NCCnovel Chapter 122 Su Chen's True Path!
Chapter 122 Su Chen's True Path!
After hanging up Han Shijie's call, Su Chen sat in his office for a full fifteen minutes.
During those fifteen minutes, he didn't make any phone calls or look through any documents. He just sat quietly, watching the early August sunlight in Shenzhen gradually climb up the office building across the street.
He was thinking about a problem.
A problem he has been avoiding for the past four years since his rebirth, but which he now has to face head-on—
To what extent can his system protect him?
The product analysis system is powerful. The virtual disassembly lab allows him to see through every technical detail of any product, and the industry-enhancing aura can improve employee learning efficiency by 15%. These capabilities have helped Hongyuan grow from a small workshop on the verge of bankruptcy into a rising force in the low-altitude economy over the past four years.
However, the system has a fatal limitation—
It can tell Su Chen how to design, but it can't help him manufacture it.
The design blueprints for the MEMS inertial navigation chip in the drawer have parameters far exceeding current standards. But blueprints are just blueprints—without a factory, production line, or accumulated technology, blueprints are just a piece of waste paper.
Just like right now.
Su Chen possessed the world's most advanced flight control algorithms, the most sophisticated communication protocols, and even complete design blueprints for MEMS inertial navigation chips—but he couldn't build them.
Because Murata cut off the supply of MEMS gyroscopes.
Because of pressure from DJI regarding Xingyao's OEM partnership.
Because in this world, having core technology design capabilities and having core component manufacturing capabilities are two completely different things.
"In its previous life, Huawei was number one in the world in chip design, but its chip manufacturing was held hostage—it was still being thoroughly outmatched."
Su Chen muttered to himself.
this is the truth.
No matter how advanced your design is, if the manufacturing process isn't in your own hands, you'll always have a noose around your neck. Others can tighten it whenever they want.
Today, the noose has been tightened.
Su Chen stood up and walked to the window.
The sunlight outside the window was already dazzling, but his gaze was unusually clear.
He suddenly thought of a deeper question—
Even if he solves this MEMS crisis, what about the next one?
Where will the enemy strike next?
Chip packaging? RF modules? Or even PCB boards?
Any link that is not in your control could become the next Murata.
"Therefore, the core issue is not solving the supply of a single component—but rather establishing an independent and controllable supply chain."
Su Chen slowly stated the conclusion he had reached after careful consideration.
This conclusion may seem simple, but its implications are extremely profound.
This means that Hongyuan cannot be just a flight control company, or even just a platform company—Hongyuan must become the core of an ecosystem, an engine that can incubate and drive the entire industry chain.
Just like the concept in the original work—to turn the company into a school.
No, it's not a school.
It was the Whampoa Military Academy.
A Whampoa Military Academy capable of cultivating talent and enterprises across the entire low-altitude economy industrial chain.
Su Chen's system has a unique feature—an industry-boosting aura. As long as Hongyuan holds more than 67% of the shares in a company, all employees of that company will receive a 15% learning efficiency bonus.
What does this mean?
This means that if Su Chen acquires a controlling stake in a MEMS company, that company's R&D efficiency will be 15% faster than its peers. If he also acquires a controlling stake in a chip packaging and testing company, that company's technological breakthrough speed will also be 15% faster than its peers.
15% may not seem like much, but in the technology field, a 15% efficiency advantage accumulated over three to five years can translate into a technological gap of one or two generations.
Therefore, what Su Chen should really do is not to do everything himself, but to help these companies grow rapidly by acquiring controlling stakes in key supply chain companies and using the system's halo effect.
He doesn't need to be a superhero who solves all problems.
He needs to be a guide.
A leader that has empowered the entire industrial chain of China's low-altitude economy.
Only when the entire industrial chain is strong can the rise of China's low-altitude economy be truly stable—it will not collapse because of the departure of any one person.
Thinking of this, Su Chen's gaze became clearer than ever before.
When he was reborn four years ago, his goal was simple—to protect Hongyuan and survive.
When he started working on flight control platforms two years ago, his goal was upgraded—to set industry standards and build an ecosystem.
Now, in this desperate situation under combined pressure from three parties, his goal has been escalated once again—
Establish an independent and controllable low-altitude economy industrial chain.
From MEMS sensors to flight control chips, from communication protocols to base station equipment, from software algorithms to hardware manufacturing—every key link requires our own people.
This is the path Su Chen should truly take.
He is not a lone-wolf technical hero.
Rather, they are the guides for the entire industry chain.
……
Having figured this out, Su Chen returned to his desk and began to consider his current financial situation.
No matter what you do, you need money. And he has to figure out where the money comes from.
Su Chen picked up a pen and listed all of Hongyuan's current funding sources on the paper—
Hardware sales revenue:
The first batch of 3000 H-Link Pro base stations (priced at 2999 yuan) has sold out, with a gross profit of approximately 450 million yuan.
The first batch of 5000 H-Link Lite base stations (priced at 999 yuan) has sold out, with a gross profit of approximately 200 million yuan.
The Feiniao S1 module (priced at 1299 yuan) has delivered approximately 6000 units (due to limited production capacity), with a gross profit of approximately 707 million yuan.
Total gross profit from hardware: approximately 1357 million.
Licensed revenue:
The H-Link protocol licensing fee (first installment for Xingyao Technology and other contracted companies) is expected to be approximately 800 million RMB in the first quarter.
Lianchuang Group increases capital:
The acquisition funds of 5.8 million yuan for Zhongyi Aviation have been received (in escrow account, to be released in installments).
The first phase will release 2.5 million yuan for the integration of Zhongyi Aviation's operations.
The remaining 3.3 million will be released in installments over the next six months, depending on the progress of the integration.
Current working capital:
Hongyuan has approximately 4200 million RMB in cash on hand (including remaining funds from Series B funding and historical reserves).
Su Chen stared at the numbers on the paper for a long time.
After deducting the fixed expenses of the integration of Zhongyi Aviation and daily operating costs, the amount of money he can truly freely dispose of is approximately—
"Between sixty and eighty million."
Su Chen whispered the number.
Sixty million to eighty million.
This number is already quite a lot for a startup, but for what Su Chen is about to do—it's far from enough.
How much would it cost to acquire Microchip Sensing? A valuation of 1.8 million and a 67% controlling stake would mean an investment of at least 1.2 million.
How much does it cost to find an alternative MEMS supplier? Emergency procurement premiums, customized development costs, testing and verification costs—all added up to at least ten to twenty million.
How much does it cost to find an alternative chip packaging and testing solution? If we can't use StarShine, we'll have to find other packaging and testing companies and rebuild production lines to adapt to it—that's another tens of millions.
All things considered, Su Chen needs at least two to three hundred million.
He only had 60 to 80 million in free funds.
The gap is too big.
"but--"
Su Chen's gaze fell on the line "Capital Increase of Lianchuang Group".
Although the 5.8 million yuan from Lianchuang Group was a special fund for the integration of Zhongyi Aviation, there was a clause that if Hongyuan encountered an emergency involving the security of its core supply chain, it could use up to 30% of the funds for supply chain construction after approval from Lianchuang Group.
30% is 1.74 million.
1.74 million plus their own 60 to 80 million - totaling approximately 250 million.
enough.
That's barely enough.
But the prerequisite is that Su Chen must persuade Zhou Zhenguo to agree to use the funds.
To persuade Zhou Zhenguo, it was necessary to make him see the severity of the MEMS supply disruption and the strategic value of investing in Microchip Sensing.
Thinking of this, Su Chen picked up his phone and dialed Zhou Zhenguo's number.
The phone was answered after three rings.
"Su Chen?"
Zhou Zhenguo's voice was as steady and powerful as ever.
"Mr. Jay, there's something I need to tell you right away."
Su Chen used the most concise language to explain Murata's decision to cut off MEMS supplies and the pressure exerted on Xingyao OEM.
There was a five-second silence on the other end of the phone.
Who did it?
Zhou Zhenguo's voice turned cold.
"A joint venture between Hangxindatong, DJI, and Haotai Capital."
Another five seconds of silence.
"They seem to have a tacit understanding."
Zhou Zhenguo's tone carried a hint of sarcasm, but more so a calm analysis: "How significant will the MEMS supply disruption be for Zhongyi Aviation?"
"A direct impact," Su Chen said. "Zhongyi Aviation has just finalized its decision to switch entirely to the Feiniao S1 drone. If Feiniao S1 production is reduced or even halted due to the MEMS supply disruption, Zhongyi Aviation's drone production lines will also be affected in a chain reaction."
"Furthermore—" Su Chen added, "If Murata dares to cut off Hongyuan's supply, they might also target Zhongyi Aviation's MEMS supply. After all, Zhongyi and Hongyuan are now integrated."
"I see."
Zhou Zhenguo's voice turned unusually serious: "Do you have a solution?"
"Yes. In the short term, we can rely on alternative procurement as a temporary measure; in the medium to long term, we can achieve self-sufficiency by investing in a domestic MEMS company."
Su Chen paused for a moment: "But I need funds. Mr. Zhou, in Lianchuang's 5.8 million yuan special fund, there's a supply chain security clause—"
"I know that clause," Zhou Zhenguo interrupted him. "How much?"
"The initial startup will require approximately 80 to 100 million yuan. Further investment may be needed if we move into a controlling stake phase."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.
Then Zhou Zhenguo said something that slightly moved Su Chen:
"Approved. No need for further approval procedures, I'll sign directly."
"Jay Chou—"
"Su Chen, when I handed Zhongyi Aviation over to you, I said it was the most important decision I'd made in my thirty years in the industry. Now that I've made this decision, I won't hesitate at this crucial moment."
Zhou Zhenguo's voice was calm and firm:
"Go do what you're supposed to do. I'll take care of the money."
Su Chen tightened his grip on the phone slightly.
"Thank you, Jay Chou."
"besides--"
Zhou Zhenguo's tone became more ruthless:
"Tell He Zhiqiang for me that Lianchuang Group is not someone Hangxindatong can afford to mess with. If he dares to touch Zhongyi's supply chain, I'll make him pay a heavy price."
After hanging up the phone, Su Chen let out a long sigh of relief.
With Zhou Zhenguo's support, the funding problem was basically solved.
Next—it's time to execute.
Su Chen picked up a pen and added a detailed action plan below the previously written response plan:
I. Urgent (within this week):
Zhou Ming was responsible for contacting Bosch, TDK-InvenSense, and STMicroelectronics to find alternative MEMS suppliers.
Zhao Jiancheng is responsible for evaluating the capacity allocation plan for the MEMS inventory (prioritizing orders that have already been paid for).
Xu Lang was responsible for finding alternative chip packaging and testing solutions besides Xingyao.
II. Mid-term (within two weeks):
Su Chen personally visited Dr. Li Wei of Microchip Sensing in Suzhou—departing tomorrow.
Fang Xu is accelerating due diligence on Microchip Sensing, aiming to complete the investment/control within a month.
Zhao Jiancheng led the MicroSense Semiconductor team to assess the possibility of domestic substitution for MEMS gyroscopes.
III. Long-term (within three months):
Completed the acquisition of Microchip Sensing Holdings (over 67%), activating the system industry's aura of added benefits.
Initiate a "joint research and development" project for the blueprints of the MEMS inertial navigation chip for the system.
Establish Hongyuan's own closed-loop MEMS supply chain.
After finishing writing, Su Chen stared at the paper for a while.
Then he stood up, pushed open the office door, and strode out.
"Zhou Ming, Xu Lang, Zhao Jiancheng—Meeting."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly down the corridor.
A few minutes later, Hongyuan's core management team gathered in the conference room.
Su Chen stood in front of the whiteboard and explained the current situation in the most concise language—Murata cut off supplies, Xingyao was blocked, and the three parties exerted joint pressure.
The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.
Then Zhang Lei was the first to speak:
"President Su, the Flying Bird S1 cannot stop."
Zhang Lei's voice was calm, but his eyes held a stubbornness that Su Chen was familiar with: "I can optimize the architecture of the OIS system, reducing the number of MEMS chips in each module from nine to six. The accuracy will decrease slightly, but the core performance won't drop drastically."
"How much can it be reduced?" Su Chen asked.
"The hover offset has increased from 3 centimeters to about 5 centimeters, and the correction response time has increased from 0.08 seconds to 0.12 seconds," Zhang Lei said. "In practical applications, this accuracy still far surpasses all competing products on the market."
Su Chen nodded slightly.
If the number of modules per unit is reduced from nine to six, the inventory of 12,000 modules can be used to produce 2,000 Asuka S1s, which is almost half more than the previous 1,300 modules.
"Okay. Let's proceed with this plan for now, but label it as a 'transitional version.' We'll switch back to the full nine-chip version once MEMS supply is restored."
"clear."
Wu Zheng then spoke up: "Regarding packaging and testing, a junior of mine from Zhejiang University is now the technical director at a packaging and testing plant in Suzhou called 'Xinyuan Micro.' It's not a large company, with annual revenue of three to four hundred million yuan, but their technical capabilities are quite good. I can get in touch with them."
"Contact me," Su Chen said decisively.
Xu Lang, Meng Xiaoting, and Zhou Ming also received their respective tasks.
The entire meeting lasted only twenty minutes.
No one complained, no one panicked, and no one said "this is unfair" or "we can't win."
As everyone left the conference room, they all wore an expression that Su Chen recognized—
That was a resolute decision made after being cornered, which led to a complete and utter abandonment of all restraint.
Su Chen was the last to leave the conference room.
As he watched his colleagues hurrying along the corridor, he suddenly thought of that rainy night four years ago.
That day, he had just been reborn. Standing in Hongyuan's simple office, he looked at the empty workstations and the dusty drone prototype.
At that time, Hongyuan was almost out of money to pay salaries.
And now-
They are facing a combined attack from three industry giants: DJI, Hangxindatong, and Haotai Capital.
But Su Chen discovered that his mood was exactly the same as it was four years ago.
It's not fear.
It's not anxiety.
But -
A clear, almost cold calm.
Because he knew what path he was meant to take.
In his previous life, he was an observer, watching helplessly as China's low-altitude economy missed its best window of development amidst the power struggles of various forces.
This life—
He was no longer a bystander.