Tech giants start by disassembling systems

Chapter 172 Attack

2020 11 Month 23 Day.

Lin Wei decided to hold a press conference.

This wasn't a response to Bosch. It wasn't an explanation. It was an attack.

"We won't engage in a war of words with Bosch," Lin Wei told Zhou Lin at the internal meeting this morning. "Their statement is already the best possible outcome—denying the allegations but not filing a lawsuit. This shows we've won the war of words. Now, instead of continuing to entangle ourselves in this battle, we should return to our home turf."

"What is home field?" Zhou Lin asked.

"Technology," Lin Wei said, "and business."

……

2 PM, conference room on the first floor of Hongyuan Feiniao headquarters.

This is Hongyuan Feiniao's first official press conference since its establishment. Previously, all external communication was conducted through its official WeChat account, Weibo, or Su Chen's occasional public appearances.

But this time, Lin Wei decided to use a formal press conference to convey her message.

It's not a signal for defense, but a signal for offense.

More than forty media outlets were present—fewer than expected, as many reporters were still waiting outside the Hongyuan Feiniao headquarters for Su Chen to emerge. Unbeknownst to them, Su Chen was currently in the DRIE laboratory on the third floor, speaking on the phone with a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences named Zhou Zhiyuan.

Lin Wei walked onto the stage and, without any opening remarks, went straight to the point.

"I have two announcements to make today."

The reporters below the stage immediately fell silent.

"The first thing—the second phase of the Flying Bird Alliance is officially launched."

She pressed a button on the remote control, and a chart appeared on the big screen.

"In the first phase of the Flying Bird Alliance, we opened up the technical specifications and interface standards of Hongyuan Flying Bird's flight control module to alliance members. In the second phase, we will open up something even more core—the engineering application licensing of the equivalent thermoelastic approximation method."

A buzz of excitement erupted from the audience.

Several knowledgeable tech journalists immediately realized what this meant.

The equivalent thermoelastic approximation method—the core method invented by Su Chen—enables etching accuracy of ±0.02 degrees for 250mm MEMS. It represents Hongyuan Feiniao's biggest technological barrier in the MEMS field.

Now Lin Wei wants to open up the engineering application rights of this method to the entire Flying Bird Alliance?

"Specifically," Lin Wei continued, "we will provide member companies of the Flying Bird Alliance with parameter calibration methods for the equivalent thermoelastic approximation method on scales of 250mm and below, process optimization guidelines, and supporting engineering training."

授权费用根据企业规模分档——年营收1亿以下的企业，第一年免费。年营收1亿到10亿的企业，年授权费50万。年营收10亿以上的企业，年授权费200万。"

She paused for a moment:

"It should be noted that we are only opening up engineering applications with dimensions of 250mm and below. Technologies with a diameter of 300mm and above are not currently included in the scope of this opening."

The reporters in the audience started raising their hands frantically to ask questions.

A reporter from Science and Technology Daily preemptively asked, "Mr. Lin, does this mean that Hongyuan Feiniao is no longer using the equivalent thermoelastic approximation method as its core competitiveness?"

Lin Wei smiled slightly:

"On the contrary. The 250mm opening is because we have already moved to 300mm."

Su Chen has completed the full verification of the engineering parameters of the equivalent thermoelastic approximation method on the 250mm scale. These parameters are a page that has been turned for us. But for the entire Chinese MEMS industry, the value of these parameters is enormous.

We're opening it up not because it's no longer important, but because—if the etching precision of the entire MEMS industry can be improved by a step, the biggest beneficiary won't be Bosch, or us, but the entire MEMS industry chain in China.

No matter how fast an individual runs, they can't outrun an industry.

There was a two-second silence from the audience, followed by a burst of applause.

After the applause subsided, Lin Wei continued:

"The second thing."

The large screen switches to the next page.

Hongyuan Feiniao announced a strategic investment of RMB 3000 million in Dongguan Hongyuan Precision Electronics Co., Ltd., acquiring a 70% stake. The founding team of Hongyuan Precision will continue to be fully responsible for the company's daily operations and technical management.

The reporters below the stage exchanged bewildered glances. Dongguan Hongyuan Precision? Most of them had never even heard of this company.

A reporter from CBN (China Business Network) raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Lin, what does Hongyuan Precision do?"

"MEMS packaging," Lin Wei replied briefly.

"Is this related to MicroPort Sensors' acquisition?"

Lin Wei's expression remained unchanged: "MicroPort Sensing is an excellent company, and our cooperation with MicroPort Sensing is proceeding smoothly. Investing in Hongyuan Precision is a normal business move by Hongyuan Feiniao to improve its supply chain layout."

She used the phrase "normal business practice".

The wording is exactly the same as in Bosch's statement.

Several astute reporters in the audience noticed this detail and their lips curled into a slight smile.

"Okay, that concludes today's press conference. Thank you everyone."

Lin Wei ended the press conference decisively. The entire event lasted less than twenty minutes.

Bosch was not mentioned. No statement was mentioned. The "encirclement" was not mentioned. Nothing about the past was mentioned.

She only mentioned two things about the future—technology openness and supply chain layout.

This was her response.

……

Almost simultaneously, reports from major media outlets emerged after the press conference.

Hongyuan Feiniao is licensing its core technologies! The equivalent thermoelastic approximation method is no longer an exclusive secret!

This is 36Kr's headline.

"No matter how fast an individual runs, they can't outrun an entire industry—Lin Wei's ambition extends beyond a single company."

This is the headline from Huxiu.

"Hongyuan Feiniao invests in packaging companies, accelerating its supply chain layout."

This is the headline from CBN (China Business Network).

Lin Wei didn't mention Bosch at all—that's the best response.

This is the headline from Guancha.cn.

On Weibo, a new trending topic surged to the top of the list within two hours:

#Hongyuan Feiniao Open Equivalent Thermoelastic Approximation Method# 1.9 million views, fourth

#No matter how fast an individual runs, they can't outrun an industry# 120 million views, 8th

Compared to Bosch's statement which garnered 1.7 million views, Hongyuan Feiniao's press conference achieved the same or even slightly higher level of popularity—but more importantly, the nature of the topics was completely different.

Bosch's statement was defensive—denial, explanation, and "reservation of rights."

Hongyuan Flying Bird's press conference was aggressive—openness, investment, and planning for the future.

One is interpreting the past, the other is defining the future.

The scales of public opinion have tipped once again.

……

In the WeChat group, the calm analyst sent a message:

"Everyone, you've seen the press conference. I have two points to make."

First, the open licensing of the 250mm equivalent thermoelastic approximation method—this is a very ruthless move. Bosch had just established a seven-person task force to research this method, with no budget limit and a goal of producing results within a year. And then Hongyuan Feiniao directly opened up the 250mm parameters and methodology to the entire industry?

This is tantamount to telling Bosch: what you spend a year researching with an unlimited budget, I'm giving away to your competitors for free.

Bosch's special task force has not yet produced results, but China's MEMS industry has already obtained the answer.

What will Stein think? What will Müller think?

Second, invest in Hongyuan Precision – this is the key. A 30 million yuan investment in a small packaging plant with a monthly capacity of 3000 units may seem insignificant on the surface. However, if Hongyuan Feiniao injects funds to help Hongyuan Precision expand its production to more than 50 million units per month, then MicroPort Sensing's 200% shortfall will be resolved.

Lin Wei is playing a game of chess.

Old Chen the Flyer:

"So this is her response? Instead of responding to Bosch's statement, she's directly contradicting them with her actions?"

Calm Analyst:

"This isn't a slap in the face. It's a devastating blow. While Bosch is still explaining 'we're not trying to encircle and suppress them,' Hongyuan Feibiao is already laying the groundwork for 'even if you do encircle and suppress them, I'm not afraid.'"

This is about taking the initiative. Whoever takes the initiative in the narrative wins.

Lin Wei is smart. She knows that arguing with Bosch is pointless—Bosch's statement is legally impeccable, and you can't defeat it with words. But you can make it irrelevant with actions.

'You deny the encirclement? Fine. Then I won't argue with you. I'll open up my technology, invest in packaging, and build an ecosystem. Does your life still matter?'

It's no longer important. Because everyone's attention has shifted from whether Bosch has launched an offensive to what Hongyuan Feibiao will do next.

Xiao Wang from Shenzhen:

"sharp……"

Calm Analyst:

"But I have to pour cold water on that. Opening up the 250mm license is impressive, and investing in Hongyuan Precision is timely. But these are all superficial."

The real key to victory still lies in those two things: 300mm verification and self-built packaging lines.

The press conference addressed narrative and short-term packaging issues. The 300mm diameter and self-built packaging line are the key factors determining whether Hongyuan Flying Bird can survive the first half of 2021.

Lin Wei didn't mention either of these two things.

Because she can't mention it.

Old Chen the Flyer:

Why?

Calm Analyst:

"300mm is still in the theoretical stage; mentioning it would be bragging. Building our own packaging line is a secret; mentioning it would be tipping off Bosch."

So at today's press conference, she could only say what she could say. What she couldn't say—that's what's truly important.

The group chat was quiet for a while.

Old Chen the Flyer:

"What about Su Chen? What is he doing now?"

Calm Analyst:

"you guess."

Old Chen the Flyer:

"...Are you calculating the equation for 300mm?"

Calm Analyst:

"Most likely. But I heard he had a phone call with a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences today."

Old Chen the Flyer:

"who?"

Calm Analyst:

"Zhou Zhiyuan. He's the one who helped Su Chen connect during the live stream."

Old Chen, the aviator, sent an exclamation mark.

Calm Analyst:

"Yes. Su Chen has started looking for people. He used to do everything alone. He verified the 250mm mark by himself. But 300mm—perhaps he realized that one person's strength has its limits."

Xiao Wang from Shenzhen:

"Isn't this a good thing?"

Calm Analyst:

"Of course it's a good thing. Geniuses need teams. Even Einstein needed Grossman to help him with mathematics."

……

Meanwhile, at Bosch headquarters in Stuttgart.

Müller read through the reports of the Hongyuan Flying Bird press conference in his office. The translation team immediately compiled all the Chinese reports into German summaries.

He put down the report, picked up the coffee on the table, and took a sip.

Then he dialed Stein's number.

Did you see it?

"I've seen it." Stein's voice was calm, but Muller could detect the tension beneath. "They've opened up the 250mm equivalent thermoelastic approximation method."

"What does this mean for us?"

Stein was silent for three seconds.

"This means that before our task force even started working, they had already sent their answers to the entire industry."

"Stein—"

"Mr. Muller, I need to reassess the task force's objectives." Stein's voice became serious. "If the 250mm method has already been developed, then spending a year studying 250mm is pointless. We should aim directly at 300mm."

"300mm? Did Su Chen achieve that?"

"Not yet. The press conference said 300mm wasn't within the scope of the open project—which means 300mm is still under development. But they're already working on it. If our special task force is still researching 250mm, by the time Su Chen completes 300mm, we'll be a generation behind."

Muller rubbed his temples.

What do you need?

"More people. The 250mm method is now publicly available, and we can learn it directly without needing to study it specifically. But the 300mm method—dealing with third-order nonlinear coupling effects—requires real mathematical expertise. I need to borrow two professors specializing in mathematical physics from the Technical University of Munich."

"Approved. Anything else?"

"And—" Stein hesitated for a moment, "Mr. Muller, I have something you might not want to hear."

"explain."

"What Su Chen is doing now is not engineering optimization. What he is doing is—starting from the first principles of physics, establishing a completely new theoretical framework for MEMS etching. The equivalent thermoelastic approximation method is only the first step. The third-order correction for 300mm is the second step."

If he continues down this path—to 400mm, 500mm—he will rewrite the theoretical foundation of the entire large-size MEMS field.

Bosch has been deeply involved in the MEMS field for two decades. However, our theoretical foundation—thermodynamic models and etching simulation algorithms—is mostly based on a framework from the 1990s. What Su Chen is doing is overturning this framework and replacing it with a completely new one.

We're not just competing with a single company. We're competing with a new theoretical framework.

Muller remained silent for a long time.

"Continue. The task force's budget remains unchanged. However, the objective has been adjusted—we will no longer study 250mm; we will directly target 300mm and above."

"clear."

Muller hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair.

He recalled what he had said three days ago—"What Su Chen is doing, Bosch can't do. Not that it can't do it well. It's that it can't."

Now he was even more convinced.

It's not that I can't do it. It's that I can't do it.

But Bosch will not stop. Because stopping means giving up.

Müller stood up and walked to the window. Outside, it was a gloomy late November day in Stuttgart, with gray clouds hanging low over the city's skyline.

He muttered a German phrase to himself, then turned and went back to his desk.

……

That same afternoon, Akira Ishikawa finished reading the press conference report in his Shanghai office.

He turned off the computer and sat in the chair thinking for a long time.

Then he opened his phone's contacts and found a name—Su Chen.

He obtained this number through industry channels. He has never dialed it.

Akira Ishikawa stared at the name, his finger hovering over the dial key.

Three seconds later, he put his phone down.

Not now.

It's not the right time yet.

But he knew that day would come sooner or later.