"General Li, this weather is unbearable!" A big shot put his hands on the stove, warmed them up, and then rubbed his arms together.

“That air conditioner won’t work, it uses too much electricity. This stove is much more useful.” Another big shot picked up the small kettle on the stove and poured half a cup of water into his cup.

"Yes, the power company has already submitted a report. They're almost at their breaking point. Everyone across the country is using air conditioning right now. If we don't take measures soon, the power will be cut off, and that will severely disrupt production."

"Exactly, it's such a waste of electricity to have them run the air conditioner every day."

"Hey, what are you saying, Lao Li? It's so cold, are you planning to freeze everyone to death by not letting people turn on the air conditioning?"

"Old Liu, don't argue with me. Back when heating wasn't widespread across the country, we still managed. It's just that we've been enjoying a good life for so many years and people have become spoiled. So what if it's a little cold? Just wear thicker clothes and cover yourself with thicker blankets. This temperature is not going to freeze anyone to death."

"Old Li, you're really talking without thinking. Do you dare say you don't turn on the air conditioner at home?"

"Old Liu, let me tell you, I don't actually turn on the air conditioner at home. Hehe, like the eldest brother, I set up a small stove at home. Who's like you, running the air conditioner every day and still shivering from the cold?"

"Old Li, what's wrong with you...?"

"Alright, what's all the commotion about? A dozen people crammed here, don't you feel the air is too thin? Can't you talk things out calmly?" Li Cheng, the Grand Alliance official, got up, used a hook to pry open the lid, poked it with a long chopstick to make sure it was cooked, and then took out a sweet potato and gave one to each person.

"It's so nice here, boss. This roasted sweet potato is the best thing ever. I'm so sick of eating so much salty porridge at home lately. I need something sweet to cleanse my palate."

"Wash your hands first, then eat!" Li Zongmengguan said sternly, tapping a certain bigwig's outstretched hands with his chopsticks.

Well, the big shot could only bring out a small plastic basin from the corner, pour in some cold water, and then get some hot water from the stove. "Come on, everyone, wash your hands before you eat."

So, a dozen or so people washed their hands in a basin of warm water, only to find afterward that the water had turned black...

Well, even though the big shots don't lack water, they are usually quite frugal. Seeing this basin of dirty water really makes them feel a bit nauseous.

So the big shots filled a basin with water, washed their hands, picked up the sweet potato, peeled off the skin, and licked it. It was so sweet!

With delicious food around, they forgot what they had been arguing about. The dozen or so people quickly devoured the dozens of small sweet potatoes roasting in the oven before returning to work.

"Why don't we promote this kind of stove nationwide? I feel it's better than air conditioning and saves electricity."

"Pah! This stove has been used for decades or even centuries, why is it still being promoted? Back then, it was phased out in cities because people disliked its coal-burning, environmental pollution, and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning."

"Times have changed. Do we still need to worry about environmental pollution now? Even if we do nothing, the environment is already pretty much ruined. What's the difference between burning incense and turning on the air conditioner?"

Besides, decades ago, the air quality across the country wasn't as bad as it is now when everyone was burning furnaces. Why? Because industrial pollution was much worse.

Right now, so many factories across the country are shut down due to the dry season. Not only in China, but in very few countries around the world, factories are operating normally. So, there's no need to worry about what you're saying.

“I agree with his point of view. We have just exchanged so much coal from abroad that we can supply the entire Qinghua Kingdom for two years without using our own coal.”

General Li nodded, "The stoves can be promoted appropriately, but it must be clearly explained that fire prevention and poisoning prevention are necessary."

"Boss, what do you mean by this? Are you not going to provide heating this year?"

"Send them! If we don't, who knows how many pipes will freeze and break? We've been promoting this for so many years to have a relatively complete heating network. We can't let all our efforts go to waste because of this drought. That would be such a huge loss!" General Li said earnestly.

“However, we are indeed short of water right now, and we really can’t bear to use the water for heating,” Li Cheng sighed. “Besides, I’m also worried that some residents might steal water from the heating pipes. That water is all adulterated. If it’s just for washing or something, it might not have much of an impact, but if someone drinks it, they’ll definitely end up in the hospital.”

"General Li is right, but this kind of thing is impossible to control. I'm afraid the heating water will be drained before it even starts circulating."

There was a moment of silence, then one of the big shots spoke up: "How about we add something to the heating water? I've heard that the sap of some plants can turn your skin black when it comes into contact with it, and the color won't wash off. It's harmless, but it will take a month or two for the color to completely fade."

"That's a good idea. We can have the heating department try it out and see if this juice reacts with other chemicals. If it does, we can add the juice and add a clause to the city management regulations that would make the act of illegally releasing heating water a criminal offense."

"Isn't this punishment a bit too harsh?"

“If we’re not strict, we can’t control them. If someone gets killed, the losses will be enormous,” Li Cheng said.

"Okay, I'll go arrange it right away."

The Alliance Chief Li Cheng then added, "Once the experimental data is available, we'll arrange for heating to begin as soon as possible, from north to south. By the way, how's the freshwater delivery from the desalination plant going?"

"It can meet the heating requirements for a short period of time, and we are ready to supply the residents. The Qinghe Alliance Guard Team still has water in their storage, so there is no need to supply it for the time being."

"Let's shorten this year's heating season to two months, and at the same time as heating, we'll start supplying fresh water, but limit each person to 500ml per day, just enough to ensure survival."

Please bear with the drought this year.

Everyone nodded, and several orders were given.

----------

In the afternoon, Shen Yanming placed a clay pot on the small stove, which was stewing mushrooms, potatoes and beef. Bi Qiaoan could smell the aroma while browsing Weibo, which made her extremely hungry.

After finally getting the stewed meat ready, Bi Qiaoan, not caring that it wasn't evening yet, urged Shen Yanming to set up a lazy table for her and serve her a bowl of meat soup.

Bi Qiaoan chewed on the tender beef and the flavorful potatoes and mushrooms, exclaiming, "It's so delicious!"

Before she knew it, she had finished a whole pot of meat soup. Bi Qiaoan patted her belly and chuckled.

Shen Yanming washed the clay pot clean and stewed another pot of angelica and mutton soup. After snuggling back into the quilt, he said, "Since we're going to light the stove anyway, let's stew something to make full use of the heat."

Bi Qiaoan gave Shen Yanming a thumbs up, took out a notebook from her spatial storage, placed it on the lazy table, and the two watched a movie together.

Before going to bed that night, Shen Yanming put the stewed mutton soup into his spatial storage. After thinking for a moment, he also put the stove in there. Although it would be a bit cold at night, at least it would be safe.

I thought it would be another good night's sleep, but alas...