Chapter 71: Grasping Technology's Power – A World Within Reach

Tao Jiang stood up to welcome him, saying, "Mr. Zhang, please come in, take a seat!"

Zhang Biao was the general manager of Jiangzhou Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. This company included Jiangzhou Machinery Factory and Jiangcheng Machinery Factory, as well as a stake in Zhongjing Company.

Jiangzhou Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. was a state-owned enterprise and a significant player in Jiangzhou's economy.

Jiangzhou, though not a developed coastal city, was lacking in foreign investments and development resources. State-owned enterprises like Jiangzhou Machinery Factory and Zhongjing Company played crucial roles in driving Jiangzhou's growth.

In particular, Jiangzhou Machinery Factory, with its numerous branches employing tens of thousands of workers, significantly alleviated the city's employment issues.

Tao Jiang didn't hesitate to introduce Zhang Biao to Zhou Linghua and Chen Xiao. He invited Zhang Biao to take a seat directly, regardless of their presence.

Zhang Biao's visit was aimed at successfully taking over the production capacity of Delong Electronics' CNC machine tool motherboards.

During this era, patent protection and intellectual property rights weren't given much emphasis. The lack of patent application for VCDs and rampant imitation were proof of this indifference.

For relevant departments, the priority was stable employment for workers and steady local economic development, rather than stringent patent protection.

"Patents? They're mostly just on paper."

This was the prevailing mindset of the times.

Thus, when Zhou Linghua mentioned the motherboard patent, Tao Jiang didn't attach much importance to it.

Zhang Biao also took his seat politely.

Zhou Linghua couldn't help but notice the contrast. Clearly, private enterprises and state-owned enterprises were treated differently.

Tao Jiang spoke, "We need to consider the bigger picture. There are nearly a hundred workers in Delong, and their families rely on them. Suddenly cutting off their employment would undoubtedly create problems."

"I believe you all are aware of Delong's external loan situation. It's had a considerable impact on Jiangzhou's financial industry!"

Tao Jiang continued, "Currently, our top priority is to get Delong up and running again, stabilizing the workers' sentiments. Zhongjing has the capacity to take over Delong and restore stability swiftly."

"Zhongjing Company is making a sacrifice by doing so! Given the current sluggish VCD sales, taking over could potentially result in a negative asset."

Zhou Linghua was perspiring. Compared to Zhongjing Company, his operation was minuscule, making it incredibly challenging to shoulder Delong's burdens.

Furthermore, Jiangzhou's approach was all about considering the greater good and ensuring the smooth transition from Delong's black swan incident. Zhou Linghua felt powerless in this situation.

Go through legal channels?

In this era, was he really going to challenge the government through legal means?

Even if he won, how could he continue developing in Jiangzhou? Would he still receive policies, land, and tax incentives?

Zhang Biao promptly reported, "The technical management personnel are already in place at Delong, and operations are progressing smoothly."

Zhang Biao was equally anxious. If he could secure the production technology for the main board, it would significantly alleviate the dilemma of placing Delong's workers.

As for the issue of the missing funds, the government had intervened, and Zhongjing Company's involvement was virtually untraceable.

Tao Jiang noted, "Mr. Zhou, we're old acquaintances. I've invited you here today to discuss this matter. Rest assured, Delong's motherboard supply agreement will be overseen by President Zhang. He will manage how you've been procuring motherboards and how you'll continue to do so in the future."

"The country is currently prioritizing the development of the private economy. Whether it's state-owned or private enterprises, the objective is to enhance Jiangzhou's economy."

Zhou Linghua felt somewhat at a loss on how to respond.

Every decision had to consider both sides. From Tao Jiang's perspective, resolving the employment crisis and ensuring a smooth transition for Delong outweighed everything else.

But from Chen Xiao and Zhou Linghua's viewpoint, this decision would come at the cost of personal interests.

Chen Xiao pondered for a moment and proposed, "May I offer some thoughts?"

"Please, go ahead," Tao Jiang said with courtesy.

Tao Jiang's classmate, Wang Kai, was a professor at Jiangzhou University. Wang Kai had informed Tao Jiang that after Chen Xiao's enrollment, the university had given him high priority. Chen Xiao was granted the autonomy to choose any major he desired, in addition to scholarships.

Jiangzhou University hoped Chen Xiao would consider a microelectronics-related major, leveraging his strengths to the fullest.

Furthermore, Tao Jiang received news that both the education departments of Jiangcheng and Jiangzhou were planning to award scholarships to Chen Xiao. Exceptional talents were rare, and Chen Xiao's ability to create domestic substitutes comparable to German CNC machine tool main boards was deemed promising for the future.

The recent buzz about Shuimu University and Yanjing University competing to recruit Chen Xiao had caused quite a stir in Jiangyang Province.

Chen Xiao was now a star in the entire province.

Chen Xiao spoke politely, "Leader Tao, your considerations are comprehensive. Delong currently employs a large number of workers, each with families to support. A sudden loss of jobs would indeed trigger various issues."

Tao Jiang nodded in agreement, appreciating Chen Xiao's insight.

Chen Xiao continued, "As a state-owned enterprise, Zhongjing is willing to undertake the responsibility of taking over Delong."

Zhang Biao cleared his throat, indicating some concern.

Zhou Linghua was frustrated. What was wrong with Chen Xiao's statement?

Chen Xiao rephrased, "However, at present, Delong's CNC machine tool main boards are technologically outdated. Mr. Zhang, as a professional, must be aware that this year, companies like Germany's Demag, Siemens, as well as Toyo, Seiko, Mitsubishi from Toyo, have all established factories in Xia's coastal areas. They leverage cheap labor and lower environmental costs in Xia to produce equipment."

"Furthermore, they've begun adopting general-purpose chips in their equipment. The application of general-purpose chips in CNC machine tools can lower manufacturing costs, thus allowing them to gain a stronger foothold in Xia's market. Our domestic industry could be marginalized by Western competitors."

Initially thinking Chen Xiao was chatting idly, Tao Jiang was taken aback by the technical content he began discussing.

General-purpose chips, special-purpose chips, technological monopoly—these were unfamiliar terms for Tao Jiang.

Yet, Tao Jiang found himself nodding in agreement because of his inability to understand, thinking that Chen Xiao must be making valid points.

Chen Xiao went on, "I'm currently collaborating with Zhou Linghua, the general manager, on the development of the next generation of CNC machine tool main boards. We're at a crucial juncture, striving to make these main boards compatible with general-purpose chips. This would provide an opportunity for domestic CNC machine tool companies to compete with Western counterparts."

"I've also completed the technology related to Delong's situation with Zhou Linghua's assistance. If we hand over Delong's tape production line to Zhongjing, it will undoubtedly disrupt our research and development."

Chen Xiao added, "I'm sure you've heard the gossip. People wonder why I, with such high scores, chose Jiangzhou University over Yanjing University and Shuimu University. Truth be told, when I filled out the application, I was under considerable pressure. On one hand, I felt indebted to Jiangzhou for nurturing me. On the other hand, Linghua is based here, and I intended to carry out my research project at ADLINK."

Chen Xiao shot a glance at Wang Zhan. "If Delong's CNC machine tool main board technology goes to Zhongjing, I'm afraid that our cooperative research at ADLINK... will face difficulties... Much of the groundwork will have been in vain."

Chen Xiao concluded with a touch of regret, "If I had known earlier, I might not have chosen Jiangzhou University. The microelectronics program at Shuimu University is likely superior to Jiangzhou's... I should have applied to Shuimu University."

Chen Xiao's tone was a bit vexed as he added, "I wonder if it's still possible to change my decision... Perhaps the Microelectronics Laboratory at Shuimu University could support some of my minor research..."

"Damn it!" Zhou Linghua internally praised Chen Xiao for his performance.