Chapter 542: He Knew It All Along

Fang Yin's heart skipped a beat: What does this sentence mean?

"General Manager Lin, I don't understand!"

"No, you do!"

Lin Sicheng opened the Contract and pointed to one of the clauses: "General Manager Fang, does this clause count?"

Fang Yin narrowed her eyes:

The Second Party (purchasing agency) must coordinate professional Engineers to perform debugging and performance verification on the equipment. The First Party may hire a third-party institution to review, and the Second Party must cooperate and provide guidance...

If the verification does not meet the standards, the Second Party must refund the full amount and pay liquidated damages equal to fifty percent of the equipment's value. For losses caused to the First Party due to delays in the construction period, the Second Party must provide full compensation...

After reading it once, Fang Yin remained calm: "Of course it counts!"

It can be said like this: as long as it is written in the Contract, it possesses full legal effect.

"As long as it counts! General Manager Fang, I am now requesting a review of the equipment; please have your team cooperate!"

Lin Sicheng closed the Contract, "Rest assured, General Manager Fang, it won't delay your tax filing. If it is delayed, we will bear all of your company's losses!" Fang Yin was left speechless.

If Lin Sicheng said that their debugging had problems, she could still argue: after all, the data was right there.

But he was requesting a review, requesting to exercise the First Party's legitimate rights, and the Second Party could only cooperate unconditionally.

Glancing at the few people behind Lin Sicheng, Fang Yin squeezed out a smile: "General Manager Lin, did you hire a third-party institution?"

"You could say that!" Lin Sicheng was noncommittal, "Even if not, it doesn't matter."

Fang Yin was choked up: it truly didn't matter.

It was written very clearly in the Contract: even if Lin Sicheng hired a few bricklayers, even if they blew up the machine, it had nothing to do with the purchasing agency. Because this would not affect the First Party paying the remaining balance to the Second Party.

Suddenly, a bad premonition arose in Fang Yin's heart: Lin Sicheng's tone was too firm.

Especially that previous sentence: General Manager Fang, you've told so many lies that even you believe them yourself?

It was as if he already had suspicions.

But Fang Yin did not understand: besides Saishi Company and the original manufacturer, where else could Lin Sicheng find Engineers who understood the instruments, knew how to debug, and could verify performance?

While pondering secretly, she exchanged a look with the two Engineers.

As the saying goes, a guilty conscience needs no accuser; the two Engineers were also feeling a bit uneasy: everything was fine yesterday afternoon, so why did the Wind suddenly change overnight? But to tell the truth: since they dared to do such a thing, how could they not have a contingency plan?

Such a situation had been considered long ago, and there were even more serious contingency plans than this.

Therefore, there was no need to be too nervous for now.

Conversely: during the entire debugging and verification process, Lin Sicheng was not present for most of the time, only coming over to take a look at the end; what could he possibly discover? Compared to that, weren't the three Engineers who stayed on-site the whole time more professional than Lin Sicheng? If there were problems to be found, they would have found them long ago; it wouldn't be Lin Sicheng's turn.

Thinking about it this way, did it feel like Lin Sicheng was just bluffing?

The two felt more settled in their hearts and exchanged another look.

Then let them verify: if they don't understand, it means they can't do it, and in the end, they will still have to let the Saishi Company Engineers provide guidance.

And as long as he lets them guide, the result will not be any different from the previous time.

If they understand a little, that's even better: it was set up once before and run once just now, which means two sets of data have already been stored in the system. As long as they verify according to the standard process and input the specified commands, the system will automatically take the median value of the two sets of data and produce a new conclusion.

To put it bluntly: the instrument is still running according to the pre-set programming.

The only fear is that these people will pretend to understand when they don't and mess things up.

Engineer Qin felt it would be better to give a reminder:

"General Manager Lin, the First Party has the right to review, and the Second Party has the obligation to cooperate; these are all written in the Contract. But one point: if the Engineers from your Center do not follow the guidance of our Engineers and cause instrument failure due to improper operation, the Second Party will not be held responsible."

Lin Sicheng was so angry he wanted to laugh: let you guide us hand-in-hand, input the previous commands again, and run through the programming you set up in advance again? Then what am I reviewing?

This is scientific research equipment; it's a bit expensive, but it's not made of glass. If it were so easy to break, why would I buy it?

"Rest assured, I won't blame you!" Lin Sicheng replied, then spoke to a man beside him. They were a bit far away, so he couldn't hear what was being said; the man nodded while responding.

Subsequently, the man waved his hand, and the assistant behind him took the bag off his shoulder and took out a laptop.

Fang Yin didn't quite understand: aren't you debugging the instrument? Why are you taking out a computer?

When she saw the assistant take out a connection cable and plug it into the computer cases of the XRD and XRF, she suddenly realized: is this to back up the image data? To put it bluntly: if one suspects the verification process is fraudulent, one can copy all the data and hire a third-party institution for reverse verification. For example, the process of the computer processing CCD images, the data of automatically calculating the optical path offset, collecting the NISTSRM660c (LaBe) diffraction spectrum, fitting the FWHM resolution, and monitoring the Si (111) peak intensity to calculate the RSD stability.

But it was useless: all the data in the programming was copied from the original manufacturer's Treasury. They were all optimal results obtained from tests during the testing period.

This meant that this set of data was manufactured, not calculated. Regardless of the verification, it was real and valid.

But after looking for a few moments, she felt something was wrong: after connecting the laptop, these people were not operating the equipment's dedicated computer, but were operating on the laptop instead.

Looking at the interface again, it seemed like they were running some kind of Software?

Fang Yin's expression changed: "General Manager Lin, the original manufacturer's computer hardware has an Encryption lock, and data calculation can only run on the original manufacturer's computer. If the independence of the dedicated computer cannot be guaranteed, it may cause the system to crash..."

"Secondly, external Software will cause data errors, increase the load on the motor drive, cause abnormal voltage, and even lead to the destruction of the high-voltage transformer." Lin Sicheng glanced at her indifferently: "General Manager Fang, I know!"

The meaning was, if it breaks, I will bear it myself.

Fang Yin was speechless: is this just a question of whether it breaks or not?

If the machine breaks, doesn't it need to be repaired? Since it is the world's most advanced, most cutting-edge high-end equipment, doesn't it need to have the original manufacturer's Engineers come to repair it?

Saishi Company could certainly invite people over, and they would definitely be Senior Engineers from the original manufacturer. It would be nothing more than going through the motions and fooling them again. The problem is, the more you do, the more mistakes you make. Since it can run well for three to five years, and the First Party might not discover it even if the machine is paralyzed, why take the extra risk of being exposed?

Not to mention anything else, just looking at the hardware: whether it's the motor or the high-voltage transformer, the First Generation Machine and the Third Generation Machine don't use the same things at all. What if it's discovered during repairs?

Fang Yin was anxious and restless, and just as she was thinking about how to stop them, Engineer Xu shook his head slightly.

Looking at the laptop's interface, it seemed to be just some Software for copying data and did not affect the equipment's main system.

Because the equipment's dedicated computer had no reaction at all, let alone an alarm.

In fact, they were being self-righteous and taking things for granted.

The laptop connected to those two instruments was not only running Software, but it was also running decryption Software.

The two of them were only Maintenance Engineers, not professional system Software Engineers; they could only be considered as understanding, not proficient. But the one operating the laptop was a professional computer hacker.

Connection, copying, intrusion...

Lin Sicheng only understood a little bit of the basics, but he could see that the decryption process was going smoothly beyond imagination.

Fearing that walls have ears, Zheng Hui did not speak, but instead took a small notebook and wrote for him to see:

Roughly speaking, this instrument's security system is very complete, embedded with an Industrial-grade Firewall Chip, and has a Level Three Password Lock.

Level One permission is the default operating method, which is the exact process the Saishi Engineer just performed. This includes the process that the Party A's technicians operate after delivery, though it is not the same version as the one just now.

Level Two permission can modify parameters and is used for maintenance and Calibration Data; only professional Maintenance Engineers have this permission. For example, the two engineers from Saishi Company who are standing to the side, watching like it's a show.

Level Three is the Audit Tracking function, which can view all operation traces after the system's encrypted records, including what tests were done at what time, who modified what parameters at what time, and so on and so forth.

If it were an original machine, these three levels of permission would not be easy to crack. At least not in a short time. But as luck would have it, the original manufacturer's Senior Engineer not only opened a Backdoor for Saishi Company but also authorized the highest permission.

And it just so happened that the verification process only proceeded halfway, meaning the Level Three Password Lock within the system was completely in an open state.

It is just like a door that is not only unlocked but also wide open; a thief can wander around however they want.

Lin Sicheng's eyes lit up: The first two levels of permission don't matter, it doesn't matter if they exist or not, but Audit Tracking... isn't this the ironclad proof that Bruker Corporation participated in this fraud case?

If it weren't for the Bruker Engineer opening a Backdoor, and if the operational programming hadn't been set in advance, how could a First Generation Machine possibly run the Software and system of a Third Generation Machine?

Now it's perfect: With this data, not only can they claim damages from Saishi Company, but there is one more subject to sue: the tech giant, one of the World Top 500, Bruker.

"How long will it take?"

Zheng Hui replied without hesitation: "Very fast!"

Lin Sicheng looked at the machine next to him: "What about the others?"

"The same!"

Lin Sicheng's eyes grew even brighter.

Watching the two huddled together whispering, Wang Qi Zhi narrowed his eyes, staring and trying hard to recall.

This person is clearly very familiar with Lin Sicheng and is very respectful toward Lin Sicheng, which fits perfectly with what Lin Sicheng said: a friend from an Artifact Research institution. But there are only a few institutions that have contact with Lin Sicheng. No matter how Wang Qi Zhi recalls, he cannot think of which institution has such a person. The same goes for those who operated the instruments and computers: calling him "Teacher Lin" every other word, it is obvious they have collaborated before. And having known him for so long, Wang Qi Zhi basically goes wherever Lin Sicheng goes, yet he still cannot remember.

Seeing him frowning tightly and thinking hard, Zhao Xiuneng sighed and poked Wang Qi Zhi with his finger.

Then, turning his back, he made a mouth shape: Public Security.

They had reported the case yesterday, so it was not strange at all for the Public Security to come here. What Wang Qi Zhi found strange was: the Public Security can do this too?

Isn't it said that this thing is an imported, internationally cutting-edge high-end instrument? Where did the Public Security learn this?

Zhao Xiuneng made another mouth shape: Technical Investigation.

Wang Qi Zhi suddenly realized: At this moment, they are either planting a Trojan horse or cracking something.

But that's not right, I don't even know them, how do you know them?

Seeing Wang Qi Zhi's expression, Zhao Xiuneng knew what he was thinking; he held his fingers in a loose fist and suddenly spread them out.

Wang Qi Zhi's eyes popped: What does this mean, a bomb?

He remembered Lin Sicheng saying: When they were in the basement of Wang Chun, if it hadn't been for the Technical Investigation shielding it quickly, and the signal hadn't been transmitted in, he would have long been blown into minced meat.

Calculating it this way, these people are definitely comrades-in-arms who have fought side-by-side with Lin Sicheng for real; no wonder they are so respectful to him.

Just as he was feeling emotional, the Technical Investigation team unplugged the XRD connection cable and put away the computer.

Lin Sicheng spread his arms, Li Zhen helped him put on a white lab coat, and Fang Jin helped him put on gloves.

Fang Yin narrowed her eyes: What is Lin Sicheng going to do, prepare to debug it himself?

While suspicious, Lin Sicheng picked up a small bottle, packaged like injectable medicine powder in a hospital, containing half a bottle of purple powder. He gestured: "General Manager Fang, do you recognize this?"

Fang Yin shook her head subconsciously: She really didn't recognize it!

"Engineer Qin and Engineer Xu should recognize it!" Lin Sicheng smiled, "This is Lanthanum Hexaboride, abbreviated as NISTSRM660c, which is the powder diffraction line position and line shape standard material released by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2008."

"To put it simply: it is used to calibrate the X-ray diffraction instrument (XRD) to ensure the measurement accuracy of the diffraction peak position and shape." The two engineers were stunned in unison, their eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

Lin Sicheng opened the bottle cap, used tweezers to take out the standard sample, and fixed the substrate on the silicon wafer:

"Two teachers, may I ask: when calibrating the optical path, how did you automatically fit the silicon powder standard sample to the 2-theta zero point?" "Also, during performance verification, how did you use the counting linearity of the first-generation D500 to reach the standard index of the third-generation D8 DISCOVER, making the Si (111) peak intensity fluctuation ≤0.2%?"

Lin Sicheng's expression was very serious: "Engineer Qin, Engineer Xu, I am not mocking or teasing, but truly curious."

Because this point cannot be achieved by programming; it must be real and valid data from having performed similar experiments before.

But to the ears of the two engineers, it was like a bolt from the blue:

D500?

D50...

In an instant, Fang Yin's face turned deathly pale: Even if she didn't understand the technology, she could at least understand what Lin Sicheng meant by the first generation and the third generation. He knew this was Bruker Corporation's first-generation XRD, D500?

Lin Sicheng had known all along...

Then why did he still put on a show, using an external computer to copy and verify the data?

Thinking of this, Engineer Xu gave a start: "No... he is doing Audit Tracking... Old Qin, quick, cut the power..."

How could there still be time?

Just as Engineer Qin moved, a pair of handcuffs was placed on his wrists.

With a rumble, like heavenly soldiers descending, many people suddenly rushed in.

"Don't move, squat down!"

They were all plainclothes officers; with a series of "clacks," whether it was the engineers, the technicians, or even Fang Yin, all were handcuffed. Fang Yin only then reacted, screaming loudly: "I am an Executive of a foreign-funded company, I am a Director of Saishi Company..."

"It's useless even if you are the boss of Saishi Company!" Yan Wenjing snorted coldly, "Take them away!"