Chapter 277 277. Year One
The snow fell like goose feathers, covering the streets with pure white.
This winter gives people a different impression.
With Fulinbao's promotion, some families installed electric lights.
The dazzling lights shone through the glass and out of the window. The whole city was lit up.
This year was later called the first year of the new era.
Electricity will inevitably push human development into a new era.
Lowe had anticipated this.
In order to promote electricity, he set the electricity consumption price slightly lower than that of kerosene lamps, so that the cost recovery would be slower.
Therefore, it was opposed by Lodel.
Lovey decided to go ahead with it anyway, knowing that the light was just the beginning.
He had already planned all the electrical inventions for the new era.
From wires, various plug models, fuses, etc., everything is done in one step, saving you the trouble of taking detours.
Starting with the popularization of electric lighting, the second major research project focused on electric heating.
The invention of electric kettles, electric blankets, and heaters are very necessary for the cold weather here.
It's too dangerous to always burn coal for heating at home.
Every year, several people die from poisoning due to heating problems.
In addition to the development of electrical appliances, the internal combustion engine is also an important project. It appeared almost at the same time as thermal power generation, but has not yet been commercialized.
The car that Lowe expected seemed to be a long way off.
At the end of the month, a meeting was held.
All towns in the territory have a demand for electricity, and hope to have electric lights as soon as possible.
Lowe approved the construction of a new power plant in Donglin City, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year. The situation in other towns will be slower.
“One day, everyone will have access to electricity,” he promised.
This is not an empty statement. Human beings' pursuit of light is almost instinctive. If this trend continues, within a year or two, every household in Donggang City will have access to electricity.
“This city is really too rich.”
Everyone who comes to Donggang City will be shocked by its prosperity.
The houses high up are actually more than ten stories high.
Animal-drawn carts passed quickly on the wide and clean streets.
There is orderly greening and luxurious and bright lighting on the roadside.
It was exactly as the rumors said. The scholar in thin black clothes was a little distracted.
A street sweeper came over and asked, "Hello, sir, do you need any help?"
"I need a job and a place to stay." Virginia exhaled a breath of white air.
"I suggest you go to the Executive Office and ask. Everyone who comes to Donggang City can get a loan." The sanitation worker smiled kindly.
"Thank you so much, this is crucial." Virginia followed the direction indicated by the sanitation worker and walked towards the town center.
It is just the beginning of spring and the snow has not yet completely melted.
The frosty road seemed a bit slippery.
Virginia slowed down her pace to avoid falling.
Passing by a small alley, she suddenly smelled the aroma of food. She searched her pocket for a copper penny, walked over and asked, "How much is this?"
"Steamed buns are two coins each. Vegetable dumplings are three coins, and meat dumplings are five coins." The vendor pushing the cart pointed to the menu on the cart.
At this stage, most people are illiterate, but they can still barely recognize it after reading it carefully.
"Give me two steamed buns." Virginia handed over a copper penny from her pocket.
This was her last fortune.
The vendor picked up the bun with a bamboo stick and handed it to Virginia.
As a cheap food, steamed buns are now very common in the Principality of Sheen. The taste is far better than that of black bread, making it the most popular food among civilians.
Virginia finished her meal in big mouthfuls and threw the skewer into a trash can on the side of the road.
If you litter randomly in Donggang City, you will be fined, and similar slogans can often be seen on the road.
Of course, ordinary people can’t read at all, and only scholars can understand it.
As her stomach was no longer hungry, Virginia regained some confidence.
She lined up in the Square of the Executive Mansion.
According to the process, immigrants must first apply for temporary household registration.
The line of people waiting for service formed a long queue. Virginia thought she would have to wait for a long time, but in just a moment, she came in front of a young man.
A man with bulky black-framed glasses and a freckled face.
"Hello, can you read?"
"know."
"Then fill out the form yourself."
The young man handed Virginia a blank sheet of paper.
Name:
age:
Race:
Country of Citizenship:
"How do you write 'attention'?" asked Virginia.
"If you are just here for a short period of time for tourism or business activities, you can simply apply for a temporary ID. If you plan to stay here for a long time, it will be relatively troublesome." The man adjusted his glasses: "For example, you need to work for a certain number of years, and you need someone to guarantee you, etc. You can choose to fill out a temporary stay or apply for permanent residence."
"I see."
Virginia wrote down her application for permanent residence on the paper. She filled out the entire form in one go and handed it to the man.
He read it carefully and repeatedly: "Yes, scholars are very popular here, it is very easy to find a job, and the loan amount you can apply for will be relatively higher."
"OK, thanks."
Virginia took the letter of recommendation and found a scholar named Las.
After some investigation, she was assigned to a teaching position, responsible for teaching children to recognize words, with a monthly salary of seven silver dollars.
A salary that seems high to outsiders.
However, in Donggang City today, it is very common. Many factory workers now have a monthly salary of more than ten silver dollars.
The more skilled and irreplaceable the worker, the higher the salary.
The highest-ranking masters have their monthly salary calculated in gold longs.
The loan issuance process went smoothly, and Virginia soon received the first start-up capital, twenty-four silver dollars.
It was an interest-free loan, and the expected monthly repayment was one silver dollar.
With the money, Virginia immediately started looking for a place to stay.
The official rental agency recommended that she rent a more cost-effective single apartment.
“You can go and see for yourself, those are the taller houses.”
"It must be tiring to climb the stairs in such a tall house."
"If you want to go upstairs, there is an elevator. Didn't you see those moving iron boxes outside?"
"I see. It must be magic." Virginia said calmly.
The agent said without explanation: "You can go and have a look first. If you pay the deposit, I will give you the key to the house. You can choose to live higher or lower."
"The monthly rent is two silver dollars, and the house is 55 square meters." Virginia raised her hand and pointed: "How much does it cost to buy a house like this?"
(End of this chapter)
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