Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 56

Became Sultan of Osman – Episode 56 (56/213)

Her Choice (1)

Yusuf returned to Trabzon triumphantly with numerous spoils and was greeted with tremendous cheers.

The strength of the Sanjak’s [A Sanjak is a district in the Ottoman Empire] forces was a matter directly related to survival, beyond mere pride. A land with a weak army could become a target for plunder at any time.

Upon returning to Trabzon, Yusuf received reports on the events that had occurred during his absence. The most notable was the difference in gains among the princes.

‘Mahmud’s death must be seen as Selim’s doing.’

Since Mahmud and most of his soldiers had died, Selim was the only one who could properly report on the situation at the time.

Selim reported that it was a successful night raid, but they suffered great damage due to Mahmud’s shortcomings and the Kizilbash’s [A group of Shiite militants] abilities.

Everyone knew the situation was suspicious, but no one was there to defend the already dead Mahmud.

‘In the end, Selim is the only one who has achieved anything.’

Because Bozkurt Bey, the ruler of Dulkadir, was utterly defeated, both sides had to retreat.

Ahmed and Korkut preserved their forces but were reduced to playing supporting roles, while Selim suffered some losses but achieved a victory.

It remains to be seen which side will benefit more in the long run.

‘It will probably be Selim. The losses can be replenished through the Crimean Khanate anyway.’

Interestingly, Yusuf’s great victory was unexpectedly re-evaluated.

In fact, Yusuf’s great victory tended to be underestimated because the scale of the victory itself raised doubts about the Kizilbash’s abilities.

However, the fact that they inflicted significant damage on the Sipahi [Ottoman Cavalry] despite being caught off guard in a night raid, and that Bozkurt suffered near-total annihilation, led to the recognition of the Kizilbash’s capabilities.

‘I ended up with the biggest gain.’

Yusuf, who didn’t even fight in Dulkadir, was being evaluated the highest, which was an odd situation.

On top of that, he successfully inflicted damage on the Safavids, so Yusuf was the one who benefited the most.

Enough to grab Ahmed, who had been leading the pack, by the scruff of his neck and move into the lead.

“The other brothers won’t just sit still.”

“That’s right. Prince Korkut has already made a move.”

Troops were gathering in response to the Sultan’s summons, and the princes’ war was effectively over.

Even if a war with the Safavids were to break out, it would be difficult to achieve great feats with such a large-scale troop movement.

In the end, the situation where Yusuf took the lead and Selim stood out would be maintained for a while.

The two who created the unprecedented event of an alliance between princes must have been anxious.

“He has petitioned the Padishah [Ottoman Emperor] to return to Saruhan, where the late Mahmud was.”

“The reason?”

“To quickly stabilize the chaos in Saruhan, where the Sanjakbeys [District Governors] have died in succession.”

It must have been chaotic since two princes had died in less than a year.

Alemsah was killed by Korkut, and Mahmud, who succeeded him, was killed by Selim.

This showed how much the other princes were keeping the city close to the capital in check.

Korkut, who had been the master of Saruhan for a long time, would certainly be able to control it well.

“The Padishah won’t grant that request. He hasn’t done anything noteworthy to catch his eye.”

“As you predicted, he will refuse.”

If he were to grant such a request, he wouldn’t have thrown Korkut, who had naval power, into Çorum, which is inland.

Then, would Korkut quietly accept the rejection?

“He might forcibly occupy Saruhan.”

“Surely he wouldn’t go that far?”

It was something that could be linked to rebellion, but the possibility was there.

“Have you forgotten what happened in Dulkadir? The brothers are already not properly obeying the Padishah’s orders.”

It was the same in the original history.

Selim, who went to the Crimean Khanate, led an army and occupied land in the Balkans, and Korkut, who fled to Egypt, pressured the Sultan to retake Saruhan.

When Selim, the biggest rival, became a traitor, Ahmed disobeyed his father’s orders and proclaimed himself the Sultan of Anatolia.

“If Korkut ignores the Padishah’s orders and tries to occupy Saruhan, then everything will begin.”

The princes’ life-or-death power struggle, that is.

Yusuf held up three fingers to Şemsi.

“Even if we look at it long-term, it’s three years. Within that time, a full-scale succession war will break out.”

Şemsi nodded with a heavy expression at Yusuf’s words, who had never made a wrong judgment.

Three years was definitely not a long time.

***

One day, as he was accelerating the production of muskets and gunpowder for the future, Hatice’s labor pains began.

Yusuf wasn’t too flustered when Hatice’s delivery was imminent.

He had already experienced everything when Mehmet was born.

However, when he held the newborn, Yusuf couldn’t help but be taken aback for the first time in a while.

“Is this really a newborn? He seems twice as big as Mehmet.”

Fatima nodded at Yusuf’s question.

“He probably weighs twice as much. Hatice’s belly was bigger than Ayşe’s, wasn’t it?”

When she was eight months pregnant, she was almost full-term.

In fact, many people expected twins when they saw Hatice’s belly, but no one expected such a large baby to be born.

Yusuf looked down at the child he named Murat.

‘Is it because of traits and luck? The children born are not ordinary.’

Mehmet, who was recognized as a genius by Kadi [A judge in Islamic law] and many others, and Murat, who was just born, were also extraordinary.

Just by looking at him, you could tell he was general material.

As a father, he was looking forward to how his two sons would grow up, and there was only one way to watch their growth.

‘I have to become the Sultan.’

If he failed, his two children would have a hard time surviving.

Yusuf handed the child to Nene and turned around, reaffirming his resolve.

-Your Highness, the delegation has arrived in Bayburt.

It was time to work as a prince, not a father.

***

Hodabandeh, who came to Trabzon Castle as a delegation, hardened his face.

You can tell the owner of a city by looking at the city.

‘He’s not just good at war.’

The repeatedly reinforced walls were high and thick, the roads were paved with solid stone, and it was hard to find dirty waste on the ground.

The faces of the people moving with tired faces had no shadows, and the children were running around the streets without fear.

It was easy to see how well the city was being governed.

The delegation from the enemy Safavids was only able to meet Yusuf after undergoing a thorough inspection.

“You’ve come a long way. I am Yusuf.”

“It is an honor to meet you. I am Hodabandeh Khalifa.”

Yusuf stroked his chin.

He didn’t remember him, but if he was sent by the Safavids, he wouldn’t be an easy person to deal with.

“I heard you had a happy event. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Hodabandeh, who had expected that the negotiations might proceed easily because his son was born, sighed inwardly.

Just looking at his indifferent reaction, it didn’t seem easy.

“The reason you came all the way here is probably because of Tazlu Khanum, right?”

“…Yes, that’s right. Is she safe?”

“Of course, she is very healthy and doing well.”

Yusuf smiled and asked.

“You came here in such a hurry, so she must be a valuable person.”

“The Shah cherishes the women of the harem.”

Hodabandeh drew a line, saying that Tazlu Khanum was not a special woman, but it did not work for Yusuf.

“Hmm, I didn’t know that the bloodline of Yaqub bin Uzun Hasan was so light.”

Yusuf laughed heartily at Hodabandeh’s slightly distorted face.

“Don’t worry, she didn’t tell me that information. She truly wants to return to Ismail.”

Hodabandeh, who knew that Tazlu was not stupid and had no need to tell Yusuf such a fact, sighed.

He knew that negotiations would be difficult no matter how he knew.

“What do you want?”

“I don’t think I need to say that first. How much are you thinking of paying for her?”

Hodabandeh gritted his teeth at Yusuf’s words that he was not the one in a hurry and said quietly.

“I will give you eight thousand Venetian gold coins.”

It was a huge amount of money to pay for one person.

The annual gold coins paid by Venice, which was defeated in the war with the Ottomans, was 30,000.

However, Yusuf didn’t even blink an eye and said.

“Too little. Her value seems lighter than I thought.”

“…How much do you want?”

They wouldn’t have said the maximum amount they could pay from the beginning, and considering the amount they initially offered, they could roughly estimate the maximum.

‘They must have come thinking of about 15,000 at most.’

It was an amount that would be burdensome for the Safavids, who were still in the midst of a conquest war and had many places to spend money.

It wasn’t a bad condition for Yusuf, who needed money because of the production of muskets and gunpowder.

But, isn’t it a shame to be satisfied with this?

“I want 20,000 gold coins and an agreement: that you will not attack my land, including Georgia.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Twenty thousand gold coins? This alone was too much.

If it was known that they paid this amount for Tazlu, countless criticisms would pour in.

‘And an inviolable treaty including Georgia.’

Georgia, which betrayed the Shah and sided with the Ottomans, was one of the targets for future conquest.

“I would like you to reconsider the conditions.”

“I think I have set generous conditions.”

Considering Tazlu’s value, it was a shame to end it with just money.

If it weren’t for the succession war and the assassins that Ismail would send, he would have just put her in the harem.

Hodabandeh, who glared lightly at Yusuf, who was smiling slyly, sighed.

“I would like you to give us time to think. And I want to confirm that Tazlu is healthy.”

“Of course.”

“If there is any flaw in her, you will have to experience the Shah’s wrath.”

I thought it was strange that there were women in the delegation.

Yusuf nodded readily, with no problem at all.

***

Tazlu, who greeted the delegation with a happy face, had to undergo a body search.

Although this would not perfectly prove her purity, it was something she had to endure in order to remove even the slightest suspicion.

Late at night, Yusuf opened the door to Tazlu’s room, and she, who was lying down with a tired face, glared at him sharply.

“Why did you come again?!”

“Today’s events must have been humiliating.”

“Who is this all because of!”

Tazlu shouted roughly.

Tazlu, who was suspected of losing her virginity and subjected to all sorts of questions and body searches, was filled with resentment, and Yusuf leaned against the wall nonchalantly.

“Am I that hateful?”

“Yes!”

From a woman favored by the Shah, she fell to the bottom in an instant.

The fear that she might be treated coldly even if she returned to Ismail was engulfing Tazlu.

Yusuf, the culprit of all this, deserved to be the target of that anger.

“So, are you going to accept the offer to kill me?”

“How did you…?”

Yusuf smiled at Tazlu, who had hardened like a stone.

“There’s a reason why I didn’t assign separate personnel to monitor you. Did you think you were alone in this room all the time?”

Yusuf asked Tazlu, who had turned pale.

“Can you really be happy even if you return to Ismail’s arms? It might be possible if you have my help.”