The popularity of Floating Hearts has made Sand Port bustling and lively.

Numerous traders loiter around the factory, hoping to find a way to get some goods and turn a profit as middlemen. Among these people, there is no shortage of those with great connections, having obtained introduction letters from the sea lords and even the Governor, with many tied to various company interests.

Zhou Yi observed all of this.

The sight of these scalpers queuing to buy indicates a substantial external demand for Floating Hearts.

The three big companies have plenty of experience; no need to worry about them.

What Zhou Yi is more concerned about is the actual performance of Floating Hearts after installation.

He and Yuan Xiao first rushed to the farmland.

Although it was the cold winter, the Agricultural Machinery Brothers were still working hard, plowing and pushing soil.

"Chairman!"

Tie Ma honked from a distance to greet him.

Zhou Yi asked it, "Now that you've installed the heart, how does it feel?"

"At first, I was skeptical because, after all, this thing is new, and I didn't know if there would be any problems. But after using it, I found that it's really good!"

Tie Ma happily raised its voice and said, "Chairman, the heart has reduced energy consumption to 11% of the original, and due to frequency issues, the actual energy savings are even more!"

"You are a flesh and blood life and may not be able to relate. Let me give you an analogy. A car, the more energy-efficient approach is to maintain a long-term uniform speed, but in reality, this is not possible."

"Because it needs to slow down, turn, stop, avoid people along the way, and sometimes even halt to do something else. Thus, for an Energy Pack that could last a month, in reality, it's not possible, maintaining it for 20 to 25 days would already be good."

"The stop-and-go consumes more energy, and it also affects the engine and other equipment."

"It is like this for us, mechanical life; we cannot always maintain one motion or frequency, the consumption is greater than theoretical. Because the expenses are higher than what's on the data, Floating Hearts are more cost-effective and have a bigger impact."

"Once everyone installs these hearts, using oil to maintain consumption, setting up an oil tank, would actually be quite similar to the cars of the God Era. Have to say, the choice of oil in the God Era... indeed made sense."

Tie Ma was very detailed.

"This, is awesome."

Even the reticent Tong Niu gave a bluntly straightforward compliment this time.

"Just one problem."

Tie Ma added, "Could the oil tank be a bit larger? The oil tank's endurance is only about 15 to 20 days, and I reckon there will be queues for refueling later, or, should we set up a gas station? Specialize in oil."

Zhou Yi nodded: "I will discuss this with the manufacturing department. In the future, any feedback you have can be directly reported there."

He then continually asked Yanmar and Leiwo Team for their opinions.

The agricultural machinery had a high evaluation of Floating Hearts and also provided some suggestions.

Then Zhou Yi hurried off to Maria Hospital.

Along the way, he saw quite a few Bone Men, brushing past more than a dozen just in passing.

Many of them were dressed as local workers. Because nowadays the company has unified the uniform with custom blue work clothes, with a badge number on the chest and shoulder, so employees can be instantly recognized.

The Bone Men all greeted the Chairman.

"Hello to you all…"

But deep inside, Zhou Yi was somewhat puzzled, why had Bone Men suddenly surged into Sand Port?

Inside the hospital, Da Vinci was discussing something with Red Kestrel.

"Chairman."

The Mechanical Doctor introduced to Zhou Yi, "I and Red Kestrel were discussing how small mechanical lives can use Floating Hearts."

This is also a current challenge.

For small mechanical lives like Red Kestrel, which are agile and light, a Floating Heart is not light in weight, and its volume is too large for them.

This poses many difficulties in installation and use.

"Red Kestrel has made a very valuable suggestion."

Da Vinci said, "It believes that using Floating Hearts does not mean abandoning traditional Energy Packs. Both can be connected to each other."

"By adopting a charging method, using Floating Hearts to charge the rechargeable Energy Packs, and then using them repeatedly, this is equally a solution, and doesn't even require surgery for replacement. For small mechanical lives, this is the most practical and useful method."

"It just slightly raises the cost, needing to purchase the rechargeable Energy Packs, which are twice as expensive as ordinary ones."

Zhou Yi's eyes brightened upon hearing this, "This idea is good! Have you talked to the manufacturing department?"

Red Kestrel's idea was to extend the Floating Heart into an external charger.

"We've talked about it."

Red Kestrel said, "Da Vinci and I are performing comparative tests."

"I'm installed with the heart, and I'm externally charging. Let's see how much difference there will be between these two charging methods."

"Using the Floating Heart for external charging, results in increased energy consumption. Without the support of a mechanical life's Guangna Organ, there will be severe energy leakage, and the energy consumption is about 20% more than internal charging."

"We're still looking for the cause, trying to minimize this loss as much as possible."

After patiently listening, Zhou Yi said, "I don't understand the technical aspects, so I won't comment much. But one thing is for certain, any technology becomes more refined through continuous rollout and feedback. I suggest immediately commencing production and optimization of external heart charging. Tell Yin Shang to have Old Liu and Old Chen lead this task, and push it to the market as soon as possible."

"Do we not consider doing this alone?" Red Kestrel asked.

"What we do is set the technical standard. Production, assembly, sales, promotion all require partnership, as well as a community of shared interests. The current partnership mode of the four companies works very well," Zhou Yi explained.

"Understood."

At this point, Zhou Yi suddenly caught sight of a Bone Man dressed in employee uniform walking out of the rehabilitation and physiotherapy department. It stretched lazily, looking utterly refreshed.

Feng Ying gave it some reminders, and the Bone Man nodded repeatedly before striding out briskly.

Zhou Yi remarked, "Aren't Bone Men rarely needing treatment? Why are there so many Bone Men in Sand Port now?"

"This is Dr. Wei's doing."

Da Vinci said, "Previously, the cosmetic surgery department for Bone Men attracted a large number of Bone Men. Many of them are very interested in plastic surgery, some for skin whitening and aging treatments, while others ordered Light Soot muscle suits. That place is almost fully booked every day, and Dr. Wei performs up to 10 surgeries a day."

"Later, a portion of the Bone Men temporarily stayed here, waiting for their surgery dates before returning."

"During this process, they gradually learned about our company and Sand Port. Our company consistently rolls out new products, recently defeated the invading Joint Defense Force, and broke through Chuneng City, which had a huge impact on them."

The Mechanical Doctor explained, "Bone Men particularly value safety and stability."

"They don't lack ways to make money. Bone Men can enter the Dead Sea to find items from the era of gods, they are also naturally skilled craftspeople who learn quickly and have excellent memory because they use their bones to remember. Because of these reasons, Bone Men produce a lot of craftsmen and businessmen."

"The company's strong counterattack against the sanctions imposed by the Mechanical and Electrical City Group, coupled with local well-established infrastructure and various job positions, made them very appreciative, so many decided to relocate directly and settle in Sand Port."

"Gong Zheng once said that this year, 244 Bone Men have migrated and joined the company. The actual number that moved to Sand Port will only be more than that."

"Most of the Bone Men craftsmen came to the company to seek jobs, starting as Guangtai workers. They all have a technical foundation, so they quickly got promoted to other departments and took on key technical roles. Now, in the manufacturing department, the workers and engineers who install and test gliders, nearly half of them are Bone Men."

"Besides them, people from other places have also flocked to us. However, competition for company positions is now fierce, and if they can't beat the Bone Men, they can only go to Lord Sand Sea to find work first."

"According to the latest statistics, the population of Sand Port has already exceeded 60,000 and continues to grow."

Da Vinci then brought the topic back, "However, there is a problem behind this."

"Cosmetic surgery requires a large amount of hospital resources. If it's not a case of health issues being compromised, we have to strictly guard against exploiting medical loopholes. That's what Wei Wu and I are quite concerned about."

"I suggest limiting cosmetic surgery benefits to one-time in order to avoid wasting too much of the company's resources. Medical resources should be more skewed toward real patients and those injured."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but smile wryly.

The cosmetic surgery department has become a means of attracting a small wave of Bone Men immigration.

This shows.

Even in the era of wasteland, propaganda is extremely important.

Zhou Yi said, "Good. You'll discuss the specifics, and then inform the company through Red Kestrel."

"Another piece of good news is that the biggest profit for the hospital is now coming from the cosmetic surgery department."

Da Vinci stated, "One cosmetic surgery charges a fee ranging from 50,000 mushrooms to 5 Light Seeds. Even though the price is steep, Bone Men are still coming non-stop."

"Although the cosmetic surgery department has been open for less than four months, it has already completed 1,200 surgeries. Aside from the material and labor costs, the net profit is 48.3 million mushrooms, which is also 48 Light Seeds."

"This attracted a large number of Bone Men and also made them go through rehabilitation therapy, full-body check-ups, and other services, which is of great significance to the promotion of the entire hospital."

Zhou Yi then asked, "Where is Wei Wu?"

"He's on the second floor, the cosmetic surgery department for Bone Men is up there. Also, after you're done talking with Dr. Wei, please come down again. I need to check your prosthetic right arm."

Zhou Yi made his way to the department on the second floor.

There were six Bone Men sitting on the bench outside, holding documents and waiting for their numbers.

The operating room door was closed tight, with a red light showing that Wei Wu was performing surgery inside.

Thus, Zhou Yi decided not to disturb his work anymore.

After returning to the first floor and getting his right arm checked, Da Vinci said there was no problem and did some basic maintenance.

Exiting the hospital gates, a cold wind was blowing outside.

But Zhou Yi didn't feel cold at all.

He was ready to visit the Panda Man.

Ever since coming to Sand Port, Tuo Zhu had been building its structure. It ordered a large amount of custom glass and various mirrors from Glass Castle through the company.

The construction was going on in Yalong Bay, a place away from the crowds to avoid Energy State Life from causing harm to ordinary people.

After arriving here.

Zhou Yi saw a twisted two-story house, like a normal house reflected in a funhouse mirror. It was made entirely of glass, with a layer of snow piled on the roof.

At the moment, the house was flickering incessantly, as if there was an electric welder inside working on something.

Zhou Yi activated his [Alert] perspective and saw wandering white lights inside.

It was difficult to describe the form of the Electric Ball; it looked like a group of jellyfish composed of lightning, appearing and disappearing quickly.

The Panda Man, covered in soot, came out from inside. Seeing Zhou Yi, it paused, "Chairman, you've come. I was just about to look for you."

"The Electric Ball requires a large number of batteries to provide it with enough electric energy to undergo a qualitative change and break through the initial Energy State."

"I used to spend all my Light Seeds on batteries from the era of gods. Even after spending all my savings, it was still slightly insufficient. Could you help me buy some batteries?"

"Not many, 100,000 Light Seeds should suffice..."

Seeing Zhou Yi's disapproving look, it changed its words, "50,000, 50,000 will definitely be enough!"

"Really, please believe me! I've found some traces inside the Curved House!"

"The Electric Ball is a fleeting life, from its emergence to disappearance, even with the special structure of the Curved House, it doesn't last long. It needs to achieve a breakthrough in a short period of time, otherwise, it will die quickly like a fly."

The Panda Man pleaded.

Zhou Yi asked, "You need a power supply?"

"Yes."

"Then have you considered getting a generator?"

The Panda Man's eyes were full of questions, "Generator... what's that?"

Zhou Yi helplessly said, "So you're researching this Electric Ball, but you don't even know what a generator is..."

But he reconsidered.

In this era, there's no use of electric energy, and understanding of electricity is limited to lightning. The fact that the Panda Man uses batteries from the era of gods was already impressive.

"Are you sure it's a lack of electric energy causing the issue?"

"I swear on my father!" Tuo Zhu raised its paws.

Zhou Yi nodded, "I'll figure something out."

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