Black Gold 1983

In the afternoon, Renye didn't go down the mine. Instead, he sat in the shed and read through all the materials Xu Dongsheng had given him. The materials were very detailed, recording every mine Zhou Zhilin had approved over the years—when it was approved, to whom it was approved, how much money was received, and who received the proceeds. Renye didn't recognize some of the names, but he did—Xu Hongbing's name appeared several times, each time followed by a number. He carefully put the materials away, placing them in his inner pocket, close to his body.

As they finished work in the evening, Renye called Ma Tiejun aside. "Brother Tiejun, I'm going to the mining bureau tomorrow. Keep an eye on things here."

Ma Tiejun nodded without asking what they were going to do.

The next morning, Renye went to the Mining Bureau. He didn't go to see Zhou Zhilin, but went directly to the Discipline Inspection Team. Team Leader Liu was in his office and was somewhat surprised to see Renye come in. He put down the document he was reading and leaned back in his chair.

"What is it now?"

Renye took the materials Xu Dongsheng had given him out of his bag and placed them on the table. Team Leader Liu glanced at the thick stack of papers, picked them up, and flipped through them. After only a few pages, his expression changed. He put the materials down, looked up at Renye, and his gaze was heavy.

"Where did these things come from?"

Renye didn't hide anything from him and told him about Xu Dongsheng. Team Leader Liu was silent for a while, then stood up, walked to the door, closed it, came back, sat down, and picked up the stack of documents, reading them page by page. This time he read very slowly, carefully examining each page, sometimes reading some parts several times, taking almost an hour to finish. He put the documents down, took off his glasses, and rubbed his nose.

"Leave these materials with me for now. Go back and pretend you were never here today."

Renye nodded and stood up. "Team Leader Liu, when will we have a result regarding Zhou Zhilin's matter?" Team Leader Liu didn't answer the question. He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of water (which was already cold), and frowned. "When the time is right, there will be a result."

Emerging from the mining bureau, Renye stood on the steps and lit the cigarette he was holding. The sky was overcast, the clouds hanging low, threatening rain, but it hadn't yet. Pedestrians quickened their pace, and cyclists pedaled faster, as if rushing home before a downpour.

He went to the long-distance bus station and bought a return ticket. The bus swayed and bumped along the road, the scenery outside the window changing from the county town to fields, from fields to hills, and from hills to low mountains. Renye leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, his mind filled with the words on those documents. He remembered what Xu Dongsheng had said in the warehouse—"He's fallen, and I'm free." Xu Dongsheng wasn't a good person, but when he said those words, Renye felt he was being sincere.

It was already dark when they got home. Li Yue'e set the table, and Ren Shouyi sat down as well. The three of them ate quietly. No one spoke; only the clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the ticking of the old grandfather clock filled the air. After dinner, Ren Ye helped Li Yue'e clear the table, washed the dishes, and put them away. Then he went back to his room, lay on his bed, and stared at the ceiling.

There was a crack in the ceiling, stretching from the corner of the wall to the light fixture, like a dried-up river. He stared at the crack for a long time, until his eyelids grew heavy and he closed them.

On May 15th, the West No. 2 mining area produced its 10,000 tons of coal. This figure was calculated by Ren Shouyi, who added up the daily output and checked it repeatedly to confirm that there were no errors. The coal piled up on the open ground next to the mine shaft, like a small mountain, black and shiny, gleaming in the sunlight.

The number of trucks that came to haul coal increased from three to five, lining up on the dirt road outside the village, waiting to be loaded. Ma Tiejun and his workers worked from morning till night, loading trucks, going down into the mine, digging coal, and providing support, without stopping for a moment.

Ma Xiaojun was in charge of issuing the license plates. He wrote down in his notebook how many tons each truck was carrying, where it was going, and the driver's name, writing each stroke neatly. Tiger Vanguard squatted at his feet, its fur glossy black, and it had gained weight compared to before, looking like a little tiger.

Ma Dehou was in charge of underground support. The tunnel had advanced nearly fifty meters, and the roof remained stable. Every day before going down into the mine, he would inspect the timber, discarding any that was substandard and reinforcing any that were loose.

Renye would go to the wellhead before dawn every day and not return home until dark. He went down the well with the workers, worked with them, came up with them, ate steamed buns with them, smoked with them, and laughed with them. His expression showed no abnormality, but Ma Tiejun noticed that he had lost weight, his cheekbones were protruding, and his eyes were sunken, as if he hadn't had a full night's sleep for several days.

On May 20th, the mining bureau's discipline inspection team came again. This time, there were five people, led by Team Leader Liu again. They didn't go to Shigou Village, but went directly to the mine headquarters building, staying in Wang Jianguo's office for nearly two hours. Then they went to the labor and personnel department and took Xu Hongbing away.

The news spread quickly, and within half a day the entire mine knew. Xu Hongbing was taken away by the disciplinary inspection team, Xu Dongsheng was also summoned for questioning, and several people from the transportation team were called in for investigation. Some said Xu Hongbing couldn't escape this time, some said Xu Dongsheng confessed everything, and others said Zhou Zhilin was also detained.

Renye heard the news at the wellhead. Ma Xiaojun ran over from the village, panting, making Hu Xianfeng squeal. "Brother Ye! Brother Ye! Xu Hongbing has been arrested!"

Renye paused for a moment with the wrench in his hand, then quickly continued tightening the screws. "Understood."

Ma Xiaojun was taken aback. He thought Renye would be happy, at least smile, but Renye's face remained expressionless. He squatted there, tightening the screws steadily, one by one. What Ma Xiaojun didn't know was that Renye was waiting for another piece of news.

On May 25th, news arrived. Ma Guoliang sent someone to summon Renye, saying that the disciplinary inspection team from the mining bureau wanted to see him. When he arrived at the mining headquarters building, Team Leader Liu was waiting for him in the conference room, with that familiar notebook spread out in front of him and a pen in his hand.

"sit."

Renye sat down. Team Leader Liu looked at him, but his gaze was different from last time; it wasn't scrutiny, but a calm that came after everything had settled.

"The case of Zhou Zhilin has been investigated and clarified. The evidence of accepting bribes, abusing his power, and seeking improper benefits for others is conclusive, and the case has been transferred to the procuratorate." He paused, "The case of Xu Hongbing has also been investigated and clarified, and has also been transferred to the procuratorate."

Renye did not speak.

Team Leader Liu closed his notebook and put the pen back in the pen holder. "Don't worry about the mining permit for your mine. The production technology department has a new head, and your documents have been reviewed again. There's no problem." He stood up. "That's all. You can go back now."

Renye stood up, walked to the door, then stopped. "Team Leader Liu, has the result regarding Ma Maocai's case been released?"

Team Leader Liu glanced at him. "Ma Maocai has voluntarily confessed, returned the illegal gains, and shown a good attitude in admitting his mistakes. We recommend leniency. We will notify you of the specific outcome later."

Renye nodded and went out. Standing on the steps, he lit a cigarette and took a puff. The sun shone brightly, illuminating every corner of the mining area. The red flags on the mine shafts fluttered in the wind, and coal trains passed by from the east side of the mining area, their whistles carrying far and wide, as if celebrating something. But he didn't smile. He had something on his mind—Han Changhe. Someone had to be held responsible for those six lives.

He finished his cigarette, stubbed it out on the sole of his shoe, threw it into a roadside trash can, and walked towards the West Second Wellhead.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire mining area in less than half a day. Several officers from the labor and personnel department witnessed Xu Hongbing being taken away—two uniformed comrades flanked him, Xu Hongbing walking in the middle, his face ashen, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. Xu Dongsheng was also called in for questioning, but he returned in the afternoon. Some said he confessed everything, others said he was merely cooperating with the investigation.

The people in the mining area were buzzing with discussion. The aunties and grandmas of the family compound gathered at the gate, chattering and exchanging the news they'd heard. Some said Xu Hongbing had made a fortune over the years, others said Zhou Zhilin was the biggest fish, and still others said it was related to that small coal mine in Xi'er. Wang Xiuqin stood in the middle of the crowd, a handful of sunflower seeds in her hand, cracking them open rapidly while chattering: "I told you long ago that the Xu father and son weren't good people, but you wouldn't believe me." Someone next to her chimed in, "Didn't you praise Xu Dongsheng as honest and upright last month?" Wang Xiuqin choked, spat the sunflower seed shells on the ground, and rolled her eyes: "I misjudged him."

Renye didn't participate in these discussions. Every day, he went to the West Second Wellhead as usual, went down into the well, worked, came up, ate with the workers, smoked with them, and laughed with them. His expression showed no abnormality, but Ma Tiejun noticed that he had been talking even less lately. When he squatted by the wellhead smoking alone, he could sit there for half a day without moving, like a stone statue.

On May 28th, the first dividend was distributed in the West Second Mining Area. The distribution was based on shareholding, with capital shareholders receiving 70% and technology shareholders receiving 30%. The villagers of Shigou Village received their first dividend; although it wasn't much, everyone had a smile on their face. Ma Dewang stood under the big locust tree at the village entrance, distributing the dividends to each household. When he reached Ma Maocai's house, Ma Decheng came out to collect the money and asked, "When will Maocai get better?" Ma Dewang replied soon. Ma Decheng didn't ask any more questions, took the money, went back inside, and closed the door.

Ma Maocai didn't come out. He hadn't left the house for almost a month, staying home every day, neither going out nor seeing anyone. Ma Tiejun would visit him every few days, bringing some things, sitting for a while, saying a few words, and then coming out. When he returned, he didn't look well, but he wouldn't say anything.

Renye didn't go to see Ma Maocai, not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't. The fewer people who knew about Ma Maocai's affairs, the better; if he went too often, it would only arouse suspicion. But he sent a message through Ma Tiejun—don't worry about things at the mine; he'll get his share of the profits.

On June 1st, the mining bureau's approval came through. The mining permit for the West No. 2 mining area was officially approved, valid for five years. Renye was working underground when he received the permit. Ma Xiaojun climbed down from above, covered in coal dust, clutching the paper in his hand, so excited he could barely speak: "Brother Ye! It's approved! It's approved!" Renye put down his pickaxe, wiped his hands on his trouser leg, took the paper, and read it by the light of his miner's lamp. Black words on white paper, stamped with the mining bureau's official seal, bright red, like a flame burning on the paper.

He folded the permit, put it in his inner pocket, kept it close to his body, picked up the pickaxe, and continued working. Ma Xiaojun was taken aback: "Brother Ye, are you unhappy?" Renye didn't answer. The pickaxe struck the coal face with a thud, and the coal cracked open, revealing the shiny black cross-section inside. Ma Xiaojun scratched his head, climbed up, and went to report.

Renye stood alone on the face of the mine, put down his pickaxe, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a puff. The smoke swirled in the beam of his miner's lamp, like a soul that couldn't find its way out. He looked at the coal face, black and shiny, shimmering with tiny sparkles in the lamplight. He reached out and touched it; the coal was cool, hard, and rough, but it could burn, it could glow, it could generate heat, and it could bring hope to this dusty little village.

He finished his cigarette, stubbed it out on the coal face, picked up his pickaxe, and continued working.

On June 5th, the matter of Ma Maocai was resolved. Ma Guoliang notified Ren Ye to go to the security department. When he arrived, Ma Dewang was already sitting inside. Ma Guoliang handed the disciplinary decision to Ma Dewang, who took it, read it, and then passed it to Ren Ye. The decision was short, but essentially stated that Ma Maocai had assisted others in spying on trade secrets, violating village rules and regulations as well as mine regulations. However, given his proactive confession, return of illegal gains, and good attitude in admitting his mistakes, it was decided to issue him a public reprimand, remove him from all positions in the village-run coal mine, retain his shareholder status, and not pursue any other responsibilities.

Ma Dewang folded the paper and put it in his pocket, then stood up and looked at Ma Guoliang. "Section Chief Ma, this kid Maocai..."

"Uncle Dewang, I know." Ma Guoliang interrupted him, "This matter has been settled. Go back and tell Maocai to be a good person in the future and not to go astray again."

Ma Dewang nodded, turned around, and walked out of the security office. His back was more hunched than a few days ago, and his steps were heavier, as if something was pressing down on him and pulling him down.

Renye followed him out and caught up with him in the corridor. "Uncle Dewang, I'll go with you to Maocai's house."

Ma Dewang did not refuse.

The two walked one after the other, crossing the road in the mining area, passing the outer wall of the family compound, and crossing the dirt road leading to Shigou Village. Neither spoke a word the rest of the way; only the sound of their footsteps and the distant roar of the mining machinery filled the air. When they reached Ma Maocai's house, the gate was closed. Ma Dewang pushed it open; it wasn't locked.

The courtyard was quiet. Ma Maocai was squatting against the wall, smoking, a gleaming pickaxe beside him. He had lost a lot of weight; his cheekbones protruded, his eyes were sunken, and his hair was disheveled. His clothes were wrinkled, the collar open, revealing his collarbones like two withered twigs. He looked up and saw Ma Dewang and Renye enter. He paused, stubbed out his cigarette, and stood up.

"Uncle Dewang."

Ma Dewang walked over and handed him the disciplinary decision. Ma Maocai took it and read it through, his hands trembling. After reading it, he folded the paper, put it in his pocket, and stood there with his head down, saying nothing.

"Mao Cai," Ma Dewang spoke, his voice low but deep, "this matter is over. Work hard from now on and don't make the same mistake again."

Ma Maocai looked up at Ma Dewang, his eyes red-rimmed but without tears. "Uncle Dewang, will the mine... still want me?"

Ma Dewang glanced at Ren Ye. Ren Ye walked over and stood in front of Ma Maocai. "Brother Maocai, the mine needs you. We're short-handed underground. You can come back anytime you want."

Ma Maocai's lips trembled for a long time, he wanted to say something but swallowed it back, and finally only said two words: "Thank you."

After leaving Ma Maocai's house, Renye didn't go to the well; he went straight home. Ren Shouyi sat in the main room, the tin box in front of him, the lid open, and something was missing—the whistleblower report was gone. Renye sat down opposite him, looking at the tin box. "Dad, where's the whistleblower report?"

Ren Shouyi took the cigarette out of his mouth and stubbed it out in the ashtray. "I handed it in. I gave it to the disciplinary inspection team this morning." His voice was flat, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

Ren Ye didn't speak, looking at Ren Shouyi. This old miner, who had spent his entire life underground, saved people, and was now lame, sat before him like an old tree that had been battered by the wind for many years. Its bark was rough, its branches were broken, its leaves had fallen, but its roots were still firmly planted in the ground, very deep.

"Dad, you've waited three years for this day?"

Ren Shouyi didn't answer. He stood up and leaned on the edge of the table, his lame leg unable to provide support, and he swayed slightly. Ren Ye reached out to help him, and he didn't push Ren Ye away, letting Ren Ye help him walk step by step back to the bedroom. When he reached the door, he stopped without turning around.

"Those six lives, at least there's some explanation now."