Chapter 107 - The Principal Wants to Be Number One
After dinner, Li Gaoliang didn't stay long and went home.
The remaining three, slightly tipsy from the wine, continued discussing Yuanchip's next plans.
Even though Su Yuanshan could technically take leave and study on his own, he still needed teachers for the truly professional knowledge.
Thus, it was inevitable that he would spend less time at Yuanchip.
"Dad, from now on, securing land in Shanghai for our new project will all depend on you," Su Yuanshan said, sipping his tea.
He had drunk a couple of glasses tonight, and his face was flushed but his mind was still clear.
"No problem. The Zhangjiang High-Tech Park's management committee just got established. Through our Shanghai branch, they contacted me," Su Xinghe nodded.
"After Xinghai sold shares to TI, they contacted again."
Su Yuanshan laughed, "Their instincts are sharp."
"You could say that," Su Xinghe nodded, then looked at him with a half-smile.
"But are you really sure you don't want to build something here in our province?
I keep getting phone calls every day. The foreign exchange bureau, provincial leaders, all calling...
They're still unhappy about us setting up in the Special Economic Zone without a word last time.
If you slip away again without even saying hello, it'll look really bad."
The wave of investment attraction across China had already begun.
With Yuanchip stirring up waves even overseas, provincial leaders naturally couldn't just sit and watch — they had to find a way to keep some of that prosperity local.
"That can't be helped," Su Yuanshan smiled. "Any leader with a bit of foresight would know — Yuanchip staying here would leave a huge talent pool and drive a tech industry boom."
"For example, once Senior Brother takes a post at the university, it'll be like planting a phoenix tree.
It'll attract all kinds of talent from T University and P University."
Xi Xiaoding laughed and shook his head, "You're exaggerating."
"Want to bet?"
"...No bet."
"Boring," Su Yuanshan grinned. "By the way, Senior Brother, how many students do you plan to supervise?"
"I think the rule says associate professors can only take three?"
Su Yuanshan pulled a face, "Rules are rules. If you have the ability, who cares?
I bet the university would love for you to take thirty!"
Xi Xiaoding laughed, "You make it sound like supervising undergrads!"
"Your research project is in mathematical tools development.
The more free labor, the better.
Take my advice — request six students.
A nice round number.
The university won't say no."
Xi Xiaoding glanced at Su Xinghe.
The elder nodded slightly, smiling.
"Officially, there's a cap.
But they've already broken the rule by assigning you four students.
Breaking it again for six won't matter.
After all, your field is pioneering — you need more people."
After thinking for a moment, Xi Xiaoding nodded, "Alright. I'll submit a bigger request.
Xiaoshan, help me prepare the course materials later."
"Of course."
The next day, Su Yuanshan, unable to leave Xi Xiaoding alone, accompanied him to pick the biggest office available.
Then, Xi Xiaoding stayed with him to visit Principal Zhou and formally propose taking on more graduate students.
When Principal Zhou heard the idea, he agreed without hesitation, laughing, "Our university has already gone rogue so many times this year — what's one more?"
Seeing Principal Zhou smiling meaningfully at him, Su Yuanshan glanced sideways at Li Gaoliang and muttered, "Uncle Li, you're shameless, stealing all the credit."
Li Gaoliang burst into hearty laughter, "You brat.
I called the Principal last night.
How could I not tell him the good news?"
"Boring," Su Yuanshan chuckled.
"Principal, you must have heard — TI agreed to let us send people to their new plant in Singapore, right?"
"Of course," Principal Zhou smiled warmly.
"Good work — huge credit.
But has Singapore's government agreed yet?
Otherwise, it could get tricky diplomatically."
"No worries.
Trust me, Principal — Dr. Zhang Rujin will personally check with the Singaporean government next month.
To be cautious, we can prepare quietly for now without making noise."
"Good idea," Principal Zhou nodded.
"By the way," he continued, "how's Chengdian High-Tech progressing?"
Last time, Wang Chaoxin had suggested that Yuanchip and the university co-found a PC company named Chengdian High-Tech — a direct nod to 'Peking University Founder Group.'
"I'm not involved.
It's managed by a Yuanchip subsidiary," Su Yuanshan replied calmly.
Principal Zhou chuckled, "Still, keep an eye on it...
Both you and your father are alumni.
We can't afford to lose face."
"Got it," Su Yuanshan nodded.
"Principal... I'm a bit busy these days.
If I'm late to class or skip one or two, can I get a 'get-out-of-jail-free card'?"
"...Alright," Principal Zhou laughed.
"As long as you pass your exams, I'll give you your diploma."
Su Yuanshan grinned, "Thank you, Principal!
If there's nothing else, I'll leave now?"
"Wait," Principal Zhou said, his expression turning serious.
"I just got back from a meeting," he said.
"I wanted to discuss something with your father, but since you're here, it's the same."
He looked at Li Gaoliang, then at Xi Xiaoding, and finally fixed his gaze on Su Yuanshan.
"Your current YX01 CPU — can it be used to design a supercomputer?"
Su Yuanshan was slightly stunned.
Supercomputing?
The Principal's ambitions were not small!
After thinking for a moment, Su Yuanshan spoke slowly, "In theory, any CPU can be used to build a supercomputer.
Even Motorola's junky 88100 could do it.
With our YX01, which doubles the clock speed, it's certainly possible."
Principal Zhou gestured for him to continue.
"But," Su Yuanshan added, "supercomputing requires immense technical strength and funding.
Plus, Yuanchip's YX architecture strategy is aimed at IP licensing..."
"So, for now, we're not planning to enter that market."
China did have a market for supercomputing, and the technology reserves were there.
But most of the technical expertise was concentrated at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
For Yuanchip to enter would be like starting from scratch.
And Su Yuanshan wasn't about to be dragged into a project where he had to sink money and time with no guarantee of returns.
He'd rather just sell CPUs to whoever needed them.
Principal Zhou, who was no fool, immediately understood Su Yuanshan's hidden meaning: I don't want to fund this.
"Don't worry," Principal Zhou said.
"This time, we're not asking you for money."
"If Yuanchip can provide CPUs suitable for supercomputing, Chengdu University will apply for national funding."
"But isn't there already the Dawning project?" Su Yuanshan asked.
"The Dawning project is based on Moto U architecture — complete junk," Principal Zhou said bluntly.
"If we, Chengdu University, step in — and with your CPU — our goal isn't to participate.
It's to compete for number one!"
At this point, Xi Xiaoding quietly said, "I also think it's worth trying."
Su Yuanshan turned to look at him.
Xi Xiaoding smiled, "Xiaoshan, physics simulations need supercomputers."
Su Yuanshan smacked his forehead.
"Alright!" he said.
"Next year, I'll give you a 100 MHz YX02 CPU!"
"Good!" Principal Zhou clapped his hands, full of enthusiasm.
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