Chapter 15 — Pottery Kiln Fire Keeper

The collective petition of Doi Sanh village, with more than two hundred signatures, was sent to the district environmental resources department on time. While waiting for the results of the review, life at Van Khe's pottery workshop gradually returned to its familiar rhythm, although the atmosphere of anxiety still lingered somewhere in every daily story.

Khang remained at the factory, helping with the work and continuing to research the Nguyet Bach yeast formula with Van Khe. The two successfully tested a small firing batch with an improved formula that added finely ground shell limestone according to Khang's suggestion, resulting in a glaze with a much clearer turquoise color than the previous test, although it still did not reach the perfection described in his grandfather's diary.

— There's something missing, — Van Khe said, admiring the experimental tea pot in the sunlight. Although the enamel layer was beautiful, it still did not exude the "full moonlight" charisma that his grandfather once described. — The color is almost correct, but lacks the clarity and depth that my grandfather described.

— Maybe it's because the firing temperature wasn't high enough, or the fire suppression time wasn't long enough, — Khang analyzed, looking over old notes. — My grandfather recorded that the last batch of tests before the accident almost achieved the desired results. Perhaps we need a larger-scale, longer-lasting firing, to recreate those conditions.

— Then we need to plan a special batch, — Van Khe said, her eyes flashing with determination. — Not just to sell, but to perfect Nguyet Bach enamel once and for all.

*

While the two were passionately discussing plans, Mr. Vong walked in, holding in his hand an envelope he had just received from the commune post office. His face looked unusually serious.

— Khe, letter from the district court, — he said, his voice somewhat worried.

Van Khe grabbed the envelope, opened it, and quickly read it. The content of the letter announced that Tan Tho company had officially sued her family and a number of other households who had signed the petition, alleging "obstructing legal production and business activities, causing economic damage". The amount of compensation the company requested was up to hundreds of millions of dong - a huge number for her family.

— He really did, — Khang said, his voice choking as he read the letter, his face pale with shock. — I didn't think my father would go this far.

Van Khe felt the ground collapse under her feet. This is no longer a battle for land or honor, but has become a real legal battle, with financial consequences that could push her family to the brink of bankruptcy, especially in the context that her father is still undergoing expensive heart disease treatment.

— Father, — she turned to look at Mr. Vong, her voice trembling, — what should I do?

Mr. Vong, even though his face was full of worry, still tried to keep his voice calm to reassure his daughter.

— We need to find a lawyer right away, — he said. — The people's petition is legal, based on civil rights protected by law, and cannot be considered an illegal act of obstructing business. But anyway, this is a costly battle in terms of time and money, I have to prepare mentally.

That night, after her father went to bed, Van Khe sat alone in the workshop, looking at the rows of ceramic products neatly arranged on the shelves, her mind filled with chaos. She thought of the sleepless nights spent watching the fire, of her father's sweat, of Khac Ben's, of Khang's, of the pride she felt when opening the oven to see the Nguyet Bach yeast glimmering into shape, and now, everything was in danger of collapsing just because of a threatening lawsuit.

She took the phone, called Ms. Uong Bich Thuy, and told the whole incident. Ms. Thuy listened silently, then spoke, her voice full of sympathy but no less decisive.

— Van Khe, I think this is the time we need to speed up the process of cultural heritage documents, — she said. — If Vong Nguyet kiln is recognized as a heritage site, or at least has a written confirmation that it is in the process of official approval from the provincial level, it will be a strong legal shield, causing the authorities to be much more cautious before any moves that may affect the craft village, including this lawsuit.

— But you said that process would take many years, — Van Khe repeated, her voice a bit skeptical.

— The official recognition process is indeed long, — Ms. Thuy explained, — but the first step, creating a nomination dossier and having it reviewed by the receiving province, can be accelerated if there are enough convincing documents. I filmed quite a few scenes in the recent firing, plus the story about Mr. Truong and Nguyet Bach enamel, this is a file with rare weight. Let me contact the provincial Department of Culture this week to see if we can speed up the process of receiving documents.

The conversation with Ms. Thuy somewhat rekindled hope in Van Khe's heart. She realized that the fight to protect Vong Nguyet kiln now relies not only on her family's resilience, but also requires the cooperation of a whole network of people who believe in the value of traditional crafts - from Mr. Toai, Ms. Thuy, to even the neighbors who did not hesitate to sign the petition even though they knew they might get into trouble.

*

News of the lawsuit quickly spread throughout the village, creating a tense atmosphere. Some households who signed the petition began to panic. Some people came to Van Khe to withdraw their names from the list for fear of being implicated, although most people still firmly stood by her side.

Mr. Hua Dinh Toai convened an emergency meeting and invited the district attorney to advise people. After carefully reviewing the file, the lawyer reassured everyone that Tan Tho's lawsuit had a very weak legal basis and would almost certainly be rejected by the court, but the proceedings could still last for many months, causing considerable expense and psychological pressure for the sued parties.

— This is clearly the tactic of "putting meat on people", - the lawyer commented. — The company clearly knows that the possibility of winning the lawsuit is low, but they use the lawsuit as a pressure tool, causing people to become discouraged and voluntarily withdraw for fear of costs and time loss.

Hearing that, many people in the village became even more indignant at Tan Tho's tricks, but there were also people who were really worried and did not have the financial means to pursue a long lawsuit, even though they knew victory was in their favor.

*

That night, Khang called his grandfather and told him the whole incident. Mr. Chiem Vinh Truong, although his health was much weaker, still firmly asked his nephew to take him to meet his son directly to talk.

— I can't let this continue any longer, — he said over the phone, his voice shaking but full of determination. — It's time for you to tell Nguyen the whole truth, even if you have to face the painful truth about yourself.

Khang hung up the phone and turned to look at Van Khe, his eyes were both worried and carrying a fragile ray of hope.

— My grandfather wanted to meet my father in person to clarify everything, — he said. — Perhaps, this will be the last chance to resolve everything, before everything becomes irreversible.

Van Khe held his hand tightly, her eyes also shone with hope and anxiety.

— We must believe, — she said, her voice firm. — Believe that the truth, even if it comes late, still has enough power to heal what has been broken for the past thirty-five years.

Outside, darkness covers Doi Sanh village, but on the distant horizon, the first rays of a new day seem to have begun to glimmer, signaling a decisive confrontation about to take place between the two families, between a painful past and hope for a reconciled future.

Before going to bed, Van Khe stopped by her grandfather's old house once more, placing her hand on the worn leather diary that had now become her inseparable object throughout the past journey. She whispered, as if she were talking to him, even though she knew he was no longer there.

— Grandpa, I don't know where everything will go, — she said softly, her voice choked. — But I promise, I won't give up. I will try my best to fulfill his wish, to reconcile everything, to keep the fire of Vong Nguyet furnace never extinguished.

Outside the window, the crescent moon shines a faint streak of light on the factory floor, where the gourd tree still stands quietly, like a silent witness of many generations that have passed, waiting for the day to be lit up again for the upcoming decisive battle.