As previously predicted by the meteorological satellites and data department, temperatures this summer soared rapidly, reaching 37 degrees Celsius outdoors.

Although there were occasional thunderstorms, the rainfall was short and intense, which led to a further increase in warmth.

Fortunately, refrigeration box technology is now relatively mature, and various production processes within the company proceed smoothly indoors.

After the transplanting of Light Amber Bitter Root, the second generation of cooling coal is gradually being produced, which cools at five times the speed of the first generation and consumes less energy in maintaining temperature. However, due to the long growth cycle of Bitter Root, it will not be available for external supply until at least a year later.

That day, Zhou Yi was eating the latest [Leefu] ice cream produced in Steel Refining City.

Although the taste was somewhat different from what he had eaten in the past, in this era it was already considered a delicious dessert.

The Steel Refining Lord was very proud of this product: "Mr. Zhou, we have been steadfastly progressing in the line of frozen desserts, from the earliest popsicles to now ice creams, it has been a two-year journey."

"In the past, popsicles were still in the exploratory phase, and other places could replicate them. But this ice cream cannot be replicated short-term, as we have emulated the food production techniques from mythical eras and gone through extensive trial and error."

"It contains sugar, milk, cream, egg yolks, natural flavors, and other ingredients to enhance the taste and aroma, made strictly according to the proportions tested. Currently, it comes in original, vanilla, and caramel flavors."

"It's quite fascinating. Our ice cream sales have far exceeded those of the refrigeration boxes, and both turnover and profits have significantly outstripped cooling coal. Its profitability is almost unbelievable."

Zhou Yi scooped a piece of ice cream with a wooden spoon, slowly eating and saying, "That's only natural. As far as I know, no other company makes such exquisite ice cream. Maybe some wealthy people have their personal chefs make it, but it's hard for ordinary people to buy."

"I remember that popsicles were priced at 10 mushrooms, and now this ice cream costs 40 mushrooms. This price is affordable for ordinary workers and counts as an upgraded replacement for popsicles."

"Of course, the most important thing is the supporting infrastructure. Nowadays, more and more people have refrigeration boxes at home, which allows them to store it for a long time. This product has a long shelf life and is indeed comfortable to eat in the summer. Our collective intelligence must be mobilized to produce more such wonderful things."

"That's true."

Steel Refining Lord cheerfully said: "This summer is very hot, we're selling an average of 800,000 ice creams per day, transported to large areas like Shuanghe Region through refrigeration boxes, with Heavenly Kingdom taking about half the total share."

"Many people like to stock up at home, and there are merchants who buy in bulk and then sell them at higher prices to remote small towns. Many in big cities can afford them, and many restaurants also make regular bulk purchases from us."

"How much is the cost?"

Zhou Yi asked.

"When averaged, the raw material cost is about 5 mushrooms, and together with transportation and labor, the total cost per unit doesn't exceed 10 mushrooms. Taking into account some damage and uncontrollable factors, the profit per unit is 25 mushrooms."

Zhou Yi exclaimed: "That means an income of 20 million mushrooms per day, truly a thriving business."

Steel Refining Lord added: "We mainly make money in the summer, and in other seasons, we revert to normal levels. However, as a long-term business, I believe we should build a brand. After discussions and voting, we eventually settled on [Leefu]."

Zhou Yi was curious: "Is the inventor named Leefu? Or is there some other reason?"

This name doesn't sound like it belongs to a native of Steel Refining City.

"Mr. Zhou, it's like this."

Steel Refining Lord explained: "Nearly a hundred years ago, there was a traveler, a lady named Leefu, who passed by Steel Refining City — back then it was a very poor village."

"At that time, she treated many people's heat illnesses and taught everyone mining and iron smelting techniques, saying that there were many shallow natural iron deposits here that could sustain the community. After teaching everyone, she left, so the locals have always remembered this kindness."

"Leefu is remembered by everyone, so we named this ice cream after her."

Zhou Yi nodded in agreement.

In any era, there are such good people.

With the Development Alliance exploding in various fields, people's brand consciousness has become increasingly strong.

Brands provide better memory points, dissemination, and influence. The emergence of various brands has also enriched the Development Alliance's product system.

Following the earliest "Jade City" three-piece set, there are now [Jade City] apparel, [Leefu] ice cream, [Sihe Brand] Floating Hearts, [Steam Turbine] airships, and Duke Beidu has established [Shell Brand] liquid flow batteries.

These products and brands covering various industries are shadows of the Development Alliance, penetrating the world and continually enhancing everyone's lives.

Zhou Yi is pleased to see such developments.

"There's one more thing about raw material supply that I need to consult with you."

Steel Refining Lord explained: "As our ice cream operations grow, the demand for raw food materials such as sugar and milk has skyrocketed. We are already in long-term cooperation with Coral Port, which produces a large amount of sugar and also offers processed cream..."

Zhou Yi asked, "And then?"

Coral Port is now part of the Heavenly Territory, so importing from there is completely stress-free and not subject to any sanctions.

"However, having just one supplier inherently carries risks. We learned this from previous sanctions. So, I've approached a few more suppliers."

"One of the suppliers is rather special..."

Steel Refining Lord hesitated for a moment: "It is located in the northern Songbei Region, where the cold climate is conducive to the growth of dairy cows, producing a large amount of milk and meat. It's one of the biggest dairy-producing areas on the Eastern Continent. There are many herders there, as well as vast pastures with high-quality milk sources, managed by a group of Bone Men."

"However, behind the Songbei Region is the Star Axis."

"We were supposed to be adversaries with the Star Axis because of the issues with United City..."

Zhou Yi thought it was a trivial matter.

He asked, "Do we frequently cooperate with the Beiyang Region as well, do they oppose doing business with us?"

"No, they do not."

"Then there's nothing to worry about, just go ahead with the cooperation."

With that, the Steel Refining Lord was reassured: "Okay, I'll get in touch with them right away."

...

In the afternoon, the senior engineer Chen Ruixiang suddenly arrived at the door beaming with joy.

They brought an assistant and two Floating Hearts.

"Chairman, these are the latest generation two Floating Hearts, fully tuned and have just begun mass production in the factory. Old Liu is overseeing the factory, discussing key points with the engineers, so he couldn't come."

Chen Ruixiang adjusted his glasses, pointing to the metal device on the table: "Look, the second generation heart uses left-right ventricular separation technology. It has a mechanical membrane valve and cooling layer in between; it uses oil for normal operation, which is quite stable, and for work mode, it can burn sugar to achieve stronger power."

"We've used the first generation Floating Heart as a measurement standard and set the unit of [Buoyancy] to represent the performance of the Floating Heart device. It involves complex calculations which I will not go into here; the higher this number, the better."

"The efficiency of the first generation heart is 1 Buoyancy, while the second generation is 1.55 Buoyancy."

"In terms of energy consumption, the generation two consumes 2.72% more energy per 12 hours than generation one, but it increases the energy intensity by 55%. The higher the energy intensity, the more it can support high power consumption and allows energy conversion devices to perform at higher power."

The elder was excited, gesturing like a conductor: "In practical use, it can further increase the speed of the glider, generate more electric energy in the same amount of time, and allow electromechanical lives to complete computations in shorter times!"

Zhou Yi was delighted internally.

This was an undeniable significant improvement; the second generation directly increased efficiency by 55%.

He couldn't help but wonder: "Mr. Chen, I remember when teddy was internally tested with the generation two heart, wasn't the energy-saving rate only increased from 88% of generation one to 94% of generation two? How does it come to a 55% increase?"

"That was just one of the metrics, representing a comparison with traditional energy packs, to make it easier to understand."

Chen Ruixiang earnestly explained: "This is where the [Buoyancy] standard comes in. It consists of four parts: energy efficiency, operating costs, energy density, and device performance, forming a comprehensive evaluation constant."

"In terms of energy efficiency, devices driven by the second generation heart generally have higher efficiency, with an energy conversion efficiency of over 40%, while the first generation's is 36%. Essentially, it's the energy conversion rate of the biofloat that determines it."

"The most intuitive is device performance; oil-driven devices typically respond quickly. However, devices driven by a mix of oil and sugar, while maintaining almost the same response speed, provide stronger power output."

"These four parts, even a small difference in each, can make a big difference in the final results."

Zhou Yi didn't quite understand.

But he did understand one thing.

The sugar-oil hybrid Floating Heart is superior to the oil-based Floating Heart.

"So what's the cost?" Zhou Yi was more concerned about potential drawbacks.

"That's a great question!"

Chen Ruixiang smiled and said: "Maintenance costs have increased. Since it's a sugar-oil hybrid, regular heart maintenance is required, ensuring the separation of sugar and oil, and checking the condition of the biofloat. Additionally, filling both oil and sugar is needed, but there is a safety line for the impurity ratio of produced sugar, meaning not just any handmade sugar can be used."

"However, compared to a 55% increase in work efficiency, these are acceptable."

Zhou Yi gave a wry smile: "It means our current infrastructures need to upgrade to second generation hearts."

"Of course."

The senior engineer said as a matter of fact: "A 55% improvement! The sooner, the better, the earlier you switch, the better, Mr. Zhou!"

"That's true."

Zhou Yi resignedly said: "It's just going to be hard work for everyone, as there are a lot of Floating Hearts in electric cat infrastructure, changing them won't be a small project..."

"They will definitely agree, let them choose if you don't believe it!"

The senior engineer asserted confidently: "Now, the annual output can reach one and a half times the past year's, the products and labor results are completely different."

Zhou Yi looked at the second Floating Heart next to him.

That was the old-fashioned first generation heart.

"Mr. Chen, what is this?"

"This one is not simple. Although it's a first generation heart, it's stronger than the second generation next to it!"

Chen Ruixiang slightly smiled: "This is a first generation heart cultivated by Chen Ji. Previously, our Floating Hearts' strength was equivalent to a D-grade Guangna Organ of a regular Guangna Species."

"But this one, after cultivation and careful nurturing, has reached a C grade!"

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