Qian Jia Optics' discussion did not last long.
That very evening, Qian Jia Optics' Big Boss personally contacted Zhong Wei Technology and finally obtained the contact details of the owner of the FY-01 material from Peng Fan.
At the same time, the latest developments regarding screen optical materials on patent websites, along with some personal information about Zhou Feiyu, were uncovered.
In modern information society, as long as someone had a phone number, they could basically dig up a person's basic information. There was simply no way to prevent it.
Qian Jia Optics' Big Boss was deeply shocked. He had never expected an optical material with performance comparable to King to have been developed by an obscure materials R&D engineer. If the media exposed and promoted this matter, who knew how many experts and top industry figures would be slapped in the face.
There were no secrets that could stay hidden forever.
Qian Jia Optics' actions, along with the recent events at Zhong Wei Technology, were naturally noticed by those paying attention.
Aside from Hua Long Technology, other companies in the industry might have been somewhat slow to react, unaware of the inside story and not particularly concerned. But Di Guang Optics, Qian Jia Optics' competitor, had been especially tense and sensitive during this period. It quickly obtained detailed information and was immediately thrown into shock and worry.
"While this is still in its early stages, we need to act quickly. Otherwise, if this astonishing news gets out into the market, forget the future—even our stock price could hit the daily limit down right now."
Di Guang Optics was highly alert. It obtained information on Zhou Feiyu at once and decided to take the initiative.
Like Qian Jia Optics, Di Guang Optics was a listed company and a major giant in the optical materials field, with a market value exceeding ten billion. Naturally, it was especially worried about the news being exposed and spreading.
The next day, the sun rose on another bright and sunny morning.
Having already received word from Director Dong that the loan would be approved next week, Zhou Feiyu was in high spirits. After breakfast, he mailed a sheet of FY-01 material to Zhongwei, then prepared to head out for some spring sightseeing and studying.
The company had already been registered, and all manufacturing materials and equipment modification plans were ready. All that remained was startup capital to acquire a factory, after which trial production could begin. Once everything went smoothly, normal stockpiling could follow. Zhou Feiyu therefore immediately shifted his focus back to studying. That was his foundation.
Unexpectedly, two consecutive calls from unfamiliar companies came in, instantly stirring up Zhou Feiyu's emotions.
"President Zhou, hello. I'm Xiao Weidong, Vice President of Di Guang Optics Technology Co., Ltd. Sorry to disturb you. I would like to discuss a possible collaboration with you..."
"President Zhou, hello. I'm Yang Jiacheng, Chairman of Qian Jia Optics. Sorry to disturb you. I would like to discuss a possible collaboration. I heard that you developed an optical material whose performance surpasses King. That is truly remarkable and has done our country proud. I greatly admire you..."
One was Di Guang Optics, the other Qian Jia Optics. They called him one after the other at around eight-thirty. He did not know whether they had coordinated it, but they had clearly calculated his schedule.
Eight-thirty was neither too early nor too late.
"Collaboration? Looks like they both heard about FY-01 and couldn't wait to find me."
After hanging up, Zhou Feiyu found it rather strange.
The material he had given Hua Long Technology was only two A4-sized sheets. Hua Long Technology did not even have enough for itself and certainly would not give any away. Clearly, after learning the news, these two companies had not even verified whether FY-01 was truly that powerful before making such a grand move to find him.
This was somewhat beyond his expectations. He had originally thought that other material companies would only react and come rushing to his door after his material officially entered production and was supplied to Hua Long Technology in volume.
Now it seemed that these material companies paid extraordinary attention to every slightest movement in the market. They would rather kill a thousand by mistake than let even one slip away.
Zhou Feiyu replied to Di Guang and Qian Jia, agreeing to talk. He asked them to send people to Nanjiang County, Nanjiang Province, and call him whenever they arrived.
At that point, Zhou Feiyu also canceled his plan for spring sightseeing and studying. Instead, he contacted a friend in the county town and asked him to recommend a local lawyer to assist with legal matters related to business negotiations.
Meanwhile, in Peng City.
After hanging up, the people from Di Guang Optics and Qian Jia Optics did not waste a moment. They directly booked high-speed rail tickets for that morning to Nanjiang County, Nanjiang Province.
In less than three hours, the two groups arrived at their destination at the same time.
Nanjiang County's station exit was undoubtedly small. Before they had even left the station, the two groups ran into each other.
When acquaintances and competitors met, things were naturally especially awkward.
"President Xiao of Di Guang, you came too?"
Yang Jiacheng recognized him. Xiao Weidong, Vice President of Di Guang Optics, had always left a deep impression on him. He knew that the man was a capable and decisive executive within Di Guang Optics.
In an instant, he understood why the other party had come. Obviously, it was for the same reason as him. Otherwise, why would a materials company come to a godforsaken place like Nanjiang County, where there were no resources and no supply chain?
"Chairman Yang, you actually came in person!"
Xiao Weidong understood instantly as well, but he was greatly surprised. He inwardly cried out in alarm, Damn it, this old fox actually came himself. He's showing plenty of sincerity here.
He could not help thinking of how Di Guang Optics' boss had not personally come because of his status, sending him, a vice president, in his place.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Weidong's presence would have been more than enough.
But compared with Qian Jia Optics, whose Big Boss had come personally, a mere vice president like him suddenly did not seem important enough. It made Di Guang Optics appear insufficiently sincere.
Yang Jiacheng shrugged. "No choice. My company is always one night away from bankruptcy, so I am forever walking on thin ice."
Xiao Weidong smiled bitterly. "Chairman Yang really knows how to joke. This time, Di Guang miscalculated."
Yang Jiacheng merely smiled and said, "Since both of us are here, to avoid harming each other's interests by becoming the clam and snipe that fight while the fisherman profits, we should discuss this properly."
Xiao Weidong froze for a moment, then immediately agreed. "Chairman Yang has true insight. I admire you greatly."
Afterward, the two discussed the bargaining chips each had prepared, as well as the order in which they would meet Zhou Feiyu. Only then did they call Zhou Feiyu one after the other to arrange a meeting.
Xiao Weidong of Di Guang Optics made the first appointment. According to Yang Jiacheng, young people should go first.
Xiao Weidong did not stand on ceremony.
Both companies naturally had their own calculations. They had originally hesitated over whether to contact Zhou Feiyu so early, but now it seemed fortunate that they had come. Otherwise, they would have lost the initiative.
Naturally, Zhou Feiyu knew nothing about the discussion behind the scenes. After arranging the meeting, he received Xiao Weidong's group first at a local teahouse.
After a round of pleasantries, Xiao Weidong first asked to see Zhou Feiyu's material and visit his company and equipment production line.
"The material is here. President Xiao can take it back for testing as well, but you must sign a confidentiality agreement first. As for visiting the company and equipment production line, that can wait until next time. We are still in the startup phase."
Zhou Feiyu took out a sheet of FY-01 material that he had prepared long ago and handed it to Xiao Weidong. He then gestured for the lawyer beside him to hand over a confidentiality agreement as well.
Xiao Weidong's heart immediately sank. He knew that cooperation would not be so easy.
"So thin!"
The moment Xiao Weidong received the material, he was shocked again. This was the first time he had held the FY-01 material that Hua Long Technology and Zhong Wei Technology had been praising to the skies. Sure enough, it was extraordinary.
For no other reason than its thickness, one could already see from the side just how powerful FY-01's performance was.
Furthermore, Zhou Feiyu's confidence in letting him take the material for testing also showed his confidence in FY-01's technology. He was not afraid of them conducting reverse engineering at all.
That was undoubtedly even more terrifying. It meant that this material technology was exclusive!
If it was true, then whether Di Guang or Qian Jia, both would have no choice but to cooperate with Zhou Feiyu. Otherwise, the consequences would be too severe for them to bear.
The negotiation still had to continue. After putting down the material, Xiao Weidong presented Di Guang Optics' terms. "Di Guang has prepared two collaboration plans for President Zhou. One is to invest twenty-five million in exchange for 25% of the shares in President Zhou's hands. The other is to pay fifty million to buy out President Zhou's material patent, after which Di Guang would exclusively enjoy the production and sales rights for this material..."
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