Ning Yuan poured tea for the two of them with a smile: "Alright, now that you've finished complaining about me, it's time to sit down and eat."
Grandma Xia greeted Mayor Qiao with a smile, and the group chatted, making the atmosphere even more lively.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone ate and chatted in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
Grandpa Tang put down his chopsticks and asked Ning Yuan with concern—
"Girl, what project are you planning to invest in this time in Shenzhen? Are you still going into the clothing business? Our 'Heart of the Era' clothing wholesale business is thriving thanks to Manhua and Huazi, and they've even opened two new counters at the Tenth Department Store!"
Ning Yuan smiled slightly and shook her head: "Grandpa, I'm not here to work in the clothing industry this time. I'm going to enter the semiconductor industry!"
She paused, a hint of pride in her voice: "Moreover, my factory in Hong Kong has made some progress and successfully shipped products to Micron Technology, one of the world's leading semiconductor companies!"
"Semiconductors?" Old Master Tang was slightly taken aback.
Grandma Xia looked even more puzzled. She blinked and asked curiously, "Little girl, what is this... semiconductor you're talking about?"
Ning Yuan patiently explained, "Grandma, semiconductors are a very special material. They are neither as easy to conduct electricity as metals, nor as completely non-conductive as wood."
"We can use the properties of semiconductors to manufacture all kinds of electronic components, such as wafers and transistors. These components are the heart of all electronic products; without them, televisions, radios, telephones... none of them will work!"
Grandma Xia was completely confused, but she nodded as if she understood: "Oh...it sounds pretty amazing. But...can this thing make money?"
Before Ning Yuan could answer, Old Master Tang suddenly spoke up: "In the beginning, you might not make much money. But the semiconductor industry is not just about making money! It's related to a country's level of technological development, and even its national security!"
Ning Yuan and Mayor Qiao were both taken aback, not expecting Old Master Tang to say such a thing.
Ning Yuan looked at Old Tang, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration.
Grandpa Tang smiled a little embarrassed by their stares and waved his hand, saying, "Don't look at me like that. Although my old bones are no longer useful, don't forget that I still have so many students! Some of them are still abroad, dealing with foreigners, and they're very well-informed!"
He pointed to his head and added, "Besides, I'm also in charge of the 'Heart of the Epoch' café! I chat with those foreign scholars every day, so I know quite a lot!"
Ning Yuan was deeply moved. As someone from the future, she naturally understood the importance of the semiconductor industry. But the fact that an older generation scholar like Grandpa Tang could possess such foresight filled her with immense respect for these intellectuals.
Grandpa Tang stared intently at Ning Yuan: "You... are you really confident? Semiconductors are no joke. They require a lot of capital investment and technological accumulation. It's not something that can be done easily. If needed, Grandpa can help you find a way to get talent!"
Although his students abroad may not necessarily be willing to return to the impoverished mainland, Xiao Ning has a company in the Hong Kong government, so they would probably be willing to go there.
Grandpa Tang's words warmed Ning Yuan's heart. She nodded slightly, her eyes shining with determination.
Ning Yuan's voice was soft, but calm and firm: "Grandpa, this road is indeed difficult, but I have made full preparations."
Ning Yuan's clear eyes swept over the elders present: "Our factory in Hong Kong already has a stable supply chain and customer base, and I have also accumulated a group of technical talents. Setting up a factory in Shenzhen will firstly significantly reduce costs, secondly bring employment opportunities to the Special Economic Zone, and thirdly... since I don't have my own brand, it will be easier to introduce advanced foreign technologies."
She paused, then added, "Of course, it would be even better if you, Grandpa, had more talent resources or friends working in semiconductor companies abroad who could help us make connections."
In business, connections are the most valuable asset.
Grandpa Tang pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and nodded thoughtfully: "You're quite thoughtful, girl. Some of my old students are indeed doing quite well abroad. I'll ask them for you later."
Now that the country has opened up opportunities for government-sponsored study abroad in the United States, some former students have actually returned to visit him.
Mayor Qiao frowned upon hearing this, and asked with some confusion, "Girl, does this mean you're not going to create your own brand? These days, aren't all the factories in China, like Panda and Seagull, putting all their effort into creating their own brands? Why don't you create your own brand? If you don't create your own brand, how will people recognize you? Doing OEM manufacturing... to put it bluntly, isn't that just being someone else's assistant?"
Ning Yuan nodded: "Yes, I really don't plan to create my own brand. Instead, I want to become a semiconductor foundry, the kind that focuses solely on production and doesn't involve branding or sales."
Grandma Xia was also puzzled: "Daughter, it's so prestigious to make our own brand! Doing OEM manufacturing just doesn't sound as impressive!"
Ning Yuan felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at the elders.
When working for the Hong Kong government, you're always on guard against this and that.
I've never felt this way before, with everyone working together towards the same goal.
Now that she's surrounded by family who genuinely care about her, there are some things she needs to explain clearly.
She smiled, looked around, and said softly, "Since everyone here is on our side, I won't hide anything and will reveal my plan in its entirety."
Everyone's expressions tightened, realizing that what Ning Yuan was about to say was no small matter, and they all solemnly declared that they would absolutely not reveal what she had said today.
Ning Yuan wasn't worried about them leaking the plan, since she still needed Uncle Qiao and Grandpa Tang's help to realize it.
She placed two glasses filled with drinks on the table, gesturing for them to look—
"Look, currently, the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies are controlled by Japan and the United States. If I'm not mistaken, within the next ten years, these two companies will most likely fight tooth and nail over the semiconductor industry!"
Mayor Qiao and Grandpa Tang both looked surprised. Why did Ning Yuan have such a keen judgment on the international situation?
Ning Yuan continued, "Our mainland has only just opened up, and its foundation is weak. It's best to keep a low profile and quietly make a fortune. I do contract manufacturing in Hong Kong and then move production to Shenzhen. We're inconspicuous on both sides, and nobody will take us seriously."
As she said this, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a sly smile: "That's how we have to be. We can't be taken seriously, we can't attract attention, we have to 'develop stealthily'! We'll do the best semiconductor foundry work for the world's big companies at the lowest prices!"
She doesn't have a brand so as not to arouse people's suspicion!
Later, Taiwan Power and Foxconn followed the same path, and decades later they both became the world's top 50 electronics contract manufacturers.
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