Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 81

The seed was sown. Whether it sprouts depends on him.

Saadet, standing at life’s greatest crossroads, surely desires the Khan’s seat.

‘A man without ambition wouldn’t kill his own nephew to ascend to the Khanate.’

Killing nephews to seize the throne was common throughout history. Saadet himself killed his nephew, who had only been on the throne for six months, in 1523 after his brother died, to become Khan.

The variable is whether he might be too young to be greedy, get scared, and give up.

‘It wouldn’t matter much even if he did.’

If you’re going to play with fire in someone else’s house, you must at least prevent sparks from flying into my house.

If Saadet chooses to save his brother, the power of the Crimean Khanate will be preserved, which isn’t bad.

I don’t like Mehmed for helping Selim, but at least he’s capable, so he’s good to use.

‘First, we need to solidify the occupation of Donbas, so the power of the Crimean Khanate is essential.’

Donbas is a region in the northern Black Sea, bordering the Sea of Azov, also known as the Donetsk Basin.

With vast deposits of coal and iron ore, it has undergone rapid industrialization since the late 19th century.

Currently, this area barely has any villages, and it wasn’t until the 17th century that villages were built to mine rock salt.

‘Since there are so few people, it’s practically unclaimed land, but things will change once development begins.’

If it becomes a land that lays golden eggs, there will be plenty of people with their eyes on it, and war could break out even from the north.

It’s not urgent to secure iron, and there’s no need to work hard when we haven’t even properly developed the technology to produce steel.

The most useful place to use iron right now is for cannons, but the Ottomans don’t need to be desperate for iron.

Because thanks to the abundant copper in Anatolia, we can cheaply make bronze, which was considered the best material for cannon production until the 19th century.

‘How else would we load such large cannons on ships without them capsizing from the recoil if we didn’t have so much bronze to spare?’

Anyway, even if it’s not an urgent issue, Donbas is a region that would be reassuring to occupy, so it would be good if the Crimean Khanate’s power remained intact.

Conversely, it would be fine if Mehmed, the heir to the Crimean Khanate, died and Saadet seized power.

Because Saadet would need Ottoman help to maintain his regime, the Ottoman influence within the Crimean Khanate would become stronger.

The weakened forces could be filled by the Cherkes [Circassians], who became vassals through past ties.

“I wonder what choice Saadet will make. Don’t you think?”

“I’m not curious. Please consider our efforts in preparing for both situations, Padishah [Ottoman Sultan].”

Yusuf chuckled at Şemsi’s words mixed with lament.

An ordinary person wouldn’t dare say such things, but Şemsi was an exception.

They had spent years together, and someone needed to say such things.

“I will consider it next time.”

“Thank you. I will convey that to others as well. Everyone will be grateful for the Padishah’s consideration.”

Yusuf chuckled at Şemsi, who was indirectly pressuring him not to brush it off with empty words, and took a sip of his drink.

He frowned slightly at the sweet taste filling his mouth.

It wasn’t a good match for him, who preferred bitter coffee, no matter how precious the drink was.

“Does the drink not suit your taste?”

“It’s a bit much. I should mention it.”

“Come to think of it, Padishah, you haven’t been looking for barley drinks lately. Even though Valide Hatun [Sultan’s mother] tried so hard to stop you, you used to drink it secretly.”

“That’s right.”

When did he stop drinking orzo, the barley coffee he used to love?

It wasn’t just because he was tired of it.

“I can’t be tied to the past forever, so I stopped drinking it.”

The reason he sought orzo was because he couldn’t forget his modern life, and as he committed to becoming Yusuf of the Ottoman Empire, he stopped seeking it.

It was a kind of resolution, and Şemsi looked at Yusuf with a puzzled expression but didn’t ask deeply.

This was a line that shouldn’t be crossed as a subject.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you enjoy it too?”

“I still enjoy it these days. Some other officials have also learned how to make it.”

“It’s a good drink, so there’s nothing wrong with it. I’ll introduce you to a better drink later.”

Once we occupy the Mamluks, we’ll be able to get coffee.

For people of this era who haven’t properly experienced caffeine, just one cup will keep them awake all night.

It’s good to sell as a product, and it’s also good to use to ‘dope’ the officials below.

He gave up his attachment to orzo, but coffee was one thing he had to get.

They chatted for a while, but both Yusuf and Şemsi were busy with work, and they didn’t gather just to talk about such things.

“So, what do you think of the information from the Safavids?”

“It’s expected that the Shah wouldn’t look for Tazlu. Although he publicly declared that he doesn’t doubt her purity, the losses caused by her were enormous.”

“There’s also the financial aspect and the humiliation of having his woman taken away.”

Even if he doesn’t look for Tazlu, Ismail has plenty of women.

His harem is full of women to fill the empty space, so it’s no wonder he doesn’t look for Tazlu.

“Still, the people we sent are definitely doing their part.”

The Ottoman harem and the Safavid harem are both jungles.

It wasn’t uncommon for a woman favored by the Shah to be overthrown by political attacks or to lose her life in an incident where the culprit couldn’t be found.

Tazlu was a woman who could make good use of the information and influence she received, and even if she wasn’t favored, her influence within the harem was solid.

“So, she’s still useful.”

“Yes. The Shah won’t be able to easily dismiss her either.”

The Safavid Empire was still like a patched-up rag.

Dismissing Tazlu could cause internal unrest.

The information from Tabriz mostly contains Tazlu and the internal situation, but there is one sentence that caught Yusuf’s eye.

“Hmm, a remnant who rebelled with Şahkulu has been talking to Ismail for a long time.”

“We will send a protest envoy to the Safavids first.”

“It’s not important how the remnants are dealt with. It’s important that he heard the stories of those who fought directly against me.”

If we’re not careful, the Safavids might show interest in gunpowder earlier than in history.

Considering that Ismail’s crushing defeat at the Battle of Chaldiran was due to the nomadic cavalry collapsing miserably in front of gunpowder weapons, things could get troublesome.

“We need to prepare quickly.”

Even if Ismail has opened his eyes to gunpowder, it will only be at a crawling level for a few years, so it’s necessary to eliminate Ismail as soon as possible.

There’s no more foolish act than giving that monstrous human plenty of time.

As Yusuf made that decision, a loud voice was heard from outside the audience hall.

-Padishah, Kemal Reis and his fleet have returned!

“He’s finally here.”

The admiral has returned.

***

“It’s been a while.”

Having arrived after a long voyage, Kemal Reis had a bitter look on his face upon arriving at the Golden Horn [Istanbul’s primary harbor].

The lively appearance of the port was the same as ever, but the empty spaces indirectly made him feel the past nightmares.

“Why are you standing there like an idiot?”

Kemal Reis turned his head and said coldly at the grating voice.

“Barbarossa, don’t cross the line. This isn’t on the sea.”

“Tch! I understand. Can’t even say a word. Isn’t that right?”

Baba Uruç, infamous as Barbarossa (Redbeard), grumbled while stroking his bulging belly, and the pirates following him burst into laughter.

“Father Uruç is just in a good mood because he’s in the Empire after a long time, so let’s not say too much.”

“Shouldn’t seafarers help each other out?”

“More importantly, isn’t there a place to loosen my pants? My lower body is feeling lonely.”

As the men, reeking of thick blood, chuckled lewdly, the soldiers around Kemal glared fiercely.

Kemal waved his hand in an atmosphere where they seemed ready to start a sword fight at any moment.

“That’s enough. He’s a man who deserves respect, even if his words are rough.”

In Spain, the Reconquista (reconquest) took place over 781 years, which refers to the activities of the Catholic kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula, where Spain is located, to expel the Islamic forces.

With the conquest of the Kingdom of Granada in 1492, the Reconquista ended, and Spain drove Muslims and Jews out of its country.

These expelled people went to the regions of Morocco and Algeria, which are close to the Ottoman Empire, and Baba Uruç gained fame as Father Uruç while transporting them to North Africa.

“Still, this is the capital of the Empire. Be careful of your behavior as it is different from your land.”

“Don’t worry. I brought guys who know how to distinguish between right and wrong. Isn’t that right?!”

“Of course! We’ll be careful so we don’t get holes in our heads!”

“Did you hear that well?”

“Yes, I heard it well.”

It was an arrogant tone, but Kemal just brushed it off lightly.

He respects Baba Uruç, and there must be a reason why the Padishah called him.

“More than that, is that your brother behind you?”

“That’s right! Hizir!”

“Yes, brother.”

The man with the same red beard as his brother walked up and greeted Kemal Reis politely.

Kemal’s eyes lit up slightly when he saw him.

“He looks quite useful.”

“Hey! Don’t set your eyes on him. He’s the one who has to take over after me if anything happens.”

“Saying that makes me want him even more.”

Even though sailors live with half their bodies entrusted to Allah, if he’s openly said to be the successor, it means he’s that capable.

As Baba Uruç was about to get angry at Kemal’s words of greed, soldiers with a sharp aura approached.

“Kemal Reis, it is the Padishah’s order to enter the palace.”

“I understand.”

Kemal, who was slightly surprised that the Silahdar [Sword Bearer, a high-ranking palace official] guarding the Sultan had come to greet him in person, nodded.

Silahdar, who had taken his eyes off Kemal, said to the red beard.

“And are you Baba Uruç?”

“That’s right!”

“The Padishah has ordered you and your brother to enter the palace together.”

“Both of us?”

“That’s right.”

When he asked back as if he was doubtful, Silahdar spoke firmly and turned his body.

As he moved as if he had no intention of answering any more, Uruç looked at his brother and nodded.

Now that the Padishah’s order has been given, they have no choice but to go.

They had to undergo a body search and even a forced bath to meet the Padishah, but they couldn’t complain.

No matter how famous they were, the fact that pirates could meet the Padishah was an enormous honor in itself.

After hearing simple etiquette and warnings, the three of them were able to enter the audience hall and immediately paid their respects upon seeing Yusuf sitting on the throne.

“We greet the Padishah!”

“Welcome. You may rise.”

Yusuf said to the three, who were bowing their heads without daring to look Yusuf in the face.

“Raise your heads.”

Only then did Yusuf see the faces of the three, and although he had never met them, it was not difficult to distinguish who was who.

Unlike Kemal, whose beard had turned white, the two brothers were boasting red beards.

“Kemal Reis. You have worked hard on your mission. Stay in the capital for a while and reorganize the army.”

“I obey your command.”

Kemal answered with a military salute to Yusuf’s command, and Yusuf turned his head to the two brothers.

“Baba Uruç, Hizir.”

“Yes, yes! Padishah!”

Baba Uruç, who had been overwhelmed by the atmosphere, answered hastily, and Yusuf waved his hand.