Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Chapter 8: Mersis

Davos knew that if he wanted to change their minds, he must speak with facts. So, he called Giorgris and went inside the camp and picked up a cow stomach, he then went to a stream besides the camp and painstakingly washed it, then boiled hot water in the pot and pulled out his sword and started slicing.

At this time, the 5 people that were doubtful of Olivos' words and some curious soldiers surrounded Davos several times.

Davos unhurriedly took several spoonfuls of soup from another pot, where beef and mutton were being cooked and poured it into a new pot, after the soup boiled, it was then poured into the sliced cow stomach. After a while, he picked up the pot and sprinkled it with salt, a simple pot of ‘Baodu’^[1] is ready.

“Come, try it.”

Matonis hesitated to pierce it with his sword, he then blows on it and slowly put it into his mouth.

In the face of inquiries from the others, he did not answer and he silently took another piece…then another piece…then everyone reacted and was ready to rush up, Matonis ignored the heat and pick up the pot and run, everyone curse and chase.

Davos didn't think that Matonis, a thoughtful big man, is also quite funny.

“It seems that the internal organs of animals is not only edible but also taste good.” Hielos, who did not participate in the chase, sighed.

Davos didn't say anything, the internal organs of the animals aren't all delicious, like liver, but it is very helpful to the human body. There is no industrial pollution in this era and there should be no danger of getting poison when eating it.

“But we have enough meat to eat for a day. The weather is so hot and the internal organs will go bad tomorrow.” Hielos said helplessly.

Davos had thought of a way to deal with this problem, he pointed to the sheep intestines that had been thrown aside and said: “We can do – Smoked sausage! (In fact, in this era, some horse-herding Persian have already started making sausage using the horse's intestines, but it hasn't yet spread.”

“Smoked sausage?”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After everyone came back, they look at Davos with a slight awe. After tasting the delicious ‘Baodu’, they thought that Olivos' words were correct. If it weren't for being ‘God's Favored’, why was Davos the only one among the more than 10,000 Greeks that had been able to think that those dirty things could be eaten and it is also delicious! Davos was like them before, throwing away the internal organs of animals, but now he have change a lot, it must be the favor of Hades.

As a result, it became much more easier for Davos to order them to do things. The internal organs and some remaining meat were chopped and stuffed into the intestine. Fill in a small segment, then tie it up with the thread that have been pulled from linen, add another segment, then tie it up again…

After it was done, they then hung it on a wooden pole which they have erected and they then smoked it. Davos learned this kind of smoking from the villagers when he was a village official in his previous life. Now the conditions are limited and the time is tight, so they can only simplify the process and as long as it can be stored for a few more days, then just eat it.

Davos and the rest flaunting around their smoked sausages, had attracted quite a number of onlookers. With Olivos, Matonis and the rest's boasting, all the soldiers had their eyes glued on Davos like he was some kind of rare object.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At noon, a word came that the Persian king had sent an envoy to make them surrender, but was rejected by the mercenary leaders.

In the afternoon, another information came. Ariaeus messenger came back and brought Ariaeus answer: He refused to attack the Persian king's troops, he only wanted to go back to Asia Minor and he is willing to help the Greek mercenaries on their return journey.

Once again, Davos was proven correctly and they no longer got surprised.

Soon another information came, Clearchus would sacrifice an animal and leave it to Zeus whether they would fight or retreat.

Davos is amused, this is clearly the mercenary leaders means to shirk their responsibilities.

However, his companions is extremely serious about the results of the divination. Davos was somewhat unreasonable viewing the ancients from the perspective of a modern man.

Obviously, the mercenary leaders did not obtain a good divination results. Thus, the mercenaries were ordered to join forces with Ariaeus and return to Asia Minor.

Now, the soldiers in each camp should immediately start packing and put their stuff on the cart. After it gets dark, when the bronze trumpet sounded, each legion will depart in turn.

Suddenly, tension permeated in the camp, but everyone's face was more or less relaxed, after all, from Asia Minor to the present, it had been 8 to 9 months and they can finally can go home, nobody wants to stay in a hostile land for a long time.

“Can this sausage be taken?” Hielos asked.

Davos looked up at the dozens of sausages being smoked and shook his head: “Wait until it's dark, we'll take them before we leave.” He knows that half a day is insufficient to meet the standard of smoked sausage, but if it is bake a little longer, then it can be stored for a lot longer.

Everyone began to dismantle the tents and pack their stuff, and their movements were very skilled. Despite Davos having such memories, he still needs to convert this memory into a habit. He seriously learned while watching.

When everyone arrived at the supply unit with their tents and stuff, Davos then saw a fat man yelling and commanding his men to carry the goods. Although there were quite a few soldiers in the supply unit, he was able to maintain order and systematic work.

“Who is that?” Davos pointed at him and asked.

“Mersis, Meno's supply officer. That fat pig is the worst, the last time I came here to find some woman, he actually asked me 2 silver coins!” Olivos said.

Davos looked thoughtfully at the noisy animals and asked: “Did we previously march during the night?”

“Seldom. Without moonlight, nothing could be seen at all. Even if there is, it's very difficult to march at night. Those big guys are even more troublesome, despite them currently being docile, they easily get frightened at night and there have been several injuries in the past. Therefore, the supply unit are separated from us.” said Hielos.

Davos thought about it and place his stuff in Hielos' hands and walked out.

“Hey! Come back! Mersis is not easy to deal with!” cried Olivos.

Fearing that Davos would suffer, Matonis rushed over.

“Stop!” A guard pointed a spear at Davos: “It's not your turn yet, return to the queue!”

Davos pointed out that he is empty-handed and said: “I have something to look for Mersis.”

The guard subconsciously looked back and shook his head: “If I were you, I would not disturb fatty when he is busy.”

“Okay.” Davos gave a sly smile, then shouted: “Mersis, I can help you solve the problem of the animals getting easily frightened at night!”

His shout manage to attract the soldiers.

“That's Davos! He can even solve this problem, he really deserve to be ‘God's Favored’!”

“What ‘God's Favored’?”

“Don't you know? Davos is ‘God's Favored’, This is what Olivos said…”

Davos listened to the crowd and realized that his goal was half completed.

“Can you really solve the animal problem?!” Mersis came over, he looked at Davos and asked suspiciously.

“Of course! He is Davos!” Matonis is already becoming his fan.

“You are Davos?! That Davos who made the smoked sausage?!” Mersis expression change and asked in surprise.

Davos nodded.

“Come and help me see if there is any problem with the sausage I made?” With that, Mersis pulled Davos inside.

Davos pointed out the problem after he saw the smoked sausage he made, Mersis slightly complained: “You should've told me about the sausage first and not the soldiers who only knows how to fight and kill. You should know that they are only wasting it! Unfortunately, by the time I heard about it, all the meat and internal organs were almost gone. Fortunately, i reacted quickly!” Mersis said, then he suddenly remembered the purpose of Davos for coming over: “Oh right! I almost forgot. You said that you can solve the animals problem of them getting easily frightened at night?”

“It's very simple. Cover their eyes. The cows and horses have a timid and gentle nature. When they can't see anything, they dare not walk a step and they will blindly obey the instructions given to them by the people who are leading them.” Davos said earnestly. This is what the old farmer in the former village talked about when they chatted with him.

“Oh! It turned out to be like this! I'll go and try it!” Melsis turned and ran and suddenly stopped: “Davos, I hope you often come to me! If you want to play with woman, I won't charge you!”

Davos smiled: ‘This fatty is really serious.’

Author's Note: At this time, the nomadic people of Western Asia had begun using the horse intestines to make sausages.

[1] Baodu is a halal tripe dish that is part of Beijing cuisine.