Not changing? Waiting to receive Darwin's boxed lunch! (Bonus Chapter)

The conference room erupted in a clamor. Huaji actually developed EDA?

"Ms. Rao, when did this happen? Why didn't we hear any news?"

"Did you develop it yourselves, or did you copy Synopsys?"

"I haven't heard Huaji starting an EDA development project. If you say it's done now, doesn't that mean you've been planning for at least ten years?"

"Ten years of planning? No way! You thought that far ahead?"

Hearing the bosses' discussions, Rao Huiling could only maintain a smile.

If she told them that Pangu EDA was written by a child starting six years ago, would their jaws drop?

To spare these middle-aged men their jaws, Rao Huiling decided to neither confirm nor deny their speculations.

"Ms. Rao, to be honest, even if you developed EDA, we wouldn't dare to use it."

"Synopsys and the others have withstood the tests of all global semiconductor manufacturers. We don't worry about problems occurring during the engineering design phase when we use them. You know, if EDA has issues, it affects the entire chip tape-out."

"Not to mention the final product; it might not even be usable."

"Of course, I'm not saying your EDA software is bad. I haven't even seen it. I just want to say that we can't afford such a high trial-and-error cost."

"Mr. Zhang is right! We all have families to support, so we can't easily switch EDA tools."

"Have you even used what you developed?"

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Yu Bei quickly said, "Everyone, please rest assured. Our company's developed products have definitely begun internal use. It's precisely because there are no problems that we dare to recommend them to everyone."

"Mr. Yu, how long has your EDA been running?"

"If I recall correctly, you're only involved in chip design, not packaging or manufacturing, right?"

Yu Bei didn't speak, as what the other party said was indeed correct. He could only hope that they didn't know about Shuijidian rejecting Sanhua.

"Do you know that if the chip files aren't designed using the EDA from the 'Big Three,' the foundries won't accept our orders!"

"We were notified yesterday about Sanhua being rejected by Shuijidian!"

"You're telling us to switch to your EDA? Aren't you dragging all of us in the semiconductor industry down with you!"

"It's already almost November, and the Lunar New Year is approaching. With incidents like Sanhua's, we're already on edge, fearing that export bans might be imposed on us. Now you want us to actively step into a minefield? I truly cannot do that!"

"Exactly! If we switch to your EDA, we might face a complete industry shutdown!"

The voices in the conference room grew louder, and Luo Yao was also woken from his slumber.

Luo Yao disliked noisy environments. After listening carefully for a moment, he understood the bosses' concerns. He stood up helplessly, turned, and said to the arguing bosses:

"Do you know why Synopsys targeted Sanhua Enterprise this time and not you?"

Why? Wasn't it because Sanhua complained about Synopsys!

The bosses gradually stopped talking and looked at Luo Yao.

They realized he was a young man.

Luo Yao ignored their scrutiny and continued:

"You think it's because Sanhua complained about Synopsys?"

The bosses were stunned, thinking, "Isn't that the case?"

"This is just the surface. The deeper reason is that Sanhua recently expanded its production scale and secured more orders, including orders from countries like the US."

"As Sanhua gains orders, it means foreign memory chip manufacturers have lost orders."

"When our Chinese chip industry develops vigorously, won't foreign competitors be afraid?"

"Don't forget, every country protects its domestic industries. Will they idly watch our products run rampant in their territories, squeezing the survival space of their local manufacturers?"

"There are so many enterprises in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the chip industry. Why do you think they won't band together to suppress us?"

Luo Yao's voice was not loud, not even using a microphone, but his words struck them heavily.

"Young man, are you saying that even if we don't cause trouble, they will find excuses to suppress us?"

Luo Yao looked at the speaker with confusion: "You guys aren't really foolish enough to think that acting like a turtle hiding in its shell will make others leave you alone, are you?"

"..."

The bosses' blood pressure immediately surged to an all-time high. Some hot-tempered individuals quickly retorted, "What kind of talk is that! How are we foolish!"

Luo Yao looked at the other person and said, "You view the 'Big Three' as tools, but you don't realize the 'Big Three' see you as mere tools."

"They can reap profits when they want, and they can restrict your development when they want. In the end, you still think they are good people."

"If you continue on your current path, it won't be long before the 'Big Three,' along with other industries in the semiconductor sector, impose restrictions on you."

"Besides software, it might also involve equipment, materials, and product sales."

"Simply put, your positioning in their eyes is as their factories. You just need to do the most basic processing work; you don't need any innovation."

"Do you know Darwin's theory of evolution?"

"Survival of the fittest, survival of the adaptable."

"If you don't want to change, then just wait to receive your Darwin award!"

Receive a Darwin award?

Didn't that basically mean they were going to die?

No one could accept being told their company wouldn't survive, especially these bosses who had dedicated half their lives to the semiconductor industry.

But Luo Yao's words forced them to calm down and re-examine their cooperative relationship with the Big Three.

Moving forward meant a cliff, with the Big Three waiting for them to fall.

Stepping back, the path was unclear; no one knew if it led to a swamp or a pool.

"Young man, what you're saying is certainly correct, but it's a bit like speaking from a position of privilege," said a portly older gentleman. "As ordinary bosses, we're thinking about how to make as much money as possible right now."

"You might think I have a small perspective for saying this, but I have six people at home, including a child."

"Our factory has 1387 people, and that's not just a number!"

"These are living, breathing people, and each of them has a family behind them. If I were to use your EDA, it would definitely have an impact. Even if we could be self-sufficient, where would our orders come from?"

"To give a simple example, customers are used to chips manufactured by Shuijidian. If we suddenly switch to another manufacturer, what will our customers think?"

"No orders means no income, and over a thousand families will be affected by this."

"I also want to try our own EDA, but the risk is too great."

"Only by securing our small families can we take care of the larger community. If we can't even guarantee the welfare of our immediate families, how can we possibly have the energy to look after everyone else?"

The man's words resonated with the others. It wasn't that they didn't want to take a gamble, but they were afraid to.

Huaji developing EDA was certainly exciting, but what about afterward?

What price would they have to pay?

"Director Rao, what do we do now?" Yu Bei quietly asked Rao Huiling.

"In the worst-case scenario, we'll have to subsidize the losses incurred by using Pangu EDA."

Yu Bei exclaimed, "We subsidize?"

"Yes, the government gives us subsidies every year, but they're clearly not enough, so we need to cover a portion ourselves. Fortunately, Luo Yao helped us save on EDA development costs, so subsidizing them is still putting the funds to good use."

As the two were speaking, Director Sun suddenly walked over to Luo Yao and took out a microphone.

"Let me say a few words. The EDA developed by Huaji this time is of great significance. We should cooperate as much as possible, otherwise, everyone will have trouble sleeping at night, always feeling like the Big Three are targeting them."

"Therefore, it's better to have a short period of pain than prolonged suffering. Let's work together this time and get this done."

Upon hearing this, some people below objected, "That's definitely not possible. It's almost the end of the year. If you want to start, let's wait until spring next year!"

"That's right, let's get through the year first, and then talk about it next year!"

As the meeting room reached a stalemate, several people suddenly entered.

Director Sun, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized them as people from the Huaguo Sci-Tech Innovation Center.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment." The newcomer, dressed in a black suit, had a voice like bells and drums, deep and powerful. His voice penetrated the entire conference room, which quickly fell silent.

"Our Sci-Tech Innovation Center is aware of your situation. Given that Huaji's newly developed Pangu EDA has a significant role in promoting the chip industry, we have decided to provide a subsidy of up to 20 million per year to companies installing and using Pangu EDA software, to help overcome this difficult period."

"Furthermore, companies that use Pangu EDA software will enjoy priority privileges when applying for other subsidies or participating in activities."

"The subsidy application period is limited to today only. After today, there will be no opportunity to receive the subsidy."

Everyone in the conference room was stunned.

A subsidy of up to 20 million per year.

Holy cow! When had the official government ever been this generous!

And they would also get priority privileges?!

Why wouldn't they quickly embrace the official government's support!

"Where do I sign up?"

"I want to sign up! Hurry and register me!"

"Director Sun, find someone to assist Huaji with the registration."

"Okay, I'll go do it right away." Director Sun, having received the task, immediately took out his phone and started calling people.

The man in the black suit walked up to Luo Yao and said gently, "You must be Luo Yao, right?"

Luo Yao nodded.

"Good, good, I finally get to see you today."

"In the future, if you need anything, just ask. If Huaji can't provide it, we will definitely cooperate fully."

This good?

So, in the future, if he needed anything for research and development, he could find them?

"This is a dedicated phone we've arranged, which prevents listening in and information theft. If you need anything, just dial the number in your contacts."

"Then, say the security code 'Miracle' to contact me."

Miracle?

A smile flickered across Luo Yao's lips.

Yes, they would always have them.

At this moment, Zhao Pei from Sanhua hurried over to Rao Huiling and the others, saying, "Rao Zong, should we start setting up the production line now?"

"With the government taking the lead, what are you afraid of?" Rao Huiling chuckled.

"Oh, and regarding Synopsys, try to stall them. Don't let them find out we're switching EDA."

Zhao Pei nodded and eagerly rejected Synopsys's price hike request…

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