Gold Rush Starts in the Bering Sea

Chapter 88: The Expedition Plan Ends

Jason spent some time wandering around the mine, observing the mining machines covered in ice and snow, except for checking the results of his observations.

It's quite strange, but the mining machines used by gold miners are always incredibly diverse.

The machine in front of him was just like that; it actually used a drum washing system, which opened Jason's eyes.

"No, is the drum washing machine used here?" Jason couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Even a novice would know that drum screen washing is not suitable for this land, but the mine owner just used it anyway.

"Don't look at me, I don't understand it either," Rupert shook his head and said, "As far as I know, this ore washing equipment was probably obtained by a tenant as a payment for a debt. As for how it's being used here, I have no idea."

"Okay," Jason smacked his lips a few times; what else could he say?

After looking around, Jason decided to move on to another place.

"Mr. Jason, I have some very unfortunate news," Rupert said to Jason after hanging up the phone. "The other mine we were planning to visit can no longer be visited."

Jason asked nonchalantly, "Any good news?"

"The good news is that we can go straight back to town." Jason was taken aback by these words, his face showing astonishment.

"Nowhere else to go?" Jason looked at Rupert with suspicion.

Rupert explained, "Mr. Jason, there aren't many people here to inspect things at this time of year, are there?" He then pointed to the snow under his feet.

"Is that so?" Jason smiled awkwardly.

Another bumpy ride.

Sitting inside the restaurant, the group took off their thick coats.

Outside the window, the snowflakes, as fine as goose feathers, have started falling again.

"Mr. Jason, judging from the weather, it looks like your research trip tomorrow is going to be canceled."

Rupert offered his suggestion: "Actually, the best time for you to come is next May. I'll take you to properly inspect the mines here then."

While eating, Jason looked out the window and couldn't help but nod.

The roads are difficult to travel, but the main problem is that many mines have closed down and people can't be found.

The idea of ​​conducting an inspection was out of the question.

"Rupert, your suggestion is excellent." Although he was relatively new to the area, Jason was already considering backing out.

Compared to the warm and pleasant climate of Australia, this place is indeed far too harsh.

After the meal, Jason parted ways with Rupert, marking the end of their expedition.

For the next two days, Jason was essentially stuck in the hotel.

The snow hadn't stopped, and the roads were covered with a thick layer of snow, almost knee-deep, making it impossible to get out.

Jason, Dolino, and the other two were sitting by the fire in the room, playing cards idly, having nothing better to do.

"Boss, I just heard from the hotel owner that the snow is probably going to last for a few more days," Nojes gave Jason another "surprise."

Jason calmly replied, "It's fine, just treat it as a game. Anyway, we have nothing to do when we get back."

He wasn't in a hurry at all; he was just a little bored being stuck inside the house.

"No, this is too boring. Let's go out for a walk." After a game of cards, Jason couldn't contain himself any longer.

After wrapping themselves in their clothes, the three of them braved the snow and headed straight for the street.

As for the photographer, Jason didn't even notify him.

On the streets, snowplows were still working, but the roads were covered with snow again not long after they had cleared them.

Some shops that were still open have now put up signs saying they are closed.

There weren't many people to begin with, let alone on such a snowy day, and we walked for quite a while without seeing anyone.

Fortunately, the restaurants in town were still open, and quite a few people were still sitting inside chatting.

Jason packed some barbecue and beer, and bought some freshly baked pizza and bread before heading home.

Going out to browse is pointless, but staying cooped up in the hotel is even more boring.

Back at the hotel, he placed the foil-wrapped roast meat directly on the fireplace in the room to heat it up, and said to Dolino and the other man, "You two should go back and rest too. Judging from the weather, we'll probably have to wait a few more days."

Sitting in front of the fireplace, warming yourself by the fire, eating roast meat and drinking beer.

The room fell silent, with only the occasional crackling of wood coming from the fireplace.

Jason flipped through the book in his hands, and strangely enough, Jason, who didn't particularly like reading, was now able to calm down.

Outside the window, heavy snow was falling.

Inside, the fireplace is warming the room, people are nestled on the sofa reading, occasionally taking a sip of beer and a bite of grilled meat.

In Australia, more than a week has passed since Jason left.

Albert and Swail also decided to pan for the gold from last week today.

Andy and Brent, who were on the night shift, couldn't sleep when they received the news, and immediately started working together.

The show's cameramen also pointed their cameras at them.

Cleaning, settling, separation.

When the gleaming gold was presented before everyone's eyes, it instantly swept away all their fatigue.

The electronic scale finally settled on 218.2 ounces!

Albert, with a cigar in his mouth, exhaled a smoke ring and said casually, "Not bad, quite a lot. Including what Jason put away, it should be around 300 ounces."

Swell, who was standing next to him, also bottled it and quietly lit a cigarette for himself.

"The first wash yielded over 260 ounces, the second wash yielded over 450 ounces, and this time it's nearly 300 ounces. That adds up to over 1000 ounces!" Brent counted on his fingers, and then screamed as he finished.

The first two washings took two weeks, plus another two weeks to remove the topsoil, plus more than a week.

I don't know, I was taken aback.

In just over a month, monthly production has already reached 1000 ounces.

Many small mines don't even earn as much in a year as they do in a single month.

"Hey, keep your voice down, you scared me!" Andy slapped Brent on the back in annoyance.

"Hehehe, I'm just happy," Brent chuckled.

Andy shook his head with a smile, not knowing what to say to Brent's expression.

Meanwhile, Swail and Brent were also discussing it.

Swell calculated the time and said, "Shouldn't we switch the day and night shifts? It's been more than half a month already."

"Indeed, we can't keep doing this," Albert nodded, and after thinking for a while, said, "If it doesn't work, let's stop work tonight and switch to another job tomorrow. It'll be a temporary break."

"Okay, let's consider this a short break."

Swail and Albert finalized the deal immediately.

Brent, overhearing their conversation, asked, "How about we have a party tonight?"

"Go and inform them." It was just a meal, and Albert nodded in agreement.

"OK! I'll go tell the chefs to get ready!" he said, running straight to the kitchen.

Andy followed closely behind.

For Brent, not having to work tonight meant a party, while for Andy, going to work tomorrow meant he could have a few more drinks now.

"Chef Xing~, Chef Li~, we're having a party tonight, you guys have to make some delicious food! I thought the skewers you made last time were especially good," Brent said, swallowing hard.

Seeing Brent's excited shouts, Xing Ronghua and Li Guoming laughed. "Okay, no problem, we'll definitely have the barbecue skewers you mentioned tonight."

As for Andy, he went straight to the refrigerator in the kitchen, took out a bottle of beer, bit it open with his teeth, and gulped down a few mouthfuls.

"Cool!"

The mine is usually strictly managed and the work pressure is high, so people only drink alcohol in moderation, at most a bottle of beer.

Now that he doesn't have to work tonight, Andy can finally have a good drink.

Brent frowned and reminded him, "Andy, you have to work tomorrow, so drink less."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He didn't want to lose such a good job because of his drinking. He could drink, but he also had a moral compass.

Time quickly passed and evening arrived.

At this time, the open-air barbecue grills had been set up, and the sizzling, oily meat and skewers floated in the air above the mine with the smoke.

Apart from the security team, everyone else was eating barbecue and drinking.

As the sound system blared, the atmosphere in the entire mine instantly rose again.

"Everyone, let's get hyped!!!"

As the music played, Brent picked up the microphone and shouted.

Music, dance, beer, barbecue!

The entire mine instantly transformed into a disco.

"Are all your parties at the mine this lively?" Corinna couldn't help but raise her voice because of the loud music, and asked Ada.

Ada replied loudly, "That's normal. Jason isn't here. If he were here, things wouldn't be like this."

Corinna thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. Putting aside Jason's status, Jason's personality wouldn't allow him to make this place so noisy.

The revelry continued until after 10 p.m., and Brent reluctantly turned off the sound system.

"Everyone, get some rest. We have to get up early for work tomorrow," Brent said, clapping his hands.

As for Swell and his team, they didn't have many concerns after learning that they would need to switch to the night shift and not work during the day the next day.

Jason, who was stuck in the Yukon, was completely unaware of this party.

Warm and cozy by the fireplace, he had already fallen asleep on the sofa.