1,000 yuan per board was already quite reasonable compared to the tens of thousands they originally cost!

Nonchalantly, Chen Xiao replied, "I have no money."