Black Tomb

Author: Zhou Meisen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: The novel "Black Tomb" included in this volume is a long story depicting the modern history of China's coal mines. The setting of the story is the ninth year of the Republic of China under the rule of the Beiyang warlord government. In May of that year, a major gas explosion occurred in a coal mine in northern China, trapping over a thousand miners underground. The fierce fire burning underground was on the verge of destroying the entire high-quality coalfield, shocking the entire country. To preserve the coalfield, the Beiyang government ordered the closure of the mine. However, this action incited a popular uprising. Tens of thousands of people, under the instigation of local gentry, feudal remnants, and various factions, attacked and seized the mine, launching an armed rebellion.