Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 160

The World Is Wide (1)

Though the pungent smell of petroleum, so unique to oil, stung his nostrils, the shipwrights were diligently applying sealant to the vessels.

Kemal Reis, observing the ship’s construction from a short distance, turned to a figure approaching and said, “You’ve arrived? Khair ad-Din.”

“It’s been a while.”

Khair ad-Din, who, along with his brother Oruç, had become famous as the Barbarossa brothers after seizing Algiers, followed Kemal’s gaze to the ship taking shape.

Having undertaken numerous voyages for plunder, Khair ad-Din carefully studied the vessel, noting its differences from a carrack [a three- or four-masted ocean-going sailing ship that was developed in the 14th and 15th centuries].

“This ship prioritizes speed over the sturdiness of a carrack.”

“That’s correct. However, the risk of capsizing is slightly higher.”

Unlike the carrack, the ship’s narrow and elongated hull traded stability for speed, and its distinctive square stern caught his attention.

Living in Algiers, he often heard tales of European voyages, and Khair ad-Din began to sift through his memories.

He was sure he’d encountered this type of ship in conversation before.

“Is that a ship called a galleon [a large, multi-decked sailing ship primarily used by European nations from the 16th to 18th centuries]?”

“Indeed. It’s gaining prominence as a Western ship designed for the open sea. This one is special, though.”

This was a galleon with an added deck, making it a three-deck galleon, specifically designed for military applications.

Consequently, the gun ports were arranged on two levels, revealing two rows of openings for firing cannons from the sides.

Not only was it heavily armed, but its size rivaled the largest carracks in the Empire’s possession. Kemal addressed Khair ad-Din, who was admiringly examining the ship:

“This is the Empire’s new flagship. While not all are this large, other galleons have been and are being built at the Padishah’s [Ottoman Sultan’s] command. Do you understand the implications of this?”

“Building faster ships suggests an ambition to explore a wider world.”

Khair ad-Din, upon uttering the word ‘world,’ clenched his fist tightly.

He had spent his entire life sailing, but his experience was limited to the Mediterranean.

With the discovery of new sea routes, he realized the Mediterranean was merely a pond, and Khair ad-Din felt his heart race.

Kemal turned his weathered gaze to Khair ad-Din.

“The Padishah specifically requested your presence, didn’t he? The new era demands new individuals. It seems the time has come for an old man like myself to pass the torch to talented individuals like you and step aside.”

“Admiral…”

Kemal offered a faint smile to Khair ad-Din, who hesitated.

“Don’t fret. I’m well aware that it’s not yet time for me to relinquish my position. First, we must successfully complete this voyage.”

While he longed to cease sailing, unsure of when death might claim him, retire, and live out his days in peace, he was also saddened by the approaching time to step down due to his aging body.

“Furthermore, the Padishah mentioned that even this grand ship is merely a stepping stone. It implies that even larger vessels may emerge in the future.”

“A ship larger than this? That would be incredible.”

“Of course, simply increasing the size won’t suffice, so there’s a strong chance I won’t witness it before I die, but you might have the opportunity to sail on such a ship and traverse the seas.”

Kemal patted Khair ad-Din on the shoulder and said,

“The day that ship sets sail will be the day I must retire. Time is running out to finalize preparations for the voyage. Let’s go.”

The fleet’s departure was rapidly approaching.

***

Clang, clang!

The crowds gathered at the port of Constantinople were captivated by the soldiers disembarking from the ship.

Murat, who appeared to be a head taller than most, led the group, but it was the soldiers following him that truly captured the citizens’ attention.

“Their entire bodies are black? Are they from Africa?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen so many together.”

Constantinople, a melting pot of cultures, was familiar with African black slaves, so they weren’t entirely foreign.

However, witnessing over a hundred black people moving as a unit was a rare sight.

Basking in the attention, Murat stepped off the ship when a curt voice interrupted.

“Now that you’ve arrived in the capital, the soldiers must disarm. Do you intend to offend the Padishah? Murat, you still haven’t grasped the basics.”

“When did you arrive?”

“Isn’t it obvious since I’m closer than you? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you; say hello.”

Mehmet clicked his tongue and turned, and the Janissaries [elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan’s household troops and bodyguards] around him swiftly moved to confiscate the soldiers’ weapons.

Leaving his soldiers to be disarmed, Murat entered the carriage with Mehmet and twisted his lips.

“You’re still cunning. Anyone would think you mobilized the Janissaries yourself?”

As Janissaries guarding the capital, there was an established protocol for intervention, but Mehmet’s preemptive action made the situation appear contrived.

Mehmet didn’t even acknowledge Murat’s sarcasm and retorted,

“You’ve been using your head a bit while I haven’t seen you.”

Even if he was dismissed as a mere strongman, he had received an education, so it was unlikely he was unaware of the disarming procedure.

It wasn’t difficult to deduce that it was a ploy to attract attention upon arriving in the capital.

“How could I compare to you, brother, who anticipated this and was waiting? Besides, the neighborhood I live in is so rough that I have to resort to such measures.”

The Arab Bedouins were not people you could subdue with force alone, and he had experienced several treacherous betrayals.

If he hadn’t learned the art of self-promotion, he would have faced even more betrayals than he already had.

“You couldn’t have learned that on your own; you must have learned it from the Hatun [a female title of nobility in the early Turkic and Mongolic societies]. She was quite adept in that area.”

“So, what’s your complaint?”

“No, never mind. You seem to be fulfilling your role. The Padishah won’t be disappointed.”

Mehmet closed his eyes after delivering his indifferent words, and Murat turned his head away.

The carriage, which had been silent, arrived at Topkapi Palace, and the two entered the audience hall to pay their respects to Yusuf.

“We greet the Padishah.”

Yusuf scrutinized his two kneeling sons for a long moment, and when the silence became oppressive, Yusuf spoke.

“There was a commotion at the port?”

Knowing what had transpired, Murat flinched, while Mehmet remained indifferent, as if expecting the question.

It indicated that he was fully informed of events in the capital, and Murat lowered his head further.

“I apologize, Padishah. I acted improperly.”

“It’s good that you recognize it. It’s inconsequential if you two are jesting, but remember whose land this is. This is no longer the playground of your childhood.”

“I will be mindful, Padishah.”

They might have been offended by Yusuf’s stern warning, but neither betrayed their feelings.

As Ottomans were wary of anything that could challenge the Padishah’s authority, it was a significant concession to allow princes over the age of 15 to reside in the capital.

Even Ayşe and Hatice were unable to bring their sons to the capital because Hürrem was pregnant.

“Murat.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“I’ve heard the news. You’ve formed an interesting unit. A unit composed of black slaves.”

The slave trade in Africa differed from the era of imperialism.

The slave trade, characterized by the indiscriminate kidnapping and sale of Africans, occurred after the European powers colonized Africa.

Currently, it involved Africans enslaving and selling members of rival tribes.

‘It implies that African slaves are no different.’

War and the enslavement of prisoners were commonplace in this era.

“The unit of slaves numbers approximately 2,000.”

“I only brought 500 because of the distance.”

Five hundred was a substantial number, but black slaves were priced at 1/10 to 1/20 the cost of white slaves, so it wouldn’t have been a significant financial burden.

What mattered more than the price was something else.

“What are their capabilities?”

“I can assure you. They are not comparable to the Janissaries, but they will be competent elite soldiers.”

Yusuf, who had been observing Murat’s confident response, nodded.

“Whether that’s true or not will be revealed in this war.”

If he proved his worth, he considered ordering Şemsi in Cairo to establish a unit composed of black slaves.

Those whose vested interests would be threatened by cheap black slaves would undoubtedly resist, so he was postponing the introduction, but if Murat achieved results, he could proceed with this as an opportunity.

“You must perform well so as not to disappoint me.”

“I understand, Padishah.”

Murat responded firmly because the word disappointment instilled more fear in him than being surrounded by enemy soldiers.

After addressing Murat, Yusuf turned his attention to Mehmet.

“When are the troops being sent from Circassia and the Crimean Khanate expected to arrive?”

“According to the sailors who arrived today, they are likely to arrive within two weeks.”

Murat clenched his fist tightly at their exchange.

Asking Mehmet this question implied that he had fully embraced the two forces, and that he was far ahead of himself in expanding territory and raising troops.

Yusuf, who had been observing Murat’s reaction, offered a faint smile.

‘Mehmet currently holds more power, but Murat possesses greater potential for growth.’

Many lands in Africa were virtually unclaimed, and the more Murat accomplished, the more opportunities there were for the Empire to expand.

The more Murat achieved, the more it would benefit the Empire, so there was a need to encourage him.

“You are mischievous.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yusuf, feigning ignorance of his deliberate attempt to provoke Murat, rose from his seat.

“Return and prepare for war. The departure is imminent.”

Troops were converging from all corners of the Ottoman Empire.

***

News arrived from Suleiman, who had departed for India earlier.

Along with the information that he had secured nearly 400 tons of saltpeter [potassium nitrate, a key ingredient in gunpowder].

The ministers who received Suleiman’s news were visibly surprised by the mention of 400 tons, and Yusuf, who knew the abundance of saltpeter in India, reacted similarly.

‘As expected, a country that extracts saltpeter by excavating the ground.’

The quantity of 400 tons might be difficult to comprehend, but even Joseon [an ancient Korean kingdom], which favored gunpowder weapons, had less than 20 tons of gunpowder stockpiled in its military arsenal before the Imjin War [a series of invasions of Korea by Japan between 1592 and 1598].

The quantity of 400 tons was substantial, but the crucial point was that saltpeter could be readily obtained in the future.

“Hassan Pasha, we will no longer have to produce saltpeter using dung paste.”

“…That is indeed fortunate.”

“Don’t be too disheartened. At least thanks to you, we were able to establish the foundation for the Empire’s saltpeter production.”

The saltpeter field served as a transitional measure before importing saltpeter from India, so it had already fulfilled its purpose adequately.

“Now that we have sufficient gunpowder, it would be acceptable to increase the number of cannons.”

“Padishah?!”

“Just jesting. We are constrained by a lack of gunners.”

When Yusuf, who was more enthusiastic about firepower than anyone else, declared it a joke, the viziers [high-ranking political advisors or ministers in the Ottoman Empire] regarded Yusuf with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

Because they realized that if there were enough gunners, he would have further increased the number of gunpowder weapons.

“More than that, it’s magnificent.”

Yusuf gazed at the fleet departing from the capital.

With the three-deck galleon leading the way, the fleet bound for Ming China [the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644] was underway.

The cheers of the citizens echoed as they watched the fleet, which was sailing away with red flags and the sound of drums.

“It’s a magnificent ship. It seems there will be no rivals at sea.”

“It’s a good ship, but it’s still insufficient.”

Yusuf’s ambition was the ultimate wooden sailing ship, the ship of the line [a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through the mid-19th centuries to take part in the line of battle].

It was still in the research phase, but artisans were gathering and deliberating repeatedly, so results would eventually emerge.

‘A ship of the line that remains afloat even in a substantial artillery battle and unleashes a tremendous barrage of shells.’

Unless a ship of the line of the same class appeared, it wouldn’t sink easily.

“When that time arrives, it wouldn’t be amiss to venture out to sea once.”

“Padishah?”

The Grand Vizier, who thought he had misheard, inquired again.

“It’s nothing.”

Yusuf, dismissing it nonchalantly, watched the fleet receding into the distance.

Although it was a fleet, only 30 ships were departing from the capital, with plans for ships to join from major ports and proceed to India.

“Approximately 85 ships should suffice as a greeting.”

Ming China might be shocked by the fiery greeting, but that was of no concern to him.

“Then let’s hasten our preparations for our departure as well.”

Coincidentally, the departure dates were similar, but the troops intended to occupy Hungary were nearly assembled.

Including the Akinji [irregular light cavalry units of the Ottoman army] who were raiding near Hungary, there were nearly 70,000 troops.

At Yusuf’s command, the ministers dispersed to finalize preparations for the departure, and as the number of people around him dwindled, Mehmet cautiously spoke.

“Padishah.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“It is true that the Empire is powerful, but I am concerned that you are underestimating Hungary. Shouldn’t you have postponed the fleet sent to the East, at least?”

Yusuf stroked his beard at Mehmet’s concern.

He could easily understand the source of his worries.

“You have studied history well, Mehmet.”

There was a reason why France expected the Ottomans to only occupy the area around Belgrade, and Charles V adopted a wait-and-see approach.

Matthias Corvinus [King of Hungary and Croatia], who spearheaded Hungary’s renaissance, had died less than 40 years prior, and it was because they accurately remembered Hungary’s national strength at the time.

“National power has declined compared to its peak, but you still believe it possesses potential?”

“Yes. There must be something to believe in, so they killed the Empire’s envoy, didn’t they?”

It was a reasonable assessment, and Yusuf patted Mehmet on the shoulder.

“If that’s your assessment, this will be a valuable experience for you, Mehmet.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“The world is wide.”

And there are many things that defy understanding.

***

Upon receiving news of the Ottoman invasion, Louis II dispatched orders to the Hungarian nobles to send troops to Belgrade.

When the news from Belgrade arrived, confirming the imminent Ottoman invasion, Louis II was enraged.

“Why! Why! Why is no one sending troops!”

The nobles all disregarded the king’s orders, and the garrison defending Belgrade numbered barely a thousand men.

The curtain of war had risen.