The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 4.78 RMB. So, spending two to three thousand dollars on an American CPU is a hefty price. Moreover, what they sell you are outdated products, with many defective items.

They don't care whether you buy it or not.

Even if you want to buy, it depends on their mood.

They make huge profits off you while maintaining a condescending attitude like they’re doing you a favor!

This is the pain of being dependent on others.

Zhao Bingkun smiled and said, "You can't rip us off like this."

"I only allow you to add a 50% profit margin."

"The key is, you must ensure the quality! If the quality is poor as soon as mass production begins, that's unacceptable."

Zhang Zhipeng smiled and said, "Don't worry! Director Zhao, we will never deliver defective products to the country!"

"However, I think a 50% profit margin is a bit low."

"Think about it, CPU production has a yield rate. The more precise the process, the lower the yield rate. Many times, the yield rate might not even reach 30%."

"You also have to consider our losses in this regard."

Zhao Bingkun said, "You can include personnel wages and other losses in your costs!"

"You're so stubborn! Nowadays, factories even calculate machine depreciation when determining product costs."

Zhang Zhipeng nodded with a smile and said, "I know that. I just wanted to clarify."

"Thank you, Director Zhao, for your support of Longxin Company!"

"Actually, it's only right that the state gives us a little more profit. After all, our company needs to continue to grow and develop!"

"My idea is to build a full production chain for chips in Chang'an! We should establish factories for the upstream, downstream, and auxiliary materials of this industry ourselves!"

"For example, in the future, we need to produce equipment like lithography machines, etching machines, and packaging machines ourselves!"

Zhao Bingkun smiled and nodded, "You have ambition!"

"I think your idea is very good!"

"We must not give the Americans any chance to hold us by the throat!"

Zhang Zhipeng nodded firmly and said, "Director Zhao, don't worry about that! As long as I'm here, we'll be the ones holding the Americans by the throat in the future!"

Zhao Bingkun laughed heartily, "Good, good! I'm looking forward to that day!"

"You have to take it step by step! Start by mass-producing the Longxin chip for me!"

"I’ll take as many as you can produce!"

"As for the factories, talent, and funding you mentioned, none of that will be a problem!"

Zhang Zhipeng laughed and said, "Since you say none of that is a problem, then I have no problem either!"

"Once I get back, I’ll get ready to go all out."

Zhao Bingkun laughed and said, "Well, I guess we’ve agreed on everything?"

"The higher-ups want me to sign a military order with you!"

"In half a year, I want mass production of Longxin!"

"Come on, I'll take you and Principal Dong out for a meal!"

"After dinner, you should leave tomorrow morning and get to work."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

That evening, Zhao Bingkun treated Zhang Zhipeng and Dong Haoming to a meal. During the meal, Zhao Bingkun took out a bottle of Moutai and said, "Let's drink less tonight. When your great achievement is completed, we'll have a big celebration!"

Zhang Zhipeng said, "Sure! Then we won’t stop until we’re drunk!"

The details of their conversation over drinks will remain unspoken.

However, that evening, CCTV’s nightly news aired a report.

It was a very brief news story, with the following main content:

Recently, young Chinese scientist Zhang Zhipeng made a major breakthrough in the field of electronic information, filling a significant gap in China's scientific research. Comrade Zhang Zhipeng has been awarded the All-Army Special Prize for Scientific Research for this achievement!

It was just a brief news item.

There was no photo of Zhang Zhipeng, nor any specific information about his workplace.

But this news was seen by many people.

Zhao Min was at home having dinner that evening.

After dinner, she was chatting with her parents while watching TV.

Actually, watching TV was secondary; the main purpose was to chat.

Zhao Min's parents mainly wanted to talk to their daughter about Zhang Zhipeng.

Her mother asked, "Minmin, have you and that Zhang Zhipeng officially started dating?"

Zhao Min nodded and said, "Yes, Mom."

Her father, slightly displeased, said, "That guy, if you've already confirmed the relationship, why hasn't he come to visit our house? He seems a bit lacking in manners."

Zhao Min quickly smiled and explained, "Dad, Zhipeng has been really busy with work."

"He has a heavy load of research tasks. Just today, he was notified to go to Beijing to discuss something important."

"He already mentioned that once he gets through this busy period, he'll bring gifts and come to see both of you."

Her mother asked curiously, "What important matter is he going to Beijing to discuss?"

Zhao Min replied, "Hasn't he developed a fully domestic CPU?"

"Oh..."

"But I can't tell you more about this; it's confidential."

Zhao Min covered her mouth, feeling a bit regretful. She had signed a non-disclosure agreement, but in an attempt to impress her parents with her boyfriend's achievements, she had accidentally let it slip.

"What's a CPU?" her mother asked curiously.

Her father also perked up his ears.

Zhao Min said, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand."

"Mom, I've already made a mistake. This research project is absolutely confidential."

"No one can know!"

"Anyway, just know that Zhipeng is really amazing!"

Her father glared and said, "Stop prying."

"This is a matter of national importance. If it's supposed to be absolutely confidential, we must stick to principles and not say anything!"

"Minmin, what I said earlier was just out of frustration; don't take it to heart. You're involved in something big, and we shouldn't hold you back."

As they were talking, the evening news on CCTV had already started. After a few major headlines, it was time for the brief news segment, where each piece of news was quickly reported.

Zhao Min was chatting with her mother when she suddenly heard the announcer mention Zhang Zhipeng's name. She immediately perked up and started watching the TV intently.

Her parents also quickly noticed the news.

The news segment ended quickly, and her father asked, "Did the news just mention someone named Zhang Zhipeng who won the top military research award? Could that be your boyfriend?"

Zhao Min was certain in her heart, thinking it must be him! A major breakthrough in the field of electronic information technology—that was definitely referring to Zhipeng's research results!

However, the news was a bit vague. There were no photos of the person involved, nor was there any mention of his workplace. It was clearly still under confidentiality.

But if it was confidential, why was it being reported on the news? Perhaps there was some deeper meaning to it?

Zhao Min said, "I don't know. But across the country, there must be quite a few people named Zhang Zhipeng, right?"

Her mother said, "Well, why don't you ask Zhipeng later and see if it's him?"

"He's really amazing! Winning an award and even making it onto CCTV!"

Zhao Min's father glared again and said, "Why ask? Don't pry into it or spread it around, understand?"

Zhao Min's father was actually curious too. But judging by his daughter's reaction, he felt there was a very high chance that the Zhang Zhipeng mentioned on TV was indeed her boyfriend.

That night, Zhang Zhipeng's sister, Zhang Zhilin, also returned home to spend time with their parents, and they too saw the news on CCTV.

The three of them immediately knew that the person mentioned was indeed their Zhang Zhipeng, and they were excited for quite a while.

Then they reminded each other not to admit it if anyone asked about it outside. Even though they had known about the project before the results were out, now that it was under confidentiality, they must not say a word.

Zhang Qingmin was so overwhelmed with emotion that he was brought to tears. He had never dreamed that the son he thought was a failure had turned out to be so successful.

At the U.S. embassy in China, there was a dedicated staff member responsible for monitoring the main Chinese TV channels. The person in charge of this task was Edward Frye. That evening, at 10:30 PM, Frye received a report.