Mixed in the last days as a salted fish

Chapter 364 Escondida Copper Mine

"Xiao Zhou, don't be too polite, treat this place as your own home, eat more meat, see how thin you are, and make up more..."

At the dinner table, Mrs. Xia frequently brought food to the guests.

"Thank you grandma... I'll just do it myself."

Xiao Zhou felt a little embarrassed.

This is bacon. If it is placed in their house, it is estimated that it will only be seen at the New Year's Eve dinner, and the quantity is limited, so it cannot be eaten open.

Xia Jingyi, who was at the side, had already put her head down and worked hard.

But after eating half a bowl of bacon, she frowned unconsciously: "Grandma, why is the bacon so salty? Did you put too much salt?"

"Salty? You still eat so much salty?" Mrs. Xia said unhappily, and then explained: "Before making bacon, you need to soak it in water to soak off the salt. Your grandfather came back too late, and there was no time to soak it in water. We can only make do with it.”

"So the bacon still needs to be soaked in water?"

Xia Jingyi showed a suddenly realized expression.

Mrs. Xia took the opportunity to teach: "Jingyi, come to grandma's place more often when you have time. Grandma will teach you how to cook. After you and Xiao Zhou get married, you can't eat in the cafeteria every day, right?"

"Grandma, if I can eat meat every day, then I will learn, otherwise forget it! There are only a few dishes, the difference between the ones cooked in the cafeteria and those cooked at home is actually not that big."

Xia Jingyi put on an indifferent look.

Mrs. Xia was at a loss for words, and then she let out a long sigh: "If you want to eat meat every day, it's probably not possible in your life. If you can eat enough, you'll be considered a high performer."

"Jingyi..." Xia Congwen put down his chopsticks, and said earnestly, "Now that the policy has changed, grandpa can't help you much. You have to learn to accept the hard life."

"Bitter days? How hard is it?"

Xia Jingyi was somewhat disapproving.

"There is a saying 'I don't know the taste of meat in March', and if nothing happens, it will soon become the norm."

Xia Jingyi couldn't help being taken aback: "Grandpa, are you kidding me?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Xiao Zhou."

Xia Congwen nodded to the "prospective grandson-in-law".

"Jingyi, grandpa is right."

Xiao Zhou smiled wryly, and quickly explained:
"Some time ago, the above just issued a document. Except for some remote areas, all the system will not be spared. It is estimated that the entire federation will no longer have ration subsidies from the consul to the grassroots."

"Why? Well, why cancel it?"

Xia Jingyi said angrily.

Although the monthly ration subsidy is not much, and the whole family does not have ten catties of meat, but no matter what, it is better than nothing.

If you go to the black market to buy, not only the price is huge, but also depends on your luck. How can there be a stable ration subsidy?

"You don't understand even if you say it." Xia Congwen waved his hand and continued: "I tell you, this is just the beginning, and there will be other restrictive measures in the future. Work, otherwise the iron rice bowl will still be smashed."

"Grandpa, if you do this, the people below will be turned upside down sooner or later." Although Xia Jingyi was arrogant, she was not stupid.

"Fantasy?" Xia Congwen snorted coldly, "They are extremely lucky to have a stable job, and dare to complain? To be honest, compared with them, the ordinary people at the bottom are the real explosives. Do you need to say more about the importance?"

"..." Xia Jingyi was at a loss for words in an instant.

It is undeniable that since the eruption of the Yellowstone volcano, the social atmosphere has become more and more impetuous, especially those stinky snakes who can't be admitted as official employees.

Xia Congwen took a sip of tea, moistened his throat, looked at his granddaughter again and said, "Jingyi, grandpa wants to discuss something with you."

"Ah? What's the matter?"

Xia Jingyi woke up from her thoughts.

"After you get married, grandpa wants to find a relationship to transfer you to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and work with Xiao Zhou as a colleague."

Xia Congwen expressed his plan.

After her granddaughter graduated from university, she was reluctant to come out to work. Finally, at his suggestion, she got a name in a public welfare organization.

Although this "job" has no salary, it is more or less a qualification. The key is that if you really want to find a job in the future, at least you don't have to start from scratch.

Xia Jingyi shook her head again and again, she felt 1 unwilling: "I don't want to work, besides... the Qingshui yamen like the Ministry of Environmental Protection, if you go in, you will suffer."

Her boyfriend told her about the daily work of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Run outside most of the time.

Not to mention hard work, but also has a certain degree of danger.

"The Ministry of Environmental Protection is not as bad as you think. If you don't go in now, don't even think about going in if you squeeze your head. There are some things I can't say. Just remember, grandpa won't hurt you." Xia Congwen said earnestly .

Xiao Zhou glanced at Xia Congwen in surprise, secretly guessing the meaning of the other party's words.

Mrs. Xia hurriedly tried to persuade her: "Jingyi, good boy, listen to your grandfather. Besides, isn't it good for you two to work together? The public security is not good now, and Xiao Zhou is watching you, so we can feel at ease."

"Okay then! I'll just go to the Ministry of Environmental Protection."

Xia Jingyi obediently agreed.

It's not bad to think about it as a colleague with your "husband".

Xia Congwen nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, you two just stay in the Ministry of Environmental Protection obediently and don't go anywhere. I promise you won't regret today's decision."

"Grandpa, what did you just say... What's going on? It's so mysterious?"

Xia Jingyi said coquettishly.

Xiao Zhou's eyes were also full of curiosity.

Xia Congwen waved his hand: "Buddha said you can't tell, don't ask, this kind of thing is beyond your knowledge."

Xia Jingyi knew her grandfather's character, so she complained a few words casually, and then let it go.

After dinner, the curfew time is approaching.

Xia Jingyi insisted on going back. Xia Congwen took two cans from his wife, and handed them to his grandson-in-law: "Xiao Zhou, these two cans are holiday benefits from the governor's mansion. Take them home and eat them!"

"Grandpa, I can't have..."

"Hold it." Xia Congwen forced the can into the opponent's hand, and then patted the opponent's shoulder: "Our family has only one girl, Jingyi, who is usually spoiled, please be more forgiving. Now, you tell grandpa, and I will help you decide."

"Grandpa, don't talk nonsense, how can I be spoiled?"

Xia Jingyi said in disbelief.

"Okay, let's go quickly, if you don't go, you will miss the time." Xia Congwen urged.

"Grandpa, grandma, then I'll come and visit you on the weekend." Xia Jingyi hugged the two elders one by one.

"I think you are reluctant to part with the bacon at home."

Mrs. Xia joked with a smile.

Xiao Zhou wanted to return the can, but Xia Congwen didn't give the other party a chance at all, and pushed them out, and then quickly closed the door.

"Jingyi, what should I do?"

Xiao Zhou lifted the can on the handle.

Xia Jingyi smiled arrogantly: "If you want to accept it, you can accept it! Grandpa and grandma are not short of meat. I just saw a big piece of bacon in the kitchen."

"Is the bacon really a gift from the first lady?"

"It must be true. No matter how courageous my grandfather is, he can't embezzle so much meat!"

Xia Jingyi shrugged.

Xiao Zhou smiled awkwardly, and tried to remind: "Jingyi, don't keep talking about the word 'corruption', your grandfather is the chief of staff after all, spread the word..."

"Okay, I won't talk about it in the future."

Xia Jingyi waved her hand impatiently.

Xiao Zhou hesitated for a moment, and tentatively said in a low voice:
"Jingyi, you also know that my mother is not in good health, I want to take these two cans..."

Xia Jingyi directly interrupted: "Okay, I haven't seen Auntie for a long time, I will go with you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Jingyi!"

Xiao Zhou breathed a sigh of relief.

"You don't need to say thank you, just remember to treat me well in the future." Xia Jingyi said with a smile.

"Don't worry, I will!"

Xiao Zhou nodded seriously.

……

Time flies, and three months have passed in a blink of an eye.

On September 9, Zhang Hao and his party ended their trip in Peru and began to enter Chile.

Chile is located in the southwest of South America, at the western foot of the Andes Mountains, with many volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.

However, due to its rich mineral resources, especially copper mines, the reserves are as high as 1.5 million tons, accounting for one-third of the federal reserves, and it is a well-deserved capital of copper mines.

It is precisely because of this that although this place is not suitable for human survival, several large gathering areas have formed, with a total population of more than [-].

The first stop of this trip to Chile is the Escondida Copper Mine, the first federal copper mine.

The Escondida Copper Mine is about 150 kilometers away from the coastline. The inspection team set off from the port of Antofagasta, spent a morning, and finally arrived at the mining area smoothly.

"Welcome, welcome, warm welcome..."

The conditions in the mining area are limited, and the welcome ceremony is very simple.

After the welcome ceremony, Zhang Hao shook hands with the miners one by one, and then, led by the general manager of the mining area, Lu Ruifeng, came to the living area of ​​the mining area.

"Mr. Lu, why do you live in the mine?"

"Consul, you don't know that the insulation effect in the mines is good, and it can also isolate sand and dust. It is much more comfortable than living in an old house. Moreover, these mines are ready-made, and they can be used with a little modification. It saves money and saves money. Don't worry."

Lu Ruifeng quickly explained.

Zhang Hao praised him, then stepped into the entrance of the cave, and reminded him as he walked, "You must pay attention to safety. I heard that there are many earthquakes in Chile."

"Consul, don't worry, our dormitories are basically built near the entrance of the cave, and if an earthquake does happen, we can organize the evacuation as soon as possible.

In addition, in recent years, earthquakes have rarely occurred here, and it is precisely because of this factor that we moved into the mine to live. "

"Yes, how many people are there in your mining area?"

Zhang Hao continued to ask.

"Including the port side, there are about 3 people. Although our mining area does not have the largest number of people, the ore output far exceeds other mining areas."

Lu Ruifeng said proudly.

"Really?" Zhang Hao became interested, so he took advantage of the situation and asked: "Which mining area has the largest number of people?"

"It is the Chuquicamata mining area. It is occupied by Pablo, the largest local warlord. It is said that there are 10,000+ miners, but the production capacity is only one-third of my mine, or even less."

"What reason?" Zhang Hao asked curiously.

While envious, Lu Ruifeng couldn't help showing a touch of contempt: "To be honest, their mining area is not smaller than ours, but because they are reluctant to update their mining equipment and their infrastructure is backward, they mainly rely on human mining. Of course, their efficiency is incomparable to ours. .”

"I see."

"In fact, it's more than that. The casualty rate in their mining area has been high for many years, almost dozens of times that of ours, and the safety problem is very prominent.

Apart from them, the mining areas controlled by several other warlords are also in the same situation. In order to save their lives, many miners sneak over to join us every year. "

Lu Ruifeng added.

Zhang Hao didn't continue to ask, the question inside was very complicated, and he didn't want to ask for trouble.

Everyone visited all the way and soon came to the kitchen.

Looking at the young and beautiful cooks in front of him, Zhang Hao casually asked, "Mr. Lu, where did these girls come from? Are they locals?"

"Hey, they are all family members of the employees in the mining area. They are not locals. They came from other places. The locals ran away ten years ago."

Lu Ruifeng wrote lightly.

In fact, to put it bluntly, these girls were bought by miners from various warlords to be their wives. After all, the mining area is far away from the mainland, and the ratio of men to women is seriously out of balance.

This is the only way to appease people.

Some greedy people buy several at once.

Mining areas basically turn a blind eye and close one eye, and will not take the initiative to intervene. The only thing they can do is to severely crack down on domestic violence.

"You have a lot of good fortune!" Zhang Hao smiled knowingly, and then said: "These people look like hard-working people, treat them well."

"Don't worry, the mining area is their home, and no one dares to bully them here."

Lu Ruifeng quickly promised.

After the visit, Zhang Hao and others stayed in the guest house in the mining area, which is also located in the mine.

"Brother-in-law, can I come in?"

"come in!"

Yang Haoxuan pushed open the door and entered, explaining his intention on the spot: "Brother-in-law, my sister asked me to supervise you and not let you go down the mine. I won't go anywhere these two days, just follow you."

"Don't worry, I won't go down the well." Zhang Hao shook his head, and then changed the topic: "Those cooks just now...you saw it, are you not moved?"

"What's the use of heartbeat, people are famous and beautiful." Yang Haoxuan shrugged, then leaned into his brother-in-law's ear and whispered: "I just asked someone to find out, in fact, those cooks are all from warlords. This is naked human trafficking."

"And then?" Zhang Hao said calmly.

"What then? Brother-in-law, don't you care? What era is it, and there is still a slave trade? They are people, not goods?"

Yang Haoxuan said angrily.

Zhang Hao sighed helplessly: "What do you want me to do? Just now you saw that those cooks look pretty good, which means that they are living well here. Do you have the heart to push them into the fire pit again?"

"How could it be a fire pit? Don't they have family members?"

"Family? How do you think they fell into the hands of the warlord?" Zhang Hao asked back.

"Could it be..." Yang Haoxuan couldn't believe it.

"It's not what you think. Most of them were sold voluntarily."

"How is it possible? Isn't it a warlord who robs people?"

Zhang Hao shook his head, and explained patiently: "In the past few years, the authorities have stepped up sanctions, and those warlords are no longer daring to do anything wrong.

You don't have to doubt, I have read relevant information, and most of these girls are from Brazil. To put it bluntly, getting married is their only way out. "

"how could this be?"

Yang Haoxuan muttered to himself.

"The situation in South America is very complicated, and I can't explain it clearly in one or two sentences. In short, you have to remember, don't jump to conclusions in everything, and think more about it."

Yang Haoxuan frowned, and suddenly changed the topic: "Brother-in-law, are you sure you don't want to go down the well?"

"If you can't say it, I won't say it. Can I still lie to you? This is not the mainland, and there is no way to guarantee safety. Guoguo is still so young, I won't risk my life."

Zhang Hao said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Yang Haoxuan turned around and left.

Zhang Hao hurriedly called to the other party: "Where are you going?"

"I'll go talk to those cooks and see if what you said is true."

Yang Haoxuan replied truthfully.

"Okay, then you go! If there is any new situation, remember to tell me." Zhang Hao waved his hand.

"I see."

ps: Ask for recommended tickets and monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)