My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 106 The storm is coming
The fourth year of the Zheng Guang era (523 AD).

The early spring sun is warm and everything is coming back to life. Having just experienced a harsh winter, Huai Shuo has received a long-awaited warmth.

"Charge! Commander, you must score this goal!"

"Defense! Defense! We must hold on!"

In the school grounds.

The Xuanjia Army and the Zhusheng Army were engaged in a fierce football match. The game was so intense that it attracted soldiers from other armies to come and watch, making the scene extremely lively.

Relying on his strength and imposing physique, Peng Le charged forward like a mad bull after getting the football, making use of his physical advantages.

When Gao Yu invented football, he focused more on training soldiers. As a training method, it was impossible to incorporate so many rules and restrictions of modern football. Apart from not being able to use hands or make tackles, using the body to forcefully collide was a permitted action.

You deserved to be hit; who told you to be less physically strong than others?

In fact, Gao Yu also tried rugby and polo.

However, Gao Yu gave up after only a brief attempt. The confrontation was indeed intense, but it was also too dangerous. There was no such good medical environment in ancient times, so Gao Yu abandoned it.

After forcefully knocking down the two men who were trying to sandwich him, Peng Le didn't make any fancy moves. He unleashed a powerful shot and scored!
The soldiers cheered loudly for him!

Gao Yu was also watching from the sidelines. He stood up and clapped his hands repeatedly, shouting "Bravo!"

This infuriated Mulan, who immediately shouted, "Cooperate! Cooperate! Follow my plan to deal with this brute force!"

After the ball was restarted, the team led by Mulan passed it back and forth, and some clues could be seen. After attracting enough defenders on one side, the soldier passed the ball out with one foot.

Seeing that his rear was vulnerable, Peng Le immediately ordered his soldiers to defend it, shouting angrily, "Charge him! Charge him down!"

Although Mulan's strength was not as great as his, it was still far superior to that of ordinary soldiers. She withstood the soldiers' impact and stabilized her core. Mulan also took a shot and pulled one back!
As a master of impartiality, Gao Yu naturally stood up to applaud and cheer for him!

As Mulan returned to her position, she passed by Peng Le, who sneered and provoked her, "You only act like a woman. A real man should confront things head-on!"

Mulan ignored his provocation and instead responded with utter contempt, "You brainless brute! If this were a battlefield, your camp would already be occupied by me!"

Peng Le glared at Mulan with uncontrollable rage, "If this were a battlefield, I would have already taken your heads, and I wouldn't have given you the chance to spout such nonsense!"

Neither of them wanted to back down verbally, and they argued back and forth, but they still chose to use football as a means of competition.

This was done intentionally by Gao Yu.

Last year, after he was promoted by the court to the rank of General of Extermination of the Barbarians (a rank of eighth grade), the official documents did not increase the number of troops under his command.

Yang Jun thought of his predecessor, the former commander of Huai Shuo Town, and the things he had done.

If Duan Chang can do it, why can't Yang Jun?

With a wave of his hand, he used his power to forge a good relationship between himself and Gao Yu.

He increased Gao Yu's troop strength to one thousand men and also allocated some military equipment from the treasury to give to Gao Yu.

Gao Yu immediately promoted Mulan from deputy commander to commander of the Xuanjia Army, and also ordered Peng Le to be promoted from a single capture general to commander of the capture army.

In order to allow the two to have a healthy competition.

Gao Yu would hold a football match every month. The winning side would be rewarded with copper coins and cloth and would guard Gao Yu's camp for the rest of the month, while the losing side could only watch.

For the soldiers, being personally guarded by Gao Yu was an unparalleled honor, something they could boast about.

Gao Yu enjoyed the exciting match, and the difference between the two could be seen from the way the matches were played.

Peng Le's fighting style is purely brute force, emphasizing "overpowering all techniques with sheer force".

Mulan, on the other hand, emphasizes teamwork and uses tactics to counter attacks.

Ultimately, the Xuanjia Army emerged slightly stronger.

Although Peng Le was a brave man, there were times when his strength would be exhausted and he could no longer continue.

Moreover, the Xuanjia Army soldiers were generally of slightly higher quality, and with Mulan's command, victory was quite reasonable.

"The Black Armored Army has won!"

Gao Yu announced loudly, and the Xuanjia soldiers cheered with joy.

The soldiers who were trying to capture the animals all hung their heads in dejection.

"The scheduling is already quite good, Mulan."

Gao Yu came to Mulan's side and praised her, but also reminded her, "The Xuanjia soldiers were handpicked by me. You already had a huge advantage, but you only won by two goals. You still need to keep working hard and avoid being arrogant and complacent."

"I will personally order the soldiers to undergo rigorous training."

Gao Yu also came to Peng Le's side to encourage him, "To be able to force the Xuanjia into such a situation, the Zhusheng Army has made rapid progress. Zixing has indeed not disappointed me. I trust you to handle things."

"However, human strength is always limited. Why not learn from Mulan and mobilize the soldiers so that they do not fight individually, but as a unified whole?"

"The way of the football field is also the way of the battlefield."

Peng Le scratched his head and said bluntly, "Why bother? If it were really on the battlefield, I would just lead my men to kill him. Without a commander, the enemy soldiers are leaderless. How can they coordinate and cooperate? Wasn't it the same when you were in Luhunhai, sir?"

Gao Yu chuckled, surprised that this guy would use him as an example. He didn't say anything more, just patted him on the shoulder.

Opportunities like the Battle of Luhunhai are rare, and one cannot expect to succeed every time.

If he had been blocked during his charge, the entire army would likely have been wiped out.

He immediately turned around and went back into his tent.

Yang Jun increased his troop strength to one thousand men, but Gao Yu was still not at full strength.

He implemented a policy of elite troops, and his soldiers received extremely high salaries. He simply couldn't afford to support so many people. Relying solely on Liu Taozhi leading caravans to earn money was still insufficient to cover expenses. He was only able to maintain these people by squeezing money out of his own pocket.

Not to mention that since last year, Gao Huan and Gao Yu have been constantly stockpiling food and making plans for the future, so they have no extra money or valuables at all.

Especially at times like these.

Gao Yu increasingly hoped that he could have a truly resource-rich base.

Huai Shuo was so poor it was practically a ghost town. If it weren't for the strict orders from the imperial court, the people of the Six Garrisons would probably have already fled to the rich and prosperous Central Plains. Who would be willing to guard the border in this bitter and cold place?

"Sigh... I'm short of money."

Gao Yu got a terrible headache just looking at the income and expenditure ledger.

"Reporting, General, Liu Yi requests an audience."

"come in."

Looking at Liu Yi, Gao Yu took the initiative to ask, "What were the losses of Ashina's troops?"

“Tumen told me to go back to my lord. With the millet provided by my lord, the Ashina tribe is still able to make a living.”

Gao Yu nodded.

The Ashina tribe declared their allegiance to him and sent him a lot of cattle and sheep every year. However, two consecutive winters of heavy snow had a great impact on the Ashina tribe, and Gao Yu had to send them food and fodder to help them get through the most difficult time.

There are holes everywhere, and money is needed everywhere. When will this ever end?

Being the sun for the people isn't so easy.

………………

After handling military affairs.

Gao Yu then left the training ground and returned to his residence.

After circling the inner courtyard, he summoned a maid and asked, "Has A-Yue gone out to play again?"

"Reporting to my lord, the eldest son sent someone to invite you and the young master over. The young master has already gone ahead."

Gao Yu nodded.

Ah Yue, young master.

It was my cousin, Gao Yue.

Her grandfather, Gao Mi, was a confidant of Tuoba Hong. After Tuoba Hong's sudden death, Gao Mi was convicted and exiled to the Six Garrisons. Gao Mi had two sons.

High translation and high tree growth.

Gao Shusheng had two sons, Gao Huan and Gao Yu, while Gao Fan had one son, Gao Yue.

A few years ago, Gao Shusheng died on the battlefield. When Gao Huan held his funeral, Gao Fan brought Gao Yue to pay their respects.

His ancestors were convicts exiled here, and Gao Fan's branch was no better off than Gao Shusheng's; they were equally poor.

Later, Gao Huan became involved with Lou Zhaojun and would occasionally send her money and gifts to help her out.

Last winter, after a heavy snowfall, Gao Fan caught a cold and fell seriously ill. He didn't survive the first month of the lunar calendar and died, leaving Gao Yue alone. Gao Yue's mother had already passed away two years after giving birth to him.

Upon learning the news, Gao Huan brought Gao Yue back to his residence and raised him personally.

Gao Yu, thinking that Gao Huan already had children and it was inconvenient, decided to take Gao Yue back to his own residence. Just as he was about to get up and leave, a servant came to inform him that Liu Taozhi had returned.

"Let him come to me."

Soon, Liu Taozhi, looking travel-worn, was brought over.

In recent years, he has completely broken away from the military camp and started helping Gao Yu run trade routes, including the most remote and dangerous trade routes in the Western Regions.

Despite being a young man not yet twenty, his skin was dark and his face was weathered, making him look like he was in his forties or fifties.

Every time Gao Yu saw him, he felt extremely guilty, but he really had no other people he could use, so he could only use Liu Taozhi as a donkey for the production team.

"Thanks a lot."

Gao Yu patted him on the shoulder.

Liu Taozhi was deeply moved. He immediately knelt on the ground and said, "What is the harm in working so hard for my husband?"

"Get up."

Gao Yu helped him up and then had a maid bring him a bowl of water.

"Have a sip of water and speak slowly."

After Liu Taozhi finished drinking the water, she began to report.

After he returned from the Western Regions last year, Gao Yu did not send him back there. Instead, he sold the jade and spices he brought back from the Western Regions and exchanged them all for grain.

In fact, besides making money, caravans also bring all sorts of news.

Gao Huan was well-informed because the Lou family's caravans traveled north and south, constantly bringing news from other places.

“My lord, last year there was a severe drought in the Central Plains. I failed to live up to your expectations and was unable to bring back much grain.”

"A severe drought in the Central Plains?"

"Ah."

"Very serious?"

Yes, in some places, people eat each other.

Upon hearing this news, Gao Yu's eyes widened slightly, then he nodded and said, "You have done your best, there is no need to blame yourself. After you return this time, do not go out again, stay in the manor and rest well."

After settling Liu Taozhi in.

Gao Yu carried a jar of honey that Liu Taozhi had brought back and headed to Gao Huan's residence.

They arrived at Gao Huan's residence.

Then they heard the sounds of children laughing and playing.

"Ah... Brother, wait for me."

As soon as Gao Yu entered the inner courtyard, he saw Gao Cheng chasing after Duan Shao. Gao Cheng was five years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, while Duan Shao was seven, two years older than Gao Cheng.

Before Gao Yu first went with Li Chongbei to fight the Rouran, he went with Gao Huan to Wuyuan County to celebrate Duan Shao's first birthday. Gao Cheng was born the year after Gao Yu and Gao Huan returned from Luoyang.

Duan Rong firmly believed in astrology. Ever since last year at Gao Huan's house, when he observed the stars at night and said, "Mars guarding the heart is an omen of a change of emperor, and the world will be in chaos,"...

He then left his wife, Lou Xinxiang, with their son, Duan Shao, in Huai Shuo. Lou Xinxiang and Duan Rong both thought highly of their brother-in-law, so they often left Duan Shao at Gao Huan's house for Gao Huan to take care of.

Gao Yue seemed to want to join in as well, but he had some reservations.

Everyone saw Gao Yu arrive.

Gao Yue immediately beamed with joy, "Brother, you've come!"

Gao Cheng and Duan Shao stopped their playful fight and ran towards Gao Yu with smiles on their faces.

"Uncle, Uncle!"

Gao Yu smiled and squatted down, picking the two of them up in his arms.

The two of them kept laughing.

kid.

Whoever can lead them to have a blast is considered a good person.

After setting the two down, Gao Yu took the jar of honey from the maid beside him and opened it.

"Want to eat?"

"miss you!"

"You can only eat a little bit."

Gao Yu handed over the jar, and Gao Cheng and Duan Shao reached in, dipped their fingers in the honey, and put it in their mouths. They were overjoyed to eat the sweets.

He looked up and saw Gao Yue, who was clearly hungry but also restrained.

"Ah Yue, come here."

Gao Yue also reached out, but only dipped his hand in a tiny bit.

Such a delicate mind at such a young age; living under someone else's roof means he can only suppress his true nature.

Gao Yu said helplessly, "A-Yue, eat more."

Gao Yue then reached out and dipped his hand in the sauce a little more.

"More, more!"

Gao Cheng and Duan Shao grabbed Gao Yu's clothes unsatisfiedly, so Gao Yu could only let them eat a little more before sealing the jar and having a maid put it away.

At this time.

Lou Zhaojun also came to the inner courtyard, holding a baby girl in her arms. She was exquisitely beautiful, chubby and fair, like a porcelain doll.

The maid beside her was also holding a baby boy, but the baby's appearance was somewhat...

She wasn't fair-skinned or chubby at all; in fact, she was a bit dark-skinned, and her legs had wrinkled skin.

These are the twins, a boy and a girl, that Lou Zhaojun gave birth to last year.

The baby girl seemed to have absorbed all the nutrients, causing the baby boy to suffer from malnutrition.

The maidservant had only brought the baby boy a little closer when Lou Zhaojun glared at her. The maidservant was so frightened that she quickly moved away, but there was still a hint of disdain in her eyes.

This little action naturally did not escape Gao Yu's eyes.

He sighed.

This baby boy was none other than the 'Heroic Emperor' Gao Yang.

In his view, Gao Yang was simply malnourished, which led to a weak immune system and thus skin disease.

But he couldn't explain the word 'resistance' to the ancients.

Moreover, this is the son of Gao Huan and Lou Zhaojun. He is an "outsider" and has no right to point fingers.

but……

He could also understand why Gao Yang, in history, turned into that 'madman' after he had given away the Han Chinese army he had carefully cultivated.

Growing up in such an environment, how could one possibly be mentally healthy?
He just remembered that Gao Yang's original nickname was "Jin Yang Le". Based on this, he should have been born in Jinyang. How come in this world, this kid came out of his mother's belly so early?

Could it be the influence I brought about?
Is this Gao Yang the same Gao Yang as before?
Upon seeing Gao Yu, Lou Zhaojun's face was full of smiles. "As soon as I heard the noise, I knew that Erlang had arrived."

"I've met my sister-in-law."

Gao Yu quickly bowed.

"There's no need to be so polite."

While the two were talking, Gao Huan also came out.

Upon seeing this, Lou Zhaojun immediately took the children to play on the other side, and Gao Yue was also taken away.

The brothers Gao Huan and Gao Yu were left behind.

After looking at each other.

The two went inside.

Gao Yu spoke directly, "Brother, Liu Taozhi is back. He told me... last year there was a severe drought and famine in the Central Plains, and people even resorted to cannibalism."

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan suddenly looked up.

Has the time come?

(End of this chapter)