Zhu Li explained that the pipe was the lifeblood of the gold panners. Those beneath the water pit relied on this pipe for breathing, and if it had any problems, the people below were very likely to suffocate.
He said that these water pits were at least dozens of meters deep, and the gold panners had to dive down to excavate the sand and soil from the bottom, and then pan for gold dust from it.
Frankly, I was still a bit dazed when he said this. It wasn't until I saw someone haul up a large pile of soil from a water pit that I gasped for air.
This was by the riverside, and these water pits were in danger of collapsing at any moment. They would go down for one to two hours, and their only breathing apparatus was a single pipe.
It could be said that the probability of accidents in this kind of work was extremely high. You never knew if you would be able to come back up after going down.
No wonder Zhu Li wasn't surprised when he heard someone had died earlier. With such a method of gold panning, it would be abnormal if no one died.
After wandering around the riverside for a while, Da Gui's matters were also dealt with.
"Damn it, he still wants to extort an extra thirty thousand yuan from me! I'm not doing charity, and sooner or later, these guys will turn me into a pauper!" Da Gui cursed in Chinese.
Zhu Li chuckled and said, "There's no other way. In a few days, once we secure the downstream river section, you won't lack money."
Upon hearing this, Da Gui laughed, patted Zhu Li on the shoulder, "You're right, as long as we take over the downstream river section, we'll be rich then..."
After chatting for a moment, Da Gui led us back to the stilted building.
Sitting on the balcony of the stilted building, he brewed us tea, being very polite, clearly out of respect for Zhu Li.
From this, it could also be inferred that Da Gui greatly respected Zhu Li as a partner.
"A Gui, this is Xiao Xiang. We came to find you to inquire about the golden Buddha... Have you seen such a golden Buddha in the past?"
Zhu Li took out a photo and handed it over.
I obtained this photo before coming to the Philippines, and it cost me five hundred yuan.
Da Gui took the photo and examined it for a moment, then said, "I have seen this golden Buddha..."
"Do you know where it is now?" I asked. 138 Reading Network
He smiled and said, "Why are you looking for this golden Buddha? For money?"
I shook my head and explained that I owned an antique shop, and a major client wanted me to help him find this golden Buddha, which is why I came here.
This was also what I told Zhu Li.
After listening, Da Gui picked up his tea and took a sip, "This golden Buddha is on Jinzi Mountain."
"Jinzi Mountain?"
"That's right. I saw this golden Buddha on Jinzi Mountain back then. If the person on Jinzi Mountain is still alive, this golden Buddha should be in his hands."
Zhu Li frowned, "A Gui, are you talking about that old man?"
Da Gui nodded, "That's him. I almost died there when I went back then, and it was because of him."
I noticed that the expressions of both of them had become rather serious. Just as I was about to ask, Zhu Li explained to me.
Jinzi Mountain was a forbidden area for them. The place was often shrouded in dense fog, and very few people who entered there came out alive.
Of course, the gold mining resources there were also very rich, and many people took risks for money.
Back then, when Da Gui was preparing to open a gold mine, he was possessed and went there, almost dying inside.
Hearing him say this, I asked, "Didn't you say someone lives there all the time?"
Zhu Li gave a wry smile, "That person is different. No one knows when he started residing on Jinzi Mountain. However, almost everyone who has had contact with him has died. That person has set up many traps on Jinzi Mountain..."
Upon hearing this, my heart felt a pang of bitterness, and I also thought, have An Ying and the others already gone to Jinzi Mountain?
"Can you find someone to take me to Jinzi Mountain? No matter the cost," I said to Zhu Li and Da Gui.
They exchanged glances, and after a moment, Zhu Li said, "Xiao Xiang, you are Han Xue's friend, and the fact that he asked you to find me shows that you must have a close relationship with him. His father is my elder brother, so I naturally cannot stand idly by... However, this matter is not something money can solve... You don't know how dangerous Jinzi Mountain is. I can find someone to take you, but I'm afraid for you..."
"Uncle Zhu, I'm not afraid!"
I had already walked through the gates of hell several times. Frankly, there were very few things that could scare me now.
It wasn't that I was overconfident, but given the current situation, I had to find An Ying quickly and clarify the issues that had been bothering me.
Fatty also added at this point, "Don't underestimate us, sirs. We have also weathered great storms. What is there to fear in a small Jinzi Mountain? If you are still worried, we can write you an agreement stating that you will not be held responsible for any incidents that happen to us on Jinzi Mountain."
Zhu Li sighed and asked, "Are you really going?"
I nodded seriously.
"Alright, A Gui, find a good hand to take them there," Zhu Li said. "Consider it a favor to me."
Da Gui smiled and said, "Okay, but you'll have to wait a couple of days."
I frowned slightly, "Why?"
He said, "I need to secure the downstream river section these few days and require manpower. After this matter is settled, I will have someone take you there."
Zhu Li asked, "Are you planning to have Ah Shui take them?"
"Otherwise? You asked me to find a good hand, and among the people I have around me, only Ah Shui is the most skilled, has rich experience in wilderness survival, and he also accompanied me when I went to Jinzi Mountain before."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Li's expression brightened, "A Gui, thank you for this trouble."
"What trouble is this? Your business is my business," Da Gui said with a smile.
"Xiao Xiang, quickly thank Master Gui. He's sending out his trusted subordinate this time," Zhu Li said to me.
I cupped my hands and said, "Thank you, Master Gui."
"You're welcome... Alright, you can stay here for now, and I'll make arrangements for you later."
Zhu Li had matters to attend to in the city and left that day, while Fatty and I stayed at the mine.
The main reason was that we were unfamiliar faces. If we followed Zhu Li out, it would inevitably attract attention, and of course, there were other concerns.
That day, Master Gui found someone who spoke Chinese to take us to the river mouth, where we settled into a makeshift shelter.
For our safety, that person also stayed with us in the river mouth shelter.
This person was called Xiao Shan. He should have been a year or two older than me and was also of mixed race. His father was Chinese, and his mother was local. He had been working for Master Gui since he was very young and was considered one of Master Gui's trusted confidants.