Replay 07: Opening the Temple of Learning

Chapter 396 Breaking off Confession
A few hours later, AMD officially released a statement.

In a statement, AMD said:

“Due to changes in the global market environment and the need to optimize supply chain resources, we have decided to adjust our supply agreements with some customers to better support growth in the European and American markets.”

"AMD is committed to maintaining a fair and free global technology marketplace."

This statement immediately sparked public opinion, and global media reported:

The New York Times: AMD responds to FCC, cuts support for Zemeng system hardware

"AMD has finally made its position clear and reduced its chip supply to Shenchuan Computer."

"Industry insiders said this is a key move by US technology companies to jointly curb the expansion of Zemeng System."

The Wall Street Journal: "AMD takes action, Zemeng system faces hardware ban"

The article pointed out: "AMD's decision will directly lead to the obstruction of Shenchuan Computer's supply chain, and may force Zemeng System to seek new hardware support."

CNN even reported directly on the headline: "AMD officially cuts off supply of the magic ship, and this technological cold war has entered a white-hot stage!"

In the video, the host said in a serious tone: "This means that the US technology industry chain is being completely cut off from the Zemeng system, and the global market structure may undergo earth-shaking changes as a result."

On Twitter, AMD's cutting off of Ze Meng's tag once again became a hot topic.

One tweet, which was retweeted hundreds of thousands of times, read:
"AMD has finally taken sides! Another important decision to protect the US's technological dominance!"

Another blogger quipped:

"Without AMD's support, can the Shenchuan still be called a Shenchuan? The end of the Zemeng system is coming."

An analysis video on YouTube about "AMD supply cut" quickly became popular.

In the video, the blogger sneered and said: "Shenchuan and Zemeng want to subvert the world with technology? Solve your own chip supply problem first!"

The spacious conference room is brightly lit.

Lianxiang’s executives sat around a long table, each with an unconcealable smile on their face.

Yang Qing sat in the main seat, holding a freshly printed press release in his hand, with a smug smile on his face.

"Everyone," Yang Qing clapped the documents in his hands vigorously, his tone full of excitement, "AMD has finally made a statement and cut off the supply of Shenchuan!"

Applause broke out immediately, and Marketing Director Wang Hong spoke first:
"Haha, now that Shenchuan has lost AMD's chip support, how much of their hardware advantage will be left?"

Another executive immediately responded: "Yes, without AMD's Ryzen, the performance advantage of the Shenchuan will collapse directly."

"No matter how good their Zemeng system is, it cannot be separated from the support of hardware."

"And without AMD's support, who would dare to supply them? Who can withstand this pressure?"

Yang Qing leaned back in his chair, smiling with ease: "From today on, the golden age of the divine ship is officially over."

He tapped the projection screen on the table, pointing to an international news report:
《AMD announces cuts in supply to Shenchuan in response to FCC's global blockade》

"See? This is the result of our hard work." Yang Qing said with pride in his tone.

"First it was the FCC, now AMD has followed suit. Shenchuan and Zemeng, just wait to be completely surrounded and annihilated!"

Wang Hong echoed with a smile: "This is just the beginning. Once Shenchuan is blacklisted by Intel or other suppliers, their supply chain will basically be ruined."

"By then, the market will still be ours. Who can still compete with Lianxiang?"

Another executive in charge of public relations nodded and added: "The company's stock has been performing well recently, up 8% today. Investors have obviously responded well to AMD's announcement."

Yang Qing waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. He glanced at everyone in the conference room and said in a low but proud voice: "Next, we must strike while the iron is hot."

"We must start by spreading the marketing propaganda. The news that Shenchuan has lost AMD's supply must be made known to all users."

“We want to tell the market that choosing Shenchuan is equal to choosing risk, and choosing Lianxiang is the safe choice!”

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

Baidu's CEO Li Hong sat in his office, staring at the news reports on the computer screen, his eyes full of excitement.

"Good! AMD has finally caught up with the pace." He slammed the table and said to several vice presidents around him with a smile.

"Now that the hardware of the divine ship is broken, what else can the Zemeng system do?"

The operations director nodded in agreement: "That's right. Without high-performance chips, the ecosystem of the Zemeng system will be severely frustrated, and the user experience will inevitably decline."

"Besides, the world is blocking us now. We can't get into foreign markets, and we still have a strong ecological chain suppressing the domestic market."

"Even if they still have some market share, they are at best barely surviving," another executive said with certainty.

"With so many domestic companies still relying on us, Baidu, who dares to use their products?"

Li Hong sneered: "Don't even think about turning over the next one, let alone the divine ship, even if it's the Zemeng system."

"We will let the market know that choosing Zemeng is equivalent to being isolated."

He paused, his tone becoming more relaxed: "Okay, notify the marketing department to keep a close eye on it in the next two days and increase the publicity efforts."

"Ze Meng's death must be personally sent off by us, Baidu!"

Soon, the news that AMD stopped supplying Shenchuan became the headlines of major domestic news:
"Zemeng System suffered a major blow, AMD cut off supply of Shenchuan"

"Global technology companies join forces to block the Zemeng system, which faces a cold winter"

"Origin Group is isolated. Has the dream of domestic operating system been shattered?"

The comment sections of major portals exploded instantly.

Netizens’ reactions were almost overwhelming, with all kinds of voices intertwined.

"Haha, I've said it before. The Zemeng system won't last long. Once the foreign countries start strangling it, it'll be over!"

"You guys, Shenchuan, always boast about how your performance is better than Lianxiang's. Now, without AMD, what can you do to beat them?"

"In the world of capital, the West always has the final say. How could a small domestic workshop like Zemeng System possibly win?"

"This wave of AMD ban was a great move! It directly sentenced Shenchuan to death."

"Zemeng system is obviously very good, faster than WIN in operation and more stable. It's a pity that it is banned now."

"Hey, the Shenchuan had already become the pride of China, but now that this has happened, the chip supply has been cut off. How can we continue to play?"

"It's so sad! We have worked so hard for so many years, and it's just blocked by foreign capital?"

"It's so helpless. Domestic independent research and development will always be blocked by rules."

"Americans are so shameless. When they are no longer able to do so, they start to ban companies. They don't care about market fairness at all!"

"This is naked technological hegemony! They don't even allow the most basic right to cooperate. This is too much!"

"AMD's behavior is disgusting! US technology companies joined forces to suppress it, it's simply a modern version of the Eight-Nation Alliance."

"This is not a ban on Ze Meng, this is a ban on the future of the entire domestic operating system!"

Soon, more discussions surrounding the "Ze Meng incident" appeared on social media.

On Twitter, the hashtag “#SaveZemeng” became a trending search, and many international netizens also joined the discussion.

Some people criticized the US's actions: "This is a mockery of the free market." Others applauded AMD's decision: "This is technological hegemony, the rules are in the hands of the United States!"

On domestic short video platforms, some technology bloggers released analysis videos:

"Zemeng System is being blocked. Is it market rules or technological hegemony behind this?"

"AMD cuts off supply of Shenchuan, how far is the road for domestically produced chips and operating systems?"

The comments section exploded:

"Support Ze Meng! Although they are being besieged, I hope they can hold on!"

“Can we bundle up the Zemeng system and completely break the foreign blockade?”

However, in the office buildings of domestic enterprises, there is a festive atmosphere.

Yang Qing stood by the window holding a coffee cup, a smile on his face:

"This is the power of international capital. We don't need to do anything ourselves. Shenchuan and Zemeng will fall on their own."

Li Hong slapped his desk in his office and laughed, "AMD's suspension of supply is a declaration of victory for us."

"From now on, won't we have the final say in the domestic market?"

Shenchuan Technology Headquarters·Chairman's Office
Wu Jun stared at the news headlines that popped up on the computer screen, and the coffee cup in his hand trembled slightly.

"AMD announces suspension of supply of Shenchuan, the last batch of orders is about to be shipped"

"Zemeng System Suffers Heavy Damage, Global Encirclement and Suppression Fully Intensifies"

He closed the page angrily, then picked up his phone to check Twitter and domestic news comments. The overwhelming ridicule and gloating made him feel upset.

"Mr. Wu, an email from AMD has arrived." Assistant Xiao Zhang pushed the door open and said in a low voice, looking nervous.

Wu Jun raised his head, his face livid: "Print it out and bring it to the conference room."

Assistant Xiao Zhang didn't dare to say a word and quickly left.

Wu Jun leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples, cursing under his breath: "Damn it, he really did it."

In the conference room, the executives have already arrived, and in front of each of them is an email from AMD.

There was a heavy atmosphere in the air and no one dared to speak.

Wu Jun pushed the door open, his face gloomy, and got straight to the point: "Everyone, AMD has just officially notified us that they will terminate the cooperation after the last chip shipment."

He paused, looked at everyone, and said in a sad voice: "This is not a rumor, nor a threat, but a fact that is set in stone."

Marketing Director Li Wei looked at the document with an ugly expression, as if he had eaten a fly: "Boss Wu, is this news true? Do you think AMD dares to cut off our supply?"

"Do you think they dare not?" Wu Jun asked coldly, pointing to the projection screen on the wall.

"The news is all over the internet, CNN and BBC are reporting it, how could they lie?"

Strategic Director Wang Shanshan frowned and said hurriedly: "Mr. Wu, if AMD really stops supplying, our high-end product line will be completely paralyzed!"

"Do you realize how much damage this would cause?"

Technical Director Chen Jianwei slammed the table, his face filled with anger: "These Americans are clearly trying to kill us!"

"They united to ban Ze Meng, and now they're not even letting our hardware go!"

Marketing Director Li Wei was so anxious that he slapped his thigh: "This is not killing us, this is nailing us to the cross and making an example of us!"

"Without AMD chips, what else can Shenchuan use to compete with Lianxiang?"

Wu Jun tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his voice low and cold: "Don't worry, calm down first."

"It's too early to say there will be a collapse. We need to find a way to hold on."

Strategic Director Wang Shanshan's voice is still urgent
"Mr. Wu, I just did the math. If our high-end product line is shut down, we will lose at least 60% of our revenue."

"Not to mention market confidence. Once orders are cancelled, products are returned and compensation is paid, our cash flow will only last for three months at most!"

"The worst thing is that shareholders will also lose confidence in us. If the news spreads further, Shenchuan's stock price may plummet."

Wu Jun frowned and stared at the table in thought.

Technical Director Chen Jianwei couldn't help but say, "Mr. Wu, we must find an alternative supplier immediately!"

"We can't let AMD strangle us."

"Who are you looking for?" Wu Jun raised his head and asked sharply, "Do you think Intel will accept our order?"

"Those suppliers in the United States have long been under the watchful eyes of the FCC. Do they dare to supply goods?"

Chen Jianwei opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment.

Marketing Director Li Wei took over the conversation: "Mr. Wu, how about we give priority to supplying orders to the mid- and low-end markets?"

"Try to retain high-end customers with the existing inventory, which can at least delay the process."

Wu Jun nodded: "You can try your idea. Technical Department, Production Department, immediately count the existing inventory and give me detailed data."

"Marketing department, communicate well with customers and tell them clearly that our supply will not be affected for the time being. Keep people's hearts stable first!"

Strategic Director Wang Shanshan could not help but remind him: "Boss Wu, this is just a delaying tactic."

"The root of the problem is the supply of high-end chips is cut off. If there is no solution in three months, will our customers continue to trust us?"

Wu Jun said coldly: "Of course I know this is just a delaying tactic, but right now, we must save our lives first!"

"Now is not the time to worry about the future, let's get through this period first!"

Wu Jun looked at the executives in front of him, pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said:

"The current situation is very serious. AMD is our core supplier. If the supply is really cut off, the consequences will be disastrous."

Strategic Director Wang Shanshan sighed: "Mr. Wu, the supply of high-end chips is already clear."

"Look at the news. Even AMD's CEO has expressed his views. Can this matter be salvaged?"

Technical Director Chen Jianwei gritted his teeth and said: "We can't just accept our fate! AMD's decision is not without room for maneuver."

"They made their statement this time because of pressure from the FCC. We can use their business interests to negotiate!"

Marketing Director Li Wei couldn't help but retort: ​​"Talk? How?"

"AMD has been tied to the FCC's chariot. Their supply cut is a national will, not a matter of money!"

Wu Jun frowned and said coldly: "Do you think American companies will really give up money for the sake of 'national will'?"

He patted the documents on the table and said, "AMD's shipments of our Shenchuan accounted for 15% of their revenue last year. That's more than 3 million dollars!"

"Even if it's a US company, you can't just throw it away."

"The question is whether they have the guts to continue cooperating."

(End of this chapter)