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Return to the Day When My Pregnant Wife Jumped Off the Building-Chapter 260 How Much Will It Cost_1
Chapter 260: Chapter 260 How Much Will It Cost_1
Upon hearing Xiao Ming’s question, Chen Tianyou gave a bitter smile, while Tang Qingbai’s face was filled with righteous indignation.
"It’s merely a civil organization, yet it acts as if it’s the emperor over all of Lingnan’s business world."
Tang Qingbai angrily said, "They meddle in everything; as long as they are displeased, no matter how legitimate and legal your actions are, you must make changes. Otherwise, no one will dare do business with you. It’s just like a den of bandits!"
"This matter has indeed become an unwarranted disaster for us," continued Chen Tianyou.
"Our Baiguang is also a member of the Lingnan Business Association, and because we do OEM work, we originally had a decent relationship with the biggest local OEM, the Dong Family.
Recently, the election for the president of the association has reached a critical moment. Dong Jingyi sees himself as the leader of the local OEM industry and wants to present an image to the outside world that all OEM factories are united in supporting him.
Naturally, our Baiguang’s attempt to finance an upgrade was seen as a betrayal by him. Even though we promised to discuss it after he became president, he insisted on teaching us a lesson.
And then, things turned out like this."
"To tell the truth, without Mr. Xiao’s arrival, we really would have been out of options. In the end, we might have had no choice but to give up and continue obediently working as an OEM," Tang Qingbai said.
"I won’t tolerate it!"
Tang Qingbai said with hatred, "When doing business, I rely on my own brain and technology, I’ve never borrowed the Dong Family’s light. Why should I have to listen to him?
I would rather die than tolerate it!"
Yes, you won’t tolerate it, and then you will be kicked out of Baiguang. Under Dong Family’s suppression, you won’t even be able to find a job and ultimately you might have to leave in indignation and go overseas.
Dong Jingyi, is indeed a sinner through the ages!
Muttering inwardly, Xiao Ming pondered for a moment and then frowned, "While what you’re saying makes sense, somehow, I feel like there must be something else going on.
After all, even if Dong Jingyi is angry, now is a critical moment for the election of the president. By bullying you in such a high-profile way, isn’t he worried about being seen by the business world as petty and small-minded, incapable of accommodating others?
Who would dare vote for him?
Just a while ago, I even had a chat with the old man.
He is quite tyrannical indeed, but he isn’t lacking in brains, not the kind of person to act impulsively."
"Perhaps..." Chen Tianyou said thoughtfully, "he wants to make an example out of us, to establish his authority as an OEM mogul?"
"Then it would make more sense to wait until after he becomes president. The so-called ’new officials burn three fires’, it would be more appropriate to target you then."
Chen Tianyou fell silent, his brow furrowed in thought.
A moment later, Tang Qingbai suddenly said, "Could it be related to that matter?"
Xiao Ming’s eyes flashed, "What matter?"
"About two months ago, representatives from Fusang Optical Co., Ltd. came to our company, indicating they wanted to fully acquire Baiguang. Their offer even reached 250 million at one point.
Hao Jianwen was very tempted; had it not been for mine and Tianyou’s insistence, Baiguang would have definitely been sold by now.
Not long after we refused their offer, Dong Jingyi invited us for a meal. He praised us profusely for not being swayed by money to refuse the acquisition and then asked us why.
At the time, we thought he was a businessman with a sense of national fervor, so we honestly shared our thoughts about financing for an upgrade, but to our surprise, he turned on us on the spot, rebuking us for not knowing our place. The meal ended on an unpleasant note."
"I hadn’t considered this angle until you mentioned it, but now it does seem possible," Chen Tianyou added, "Dong Jingyi initially praised us, perhaps just to make us feel goodwill towards him, to lower our guard.
Furthermore, the Dong Family has always been a cooperative OEM for Fusang Optical Joint-stock Company, so the two must be very familiar. This high-profile oppression of us now makes sense."
Fusang Optical Joint-stock Company?
It’s just Nikon, isn’t it!
Why the heck do they need to acquire Baiguang Optics?
Xiao Ming slowly narrowed his eyes and asked, "If I’m not mistaken, the precondition for their willingness to pay a premium to acquire Baiguang must include a clause that you two must sign a long-term contract with them."
Chen Tianyou and Tang Qingbai were instantly moved and asked in unison, "How did you know?"
Exactly!
Nikon is also a major manufacturer of lithography machines, second only to the top-tier Niederland Esmail company.
In the era of electronic networks, chips are of utmost importance, and the shortfall is only likely to grow in the future, which means that the lithography machines used to manufacture chips are indispensable, and so is the precious talent related to them.
Nikon’s people must have realized their importance through Baiguang Optics’ unique production process, as well as the talent and dreams of Chen Tianyou and Tang Qingbai.
Therefore, they would want to firmly grasp them in their hands by acquisition and signing long contracts. Even if those talents were not used immediately, they could temporarily monopolize the related industries and increase the R&D costs of their competitors.
World-class big companies are truly far-sighted in their strategies.
With this in mind, Xiao Ming didn’t hold back and directly said, "What they really want to ’buy’ is the two of you; Baiguang Optics is merely an incidental and cost-effective distraction."
Chen Tianyou and Tang Qingbai looked at each other with expressions of disbelief.
"Mr. Xiao, although we’re flattered by your high regard, isn’t this a bit exaggerated?"
Xiao Ming smiled, "Then why do you think I insist on investing in you?
After all, the optics industry is entirely new territory for me, and as grand as your ideals may be, the only thing I can see is whether there’s money to be made."
"Then... why is that?"
"How much do you two know about lithography machines?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Tianyou’s expression didn’t change much, but Tang Qingbai’s eyes lit up.
"Does Mr. Xiao mean that Nikon wants us to join in the development of their lithography machines?"
Xiao Ming nodded, "That’s also why I want to invest in you, and why it doesn’t matter to me whether or not I can get Baiguang Optics."
"So, Mr. Xiao, do you also think lithography machines can undergo a revolutionizing upgrade within a short period, achieving a high level of precision?" Chen Tianyou asked.
"Don’t you think so?"
Chen Tianyou touched his nose and said, "This is actually the topic Qingbai and I argue about the most.
I think that the current technology of lithography machines has developed to the peak of the present optics industry, which is the bottleneck state.
It’s not possible to make a breakthrough without a breakthrough in relevant scientific research and the production of high-precision materials.
And that time is at least a matter of decades."
"No! I think the biggest problem hampering the progress of current lithography machines is not research and materials but the lack of integration."
Tang Qingbai said with slight excitement, "Ideally, if there could be unlimited financial support to completely integrate scientists, engineers, technologies, and parts suppliers from related fields around the globe.
Then, I am confident that within ten years, it will be possible to manufacture a lithography machine with a resolution of less than ten nanometers!"
Xiao Ming’s eyebrows instantly shot up, and he asked out loud, "How much money do you think that would take?"