Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 112

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 112

Holy and Inviolable (2)

Grand Vizier Hersekzade Ahmed Pasha quietly raised his glass.

Muslims aren’t supposed to drink alcohol, but the Ottoman dynasty, being descendants of nomads who had to endure the cold for a long time, was lenient towards drinking.

Even ordinary Muslims, not officials, sometimes went to Greek neighborhoods to drink.

Of course, if you got drunk and collapsed in a bar, you might find yourself sold as a galley slave, but drinking itself wasn’t inherently difficult.

However, Hersekzade had avoided alcohol as much as possible, because one small mistake could cost him his head in the political arena of the capital.

‘I have no choice but to drink today.’

His conversation with Yusuf had been shocking in many ways.

The position of Grand Vizier? Having been Grand Vizier three times meant that he had been removed from the position twice.

It was regrettable, but it was a future that would come someday.

However, he never expected to be removed in this way.

“You mean you knew about the corruption and just watched?”

The wine he tasted after a long time felt very bitter.

If he knew about him, it meant he had identified even those who attended the Divan [Ottoman Imperial Council] meetings.

It had been less than two years since his enthronement, even less if counting the expeditions, and it was chilling how he knew.

It would be better to warn the other officials, considering their past relationship.

‘This is the Padishah’s [Ottoman Sultan’s] test and warning.’

Yusuf didn’t need to bother persuading the Grand Vizier with words.

He just had to give an order, and it would be carried out. This was no different even for the Grand Vizier.

Bringing up the corruption, which didn’t even need to be mentioned, meant that he shouldn’t mess around with the organization that would be formed in the future.

Hersekzade poured the remaining wine in his glass into his mouth.

“Ugh, I’m afraid. I’m afraid.”

He had served a total of three Sultans, from Mehmed II and Bayezid II to Yusuf.

Mehmed II was a symbol of terror, and when news of his death reached the West, they rang the bells of the cathedral.

There was also a story that the Pope invited all the envoys staying in Rome and feasted for three days.

Bayezid II was gentle but skilled in political maneuvering, controlling the officials at will.

Both were great and fearsome Sultans, but Yusuf instilled a different kind of fear than the previous two Sultans.

It was the fear of seeing something incomprehensible.

“I truly want to ask Allah. Is he even human?”

The idea of gathering public opinion and creating a group to manipulate it wasn’t unique.

It was in the same vein as kings promoting their achievements, and it meant he would do it more actively.

However, what truly surprised him was the deeper conversation they had.

He had pointed out all the problems that would arise when creating such an organization, based on his past life experiences.

‘He answered every point. No, he even spoke a step ahead.’

Yusuf knew the failures and drawbacks of the long-standing intelligence agencies, so it wasn’t difficult for him to answer, but it only brought confusion and fear to Hersekzade.

He didn’t hesitate to say things that he couldn’t possibly know without experience.

It was more shocking than predicting the earthquake, and Hersekzade, who had a complex expression, erased unnecessary thoughts.

“I just need to follow the Padishah’s orders and quietly watch over the future of the empire.”

The organization that would be created in the future would grow into a powerful group, but Hersekzade abandoned his greed.

He didn’t want to do something stupid that would make him lose everything while trying to gain small advantages.

“The useful guy in Safavid is just pitiful.”

Working under such a Padishah would dry up his blood.

***

“Achoo!”

Hasan, who sneezed loudly, roughly wiped the snot from his nose.

Born in Trabzon, where the temperature was above freezing even in winter, Hasan found the sub-zero weather difficult.

Hasan, who was thickly wrapped in fur clothes, clicked his tongue lightly.

“I don’t know how many times this has happened.”

Hasan turned his eyes away from the family who had starved to death while searching for food in the cold weather.

It was too common a sight to show sympathy to each one.

“Hasan, there are no people in the villages around here.”

It was the aftermath of the scorched-earth tactics.

With the arrival of winter and no stored food, people were moving to cities or other regions in search of food.

Of course, most of them froze to death or starved to death like that family before finding a place to survive the winter.

The hunger was so severe that there were even those who craved human flesh.

Each city was trying to provide food to suppress the chaos, but even this was not easy due to bandits and the weather.

“Those Shiite bastards have a nasty mind.”

“They are truly cruel. I didn’t expect them to give up on the restoration itself.”

The subordinates also looked disgusted.

It was understandable that restoration seemed meaningless since the area would be the first to be engulfed in flames if the Ottomans invaded again.

However, making the decision to carry out a large-scale forced migration and abandon those who remained was unusually bold.

It was pitiful that these people were dying in vain like this.

“But thanks to that, things are going well.”

Ismail’s decision might be the right judgment in the grand scheme of things, but it instilled great animosity in the people living in this area, including the Kurds.

The animosity towards Ismail, who made this decision, was even greater than towards Yusuf, who was the direct cause.

Thanks to that, it was fun to throw fuel on the fire.

“Which city is next?”

“Mush. There is a family there that is likely to side with the Empire.”

“Oof! Let’s move quickly before it gets dark. I need to rest comfortably when this is over.”

The subordinate chuckled at Hasan’s lament.

“Don’t expect it. The Padishah won’t let you go easily.”

“Shut up, I’m going to resign as soon as this is over! I’m going to change my name too!”

“You still haven’t given up your attachment.”

The subordinates clicked their tongues and moved on.

They were tired of listening to that impossible wish.

***

Yusuf’s goal is to make the dynasty holy and inviolable.

Regardless of religion, culture, or ethnicity, he wants to make it natural for those living in the Ottoman Empire to obey the dynasty.

Of course, he knows it’s not easy.

‘In that respect, Confucianism certainly has its advantages.’

Although the power of the vassals was strong enough to threaten the royal authority, they didn’t tremble under the name of treason?

When the country seemed to be collapsing, righteous armies rose up, and the vassals would set up puppet kings, but they didn’t overthrow the dynasty.

The Joseon Dynasty [Korean Dynasty, 1392-1897] was able to overcome numerous crises and last for a long time due to the influence of Confucianism.

Of course, there were just as many drawbacks, but where is there a country devoted to religion that doesn’t have drawbacks?

Anyway, making the Ottoman dynasty holy and inviolable required slowly putting in effort like boiling a frog [gradual, subtle change], and the results were gradually emerging.

“Padishah, the praise for abolishing the Devshirme [system of taking Christian boys into Ottoman service] is endless!”

Yusuf smiled at the words of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who had an excited expression.

He had sent portraits and declared the abolition, but the response was delayed because he was hesitant.

However, he truly realized it when the children who had been trainees returned.

“But I’m sure not all the reactions were good. Since non-Muslims were also subject to conscription.”

“The abolition of the Devshirme was a great event that suppressed that animosity.”

There were cases of castration to avoid being selected for the Devshirme, and even rebellions broke out in Albania because of this system.

How much would it be if traditional folk songs cursing the Sultan were passed down to modern times?

‘But it’s too early to rejoice, it’s just the first step.’

It’s too early to be happy.

Many places in the Ottoman territory had been occupied for less than half a century, and there were still many who did not fully serve the Ottomans.

“Let me know if there are any other changes.”

“I understand, Padishah.”

After the Patriarch stepped down, Yusuf, who was left alone, tapped the chair.

He had told the Grand Vizier and the Agha of the Janissaries [commander of the Janissaries, elite Ottoman infantry] to select members of the organization to be used for manipulating public opinion, so useful personnel would be coming up soon.

It was a pity that Hasan, who was skilled in agitation and fabrication, was in Safavid, but it meant that there would be personnel who could be used immediately.

“It’s ambiguous.”

He would have the personnel in his hands, but there was no story to spread.

The story of him acting as a prophet, or successfully completing the conquest of Georgia and Safavid, had already spread to small cities.

No matter how far a word without feet can travel [rumors spread quickly], the fact that it spread so quickly through word of mouth showed how deeply interested people were in the Sultan’s news.

The means and reactions were good, but there was no suitable material.

“Hmph, there’s nothing I can do.”

He couldn’t spread absurd rumors like people from a northern country in the distant future using Shukuchi [fictional teleportation technique].

Even if you believe such rumors, they will only become troublesome later.

Just as Yusuf got up from his seat and was about to return from the audience hall to his room.

-Padishah, Valide Hatun [Queen Mother] requests to see you.

“Mother?”

It was an unexpected visit for Yusuf.

Fatima, who had become Valide Hatun, didn’t visit often.

It wasn’t because she didn’t have affection, but to avoid giving the impression that she was interfering in politics. What could have happened that she suddenly came to visit?

“Let her in.”

As soon as Yusuf’s permission was given, Fatima entered the audience hall with a dignified step.

While welcoming Fatima, whose beauty had not diminished even in middle age, he tilted his head as he looked at the girl who followed behind her as if she had committed a crime.

“Welcome. I’m glad to see you look well.”

“How can I look bad when I am living by the grace of the Padishah?”

“Yes, what brings you here? And with a child behind you. You wouldn’t have brought her to me to take as my own.”

Fatima smiled slightly at Yusuf’s joke.

“You can take her if you wish. All the women of the harem belong to the Padishah.”

“No, thank you. I’m not so starved for women that I would take a child like that. If that’s not the reason, please tell me why you brought her here.”

At Yusuf’s question, Fatima looked down at Hürrem, who was trembling pitifully and bowing.

“Recently, a strange book has been circulating among the women in the harem.”

“A book?”

As Yusuf asked with a puzzled look, Fatima looked down at Hürrem and said coldly.

“Alexandra, hand over the book.”

“Yes, yes…”

Fatima snatched the book that she hesitantly handed over and gave it to Yusuf.

Wondering what kind of book it was that made Fatima react like this, Yusuf burst into laughter when he saw the book.

“This book was popular among the women in the harem?”

“Sadly, yes.”

It was written in Persian, a language of culture, but to be honest, it was a book full of mistakes, starting with the grammar.

It was a book that would make you kick your blanket in your sleep if you were familiar with Persian.

However, like junk food that is appealing to the mouth, it contained cheap but eye-catching content.

“It’s the story of me and Ayşe.”

It described the story of how he accidentally obtained Ayşe while looking for a Circassian male slave, as if he were a prince who came to rescue a princess.

It also contained a touching story of how Ayşe left for Circassia, where smallpox was spreading, to help Yusuf, and how they worried about each other’s safety.

There were quite a few stories that were different from the actual events, but it was a decent romance novel.

It felt like reading an internet novel decorated with emoticons in the early 21st century.

“Valide Hatun, why did you bring this book to me?”

“Because this child wrote such an impure book without fear.”

“V-Valide Hatun. That wasn’t my intention.”

“Shut up!”

Hürrem, who felt her life was in danger, desperately protested, but Fatima strongly rebuked her.

“How can you say that after creating a book that portrays the great Padishah as weak!”

It could be a problem.

The hardships and difficult times that Yusuf had experienced were written in this book.

It was a book that contradicted the idea that the ruler should be shown as strong.

“Hmm, it doesn’t seem bad.”

“…Padishah?”

Not only Fatima and Hürrem, but even Silahdar Agha [chief sword-bearer], who was standing guard, widened his eyes at the unexpected words.

“Isn’t it true that there was a time when I was weak? What’s more important is that I overcame all of this and came to this position.”

Being in a weak position is not always bad. It’s easy to gain sympathy and favor.

“If I do it well, I can use it. This.”