52: Chapter 52 A Tremendous Change in People's Livelihoods: Electricity Prices Like Cabbage
Just as the international community was violently shaken by the emergence of "Jinwu" and the old sanctions system became a laughingstock, a quiet yet more profound revolution was taking place in every capillary of Dragon Kingdom's society.
The first to feel this spring breeze of change were millions of ordinary families.
In a coastal city, an ordinary working-class family.
The man of the house returned home from work and habitually took out his phone to check this month's electricity bill—since the energy crisis and sanctions, rising electricity prices had been a significant expense for the family. When he opened the payment app, his eyes instantly widened.
"Wife! Come look at this!" He could hardly believe his eyes. "This month's electricity bill... how is it only thirty yuan?! Is there a system error?"
The wife leaned in to take a look and was also stunned. Their family had used the air conditioning quite a bit this month, and appliances were used normally; in the past, it would have been at least two or three hundred yuan, but the number displayed on the screen now was: 28.5 yuan.
Soon, the community WeChat group exploded with activity.
"My electricity bill is only 25!"
"Mine is 32! I thought my meter was broken!"
"Notice! Notice! According to a notice from higher authorities, due to the adjustment of the national energy structure, a new tiered standard for residential electricity prices will be implemented starting today. The base electricity price has been lowered to one-tenth of the original price!" A formal notice from the community grid worker completely ignited everyone's enthusiasm.
"Long live the nation! Long live 'Jinwu'!" Cheers instantly flooded the screen.
The price of electricity, an indicator related to the vital interests of every household, fell like a kite with a broken string, truly achieving "cabbage prices"! Not only residential electricity, but industrial and commercial electricity prices were also significantly reduced simultaneously, and previous peak surcharges were abolished.
A chain reaction began to manifest at an incredible speed.
In the field of transportation:
"Old Wang, how long can your electric car run on a single charge now?"
"Hey, who even calculates that anymore? Electricity is so cheap, just charge it whenever! It feels like it's free! I'm planning to sell that gas car at home and switch entirely to electric!"
Nationwide, sales of electric vehicles saw a blowout growth, and the construction plan for a matching ultra-high-speed wireless charging highway network was put on the agenda, with paving beginning at an unprecedented speed. The city's air quality was improving at a rate visible to the naked eye.
In agriculture and the food industry:
Benefiting from a nearly free energy supply, the costs of large-scale greenhouse agriculture, vertical farms, and the energy-intensive food processing and cold chain industries dropped sharply. The prices of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk became more affordable and stable. The "Vegetable Basket" project entered a new era of low cost and high security.
In manufacturing and technological innovation:
Owners of energy-intensive enterprises were ecstatic; the largest portion of production costs had been slashed, significantly increasing profit margins and providing more funds for research, development, and expansion. Countless small and medium-sized entrepreneurs saw new opportunities, and some innovation projects previously shelved due to energy consumption issues were restarted. The innovation and entrepreneurial vitality of the entire society was greatly stimulated.
The lifestyle of ordinary people was also quietly changing:
In winter, people could run floor heating without any burden, and in summer, they could enjoy the coolness of air conditioning to their heart's content; various smart appliances in the home could be used more frequently; some even began to consider installing small, constant-temperature and humidity "plant factories" at home to grow high-end ingredients for self-sufficiency... A sense of security and happiness, born from the great abundance of energy, permeated every corner of society.
On the internet, related jokes and memes emerged one after another:
"I used to be stingy about turning on the lights, but now my house is as bright as a lighthouse at night!"
"Thanks to 'Jinwu', I have achieved air conditioning freedom!"
"Electricity bill? What's that? I've already forgotten about having to pay for electricity!"
"I used to be part of the 'Moonlight Clan', but now I'm part of the 'Electricity-Free Clan'!"
This simple joy and pride coming from the hearts of the people proved the great significance of Jinwu's success more powerfully than any grand narrative. It was not just a breakthrough in cutting-edge technology, but a tangible benefit for hundreds of millions of people.
Inside the Supreme Command Headquarters in Jingcheng, the elders looked at the series of positive data from the livelihood sector and the reports of the people's jubilation, and relieved smiles appeared on their faces.
"This is the ultimate goal of our technological development," one elder remarked with emotion. "To let the vast majority of the people enjoy the dividends brought by technological progress."
Meanwhile, in a rented room in the city, Lin Mo watched the news reports on the changes in livelihood, a heartfelt smile appearing on his face. In the system interface, the hidden indicators for [Civilization Happiness Index] and [Social Stability] were quietly rising, and even his points received some extra rewards.
This was just the beginning. When all ten fusion power stations of the "Zhuri Project" are completed and connected to the grid, and when fusion energy is completely integrated into the lifeblood of this society, the changes brought about will be even more earth-shaking.
The freedom of energy brings the freedom of choice, which in turn will inevitably catalyze the explosion of free thought and creativity. A golden age truly belonging to the Dragon Nation is slowly beginning under the radiance of that "artificial sun."