I can upgrade the shelter

The successful production of the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery is not just good news for Chen Xin and the researchers, it is also a significant event for this city, the entire Xiang Province, and even the whole of Flame Country.

This means that in this era, Flame Country is the first to obtain the key to breaking free from old energy constraints.

To put it more bluntly, Flame Country does not need to burn coal but can rely on nuclear power to meet the energy needs in this extreme cold apocalypse.

In the field of nuclear power, the most widely used radioactive element is uranium, and the energy produced by the complete fission of one kilogram of naturally occurring uranium-235 isotopes is equivalent to the heat released by burning 2,700 tons of standard coal.

Before the disaster, Flame Country was one of the top ten uranium-producing countries in the world, with an annual output exceeding 1,600 tons.

Uranium ore is also an element widely found in nature, with a higher content than gold and silver. Mastering the use of uranium means there is no need to worry about energy problems at all.

For Flame Country, having the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery means that they can fully issue two batteries to one shelter, allowing the shelter not to worry about energy issues for the next ten years.

Before the isotopes in the battery decay completely, the battery will provide sufficient power for the shelter.

Freeing all shelters nationwide from coal dependency means the country can release a large number of human and material resources used to maintain coal transport.

Rail transport will no longer have to devote most of its capacity to maintaining coal supplies and can transport more production materials.

The mining department does not have to directly burn the extracted coal but can use it in coal-to-oil, coal gasification, and other coal chemical industries to produce more industrial raw materials, accelerating the recovery of industrial production.

It can be said that if there is no longer a need to provide coal for heating and power generation to shelters nationwide, Flame Country's post-disaster reconstruction speed could even double!

It is precisely because the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery is so significant that the successful operation of the production line brings such joy to these researchers.

To celebrate this event and to thank Chen Xin for his contribution to the construction and operation of this production line, the head of the researchers specially invited Chen Xin for a meal to properly thank him.

Chen Xin could not refuse, and considering it was indeed something worth celebrating, he agreed.

Following the head into a lounge, the head took out a bottle of baijiu and two cans, and also prepared two self-heating meals. This was considered a lavish feast.

Looking at the items on the table, Chen Xin raised his eyebrows. Before the disaster, these items could only make a makeshift meal, but in this post-apocalyptic world, these are undoubtedly good things.

The two cans, one of luncheon meat and the other of canned fish, had no fancy advertising, just a simple black label with the name and production information, with the production date being two months ago.

These are not stocks from before the disaster but newly produced. Chen Xin realized this when he saw the production date on the can.

As for the self-heating food and baijiu, those are indeed pre-disaster stocks because neither can be produced now due to a lack of sufficient raw materials.

Now every grain is extremely precious. The main staple of the food that survivors eat in the shelters is from the nation's reserve grain from before the disaster, with supplemental ingredients being mice and mushrooms raised in the shelter, along with flour grub made into protein powder.

Therefore, the country does not have extra grain for brewing, and neither does it have extra grain to raise livestock, so the baijiu and the self-heating food labeled as cumin lamb are obviously not post-disaster productions.

Though according to data known to Chen Xin, the country still retains biological samples in some areas, and they rear some pigs, cows, and sheep as meat livestock. But those who can enjoy natural meat are only the high-level authorities and some people with special privileges.

If Chen Xin wished, he could probably enjoy some special treatment, but it held little attraction for him.

While Chen Xin was examining these things, the head also found two cups, poured Chen Xin a cup of liquor, opened the cans on the table, and heated the self-heating foods with water.

"Here's a toast to you. Without your help, Mr. Chen, we would never have been able to establish such a production line! Thank you for what you've done for the country!" The head raised his cup to clink glasses with Chen Xin and finished the liquor in his cup in one go.

Seeing the head's excited expression, Chen Xin couldn't help feeling a bit confused and surprised. In his impression, the head had always been a very serious figure, seldom smiling and rarely showing any expression.

However, after the alcohol settled, the head opened up to Chen Xin: "Honestly, I really envy those predecessors back in the day. Although the conditions were harsh, people at that time had spirit. While material conditions were scarce, they were rich in spirit!

They battled against heaven and earth, building the nation we have today with an indomitable spirit and enthusiasm. We juniors are envious! The reason I chose this job back then was to contribute to the country like those predecessors did!"

"You shouldn't say things like that. Aren't we contributing to the country just the same?" Chen Xin could understand the head's thoughts. Although as material life became richer, many people began to seek pleasure, there are still people like us dedicating their youth and passion to the country.

"I can't compare to those predecessors, having idled away most of my life, only doing a little insignificant work for the country." The head's eyes were slightly wet, and he was noticeably agitated: "Speaking of which, I really must thank you, Mr. Chen, thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the country! This has truly been the opportunity I have hoped for half my life! Thank you!"

With that, the head shook Chen Xin's hand firmly with both hands.

Through the power of the handshake, Chen Xin could clearly feel the head's sincerity.

"You're too kind. I've only done what I could, it's not worth such praise." Chen Xin said, a bit embarrassed by the head's praise, humbly.

"Haha, Mr. Chen, you are too modest! Perhaps it's precisely people like you who can better contribute to the country? I've been too vain, always wanting to make something big, never being satisfied with the small things I do..." The head shook his head, sighed, raised his glass again: "Let's not speak of it, anyway, thank you, thank you for all you've done!"

With that said, the two glasses clinked together.