Chapter 135 - Black Technology
"Error code display?" Chen Daohua was slightly stunned, immediately falling into thought. Su Yuanshan nodded with a smile but didn't immediately explain, letting Chen Daohua think it through.
When a new product or technology emerges, there are usually three scenarios. The first is knowing the direction and need, and pouring resources into R&D to make a breakthrough — like process improvements or light source advancements in the semiconductor field. The second is complete accident — many new materials have been discovered unintentionally. The third is when the technology is simple and the idea feasible, but no one had yet realized the need.
The simplest example: the application of the Internet, or the advent of mobile internet — basically, whoever dares to be the first to act gets the prize.
Error diagnostic cards were invented in the early 21st century. As soon as they appeared, they became a must-have tool for anyone selling or repairing computers. As someone who had once lurked in the Tulatin forums in his past life, Su Yuanshan knew that in later years, such tools weren't that important for ordinary users — otherwise, motherboard manufacturers wouldn't have waited so long to start including error code displays on high-end motherboards.
Mainly, these tools represented prestige, and were useful for users with some technical background. But in today's world, when compatibility problems were still rampant with custom-built PCs, an onboard error code display wasn't just about prestige — it had real practical value.
Currently, diagnosing faults relied heavily on technician experience — listening to beep codes and swapping parts one by one. If motherboards could display error codes directly, it would not only boost product prestige but also significantly reduce after-sales service workloads. And in the retail market, sales and maintenance were often inseparable — ask yourself: wouldn't you prefer to sell a motherboard that's easier to diagnose and repair?
Chen Daohua sank into deep thought. Chen Jing brewed a cup of tea for Su Yuanshan, briefly introducing her busy sister-in-law in the kitchen, and then glanced curiously at Su Yuanshan. Based on her understanding of him, this guy must have already thought everything through — he was just giving her brother a chance to figure it out himself.
"Brother, stop thinking," Chen Jing said gently. "The doctor told you to rest, especially your brain."
Unexpectedly, Chen Daohua's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "I figured it out — Is it about displaying BIOS self-check results to identify motherboard faults?"
Su Yuanshan blinked. As expected, Chen Daohua still had some real skills.
"Exactly."
"But the method to call it up..." Chen Daohua shook his head. "I'm not sure about that. Also, won't this add to motherboard costs?"
"It will," Su Yuanshan admitted, smiling. "Partly due to necessary circuit design modifications, and partly because we'd have to add a small chip — but it can be displayed simply using a two-digit LED display, showing codes from 00 to FF. Technicians can refer to a lookup table to diagnose the issue."
Chen Daohua nodded, quickly calculating the added cost in his mind, his face showing obvious hesitation. He looked at Su Yuanshan, "It's a good idea, but isn't the cost a little too high?"
Su Yuanshan sighed lightly and smiled. "For a motherboard company aiming at the retail DIY market — or really, any tech company with ambitions — having a high-end product with unique features is absolutely necessary."
"Even if ordinary users don't buy it, or can't afford it, a flagship product showcases the company's strength. It elevates the brand."
"Sometimes, a tech company must invest in developing products that everyone knows won't make money — products that ordinary people won't buy — just to demonstrate technological prowess."
"At Yuanchip, we call these 'black technology' products — symbols of future vision and R&D capability."
Su Yuanshan looked steadily at Chen Daohua. "Blindly cutting costs only drags you further down the ecosystem chain. You'll work the hardest, deal with the most problems, but earn the least. Frankly, Meijie's previous approach had serious issues."
Chen Daohua was stunned. He opened his mouth, then slowly exhaled. "Thank you, President Su. I almost walked into a dead end."
Su Yuanshan smiled lightly, "It's not too late. Yuanchip's finance team will soon move some money into Meijie's SEZ branch. It'll be disguised as dividends to avoid any tax issues," he added, glancing at the clock as he stood up. "I won't bother you anymore. You get some proper rest. Tomorrow, Sister Jing will take me to the company to have a look."
"Hey, you're not leaving yet, are you?" Chen Daohua protested immediately. "Xiao Jing, stop him!"
After being treated to a "simple meal" that probably cost several hundred dollars, Su Yuanshan was driven back to the hotel by Chen Jing. As they drove through the glittering neon of the bustling streets, Su Yuanshan felt a complicated swirl of emotions.
This was the height of the island's economic boom. At that time, by container throughput, Hong Kong was the world's busiest port, followed by Singapore, with the island's Kaohsiung Port in third place.
Until the year 2000, Kaohsiung remained third — before being surpassed by Busan. Later, around 2003, it was also surpassed by Shanghai and the Special Economic Zone ports. Then Guangzhou, Zhoushan, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, and Xiamen ports all overtook it as well. The once-mighty third-largest port in the world had fallen out of the top ten — and never recovered.
At a red light, Chen Jing glanced sideways at Su Yuanshan. She saw his face full of unspeakable emotion and paused slightly. After working together for so long, she knew his expressions well — he was feeling sentimental, maybe even a little melancholic.
She quickly realized: even the most developed parts of mainland China, like Shanghai and Beijing, still couldn't compare to this island's prosperity. Perhaps that realization was what triggered his emotion.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Jing said softly, "The mainland will rise too. You've always believed that, haven't you?"
"Hmm?" Su Yuanshan looked back at her, seeing the comfort in her eyes. He immediately realized she had misunderstood — thinking he was lamenting the mainland's backwardness. He coughed lightly. Of course, he couldn't correct her good intentions. So he smiled and nodded, "Yes. I've always had faith. And I hope you do too."
Chen Jing smiled gently, and when the light turned green, she eased off the brake. "Actually... I believe in you," she said quietly.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then I'll have to work even harder," Su Yuanshan said with a grin. "By the way, Sister Jing, I can only stay here for a week. Tomorrow I'll visit your design center. You should also get in touch with UMC."
He leaned back, arms behind his head, "Really hope you can pass some of that faith to President Cao at UMC — make him believe in me too."
Chen Jing smiled lightly and murmured her agreement. She was slightly distracted. So he wasn't here purely to fix Meijie's issues? But then she smiled again — after all, wasn't seizing every opportunity precisely Su Yuanshan's specialty? If he came all the way to the island and didn't close a business deal before leaving... that wouldn't be like him at all.
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