Chapter 124 Informal Meeting
"General Li, this weather is really unbearable!" A certain big man stretched his hands over the square stove, and after warming them up, he rubbed his hands on his arms.
"That air conditioner is no good. It consumes too much electricity. It's not as useful as this stove." Another big man picked up the small kettle on the stove and poured half a cup of water into his cup.
"Yes, the power department has already submitted a report. They are almost unable to hold on. Now the whole country is turning on the air conditioner. If no measures are taken, the power will be cut off. This power outage will delay production."
"That's right, it would be a waste of electricity to have them turn on the air conditioner every day."
"Hey, what are you talking about, Lao Li? It's so cold, and you don't let people turn on the air conditioner and you plan to freeze everyone to death?"
"Old Liu, don't argue with me. When heating wasn't widely used in the country, people still lived the same way. It's just that we've been spoiled by the good life for so many years. It's okay if it's a little cold. We just need to wear thicker clothes and cover ourselves with thicker clothes. How can people freeze to death in this temperature?"
"Old Li, you are so easy to talk when you are standing. How dare you say that you don't turn on the air conditioner at home?"
"Lao Liu, I'm telling you, I really don't turn it on at home. Hehe, I'm like the eldest brother. I have a small square stove at home. Who is like you? You turn on the air conditioner every day and still shiver all over from the cold."
"Lao Li, how come you..."
"Enough, what are you arguing about? There are more than a dozen people crammed here, don't you think the air is thin? Can't you just talk it out calmly?" Chief Alliance Officer Li Cheng stood up, used a hook to open the lid, poked it with long chopsticks to make sure it was cooked, then took out a sweet potato and gave one to each of them.
"It's still better here, Boss. This roasted sweet potato is really delicious. I've been eating so much salty porridge at home lately that I feel like vomiting. I quickly want to eat something sweet."
"Wash your hands first, then eat!" Chief Alliance Officer Li knocked his chopsticks on the hands of a certain boss who stretched out secretly, and said sternly.
Well, the boss could only bring out a small plastic basin from the corner, pour some cold water into it, and then get some hot water from the stove, "Come on, everyone wash your hands before eating."
So, more than a dozen people washed their hands in a basin of warm water, and after washing, they found that the water was black...
Well, although the big guys don’t lack water, they are usually quite frugal. When they saw this basin of dirty water, they felt a little disgusted.
So, the big guys got another basin of water, washed their hands, then picked up the sweet potatoes, peeled off the skin and licked it. It was so sweet!
There was something delicious to eat, and no one remembered what they were arguing about just now. A dozen people quickly ate up dozens of sweet potatoes baked in the oven before returning to work.
"Why not promote this type of stove throughout the country? I think it's better than air conditioners and saves electricity."
"Bah! This stove has been used for decades or even hundreds of years. Why do we need to promote it? In the past, people disliked its coal-burning pollution and the high risk of gas poisoning, so they phased it out in cities."
“This is a different time. Do we still need to worry about environmental pollution? Even if we do nothing, the environment has been ruined. What’s the difference between burning a stove and turning on an air conditioner?
Besides, decades ago, the air quality in the country was not as bad as it is now due to burning stoves. Why? Isn’t it because the pollution from industrial production is more serious?
Right now, many factories across the country have stopped production due to the drought. Not only in the country, but also in the world, there are only a few countries where factories are operating normally. So, there is no need to worry about what you said. "
"I agree with his point of view. It just so happens that we have so much coal from abroad that we can supply Qinghua for two years without using our own coal."
Chief Alliance Officer Li nodded and said, "We can promote the stove appropriately, but we must make it clear to prevent fire and poisoning."
"Boss, what do you mean, no heating this year?"
"Send it. If not, we don't know how many pipes will be damaged by freezing. We have promoted it for so many years to have a relatively complete heating network. We can't let all our efforts go to waste because of a drought. That would be a huge loss!" said Chief Alliance Officer Li seriously.
"However, we are really short of water now, and we really can't bear to use the water for heating." Li Cheng sighed and said, "Besides, I'm also afraid that the residents will secretly release the water in the heating pipes. The water is spiked. If it's just for washing, the impact may not be big. If they use it for drinking, they will have to go to the hospital."
"General Alliance Officer Li is right, but this kind of thing is impossible to control. I'm afraid that the heating water will be drained before it circulates."
Everyone was silent for a while, and then a certain big shot spoke up, "How about adding something to the heating water? I heard that there is a plant juice that will make the skin black after it comes into contact with it. It's the kind that can't be washed off. It's harmless to the body, but it will take a month or two to completely fade away."
"This is a good idea. We can ask the heating department to give it a try to see if this juice will react with other chemicals. If it does, we can add this juice and add a clause to the city management regulations to make the act of secretly releasing heating water a criminal offense."
"Isn't this punishment a bit harsh?"
"If we are not too strict, we can control them. But if someone dies, it will be a heavy loss." Li Cheng said.
"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."
Li Cheng, the chief alliance officer, then added, "After the experimental data comes out, we will arrange from north to south to provide heating as soon as possible. By the way, how is the fresh water delivery from the seawater desalination plant going?"
"It can meet the short-term heating requirements, and we are ready to supply the residents. The Qinghe Alliance Guards still have water stored, so there is no need to supply it for the time being."
"Then let's shorten the heating period to two months this year, and start supplying fresh water while heating is on. However, each person is limited to 500ml per day, just enough to ensure survival.
This year there is drought, so everyone should be patient. "
Everyone nodded and a few orders were given.
----------
In the afternoon, Shen Yanming put a casserole on the small stove, stewing mushrooms, potatoes and beef in it. Bi Qiaoan could still smell the aroma while browsing Weibo, which made her very greedy.
After waiting for the meat to be stewed with great difficulty, Bi Qiaoan didn't care that it was not yet evening, and urged Shen Yanming to set up a lazy table for him, and a bowl of meat soup was served in front of him.
Bi Qiaoan chewed the soft beef and the meaty potatoes and mushrooms and exclaimed, "It's so delicious!"
Before he knew it, he had finished the whole pot of broth. Bi Qiaoan touched his belly and chuckled.
Shen Yanming cleaned the casserole and cooked another pot of angelica and mutton soup. After he slid back into bed, he said, "We have to light the stove anyway, so let's cook something to make full use of the heat."
Bi Qiaoan gave Shen Yanming a thumbs up, took out a notebook from the space, put it on the lazy desk, and the two of them watched a movie together.
Before going to bed at night, Shen Yanming put the stewed mutton soup into the space. After thinking about it, he put the stove in as well. Although it would be a little cold at night, it was safe after all.
I thought it was another good night, but unfortunately...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
