Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 142：Terminate the Deal

Research Institute No. 3, Kyoto
Director Zhang's Office

"Director Zhang, the contribution that Jiang Fan has made to our research institute is monumental. We must request a first-class merit award from the state!" Old Qiao said seriously.

"Mm, I agree. I will prepare the application. We owe this breakthrough to Jiang Fan. It's thanks to him that our institute was able to develop the 7-nanometer chip in under a month. Thinking about it now, it still feels somewhat like a dream! Ha ha..." Director Zhang replied, smiling.

Old Qiao continued, "Now that our Research Institute No. 3 has finally completed the task assigned by the leadership, we can afford to relax a bit."

Director Zhang nodded, "Old Qiao, you and all the researchers have worked tirelessly. I'm planning to give everyone a few days off so they can rest properly."

Old Qiao agreed, "I have no objections. During this closed research period, they've only been resting for 3 to 4 hours a day, so they really deserve a break."

Old Qiao added, "Actually, the one who is the most exhausted is Jiang Fan. He pushed himself so hard, sometimes working two consecutive days without rest. As soon as we completed the 7-nanometer chip, he was rushed by the national leadership to handle chip production!"

Just as Old Qiao and Director Zhang were talking, Jiang Fan knocked and entered the room.

Upon seeing Jiang Fan, both Director Zhang and Old Qiao immediately stood up, exclaiming, "Ah! Jiang Fan, you're back!"

"Speak of the devil, and the devil appears, ha ha..." Jiang Fan greeted them with a smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jiang Fan said, "Director Zhang, Uncle Qiao, I've developed the technical blueprint for a 4-nanometer chip over the past couple of days."

Jiang Fan's words were like a bombshell, leaving both men momentarily stunned. It took them a full two minutes before they could stammer in disbelief, "You... you've developed the blueprint for a 4-nanometer chip?"

"Yes," Jiang Fan replied calmly.

Washington, the Capital of the Beautiful Country

Located on the northwest Pacific coast, Washington is home to a white research facility in its suburban area. The gates of the facility are usually tightly closed.

A black Lincoln sedan approached the gates, seemingly expecting to be stopped, but to their surprise, the electronic gates slowly opened. The car entered and stopped directly in front of the building.

A tall, muscular man in a suit and tie stepped out. Wearing an earpiece, he scanned the surroundings. Seeing nothing unusual, he opened the car's rear door.

A portly middle-aged man emerged. His gaze was sharp, intense, and commanding. He strode briskly toward the building, followed closely by two bodyguards.

VIP Room

Professor Darnell, the head of the research base, sat upright, greeting the unexpected visitor.

"Director Foster, do you have any instructions?"

Foster replied, "Professor Darnell, I'm here mainly to get a detailed update on the chip research progress at the facility."

Professor Darnell said, "There's really no need for you to come in person. A phone call would have sufficed!"

Foster responded, "You may not know this, but Dragon Country has developed a 7-nanometer chip."

Hearing this, Professor Darnell was visibly stunned, his disbelief evident. "Dragon Country? A 7-nanometer chip? How is that possible?"

Professor Darnell knew that Dragon Country had not even entered the advanced stages of developing 11 to 20-nanometer chips in recent years, let alone achieved a 7-nanometer chip breakthrough.

Foster said, "You don't need to doubt it. They've already started accepting foreign orders! Meanwhile, our country's chip exports have been plummeting..."

Professor Darnell could tell that Foster was not here to entertain him with idle gossip, but he still couldn't believe that Dragon Country could have possibly developed a 7-nanometer chip.

Foster continued, "Professor Darnell, what is the status of the 6-nanometer chip we are working on?"

Professor Darnell replied, "The 6-nanometer chip has been developed, but it's still unstable. We're currently in the final experimental adjustment phase. We should be able to resolve the issues within three months."

"Three months?" Foster muttered before adding seriously, "I'm giving you one week. You must deliver the 6-nanometer chip technology within that time."

Foster could not afford to wait for three months. Dragon Country's chips were being sold at an incredibly low price and were rapidly capturing foreign markets. He had no idea how they could sell chips at a third of the price that his country could manage.

Theoretically, they could sell at that price too, but after taxes, their profits would be reduced to just 50%. While this was still a decent margin, the long history of excessive profits in the Beautiful Country made them disdain such returns.

Professor Darnell said, "Director Foster, one week is simply not enough. We need at least 1,000 more experiments to ensure the stability of the 6-nanometer chip and guarantee that there will be no issues during mass production!"

Foster's voice turned steely, "You can continue the research and experiments, but I must have the 6-nanometer chip technology in one week, regardless of its stability!"

It was clear that Foster had made up his mind—he needed to get the 6-nanometer chip ready, to compete with Dragon Country's chips and reclaim market share.

Professor Darnell, though reluctant, ultimately agreed to deliver the technology in a week.

Foster visited the lab at the research facility, and once satisfied, he left.

Back at his Office

Foster returned to his office where his secretary handed him a file.

"Mr. Foster, here is the list of countries that have purchased Dragon Country's chips. Please have a look."

Foster took the list and studied it intently. His eyes gleamed coldly as he called his secretary over.

"Mark the countries I've highlighted, and immediately connect with their highest-ranking leaders."

"Understood, I'll take care of it right away."

The secretary first contacted the leader of Kimchi Country.

"Mr. Foster, the leader of Kimchi Country is waiting for your call!"

Foster picked up the phone and wasted no time, sternly reprimanding the leader of Kimchi Country.

The leader of Kimchi Country was bewildered.

"Mr. Foster, what exactly have we done wrong?"

Foster barked, "Didn't you import a billion dollars' worth of chips from Dragon Country?"

The leader of Kimchi Country replied hesitantly, "This... this might have been purchased by private enterprises. I'm not sure, Mr. Foster."

Foster snapped, "Don't try to lie to me. Immediately cancel those orders and purchase chips from our country instead, or else..."

The leader of Kimchi Country reluctantly replied, "Understood, I'll take care of it immediately."

As soon as the phone call ended, the leader of Kimchi Country muttered angrily, "Hmph, what nonsense. Your country's chips are so expensive, yet you're forcing us to buy them!"

Despite the anger, the leader of Kimchi Country quickly ordered his staff to halt all transactions with enterprises importing Dragon Country's chips.