​Based on the true history of the scrap-metal industry along the Erren River, the work constructs a fictional allegory of civilization called “The Kingdom of Black Gold.”

The once-clear river was polluted by heavy metals because of large-scale acid washing and refining of scrap metal and electronic components, which even caused the notorious incident of “green oyster” and became an important part in the history of environmental governance of Taiwan. Through the allegorical narration, the work reinterprets the environmental changes of the Erren River, reminding people of the costs hidden behind resource exploitation and economic growth. It also invites us to reflect on the possibilities of future coexistence between humans and the land.