My Gold Rush Career Begins in 1984

Chapter 46: A Challenge?

Zhou Jingming and Wu Yang chatted and smoked in the fir forest until it was almost dark. When they got too cold, they got up to check the river upstream and downstream. Seeing that there was nothing unusual, they returned to their dugout together.

Located in the desolate mountains and wilderness, and exhausted, the two went to sleep as soon as it got dark. They crawled into their dugout and saw that most of the people were already wrapped in blankets and snoring.

The only one still awake was Peng Yuanchao, who sat by the earthen stove smoking and wiping his double-barreled shotgun by the flickering firelight.

"Brother Peng, why aren't you asleep yet? What are you thinking about?"

Zhou Jingming sat down next to a wooden stump, took out a pack of cigarettes, and rolled one up.

Wu Yang was exhausted after a long day of intense training and didn't have much energy to talk. He went to his bunk, pulled Sun Chenggui, who was sleeping in the wrong place next to him, aside, took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, lay down fully clothed, pulled the blanket over himself, and then remained still.

Peng Yuanchao did not answer Zhou Jingming immediately, but silently wiped his hunting rifle again and again. After a while, he said, "More and more people are panning for gold in the valley. I've been there before, brother. To be honest, I'm not confident that we can hold onto this treasure land, especially for a ragtag team like ours. Over the past few days, morale has remained low... making things even more difficult."

When Zhou Jingming told him at noon that someone might seize the territory, Peng Yuanchao chose to remain silent. Judging from the current situation, he had been quite worried all day. Perhaps only that hunting rifle could bring him some comfort, so he held it and wiped it clean again and again.

Zhou Jingming smiled and comforted him: "Brother Peng, there's really nothing to worry about. As the old saying goes, when soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it. Why think so much? We'll talk about it when something really happens."

Don't worry, I won't give up such a great place easily. I can't speak for others, but I will definitely choose to stand with you through thick and thin.

Besides, fighting and killing are only a last resort. Before that, there is always room for maneuver. We are all human, and we are all afraid of death, don't you think?

Like I said before, at worst, I'll just find another place and do the same thing.

Peng Yuanchao looked up at Zhou Jingming, his expression softening considerably: "With your words, I feel much better. Suddenly, I realize that agreeing to let you two join the team when you asked for such a high price back in Altan was probably the wisest decision I made on this trip to the mountains to pan for gold."

Zhou Jingming smiled at him: "Go to sleep quickly, get plenty of rest, and make the most of your time to make money!"

Back when Peng Yuanchao first joined the team at the Altan Ayina Hotel, Zhou Jingming learned about him briefly and already knew that this dark-skinned man was only a first-time leader.

Although he was a veteran gold miner, he had always followed others and ultimately lacked experience as a leader. His capital was also weak, which is why he made so many threats along the way, using intimidation and coercion to win over his men.

On the other hand, given Zhou Jingming's exorbitant asking price, other experienced team leaders wouldn't easily accept him and Wu Yang into their ranks.

Zhou Jingming knew that if he didn't help manage this ragtag team, it would be difficult to establish a foothold in the valley.

The reason this team is described as a mixed bag is because its members come from various regions, including Longzhong and Longnan, Luoyue and Shanglin, Yuzhou, Shu, and Xiang. Their backgrounds are diverse, and it is difficult for them to be of one mind.

Unlike other teams, which are mostly composed of people from the same place who stick together and form small groups, this team is different.

These groups that band together are more united and powerful; if they don't get along, they can start fighting each other in no time.

After lying down on the earthen bed, Zhou Jingming began to carefully consider his next steps. However, after a short while, exhaustion stopped his brain from working, and he fell asleep without realizing it.

When I woke up, it was already daylight.

A local from Yuzhou, who was on duty today, was watching the rice being roasted in an iron pot over a small fire.

Wu Yang has already gone out for his morning exercise.

A few of the others woke up, but none of them were too lazy to get out of bed. Peng Yuanchao, on the other hand, was sleeping soundly, probably because he had been thinking too much last night. Zhou Jingming, still half asleep, even saw him turn over, sit up, and smoke.

He didn't rush to wake Peng Yuanchao; instead, he got up, put on his shoes and socks, and quietly urged the others to get up quickly.

The strain from yesterday's intense work didn't ease after a night's sleep; in fact, it made things worse. Everyone grimaced and groaned as they got up to get dressed.

Zhou Jingming couldn't help but say, "We're all grown men, and we've all worked hard before. We should all know that in this situation, the more you cower and shrink back, the more uncomfortable you'll feel. It's better to grit your teeth and bear it, to exert yourself and get your body moving. What kind of talk is this, groaning and whining?"

No one else said anything and they all got up. Only Cao Qidong muttered, "Technician Zhou, you were in charge of pulling the cart yesterday. The cart has wheels, so the job is easy. Of course, it's easy for you to talk when you're not in the situation."

Don't you think about us? All day long, our hands are constantly on the pickaxe and shovel, putting in so much effort, and you're just groaning and complaining?
"You're in pain and you won't even let me say anything? You're really meddling. You're not the boss, yet you act like you're so important, like you're all that."

Zhou Jingming listened silently until he tied the shoelaces of his yellow rubber shoes, stood up, and then turned to look at Cao Qidong, who was still lying on the bed: "You're right, I'm not the boss, I shouldn't be meddling in other people's business."

"If you think my job is easy, that's fine. We'll switch today. You can carry the mud and sand, and I'll take over digging."

Cao Qidong snorted: "Knowing full well that the boss won't agree, why say it like that... is it meaningful?"

Zhou Jingming smiled faintly: "Then why do you think the boss won't agree?"

Cao Qidong hesitated and remained silent.

"Why don't you speak?"

Zhou Jingming had long disliked him, and seized the opportunity to lash out: "Let me tell you, just because I found this gold seedling, just because I left this team, I can easily do better than you in this Gold Rush Valley, isn't that enough?"

Cao Qidong suddenly sat up and yelled, "Who do you think you are, acting like your father?"

Zhou Jingming didn't indulge him: "From the moment we entered the mountains until now, if I remember correctly, you were the first to complain about leaving halfway through, you complained that the water was dirty, you were the one who led the way in shirking small tasks like washing pots and dishes, and you were the one who complained that there wasn't enough gold after panning for it all day... Out of that group of people, you were the most troublesome, you didn't know anything, and you were both cowardly and hateful."

If someone really wanted to strike it rich, they wouldn't be like you.

"So, you're saying you want to challenge me?"

Seeing that the two were suddenly on the verge of conflict, another Luo Yue man quickly stepped forward to persuade them: "Old Cao, say less, it's getting late, get up quickly..."

"Brother Zhou, no, Brother Zhou, he was just tired yesterday, his body is still sore. Old Cao is a bit grumpy when he wakes up, and his words aren't pleasant to hear. There's no need to take it so seriously. It's not a big deal, it's early in the morning. Let's not ruin the harmony; harmony brings wealth."

"Morning grumpiness? Even if I were his father, I wouldn't indulge him."

Zhou Jingming glanced at him and chuckled, "Harmony brings wealth? I see you two get along quite well. You should tell him that. But then again, are you ever truly at peace? Can anything get done with all this scheming and backstabbing?"

Peng Yuanchao had naturally woken up early from the commotion. He sat up, rolled a cigarette, lit it, and silently watched Zhou Jingming and Cao Qidong. Only then did he say, "I told you yesterday, don't ruin my way of making money. Cao, are you even capable of doing this?"

Seeing that Peng Yuanchao was trying to get rid of him, Cao Qidong hesitated for a moment, suppressed his temper, and squeezed out two words barely audible: "Capable!"

Peng Yuanchao frowned: "You fucking have a gun in your mouth and can't speak? I didn't hear you."

Cao Qidong quickly raised his voice: "Capable!"

"Since you're capable, then listen to me carefully. I'm not blind. I know exactly what kind of people you are and what you've done. This is your last chance to stay in the team."

Peng Yuanchao glared at him, then glanced at everyone and said, "Besides, from now on, Brother Zhou's words are my words. Anyone who disagrees can get lost."

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(End of this chapter)