Chapter 24 Base-wide Broadcast: Inferior Product, Power Cut Off!

"What conditions?"

"For the safety of the power grid, I suggest the institute issue a regulation." Lin Xi narrowed his eyes,

"The use of high-power electrical appliances without 'tip-over power-off protection' is strictly prohibited in the family quarters."

"All heating equipment must not exceed 1000 watts in power and must have power-off protection features."

"Otherwise, it will be treated as illegal electricity use, resulting in the confiscation of equipment, fines, and power cuts."

Zhao Gang was also a smart man; he understood immediately.

He took a deep look at Lin Xi: "You are trying to..."

"I am doing this for the safety of the entire base." Lin Xi said righteously,

"After all, if someone creates that kind of 2000-watt electric stove."

"Without protective measures, burning out a transformer is a minor issue, but burning down a house is a major one."

"Director Zhao, you wouldn't want to take the blame for that, would you?"

Zhao Gang was silent for three seconds, then slapped his thigh hard.

"Deal! For the sake of safety! I'll handle this matter!"

Inside the livestream:

[Good heavens! This move is called 'setting industry standards'!]

[Top-tier business warfare is a battle of standards; the Streamer's awareness is maxed out!]

[Is this what business warfare is? No need for swords or guns; just use rules to finish them off. I've learned something!]

...

Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the base.

The windows were tightly blocked with quilts, and the room was filled with a burnt smell.

Relying on his experience participating in the production of the little sun, Zhao the Scabby gathered a bunch of his cronies and started thinking about making imitations.

At this moment, they were busy working around a pile of inferior resistance wires.

"Brother Scabby, this thing is simple!"

One person held a resistance wire and wrapped it around a firebrick, "We can make dozens in one night!"

Zhao the Scabby held a semi-finished product in his hand, his face full of greed.

This was an extremely crude "electric stove."

No casing, no reflector.

It was just a firebrick coiled with a 2000-watt industrial resistance wire.

There was no switch; it turned red as soon as it was plugged in, glowing a deep, purplish red.

"That guy Lin sells them for thirty-eight?"

"I'll sell them for twenty-eight!"

Zhao the Scabby's eyes were bloodshot, as if he saw countless banknotes beckoning to him:

"What kind of bullshit aerospace technology? It's all just a scam!"

"As long as it can generate heat and is cheap, these poor bastards will definitely buy it!"

"But... isn't this power too high?" The one next to him who knew a little bit about technology felt a bit uneasy,

"We just tested it; it's at least 2000 watts."

"Screw that!" Zhao the Scabby spat,

"The state pays for the electricity anyway!"

"The hotter, the better!"

"Those fools just like things that are powerful!"

He looked around at the mountain of materials piled up in the room, his mouth grinning from ear to ear.

"Once the stuff is made, we'll go set up a stall at the entrance of the bathhouse! We'll snatch all his business!"

...

Two days later, in the early morning.

The base's loudspeaker rang out without warning.

After a harsh crackle of static, the announcer's serious voice spread throughout the entire area.

"Emergency Notice!"

"To ensure the safety of the base's power grid, it has been decided by the joint research of the Power Supply Office and the Logistics Department."

"The use of electric heating equipment with power exceeding 1000 watts or without tip-over power-off protection is strictly prohibited!"

"Anyone found manufacturing, selling, or using inferior high-power electric heating appliances without authorization will have their power cut off immediately upon discovery!"

"The equipment will be confiscated! And they will be held accountable for damaging production facilities!"

For the employees who had bought the "Red Star · Warm Sun," this broadcast was a reassurance.

"Listen! What did I tell you?"

Beside the water room, a middle-aged woman wrapped in a cotton-padded jacket was pouring out dirty water, looking triumphant,

"Manager Lin's product is what you call 'aerospace standard, compliant product,' it's safe to buy!"

"Exactly!"

"Last night, Old Wang next door was being cheap and made himself an electric stove."

"It had only been plugged in for ten minutes when the fuse in the hallway blew!"

"He got scolded by the electrician until he was speechless; he lost all face!"

However, while this broadcast was a reassurance for the employees, it was a death warrant for Zhao the Scabby.

...

"Is this the path to wealth you were talking about?!"

In the dim warehouse, a roar was accompanied by the dull thud of a heavy object hitting the ground.

A crudely made electric stove that had just been wrapped was smashed to pieces.

The firebrick shattered, and the resistance wire twisted into a ball.

Zhao the Scabby cowered in the corner, his face bruised and battered.

That was the "battle damage makeup" just beaten into him by his former "brothers."

"This... this can't be blamed on me!"

Zhao the Scabby clutched his cheek, still being stubborn,

"Who knew that guy Lin was so underhanded!"

"He actually used official channels! He doesn't play by the rules!"

"Official channels, my ass! That's called compliance!"

"The three units we sold last night were all returned this morning!"

"They used the words announced on the loudspeaker to shut us up!"

"Saying this thing is a contraband item!"

"And!" The thug kicked a broken brick,

"As soon as this thing is turned on, the electric meter spins like a flaming wheel!"

"Who dares to use it?"

"Zhao the Scabby, to buy these resistance wires and firebricks,"

"The brothers scraped together their marriage savings for you."

The thug grabbed Zhao the Scabby by the collar, his eyes sinister:

"Now all the goods are stuck in our hands."

"Refund the money."

"I... I spent all the money on materials..."

"No money..."

"No money?"

The thug sneered, looked back at the several burly men behind him,

"Then we'll take the things in your house to pay off the debt!"

"Brothers, let's go!"

"Don't!"

"Leave me something..."

Zhao the Scabby screamed and lunged forward, but was kicked to the ground.

The door swung wide open, and the cold wind rushed in, blowing through his thin cotton-padded jacket.

Zhao the Scabby lay in the pile of broken bricks.

Listening to the distant loudspeaker repeating "Manufacturing without authorization is strictly prohibited."

The fear in his eyes gradually turned into resentment.

He had originally been worried that reporting the unit would cause people to talk behind his back.

In this era where birth, aging, sickness, and death all relied on the state and the unit.

The unit was home, and reporting the unit was being a traitor.

But now...

His own home had been raided, so who cares about that anymore!

Since I can't live well, Lin Xi, you won't have it easy either!

"Lin Xi... you forced me."

Zhao the Scabby pulled a crumpled little notebook from his bosom.

That was some "black account" he had secretly recorded while loafing around in the Service Center.

Of course, most of it was something he had imagined.

He climbed up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes like those of a mad dog.

"Speculation and profiteering..."

"Embezzlement of state assets..."

"As long as I nail you on these two charges, let's see how you die, you little bastard!"

Zhao the Scabby spat out a mouthful of bloody phlegm.

He turned and rushed into the snowstorm.

Heading straight for the base's Security Department.

...

Ten in the morning.

At the entrance of the Red Star Labor Service Agency, it was as lively as a market during the New Year.

The loudspeaker had given "Red Star · Warm Sun" the most authoritative official endorsement—

The only compliant heating artifact in the entire base!

This advertising effect was incredible!

"Line up! Don't push!"

"Take the slip and go to Big Sister Liu to pay!"

"Money in one hand, goods in the other!"

Sun Erga was busy sweating profusely, but he couldn't stop grinning.

Inside, Lin Xi sat behind the desk, his expression indifferent.

Holding a fountain pen, he was checking the account book handed over by Liu Guihua.

Every entry of income, every expenditure.

Even the five cents spent on screws were recorded clearly.

"Manager Lin, our business is too hot."

Liu Guihua's fingertips were black from counting money, and her face was glowing,

"At this rate, the plan for 1,200 units can be completed by the end of February, even counting the Spring Festival holiday!"

Lin Xi didn't even look up, just replied faintly:

"Hmm, tell everyone to speed it up."

"After we finish making this quick money, we still have real work to do."

Just then.

"Screech!"

A harsh screech of brakes exploded at the entrance.

The originally noisy crowd instantly quieted down.

A dark green 212 jeep stopped extremely aggressively at the front of the line.

The car doors opened, and four pairs of black military boots hit the ground.

The leader, in a dark green uniform with a military belt around his waist, had a bulging holster.

The chief of the base's Security Department, Zhou Tiejun.