HiSilicon’s history could be traced back to Huawei’s ASIC design center in 1991. It had been one of Huawei’s centerpieces in the electronics industry.
In most people’s minds, HiSilicon was a supplier of mobile phone processors for Huawei. However, HiSilicon’s business expanded far beyond mobile processors.
Accurately speaking, Huawei’s HiSilicon company provided home networking, communication, and other wireless chip solutions. Basically, they designed and made mobile phone chips, mobile communication system equipment chips, transmission network equipment chips, home digital equipment chips, etc. They even had a 90% market share in the security prevention and control industry.
Because HiSilicon was fully owned by Huawei, one could say that Huawei was HiSilicon and HiSilicon as Huawei. They were inseparable.
If Star Sky Technology had shares in HiSilicon, then it would mean Huawei would lose its total control over HiSilicon.
This was unacceptable for Wang Zhengfei.
However…
HiSilicon also desperately needed Star Sky Technology’s technology.
Therefore, after hearing Lu Zhou’s request, Wang Zhengfei had a dignified look on his face. He sat there in silence, seemingly lost in deep thought.
Lu Zhou wasn’t in a hurry. After he conveyed his requests, he picked up his cup and took a sip of the hot tea. This helped him moisten his dry throat.
He used this time to look at Wang Zhengfei’s facial expression, trying to see if he could read any thoughts.
Unfortunately, CEO Wang had been around the block. Lu Zhou couldn’t read a single ounce of information from his face.
Emm…
Did I ask for too much?
He talked about this with Chen Yushan before coming here. She helped him with the equity allocation and technical cooperation plans, but honestly, Lu Zhou, who wasn’t a great negotiator, didn’t know if his demands were too high.
Lu Zhou began to think.
Looks like CEO Wang isn’t going to agree.
But then again, I can cooperate with Unisplendour instead. Even though that company is mainly involved in low-end processors and isn’t backed by Huawei’s industrial chain, it might work?
Lu Zhou opened his mouth.
“Let’s leave this aside, you can make a decision later. Anyway, I didn’t bring a contract, and I’m sure you need more time to think this through. We should discuss this at a more formal occasion.”
CEO Wang loosened his shoulders and shook his head.
“There’s no need.”
Lu Zhou sighed in relief.
Even though they didn’t reach an agreement, this boring negotiation was finally over.
As expected, Lu Zhou wasn’t good at negotiating.
He planned on letting Chen Yushan negotiate with Unisplendour.
“I don’t have to think this through. I’ve already made up my mind. I trust my instincts and I trust Academician Lu won’t let me down.”
Wang Zhengfei stood up and reached out his hand as he solemnly said, “… As the CEO of Huawei, I accept your proposal. I hope we can work together in this new era of carbon-based chips and achieve greatness!”
Lu Zhou: “…?”
Does this mean…
He agrees?
Even though they reached an agreement, when it came to important matters such as equity transfer, Wang Zhengfei couldn’t make this decision alone.
Especially since Star Sky Technology wanted to invest in HiSilicon, and HiSilicon was one of Huawei’s most important subsidiary companies. He had to ask the opinions of the board members. Whether the board members would agree with this proposal was still up to chance.
Especially because of the confidentiality agreement, where many things had to stay secret.
He was worried about how to convince the company board members without mentioning the carbon-based chip technology.
Star Sky Technology didn’t need Huawei as they had many other choices. But if Huawei wanted to become the king of the Chinese electronics industry, they needed Star Sky Technology…
Even during dinner time, Lu Zhou was still thinking about what happened.
He had no idea how he was able to convince the CEO.
Actually, there was no convincing going on at all. It seemed like after CEO Wang listened to Lu Zhou’s requests, he just went silent for a few minutes before agreeing.
Maybe… Luo Wenxuan is interested in Professor Lu?
I’m actually a business genius who has been distracted by mathematics?
Lu Zhou smiled awkwardly.
If it weren’t for this fantastic negotiation, he would have never realized how much of a business tycoon he was…
After the dinner was over, Wang Zhengfei bid farewell to Lu Zhou and got into his black car parked at the hotel entrance.
Another Huawei executive was sitting in the backseat, and he couldn’t help but ask CEO Wang, “Sir, do you really think it’s a good idea to give them absolute control over HiSilicon?”
Sitting next to CEO Wang was a C-suite executive of HiSilicon. This person was also invited to the secret Beijing meeting.
That was why he came here with CEO Wang to Jinling.
Even though he had a lot of respect for CEO Wang, he had to admit that letting Star Sky Technology take control over HiSilicon was not a good idea. HiSilicon was Huawei’s bread and butter, and it seemed like a horrible idea to let an outsider step in.
Not to mention that Star Sky Technology demanded quite a lot of share equity…
Wang Zhengfei stared at this executive and smiled.
“Does HiSilicon have a carbon-based transistor research and development team?”
The executive went silent.
Even though HiSilicon had research projects on new semiconductor materials, they weren’t involved in the field of graphene research. Instead, they were more focused on molybdenum disulfide, which was another material that the academic community deemed to have promising potential.
However, these research projects were only being done to keep up with other companies. There were many key issues that had yet to be resolved. It would take at least a decade before they could try using molybdenum disulfide as a transistor material.
The executive hesitated for a bit before answering, “No.”
Wang Zhengfei looked at the executive and smiled.
“Well, now you do.”
Executive: “…”