My Gold Rush Career Begins in 1984

Chapter 125 It’s easy to get together and part ways
Hot weather is the peak season for snake activity, but in the Altay region, they cannot be seen anytime and anywhere.

This thing has a somewhat mysterious quality. You can always see it unexpectedly in the grass, in the cracks of rocks, or on some paths or roads, giving you a fright. But when you go looking for it, it disappears without a trace.

There are far fewer snakes in the north than in the south.

It was a month later when Bai Zhishun handed the jar containing five snake gallbladders to Zhou Jingming.

"Three of them are the same kind of snakes that scared you that time. I can't tell the other two. They're not big and don't seem to be venomous."

When Bai Zhishun handed the canning jar to Zhou Jingming, he said, "Don't be disgusted. I've cleaned it very well. Let it soak for a while, and drink a little bit every now and then. It's good for your health!"

"Thank you, Shunzi!"

Zhou Jingming shook the canned food jar, five snake gallbladders swirling in the liquid, knowing that he must have gone to great lengths to find them: "Are you getting used to working with me at the mine?"

"I'm used to it... Everyone's been very kind to me!"

Bai Zhishun smiled at Zhou Jingming: "I know, Brother Zhou greeted everyone, and they all took good care of me."

Although he looks honest and simple, he is not really naive. He knows many things very well, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered to find snakes and make snake gall wine during his rest time. He knows that Zhou Jingming is really good to him.

"It's because you work hard and are obedient that everyone likes you!"

Zhou Jingming then asked another question: "Now that the gold rush is over this year, what are your plans? Are you going back to your hometown or...?"

He calculated that since he brought Bai Zhishun to the small peninsula, in about three months, apart from rest, going out to buy supplies, and delays due to cloudy and rainy weather, Bai Zhishun should have received 316 grams of gold.

This is easy to calculate. Zhou Jingming knew that he had collected a total of 948 grams of gold in the past three months, which was three times that of the gold prospectors under his command.

Including the compensation from the group that seized Li Guozhu's mine, Bai Zhishun should have 393 grams.

For the average gold prospector, this is a considerable sum of money. Based on the current lowest price offered by gold dealers at thirty yuan per gram, after deducting expenses, it would amount to at least eleven thousand yuan.

This is a considerable sum of money. Back in his rural hometown, he would definitely be a "ten-thousand-yuan household," a very rare and substantial household these days. He would be considered a gold-digging nouveau riche.

This was something Zhou Jingming hadn't expected.

The gold yield on the surface of the gold-bearing layer on the small peninsula is barely acceptable, the middle layer meets the standard of rich ore, and the bottom layer of mud and sand is even richer in gold, with several gold nuggets being panned out almost every day, and occasionally a small gold nugget is also found.

The people we recruited are really living the good life. After working for us for a few months, each of them has become a millionaire, and those who joined earliest have even more money in their pockets.

Zhou Jingming asked Bai Zhishun this question because he felt that such a sum of money was enough for Bai Zhishun to build a house, get married, and acquire many properties.

He didn't want Bai Zhishun to continue following him, lest the tragedy of losing his life repeat itself like in his previous life.

Moreover, he has too much money, which easily attracts envy, and given his honest and simple nature, he is easily taken advantage of.

Zhou Jingming felt that it was appropriate for him to go back at this time.

"You...don't want me to continue?"

Bai Zhishun hesitated for a long time, then lowered his head and asked in a low voice.

"No, Shunzi, I absolutely didn't mean that."

Zhou Jingming carefully considered his words before explaining his thoughts to him.

After a pause, he said earnestly, "You can only stay in the Gold Rush Valley for a month or two at most. The closer it gets to the end of the gold rush this year, the more chaotic things will become outside. This is the best time for you to leave."

"But...but I think working with you is much better than going back to my hometown. I don't have to share as much gold, and I promise I'll be very obedient. I'll do whatever you ask me to do. Please don't send me back..."

Bai Zhishun looked extremely conflicted: "I... I'm looked down upon wherever I go, but you're the only one who doesn't look down on me and takes such good care of me. I really don't want to go back..."

Seeing his pleading look, Zhou Jingming felt a pang of pity, but he hardened his heart and said, "Shunzai, listen to your brother. Go back, take this money, build a house, get married, and open a small shop. As long as you manage it well, the income from the small shop will be enough to make you live a good life."

As you've seen, there's constant infighting and fighting in the Gold Rush Valley. I don't mean to drive you away; I just hope you can live peacefully, have your own family, and live a happy and fulfilling life.

You are too naive and easily taken advantage of. The Gold Rush Valley is too dangerous for you, and you are likely to be bullied.

Think it over carefully. If you think what I said is right, then come and tell me. If you decide to go back, I'll personally take you to catch the bus.

You don't need to rush to answer me. Let's wait until we finish our shopping spree here on the small peninsula. You have to be alive to spend the money you earn, don't you think?

Bai Zhishun opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything. He just nodded slightly and turned to leave the tent.

After this period of mining, the area left on the small peninsula for mining is not large.

It will end in about half a month at most.

Moreover, it also depends on whether the silt transported from the upstream side after the surface layer is removed can hold back the river. As the excavation continues upstream, the silt dam that holds back the water becomes thinner and thinner, and if it collapses at any time, the river will flood in.

At that time, the sand pits and drainage ditches in the small peninsula will become new river channels due to the lower terrain, making it impossible to continue panning for gold.

Peng Yuanchao and Li Guozhu came up with an idea: to cut some timber from the mountain and drive piles into the weak points to reinforce them, hoping to extend the mining time.

The main reason is that everyone feels that the gold yield on the small peninsula base is indeed quite good, and no one is willing to give it up.

However, Zhou Jingming felt that cutting timber and driving piles for reinforcement was a method, but it would take a lot of time. The key issue was that once a collapse occurred, a large amount of water would rush into the ditch, which could easily cause accidents for people working in the sand pit.

Instead of getting bogged down in the remaining mining area, it would be better to end it before the seepage gets worse and it feels like the area is about to collapse.

Anyway, there are good mining sites, so there's no fear of not having places to pan for gold.

After he spoke, neither Peng Yuanchao nor Li Guozhu said anything more.

As for Wu Yang, he always does whatever Zhou Jingming decides.

The day of its end came quite early.

After ten more days of mining, the water flowing out of the dam gaps near the upstream of the sand pit increased, and the water in the sand pit accumulated. The drainage ditch had become a small river. Although it was only up to the knees deep, it had already greatly affected the continued mining.

The deeper the mud and sand at the bottom, the higher the gold content. However, the mud and sand are surrounded by water, so you have to wear waders and go shirtless to wade into the water and shovel out the mud and sand little by little, put it in baskets, and carry it up. Not only is the mining laborious, but the amount of ore you can dig out is also very limited because you have to grope your way through the muddy water.

The diesel engine was idle for half the day, so naturally not much gold was panned.

That very evening, after the gold was divided and dinner was finished, Zhou Jingming gathered everyone to sit on the grass by the tent. He took out a Red Lotus cigarette and gave one to everyone who smoked: "I've made my decision. Our mining work on this little peninsula is over."

This was something Zhou Jingming had mentioned before.

No one was surprised.

But Zhou Jingming had something even more important to say: "There's not much time left before autumn arrives. In other words, we can only work for less than two months at most."

I'm going to another mining site.

That mining site is a terrace. In the future, when digging and transporting materials, we won't have to deal with water all day long. It's just that the people working by the sluice and the gold digger will be in frequent contact with water, which will be easier than here.

I have no choice, nor do I intend to demand that all of you come with me to the new mining site. This is something you can only decide for yourselves.

If you want to continue panning for gold with me, start packing your luggage and tools tomorrow. Peng and Li, you two are responsible for leading them and moving their things to where we enter the valley. Wu Yang and I will go find a vehicle to transport the things.

As for those who don't want to go, it's your decision to stay or leave. However, starting tomorrow, those of you who plan to leave will have nothing to do with me anymore. I don't want to be involved in anything.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Those of you who are here to pan for gold for the first time may not know that the closer it gets to the end of the gold rush season, the more chaotic the gold rush valley becomes. If you don't believe me, you can ask the other experienced gold panners in the group."

Therefore, my advice is that if you don't want to continue, you'd better leave as soon as possible before things really get chaotic. It will be much safer that way.

After working for these past few months, everyone knows exactly how much money you have. You've made enough, so it's time to leave.

Don't end up losing not only your gold but also your life.

Alright, enough said. Think it over tonight. Tomorrow morning, those who decide to come with me to the new gold mining spot, sign up with Brother Peng or Brother Li... By the way, Brother Li, I haven't properly asked for your opinion yet. Do you still want to work with me?

Peng Yuanchao and Wu Yang have already made their positions clear, so there's no need to ask further. Only Li Guozhu hasn't had a detailed discussion with him yet.

Li Guozhu said confidently, "I have no relatives or friends here in Altay. I'm all alone. It's rare to find a few reliable people. If I don't follow you, who else will I follow?"

Zhou Jingming smiled and said, "That's good. You brought Wang Dong and the others here. They're all related to you, so ask them for their opinions on whether to stay or leave."

Li Guozhu nodded: "Okay!"

Zhou Jingming glanced at everyone, took a deep breath, and said, "I won't say much more. We've met here by chance and worked together. I've never wronged or bullied any of you. But that's all I can say. Let's part amicably... That's all!"

After he finished speaking, he lit the cigarette he was holding, led Jin Wang, called Wu Yang, and walked into the fir forest on the hillside to continue their daily training.

As darkness approached and training ended, the two returned to camp, drenched in sweat. Zhou Jingming then called Bai Zhishun out again: "Shunzi, you've thought about this for so many days, you should have a decision by now. Do you choose to go back, or do you choose to stay?"

Bai Zhishun stammered, still somewhat reluctant, "I...I'll listen to Brother Zhou and go back!"

Zhou Jingming was quite pleased with this decision.

He patted Bai Zhishun on the shoulder: "Okay, you can come with me first thing tomorrow morning!"

(End of this chapter)