Gold Rush Starts in the Bering Sea

Chapter 13: The Astute Andy

In the afternoon, Jason sat alone in the meeting room.

As for Ada and Albert, they had already replenished their supplies and set sail long ago.

Before long, Mother Lillian entered with a middle-aged man who had a full beard, wore a milk cap, and was carrying a small wine jug.

He wasn't very tall, just over 1.7 meters, but a scar on his face made him look particularly fierce.

Of course, the first thing you smell is alcohol.

Before Lillian could introduce him, Andy extended his hand and said, "Hello Jason, I'm Andy."

"Hello, Andy, I'm Jason." Jason extended his hand and shook hands.

"Alright, you two talk. Call me if you need anything," Lillian said, turning and walking out of the meeting room.

The door closed, and before Jason could speak, Andy picked up the small flask and took a swig of liquor. The pungent smell of the liquor made Jason frown.

"Andy, if you were panning for gold at sea, could you guarantee you wouldn't touch alcohol?" Jason finally asked.

If Andy's answer doesn't satisfy him, Jason will definitely fire him; he doesn't want to entrust his life to an alcoholic.

Perhaps it was Jason's tone, but Andy tightened the screwdriver on his small flask and said seriously, "Don't worry, I can hold my liquor well, and besides, I only drink on land. Work is work, and I have professional ethics!"

"Okay," Jason nodded, but emphasized again, "If I find you drinking at sea, then I'm sorry, I'll have to remove you from my gold-digging ship."

"Can!"

Jason didn't dwell on the assurance. He could tell from Andy's eyes that Andy was serious about what he said.

"Let me tell you about the salary. It's 3000 US dollars a month, plus a 1% commission," Jason continued.

Andy stroked the flask in his hand and slowly said, "Jason, I can forgo the base salary, but I'd like three percent of the profits."

"Impossible!" Jason refused without even thinking.

"Jason, I've been in the Bering Sea for over a decade and have extensive gold panning experience. I can definitely help you find gold."

"Besides, there were two salary options when you first joined, LaBrent."

"Therefore, considering all factors, three percent isn't too much for me."

Andy slowly began to explain the pros and cons to Jason.

"No, that was then, that's now, and this is the only salary available now," Jason said firmly.

Jason was unaware of Andy's situation. Although his mother, Lillian, had told him some things about the man, Jason was certain from their brief encounter that this middle-aged man, Andy, was definitely a shrewd person!

Moreover, as things stand, I don't necessarily need him. I can find a newcomer; it's all about making money anyway, and experience isn't that important in the face of his abilities.

"Jason, it seems you really struck gold in the Bering Sea!" Andy exclaimed.

Before today, Andy had only heard of Jason, but had never met him.

Although I've heard of Jason's reputation as a street hustler, the fact that he's planning to hire new people shows that Jason isn't what outsiders think.

This is also why he doesn't want a base salary but wants a share of the profits.

Jason didn't respond to Andy's sentiments, but continued, "Andy, to be honest, your gold-digging experience isn't very useful to me. This is the only salary I can offer you right now. If you agree, you're welcome to join. If you still insist on a profit-sharing arrangement, then I'm sorry."

"Okay, I'll do it your way," Andy replied without hesitation.

Jason extended his hand and smiled, "Welcome to the team."

"Of course, my boss," Andy replied with a smile.

Andy cautioned, "But boss, I still have to warn you, there are plenty of shrewd people in the Bering Sea. Once I join you and we go out to sea again, you'll be followed by a pack of hyenas."

"I know," Jason nodded, not worried about the situation.

Although he didn't know where Jason's confidence came from, he didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he took out a flask and asked, "Boss, how about a drink to celebrate my joining the company?"

Seeing the swaying flask and Andy's somewhat unserious appearance, Jason declined: "No, I'll treat you, and introduce you to Brent. Besides, I don't like hard liquor."

"Looks like you don't know the taste of brandy yet," Andy shrugged, not refusing Jason's offer.

As Jason stepped out of the meeting room, he nodded at his mother Lillian's probing gaze.

Lillian smiled, gave Andy a light hug, and welcomed him, saying, "Andy, welcome to the team."

"Thank you for the hug, but I still have to say, your son has a really bad temper," Andy said, giving Lillian a light hug.

Seeing his mother's gaze, Jason smiled and shook his head.

Inside the tavern, Brent, who had received the news, was already waiting at the bar, accepting the teasing from those around him. After all, this was the first time they had ever seen Jason, a street hustler, making his fortune on the Bering Sea.

"Brent, you and Jason have become quite famous on the Bering Sea, hahaha."

"Yeah, Brent, can you tell us how much gold you panned for at sea?"

"Brent, you should have punched that Jason kid and made him listen to you."

"No, no, no, that would make Bren lose his job."

·······

Brent echoed their sentiments, not taking the teasing to heart, and even finding them somewhat laughable.

When Jason and Andy walked into the bar one after the other, the atmosphere inside instantly became much more lively.

"Hey Jason, wanna come over for a drink?"

"Andy, what are you doing with Jason, you drunkard?"

"Jason, how much gold did you pan for in the Bering Sea?"

·······

Brent saw Jason approaching directly, and despite the mocking laughter around him, he said firmly, "Alright, you guys drink your wine."

Sitting at the bar, Jason said to the bar owner, Gary, "Gary, two beers and a brandy."

Gary glanced at Andy sitting there and couldn't help but tease Jason, "Jason, looks like you really made a fortune on the Bering Sea."

"Okay, let's have some more food," Jason said, changing the subject without answering.

"Haha, no problem," Old Gary's smile deepened, further confirming his guess.

Brent and Andy, who were on one side, recognized each other. Hearing old Gary's words, Andy reminded him, "See? This is the Bering Sea. There are still a lot of smart people here."

Especially those in the tavern who hadn't participated in the banter noticed Jason and his two companions huddled together, whispering something.

Jason took a sip of his beer and said nonchalantly, "Ignore them."

"Yes, you'll see what it's like when we get to sea," Brent said mysteriously.

Old Gary placed the plate on the bar counter—a simple hot dog—and teased Jason, "Jason, how about a bigger tip today?"

"No, I hate tips," Jason refused without hesitation.

Brent picked up a hot dog, took a bite, and mumbled, "No problem, I'll pay."

Andy shook his head, really not wanting to say anything more.

Jason chatted casually while planning the procurement for the next while. The fuel could be pulled directly from the warehouse, but the food still needed to be purchased.

Furthermore, the equipment needs to be inspected again to prevent malfunctions after it goes to sea.

Although it was supposed to be a two-day rest, I only managed to catch up on sleep; the rest of the time was spent replenishing supplies on the ship.

Jason asked, "Brent, Andy, do you want to go grocery shopping with me later?"

"Of course, I'll go."

"Can"

With their consent, Jason paid the bill for old Gary. Of course, Jason still gave a tip, but it wasn't much.

Jason wandered around the supermarket and was greatly disappointed, especially since it was gold rush season and gold mining equipment and a lot of fast food were placed at the top of the shelves.

But there were still some gains; Jason took some seasonings and meat.

Of course, Jason didn't touch any alcohol, and Andy, the alcoholic, didn't even mention it.

Gold panning in the Bering Sea is inherently risky, and although it's not explicitly stated, the rule against bringing alcohol is something many people in the Bering Sea tacitly agree to.

Purchase supplies, replenish fuel, and repair equipment.

Especially when it came to repairing equipment, Andy, being a veteran, was incredibly skilled, prompting Jason to remark, "No wonder he's a seasoned veteran who's been operating in the Bering Sea for over a decade."

Andy said proudly, "Kids, you still have a lot to learn."

Time always flies, and as darkness fell, all the preparations were completed.

"Jason, let's set sail now!" Brent said excitedly, eager to see the gold pour into their coffers.

Jason stopped Brent from leaving immediately, saying, "No rush, we'll leave tomorrow morning, Andy. I hope you won't be drunk tomorrow."

"Don't worry," Andy said, taking another sip of his drink.

Having set the time, Jason clapped his hands: "Alright, get a good rest tonight. I don't want to be late tomorrow."