Video Summary

Q1: Do you have any unforgettable experiences or memories during your studies in schools?
A1: Due to financial constraints, Lee Yong Xing dropped out of junior high to make money. He participated as a carpenter, blacksmith, and worker in textile factories.

Q2,3: When did you start your charcoal business? / So why did you stop other jobs and choose to do the charcoal business?
A2,3: I wanted to burn charcoal so I officially started my charcoal career when I was 31.

Q4: What's the biggest problem along the way?
A4: No matter right, wrong, or benefits. I insist on doing it for cultural preservation.

Q5: How old are you?
A5: Approximately 57 years old.

Q6: When did you get to work related to charcoal?
A6: I’ve been doing it with my dad since I was little but in 2004 I built this kiln for charcoal by myself for the very first time. It was built on May 14th, 1963.

Q7: When you were in elementary school, did you ever think that you will work in the charcoal industry in the future?
A7: I was only concerned about whether I could eat three meals when I was a kid. Our family is really poor, I don’t have shoes to wear and I have no money for tuition.

Q8: Then, does the background of your education have any influence on your choice of charcoal industry?
A8: No relationship at all.

Q9: In the past few years, have you maintained the same approach to wood and charcoal or have you innovated?
A9: I insisted on using thatch and maintained the traditional appearance because it is more eye-catching and more attractive.

Q10: Have you ever wanted to give up?
A10: No. I always insisted on doing this charcoal career for the rest of my life so others can see this traditional culture. It’s a kind of persistence that still motivates me.

Q11: Does your family support you all the way?
A11: Of course they do because I insisted on doing it. However, I don’t want my children to manage this industry because it doesn’t sufficiently make you money.

Q12: Do you learn any lesson in making charcoal?
A12: Think less and do more. I made many close friends during the process because they volunteered to participate in our work.

Q13: If no one can help, will you go alone?
A13: Yes.

Q14: What is the chance that makes you want to restart the furnace to make charcoal?
A14: The kiln was made in the 1970s but it collapsed in 1988 so no more charcoal production. Then, the head of the township suggested making a kiln to become retro and I agree with him. So I made the kiln and it was used until now, almost seventeen years of history.

Q15: In addition to the traditional way of making charcoal, have you tried any other ways of making charcoal? What is the difference from traditional charcoal making?
A15: No, just the traditional way but I made some improvements on construction methods. For instance, maximizing the output with more production capacity eventually leads to increased income. This saves more time, energy, and manpower.

Q16: Do you think we should promote the inheritance of charcoal? Why?
A16: See if anyone wants to inherit the industry since it costs significant manpower and only makes a small amount of money.

Q17: After the charcoal is replaced by gas, who is your main customer?
A17: Customer base, leisure is the main focus, including barbecue and decorations for dehumidification.

Q18: On the Internet, you are said by the media to show the highest level of contentment and happiness. How do you reduce your desire for life?
A18: I do it because I like it. I don’t get disappointed because of the small income since making money isn’t my goal. It’s a kind of fun and life goes without a great sense of loss.

Q19: So you think you are enjoying your life now?
A19: Of course I am. You can’t buy this happiness if you have money.

Q20: DDo you want to have apprentices to pass on your crafts and values?
A20: I am willing if anyone wants, my sense of honor.

Q21: How would you like to promote this vigorously to recruit?
A21: I don’t want to recruit. I do it myself because no one wants to make this thing after all. We rely on our own strength to pass down this culture to further generations.

Q22:Have you ever cooperated with the government?
A22: We all rely on ourselves then ask friends and relatives around to help. They are my biggest motivation. So I thank them the most because they are willing to stay with me. They are not a passerby but a comrade.

Q23: What do you think is the most interesting or challenging part of this profession?
A23: It is not challenging though it is just a process. I gained the sense of accomplishment. Your arrival is also a sense of achievement.

Q24: Are you satisfied with your current situation?
A24: Yes, I am relatively satisfied.

Q25: Besides making charcoal, what else will you do?
A25: Nothing. I can't do anything except this.

Q26: What kind of wood is the raw material of charcoal? What are the tips for screening?
A26: Acacia, it has a higher quality. That is, the texture of the tree should be hard, in order to make the charcoal to be more solid and more fire-resistant.

Q27: What steps can ensure the quality of charcoal and how to apply it?
A27: When you slow down, you improve the quality of your work and I can’t let go of any small details.

Q28: Have you ever failed to burn charcoal?
A28: You can’t fail. Failure will let our effort be a complete waste. No mistakes can be made.

Q29: What do you think is necessary for this industry?
A29: Stupidity. Stupidity drives me forward so I keep doing it.

Q30: According to an article on the internet, charcoal making will make you live simple, so how to make a living when business is down?
A30: There is no such thing as a downturn. I burn when there are ingredients and I will continue to look for materials when there are none.

Q31: Since technology improved and more things can replace charcoal, have your customers become fewer?
A31: No, because there are a fixed number of customers who preferred traditional produced charcoal.

Q32: So is it done for a fixed month and then sold out?
A32: It is not for sale. The door opens and waits for customers to come. I will sell it if I have stock, but the customers need to wait for the next round if there is no stock.

Q33: Is your industry affected by covid-19? If so, how do you overcome it?
A33: It doesn’t matter. We live in the countryside and have not been affected. After all, people who come outside must wear masks to enter. Our side is clean.

Q34: Could you talk about your current plan and future prospects?
A34: No plan, just keep doing until I pass away.