First of all, in addition to the Yuan Dynasty, no exact information has been found, and there were mine closures in the Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and the Japanese occupation period. Although the accounts vary from era to era, and the narrative is not clear, it is certain that it was not due to a mining accident, but to a mysterious mass death of miners. It's just that there were faceless ghosts in the mines of the Ming Dynasty, coal essence jade was dug up in the mines of the Qing Dynasty, and it is not clear what happened in the mines during the Japanese occupation, but the number of dead miners was the largest.

Then the death that occurred more than a month ago should not be isolated, but must be inextricably linked with the former.

Secondly, all the deaths are related to the karmic fire, and the karmic fire must not be the ordinary burning phenomenon that we often see. According to the on-site investigation, the temperature of the ignition point is as high as 3,000 degrees, and it is difficult to reach 2,000 degrees in a completely closed environment using coking coal, so at least in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is impossible for combustion in nature to reach such a temperature. However, in the photos taken by Director Qi, there are also traces of black circular burning residues in the Taoist temples of the Ming Dynasty, which on the one hand shows that the karmic fires that occurred in history are the same thing, and on the other hand, it also shows that the karmic fires come from under the mines, and the karmic fires can be isolated from entering the surface by sealing the mines.

Another point of progress is that the karmic fire burns not only the miners, but also other animals, which should be the direct cause of the different sizes of the circles after incineration. But at least what Cao and I saw in Dongyang Village should be a direct witness to the karmic fire. But can we infer that the animals that were burned by karmic fire also went into Mine 17?

Although there is no karmic fire in the documents left by the Japanese, and there is not even a record of the reason for the closure of the mine, the appearance of Unit 731 has given me another direction to think about: Could it be that some unknown virus appeared under the mine? And the ancients knew nothing about it, so there were legends of gods and monsters such as faceless ghosts and mineral spirits? But I have never heard of viruses or microorganisms in this world that can burn on their own, and how many of them must be attached to the body of a creature to cause a fire with no bones left?

Thinking of this, I suddenly realized that I should call Team Cao's lover Zeng Qian, who is an expert in biology. I took out my mobile phone and was about to dial the number, when suddenly a call came in. There must be telepathy in this world, and it was the Cao team number that called.

I thought that Team Cao was concerned about the old comrades and learned about the progress of the work on my side by the way, but I didn't expect the phone to be connected, and what I heard was Team Cao's rather anxious voice.

"Chang, this afternoon, the miner Xiao Zhong also burned to death in the office of the mine, leaving only half a shoe, and the most troublesome thing is that an hour ago, Xiao Lei found that the doctor in the mine, Dr. Chen, was also burned to death in the infirmary. The situation is exactly the same as what we saw before, we are having an emergency meeting, and now the investigation team has two different opinions, one is to immediately organize people to go down the well to investigate and find out the clues of the fire, and the other is to withdraw all personnel from the scene. I'd like to hear your opinion. ”

Team Cao's call shocked me, before I was still wondering about the miners underground, why only Xiao Zhong survived, maybe find the particularity of him, there can be new clues, I didn't expect it, it was just a matter of time. So what caused this discrepancy in time? Why did Dr. Chen, who didn't go down the well, suffer from the accident? A guess crossed my brain in an instant, and I didn't pay the slightest attention to the surprised expressions of everyone at the dinner table, and I had already stood up and spoke into the phone.

"Team Cao, I found out in the Museum of Culture and History today that before the Japanese closed the mine for four or four years, Unit 731 sent people to the mine, and I didn't have time to explain to you, now you can neither go down the mine nor withdraw, as far as possible, first isolate and observe the people who have been in contact with the victims of the No. 17 mine, and then contact the ministry and send experts in epidemic prevention to come with equipment. I'll set off right now and come back, and we'll talk about some things when we meet. ”

"Chang, are you saying that it was a virus that caused the death of miners? This is impossible, right? What kind of virus can still make people burn? And even if it is a virus, what is the point of burning the host and turning it into ashes along with itself?"

"It sounds so bizarre, but there's so much we don't know about this world, and until we figure out what we're up against, listen to me and be prepared. ”

Hanging up the phone, I apologized to the shocked members of the county party committee: "I'm so sorry, the case is urgent, I must rush back to the Chengjialing mine immediately." ”

"Understand and understand, you should be careful when driving at night, if there is anything that needs the cooperation of the county, call the county party committee office, we fully support. The secretary of the county party committee stood up and shook my hand, and Xiao Du had already quickly packed our belongings and pushed open the door of the restaurant.

When the secretary said this, it inspired me, "Secretary, I really have something to ask the county party committee for help, Director Qi of the Museum of Culture and History knows the history of the mine very well, can you lend Director Qi to us for a few days, maybe he can help a lot." ”

"No problem, it's just that Lao Qi is a little older, and his body can support it, it doesn't matter how long he borrows you, Director Xue, you have worked hard, accompany Professor Chang to invite Lao Qi, remember, don't mention any opinions of the leadership team, have a good attitude, be sincere, and please." With a wave of the secretary's hand, we quickly dispersed.

Facts have proved that the secretary's concerns are completely redundant, Lao Qi saw that we found it, and he was not surprised at all, only listened to Director Xue say a few words, then went back to the house to get a coat, pulled out a suitcase and went out, it seemed that he had been prepared.

"Old Qi, you've calculated that we'll find it back, right? "After getting into our car, I asked Curator Qi with a smile.

"Hey, how can I have the ability to be an unpredictable prophet, I was going to take a leave of absence tomorrow morning and go to the mine to find you, and I happened to hitchhike when you came. ”

Curator Qi replied easily, but I was a little puzzled, why did this old Qi have the heart to go to the mine?

Our car out of the county, soon drove on the winding mountain road that there is no street lights, a small section of the car speed down, although the headlights are on, but a thin layer of fog has begun to rise on the mountain, the surrounding scenery has become a little hazy, fortunately in this small section of the road has been driven once, the driving is very smooth.

There was plenty of time on the road, so I began to slowly tell Lao Qi about the causes and consequences of the case, the investigation clues over the past few days, and some personal opinions and speculations. Lao Qi and I sat in the back seat of the jeep, and because I wanted to look through some information, I turned on the reading light in the back seat. When I talked about the deaths of Xiao Zhong and Dr. Chen in the mine today, and my judgment on the entry of Unit 731 into the mine, speculating that there may be a contagious virus, I noticed that the corners of Lao Qi's eyes jumped upwards obviously, as if he had something to say.

But before Lao Qi could speak, Xiao Duan slammed on the brakes and parked the car on the side of the road.

We didn't know what was going on, and we looked at him in amazement.

"Uncle Chang, I'll send you and Curator Qi back now, it's too dangerous in the mine, the task given to me by Team Cao is to ensure your safety Uncle Chang, I can't go any further. Xiao Duan turned his head, his eyes were very determined.

"Xiao Duan, please understand Team Cao's order correctly, he is for you to send me back to the mine safely, not for you to throw me back to the town. Besides, the information in my hand is very important to Changjialing's case, and if I and Director Qi don't go up, the Cao team will be even more dangerous. You have to make a correct judgment about which is more important. I smiled and said a few words.

"Uncle Chang, you and Director Qi can contact us by phone and command by remote control, and this time Xiao Lei has brought a full set of network camera equipment, although there may be some delays, but you can see the situation underground in the county. Xiao Duan still didn't give up and continued to argue.

"Xiao Duan, the underwater time in Poyang Lake, and the underground vault in Chongqing, you have been there, please answer me, if we delay for a few seconds in those two times and then make a judgment, what will be the result. If you don't do an on-the-spot investigation, is it possible to find clues to solve the case based on photos alone?" I put away my smile and reprimanded Xiao Duan in a slightly stern tone, Xiao Duan held the steering wheel with both hands, lowered his head and did not speak. I know he's in a deep inner conflict at the moment.

"Another point, Xiao Duan, don't imagine viruses and bacteria so terrifying, as long as they are living beings, they must have their survival rules and weaknesses. I think that if it is an unknown virus that causes spontaneous combustion in the human body, then it must not spread through the air, not saliva, not drinking water, etc., you think, if it is transmitted by air, it will not only die from the miners who come up from the mine, but also spread a long time ago. So far, only one Doctor Chen has been infected, indicating that the virus has a limited ability to spread, and now is the best time for us to find a solution, who do you think knows the unknown opponent better than me and Director Qi?" I asked a series of questions, forcing Xiao Duan into a corner.

"However, Director Qi, what Xiao Duan said is right, this trip is indeed very dangerous, I'm sorry, I didn't have time to make it clear when I went out, if you have any objections, we will send you back immediately?" I turned my face and said to Curator Qi very solemnly.

(Confucianism has the way of the five constants, divided into five things, belongs to the five elements, scattered into five colors, turned into five sounds, bowed down to the five mountains, looked up to the five stars, the object is hardware, the clan is the five spirits, with the five flavors, the sense is the five feelings.) Therefore, if the listener is too empty, like the floating vicissitudes of the well frog, he will not see its vast end, and he will not be able to predict its vast journey. The sun and twilight are far away, and all of them go backwards. As everyone knows, the way of the Five Constants is also, forgetting its name is its reason, and forgetting its reason is to get its feelings. Then the shepherd is quiet, and the dwelling is in the dark, so that I can mix my spirit and conform to my soul. If water is thrown into water, it is not distinguished, and if fire is thrown into fire, it is not asked. --"The Book of Transformation")