My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 2 Survival Rules in the Bitterly Cold Northern Lands

About fifteen minutes.

Hou Jing then brought the town's medic to his home. After examining the patient, the medic nodded and said, "He just needs to rest in bed. He's fine now and there's no need for any more medicine."

"You'd better watch carefully. If anything happens to Erlang, I will definitely not let you off the hook, you old scoundrel!"

Hou Jing grabbed the medical worker's hand, stepped forward, and threatened him sternly.

"you……"

The old medical worker was both angry and furious. The young man in front of him looked young and short, but his strength was astonishing. When he got angry, his face turned fierce and he was quite frightening.

Moreover, Hou Jing had a rather bad reputation in Huai Shuo Town, so no one dared to say much. It was really not worth offending such a petty thug.

“Brother, please don’t be rude. He’s treating me, so I should treat him with courtesy.”

Gao Yu quickly stopped him.

A sense of cognitive superiority arose spontaneously!

Since ancient times, doctors, drivers, and cooks have been people you should never offend, because they truly hold your life in their hands.

His future nephew, Gao Cheng, was killed simply because he offended his own cook.
"So, elder sister, He Liuhun has protected you too well and is acting like this. I, a barbarian from Huai Shuo, am ignorant of etiquette!"

Hou Jing didn't care and let go of his hand.

The medical engineer got up and wanted to leave.

Gao Yu quickly got up, went to Hou Jing and stretched out his hand. Hou Jing looked at it and reluctantly took out the copper coins that Gao Huan had given him earlier.

"I was hoping to have some wine, but it seems I won't have that chance."

After receiving the copper coins, Gao Yu examined them closely and realized that the coins were of different styles. He handed the coins to the medical worker, who was initially hesitant to accept them. Gao Yu saw him to the door and insisted several times before the worker finally accepted them.

They marveled at Gao Yu, who, though not fully developed, was still quite handsome.

"In this barbarian land of Huai Shuo, how could a down-on-his-luck military household like the Gao family be able to raise such a young man? What a pity, what a pity."

After seeing the medical worker off, Gao Yu finally saw the full view of the 'Gao Mansion' now. Oh, no, this is the home of his brother-in-law, Wei Jing.

From a young age, she and Gao Huan were raised by their father, Gao Shusheng, at her brother-in-law's house, and were raised by Gao Loujin.

Her mother, Han, died after giving birth to her, so Gao Loujin actually played half the role of a mother, which is why Gao Huan respected and feared her so much.

The courtyard was surrounded by earthen walls with a main gate. There were five earthen houses inside. They didn't look very nice, but they occupied a considerable area. Although the earthen house I lived in was small, it was at least a single room for one person.

However, we cannot disregard the team leader as an official.

Return to the room.

Gao Yu looked at Hou Jing, still wanting to ask about some more basic details.

Hou Jing was slightly older than him, so Gao Yu called him "brother".

"Brother Jing, what did my brother go out to do?"

Hou Jing looked at him as if he were a fool, then flew into a rage, “You old bastard, how dare you play tricks on me! What’s wrong with Erlang? He must have suffered a brain injury from the fall! I won’t let him get away with this! If I don’t beat him to a pulp today, I’ll be letting down the name of Hou Wanjing.”

Gao Yu quickly grabbed him, only to discover that although Hou Jing was not old, he was quite strong.

There are quite a few calluses on his palms, which shows that he has been practicing a lot.

"Brother Jing, Brother Jing, don't be impulsive, I'm really fine..."

After persuading Hou Jing to stop, Gao Yu explained, "As you know, my brother and sister usually don't tell me certain things."

"Hey."

Hou Jing didn't think too much about it and grinned, "So it turns out that both my sister and Huan-ge are just being too soft-hearted. If you keep going like this, you'll become a cripple! How will you protect yourself?"

“He Liuhun usually patrols the city gates. In addition to training in the drill ground, he also goes out on patrol with his team to guard against the Rouran moving south.”

"You little rascal, have you forgotten what I told you the other day?"

Gao Yu awkwardly scratched his head, continuing to play dumb, "I remember, I remember."

“Well, that’s true… He Liuhun and your sister don’t let you get involved in these things, so it’s not your fault that you don’t know.”

Hou Jing sighed, perhaps envying Gao Yu for being so well protected.

In this harsh and cold place, just surviving is a challenge, and family affection and care are often luxuries.

At this time, Hou Jing was not yet the Great General who wreaked havoc on the Southern Dynasty; he was just a boy of fourteen or fifteen years old.

He continued, "But they can protect you for a while, can they protect you forever? When you grow up, you'll have to face these things on your own! It's not too late to start training now!"

Gao Yu nodded.

He did agree with Hou Jing's statement.

Gao Yu only knew about the Northern Wei Dynasty, namely the "Emperor Xiaowen's Reform" and the "Heyin Incident," which seemed to be about a powerful minister who killed all the court officials, but he didn't know the details. Mainly, there were too many Xianbei names for the figures in the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, which were very difficult to pronounce.

But he knew that Gao Huan was a hero of a chaotic world, and he would have to face the chaos sooner or later.

In chaotic times.

It is better to rely on yourself than to rely on anyone.

You need to be able to protect yourself. You don't need to be a master of archery and horsemanship, but you must have a basic grasp of riding and archery.

Especially horseback riding!
"What Brother Jing said makes a lot of sense."

Gao Yu nodded and said, "I will persuade my brother and sister that I am old enough to do something for the family."

"Having this idea would be a fitting tribute to the name 'Moheduo' that your uncle gave you!"

Hou Jing was very satisfied!

Clearly, they highly approve of Gao Yu's sensible behavior.

"Alright, now that you're alright, I'll head over now and go home for dinner!"

Hou Jing immediately got up and left the room.

Upon entering the courtyard, Gao Loujin was preparing to start a fire and cook.

What is Wan Jing going to do?

“I’m afraid my sister will dislike me if I stay here, so I’m going home.”

Even though I dislike you, I've still seen you come quite often.

Gao Loujin said irritably, "Why don't we stay and wait for my husband and eldest son to return so we can eat together?"

"No, no, maybe next time."

Hou Jing shook his head and said, "Sister, you've worked so hard taking care of Erlang these past few days. How could I dare to bother you?"

Gao Loujin was old enough to be Hou Jing's mother, and she treated him very well. Not only did she prepare millet and precious flatbread, but she also brought out a lot of meat and her treasured grain wine.

Huai Shuo is located in the harsh northern region, where grains cannot be grown. Grain liquor from the interior can only be purchased from traveling merchants.

Quite precious. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of flatbread and a faint scent of wine.

Hou Jing swallowed hard but resisted the urge to eat, and turned to leave.

Not a moment.

Gao Huan and Wei Jing then returned home.

Gao Yu also met her brother-in-law.

"Is Erlang feeling any better? Has the physician examined him?"

Wei Jing inquired with concern.

"Brother Jing called the town's medical worker to come and check on him; he's fine now."

"It's good that you're alright. You must not act rashly in the future."

Gao Yu discovered that Wei Jing was also quite nice to her.

to be honest……

Let alone in ancient times, even in modern society.

Not long after the marriage, the father-in-law left his two sons, one big and one small, to be raised by his son-in-law, and there was hardly any dowry.

What kind of property could a down-on-his-luck military household like the Gao family in Huai Shuo have?
Wei Jing didn't complain at all and was quite polite... This brother-in-law is really something.

It's no wonder that Gao Huan later bestowed upon him high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.

Although Hou Jing had left and there was no need to entertain guests at home, Gao Loujin was still quite generous in preparing a lot of flatbread, millet rice, meat, and eggs.

This food is quite rare for the harsh and cold region of Huai Shuo.

But for Gao Yu, who is accustomed to modern cuisine...

Without various spices, seasonings, technology, and hard work, it's really not what I'm used to; the food tastes bland and tasteless.

"Erlang, eat more to nourish yourself."

Gao Loujin put the stir-fried chicken into Gao Yu's bowl, and also put the boiled eggs into his bowl.

"That's enough, that's enough. Sister, brother, and brother-in-law, you can eat too."

Gao Yu felt a little embarrassed by the excessive pampering.

Gao Huan and Wei Jing shook their heads with smiles.

After the family enjoyed a pleasant time together, Gao Loujin got up to tidy up, and Gao Yu also got up to help.

But Gao Loujin stopped him.

"Nonsense! How could you do such a thing!"

Gao Yu then realized that he was no longer in modern society, but in ancient times...

Awkwardly withdrawing his hand, Gao Huan stepped in to help him out, saying, "Erlang, go back to your room and rest."

Then Gao Huan and Wei Jing exchanged a glance, and the two of them went outside the room and into the middle of the courtyard in perfect unison.

Gao Huan looked up at the sky and sighed.

"The wind is strong and the weather is cold. I'm afraid this year will bring a white disaster."

White disaster.

Snow disasters are the most feared natural disasters for people living on the northern grasslands. After a snow disaster, if you don't have enough money, you may not be able to survive the winter. Even if you have enough money, a snow disaster will basically deplete your resources.

Wei nodded.

Those who survive in this harsh and cold place have seen everything, and based on past experience, they can deduce the extreme situations they might encounter next.

It may not happen.

but……

It's never a bad thing to plan ahead.

"This winter will be tough. I hope it doesn't bring a white disaster, otherwise things will be very difficult..."

"Brother-in-law?"

"The soldiers' pay and salaries for this season haven't been paid yet. In another month, the merchants will all leave one after another, and right now we don't have any extra animal hides to buy goods."

The two exchanged a glance, and Wei Jing's meaning was clear.

Most of the daily necessities in Huaishuo need to be exchanged with merchants. Winter is coming soon, and the merchants will leave the area. We can't stockpile supplies in advance. If there is a major disaster, we will just have to wait to die.

"Brother, brother-in-law!"

Gao Yu suddenly stepped out from behind the two of them, "Are you going out hunting?"

"If so, you might as well take me with you. Although I am not as brave as Wan Jing, I can still contribute!"

"Erlang, why are you out here?"

Gao Huan was shocked, but shook his head repeatedly in refusal.

"Brother! Why must you look down on me!"

"It's not that I'm belittling you."

Gao Huan didn't offer much explanation, shaking his head and saying, "You're still young... and you haven't practiced much. It won't be too late for you to go hunting with me after you've mastered martial arts, archery, and horsemanship."

"Even without being skilled in archery and horsemanship, I have a way to help you hunt wild beasts! I'll prove it to you tomorrow!"

Gao Yu was extremely confident!

He's watched plenty of wilderness survival videos like "Living Alone in the Wild" while eating, so he knows a bit about some hunting traps.

Don't underestimate the wisdom of modern people!
"Erlang seems to have changed."

Wei Jing chuckled and said, "You've grown up."

Gao Huan shook his head, "Hunting is too dangerous; it's too early for him."

“Brother-in-law, if the situation is really that bad, I think... we must make preparations in advance. When the time comes, I will contact Wan Jing and others, and you should also contact the others.”

"Just yesterday, when I was patrolling outside the city, I discovered a Rouran camp with about a hundred people. They didn't notice me. If we plan well, we can definitely take them down in one fell swoop!"

Gao Yu did not hear this conversation.

The "hunting" that Gao Huan and others mentioned did not refer to going out to hunt wild animals.

The survival rules in harsh, ancient societies were simple.

grab!
The key to survival is ensuring one's own survival when a cruel natural disaster strikes.

(End of this chapter)