A few days later.
The private jet cruised smoothly above the clouds. Outside the window lay an endless expanse of white clouds and blue sky.
Su Mansu sat opposite Liu Yutong, a laptop open on her knees, reporting the results of their trip to Western Europe.
"Boss, the production lines of the two chip companies in Berlin have been finalized. President Qiu's team has repeatedly verified the details of the transfer agreement for the second-hand equipment. The other party promised to ship on time next month, and we've already made arrangements for logistics and customs clearance."
"In Eindhoven, President Qiu's visit to ASML headquarters went very smoothly. Although we couldn't access their core lithography technology, our engineers recorded a large number of peripheral process parameters and production line layout details. These are of great reference value for Mapper, the company we hold a controlling stake in, as they simultaneously advance their EUV lithography machine research and development."
"IMEC's attitude was relatively cautious, but they eventually agreed to open up some joint laboratory resources to Mapper for collaborative R&D projects..."
Liu Yutong nodded slightly. "Let Mapper participate deeply in the R&D aspect. We won't intervene directly for now. Tell President Qiu to keep a close eye on the equipment testing phase; there must be absolutely no mistakes."
"Also, Mapper needs to step up its efforts to recruit talent, especially engineers coming from companies like ASML. Compensation is not an issue; as long as they dare to come, we dare to pay. In addition, arrange for some special perks, such as regularly organizing free 'tours' to our Dragon Country for the engineers, with their families fully covered as well. You know what I mean, right?"
Su Mansu understood implicitly. "Understood! I will notify the person in charge over there immediately."
During this period, they had spent about a week traveling around various countries in Western Europe. Their primary goal was to secure the chip production lines. These phased-out, second-hand production lines usually didn't face technology blockades since they didn't involve the latest tech. Coupled with the fact that Longxin already had some international capital involvement, things had progressed quite smoothly.
Of course, the production lines were not the main focus.
The most critical aspect was the various technologies acquired by Mapper, which Liu Yutong controlled. With ample financial support, Mapper had developed very rapidly in the field of lithography machines. Under intentional promotion, they had even added EUV lithography machines to their R&D direction.
Mapper already possessed a solid foundation in electron-beam direct-write technology. The prototype they had just built could even reach a 28-nanometer process in terms of precision. This figure was among the best in the world, considering that the current mass production level of top global chip factories hovered around 32 to 40 nanometers, and the domestic company Zhongxin was still struggling with 65 nanometers.
Being able to process 28 nanometers was indeed impressive, but a look at its hourly processing speed revealed a dismal picture. The prototype could only process one 28-nanometer wafer per hour; its efficiency was pitifully low.
No matter how high the precision, it would be useless if the efficiency couldn't be improved; it could only be used as a niche product.
Therefore, after secretly taking control of Mapper, Liu Yutong decisively demanded the addition of a new R&D direction. By intensifying their efforts, they still had a chance to catch up.
If she remembered correctly, 2013 would be a massive watershed moment.
Because by then, ASML's EUV lithography machines would be nearing mass production. ASML would also become the only enterprise in the world capable of mass-producing EUV lithography machines, even supporting advanced processes of 5nm and below, completely breaking the limits of traditional lithography technology and monopolizing the global market.
As for the first EUV lithography prototype, it was expected to be delivered next year, which meant it was still in the R&D stage. Mapper still had an opportunity.
At worst, they just needed to poach more people, throw more money at it, and buy out more resources...
Once Mapper's own EUV prototype was born, she would execute a covert maneuver to transfer the technology. With this foundation, relying on Dragon Country's massive market and complete industrial system, it wasn't impossible for them to compete head-to-head with ASML in the future.
After Su Mansu finished her work report, she returned to her seat to handle emails.
Bai Shisui, who had been wearing headphones listening to music all along, finally took them off and ran over to sit beside Liu Yutong.
"Sister Yutong, we're almost in San Francisco. If you're not busy, how about I take you around for a good tour first? For example, the seafood at Fisherman's Wharf is really famous, and the scenery at the Stanford University campus is nice too."
Liu Yutong smiled. "Whatever you arrange is fine."
"By the way, regarding your father, do we need to prepare anything in advance?"
Bai Shisui waved her hand. "No need to prepare anything special. My dad is like an old child; he's not particular about these things. Oh, right, he recently opened a cha chaan teng in Chinatown. This time, I can take you to taste his cooking. His barbecue pork buns are absolutely the best I've ever had."
Liu Yutong looked surprised. "Wait, Uncle knows how to cook?"
Bai Shisui giggled. "Hard to imagine, right? My dad is indeed quite serious in business, but in private, he loves tinkering with this stuff. He said his family was poor when he was young, so he learned from a teahouse master in the south. Later, even though he went into business, he never lost the skill. He used to be too busy, but now, in his own words, he's earned enough money for retirement, so he needs to find something he actually enjoys doing."
Hearing this, Liu Yutong couldn't help but nod. "I have to say, Uncle has a really great mindset."
Bai Shisui continued, "Right? But the cha chaan teng my dad opened isn't really open to the public; it's mainly used to host guests. My dad's business is mostly bilateral import and export, so he gets a lot of guests from back home, and they often chat until very late. You probably know what it's like here in the States. Unlike back home where you can find food in the middle of the night, there's basically nothing open here when it gets too late. That's why he opened a shop specifically for business hospitality—it's just convenient."
Liu Yutong smiled and said, "In that case, I'm in for a real treat today, getting to taste Uncle's cooking."
Bai Shisui said, "Of course. I've already told my dad, he has to set up everything perfectly for you!"
After a long-haul flight of about ten hours, the private jet landed smoothly at San Francisco International Airport.
As soon as the boarding stairs were lowered, Liu Yutong spotted a very eye-catching motorcade on the tarmac. Over a dozen black Lincoln Navigators were lined up in a row, each with a silver eagle emblem embedded on the front. Beside the cars stood more than twenty bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses, looking incredibly imposing.
At the front of the motorcade, a tall, blonde, blue-eyed man of Italian descent walked over briskly. Seeing Liu Yutong walking down the stairs, an exaggerated smile appeared on his face, and he spoke with an unfamiliar accent.
"Great-grandmother, you've finally arrived! I've been wishing upon the stars and the moon, and I've finally wished you here!"
The person who came was none other than Jesse.
He was also dressed in a black suit today, with a bright red rose pinned to his left breast pocket. He looked quite the gentleman, though his overly fawning smile and posture made him look more like a lackey.
The motorcade behind him had been meticulously prepared. Perhaps subtly influenced by Liu Yutong, the men he brought along were all dressed in black suits, and the fleet of cars was entirely black as well. It was a highly extravagant lineup, consisting entirely of black Lincoln SUVs priced around 100,000 USD each—a model that would easily sell for over a million yuan back in China.
Hearing his choice of address, Liu Yutong's face darkened in sheer exasperation. "Jesse, how many times have I told you? Don't call me Great-Grandma. Just call me Miss Liu."
"Absolutely not!"
Jesse replied with the utmost seriousness, "You are my benefactor. Without your support, I would never have reached my current position. Besides, you actually are my Great-Grandma!"
"Great-Grandma, the cars are all ready. I've booked the entire top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel. Shall I take you there to rest now?"
