The responses from Intel and Samsung were unexpected.
Both companies agreed to exchange seismographs for lithography machines.
Chen Mo had hoped for at least one company to be interested—getting two was more than he expected. Their real goal was clear: acquire the lithography machines. The cost of manufacturing seismographs was low enough that Chen Mo didn't mind the trade.
"They each want four seismographs and have no other demands," Zhao Min reported.
"Four each? Not a bad deal for them," Chen Mo chuckled. "Go ahead and make the exchange. It's still worth it."
The offer came in quickly—barely days after the product was announced. That alone said everything: these companies wanted to reverse-engineer or replicate earthquake warning tech.
But Chen Mo wasn't worried.
The seismographs being exported had been carefully prepared. Their core chip, algorithm, and system were all heavily encrypted. Even if they managed to analyze the hardware, the software and predictive models were locked tight. Without the algorithm, the seismograph was little more than a fancy shell.
So, when Intel and Samsung proposed the exchange, there was no government resistance. South Korea and the U.S. wanted the seismograph; Huaxia and Marching Ant wanted the lithography machines.
It was a mutually beneficial trade between two sides both holding cutting-edge tech.
Two weeks later, the exchanges were complete.
In Intel's headquarters, Ikegami Chishou, an ambassador from the island nation, sat in the reception room, beaming like he'd just won the lottery.
The door opened, and Paul, Intel's president, walked in.
Ikegami's smile widened instantly. He stood and bowed slightly, exuding polite enthusiasm.
"President Paul, it's an honor to meet you."
Paul barely masked his disdain behind a corporate smile. He found Ikegami's overly deferential manner irritating but said nothing.
"Ambassador Ikegami, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Paul was in a great mood. Since acquiring the seismograph from Marching Ant, Intel's stock had surged. Investors believed the company had a technological edge in seismic warning systems. If they truly cracked the earthquake prediction algorithm, Intel's value could skyrocket.
Ikegami got straight to the point.
"President Paul, I'd like to ask if your company is willing to sell one seismograph to us. We're prepared to offer $100 million for it."
Paul's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he frowned.
He understood why the island nation was desperate. Their region had experienced multiple large aftershocks following the recent disaster. Tensions were high, and losses had been immense. Seismographs had become a matter of national urgency.
But selling one to them?
That would be gifting a potential rival a critical advantage.
While the island nation was small, their research capabilities were formidable. Sharing the seismograph would just be making a "wedding dress for someone else," as the saying went—doing the hard work, only for them to reap the benefits.
"I'll have to consider it," Paul replied calmly.
"When can we expect your decision?" Ikegami pressed. "We're willing to increase the price if necessary."
"I'll get back to you soon."
Paul remained noncommittal. He had no intention of helping the island nation catch up.
A similar scene played out in South Korea.
The island government, having failed to secure a direct trade with Marching Ant, had no choice but to look elsewhere. Since their country lacked the necessary lithography equipment, they couldn't barter like Intel and Samsung had.
Now, their only hope lay in buying one second-hand.
But both companies that had acquired seismographs—Samsung and Intel—refused to sell.
They had no intention of aiding a competitor, not after going through so much effort to acquire the tech themselves.
Back in Huaxia, Chen Mo and Zhao Min were walking through the company headquarters park, which was now entering the final stages of construction.
Dubbed "The Nest," the Marching Ant headquarters mirrored the structure of an ant colony. It was not tall, but spread out in a ring-shaped design across a large area. The architecture was distinctive: rather than cold steel, it was wrapped in irregularly shaped glass, giving it a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Inside the ring-like structure, passages connected multiple zones—offices, restaurants, gyms, supermarkets, conference halls, and more. At the center of the ring was a green space, also enclosed in glass, which served as a visual metaphor for an ant's nest.
Adjacent to the main building was the independent research institute, connected by a corridor. Beyond that were workshops, warehouses, and staff quarters—all designed to support 10,000 employees living and working onsite.
While most facilities were still being furnished, the institute and HQ building had completed renovations and could already be used.
Today, the two lithography machines that had been acquired through the seismograph exchange had arrived by air. Because the temporary HQ lacked the proper temperature-controlled clean rooms, the machines were delivered directly to the institute's underground labs.
"They're currently in constant-temperature containers en route to the institute's underground cleanroom," Zhao Min explained.
Security wasn't a concern.
From the beginning, the institute and HQ had been built with high-level security in mind. Veteran personnel from Annan and Black Hawk were already stationed there, and surveillance systems were in place.
Chen Mo and Zhao Min entered the institute—quiet and mostly unoccupied for now.
After donning cleanroom suits, they descended to the second basement level, where the two lithography machines were being installed in a sealed, climate-controlled room.
The sleek machines bore the logo of ASML.
Despite their enormous complexity—each composed of over 50,000 precision parts—the lithography machines looked surprisingly compact. These had once been out of reach, even for state-level buyers in Huaxia. Now, they had two sitting in their basement.
Zhao Min continued her report.
"The packaging machine is on the way. It includes a melting furnace, but compared to the lithography machines, the other equipment is much easier to acquire."
Chen Mo nodded, then asked, "Have the machines passed inspection?"
"Yes. The technicians tested them—no problems at all."
"Good," Chen Mo replied, a rare note of satisfaction in his voice.
They'd gone through a lot to get these machines, but now the hardest part was behind them. With lithography and packaging in place, his superconducting chip research could truly begin.
The foundation for superconducting supercomputers was finally here.
But he would wait until the new headquarters was fully operational before kicking off development.
After checking on the equipment, Chen Mo and Zhao Min left the institute and took a brief stroll around the campus before heading back to the office building.