pjbooks Chapter 25: Waiting
Chapter 25: Waiting
It took a whole day to purchase supplies, some of which were pre-ordered, especially fuel, which could only be delivered by a special tanker truck.
Photographer Kyle also spent a day following them around and gained a considerable understanding of the daily lives of gold prospectors.
Although gold panning is a high-return industry, it also requires a significant investment. From what he understands, many gold panners in the Bering Sea are barely making ends meet.
Jason is a complete oddball.
The money was definitely not all spent; the remainder was kept by Lillian.
But Lillian keeps a record of every expense in a spreadsheet; it's her habit.
Living expenses are living expenses, and gold mining expenses are gold mining expenses.
She would create separate tables for the two, which is why Lillian was indispensable in the family's gold rush.
For Jason, his main goal now is to make the most of the remaining time in the Bering Sea to strike it rich!
Moving to land to pan for gold sounds simple.
There are various types of gold mining equipment that need to be adapted to different gold mining locations. Even just the ore washing machine alone has a wide variety of classifications.
Not to mention the others.
All Jason can do now is to mine more gold and increase his strength.
The current detection range is still too small. Once gold mining begins on land, the detection range will become of paramount importance.
Yesterday, after tallying his gold earnings, Jason adjusted his abilities once again.
Detection range: 15 meters (upgradeable: 1 meter for every 100 ounces)
[Detection depth: 15 meters (upgradeable to 100 ounces, or 1 meter higher)]
[Estimated weight: 0 ounces]
[Upgradeable gold ounces: 11.15 ounces]
[Note: Gold does not absorb energy; it is only used for upgrading purposes, and its value remains unaffected.]
[Note: Only gold discovered through exploration using one's own methods is of useful value.]
After this adjustment, a detection depth of fifteen meters is sufficient for operation in the Bering Sea.
Gold panning in the Bering Sea typically avoids venturing into deeper waters, partly due to inadequate equipment and partly because people cannot dive to such depths.
As for the current detection depth of 15 meters, for a small money-making ship like the Lillian, further increasing the depth would not be of much use.
However, plans can never keep up with changes.
Once Jason had prepared all the supplies, the situation on the Bering Sea changed dramatically.
Although the sudden appearance of the cyclone a while ago told us that this year's gold rush season was unusual, it still caught everyone off guard.
The Bering Sea is located at the confluence of warm and cold oceans, and its seawater temperature is consistently cold.
It is also frequently accompanied by strong winds.
From October to March of the following year, the prevailing winds are usually from the northwest or north, and they are strong and persistent, accompanied by blizzards.
This season is also when the Bering Sea freezes over, and all gold panning work comes to a halt.
From June to August each year, the climate is relatively mild, with frequent winds of level 3-5.
This time of year is also a carnival for many gold prospectors.
Most gold mining operations take place during this period, though the timing may be slightly delayed or earlier, but the general timeframe is roughly the same.
The cyclones that caused the last serious accident usually occur during seasonal changes each year.
It is highly unpredictable and involves sudden changes in wind direction, making it the most dangerous type.
But clearly, the cyclone appeared out of nowhere, especially during this season when the climate is mild.
"Jason, it looks like we're not going to make it out to sea," Brent shouted amidst the raging winds.
With each word spoken, the wind rushed into his mouth, making a whooshing sound all around.
"Brent, Andy, let's talk about it later." Looking at the rolling clouds and the waves crashing against the dock, Jason decisively stopped going out to sea.
All the gold prospectors were watching the weather closely and planning their departure time.
But ultimately, they still have to rely on Beringhai's whims.
The last accident is still fresh in my mind. You can never have all the gold in the world, but you only have one life.
The strong wind, mixed with large raindrops, pounded against the house, and the outside temperature dropped below zero again.
One person, eyes lowered, sighed deeply, "Why are there so many things going on this year?"
"This is only the second time in over a decade that I've encountered this kind of weather."
"Why say so much? Just wait for the weather to be good before going out to sea. What's the use of worrying?" Some gold prospectors couldn't stand these people who were always sighing.
In his view, people should look forward; if you keep dwelling on the past, you can only live in the past.
The gold prospector, who had experienced the situation more than a decade ago, said in a low voice, "Kid, you think the weather's good? The strong winds more than a decade ago ended the gold rush season way off."
"No, really?"
"Exactly, it's only been a few months! In previous years, the gold rush season was only halfway through!"
"Damn it, what will I do about my bills if the gold rush season ends early this year?"
……
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
In a corner of the tavern, Jason, Corinna, and others gathered, listening to the discussions among the crowd.
Jason and the others didn't care, but Corinna couldn't; she was anxious but helpless.
Andy, after watching for a week, asked curiously, "Jason, what happened to the film crew that's been following you?"
"They're resting right now, and besides, they haven't started panning for gold yet, so they're just filming their daily lives at most."
Jason hesitated before asking, "Jason, if this year's gold rush season ends like this, the production team won't withhold our money, will they?"
"Probably not, such a big production team wouldn't be short of money," Jason said, though his tone wasn't entirely certain.
Hearing Jason and his two companions' conversation, Corinna felt even more resentful. "Damn it, you guys actually get paid for making this show?!"
Eric, standing to the side, felt even more regretful. If he could go back in time, he would never have refused Jason's invitation.
His mouth moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.
Little Hart, standing to the side, asked curiously, "Jason, how did you end up on the show?"
"What's the big deal?" Jason shrugged, a smile on his face. "I get paid and I get fame. Besides, if I fail in my gold rush, I can still make money with my fame, right?"
"Jason, you're being so insincere," Little Hart shook his head helplessly.
He admitted that Jason might be right, but his reasoning didn't hold water for Jason, who made so much money on his first gold rush.
On the other side, Albert and Old Hart were also chatting.
They, who have been panning for gold in the Bering Sea for over a decade, remain relatively calm in the face of the current situation.
"This weather, this year's situation is too strange."
"What's there to worry about? Even if I finish gold mining early this year, my earnings will be enough to pay the bills."
Old Hart laughed at Albert's Versailles, saying, "Albert, it's only because it's you. If it were anyone else, I would have cursed them to death."
Comparing goods is a must, especially this year, with Albert's gold mining and fleet expansion making old Hart envious.
Albert chuckled and teased, "That's true, old Hart, you definitely can't beat me in a fight."
"By the way, where's Jason? I heard he's filming a show."
Aside from the gold rush season, the Bering Sea is sparsely populated during other seasons, and this was the first time they had ever been on a TV show.
"Yes, I don't interfere with Jason's affairs either, after all, the kid is an adult now," Albert said with a sigh mixed with pride.
"That's great," Old Ha nodded. "Jason is so famous in the Bering Sea right now. Going on a show can help spread that fame."
Fame can sometimes be a burden, but sometimes it can be a shield.
As Albert and Hart entered middle age, they understood this principle even more deeply.
The two chatted about all sorts of things.
These free days are especially precious during the gold rush season when you can't go out to sea.
Outside, the wind howled fiercely; inside, people drank and chatted idly.
A rare moment of leisure.