The wind in Gangtun, Huludao, always carries the acrid tang of coal dust and rust. It sweeps past the tin shacks on the barren slopes and the three-story brick house of Wang Dazhuzi.
Money is always piled on the floor at Master Gang’s place, waiting to be locked in the safe: stacks upon stacks, so neatly arranged that even ten counting machines running nonstop would need half a month to get through it all. This is the one rule no one in Gangtun dares break: when you meet Brother Zhuzi, look at the money first, then talk business.
He is the king of the northern mines, controlling the mineral veins for a hundred miles in every direction. He can send out hundreds of vehicles at a time, owns dozens of properties, and his brothers stand tall wherever they go. But nobody knows that this decisive mining boss always has one young man from Qingdao on his mind.
The year Nie Lei first ventured into the Northeast, he was all grit and short on cash, yet he dared to take the fall for his brothers. Wang Dazhuzi called him from afar: “Lei, come to Gangtun. Your big brother’s got your back.” Those words meant a whole trunk full of cash and brothers ready to show up at a moment’s notice.
Some called him a fool for turning his back on a peaceful life just to protect an outsider he called big brother. Wang Dazhuzi would just smile and slap a stack of money on the table. “The road through the underworld is long. People who value loyalty deserve a helping hand.”
Later, when Nie Lei ran into trouble, he called. On the other end, there was always the clatter of mahjong tiles. Wang Dazhuzi had just picked up his tiles, but he didn’t say a word. He pushed back from the table and stood up. “Get the gear ready. We’re going!”
The nights in Gangtun came alive because of him, and he made the road through the underworld wider for everyone. Wang Dazhuzi, the king of the northern mines, was never Nie Lei’s benefactor. He was the strongest support and closest brother Nie Lei would ever have.
The wind rises again, and the lights in the house are still on. Just what kind of spectacular life did Wang Dazhuzi, the king of the northern mines, lead? Here begins our story…
