The Changes Brought by Electricity

When Yi Xuan was carrying out infrastructure construction in the Xia Kingdom in the early stages, he had already taken into account the issue of laying electricity later.

Therefore, once the nuclear power plant started operating, the streetlights in the imperial city immediately responded.

However, the process is not as simple as it appears on the surface.

In addition to the nuclear power plant at the power output end and the streetlights at the power input end, Yi Xuan has also built a very large power supply system in the middle, out of sight of people.

In a power supply system, substations, distribution boxes, high-voltage transmission lines, low-voltage transmission lines, and so on are all indispensable.

Of course, compared to nuclear power plants, these things are much less technically challenging, and Yi Xuan doesn't need to invest too much effort in them. Therefore, Yi Xuan has entrusted the entire power supply system to artificial intelligence.

News of the imperial city quickly spread throughout the country. Because of the previous incident where Donkey-Killer, the general public's attitude towards the streetlights was more one of novelty.

Even many people from other cities, after experiencing the streetlights of the capital at night, find it somewhat difficult to adjust when they return to their own cities.

The dimly lit streets at night contrasted sharply with the view from the imperial city.

However, soon, the people in other cities of the Xia Kingdom discovered that their own cities had also changed.

The mechanical puppets that had previously followed their emperor in suppressing the Xia Kingdom were now appearing in their cities in droves.

But since there are no longer any rebellious forces in the entire Xia Kingdom, what are these puppets for?

The puppets' actions quickly provided the answer.

Along the street, streetlights were erected in the hands of those puppets.

The common people were very curious about the streetlights, but some who had been to the capital city recognized them immediately.

Thanks to their propaganda, the whole city learned that they would also be getting streetlights.

This situation was happening simultaneously in other cities of the Xia Kingdom.

As streetlights were installed day by day, soon all the streets in the city were paved.

The people looked at the newly installed streetlights with longing in their eyes.

One night, as darkness fell completely, many people had already returned home and even made their beds, preparing to sleep.

But just then, a dazzling light suddenly appeared outside, so bright that it shone through the window and made the room gleam.

People came out of their homes and found that the streetlights, which had been installed for more than ten days, were now lit up.

That night, the entire Xia Kingdom was plunged into a frenzy of celebration.

From that day on, the people of the Xia Kingdom began to realize that their lives seemed to be changing rapidly.

Without any warning, several royal shops suddenly appeared in every city.

When the people first saw the shop's name, they didn't dare to go in. They thought it was run by some reckless fool who dared to use such a name.

After observing for several days without any government officials coming to cause trouble, some people secretly went to the government office to inquire and discovered that the shop was indeed opened by the emperor himself.

Only then did ordinary people finally dare to enter the shops.

Upon entering, the people were dumbfounded once again.

Such a large store, yet it only carries one product, and its name is rather odd—something like a home lighting system.

Upon hearing the name, the people were even more baffled.

However, because Emperor Zhuo Ning had brought so many benefits to the people of the Xia Kingdom, they did not turn away.

Many ordinary people even inquired about what exactly that home lighting system was.

After hearing the staff's explanation, the people were all shocked.

According to the staff, once this system is installed in a home, one can experience the same brightness as streetlights at night.

People who have already experienced streetlights understand their benefits; now that it's possible to install them in their own homes, who wouldn't want one?

As a result, the people inquired about the fees, and the outcome was naturally very pleasing.

The store does not charge any fees for the complete home lighting system; installation is free.

Of course, the residents would have to pay for the electricity and light bulb replacements themselves. However, since Yi Xuan's goal was not to make a profit, both the electricity and light bulbs were priced very affordably.

Upon hearing about the fees, the people were even happier and rushed to have the shops install the devices in their homes first.

Soon, lighting systems were installed in every household within the Xia Kingdom.

The way people greet each other when they go out has changed. Before, it was just asking, "Have you eaten?" or "Where are you going?" Now everyone greets each other with, "Is your electricity on?"

Those households that already had electricity naturally basked in the envious glances of others, and loudly retorted, "We've had it for several days now, but the light bulbs are too bright; sometimes they're so bright I can't open my eyes!"

With the completion of the national power system, Yi Xuan began his next plan, which was to enlighten the people.

In Yi Xuan's view, the first step in building a technologically advanced nation was not how to promote technology, but rather to enlighten the people.

Once the public is enlightened, it will definitely be of great help in the promotion of science and technology.

However, if the people are not enlightened, it will become like the Qing Dynasty in the previous life, even though it had already introduced many advanced things into the country.

As a result, the people treated those things like a raging flood or a ferocious beast, avoiding them at all costs.

There were even ridiculous scenes where people believed that cameras could steal people's souls.

Yi Xuan acted swiftly; before the nationwide lighting system installation was even complete, the people discovered that new products had appeared in the royal shops.

It was a square box with two large, round objects on the left and right sides that looked like eyes.

The shop assistants told the people that this thing was called a radio. As long as there was electricity in the house, it could be used, and supposedly it could talk!

With the groundwork laid by electric lights, people are now full of curiosity about the products of the royal shops, and naturally some people who want to be the first to try them bought one and took it home.

When I got home and turned it on, I discovered that the little box actually made a sound.

It was just a hissing noise, but that was enough to excite the people.

Following the shop assistant's instructions, I adjusted the frequency, and to my surprise, I heard human voices—a woman singing.

That beautiful melody was something the people of the Xia Kingdom had never heard before.

From that day on, no matter whose house had a radio, every evening the neighbors whose homes didn't yet have electricity would gather to enjoy the music.

As a result, the people of the Xia Kingdom began to have more nighttime entertainment activities.

Many clever people discovered that in addition to playing stories, songs, and operas, the radio also broadcast current events from the Xia Kingdom, which the people on the radio called "news."