Chapter 33: Chen Xiao's Insane Output (Part 2)

Chen Xiao reiterated, "Last time, there were some flaws in the drawing of the motherboard that I gave to Brother Xiang. Over time, these flaws will enlarge and eventually become fatal. This time, the motherboard drawing I gave to Brother Xiang was intentionally flawed. There's no problem."

Wang Xiang was taken aback by this revelation. He couldn't believe that this time's drawing was different from the previous one Chen Xiao provided during production. As the technical director, Wang Xiang had thought that Chen Xiao had optimized the motherboard design, and there were no serious issues. It surprised him to realize that some minor changes could have such severe consequences.

Wang Xiang observed Chen Xiao's expression, and it became evident that Chen Xiao was aware of the motherboard issue when producing the first batch of motherboards, not after installing them at Jiangcheng Machinery Factory. He had then revised the drawings.

Realization hit Wang Xiang, and he broke into a cold sweat. Chen Xiao was just a seventeen or eighteen-year-old student, yet his actions were like that of a seasoned professional.

As Chen Xiao said this, Zhou Linghua had already calmed down. He recalled his and Chen Xiao's visit to install the first batch of motherboards and remembered how Chen Xiao had casually mentioned some professional terms related to integrated circuits. Zhou Linghua also believed that Zhongjing was indeed a subsidiary of Jiangzhou Machinery Factory, making it all the more believable that they were imitating the design.

"Let's go and take a look!" Zhou Linghua was impatient. "I have a very important client in Linjiang County who has just received a Zhongjing equipment."

Chen Xiao had already figured out Zhou Linghua's character and felt that he was the right partner to work with. Zhou Linghua was straightforward and had a strong sense of righteousness and integrity. Working with such an honest person was truly enjoyable.

Zhou Linghua was a businessman with integrity, and there was nothing better than that.

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "Wait a moment, I'll ask the teacher for permission to leave."

After Teacher Liao had confirmed Chen Xiao's safety multiple times, he released him only when Wang Xiang, who had shown his work permit, guaranteed it.

The car sped off, and they soon arrived in Linjiang County.

An hour later, they arrived at Chenggong Hardware Accessories Factory in Linjiang County, where Director Ma Yong was overseeing the newly purchased equipment being set up on the production line.

Upon seeing Zhou Linghua, Ma Yong felt a bit embarrassed and offered him a cigarette. "Mr. Zhou, why are you here in person?"

Ma Yong quickly explained, "Mr. Zhou, please understand. Although we have had a good cooperation for many years, I couldn't resist the temptation of cheaper equipment this time."

Zhou Linghua accepted the cigarette and replied, "It's alright. In business, reducing costs is the best strategy. Today, we're here for something else. We just want to see the batch of equipment you purchased and compare it with my production."

"That's easy! That's easy!" Ma Yong eagerly led them to the production line.

The CNC machine tools purchased by Zhongjing Equipment Co., Ltd. had been placed on the production line, and the staff were in the process of installing and debugging the equipment, so they hadn't started using it yet.

With Ma Yong's consent, Chen Xiao and Wang Xiang disassembled the back cover of the device and extracted the mainboard.

Wang Xiang carefully examined the motherboard and was surprised to find that the circuit layout was almost identical to the one designed by Chen Xiao. This indicated that either Chen Xiao's design was copied by Zhongjing, or Zhongjing produced the motherboard by imitating Delong's products.

Zhou Linghua inquired about the price of the motherboard equipment, and Ma Yong honestly revealed that Zhongjing's equipment wasn't drastically cheaper than Linghua's. It was only about a 7% discount, but the buyer could still get an additional 1% to 2% benefit.

Chen Xiao couldn't help but sigh, recognizing that Zhongjing knew how to conduct business. Even though Ma Yong, as the boss, wasn't swayed by a few thousand yuan in benefits, other employees responsible for purchasing might choose Zhongjing even if their equipment was slightly more expensive.

Chen Xiao carefully examined the motherboard's circuit and smiled, "I'm certain!"

His guess was accurate. The motherboards in this batch of Zhongjing equipment were the same as those in Jiangcheng Machinery Factory's equipment, which meant they were defective. Problems would arise after high-frequency use.

Chen Xiao also felt relieved that he had taken precautions. He knew that he couldn't trust people too much, especially individuals like Su Desheng, who had no moral bottom line, and characters like Zhang Biao, who seemed polished but were full of deception.

Jiangcheng Machinery Factory was simply copying others' achievements. Who would believe that Zhang Biao was unaware of it and wasn't involved?

"What's wrong?" Zhou Linghua asked anxiously, realizing that discussing the matter here might be inconvenient.

After conversing with Ma Yong for a while, they all left the factory and went to have dinner.

With certainty, Chen Xiao stated, "Our guess should be correct. Zhongjing copied Jiangcheng Machinery Factory's products, and the chips were imported from Germany. The motherboard has obvious defects."

Indeed, for CNC machine tools like Zhongjing's, chips and motherboards constituted the most significant cost. While drills and blades could be safely imported from Toyo, not using German products could significantly reduce the price.

Zhou Linghua inquired, "Are you sure?"

Taking a sip of tea, Chen Xiao replied, "Mr. Zhou, you can raise the price of your equipment by 10%. This issue will be exposed within a month."

Although Chen Xiao had pointed out the problem with the motherboard, Wang Xiang was amazed. To handle integrated circuits so smoothly, not even many professional technicians in the field could match Chen Xiao's expertise.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Zhou Linghua was now fully convinced that he had misunderstood Chen Xiao.

He chided himself three times and apologized, saying, "Brother Chen, I was impulsive today. I apologize to you!"

Chen Xiao waved it off and replied, "It's alright. It's good that we cleared up the misunderstanding. I'm still counting on President Zhou to help me earn money for my college tuition."

Zhou Linghua felt relieved upon hearing this and said, "If you have any future requirements, just let me know. As long as the equipment sells well, everything will be easy to manage!"

Chen Xiao was also courteous and said, "I want a computer."

Zhou Linghua readily agreed, "No problem at all! No problem at all!"

After dinner, Zhou Linghua invited Chen Xiao to have some fun, but Wang Xiang declined, citing that Chen Xiao was still a high school student, and it wouldn't be appropriate.

Zhou Linghua laughed and escorted Chen Xiao to the door, while Wang Xiang went to find a woman to enjoy some leisure time.

Chen Xiao felt a bit disappointed, but he understood that he could also go out and have some fun.

...

In Jiangzhou, at the home of Zhang Biao, the director of Jiangzhou Machinery Factory, Su Desheng and his wife were discussing a pressing issue - Su Qiao's university admission.

Su Qiao's grades were good enough to get into a key university, but Su Desheng had higher aspirations. He wanted his son to be admitted to prestigious schools such as Yanjing University and Shuimu University.

Su Desheng used all his connections, and one of the intermediaries brought him promising news - Shuimu University would return to Jiangzhou for a special recruitment next week and would show preference to students with practical patented inventions. If Su Qiao's invention could have an impact on a certain industry's products, Shuimu University would be even more interested!

Though Shuimu University wouldn't be visiting Jiangcheng this time, the intermediary could coordinate for Su Qiao if he had the required talent.

Su Desheng's visit to Zhang Biao was to explore the possibility of putting the patent for the counterfeit Demag motherboard under Su Qiao's name.