Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 151

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 151

Eastern Trade (3)

The first thing Portugal did upon setting foot in India was to establish bases along the coastline.

They seized land with guns and cannons, even building fortresses when necessary, as they had no other choice.

When undertaking long voyages, the most crucial thing isn’t food, but drinking water.

Without insect-proof water containers, they had to conserve even water teeming with bugs. They couldn’t just land and fetch any water they found when supplies ran low.

Incorrectly consuming contaminated water could lead to the demise of the entire crew.

Ultimately, having a base to secure a safe water supply was essential.

‘This is no different for our Osman.’

Kemal Reis recalled what Yusuf had told him.

Even though Osman was closer to India than Portugal, they still had to travel thousands of kilometers along the coastline.

A port to safely resupply food and water was necessary, especially for Venetian merchants using the canal.

“It’s all money.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Kemal smiled and replied to Murat’s question.

“I was reminded of what Padishah [Sultan] said. He mentioned that Venetian merchants would have no choice but to use the lands occupied by the empire for safe trade.”

“That’s probably due to Portugal’s actions.”

When Vasco da Gama first arrived in Calicut, known as the city of spices, the animosity was so severe that Islamic merchants spat on the ground and cursed Portugal.

The animosity was already intense, and on top of that, they stirred things up with cannons, so anyone who identified as Christian would be met with axes instead of goods.

“He said that when Venetian merchants gather, it all turns into money. It would be even better if we could collect canal usage fees, port fees, and taxes.”

“…Sounds like Father.”

It seems he’s already thinking about exploiting the Venetian merchants, who would do anything for money.

Shemsi, who was listening from the side, smiled at Murat’s words.

“Your Highness, look around you.”

In the naval battle, the Ottoman forces suffered only one ship lost and three damaged, but they captured eight enemy ships.

Ten ships were detached to tow the damaged and surrendered enemy ships to the Red Sea, and six ships left to occupy Muscat and Bahrain.

Despite the departure of many ships, there were still 50 ships heading to India, and the sight of the fleet cutting through the water was thrilling.

“The sailors adjusting the sails over there, and the movement of these ships, it’s all money. A country basically needs to be wealthy for things to run smoothly.”

Murat felt a strange sense of unease watching Shemsi talk about money, and Kemal whispered in his ear.

“Please understand, Your Highness. He has become like that because he suffered so much from financial pressure while opening the canal.”

“I see. I felt a little out of place because he was different from the Pasha [high-ranking official] I saw when I was young.”

The seven years spent digging the canal were enough to engrave the importance of money into his mind.

Shemsi, hearing their whispers, coughed lightly.

“I may seem like a miser, but it means that money is that important when running a country. This is also Your Highness’s weakness.”

“I can’t help but be inferior compared to Mehmed.”

Murat smiled bitterly, thinking of his brother, who was quicker with calculations than most merchants.

He felt that all he had to offer was strength, while his brother had too much.

“Don’t think too negatively. Even Padishah is lacking in many ways compared to Prince Mehmed. However, he has the insight to run the country well.”

“Insight, you say.”

“That’s right. This kind of insight can be gained through experience.”

In reality, Yusuf had this insight from a young age, despite having little experience, but Shemsi had long given up on evaluating Yusuf with common sense.

“The reason Padishah ordered Your Highness to go to this distant place is also to give you this experience.”

“That means Father has expectations for me, right?”

“Of course.”

Shemsi didn’t bother to utter the truth that he was expecting labor before succession.

If he talked about this, he felt like he would even mention how he was annoyed that a child to exploit hadn’t been born yet.

“Anyway, you can definitely see and experience it this time.”

The Ottoman way.

***

The atmosphere in Goa, a port city in the lower Mandovi River, was chaotic.

This was due to the Portuguese fleet that had arrived recently.

It had already been more than 10 years since Portugal occupied the place, so one might wonder what the big deal was about Portuguese ships appearing.

But the story was different if the so-called Governor of India had come to loot.

“W-What is going on?”

It wasn’t a long looting spree either.

The Portuguese fleet quickly took money and goods in just a few hours and left as if fleeing, leaving those who were attacked dumbfounded.

Quick-witted Arab merchants realized that something was coming that made even the feared Portuguese soldiers afraid, and this became a reality in less than half a day.

“Arrest the Portuguese criminals! Move!”

As more than 40 ships approached the port, the port’s defense forces couldn’t even dare to fire the cannons.

Soldiers who entered Goa without bloodshed poured out with guns in hand and quickly occupied important facilities, including the walls.

Some Portuguese who had not been informed and were left unattended were dragged away, and the soldiers shouted loudly.

“From now on, this Portuguese territory is declared to be the land of the great Ottoman Empire!”

“From now on, this place is the land of the Ottoman Empire, liberated from Portuguese oppression!”

The residents of Goa, who heard the soldiers’ words through someone who could speak Arabic, looked bewildered at the word Ottoman.

As people living in a trading port, they had heard the name, but they never expected it to suddenly appear.

However, when the Portuguese flag that had been hanging high was lowered and a red flag fluttered, they realized the situation.

“Ottoman, isn’t this a big deal?”

“It seems better than the Portuguese guys.”

The merchants hurriedly hid their goods and lowered their voices.

They didn’t know when the fiercely patrolling Ottoman army would carry out looting.

Cannons brought by the Ottoman army were additionally installed on the port walls, and the existing soldiers were disarmed.

People spent the night with their eyes open in fear, and by day, people were slightly relieved.

“Hmm, how much is this pepper worth?”

“For this amount, one Venetian gold coin is enough.”

“Shemsi Pasha, isn’t this cheap?”

Shemsi stroked his white beard and nodded at Murat’s question.

“It’s not a bad price. It will be more than ten times higher when we return to the homeland.”

“I should buy some on the way back.”

The worries were washed away as the Ottoman prince and the Beylerbey [governor] of Egypt, who led the army, moved around as if they were on a market tour.

There was no coercive behavior from the soldiers.

Instead of looting, the soldiers were allowed to buy a pocketful of spices, and the market was crowded with soldiers buying spices.

As the fear subsided in the atmosphere that was quite contrasting with the Portuguese, a messenger ran to Murat.

“Your Highness, an envoy has come from the Bijapur Sultanate.”

“They came as expected, Pasha.”

“Doesn’t that mean they are burning with anxiety?”

They must be embarrassed that a red flag was planted in the place where the Portuguese had retreated.

Back at the fortress, the envoy bowed respectfully.

“Are you from the Adil Shahi dynasty?”

“Yes, Ismail Adil Shah, who rules Bijapur, has sent me.”

“Yes, what brings you to our territory?”

The envoy, having heard Shemsi’s words through the interpreter, bowed his head and said,

“As the Empire knows, this place was originally our territory of Bijapur. We are grateful that you have defeated the evil Portuguese, but we would like it back now.”

“When I arrived, the Portuguese flag was flying.”

“It has only been a dozen years since it fell into the hands of the Portuguese. You can say it’s our land.”

Shemsi frowned at these words.

“If that’s the case, it hasn’t been ten years since the Empire occupied Egypt, so does that mean it’s not the Empire’s land?! Is it written in the Quran how long you have to occupy a place for the owner to change?!”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

The envoy broke into a cold sweat as the Beylerbey [governor-general] of Egypt, of all people, shouted.

They were pushed back by the Portuguese, so there was no way they could stand up to the Ottomans who crushed them.

The envoy swallowed his fear and hurriedly continued,

“It means we need a little more in-depth conversation.”

“Unfortunately, we will soon have to move to capture the remaining Portuguese.”

Shemsi stroked his white beard and spoke as if a good idea had occurred to him.

“To strengthen the friendship between our two countries, how about visiting the Caliph [the supreme religious and political leader of Islam]?”

“The Caliph…?”

“Of course, I mean the Padishah [Ottoman Sultan], who has formally taken over the Caliphate. Would a sultanate try to function without permission from the Caliph?”

At these words, the envoy rolled his eyes, and Shemsi frowned.

“Come to think of it, were you guys Shia [a branch of Islam]?”

“W-well, yes.”

“Tsk, then how about coming to make a pilgrimage to the holy land [Mecca]? How can a Muslim not make a pilgrimage to the holy land? I’ll have the Shah [Persian King] try it once too.”

“No, how could the Shah move that far?”

“Don’t worry. The Empire’s fleet will faithfully take care of the Shah’s safety.”

It was a pilgrimage to the holy land in name only, and the envoy felt like he was about to be kidnapped by the offer.

The envoy was afraid of the enemy’s army to strongly refuse the absurd offer, and the envoy spoke in a calm voice, thinking that he could continue to be swayed if he stayed like this.

“Thank you for the offer, but I think I need to talk to the Shah in detail.”

“Then there’s nothing I can do. Come to think of it, I heard that there are many Sufis [mystic Islamic belief and practice] in your country. I brought the book that the Empire’s Sufis like the most, so take it with you on your way back.”

Among the mystics, Sufis, the Sufis of the Empire strongly believed that Yusuf was a prophet.

The book they wrote contained stories of Yusuf stepping on clouds and ascending to heaven in response to Allah’s [God in Islam] call.

Not knowing what kind of vicious poison he had received, the envoy inadvertently received a bundle of books and had to leave Goa.

Shemsi, who had kindly seen off the envoy, politely asked Murat.

“Your Highness, did you see that?”

“I saw it well. If necessary, you use threats, the Caliph, anything.”

It’s not that the envoy is stupid.

Because it is a small country, they have no choice but to be aware of the other party’s mood, but because they were hit with such heavy content, they had no choice but to return without saying what they wanted to say.

Murat spat out his impressions briefly.

“Why didn’t you just point a cannon at them?”

***

“Goa has been completely occupied, and we will occupy Malacca while occupying the Portuguese fortresses everywhere.”

Yusuf looked at the map presented by Piri Reis, the nephew of Kemal Reis.

Admiral Piri Reis’ map was famous even in modern times.

It is a map that is considered an out-of-place artifact and an ancient civilization theory because Antarctica is drawn and South America is drawn more accurately than the map 100 years later.

‘It’s not as good as I thought.’

Many maps have come into the Ottoman Empire, which is well-informed about outside news, and this is a map that has been patched together.

For Yusuf, it was just a map worth seeing. It was just that level.

Anyway, Yusuf pointed his finger at the area that had been in the hands of the Portuguese, from Muscat, where the naval battle had taken place.

“You’ve certainly eaten well. Haven’t you, Ali Pasha?”

Hadim Ali Pasha, who had returned from Grand Vizier [the prime minister of the Ottoman Empire] to eunuch, bowed his head at Yusuf’s question.

“Isn’t it a good thing for the Empire?”

“That’s right.”

Thanks to Portugal, the bridgehead to infiltrate India has been secured.

‘Eastern trade is more advantageous to the Ottomans than Europe.’

Islam is spreading beyond India to the distant Philippines.

The Ottomans, who hold the seat of the Caliph, the pope of Islam, as well as the holy city of Mecca and Muhammad’s relics, have no choice but to be active.

“It’s going to be fun in the future.”

Portugal occupied Aden and the horn of Africa, which protruded like a rhinoceros horn, to block the Red Sea, and tried to block the Persian Gulf by occupying Bahrain and Muscat.

It was a trick to kill the rival Ottoman Empire.

In the original history, this process went smoothly, and the Ottomans had to wear this frustrating leash.

“The leash has been cut, and from now on, the Empire will become the center of trade.”

Yusuf declared.

***

The Ottoman army, which had occupied Malacca, hastily seized the ship at the rumor that there was a ship with Westerners on board.

Piri Reis, who thought he had finally caught the Governor-General of India, who had been running away like a rat, frowned.

“What are these beggars?”

Even though they had fled all the way from India, their condition was not good.

Anyone who saw them would think they had been sailing for 1-2 years.

This was not the only strange thing.

“Captain! There’s a lot of cloves on the ship! We’re going to sink if we’re not careful.”

They were running away, but they were loaded with cloves, a type of spice? No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Piri Reis held a knife to the neck of the trembling sailor and asked.

“Who the hell are you guys?!”

The sailor trembled and prostrated himself.

“We are Spanish sailors who have traveled through the New World with Ferdinand Magellan! Please spare my life!”

It was the moment when the final destination of the world tour changed.

***

“Governor! Are you really okay with this?”

“This is the only way to return to our home country!”

We could take a dangerous voyage across the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, but seeing that the Ottomans came before the reinforcements, southern Africa may have fallen into the hands of the Ottomans.

‘If I meet those monstrous Ottoman troops again…’

Thinking of the allied fleet that was easily sunk, Diogo clenched his fist tightly.

Diogo, recalling the scene that was repeated like a nightmare every night, was convinced that his judgment was correct.

“Didn’t Magellan set out to come to India! If we continue east, we will be able to reach our home country!”

Diogo declared a world tour.