Chapter 98 Mathematical Tools
As an established semiconductor company, Texas Instruments was now in its prime "tiger and wolf years." Besides having several flagship products, it also offered design and foundry services, taking advantage of the shrinking Japanese semiconductor market to aggressively expand, building wafer fabs all over the place.
For example, next year, the legendary fab builder Zhang Rujing would once again build a wafer fab in Singapore — a man who, after retirement, would pour all his savings and energy into the domestic semiconductor industry, earning the title of "Godfather of Chinese Semiconductors."
Still, no matter how prestigious, he couldn't change the fact that he had been targeted and driven out of SMIC by TSMC and the island's authorities — but being stripped of his "island nationality" was no disgrace; it was an honor.
...
"TI has money right now, we already have business dealings with them, and most importantly, our businesses don't conflict," Su Yuanshan said, dragging over a chair, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Even though they're a comprehensive semiconductor company, their processor focus is on DSPs (Digital Signal Processors — Hanxin was a DSP chip, not a general-purpose CPU). If they can enter the CPU field by partnering with us, they'll probably be happy."
Carly nodded: "Yes. But what about the price?"
"This time, Xinghai can release up to 25% of its shares — exact valuation is your job, I just sign the papers," Su Yuanshan said, rubbing his face and standing up.
"I'm going to wash up. We'll talk more over breakfast."
When it came to financial maneuvers, he was a total amateur.
Valuations were better left to Carly and Qin Si, the real professionals.
Thus, during breakfast, Su Yuanshan chatted exclusively about technical matters with Xi Xiaoding and Chen Haoming.
Xi was preparing to hand over all technical operations to Chen Haoming and focus on writing an algorithms textbook.
When he returned to China, he planned to establish a high-standard lab — or rather, an entire research institute.
"After we return," Xi said hesitantly, "besides mentoring graduate students, I want to create a set of mathematical tools."
"What kind of tools? Software?" Su Yuanshan asked.
"Yeah. Something like MATLAB — have you heard of it?"
Su Yuanshan froze, staring at him in surprise.
Xi smiled awkwardly: "I've been thinking... if we can develop it, there's definitely a market, at least in the universities."
Su Yuanshan took a deep breath: "Do it! I fully support you.
But... that kind of project involves a lot of heavy math. Are you confident?"
"If I personally lead it, it should be manageable," Xi said seriously.
"I'm not a pure math major, but my foundation is solid.
As long as it's software, it's about fulfilling user needs.
We can also collaborate with a few domestic math research institutes."
"The commercial value might not be huge, though."
"Not every project needs to be about commercial value, Senior Brother," Su Yuanshan said, tilting his head with a smile.
"Besides, this would fill a major gap in our domestic capabilities."
Su Yuanshan knew very well — among the three major mathematical software platforms, MATLAB was a key weapon for the West.
If they didn't want to sell it to you, they simply wouldn't.
If Xi Xiaoding wanted to develop a purely academic math tool, Su Yuanshan would support him unconditionally — and heavily.
As for the market?
As long as they followed the MATLAB model, there would definitely be demand —
universities, military research, artificial intelligence —
the coming age of big data and deep learning would need it everywhere.
Xi nodded and dropped the topic.
Chen Haoming, watching the two of them, smiled quietly.
Now he understood why this proud Senior Brother of his had chosen to stay so loyally at Yuanchip — and why he was so eager to return home.
With a boss who supported you like this... who wouldn't be loyal?
After breakfast, everyone returned to the office.
Asset evaluation was a meticulous, tedious, and cunning business.
Su Yuanshan had no interest in getting involved.
After contacting Texas Instruments' top brass through Sheng Guangfeng, Su Yuanshan and Xi Xiaoding bought tickets and flew to Texas the next day.
...
Texas — Su Yuanshan had never visited in his past life.
All he knew was that Texans had a reputation for being tough, cowboy culture was strong, and in later years, people would even parade around with rifles openly.
So Su Yuanshan had been a little nervous.
But when he landed at Dallas Airport, he found it much calmer than he'd imagined.
No cowboys everywhere.
Just a regular city.
He looked around curiously:
"No cowboys?"
"They're all in the towns," Sheng Guangfeng said, laughing as he drove.
"There's a cowboy town you can visit if you want."
Su Yuanshan chuckled:
"I'll pass.
I heard everyone carries guns here — and there are shootings from time to time."
"Haha!
Your image of Texas is stuck in the past.
But it's true that the old farmers and ranchers here have quick tempers — a couple drinks and they'll start swinging fists."
Listening to local stories, they soon drove into the Dallas suburbs and arrived at TI's headquarters.
Because this was an unofficial business visit, TI didn't put on any grand displays.
Sheng Guangfeng simply escorted them straight to the President's office.
In those days, TI was nicknamed the "Chinese stronghold" —
it had employed many Chinese engineers, some of whom would later become giants in the semiconductor industry.
People like Zhang Zhongmou, who founded TSMC;
Zhang Rujing, the legendary fab builder;
even Lisa Su, who would one day lead AMD's glorious comeback, started her career at TI.
"Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Miracle Boy," said TI President Vincenti, standing up and walking over with a big smile.
Although he hadn't gone to meet Su Yuanshan at the airport, he had cleared his entire schedule after hearing Su's flight landed — waiting just for him.
"I'm honored to meet you too, Mr. Vincenti," Su Yuanshan said, dressing a bit more maturely today.
But compared to the CEO, who was older than his father, he still looked like a kid.
Still, being called "Miracle Boy" immediately closed the distance between them.
Vincenti sat down on the sofa, fingers intertwined, studying Su Yuanshan with keen interest.
Even though he used a playful nickname, he wasn't underestimating this young man —
not one bit.
A kid daring to buy Cyrix at this moment was no ordinary kid.
"You mentioned wanting to discuss a partnership.
What kind of partnership?" Vincenti asked.
Su Yuanshan smiled and calmly explained his sponsorship proposal in clear, elegant English:
"We need Texas Instruments' strength.
We sincerely hope TI can participate in Xinghai's development."
(End of Chapter 98)
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