Chapter 1

The original work of *Blind Shaft* is titled *Shenmu*, written by author Liu Qingbang based on the major mine cave fraud and murder cases in 1998, telling the story of a method of murder known as "marking."

"Marking" is a term used in the trade, referring to suitable living people. Once they have selected a "mark," they take the person to a remote small coal mine and dispose of them, then claim compensation from the mine owner in the name of the mark's relatives.

Many people complain that pure literature is boring, but if you read it carefully, it can be quite engaging!

Liu Qingbang's style is somewhat similar to Yu Hua's, telling a story so real it chills you to the bone, with a cold, detached, and objective tone, presenting the facts without any commentary, leaving the reader to feel the impact.

What was the motive behind the criminals in *Shenmu*?

"To return home and live a stable life with my wife and children!"

The most terrifying thing is that such lawless and insane acts of evil have a seemingly reasonable justification behind them.

It's like someone who wants to have a child but doesn't want to raise it...

This story, when adapted into a film, doesn't require much script modification; it can be directly recorded.

The internal dramatic conflict is extremely intense.

At that time, Li Yang, who had previously shot documentaries in Germany, saw the original work *Shenmu* and decided to prepare his first film. Every filmmaker has something they want to express, especially those who consider themselves intellectuals!

Li Yang was no exception.

After reading *Shenmu*, he was deeply moved and decided to adapt it, buying the rights and rewriting the script, renaming it *Blind Shaft*.

The term "blind shaft" was likely coined by Li Yang, perhaps meaning "invisible evil."

Later, *Blind Mountain* and *Blind Road* also used this concept.

Before going to Germany, Li Yang had spent many years at the National Theatre, and he had some connections. He borrowed some money, returned to China, and spent half a year conducting on-site research to perfect the script.

The process was undoubtedly arduous.

If you want to shoot a film about a coal mine, you must at least understand what it is!

Relying on imagination and working in isolation would make it like *White Porridge Meteor*.

Before becoming a big director, one shouldn't already have the airs of a big director.

Is that even possible?

When you are serious about doing something good, there will definitely be people willing to help you!

Thus, he brought in producer Hu Xiaoye, assistant director Bao Zhenjiang, cinematographer Liu Yonghong, and sound engineer Wang Yu, all of whom were highly experienced in the industry, forming the core of the team.

Then, of course, the filming began.

He contacted the original author Liu Qingbang, asking him to help find a location...

Liu Qingbang, a senior journalist and editor at *China Coal News*, being a person within the system, could easily speak to the coal mines!

He mentioned this to his good friend, Deputy Minister Yang Xiaodong of the Yimei Group's Publicity Department, who arranged for them to use a state-owned large factory. Not only that, but he also assigned a section chief from the Publicity and United Front Department to liaise with the production team.

This section chief, who had once been helped by Liu Qingbang, made the arrangements very well, finding them a modern mine called Yima Changcun Coal Mine, which was shut down for the production, and temporary explosion-proof lights were set up due to the dark conditions underground.

They also prepared several dozen extras.

The coal mine's publicity department fully assisted with the filming and arranged for a dedicated person to take stills.

The work was done beautifully!

Finally, the actors gathered, and the filming officially began...

A week later, they couldn't continue!

It wasn't because the conditions were bad.

But... they were too good!

Without going into details, the production team was accommodated in a very well-equipped local hotel, a level of treatment usually reserved for high-level inspections.

But Li Yang felt something was off, including the cinematographer and some actors...

*Blind Shaft*...

With such good conditions, how can you go down a mine?

I'm shooting *Blind Shaft*, not a propaganda film about how great coal miners are!

At first, it was just a bit of a dilemma, but later, the actors couldn't get into character at all.

Eating well, dressing well, sleeping well...

How can you create the feeling of dirty, ruthless criminals?

It's as awkward as a 40-year-old woman trying to act like a teenager!

Li Yang contacted Liu Qingbang again, explaining his requirements...

"We need to find a smaller coal mine, preferably a private one, so that being there gives you that feeling!"

Liu Qingbang couldn't help...

He was a legitimate person within the system, and although he wrote about coal mines, he lived in Beijing...

Li Yang had to find a way on his own. Fortunately, he had met a few small coal mine owners during his research for the script...

Thus, the production team went to ZY County in Datong, Shanxi.

...

China's four major coal capitals are Fushun, Tangshan, Datong, and Shen Dong.

Datong is one of them!

But if you count the top ten coal-producing cities, Shanxi has five: Shuozhou, Changzhi, Luliang, Datong, and Jincheng...

Actually, there were no private coal mines in the early days of the People's Republic of China!

Private coal mines emerged because, for a long time, domestic energy demand was low, and coal mines were losing money.

The state considered them a burden and began issuing mining licenses to private individuals...

Then... many people became wealthy!

Shen Lin's father, Shen Mengxi, was one of them.

Starting in 1988, he purchased and operated the mining rights of seven coal mines in ZY County and the southern suburbs of Datong, including the Hongyaogou Coal Mine in Zuoyun Dianwan Town...

And he became rich!

Then came the divorce, and Shen Lin stayed with his mother...

Shen Lin has always lived in Beijing with his mother, and this time he returned to Datong to handle his father's funeral and his coal mine business.

After all, he is the only son and has the right to inherit!

Shen Lin had no interest in running coal mines, influenced by his mother, who was an artist in a dance troupe.

He learned to dance from a young age, but after growing taller, he left the troupe and, at his mother's "suggestion," passed the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama last year.

...

The funeral went smoothly...

After all, the Shen family was well-known in Datong, and although Shen Mengxi wasn't a good person, he was well-respected in his personal conduct!

For example, he donated books to the primary school in his hometown every year...

He had a good reputation!

Shen Lin had always been in touch with his uncle, Shen Xingyi, who helped him sell the mining rights of the seven coal mines for 7 million yuan to a man surnamed Liu...

The price was definitely lower than it should have been.

"If you're not in a hurry to sell, I can contact more buyers... The coal prices are rising quickly..." Shen Xingyi couldn't understand why Shen Lin was so eager to sell the coal mines.

Shen Lin shook his head: "Uncle, is the man surnamed Liu from Datong?"

"Underground emperor..."

"He's willing to pay now because he had a good relationship with my father. If we wait, it will be a case of 'first courtesy, then force'!" Shen Lin changed the topic: "But, Uncle, are you really not interested in running coal mines?"

"I still have to work, where do I have the time to manage coal mines? And I don't know anything about it..."

Shen Xingyi is a university teacher in Datong, teaching calculus, and he indeed doesn't know about coal mine management...

"Too bad, with China's entry into the WTO, energy demand will surge, and coal prices will rise for at least ten years..."

"Do you study this?" Shen Xingyi looked at his nephew in surprise: "Does the Central Academy of Drama teach this?"

"That's called the Central Academy of Drama or the Drama Academy... As for energy consumption, I've read a lot and summarized it myself..."

Shen Lin's expression was a bit unnatural...

Shen Xingyi didn't think much of it and sighed: "I know my limits..."

He was interrupted by someone running over: "Teacher Shen, someone is looking for you!"

"Looking for me?"

"He said he is a friend from your time in Germany, surnamed Li..."