Chapter 271 Maybe There's a Big Surprise (Bug Fix): Let's get started first.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was fine. The river breeze, carrying the smell of sulfur, swept over the reeds still covered with snow, and the reeds, steamed by the sun, became soft and cool.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, the ferries on the opposite bank not only didn't get a break, but were even busier. The sound of ship horns mixed with sporadic firecrackers could be heard constantly.
Ishizawa withdrew his hand, which had almost gone numb from being gripped, shaded his eyes with it, and gazed into the distance. His opening words shocked everyone present: "Actually, if I may be so bold, I'm more inclined to think that place—"
He pointed to the misty Jiangxinzhou Island, saying, "It's even more suitable as a factory site."
Everyone was a little confused.
Why would he abandon the readily available land and instead set his sights on Jiangxinzhou?
Note that this was in 1994. Transportation on Jiangxinzhou Island was very inconvenient, and people mainly relied on ferries to get around.
Shi Zetian's nose was sweating. He was actually a bit socially anxious and would involuntarily get nervous when someone stared at him.
He strategically adjusted his glasses and said two words before regaining his normal tone: "Air. The conditions by the river mean that if we build a factory here, the air cleanliness level can only reach 100,000, while a factory on an island in the middle of the river can only reach 10,000 to meet the air cleanliness requirements. Otherwise, the product yield will drop significantly, and the production line will not be profitable at all."
Neither Wang Xiao nor Secretary Fang could refute his words.
Due to convenient water transportation and the demand for industrial land in the early days of the People's Republic of China, Jinning's old industrial areas were mostly concentrated along the river. For example, the Jinning Steel Plant was a typical riverside enterprise.
In recent years, due to adjustments in national policies, these old enterprises have gradually relocated, but many factories have remained.
Even though the 150 acres of land specially allocated to the LCD screen factory by the provincial government was the furthest away from the industrial zone (in order to reduce the risk of industrial espionage), its air cleanliness was still not on the same level as Jiangxinzhou, a purely agricultural area with a low population density.
Seeing that neither his future boss nor the leaders of Jiangdong Province refuted him, Shi Zetian became even bolder. He pointed towards the city center again: "On the plane from Shanghai to Jinning, I saw a newspaper saying that Jinning is currently experiencing a severe power shortage and the power grid is under great pressure. Dual-circuit power supply, which does not pass through the main urban area, can avoid the losses caused by power rationing."
Then, he pointed to the river again, "An independent water system would also make it easier to build a deionized water plant. Hmm, I used the restroom at the airport once, and I felt that the water in Jinning was still quite hard. Also, 150 acres of land might be barely enough now, but if we upgrade in the future, there won't be any more land. I think there should be relatively more land on Jiangxinzhou Island."
He listed them out one by one, and Secretary Fang was almost persuaded.
Other issues are manageable, but air, water, and electricity, especially air, are not something that can be resolved simply by the provincial government opening a green channel and providing ample policy support.
But Wang Xiao shook his head without hesitation: "Jiangxinzhou won't do."
Why? Because of the floods. A massive flood was expected in 1998.
Because of the flood discharge zone, Jinning City will definitely be saved, but Jiangxinzhou will definitely be flooded.
She reminded Secretary Fang: "In the summer of 1991, the river island was flooded and the water didn't recede until autumn. Farmers who returned home didn't have time to plant water celery. As a result, around the Spring Festival of 1992, the price of water celery in Jinning rose sharply. This was also the opportunity that led to the planting of water celery in Zhimen."
Although Secretary Fang was still in Beijing in 1991, she was still aware of the East China floods.
Given the current conditions, if another flood occurs, it would be almost inevitable that Jiangxinzhou would be submerged.
She could only shake her head: "This really won't work. Other factories were just built when Jiangxinzhou was flooded."
She earnestly consulted the experts, "Let's build it here. We'll find a way to coordinate the others. The LCD screen factory can be connected to the petrochemical plant's backup power grid, and the dual-circuit upgrade can be completed within three months. Um, can the air quality issue be resolved?"
When customers have a need, Shi Zetian can only offer alternative solutions: "Then use the 'clean tunnel + workbench' model. Intel's Oregon plant has already verified that it can achieve a cleanliness level of thousands in a localized area by isolating the lithography machine from the external environment."
However, this is only one of the solutions.
To maintain air cleanliness, an air pretreatment system is also required.
Semiconductor factories now generally use AAF primary (G4) + medium (F8) + sub-high efficiency (H11) filters.
In addition, an 8-meter-high windbreak forest and a micro-fog wall should be set up along the factory boundary to improve the blocking rate of inhalable particulate matter.
As a factory construction expert, Ishizawa had to remind his boss: "This will add about another million US dollars to the factory construction costs."
He had no choice but to say it.
Even without considering land acquisition costs, simply building a 5,000-square-meter cleanroom LCD screen factory, plus purchasing second-hand equipment, would cost $20-30 million.
Let alone China's current economic situation, even in Japan, this amount of money is something that only large corporations could come up with.
Making LCD screens is like raising a money-devouring beast; it's not just a saying.
Wang Xiao remained calm and nodded directly: "Then let's modify it like this. By the way, I wanted to ask, is this clean tunnel the same type of technology used last year when Chinese scientists used a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to move atoms and write characters on the surface of crystalline silicon?"
Shi Zetian nodded and then shook his head: "I have also been following the progress in this area on the mainland. Scanning tunneling microscopes do require high vacuum and clean environments. Its success proves that it has mastered laboratory-level ultra-high cleanliness control technology. But there is still a long way to go from the laboratory to the factory."
Wang Xiao nodded repeatedly, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair: "I understand, I understand. As long as there's a foundation, that's enough. A fence needs three posts, and a hero needs three helpers. If you build the factory by yourself, the pressure we'll face will be too great. We'll try our best to find any manpower and material support you need later."
Secretary Fang laughed from the side: "Yes, we'll find people and technology for you from universities and research institutions across the country that can be used."
She was pleased that Wang Xiao had taken the initiative to ask about the scanning tunneling microscope, which showed that she had a very strong desire to localize the technology.
There are too many foreign compradors these days, and a bunch of computer dealers in Zhongguancun. They've made a lot of money, but frankly, they don't have much substance.
Secretary Fang certainly didn't want to spend all his time running around coordinating and securing a bunch of policy support only to end up personally supporting a foreign comprador.
That's the kind of thing where you have to sit up in the middle of the night and can't help but curse.
Shi Zetian smiled and nodded to thank his superior for his support, then glanced to the side and asked hesitantly, "When do you plan to start construction on the factory?"
Without hesitation, Wang Xiao said, "If you think it's ready to start now, I'll call people over to lay the foundation right away."
Shi Zetian's gaze drifted to the wasteland beside him, a puzzled look on his face: "Don't we have to wait until the rapeseed is harvested?"
Wang Xiao and Secretary Fang followed his gaze and saw a lush, green expanse.
Actually, this description is not accurate, because there are many different shades of green.
For example, spinach and bok choy are not the same kind of green. Tatsoi and celery are also green in their own unique ways. Overwintered rapeseed has leaves curled up with purplish-red spots caused by frost.
Secretary Fang couldn't help but laugh, jokingly saying, "We Jiangdong people really can't stand seeing land lying fallow for even a minute. It's alright, it's alright, the land here has already been acquired. It was agreed beforehand that it would be planted until last year's rice harvest. I guess the farmers couldn't stay idle, so they planted rapeseed as well. Don't worry, you can harvest it and eat it as vegetables."
As they were talking, two people slowly emerged from the riverbank ahead; they were farm women carrying water from the river to water their vegetables.
The secretary quickly megaphoned her hands and shouted to them, "Hey! Madams, you can't plant anymore! The tractor is coming to plow the field soon. You all need to harvest your vegetables right away!"
The two men, seeing several cars and so many people in a row, were not intimidated at all. They shouted back at the top of their lungs, "We know, we know!"
After saying that, they still watered the vegetables they had grown.
Secretary Fang sighed, "Our nation can't stand empty land. People can't stay idle, and land can't be left barren. We'll plant as many crops as we can."
Shi Zetian subconsciously chimed in, filled with emotion: "Yes, my mother also makes sure to plant vegetables in every nook and cranny."
The rusty smell of the iron hook on the carrying pole on the farmer's shoulder reminded him of the hoe at his maternal grandmother's house in Tainan.
He was stunned after he said it.
As someone who has faced discrimination since childhood because of his mixed-race heritage, he almost never talks about his parents.
He deliberately tried to ignore a certain bloodline within him, much like a child who had finally managed to get into a big city and establish himself, unwilling to let others know his origins.
But at this moment, a familiar warmth enveloped him, and the afternoon sun was so gentle that it made his heart flutter. That's the sentence that came out of his mouth.
Even the image of the peasant woman scooping water to water the vegetables overlapped with the image of his mother in his memory.
In that instant, Ishizawa felt a sense of dread, as if he had nowhere to hide.
If he could, he wished he could just disappear on the spot to escape the bewilderment that left him feeling lost and helpless.
Secretary Fang swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue: "Right? We Chinese all love growing vegetables."
Because Ishizawa suddenly bowed deeply, in a Japanese-style deep bow where his upper body was almost touching his lower body, and mumbled in Japanese that she couldn't understand.
In that instant, as a mother, Secretary Fang felt a subtle tenderness. She didn't want her mixed-race child to experience the shame and pain of being "forced to conform to a different culture."
Wang Xiao, as if she hadn't seen Shi Zetian's reddened ears and his awkward embarrassment, casually brushed the topic aside: "Your mother is just like my mom; my mom grows vegetables on her balcony. Don't worry, the vegetables here will be ready to be harvested in the next couple of days."
Shi Zetian forced a polite smile: "That's good. I was afraid that waiting until June to harvest the rapeseed would delay the construction schedule."
The plowed-up frozen soil emitted a raw, fishy smell, mixed with the acidic odor of crushed grass leaves, which, when evaporated by the sunlight, reached his nose and made him dizzy.
He had to turn his head so that the river breeze could blow away the fine sweat that had appeared behind his ears.
Wang Xiao shook his head with a smile: "That won't do, we can't afford to delay. The sooner we start production, the sooner we can recoup our investment. Otherwise, if we keep burning money, even a god couldn't handle it. I'm counting on you, Mr. Shi Ze, to be able to coordinate efficiently and get the factory up and running as soon as possible."
The winter sun cast a long shadow over her, covering the planning sketch in Ishizawa's hands.
Ishizawa hesitated for a moment before speaking up: "Actually, some work can be started now. For example, raw materials. NEC Japan is currently importing a large amount of high-purity silica sand from Ukraine to make substrates. This is because the iron content of domestically produced silica sand in Japan is too high, which leads to an excessively high bubble rate in the substrates."
He does not work for NEC, and NEC will not proactively release this information.
But as his new boss said, LCD panels, and indeed the entire semiconductor industry, are highly standardized. The inferiority of domestically produced Japanese quartz sand is an open secret in the industry.
As a factory construction expert, he naturally pays more attention to industry trends than the average engineer.
Wang Xiao smiled broadly: "Thank you so much. Which company should we contact in Ukraine to import the materials?"
“The Single Crystal Research Institute,” Ishizawa reminded her again, “but quartz sand is not the same as glass substrates. If the factory wants to start production as soon as possible, it will still have to import substrates from Japan.”
Wang Xiao nodded: "I understand. We will make breakthroughs while producing. We will prepare for this part first. Once we can produce it ourselves and reduce costs, we will have a greater competitive advantage."
Her smile deepened, and she looked earnestly at Ishizawa. "So, what else can we do at the same time? I mean, these preparatory works."
Shi Zetian subconsciously pursed his lips. Even though the sun was already setting, the heat of the New Year seemed excessive, making him feel thirsty and a little dizzy.
He instinctively looked away, but when his gaze fell on Ivanov's face, he blurted out, "The Soviet 'Red Proletarian' factory built a Class 1000 cleanroom in 1978, consuming 2.3 times the energy of the Intel factory at the same time, but at only 1/5 the cost. However, that's data from over a decade ago, and I'm not too clear on the current situation."
He didn't reveal half of what he said, deliberately keeping people in suspense.
Firstly, there was little publicly available information about the Soviet Union at the time.
Secondly, with the Soviet Union gone, the advanced Japanese semiconductor industry had even less reason to pay attention to Soviet technology that was already outdated.
He wouldn't have brought this up at all if his new employer wasn't Russian and if China's semiconductor industry wasn't so underdeveloped.
Wang Xiao immediately pressed, "Anything else?"
"In fact, Applied Materials' 1987 patent mentioned that replacing resistive evaporation with magnetron sputtering can improve the yield by 9%... Of course, this requires modifying Sharp's second-hand equipment."
Ishizawa once again reminded everyone, "These can only be used as a reference. Actual production still relies on second-hand Japanese production lines and a complete set of imported raw materials."
Wang Xiao laughed, his words as frank as a gentleman: "I understand. At our current level, it would be good enough if we could even get the processing trade up and running."
Shi Zetian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The new boss had said the most unpleasant things first, saving him from being put in a difficult position.
He even offered a dry word of encouragement to the new boss: "Everything is difficult at the beginning, but once you lay a solid foundation, things will be fine."
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, even the sun is eager to return home for a reunion.
They briefly looked at the 150 acres of land, confirming that it was close to the dock, which would facilitate the import of key equipment and the export of finished products; then the setting sun hid behind the mountain.
As the five o'clock bell rang from the opposite bank of the river, Secretary Fang glanced at his watch, confirmed the situation, and simply let them go: "You're all tired, get some rest early tonight, and we'll talk in detail tomorrow. I won't force you to have dinner."
Ishizawa secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He really didn't have the energy to deal with the banquet. From early yesterday morning until now, except for a short nap on the plane from Tokyo to Shanghai, he hadn't rested at all.
Even though he went to the restroom to wash his face with cold water before leaving the airport, it still couldn't hide his dark circles and the large bags under his eyes that were almost hanging on his cheekbones.
Wang Xiao also felt that he had escaped a disaster.
Fireworks and firecrackers weren't banned in 1994, and the area around Zhimen was designated as the suburbs. The Russians in the villa district were still inexplicably fascinated by Chinese fireworks and firecrackers. Anyway, she barely got any sleep on New Year's Eve.
If Secretary Fang were to invite them to dinner, no matter how approachable the leader was, it couldn't be a simple private gathering; it would inevitably be imbued with profound political significance.
She simply doesn't have the energy to deal with these things right now.
As Secretary Fang got into the car, he waved to them and then instructed them: "The Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Office is sending a team to the factory. Any department that sets up a checkpoint should report directly to me—this is the power granted by item 17 of the 'Reform Trial and Error List' specially approved by Vice Premier Zhu."
Wang Xiao smiled broadly: "Then thank you, leader."
The car started and drove a full hundred meters before the secretary, who also couldn't get a break during the New Year holiday, couldn't help but ask, "Secretary, isn't Mr. Shi Ze being too idealistic? Last time we went to Japan, the Japanese made it very clear that they were only willing to jointly build a factory, not sell the production line."
Previously, when he saw the factory construction plan in Secretary Fang's hand, he had some doubts.
But he couldn't say it directly in front of foreign experts.
Secretary Fang shook his head: "Times have changed. Last year, Sharp's yield rate for large-size LCD screens increased to 80%, and mass production began. That's why Shi Zetian was marginalized."
Everything is made by people. The only proof that people are no longer valuable is that the things they make are becoming obsolete.
Just like the typesetters of the past, skilled workers were highly valued. But with the advent of laser typesetting technology, they immediately had to step aside.
Secretary Fang couldn't help but sigh, "Last year when we went to Japan, these semiconductor companies were still refusing to budge. And now, just a few months later? The entire production line is about to be phased out. The pace of technological advancement in this industry is just too fast. If we don't hurry up and enter the market, there won't be a place for us to get out later."
"Deng Xiaoping said on February 3, 1992, 'Computer education should start from childhood.' In Jiangdong, we should start with LCD screens."
"Go back and inform the Electronics Industry Department to postpone the New Year celebrations and come to the meeting, even if it's a bit of a hassle."
She looked out the window and saw a bright red banner in the distance with the slogan: "New Year, New Look".
What kind of atmosphere will Jiangdong have in the new year?
I wonder what other surprises this Mr. Wang will bring to Jiangdong.
As Wang Xiao watched Secretary Fang get into the car and was about to get in himself, he heard voices drifting in from afar on the river breeze.
She didn't care at first, but the person was speaking Russian.
Surely she'd have to turn around and take a look; maybe it's someone she knows.
The Russians who would come all the way to such a desolate place must have been long-time customers of Zhimen for who knows how long.
Turning around, I saw a familiar face – Sister Miao from the Chemical Engineering Institute, accompanied by four or five Central Asian teenagers, around ten years old, and a Central Asian man wearing glasses who looked refined and intellectual.
Wang Xiao quickly waved: "Sister Miao? Your friend?"
For Sister Miao to be able to take time out of her busy schedule of entertaining relatives during the Lunar New Year, she must be an extraordinary friend.
Sister Miao was also surprised to see Wang Xiao and quickly ran out: "Oh dear, you're really injured."
Wang Xiao felt bad for making people worry, so she said casually, "It's nothing, just a broken bone. By the way, who are they?"
Sister Miao's face immediately showed a look of utter dismay: "They are friends from Kazakhstan. Sigh, I don't even know how to explain this."
It turns out that Sister Miao went to Kazakhstan on a business trip and encountered local children begging for money and cigarettes, saying, "You Chinese are rich, so you should give us money."
And they don't want the ruble. Yes, that's right. Although the Russian Federation's sudden abolition of the old ruble last summer caused widespread despair in almost all CIS countries, Kazakhstan has since been willing to continue to retain the ruble zone.
Unfortunately, the common people felt that the ruble was unreliable, and the children kept asking Sister Miao and her group for "yuan," which is the Chinese currency.
Sister Miao thought their idea was wrong, because Chinese people's money doesn't fall from the sky, but is earned through hard work.
Asking for money is ruining Kazakhstan's youth and its future.
Coincidentally, some of the cadres from the Municipal Youth League Committee were traveling with her, so they decided to take the lead in organizing this learning and exchange activity to increase mutual understanding between young people from the two countries.
Perfect timing! The Spring Festival is a very special time, so let's choose to bring people over during the Spring Festival.
Wang Xiao estimated that this was related to the international situation, as both China and Kazakhstan had a desire to further enhance their relations.
She laughed and said, "So you can't even get a break during the Chinese New Year?"
Sister Miao chuckled: "I couldn't be happier. Taking them out for a stroll is much better than me wandering around the boiler."
Normally, she and her husband share the work, but every Chinese New Year, she has to play the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother, entertaining relatives and friends table after table.
She's so annoyed.
Wang Xiao suggested to her: "It's better to book a meal at a restaurant. Many restaurants are offering New Year's Eve dinners these days."
Sister Miao sneered again, mimicking someone's tone in a sarcastic manner: "That won't do. Food from outside isn't clean. You can only feel at ease if you cook it yourself."
Wang Xiao touched his nose, deciding not to get involved in other people's family affairs.
What could she possibly say?
There are always men who suddenly realize after getting married that they need to be filial to their parents.
It's true, men mature after marriage, no kidding, because they know they have to outsource filial piety.
There are always families where, once a wife is married, life inexplicably becomes more particular, and the wife has to do the laundry and cooking herself.
After scoffing, Sister Miao raised her voice and emphasized to the Central Asian children, "See? Today is the Spring Festival, which is equivalent to your Naurus Festival. But these aunties will still be working in the fields. Crops don't grow on their own; bread is grown."
She couldn't help but turn to Wang Xiao and complain, "You haven't seen it, things have changed so fast. When I went to Almaty before, the children were all like porcelain dolls, so enthusiastic and polite. Now it's not like that anymore, really not like that."
Wang Xiao smiled but didn't respond. The idea that poverty breeds resourcefulness and that being poor equates to kindness and virtue is nothing but a self-comforting lie.
At this moment, a cadre from the Municipal Youth League Committee came to take over, smiling and expressing the leader's thoughtful arrangement: "Perfect timing, Teacher Miao, it won't delay you from going home to cook dinner."
Wang Xiao almost burst out laughing on the spot, and reached out to grab Sister Miao: "Come on, come on, don't go home. Put the greater good before your own family. Come with me, I have something to ask you."
Sister Miao has had many opportunities to interact with scientists from the former Soviet Union and has a better understanding of the situation related to LCD screens in the Soviet Union back then. It is definitely worthwhile to further explore the depth and breadth of our cooperation.
Who knows, there might be a big surprise.
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Well, the last chapter is a transitional chapter. I thought about it again and again, but I still didn't delete it, otherwise the characters would feel flat. Also, the farmers carrying hoes to the fields on the afternoon of the first day of the Lunar New Year in the 1990s weren't just putting on a show; this was their daily life. The land needed watering, the weeds needed weeding, and they had to pay New Year's visits and entertain guests as usual—there was no conflict between these tasks.
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