The next morning, Sun Hong nudged the sleepy Ji Yuan and said with a smile, "Still sleeping? The people from the Jinling Military Region are already waiting."
Ji Yuan struggled to open his eyes but found his eyelids felt as heavy as lead, managing only to crack them open a little.
Seeing him like this, Sun Hong felt a bit sorry for him: "Hurry up and brush your teeth and wash your face. I'll bring you breakfast."
He understood well how exhausting it could be to rely solely on willpower after long periods of sleep deprivation; once one let their guard down, fatigue would hit hard.
Ji Yuan nodded groggily, feeling every bone in his body ache; even lifting his hand felt somewhat strenuous!
After having breakfast, he stepped out of the Revitalization Microelectronics Company with members of the Research Group. A row of neatly lined military vehicles was already parked by the roadside, and soldiers in camouflage uniforms stood at attention to salute them.
With the data on the Lithography Machine organized, the next step was to enter the military sector to break through these challenges in the Military Industry.
Ji Yuan walked at the forefront alongside Zhou Lao, Elder Ji, and Elder Qi, while Academician Li and others followed closely behind at a leisurely pace. They were almost sent off like stars surrounded by the moon by the leaders of Revitalization Microelectronics Equipment Company.
"Hello, leaders!"
A few young soldiers ran over to salute and helped take their belongings.
Ji Yuan looked back and bid farewell to the technicians from Revitalization Microelectronics Equipment Company, waving his hand and saying, "Everyone from Revitalization Company, you can go back now. No need to see us off."
"I promise you all, we will not waste everyone's research achievements, and the country will not forget your contributions to Lithography Technology! In the future, we will personally commend you!"
His voice was rhythmic, and the technicians who had fought alongside him couldn't help but feel their eyes redden, tears streaming down their cheeks.
During these days of close companionship, this young yet exceptionally talented individual had deeply impressed everyone with his comprehensive understanding of the Lithography Machine and his vast knowledge.
Ji Yuan suppressed the bitterness in his heart and shook hands with Xia Donghai, saying, "Old Xia, I apologize for the trouble these days!"
"Not at all," Xia Donghai replied, a bit excitedly, stammering, "Mr. Ji, please come back to see us when you have time."
As the car windows rolled up and the convoy departed in an orderly fashion, it shot off like an arrow into the distance without pause.
Two weeks had passed since the Eastern power announced its Chip Engineering initiative. The anticipated scene of the East mobilizing its national strength to launch a grand Chip Manufacturing Plant had not materialized. Instead, it was eerily quiet.
Even the whereabouts of the Chip Research Team were unknown to the outside world. The external networks continued to clamour, their confidence seemingly stronger than before, as if they had witnessed firsthand the Eastern power's Chip Engineering facing a Waterloo.
"Hehe, it's indeed 'Launch Satellite' again, the usual trick of the Eastern power."
"Let me tell you a joke. Back in the 1950s and 60s, the Eastern power boldly claimed rice yields of tens of thousands of pounds per acre. This shows that their ability to boast hasn't improved; in fact, it's worse than before!"
"If making chips were that easy, over 200 countries and regions around the world would have done it by now. I guess the Eastern power will probably end up taking the i9, changing its shell, and fooling the public to save face."
The online disputes abroad have also affected the domestic internet world.
Many citizens who bypassed the Great Firewall saw the overwhelming negativity online and, after listing various suspicious points, initially felt shocked and angry, then began to waver, and ultimately even subtly agreed, starting to express their sarcasm in the domestic internet space.
"Is making chips really that easy? Why haven't we heard anything about it before?"
"If you can't even break through Lithography Machine technology, how can you tell me to mass-produce China Chip?!"
"Do we have advanced CNC machining tools? Do we have skilled workers? We have none of that; how can you tell me to mass-produce chips?"
The more such questions arose with conviction, the more those who were wavering felt crushed, believing they had been deceived and trying to uncover the 'truth.'
Just at this moment, a major piece of news weighed heavily on everyone's mind.
"According to the latest news, the America Trade Agreement Center announced that due to national security concerns, it will impose tariffs of no less than $200 billion on the Eastern Power.
This news spread quickly, causing many self-proclaimed elites to feel a sense of unease.
'What exactly is America so confident about?'
This question lingered in the minds of many.
'Is it really true that our country cannot produce domestic chips?'
Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. At this critical juncture, the mass production of domestic chips in the Eastern Power is about to be put on the agenda, and America should be easing its stance.
While many citizens were feeling anxious, the Foreign Affairs Office promptly expressed its position by publishing an article titled "After Thousands of Trials and Tribulations, We Remain Strong Against All Winds from East, West, South, and North."
The article pointed out: 'Whether the Eastern Power has the capability to develop its own chips remains to be seen. However, in response to the extreme reactions from a very few countries, we will also deliver a strong counterattack!
It is reported that our Ministry of Commerce has urgently convened a meeting to discuss and formulate a counterattack plan against M, with an estimated 2,000 American companies facing sanctions from China….'"
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