Chapter 162: Seismograph for Lithography Machine

“The Seismograph isn’t for export right now, but we need an EUV for experiments. We’d be happy to make an exchange if you can provide an EUV,” Zhao Min said.

Chen Mo quietly watched. If they could get a Lithography Machine, he wouldn’t mind giving a couple more Seismographs.

“If Ambassador Terry thinks it’s impossible, then you can come back and trade with us when we start exporting Seismographs,” Zhao Min said unhurriedly.

“Miss Zhao, your conditions leave me quite helpless,” Terry said. “We don’t have an EUV. Could we change to some other condition?”

“Our company lacks nothing else,” Zhao Min shook her head. “I believe Ambassador Terry is resourceful and will find a way to get one.”

“Miss Zhao overestimates me,” Terry shook his head with a laugh.

“In that case, Mr. Terry will be disappointed this time. You should wait until our company’s Seismographs are available for export before coming back. Of course, if you place an order now, we’ll accept it and prioritize your Seismograph delivery then. The price isn’t expensive—fifty million dollars per unit.”

As soon as Zhao Min said this, the female translator who came with Terry twitched at the corner of her mouth. Not expensive? Fifty million dollars?

If this got out, it would become another classic “small goal.”

Hearing the price, Terry’s face twitched. He had heard about the Seismograph’s price but didn’t expect it to be true.

“Can the price be lower?” Terry asked.

“No, everyone is treated equally; every country pays this price. Our production is very low, and even if you place an order, we’re not sure when we can deliver. However, if you provide a Lithography Machine, as soon as it arrives, we’ll give you the only two we have immediately,” Zhao Min said.

Terry fell into thought; this was a difficult problem.

Their main purpose in wanting the Seismograph was for research. The previously salvaged Seismograph was damaged, and they hadn’t gained much useful technology from it. This time, they wanted an intact one to take back.

If they could figure out the Seismograph’s operational warning mechanism, they could produce their own. After all, this was cutting-edge technology that many countries wanted to obtain.

“Can you show me your Seismograph?” Terry didn’t give an immediate reply; he needed to contact his country first before responding further.

“Our company has a model of the Seismograph; we can take Ambassador Terry to see it,” Zhao Min offered.

“Okay.”

The group walked toward Legion Ant Company’s product exhibition area.

Inside the company, there was a specially designated area to display the company’s products. After showing Terry around, Chen Mo and Zhao Min headed to the Office.

“The Americans came on their own initiative this time. What do you think?” Chen Mo asked.

“They’re dodging responsibility for salvaging the Seismograph and trying to get a new one. The damaged one they have isn’t very useful for research, so they want a new one to study the Seismograph’s technology,” Zhao Min pinpointed the key issue.

“So, this exchange of Seismograph for EUV technology—is there hope?” Chen Mo asked.

“The fact that he didn’t refuse on the spot means there’s hope. I’m using their urgent desire to get a Seismograph to negotiate with them. Even if they don’t impose a technology blockade, if we place an order with ASML, it would take 21 months to get a Lithography Machine. This way is faster.”

“Why not make the news public? Offer three Seismographs in exchange for one Lithography Machine and give it a try. We might get unexpected results,” Chen Mo said.

Right now, many countries worldwide were eyeing the Seismograph technology in his hands. However, Legion Ant Company had set the price very high, and since Seismographs weren’t yet available for export, many people couldn’t get one even if they had the money.

If Legion Ant Company were willing to release Seismographs, there would be no shortage of interested companies.

“Sure, we can exchange with anyone; it doesn’t have to be the United States. Many other countries have Lithography Machines,” Zhao Min nodded.

That afternoon, Legion Ant Company’s willingness to trade three Seismographs for one EUV was officially announced.

The news instantly attracted international attention.

The major earthquake in the Island Nation hadn’t truly settled yet.

The Fukushima nuclear leak had worsened during this earthquake, and the news about the United States salvaging Legion Ant’s Seismograph, leading to mutual blame between the Island Nation and American citizens, was still circulating online.

The Seismograph was the biggest highlight of this earthquake. Because of its appearance, earthquakes became predictable, and countries prone to seismic disasters were closely watching Legion Ant Company’s Seismograph.

Now that Legion Ant Company was offering Seismographs in exchange for a Lithography Machine, it quickly drew media attention.

The domestic semiconductor industry hadn’t developed well, not just because of poor chip design capabilities but also due to a lack of high-end Lithography Machines.

Legion Ant Company’s message sent a strong signal: Legion Ant was preparing to enter the semiconductor market.

Along the way, Legion Ant had caused trouble for whoever they encountered. For semiconductor companies, the emergence of another potential competitor in Huaxia was a spine-chilling prospect.

At Intel headquarters.

“What do you think about Legion Ant Company wanting a Lithography Machine?” Paul looked at Barrett, who was seated at the head of the conference table, along with several other Intel leaders or board members. Since Legion Ant Company wanted to enter the semiconductor field, they needed to develop new strategies to respond.

These ants went wherever they pleased, always causing unease.

“Don’t worry, Paul,” Barrett said. “The semiconductor field isn’t one that just any company can enter casually. However, I am quite interested in this Seismograph.”

“Why not trade an EUV for it? If we can reverse-engineer the Seismograph’s technology, the company’s stock and reputation will rise even further,” Andy, the white-haired Chairman of Intel, looked at the others in the conference room.

His words stunned everyone.

“I also think it’s worth considering. They only want a Lithography Machine. Although it’s scarce, we have one. The next shipment will arrive soon. In recent years, Europeans have been somewhat hypocritical about the embargo on Huaxia.

ASML is already showing signs of relenting. In a couple of years, the Huaxia people will have Lithography Machines anyway. We have plenty here; losing one won’t affect production much, and we can always buy another,” said the youngest man in the room. He was Wilson, CEO of EA and now the 12th board member of Intel.

The others also fell into thought. In recent years, many European countries had partially lifted the technology embargo on Huaxia. With Huaxia’s rise, this trend would only grow. Since there was profit to be made, there was no reason to pass it up.

If they could develop earthquake prediction technology through the Seismograph and master its production, it would significantly impact the company’s reputation and revenue. Legion Ant Company had become a giant like them because of this, with valuations soaring sky-high.

Paul, who had called the meeting, hadn’t expected the discussion to take this turn.

In South Korea, Samsung headquarters conference room.

Other executives of the Samsung Group sat at the conference table, all sitting stiffly, not daring to make any sudden moves.

Lee Kun-hee looked at the Seismograph on the projection screen, expressionless.

This thing was the Seismograph that had been causing a stir recently. He was very interested in this technology. If they could master the Seismograph’s technology, Samsung Group’s influence would grow even larger.

They were shareholders of ASML and had priority shipping rights. One EUV wouldn’t affect them much, as the next batch would arrive soon. They had some history with Legion Ant Company, but cooperation amid competition was the norm for corporate survival nowadays.

There were no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Samsung had grown from a small trading company into a large conglomerate controlling South Korea’s economy; they certainly didn’t lack boldness.

They knew that each of Legion Ant Company’s Seismographs cost fifty million dollars. High-price monopoly was their favorite strategy—scarcity increased value. No matter the cost, countries would buy this disaster-predicting instrument.

Originally, since Legion Ant Company hadn’t exported Seismographs, they had no way to obtain one. Now, with such a good opportunity, they wouldn’t let it slip away easily.

An EUV cost 110 million dollars, while a Seismograph was fifty million dollars. Even if they traded for three and resold them to other countries, this business deal was guaranteed profit.

“Send someone to contact Legion Ant Company. Tell them we’re willing to exchange, but we want four units,” Lee Kun-hee said.