Chapter 759 - 51: Supplies_3
Aside from that, Chen Zhou also favored dry tree roots and branches with tree knots.
These two special types of wood grow extremely slowly, are dense, feel like stones, heavy, and are incredibly burn-resistant, burning as long as coal, one piece being equivalent to two pieces of regular wood.
However, compared to common wood, digging out dry tree roots and tree knots is relatively rare, like the wild beasts in the mountains. It’s more about "fate." On some days, you might find dozens to hundreds, while on other days, you can only gather a dozen at most.
...
The weather is getting colder, and the salt from the spoils is far from enough.
With the sky dim these days, seemingly ready for another bout of snow, Chen Zhou didn’t want to delay further. Once confirming that Paul was fine, able to take care of himself and complete necessary tasks, Chen Zhou immediately packed his gear, preparing to go down the mountain to gather rock salt and maybe hunt a few large beasts—
The mountain wind was getting stronger. He had to peel off a few thick animal skins, and after tanning them, sew two windproof and warm fur coats to wear.
Going out in winter relying solely on this combat gear would surely make one freeze to death.
Apart from the clothes worn on their bodies, several more layers should be added to the shelter’s bedding since cold air rises from the earth. Currently, the shelter just has a simple little stove, without a heated kang.
Chen Zhou and Paul laid out a few logs on the ground, then laid some flattened planks over them, making a simple wooden bed.
This wooden bed was about 40 cm above the ground; lying on it wasn’t much different from sleeping directly on the ground.
Once they’ve stored all necessary winter supplies, if there’s time left, Chen Zhou plans to build a kang, fire a ceramic stove, then slightly expand the shelter by building a circle of fire walls inside.
This would efficiently utilize the heat from burning fuel, while the outer fire walls could block the cold wind blowing into the house, helping them save fat consumption and endure longer.
...
Teenagers can eat you out of house and home.
At first, feeding the Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers was simple; when they were cubs, they ate about as much as Chen Zhou and Paul combined each day.
Now they’ve grown into nearly four-month-old tiger adolescents, a prime growth phase, and their appetite has surged.
The largest, Tiger First, needs at least 5 pounds of meat daily. Tiger Second and Tiger Third are slightly smaller but eat no less than their big brother. These three brothers together consume at least half a head of antelope or a small half of a young deer each day. Occasionally, Chen Zhou or Paul also catch some snacks like squirrels for them.
With few animals up the mountain, feeding these three gluttons has become somewhat burdensome.
This time, going down the mountain, Chen Zhou planned to bring all Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers to lighten Paul’s load—
As the saying goes, an injury to the muscles or bones takes a hundred days to heal. Paul’s leg injury has yet to fully recover, and he can barely put weight on it. Counting on him to feed these three guys is less reliable than hoping the Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers will feed him.
At least the Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers sometimes catch agile antelopes when hunting together.
While Paul, leaning on a crutch, can only catch squirrels with traps, or throw stones.
This time, going down the mountain, Chen Zhou planned to bring all Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers to lighten Paul’s load—
As the saying goes, an injury to the muscles or bones takes a hundred days to heal. Paul’s leg injury has yet to fully recover, and he can barely put weight on it. Counting on him to feed these three guys is less reliable than hoping the Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers will feed him.
At least the Three-headed Saw-toothed Tigers sometimes catch agile antelopes when hunting together.
While Paul, leaning on a crutch, can only catch squirrels with traps, or throw stones.