However, what’s strange is that despite the soaring coal prices, state-owned and collective coal mines have not seen much improvement. In recent years, these state-owned and collective mines, mired in losses and struggling to make ends meet, have continued to suffer annual losses even as the industry as a whole is booming.

As a result, many publicly owned coal mines have gone bankrupt—if not sold off to private individuals at rock-bottom prices, then contracted out to private operators.

Silently and without notice, state assets have turned into private assets.

“Mining tycoons” like Henry Dawson have risen rapidly, becoming high-profile figures overnight, basking in glory and acting all-powerful.

Although Edward York was young and had only recently transferred out of the military, he still knew a thing or two about Henry Dawson. He knew this guy was a thug by background, originally from Gantang Town, and was a well-known “dock boss” there.

The so-called “dock boss” is a local dialect term in Ping’an City, meaning “crime boss” or “big brother.”

Years ago, during a crackdown, this man was sentenced to prison for robbery and hooliganism. After being released, he showed no remorse, and for years gathered a gang of ex-convicts, running rampant in Gantang Town, bullying the good and honest, and earning a terrible reputation in the area.

Later, for some reason, this guy started dabbling in business and ended up making quite a bit of money.

Especially after getting involved in mining, his wealth skyrocketed like a rocket, and now he’s become a “big shot” with immense riches.

“All right, tell me the situation again in detail. Remember, the more detailed, the better!”

Edward York then pulled his thoughts away from Henry Dawson’s rise to power, looked at Grace Bennett, and said very seriously.

Just as Grace Bennett was about to speak, James Carter quietly tugged on Edward York’s sleeve and whispered, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t get involved in this? Let’s wait until the chief comes in tomorrow, report to him, and then decide…”

James Carter was also a detective, and he wasn’t stupid at all. As soon as Grace Bennett said what she did, he immediately realized this was a big deal.

The “Sanping Coal Mine accident” that Grace Bennett mentioned was probably real.

Henry Dawson had definitely covered up the accident.

Otherwise, there’s no way they wouldn’t have heard even a whisper about it.

You have to know, Ping’an City has many coal mines, and while mining accidents are common, any accident with more than six deaths is still considered a major incident. If it were reported truthfully, it would cause a sensation and spread throughout every street and alley in Ping’an City in no time.

But now, they knew almost nothing.

The only explanation was that Henry Dawson didn’t want this incident to get out.

Mining accidents are all “on record.”

The death rate per ten thousand tons is a hard safety production metric!

If it exceeds the limit, the person in charge of the enterprise will be in trouble.

How many private coal bosses like Henry Dawson actually care about safety production?

Back in the days of public ownership, coal mines were certainly less efficient, but accidents were also less frequent, and every mine took safety production very seriously.

But once they became private mines or were privately contracted, the accident rate immediately shot up.

In recent years, news of coal mine accidents has become so common that everyone’s ears are calloused from hearing it.

This kind of thing was exactly what James Carter wanted no part of.

Mining accidents are the responsibility of the safety production department—what does it have to do with a lowly police officer at a local station like him?

“It won’t hurt to just ask about the situation, right?”

Edward York said, a little dismissively.

After a few months of working with James Carter, Edward York’s impression of him was just so-so. James Carter wasn’t exactly a “bad cop,” but he was definitely not the kind of heroic figure brimming with righteousness either.

At heart, he was just an ordinary person. “Police officer” was just a job to make a living for him; he didn’t see the profession as particularly noble or sacred.

Edward York didn’t exactly despise him, but he didn’t like people like James Carter either.

So, even though James Carter was a bit older, had been a cop longer, and was more experienced, Edward York still wasn’t inclined to take his advice.

James Carter seemed to know Edward York’s personality and didn’t try to persuade him further. He just chuckled and said, “All right, you go ahead and find out more. I’ve got something to do, so I won’t keep you company.”

With that, he got up and left, not looking back even once.

If you want to stir up trouble, do it yourself. Don’t drag me into it. I’m not obligated to go down with you.

Chapter 10: The Truth

James Carter’s sudden departure made the atmosphere in the interrogation room a bit strange, and even the way Grace Bennett looked at Edward York became a little distrustful.

They were all police officers, all from the same station, so why should Edward York be any more principled than James Carter?

“It’s all right, go on. This case was assigned to me in the first place.”

After a moment, Edward York said, his tone very calm.

He had to give the person involved some confidence; otherwise, Grace Bennett probably wouldn’t tell him much. That would only lead to many detours in the investigation.