In 1979, when Mostek's market share was at its peak, it was coveted by predators and finally acquired by United Technologies Corporation, the United Technology Corporation, or UTC, for $345 million.

UTC is a well-known manufacturer in the United States and a large military contractor specializing in aircraft engines, helicopters, air conditioning systems, fuel cells, elevators, roller ladders, fire and safety equipment, construction equipment, and other industrial equipment. The companies under his command are familiar to ordinary people, such as Otis Elevator Company, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engine Company, etc.

The spacesuits and fuel cells used in the Apollo 11 moon landing, the engines of the Boeing 747, and the fuel cells, spacesuits and environmental control systems of the Space Shuttle Columbia...... It's all provided by UTC, the manufacturer.

Mostek, which is backed by UTC, originally had processors and other products in the product line, but after dynamic random access memory became more and more profitable, it put all the treasures on it.

The key point is that Japanese counterparts have developed 256KB dynamic random access memory chips, but Mostek has been slow to make progress.

The technology is backward, the price can't be beaten, the status of the rivers and lakes is naturally not guaranteed, and life is becoming more and more difficult.

However, there is one thing, when the child cries, it is difficult to guarantee that the adult will not come forward to defend it. Therefore, Mostek's spoofing and banter is really a little scary.

Tang Huan's fingers tapped on the table, and he asked understandingly, "You came here to pull me to be a strong man, do you plan to let me act with you?" ”

"That's true. John Chambers nodded, "I feel." Only you can help Fangyuan Computer Company to calm the scene. ”

……

San Jose, located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, is the capital of Santa Clara County, where Silicon Valley is located, and therefore also calls itself the capital of Silicon Valley. The closed-door consultation meeting between the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Alliance and computer manufacturing companies was held here.

Representatives of dozens of companies sat around in a small and active group, led by Mostek. They are communicating and encouraging each other, and how to put pressure on the representatives of Fangyuan Computer Company after they arrive.

……

"Counting on the inefficient guys in the federal government to investigate dumping in Japan's semiconductor industry, we don't know when we will get the results. Even if we can wait for the results, our losses will be difficult to recover. Therefore, we must be prepared with both hands and let the manufacturers cooperate with our actions. ”

"As long as you win Fangyuan Computer Company, other companies will be able to do it. ”

……

As the initiator of this semiconductor industry alliance, Robert Noyce heard these discussions. A look of displeasure on his face. The reason why he worked so hard up and down was indeed with a good desire to save the entire semiconductor industry in the United States. Unfortunately, some members of the alliance did not appreciate it.

Speaking of which, Mostek and Intel have a long history.

In the 1970s, Intel had quality problems when it launched the 4KB dynamic random access memory, so Mostek seized the opportunity to step on Intel and ascend to the hegemonic position in the memory industry.

In addition, after Federico Fagin left Intel. Founded Zilog, Inc., developed an 8-bit microprocessor Intel 8080 compatible CPU and a competitor Z80. It was Mostek's fab that helped make the tape-out a success.

There are so many squawdents between the two companies that it is impossible to completely eliminate the barriers that have been planted just because they now have the same big goal.

To be sure, Robert Noyce lobbied the federal government to investigate dumping in Japan's semiconductor industry, but because the issue of trade frictions between Japan and the United States is very complex. At the same time, the Japanese are very shrewd and familiar with the rules of international trade, and they are not so easy to handle, so the progress is slow.

At the same time, Robert Noyce also listened to the opinions within the league. Lobbying some important American computer manufacturers to support "domestic products" in memory is not very effective.

But Mostek didn't understand the hard work, and even suspected that Intel was unwilling to put pressure on computer manufacturers sincerely because of the processor Intel80286, and in the words he heard from Tang Huan, he "picked up the bowl to eat meat, put down the chopsticks and scolded his mother", so unconscionable.

Robert Noyce was evaluated by the outside world as a "loyal elder", but at this time, the false fire was rising, and he couldn't help but sneer harshly, "The toughness of Fangyuan Computer Company, I have personally learned it, see how you hit your head and bleed!"

……

With representatives from Commodore, Apple, Compaq, SUN, SGI, DEC, IBM and other computer companies in attendance, there was not much time left for the meeting.

However, the representative of Fangyuan Computer Company has not yet appeared. Seeing this scene, the Mostek side, who was ready to go, couldn't help but be a little anxious, so he began to say strange things sourly, "What's the matter with the representative of Fangyuan Computer Company, do you dare not come, or put up a shelf and let everyone wait for him?"

"Since only Fangyuan Computer Company has not arrived, it is better for us to have a meeting like this. Jobs, who was even more impatient, took over and proposed.

As people's enthusiasm for flashy MAC freshness and enthusiasm is fading, MAC sales have been declining, and Jobs's bold statement that Apple will sell 750,000 MACs this year is also going to be in vain, and his mood is even more anxious, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is moody.

Originally, Jobs would not have come to this kind of ridiculous meeting, but John Scully persuaded him, "Anyway, this conference is in Silicon Valley, very close, and you as Apple's external image, it is good to understand the industry dynamics." ”

But what Jobs lacks at present is "calmness", sitting here and looking at no one is pleasing to the eye, and I wish the meeting was over quickly.

Wayne Prosrow, the president of Mostek, was almost choked by Jobs's stunned young man, and scolded in his heart, "Ignorant arrogant guy, don't you see that I have something to say?" Without your apples, you can't do without Fang Yuan, otherwise this meeting will lose its meaning. ”

The scene was in the middle of a little commotion, and as soon as the door opened, Tang Huan, accompanied by John Chambers, walked in with Shi Shiran. Take a seat next to Robert Noyce, the convener of the meeting.

I have to say that Tang Huan's appearance surprised everyone, and Wayne Prosrow and the friends beside him looked at each other and secretly exchanged ideas.

After looking around, Tang Huan found that as expected, this kind of meeting that was destined to quarrel constantly, the leader of a large company was too lazy to show up, and he was an exception to over-spec.

Raising his wrist, he glanced at the Rolex that Deng Lijun gave him five years ago. Tang Huan smiled and said, "It's almost time, can the meeting start?"

Robert Noyce, who was a little tired from being disturbed by various contradictions, cheered up, coughed lightly, and made an opening speech concisely, "The issues to be discussed in this meeting have long been clear to everyone, who will speak first. ”

"Let me make a point. "Wayne Proslo is in a position to be the leader. Quickly picked up Robert Noyce's words.

"It's no secret that the U.S. semiconductor industry is experiencing the worst shock in its history. Far beyond the impact of the oil crisis of the 1970s. ”

"Japanese semiconductor companies use the technology they have learned from us and the licenses they have obtained to make similar memory products, which in turn dump into the U.S. market at a price lower than the cost. ”

"It's clear that Japan is trying to destroy our semiconductor industry, and then they're going to dominate it. ”

"In light of this, we must pool our resources and strengths. to deal with this shameful offensive. ”

"At present, in the field of technology research and development, a series of agreements have been reached to avoid duplication of resources. ”

……

Tang Huan solemnly wrote in the shorthand book with a golden pen, "Wisdom will be hurt, love will not live, and strength will be humiliated." A humble gentleman, gentle as jade", and then looked at it and pondered it.

Seeing that Wayne Prosrow was still talking there, Tang Huan could no longer bear his clamour, knocked on the table with his fingers, and reminded: "Mr. Wayne Prosrow, this is not Congress, please put away unnecessary tirade." With so many people wasting time here, every minute lost is hard to assess. What we need is to get straight to the point. ”

Amid Jobs' yawn and the playful glances of several other computer vendor representatives, Wayne Prosrow was stunned for a moment, and then said calmly: "As you wish, we'll get to the point." ”

"In order to gather the strength of the U.S. semiconductor industry and resist the malicious attack of the Japanese side, we hope that Fangyuan Computer Co., Ltd. can set an example for computer manufacturers, reduce the purchase of memory produced by Japanese semiconductor companies as soon as possible, and in turn support the development of the U.S. semiconductor industry. ”

"To be honest, I understand and am willing to support your efforts to save the world. Tang Huan's cat cried and showed his attitude compassionately, and then changed his words and said: "However, don't you think that it is very contrary to the laws of the market to ask us, the computer manufacturers, to give up the cheap supply of goods, and to buy the memory that you have no advantages in quality and technology, but the price remains high? Fangyuan Computer is a public listed company, when the time comes, how can we explain to the shareholders whose interests have been damaged in vain?"

Venn Prosrow had obviously been prepared for such a question, and immediately retorted loudly without hesitation: "You have to take a long-term view, if we are destroyed by Japan, those Japanese companies will be able to price their products at will, and your interests will be seriously damaged at that time." ”

"Then you have to explain clearly why the Japanese companies that learned technology from the United States and were authorized surpassed the master on the American side in terms of technology. Tang Huan stretched out his hand, "I want a large amount of 256KB dynamic random access memory now, everyone here, who else can supply me except Motorola? Could it be that the support you are talking about means that I should buy your outdated 16KB dynamic random access memory and 64KB dynamic random access memory with low yield?"

Looking at the other party's dumbfounded appearance, Tang Huan sneered and lazily concluded: "You don't have that ability! Rather than this, you might as well try to get the federal government to take action against Japan as soon as possible." ”

"You're quibbling. "I know that you have always been close to those Japanese companies, and have been purchasing their products in large quantities for a long time. For the sake of your own immediate selfish interests, without any concern for the overall situation of the entire semiconductor industry in the United States, you are the traitor among us!"

"Watch your words. Tang Huan slammed the table, and the nearby folders were shaken up more than an inch high.

He stared at Wayne Prosrow and said slowly, "I want to remind you to figure out what duty and favor are. It is your duty not to buy your things, and it is a favor to give you orders, and no one is qualified to point fingers at this, Fangyuan Computer Company has its own interest groups that must be considered. ”

Seeing that the atmosphere was so sparkling, Robert Noyce endured the discomfort of tinnitus, and quickly stood up and persuaded: "Everyone, please face the differences calmly. ”

Tang Huan snorted and said loudly: "It's not me boasting, Fangyuan Computer Company has long made great contributions to the development of the semiconductor industry in the United States. When Fangyuan personal computers first came out, the highest memory capacity of personal computers on the market was only 64KB, but in about five years, Fangyuan personal computers brought this level to the mainstream 512KB, and the top 2MB or more. You must know best about the growth of your own memory shipments. ”

"At the recent spring of this year's COMDEX, Zheru officially released a number of more powerful software, which greatly stimulated users' demand for memory, especially the virtual floppy disk program. It can take advantage of the large memory and the extra space of the hard disk to copy the contents of the slow floppy disk to temporarily detach the floppy disk. ”

"According to authoritative professional analysis, driven by this favorable condition, the market demand for memory will increase by at least 30% in the second half of the year. ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, that's our contribution. Instead of wasting your time here trying to figure out how to put pressure on computer manufacturers, you should use your brains and figure out how to seize this business opportunity. ”

Regardless of everyone's different faces, Tang Huan put away the golden pen and got up to leave, "Everyone, I have other things, so I won't accompany you." ”

Before leaving the door, Tang Huan told John Chambers again, "Since Mostek is so hostile to us, then don't buy its products in the future, including the 256KB dynamic random access memory that may be developed." ”

Hearing that Tang Huan had issued a ban order, Wayne Proslo's face turned blue with anger, "You are bullying, you are provoking our alliance......"

Jobs, who also stood up, yawned and muttered dissatisfiedly: "It's so boring, I knew I wouldn't come here, I still have to go on a business trip." ”

Other computer manufacturers, including Compaq, didn't even bother to say hello and retreated, and even semiconductor manufacturers such as Micron and Motorola casually found an excuse to slip away.

Looking around the deserted conference room, Robert Noyce said to himself: "I knew that pushing too hard would backfire." ”

Wayne Prosrow asked, "Is this meeting going to go on?"

Robert Noyce waved his hand, "In the future, I will only be responsible for public relations with the federal government, and other things will not come to me again." ”

After dropping this sentence, Robert Noyce also left. The previous closed-door consultation meeting, which was full of excitement and excitement, ended completely inconclusively and broke up in a hurry.

When Vane Prosrow saw this, he couldn't help but hang his head. His wishful thinking was completely ruined, and he also offended Fangyuan Computer Company, how to explain to the board of directors when he went back?

I think how high-spirited Mostek was when he was in the hegemony of the industry, and now he is actually pointed at his nose by Tang Huan, I am really unwilling! )