33: Chapter 33 Coercion

"I'm just new to this industry, so..." The man rubbed his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"That's understandable. When you're just starting out, it's easy to pay some 'tuition' by mistake." President Cheng sighed. Recalling his own arduous journey, he couldn't help but ask, "I just heard you say your machine's spindle is damaged?"

"Sigh, I get angry just thinking about it," the man said indignantly. "I spent millions importing that second-hand equipment from abroad, but the spindle was damaged because of an operator error! Now the machine is sitting paralyzed in the workshop, completely unable to run. It's driving me crazy..."

"Spindles aren't easy to fix," President Cheng shook his head. "Especially with imported goods; it's even harder to get in touch with the original manufacturer."

"Exactly," the man said, looking annoyed. "The manufacturer quoted two million, plus I have to cover their travel and accommodation expenses. I only paid a few million for the second-hand equipment in the first place; spending another two million on repairs isn't cost-effective. That's why I came to see the new Machining Center from the Chen Group when I heard about it, but then..."

[Writing this, I hope readers will remember our domain name. For following Taiwanese novels, look for the most reliable one.]

"Brother, you've seen the finished product. What do you think?"

President Cheng continued to shake his head. "Based on the current situation, I wouldn't recommend you buy this product. The hidden dangers caused by the system's instability are immeasurable. Even if it could run normally, you've seen the results—it simply can't achieve the ideal machining precision and effect."

"This..." the man said, looking anxious. "What should I do? My factory is waiting for me to bring back new equipment."

"If there's really no other way..." President Cheng looked at the anxious man in front of him, as if seeing his own younger self just starting out. "If there's no other way, you'll just have to call the manufacturer to fix it."

Call the manufacturer to fix it? Wouldn't that mean this trip was a waste of time? The man felt depressed.

Meanwhile, at the venue, the third test prototype equipped with the W Company system had stopped running, and staff were removing the final product from the platform.

In truth, at this stage of the evaluation meeting, it had already lost its main appeal.

Everyone knew that the W Company system would demonstrate superior performance, elevate the machine's operating efficiency and stability to a new level, and push the machine to its maximum limit of precision.

Precisely because they knew this, there was no anticipation.

What everyone was hoping for was that the two system suppliers invited by the Chen Group would produce impressive results. Even if they weren't as good as W Company, as long as they weren't too terrible, the people present could accept them with peace of mind.

After all, everyone knew that Chinese systems and Japanese systems were not just slightly different—the gap was significant.

However, to the disappointment of those present, this result was no different from the thousands of times before. The Japanese company's system defeated the domestic system with overwhelming force, as always.

Although the hardware system of the CNC Machining Center launched by the Chen Group this time was quite decent, the huge gap in the software system left the manufacturers present feeling no excitement. Without a software system, no matter how advanced the Machining Center was, it couldn't perform, making it extremely cost-ineffective.

Chairman Chen and the experts felt this too, and for a moment, they all lost the desire to talk.

Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere, Matsumoto Bieyun revealed a hint of arrogance. He turned his head slightly, only to see the person he wanted to see sitting quietly with head bowed, seemingly oblivious to anything unusual.

Matsumoto Bieyun smiled, turned back, and whispered something to Tanaka beside him, which immediately made Tanaka grin.

Time passed second by second. Ten minutes later, the humming of the third machine gradually died down. Staff immediately stepped forward to take out the machined workpiece and handed it to the experts on the podium for evaluation.

For a moment, chatter arose again, and sighs could be heard from time to time.

On the stage, Chairman Chen, who had already fully communicated with the experts, stood up gently and pressed his hands down slightly.

The scene immediately fell silent.

"Everyone, the test results are in. Now, Professor Qin from Xinhua University will announce the final results."

"Hello everyone, I am Qin Yongguo. Invited by the organizers of this evaluation meeting, I have had the honor of observing the Chen Group's new Machining Center and its tests on-site, and I feel deeply honored. In this test, we observed from multiple aspects..."

"I knew this would be the result."

Offstage, President Cheng shook his head slightly. "How many times has it been? No change."

"Brother, isn't there still the Chen Group's own system that hasn't been tested yet? Why are you in such a hurry to draw a conclusion?" the person who had been talking to him asked, looking puzzled.

"The Chen Group's own system?" The person next to them seemed to have heard something funny and turned his head. "Listen, brother, you don't actually believe that, do you?"

"Why wouldn't I believe it?" the man asked, confused.

"It's all fake," the enthusiastic bystander said decisively. "It's a smokescreen the Chen Group intentionally released to increase their bargaining chips. Just watch, there's no way the Chen Group will bring out their own system for public testing. Wouldn't that be slapping their own face?"

"Is that so?" The man looked confused.

"If it's not that way, I'll eat this workpiece!" The enthusiastic spectator didn't know when he had taken out a finished workpiece, which seemed to be the product from the second Machining Center just now.

The man and President Cheng didn't know what to say for a moment, feeling speechless.

"Combining all the above conditions and after communication and exchange with other experts, we unanimously agree: the control system of Japan's W Company is superior to other systems in terms of automation, precision, efficiency, stability, etc. Therefore, the final winner of this evaluation is... W Company!"

The whole venue fell silent.

A burst of abrupt applause rang out.

Everyone immediately focused their gaze on the place where the applause came from.

Matsumoto Bieyun stood up, clapping while looking around at the people present, and smiled. "This isn't a very surprising result, is it, everyone? Our W Company has completely crushed the other two manufacturers in terms of both hardware and software. So, everyone, do us a favor and give us a round of applause to liven up the atmosphere."

Tanaka clapped.

The people around Tanaka clapped.

The people on the podium began to clap.

Everyone began to clap.

"Very good, thank you everyone," Matsumoto Bieyun said elegantly, then turned his head to the podium. "Now I have only one question, Chairman Chen."

"Please let me see the new system your company developed, as mentioned by your daughter." Matsumoto Bieyun blinked. "I'm really curious. I'm sure Mr. Tanaka would also very much like to see it, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Bieyun," Tanaka, who was beside him, nodded in agreement.

Chairman Chen slowly stood up, gazed deeply at Matsumoto Bieyun, finally let out a breath slowly, and said in a loud voice, "First of all, I want to thank all my friends for their attention and concern for our company. Everyone's attention to our company's R&D progress makes us feel a heavy responsibility, and we don't want to disappoint everyone, so I want to clarify one point here."

"Our company did indeed develop programs related to this content, but this project has been terminated for other reasons."

"Our company did indeed commission other companies to develop corresponding programs, but so far, there has been no specific feedback provided to our company."

"So..."

"So the Chen Group is admitting that they don't have a usable program, right?" Matsumoto Bieyun took over the conversation. He cast his gaze toward Chen Xin in the venue. "So... Miss Chen Xin... was lying?"

Chairman Chen immediately fell silent, standing on the podium like a statue.

The situation began to tend toward chaos. Various reporters seemed to smell the scent of news, started taking out their cameras to snap pictures frantically, and some individual reporters took out small notebooks and stared intently at Chairman Chen and Matsumoto Bieyun, as if afraid that the two would disappear in the next second.

Of course, there were even more reporters who had already picked up their microphones and started asking questions loudly.

"Chairman Chen, please explain your statement in detail."

"Chairman Chen, can what you just said be interpreted as the Chen Group having abandoned the research and development of the system?"

"Chairman Chen, what you and your daughter said are completely contradictory. Who can actually represent the Chen Group to make a statement? Has there been a dispute within your group?"

"Chairman Chen, what is your take on the losses caused by the fluctuations in the stock market over the past few days?"

"Chairman Chen..."

...

Chen Xin watched the chaotic scene with cold eyes, observing Matsumoto Bieyun's triumphant expression and her father's stern face.

She knew she had no way out.

"Whether it's real or fake, one test will tell."

As Chen Xin's cold voice rang out, the scene fell silent, and then, an even greater chaos erupted.

"Miss Chen, may I ask if your words can represent the Chen Group?"

"Miss Chen, do you have sufficient evidence to prove your authenticity?"

"Miss Chen, have you tested the reliability of the system?"

"Miss Chen..."

"This is a system I commissioned other companies to develop in a private capacity, and it has nothing to do with the Chen Group."

Chen Xin looked up, gazing at her father on the podium with a hint of stubbornness: "I can take full responsibility for any issues."

"Miss Chen has great courage and resolve," Matsumoto Bieyun sneered. "Take full responsibility? May I ask how Miss Chen intends to do that? If, because of your willfulness, the cooperation between the Chen Group and my W Company falls through, such a loss would mean nothing to us—it would just be one less client. But for the Chen Group, I'm afraid this is a loss you cannot afford."

As he spoke, Matsumoto Bieyun seemed to suddenly remember something and said with a sudden realization: "Oh, I forgot. I'm afraid that for Miss Chen, this little loss is nothing. After all, not long ago, you caused the Chen Group's stock price to drop by nearly half."

"Let me think, how much was it..." Matsumoto Bieyun tapped his temple and said, "It seems to be... nearly 50 billion?"

50 billion...

Those who hadn't heard the news gasped. If this figure applied to any other company present, they would likely have gone bankrupt long ago. Even for the Chen Group, it was definitely a figure that would hurt their very foundation.

A buzzing sound arose all around.

"I'd heard the Chen Group's stock market performance was unstable, but I didn't expect it to fall this hard."

"Don't even mention it. A friend of mine plays the stock market and bought Chen Group shares. Four consecutive days of limit-downs—they lost everything."

"That friend of yours... wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

...

Chen Xin's face turned livid, and her hands and feet went cold.

Even if she was a novice, she understood Matsumoto Bieyun's intentions by now. He was trying to bleed the Chen Group dry. If these words got out today, the Chen Group's stock would continue to plummet.

If she couldn't produce a system today that far surpassed W Company's, the Chen Group would be finished.

"Young Master Matsumoto, how the Chen Group operates is probably not something W Company needs to worry about."

Just as Chen Xin was feeling at a loss, Chen Zhongxuan's voice came from afar, sounding cold and stern.

"W Company and the Chen Group have some cooperative relationship. What is this? Is this how the Matsumoto family teaches their descendants?"

Matsumoto Bieyun laughed: "Uncle Chen, please forgive me; I didn't mean anything by it. Besides, things that have already happened in the stock market will become known eventually even if they aren't spoken aloud. But since we're on the topic, Uncle Chen, I won't hide it from you: if the Chen Group truly wants to adopt my W Company's system, the procurement fee will have to increase by 50% from the original base. Otherwise, I suggest you try the software system Miss Chen personally commissioned."

Chen Zhongxuan's expression darkened. 50%—this was not a small number. And to say it on such an occasion was to force him to take a stand. Once he agreed, there would be no room to back out.

As for the contract Chen Xin commissioned, Chen Zhongxuan, who knew the inside story, hadn't even considered it. It was meaningless to consider something already negated by facts; it would only interfere with his judgment.

"Is this your father's intention? Or is it Mr. Tanaka's?"

Matsumoto Bieyun turned to look at Tanaka beside him, and Tanaka nodded slightly.

Seeing Tanaka nod, Chen Zhongxuan's tone softened slightly: "Matters like this are better discussed at the negotiating table. Don't you think so, Young Master Matsumoto?"

He could disregard Matsumoto Bieyun's opinion, and even his father's, but he could not disregard the opinion of the Japanese technical personnel, especially when that technician's name was Tanaka. At the very least, for now, the Chen Group still desperately needed the W Company's system.

But Chen Xin...

Chen Zhongxuan glanced at her briefly and shook his head in disappointment. He had neglected her discipline these past few years and had been too indulgent with this girl.

"Since that's the case, then I announce that W Company..."

Having received an affirmative answer, Chen Zhongxuan was just about to make the announcement when he was interrupted by Chen Xin's cold voice.

"I demand a test!"

Chen Xin walked to the front of the stage, her voice cold and firm.

Chen Zhongxuan frowned slightly: "Don't make a scene."

Chen Xin remained unmoved, staring intently at Chen Zhongxuan.

She knew this was her last chance. If she missed this opportunity, she would have no way to turn things around. Furthermore, she never believed Matsumoto Bieyun was a good person; the way he looked at her made her feel uncomfortable all over. In her hand was the USB drive Wang Shuo had given her—the hope he had created for her after working tirelessly for over ten days. No matter what, she had to try, even if it meant being shattered to pieces.

"I demand a test."

Her voice was extremely firm and powerful.

This girl... Chen Zhongxuan had a headache. This stubborn temperament was just like her mother's, though his wife had become gentle and virtuous after marriage. He just didn't know why both his daughters had such personalities.

This kind of personality was extremely fatal in such situations.

"Miss Chen, while I would love to see your new system, everyone's time is precious. Chairman Chen still has to discuss an important contract with my W Company. You want to test it now?" Matsumoto Bieyun said with a sneer. "Let me ask you: did you bring the equipment to load your system onto?"

"I can install the system on the spot, and the test can also be conducted on the spot." Chen Xin took her USB drive out of her bag and clutched it in her hand.

"Install it on the spot?" Matsumoto Bieyun put on an expression of surprise and turned to ask: "Mr. Tanaka, is that possible?"

Mr. Tanaka shook his head.

The others also shook their heads slightly.

Those present were either senior researchers in the computer field or seasoned practitioners in the machining industry. They were, if not highly skilled, certainly not unfamiliar with the installation of CNC Machining Center systems. In fact, eight or nine out of ten people present dealt with Machining Center systems every day. They knew full well that the complexity of a complete Machining Center control system meant it was almost impossible to install and debug on the spot, let alone immediately conduct a test.

Although Matsumoto Bieyun was annoying, he was right. None of the people present had the patience to wait for seven or eight hours of installation time.

"You see, Miss Chen, it's not that we don't believe you, but what you're saying is too naive. Install on the spot? Heh, with the USB drive in your hand? To install a system with a capacity of over a hundred gigabytes, including the database?" Matsumoto Bieyun revealed a faint smile. "You are overturning industry rules, heh."

Looking at Tanaka's dismissive face and the various experts nodding slightly, Chen Xin fell silent for a moment.

Chen Zhongxuan showed a hint of heartache: "Xiner, let's end this here."

"Miss Chen, it's over." Matsumoto Bieyun smiled slightly. "It seems your company's final choice can only be us."

As Matsumoto Bieyun spoke, he seemed to remember something else: "Oh right, Miss Chen, I'd like to ask: you haven't forgotten the location, have you?"

Ignoring Matsumoto Bieyun, Chen Xin took a deep breath. Wang Shuo's face, carrying a trace of exhaustion, appeared before her eyes, along with his triumphant look when he handed her the USB drive, and his joking remark.

"Comrade Chen Xin, I am a serious science student; I never make academic jokes..."

Wang Shuo, oh Wang Shuo, I hope you aren't lying to me, otherwise... Chen Xin looked up, her calm eyes scanning the entire room.

"I can conduct the test on the spot, but I need to install one piece of equipment first."