Chapter 50: One Hundred Lithography Machines

Cheng Haitang's tone was full of exhilaration, and Qin Hao felt relieved hearing it.

That slap landed with a loud crack!

This is just the beginning.

Cheng Haitang shifted the topic, her voice brimming with anticipation for the future,

Besides the lithography machine, the other technical data you brought back—aviation engines, biopharmaceuticals, new materials—have made rapid progress in every field.

Many things we never dared to dream of now show promise; before long, a series of inspiring achievements will come one after another!

"That couldn't be better." Qin Hao's smile grew more sincere.

He had already seen a brand‑new, stronger Yanhuang Guo rising.

And all of this, with his contribution, gave him a sense of accomplishment far more satisfying than the cold numbers on the system panel.

"Xiao Qin," Cheng Haitang's voice turned solemn again, "you have rendered meritorious service that will be remembered by the nation and its people."

Qin Hao chuckled, "Old Cheng, I dare not take credit; this is the result of everyone's joint effort—I merely did what I was supposed to do."

After hanging up, Qin Hao was in high spirits.

The era of a great technological explosion for Yanhuang Guo has already begun.

And he would be one of the most important witnesses and a core driver of this great era.

……

A few days later, while the warm afterglow of the good news still lingered, Cheng Haitang brought Qin Hao the latest order.

"This is an order from above," Cheng Haitang said, her expression stern but her eyes betraying a smile,

"All test data for the prototype are flawless, its stability exceeding imagination. Now we need you to make a trip and produce several more copies."

Qin Hao nodded, without delay, and set off immediately.

This time the destination was not the heavily guarded research institute from last time, but a secret base in the suburbs of the capital.

When Qin Hao and Cheng Haitang passed through layers of security and arrived at the destination, the one receiving them was Zhang Yunfeng.

"My old partner had to attend an urgent foreign affairs meeting and couldn't leave, so he specifically asked me to come."

Zhang Yunfeng's tone remained as steady as ever.

Behind him followed several department heads, each face showing a mix of excitement and tension.

Amid the entourage, Qin Hao entered the huge chamber where the lithography machine was kept.

There, a machine stood silently.

It was the prototype that had achieved the one‑nanometer lithography machine.

Its body was covered in a clean white metal shell, with smooth, precise lines, countless pipes and mechanical arms intertwining.

Even someone who doesn't understand the technology can sense its ultimate technological beauty from its appearance.

"Comrade Xiao Qin, begin." Zhang Yunfeng gestured.

Qin Hao grunted, issuing a command to the System in his mind.

"System, scan the target."

【Target detected: 1‑nanometer EUV lithography machine (system‑optimized version)】

【Energy required to copy the target: 20 million points】

20 million points.

Qin Hao had a figure in mind; this price was lower than he had imagined.

"How is it?" Cheng Haitang asked softly from the side.

"Copying one requires 20 million energy points," Qin Hao replied quietly.

A middle‑aged man standing beside Zhang Yunfeng, upon hearing this, quickly did the math in his head, his eyes widening behind his glasses, almost crying out.

"Twenty… twenty million points? According to the previous exchange rate, that's… about ten million Yanhuang Guo currency?"

At those words, everyone was shocked!

Ten million Yanhuang Guo currency!

That figure hit like a heavy bomb, exploding in everyone's mind.

Consider that Orchid River Country's latest 2‑nanometer lithography machine, sold to allies, starts at three hundred million US dollars—and even then it's unavailable; you can't buy it even if you want to.

Three hundred million US dollars converts to over two billion Yanhuang Guo currency.

Yet now, a one‑nanometer lithography machine that outperforms theirs by several generations costs only ten million?

This isn't just low cost—it's practically free!

"Our own assembled prototype, not counting manpower, already exceeded five billion in special materials and experimental equipment—yet now a copy costs only ten million?"

Someone beside him sighed in amazement.

Everyone's gaze snapped back to Qin Hao, burning with fervor.

Zhang Yunfeng's breathing grew noticeably heavier; he suppressed his shock, looked at Qin Hao, and asked the most crucial question:

"Comrade Xiao Qin, with your current energy reserves, how many can we copy?"

The question fell, the room fell silent, and everyone held their breath.

Qin Hao glanced at the long string of numbers on the system panel and calmly gave an estimate.

"There are still 2.3 billion points left."

2.3 billion!

The scene was deathly silent.

"2.3 billion divided by 20 million equals 115 units."

Someone worked it out instantly.

"Boom!"

Everyone's brains were again subjected to a merciless impact.

One hundred fifteen units!

What does that mean?

Even the total number of top-end EUV lithography machines across all countries worldwide is less than this!

Cheng Haitang's mouth corner twitched up uncontrollably; he cleared his throat and, in a half-joking tone, broke the dead silence.

"Looks like we can do wholesale—buy in bulk, get a better price."

A joke instantly loosened the tense atmosphere, and many couldn't help laughing out loud.

Zhang Yunfeng also laughed, then turned to look at Qin Hao and said, word by word:

"Then let's first copy one hundred units."

Qin Hao nodded, and with a thought...

【Confirm copying '1-nanometer EUV lithography machine', quantity: 100 units.】

【Total energy consumption: 2 billion points.】

【Energy points deducted successfully, copying begins……】

The whole process took less than a minute; in the previously empty room, five neat square formations appeared, each consisting of twenty lithography machines.

One hundred brand-new 1-nanometer lithography machines, gleaming with metallic luster, stood silently there.

Everyone present, including the seasoned Old Zhang, was dumbfounded.

"Old Zhang, the lithography machines have been copied." Qin Hao's voice broke the silence.

Zhang Yunfeng snapped back to attention, quickly stepped up to Qin Hao, and firmly grasped his hand.

This usually steady old man was now extremely excited.

"Comrade Xiao Qin, you've worked hard! You have made an unprecedented contribution to the country and the people!"

"Not at all, not at all—this is everyone's achievement!"

Qin Hao quickly said that this was what he should do.

After chatting a while longer, Qin Hao and Cheng Haitang left together.