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Near the intersection of Fengcheng Road and Xinhu Road in Baoshan Township, there's a household that has been emitting cooking smoke for years. Vehicles passing by, if curious, would stop and beckoned by people sitting under the trees to rest and socialize. They might invite you to try a self-grown orange or enthusiastically explain the ancient method of making charcoal, which is now a rare craft. This is the home of charcoal, where eight years ago, the Li family father and son rebuilt the kiln to prevent the old industry from disappearing. They aim to use ancient methods to produce the highest quality charcoal. The quality is forged over time. Ten years ago, Li Yongxing returned to his hometown from Taipei, with a sturdy physique like a farmer. He said he grew up watching his grandfather and uncles burn charcoal, which was a part of their lives, even during busy farming seasons. However, as living standards improved, the use of charcoal decreased, and cheap imported charcoal competed with them, forcing the charcoal kiln to close. Fortunately, the former mayor of Baoshan Township, Li, wanted to revive this skill, and Li Yongxing was determined not to let his grandfather's and uncles' craftsmanship disappear. With his father's technical guidance and financial support from the township office, he revived the charcoal kiln. They covered the kiln with a hand-woven "grass hat" and densely packed the kiln room with Acacia trees cut from the mountains, and then used camphor wood from the mountains as fuel to rekindle the charcoal kiln. The three words, "not willing to give up," might sound easy, but they are not. Li Yongxing said that fortunately, his children are grown, and the economic pressure is not as great; otherwise, making and selling charcoal wouldn't make a profit. From felling trees on the mountain to preparing firewood and stacking it into the kiln, it takes about ten days just for the preliminary work. Burning charcoal also takes 20 to 25 days, and after sealing the kiln, it needs 15 to 20 days to cool down completely. If the timing isn't right, and the kiln is opened too early, the uncooled charcoal will catch fire immediately and turn to ash. The entire process takes at least a month and a half. However, when 20,000 pounds of Acacia wood are put into the kiln, only 6,000 pounds of charcoal remain, and at 20 dollars per pound, it's just enough to cover the labor costs. Without the mission of "not willing to give up," who could persevere? Visiting the charcoal home to "become a black man" Charcoal is usually taken out of the kiln at 2 or 3 am, and even in winter, the kiln room is still warm. The physical labor of moving the charcoal out makes one sweat profusely in no time. Moreover, the charcoal is black, and soon everyone becomes a "black man." Thick charcoal, as big as a man's thigh, is taken out, and because it's been burned for a long time, it's completely carbonized. The charcoal here is smokeless and burns for a long time. Savvy buyers have been waiting nearby. For those interested in charcoal making, it's best to call and ask about the kiln opening time. The experience is precious, and many photography enthusiasts come to help move charcoal and "become black men." Incidentally, when this publication was released, it was the Lunar New Year, and it's the season for Yuan柑 and Ponkan citrus. Mr. Li Shenghua's citrus crops have won awards. The kiln opening coincides with the harvest. Whether you come to "become a black man" or pick citrus, this New Year will have a unique harvest at the charcoal home.