Chapter 11: The Most Unlucky Person

  Old Man Martin is the most unfortunate time-traveler.

  His real name is Ma Zhongming, and he was originally a chemistry lab teacher at a private high school. He had a house, a car, and a wife, especially his wife was quite beautiful, living an enviable life of moderate prosperity.

  As a result, he accidentally crossed over, but this was not the most unfortunate thing.

  Unfortunately, the car, house and wife did not follow him through the transition. What's even more unfortunate is that he transmigrated into an old European man, who was also a disabled blacksmith.

  In this world, his situation can only be described by a phrase from Li Qingzhao's poem - "How to express the word 'sorrow'!"

  When he woke up in this unknown world, his mouth was still shouting the word he used to like the most - calm... calm...!

  Unfortunately, he soon calmed down and was beheaded and shackled.

  He was captured by a small squad of Arab Mamluk cavalrymen during the battle and immediately became a slave. As mentioned earlier, his "sales" were not very good, so he was always "stockpiled" in the hands of the slave owner.

  Then flogged and starving, his fate seemed to have been decided, but at his most desperate moment, what he saw was this silly Zhao Fubo.

  Although this guy looks a bit "dull", after all he is still a Chinese person.

  Being able to meet someone like that in the Middle East was truly his first stroke of good luck in a world where he had been so unlucky that even saying "calm" was impossible for him.

  Across the bonfire, he could see that his future master was a pretty good guy.

  At this time he was roasting the game he had hunted over an open flame, and even the unknown seasonings he sprinkled on it made these wild flavors emit a tempting aroma.

  This not only made Old Man Martin smell the aroma, but also stopped Shu Yu'er from teasing Miao Dian, who was staring at the roasted meat and meowing non-stop.

  The aroma also made Muk and Zhao Fubo work harder at applying the spices and oil to the roasted meat. Even the little blond-haired, blue-eyed boy couldn't help but gaze longingly at the roasted meat, his eyes revealing a certain craving.

  Sitting in his own chair, old Martin looked at this world with an adult's gaze.

  He can now be certain of one thing: the young man in front of him is not a time-traveler, but why he appeared here is puzzling to Old Man Martin.

  At his current location, he has a good grasp of geography and already knows it well.

  This so-called Zi Yun City is located in what is now Iraq near present-day Basra.

  "This young man's family background is unknown, even if they were from the Song Dynasty, they shouldn't have come to Iraq, a thousand miles away. If their family was fleeing from the Jin or Yuan armies and hid so far away, then they didn't hide far enough!"

  According to his calculations, it was now around 1250, precisely the time of King Louis IX's Seventh Crusade aimed at Egypt.

  And he himself was one of the recorded results of the tragic defeat in history.

  Martin took a very worried attitude towards this, if the historical records are not wrong, then in 1253, under the leadership of Hulagu Khan, the third Mongol Western Expedition will invade Persia and Mesopotamia.

  And in 1258 destroyed the Black-robed Tatars, or what we call the Arab Empire.

  This is why Old Man Martin sighed, Zhao Fubo and his family fled to this place to avoid the war, but it was still not far enough.

  In addition, about 27 years later, in approximately 1277, the Mongols would engage in their final battle with the Song at the Battle of Yamen.

  The entire territory of China will fall completely into the hands of foreigners for the first time. The history books say: After the Ya Mountain, there is no more China!!!

  With worry, Martin asked himself.

  "So this heartless, six-out-of-seven-apertures-opened guy is really going to fulfill my ideals? Anyway, I have to make him understand that my purpose isn't just for hammering iron!"

  It's clear that the unlucky crossing hasn't completely ruined Martin's head, at least he knows a useless slave will likely get himself into danger. So now, he probably needs to show off his usefulness, so he can live more comfortably.

  At this time, Zhao Fubo brought a stack of plates from the carriage and personally cut off the crispy crust with a knife and handed it to Shu Yiner. Looking at Zhao Fubo's careful appearance, Martin, who had been worried about his own "use", came up with a solution.

  "Hey, young man, we Chinese people are very particular about respecting the elderly and loving the young. This dish below shouldn't be served to an old man like me?"

  "China?"

  Martin's behavior caused Muk's astonishment, but Zhao Fubo seemed to be indifferent to such things and instead handed him the next dish.

  It's just that Zhao Fu Bo seems to be unfamiliar with the word "China".

  "Yes, what we speak is called Chinese, this language comes from the Great Song. And all ethnic minorities who grew up in the Great Song and nearby are all our Chinese people!"

  This time Zhao Fubo did not respond, he who had always been troubled by reading, was also not very willing to think about these things.

  Shu Yu'er, who was raised with the goal of taking over the family business since childhood, is not as inexperienced as him.

  "Hum, all those living around us are wolves in sheep's clothing. First, it was Xia, then Jin, and now another Mongol has appeared. Unfortunately, our great Song Dynasty is ruled by treacherous officials who only know how to harm the loyal and good. In my opinion, this great Song will eventually fall into the hands of the Mongols!"

  Shu Yiner's answer made Martin take a good look at her, and it was clear that she was a clever and intelligent girl, but unfortunately, she had been deeply harmed by the so-called orthodoxy of the Song Dynasty.

  "Yuner girl is right, but I don't know if you've thought about it. If our Song Dynasty is very powerful, will they rebel? Those minority ethnic groups will never be a force to be reckoned with, just like the food on this plate. Eating meat is good, but unfortunately, if there were some fruits and vegetables to go with it, I'm afraid the flavor would be even better!"

  Shu Yiner did not expect that an old slave holding a full plate of food would utter such great truths, and yet the poor man's words were unrefutable.

  "Heh heh, sorry about that, I'll just have to make do! The garden at home does have some vegetables growing, it's just that the ones I brought from so far away were all eaten up, and as for me..."

  Shu Yiner had just been suppressed by someone with a big truth, so at this moment she was a bit resentful. Her little cheeks puffed up, just like the fish floating on the surface of the water in the aquarium on a cloudy day, and if she blew two more bubbles, it would be even more adorable.

  "Hum, it's not like that. If Erlang hadn't spent all the money on you two, he wouldn't be so poor that he can't even afford to buy vegetables. You old man is really an ungrateful slave!"

  She spoke with a bit of spoiled child's coquettishness and some big sister's arrogance. What she didn't expect was that Old Man Martin not only didn't show any concern for the heavily emphasized word "slave", but instead smiled and said the following words.

  "Hmm, I guarantee that Zhao Erlang has made a profit from buying the two of us. And I'd like to make a bet, are you interested, master?"

  "Want to make a bet? What's this fun thing, tell me about it!"

  Martin smiled slightly, and Zhao Fubo was indeed not beyond his expectations. Although he looked tall and strong, he had a youthful competitive spirit. It seemed that the other person, Shu Yuer, who was about the same age as him, was also of similar character.

  "Hey, Erlang, don't you see him smiling so slyly? He must be up to something!"

  Although Shu Yiner stopped Zhao Fubo with her mouth, she herself was looking at Martin with a hopeful expression. Old Martin put a piece of meat into his mouth, chewed it carefully for two times, and then smiled with a hint of mystery.

  "Hmph, it doesn't matter if there's a trick or not, what I'm afraid of is that you two won't dare to make this bet!"

  Shu Yiner and Zhao Fubo exchanged a glance, each seeing seventeen or eighteen unsatisfied looks in the other's eyes.

  Muqe, who had been silent all along, cut the meat in his hand with a knife, looking at Martin with a thoughtful expression. His cold gaze seemed to be warning him not to play any tricks.

  Zhao Fubo put down the plate in his hand, wiped the oil stain on the corner of his mouth with his hand. Obviously excited by Old Man Martin, he didn't eat anymore and focused on playing cards.

  "Alright, let's fight then! But what are we betting on? We need to make it clear first!"

  "I bet that by the time the sun rises tomorrow, I can make your purse heavier. If I succeed, you must give us our freedom and acknowledge me as Second Brother's teacher. How about it, are you brave enough to take this bet?"

  This gamble, honestly, reason told Shu Yu'er, shouldn't hit!

  She had a plan in mind, and even if the old man had some tricks up his sleeve, she believed that once they got home, her family would be able to get the truth out of him.

  She couldn't guess what method Zhao Fubo used to make the barren land fertile. Especially when Old Man Martin added another sentence, she finally made up her mind to take a gamble.

  "Think about it, Zhao Er Lang will have money tomorrow, we can go into the city to buy him a few strong and capable men, and also avoid people saying that you, Yu Niang's daughter, don't know how to shop!"

  Shu Yu'er tilted her head and looked at Old Man Martin with suspicion, then very readily made a bet on behalf of Zhao Fuwo, treating him as if he were transparent the entire time.

  "Come on, are we still afraid? Erlang, let's make a bet with him?"

  Zhao Fubo, who is also a child at heart, wouldn't care about these things. Like Shu Yiner, he just wants to know what kind of trick Old Man Martin has up his sleeve to make himself richer!

  "This is simple, just go and get a few craftsmen for me. Besides, if you're afraid I'll play some trick on you, just have this little Mamluk keep an eye on me, and let him help me too. I guarantee that by tomorrow morning, you will be much richer."

  "Can it be possible for a pouch to become plump overnight?"

  Zhaofu Bo and Shuyin'er exchanged a glance again, but then decided to bet on this round. Shuyin'er put on a serious face, carefully watching Martyn warn him.

  "Alright, let's gamble then. But if you dare to play any tricks, I can assure you that you won't leave this place alive!"

  "Of course, there will be results tomorrow morning, I guarantee it!"

  Everyone became interested as they looked at Old Man Martin's confident appearance!

  There is still one more show at 8 pm tonight, please bring your tickets and collections when you come.