Rural life in America

Chapter 16 The First Employee

In the bar, Zhang Hao chatted with a cowboy named Doug for a while; he felt that this cowboy in his forties had a few brushes, but he also felt that this cowboy was a little too oily and had a big appetite.

So let's be more straightforward, Zhang Hao doesn't want to hire a cowboy who is working on a ranch for a salary, let alone a working emperor to go back to pay for him.

Although Oregon is not the kind of place full of ranches, and there are indeed not many reliable cowboys here, Zhang Hao knows very well that as long as he pays a good salary, there will be no shortage of good cowboys to vote for.

Although Doug doesn't plan to hire him, Zhang Hao still has another option; an old cowboy named Charles Gregg, although he is a little old in his 60s, his resume looks good and it is worth going for an interview.

A pie face, white hair, unshaven; a bit sloppy image, very in line with the image of a cowboy.

Don't think that the job of a cowboy is wearing a felt hat and scarf, let alone jeans with a revolver pinned to the waist.

That is the cowboy in the film and television drama, and many people will think that this profession looks very romantic.But in fact, the job of cowboy is very tiring and dirty, and there are certain risks if you don't earn much.

This is not a joke, it is strange to be able to clean up after dealing with cattle and sheep all day long; when there is a special event or driving, once a cattle or sheep disobeys, it is likely to be affected.

Cowboys in film and television dramas are the embodiment of romance and adventure, but in reality, cowboys are struggling to make a living.

I drank a glass of beer with Greg and chatted a few words. I feel that although Greg is not good at dealing with people, he is more reliable, at least in business.

Zhang Hao said, "You should know that my ranch is just a small ranch, so I can't hire more people. Considering your age, do you think you can handle the work on the ranch?"

Greg glanced at Zhang Hao and said, "I'm only 61 years old, and my media will drink two big glasses of beer and eat a few pounds of beef. I have worked on a ranch since I was a child, and no one knows more about the ranch than me."

Well, this is an old cowboy, Zhang Hao continued: "Although you have worked on the ranch for many years, I just became a rancher. But I have my own arrangements and plans for the work on the ranch. Do you think you Will you accept my arrangement?"

Greg put the trophy on the table and said seriously: "You are the boss, of course I will listen to your arrangements. But I will put forward some suggestions. I have worked in the ranch for more than 40 years, and I know that some things are not that simple. "

Well, this is a soft nail; Greg's meaning is obvious, and you, Zhang Hao, are the boss so you can naturally point fingers.But as a farm know-it-all, Greg will point out some deficiencies.

After thinking about it, I feel that this Greg will be a type of disobedience, but his experience is really important.

Zhang Hao is a type with great eyesight but low abilities and rich theoretical knowledge. He really needs a cowboy with excellent hands-on ability like Greg. There is no doubt about it.

So Zhang Hao said: "I can give you a weekly salary of six hundred dollars, which is not high but not cheap. Of course, I am not the kind who only hires cowboys when I am busy. This is a long-term job. If our cooperation is pleasant, I think you will retire at the ranch."

Greg fell silent. He needed to think about it now.

Earlier, Zhang Hao also briefly introduced the situation of the ranch. Greg is very clear about such a small ranch. If the ranch owner is hardworking, he can not hire cowboys, or he will only hire temporary employees during particularly busy times.

But now the ranch is poor and empty, and many things need to be prepared from scratch; this also means that the workload of this ranch will certainly not be less.

The salary is definitely not high to be honest; although the overall income of the denim industry is not high, the conditions offered by Zhang Hao are only relatively moderate.But this long-term, this is exciting.

Because many cowboys can't get a stable job, they just do short-term jobs here and there; if they can get a long-term and stable job, it must be more stable and insurance for an old guy like Greg.

Thinking of this, Greg said: "If I go to work, will the ranch provide accommodation and some food? You know, many ranches have this kind of treatment, but some ranchers are stingy."

Zhang Hao nodded and said: "Of course, it's just that your housing conditions are not very good. I just bought the ranch and I live with my family. As for food, although the ranch is not producing now, I will give it to you every day. You provide meat and vegetables."

Greg thinks this is very good. Although the salary is not high, it wins in stability and some small benefits.

But as an old cowboy, Greg still has something to ask: "What do I need to bring? I don't bring my own tools. This is a long-term job. You should provide me with tools."

Zhang Hao nodded and said: "Of course, although the ranch is not perfect now, we also lack some tools. But I will buy what should be bought, and I won't let you pay for it. You only need to bring your clothes and saddle, and the rest I will provide."

Greg immediately smiled, this is not a stingy boss; maybe it is worth a try, if you can really cooperate happily, maybe this will be your last boss.

Greg immediately shook hands with Zhang Hao with a smile and said, "Now I'm going to call you BOSS instead. I hope our future cooperation will be happy. By the way, when will I report?"

Zhang Hao immediately replied: "I can report tomorrow, of course, the sooner the better. But if you have other things to arrange, I can give you some time."

Greg immediately said: "I will go to the ranch to report tomorrow, I just need to pack my luggage."

Zhang Hao is very happy after confirming the recruitment; this is his first employee, and we can be regarded as the boss now!
Greg is also very happy. If he can work well during this period of time, he thinks he can really consider working on the ranch until retirement; of course, he hopes that this young boss will not only talk nicely when recruiting, but also hope that when he works Don't show any fools.

There was no rush to leave immediately, the two were chatting now, and it was Greg who was asking more, and he knew very little about the ranch now.

"Boss, what's my next job?"

Zhang Hao replied: "Fix the fence and help me choose some cows back, but this time we will only buy thirty cows. Ten calves, ten cows and ten bulls. We can't take care of too many cows now, and I You also need to find the right pasture."

Greg frowned and said, "Boss, is the pasture condition of the ranch very bad now? If there are only thirty cows, I don't think you can make any money at all."

Zhang Hao said confidently: "The pasture condition of the ranch is indeed not good, but the carrying capacity is not bad. What I need is to plant new pastures and breed cattle in batches, so I am not in a hurry now. I don't lack opportunities to make money , what I need is time."

Well, since the boss said so, Greg naturally didn't say much.

But he felt that the boss was either too naive or really capable.

Breeding and improving cattle breeds is not that simple, otherwise the ranchers who have been operating the ranch would have already done so.

As for finding the right forage, it is not a simple matter. The breed of cattle is of course the key to the operation of the ranch; but it is more said that the management of the ranch depends on the forage. If the quality of the forage is high, the natural quality of the cattle raised will also increase.

If this young boss can really improve cattle breeds or plant pastures, then he is really capable; if this is just wishful thinking and self-righteousness of the young boss, then it is estimated that it will be difficult to secure this job.

Not only Greg has problems, Zhang Hao also has problems, some very important problems.

"Charles, do you know any ranchers? The ranch is short of riding horses. I want to buy three horses. Although the ranch is not big, we need a few horses."

Greg immediately said: "Of course, if you want Arabian horses and thoroughbred horses, it will be difficult for me to find them for you, but if they are just cheap quarters, I will help you introduce them."

That's good, Zhang Haoke hasn't bought a horse during this time; it's not because he doesn't want to ride a horse, he has long wanted to try the fun of galloping a horse, but he has been busy all the time.

And now, finally, you can ride a horse!
(End of this chapter)