Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 113

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 113 (113/213)

Sacred and Inviolable (3)

“Your Majesty, are you serious?”

It was Fatima who asked this, she who hadn’t even questioned Yusuf, let alone intervened in his affairs, since he single-handedly seized the position of Sanjak Bey [governor of a district] at the age of 11.

Yusuf casually put down his book.

“It’s not unusual to use stories.”

It is common for rulers to spread stories to solidify their rule.

There are stories like the myth of Dangun, who is said to be the grandson of Hwanin, the god of the sky, or the myth of Park Hyeokgeose, who was born from an egg.

In Greek and Roman mythology, Hercules and Perseus, who appear as sons of Zeus, are also from Egypt and are the founders of the Spartan and Mycenaean dynasties, respectively.

It means that the power of stories has been used for power throughout the East and West.

Even if it is not a theocratic era based on faith, spreading news of victory is the same principle.

“But that’s not about showing such a weak side.”

That’s not wrong.

Mehmet II’s conquest history, which included the capture of Constantinople and many other places, was spread, but the story of how he became Sultan at a young age and restored his father due to the threats of his vassals was hidden.

Even if they are not rulers, people’s psychology is that they want to show off their good side rather than stories of weak and difficult times.

“It’s okay. I think it’s rather bland. There’s no story about how I was stabbed with a knife not long after I was almost poisoned.”

“Poisoned?! No, more than that, Your Majesty.”

Fatima, who knew about the attempted assassination that miraculously survived thanks to the silver coins, seemed confused that she didn’t know about the attempted poisoning.

Yusuf gently folded his eyes. It was a rare, gentle smile.

“I want to approach my people as a human, not as a god.”

“…Why did you think that way?”

“The failure of a god who must be perfect makes one deny existence. Wouldn’t a hero be better than a god?”

Fatima chuckled as if she couldn’t help it at the not-so-humble joke.

“How can I block Your Majesty’s path? Do as you wish.”

It’s not necessary to get permission from Valide Hatun [the Sultan’s mother], who oversees the harem, but it’s not bad to get it.

Yusuf lightly expressed his gratitude and looked down at Hurrem.

She was a figure who made a big turning point in Ottoman history, but since she was born after I became Yusuf, she is now just a little girl.

‘It’s a great thing that she didn’t wet herself.’

If she was accused of insulting the Sultan, even a young girl would have a hard time surviving.

She knows that her neck could be cut off by the Silahhtar’s [sword-bearer, a high-ranking palace official] blade, who is in charge of guarding her, so this is a calm reaction.

“Alexandra, do you want to continue writing?”

“…I want to write if you allow me.”

It was something she started impulsively, and she almost died, but Hurrem felt it. This is an opportunity that will never come to her again.

“Okay. Then listen to me carefully.”

“Tell me.”

Yusuf thought quickly.

What should be included in the content, and what should he get from this article.

‘It has to start as an underdog. It has to be a story of starting as a weakling, overcoming many trials, and eventually rising to the position of Sultan.’

Yusuf shook the book Hurrem wrote.

“In the writing you will write, I must overcome a precarious and difficult time to the point where the people feel sympathy and rise to the position of Padishah [Sovereign].”

“Sympathy?”

She asked back as if she was wondering about receiving sympathy from the people, and Yusuf nodded.

During the succession war, the pro-Ismail forces in the empire are dead due to the failed Turkmen rebellion and Ismail’s continued failures.

However, one of the reasons why the Ismail craze arose in the empire was because they felt sympathy for him, who had lost his family and had to live in hiding.

‘It means that emotional appeals are still useful in this era.’

It’s easy to think of it as bringing in Ismail’s heroic story.

Of course, if it ends with just a heroic story, wouldn’t the memories of the modern era, which are flooded with all kinds of stories, be embarrassing?

“I’m not telling you to write a heroic story. I want you to include the love story with Aisha as touchingly as you wrote now, but keep in mind what I said earlier. Can you do it?”

“Of course!”

Why doesn’t romance easily disappear from dramas or movies, even though there are complaints about putting too much romance in them?

That’s because it works so well.

‘Men can enjoy it like a heroic story, and women can feel it like a romance novel.’

The brothers who are already in Allah’s arms will become villains, but the people of the empire are supporting Yusuf to the point where they cannot even imagine another Sultan.

There’s no way to package them as good guys, and it’s funny to feel this much guilt when half of my brothers were sent to Allah’s arms.

All I had to do was become the main character and enjoy the popularity. Of course, there is one thing that must be clearly pointed out.

“It’s okay for Aisha to take up a lot of space, but you must also include Hatis’s story. Do you know why?”

“…Is it for my safety?”

Even though she was still young, she seemed to have a good sense of things.

“Yes, jealousy sometimes makes people act boldly. I’ve been watching carefully, so I won’t take your life, but I can make you suffer to the point of death.”

“I will include the stories of the two Hatuns [noble women].”

“If you have any questions, get help from Valide Hatun.”

Hurrem’s face brightened at Yusuf’s words.

When living in the harem, the person you should be closest to is the Sultan’s mother, Valide Sultan.

This is because the Hatuns, who are concubines, usually leave the harem and follow their sons when they become Sanjak Beys.

Becoming close to the most powerful person in the harem meant that she was properly establishing herself in the harem, so she had to like it.

‘Well, it’s only going to be about the next favorite concubine.’

The power of the harem that can be obtained without sleeping with the Sultan was only that much.

“Alexandra.”

Hurrem raised her head at the call, and Yusuf made eye contact.

When Hurrem was captivated by the emerald eyes that shone like jewels, Yusuf continued.

“It doesn’t seem appropriate to use your name as it is. I’ll give you a new name.”

Hurrem couldn’t answer right away to this.

The story of changing her name felt like she was throwing away her entire life before being captured as a slave.

After a short silence, Hurrem opened her mouth heavily.

“I will accept it with honor.”

“Your name from now on is Hurrem. It means a joyful person in Persian.”

The reason is different from when Suleiman gave it to her, but it is a very fitting name considering what she will do in the future.

Hurrem repeated the new name several times and bowed deeply.

“Thank you. I will live as Your Majesty wishes.”

Yusuf nodded in response and shook the book he was holding lightly, giving a mischievous smile.

“More than that, there are many shortcomings in Persian.”

Hurrem’s face turned red at Yusuf’s words.

It wasn’t a problem that it was written only in easy words, but there were too many grammar and word errors.

Considering that she hadn’t been learning for long, she deserved praise just for writing it, but there was a problem with releasing it as it was.

He didn’t want a great work like Shakespeare, but he had to at least do the basics.

“I need someone to refine the writing.”

There happens to be such a person.

A person with excellent literary skills and easy to use.

“I’ll attach Suleiman Pasha. He will be helpful to you.”

Yusuf smiled as if he had played a fun prank, and soon Suleiman came.

He shouted in a high voice, in contrast to his lowered body as if prostrating.

“Your Majesty, who on earth is the person who wrote this writing that is painful to even look at?!”

Yusuf burst into laughter after a long time.

Like a mismatched fate, their meeting was mismatched from the beginning.

***

Everything went smoothly.

Hurrem, who seized the opportunity, poured out her passion and produced the writing, and Suleiman struggled to refine the writing.

‘It’s not difficult to mass-produce books.’

As the Reconquista, which drove out Islam from Spain, was completed, Muslims and Jews were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula.

In this process, Bayezid II strictly prohibited discrimination against Jews and accepted them, and in the meantime, he obtained Gutenberg’s printing technology through the Jews.

In 1500, there were about 300 printing houses in Germany alone, so it is a technology that will come in someday, but it is important that it can be used right away.

Thanks to this, the printed books could soon be in the hands of the officials holding the Divan Council [Ottoman Imperial Council].

“Ahem, Your Majesty. The book is interesting. But, is it really okay for this kind of book to be circulating?”

“The content will surely be known to those who do not know how to write through the mouths of those who have read the book. I am worried that they might take Padishah [Sultan] too lightly.”

Yusuf raised the corners of his lips at the words filled with worry.

“Me? Dare they?”

The officials were on high alert at Yusuf’s question.

The Sultan in front of them was not someone whose authority would be diminished by such a book.

They had clearly realized what Yusuf was considered to be by the people through the portraits that were placed throughout the Ottoman Empire.

‘I heard that people gather in cities with portraits like a pilgrimage to holy sites.’

‘If the Principality of Wallachia, which received one portrait because it was a vassal state, came to find out if they could receive more portraits, there is nothing more to say.’

His position was too solid for a mere book to harm him.

They could argue that the person who made the book should be hanged for insulting the Sultan, but they couldn’t imagine looking down on him.

While everyone was silent, the Grand Vizier quietly opened his mouth.

“However, Your Majesty. The people are uneducated and more loyal to emotions than reason. I am worried that foolish sympathy will reach the imperial tradition of succession.”

“Are you saying that the empire’s succession law, which requires the killing of all brothers, may be considered too harsh?”

“That’s right.”

It is doubtful that mere public sentiment will affect the succession law, but the reason why the fratricide law disappeared and the Kafes [cages, a form of confinement for royal princes], which imprisons brothers, was implemented is also due to the harsh public sentiment.

The fact that the Grand Vizier, who does not know the future, predicted this means that he has tremendous insight.

However, this was also already in the plan.

“If the people really want it, that’s not a bad thing either.”

The officials’ eyes widened at Yusuf’s words. It must be an unexpected remark.

‘Excellent bloodline characteristics can be a poison to the empire.’

It’s good that the descendants are strong because the succession is strong, but if capable people fight to the death, the empire may be divided.

At the very least, those who are drooling like hyenas outside the empire would be greedy.

It is a failure of his goal to create a powerful empire and give the people a peaceful life.

“Succession law is not urgent now. If the world wants it, we can just adapt to it. It’s not even the time to worry about that yet.”

“I’m just getting more worried as I get older. I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Yusuf waved his hand lightly.

“It’s okay. It’s not that you had meaningless worries. Also, there’s nothing to be sorry about. There will be stories about you and Hatis in the books that come out later.”

The Grand Vizier had a subtle look on his face at these words.

“I am grateful for Hatis’s story, but there is no need to include my story.”

“It’s okay because I told you to refine and include the fact that you arrogantly tested me. You’re not going to die, are you?”

“…Your Majesty.”

With the Grand Vizier’s sigh, books began to spread throughout the Ottoman Empire.

It was the beginning of Yusuf’s biography, which would later be the subject of truth debates by historians around the world.