Material Empire

"Gentlemen, this is the condition proposed by the Chinese. If we don't agree to this condition, then Nice Company can only be thrown away. I don't think other investors will be interested in it."

At the board meeting of Nice Company, Snyder finished introducing the conditions proposed by Qin Hai, then shrugged his shoulders and issued an ultimatum to everyone.

Between principles and interests, Snyder finally chose interests. Of course, Qin Hai also found an excuse for him, that is, the Cold War is over, whether it is the Batumi arrangement or the Wassenaar arrangement, they are all stupid systems. Poison accepted by allies. As a moral and wise entrepreneur of the British Empire, he should have the courage to challenge this system and make due contributions to the promotion of world prosperity.

This kind of statement is what Snyder is willing to hear. He is just a businessman. When talking about business, what topics like capitalism and socialism have anything to do with him? Agreeing to Qin Hai's request means that Nice Company can realize 320 million U.S. dollars, so that each shareholder can get their own share; and if Qin Hai's request is rejected, then Nice Company can sell 100 million U.S. dollars, which is a loss. Aren't you the shareholders?

Can Wassenaar arrange a dime for Nice Company?

After convincing himself, Snyder sent an application to the board of directors, requesting to convene a general meeting of directors to discuss the sale of Nice Company to China Daqin Group. At first, the directors were overjoyed when they heard that someone was willing to pay such a high price to acquire the Nice company, but when Snyder disclosed that the Chinese wanted to take away the Nice company's equipment, most of them were silent.

"We should not agree to this condition of the Chinese, which will harm the interests of the British Empire." A director named Galek stood up and spoke.

"I don't see how this has anything to do with the interests of the British Empire." Another director named Kurtz retorted coldly, "If the interests of the British Empire still depend on a small company like ours, then It is too small to look down on Britain."

Galek said: "Nice's single crystal furnaces, low-pressure CVD equipment, plasma etching machines, etc. are all restricted by Batumi from exporting to communist countries. If we transfer these equipment to the Chinese, it will violate the law. Batumi rules."

"Batumi?" Kurtz had a mocking smile on his face: "Are you talking about the ridiculous international organization established during the Cold War?"

"You can't call it a stupid organization that stopped communism from threatening the free world," Galeck raged.

"Yes, it also prevents European companies from entering the Chinese market, and the son of a bitch Americans who first advocated this mechanism have set up a model of peace with the Chinese. Most of the high-tech equipment in the hands of the Chinese now It’s all from the Americans, and only we Europeans are foolishly adhering to the Batumi agreement.” A director named Stickney interjected.

"Gentlemen, I think the topic of the Cold War is too far away for our board of directors." Chairman Fan Nong interrupted the debate, and said: "We are now discussing whether to accept the acquisition by the Chinese. , As for Batumi, I don't think they will be willing to spend a penny to compensate us for the loss."

"..."

Fan Nong pointed out the crux of the problem in one sentence. Everyone is a shareholder of Nice Company. How much the company can sell is directly related to everyone's pockets. Isn't it ridiculous to discuss the Cold War at this time?

"Yes..." Galek did not admit defeat, he faltered and said, "Even if we don't consider the interests of the British Empire, we have to consider how to circumvent Batumi's restrictions? Indeed, Batumi has been disbanded, but the relevant The policy of restricting shipments has not been cancelled, and if we transfer equipment to the Chinese without authorization, we will be investigated by the Trade Commission.”

"Mr. Kurtz, I remember that you have some friendship with the vice chairman of the trade committee." Fannon looked at Kurtz and said.

"Yes, he and I have a good personal relationship." Kurtz said, "I will find a way to get him to lift the embargo on these devices."

"However, there is also the European Union's trade commission. They blocked a deal to sell high-performance computers to China half a year ago." Galek reminded.

"I know about this." Stickney said, frowning. "The bastards of the European Trade Commission are not easy to talk to. If they don't directly refuse, they will at least delay it. I believe they can find a reason." Let this matter drag on for five years."

"The Chinese absolutely don't want to wait five years," Snyder said decisively. "They hope to complete the acquisition within three months. I think they are eager to get the equipment."

"That's right, they must want our equipment for military purposes. We have a full set of IGBT manufacturing equipment, and the Chinese are almost blank in this regard." Galek said loudly.

Fannon reprimanded dissatisfiedly: "Mr. Galek, I think your guess is a bit too bold. IGBT is a product that is in great demand in the civilian field, and the Daqin Group that came to buy Nice Company does not have any military Given Fang’s background, why do you think they would use the equipment for military purposes?”

"Yes, we are also a purely civilian product company, and there is no reason to think that our equipment and products can be used for military purposes." Other directors also spoke one after another, refuting Galek's point of view.

In fact, as a shareholder of a semiconductor company, everyone knows more or less what their products are used for. It is certainly possible to say that the IGBT produced by Nice Company is a civilian product, but these products can also play an important role in the military field. The other party did not hesitate to buy Nice Company at a premium, and insisted on shipping some of the equipment back to China. This matter itself has a strong taste of conspiracy. If you can't guess the military's intentions from it, you are a real fool.

However, it is one thing to be able to guess it, and another thing to admit it. As Fannon pointed out, Batumi will not spend a dime to compensate everyone. Even if the Chinese dismantled the Nice company for military purposes, what does it have to do with you? China and the UK are separated by hundreds of thousands of miles. Even if China has made some achievements in the military and poses a threat to world peace, the United States, the world police, will intervene. The British Empire today is no longer what it used to be The sun never sets on the empire, what are you doing with this kind of world peace?

With this in mind, everyone's reaction to Galek was very disdainful. Nima, after all, you are also a shareholder of Nice Company. After the transfer of the company, you can also get the money. As for objecting so hard? Is this room less patriotic than you, a loyal defender of the British Empire?

Galek felt the hostility towards him from the crowd, and he shut up, not daring to speak again. It feels very bad to be outraged, especially when it comes to things that block people's money. Everyone will not let him go easily.

Seeing that Galek was silent, Fannon turned his head to Stickney again and asked, "Mr. Stickney, I remember that you once worked as a consultant for the European Union for a while. Is there any way you can persuade the European Union to The Trade Commission is giving special treatment to this matter?"

Stickney shook his head and said: "I'm afraid this is not easy. There are representatives from various countries in the trade committee, and each country has its own interests. They usually have to entangle for a long time with legal transactions, let alone this transaction ...There are some doubts in itself."

"Yes, these people are good at making trouble out of nothing." Kurtz also added, "Also, even if the EU allows it, the Americans may want to intervene, and Downing Street, everyone knows , is exactly the branch of the White House in the British Isles."

No. 10 Downing Street is the official residence of the British Prime Minister. Kurtz's remark is to accuse the British government of not having its own opinions, and everything depends on the US leader. It has to be said that citizens of every country will be full of resentment towards their own government, thinking that the government is not strong enough and needs calcium supplementation and so on. Although Kurtz is no longer young, he still has a somewhat cynical temperament, and he pointed the finger at the Prime Minister as soon as he spoke.

Everyone obviously felt the same way as Kurtz, and felt depressed for a while. As a high-tech enterprise, Nice Company is registered with the British government. The merger and acquisition of such an enterprise cannot fail to report to the government, and the relocation of equipment is even more sensitive. The U.S. government has been pushing the Wassenaar Arrangement up and down recently, while the British government has followed closely, as if it is the spokesperson of the United States in Europe. Under such circumstances, it is really very difficult to transfer Nice company's equipment to China.

"Well, let's go separately to understand the policy situation and think about any solutions. We should try our best to convince the relevant parties and prove to them that the Nice company is just a civilian product company and has nothing to do with the restrictions. This is a relationship I hope everyone can take it seriously when it comes to the vital interests of everyone here." Fan Nong finally confessed to everyone.

The directors got up one after another and left the meeting place. Galek walked behind, but he was disappointed that all those who passed him did not accost him. Fannon and Stickney were at the end. Seeing the other directors walk away, Stickney turned to Fannon and said:

"Mr. Fan Nong, I do have an idea. If investors from other countries bought Nice Company instead of Chinese, wouldn't it violate Batumi's regulations?"