Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 114

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 114 (114/213)

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It started as a whisper, a rumor that quickly gained traction: a book detailing the life of the Padishah [Ottoman Sultan] was being written.

At first, the gossips scoffed.

It wasn’t just any story, but the Padishah’s. Merely uttering his name could be a death sentence. People joked that you’d be sharing breakfast with Allah the next morning, implying immediate execution.

To commit such a person’s life to a book seemed an act that could wipe out an entire family, so disbelief was the initial reaction.

However, the rumor persisted, and some, their curiosity piqued beyond control, sought answers through their connections.

“Is it true? Is such a book really being made?!”

“Yes! The Grand Vizier [chief minister of the Ottoman Empire] confirmed it. It was commissioned by the Padishah himself, and he has already seen it.”

“What does it contain?!”

“It’s said to be about the Padishah’s childhood. He suggested it would be better to experience it directly than to hear about it secondhand.”

The man, initially crestfallen, suddenly brightened.

Being told to see it directly implied he would have the opportunity to read the book, and he spoke with renewed urgency.

“Return to the capital immediately! Discover how to obtain the book as quickly as possible. Money is no object!”

It wasn’t just about reading the story of the great Padishah.

In an era where merely catching a glimpse of the Padishah from afar was enough to make one the envy of all,

even those who resided in autonomous regions and paid scant attention to central affairs were now eager to see his portrait. Interest in the Padishah had exploded.

‘If I can get my hands on the Padishah’s book before anyone else, I’ll be the talk of the town.’

The man acted with haste, but unfortunately for him, countless others throughout the empire shared the same ambition.

Having already witnessed the frenzy surrounding the portrait, the reaction this time was even more intense, and Yusuf quickly became aware of the situation.

“Suleiman.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“Do you believe those seeking this book are driven purely by vanity?”

“Isn’t it because they are eager to learn about the Padishah’s life? If the book wasn’t about the Padishah, it would be worthless.”

Suleiman regarded the book, into which he had poured so much effort, with a somewhat gloomy expression.

Having always been surrounded by good and excellent books, he had to correct a terrible book that required deciphering, so it was understandable.

“They aren’t buying the book itself, but the power that comes from possessing something others covet.”

How many people in modern times obsess over the latest gadgets that become obsolete in mere months?

The desire to possess something superior to others is timeless.

‘Of course, this will also lead to tangible benefits.’

Obtaining something difficult to acquire before others signifies a certain advantage.

Whether it becomes a means of resourcefulness or a path to immense wealth, it presents an opportunity to demonstrate one’s capabilities.

“What I am selling them is not merely a book, but power and opportunity. Which means I don’t care how much they are willing to pay.”

This wasn’t the golden age of the Ottomans, when they flaunted immense wealth by conquering even the Mamluks [a powerful Muslim dynasty], and the preparations for war were straining resources.

But a new source of revenue had emerged, giving reason to celebrate.

‘The Gutenberg printing press can produce approximately five hundred books a week, and we are operating two units.’

That translates to a potential output of a thousand books per week.

Of course, that’s the theoretical maximum, so it’s more realistic to estimate around six to seven hundred books per week.

“Too many books.”

Too large a quantity to maintain a high price point.

It was necessary to manage the supply appropriately.

“Suleiman, instruct them that only ten copies will be auctioned off each day.”

“What will become of the remaining copies?”

“The auction will run for one month only, after which, in three months’ time, we will release the accumulated stock.”

This grants those who bid last a two-month head start.

We must offer this incentive to maintain interest in purchasing subsequent volumes.

‘Even without copyright law, there is the Sultan’s displeasure.’

There’s no need to involve the courts in petty disputes; simply confiscate all their assets and display their heads on stakes.

It’s an era rife with inconveniences and shortcomings, but it also has its advantages.

***

The Barbary pirates [North African pirates] intervened at a crucial moment, averting a naval clash between the West and the Ottomans.

However, that was not the end of the matter.

The Ottomans immediately sought retribution.

“We have sighted a merchant ship fleeing to port!”

Upon spotting the prey from the mast high above the sail, Kemal Reis [Ottoman admiral] issued the command.

“Pursue it!”

At Kemal Reis’s order, the drums began to beat, flags signaling the order fluttered, and the galleys forming the fleet surged forward.

The targeted small sailing ship attempted to escape as quickly as possible, but it was difficult to outrun a galley powered by oarsmen in the Mediterranean.

Bang! Boom!

The cannons on the bows of the five galleys that had closed to a suitable distance unleashed a barrage, sending plumes of water erupting into the air.

Fortunately, the initial volley missed its mark, but luck was not on their side for long.

Crack!

-Aaaagh!

The sailor who had been watching the pursuing ships from the stern was unfortunate enough to be struck by a cannonball and crushed, and the ship’s speed diminished under the relentless cannon fire.

Realizing that escape was impossible, the sailing ship turned to engage in a cannon battle, but the Ottoman navy, seasoned from capturing countless merchant ships, quickly closed the distance.

The galleys, now close enough that cannon angles were impossible, hurled ropes with grappling hooks.

Once boarding commenced, the fate of the merchant ship was sealed.

“Including that ship, we have captured nine Venetian merchant ships.”

Nine ships may not seem like a large number, but considering the value of a single merchant ship, it represents a significant blow.

In addition to the merchant ships, they had also engaged in several naval skirmishes with the ships of the Knights Hospitaller [a Catholic military order] who occupied the island of Rhodes.

‘This will rapidly strain trade between Venice and the Mamluks.’

It had been well over half a year since the hunt began.

News of the Ottoman navy’s attacks on merchant ships in the Mediterranean had undoubtedly reached both sides.

“Now, the crucial question is how those whose livelihoods have been disrupted will react.”

“Shouldn’t those Venetian bastards pay for their sins? They clearly violated the truce after their defeat.”

“I’m not concerned about them.”

He had already learned that the Venetian envoy had visited the capital once and been turned away.

They should be grateful they weren’t executed, but they lacked the honor to act accordingly, so they would undoubtedly resort to other measures.

“They will surely drag the Mamluks into this.”

Because if trade declines, Venice won’t be the only one to suffer.

The Mamluks, who had been drawn to the canal project due to Yusuf’s idea and the Ottomans’ ambition, were grappling with financial difficulties.

The Mamluks had no choice but to act.

“The Padishah has foreseen everything.”

At those words, Kemal dismissed his worries. That’s right.

Faithfully executing the Padishah’s orders. That was all he needed to focus on now.

The merchant ship was successfully captured, and as Kemal Reis was recording the spoils, prisoners, and achievements, he scratched his head in the captain’s cabin.

“Damn names!”

The fifth Abdullah had died, and after recording the achievement of the seventh Abdullah, who had killed two resisting enemies, the fifth Abdullah came looking for him.

The twenty-ninth had died.

Just as Kemal, having torn up the documents he had to rewrite from scratch, took out new paper and picked up his pen, it happened.

-Kemal Reis! You must come out! Two ships are approaching!

Not fleeing, but approaching. Kemal went outside at the word, and as his subordinate said, he could see the approaching ships.

The fleet’s ships surrounded the two ships that had raised white flags, and they crossed over to the other side’s ships.

After a brief commotion, a galley approached the carrack [a type of sailing ship] Kemal was on, and a subordinate who had received Kemal’s instructions crossed over to the galley.

“It’s a Mamluk envoy! They say they were heading to the capital to see the Padishah!”

At the returned answer, Kemal closed his eyes tightly.

Amidst the salty and humid sea breeze, he seemed to smell the stench of blood.

***

The auction fever was intense.

Books were being sold at prices comparable to expensive slaves, and the Minister of Finance even requested that the auction be extended due to the accumulating ducats [gold coins].

Of course, it was immediately rejected.

As a Sultan, he couldn’t reverse a plan he had already announced solely for monetary gain, and if he became obsessed with side income, the main purpose would be lost.

The auction concluded as planned, and the books destined to spread throughout the Ottoman Empire were steadily accumulating.

The content of the books was spreading among those who read them, but since it was an exchange among the upper class, the ripple effect was not yet significant.

However, one thing had changed.

“Reject them all. Do you think I plan to expand my harem to the size of a city?”

The upper-class women who had read the book began to aspire to enter the harem [the private living quarters of the Sultan and his family].

Of course, the harem doesn’t exclusively consist of slaves; upper-class women also enter through arranged marriages, but they constitute only a small fraction.

“Do you reject all without exception?”

“Sorting them out is also a task, so reject them all. Don’t create unnecessary situations that will cause blushing [embarrassment].”

“I will convey that to Valide Hatun [the Sultan’s mother].”

Yusuf lightly clicked his tongue.

Maintaining the harem also incurs costs. Instead of increasing the number of women I don’t even know are in the harem, it would be more beneficial to acquire a few more barrels of gunpowder.

Yusuf inquired of the eunuch who managed the harem about the well-being of one particular woman.

“How is Nigar’s health?”

“Valide Hatun has been taking good care of her since her pregnancy was confirmed.”

Nigar was the first woman he had taken as Sultan, and she held the position of Ikbal [a favored concubine], whom he regularly slept with, along with Gülfer.

It hadn’t been long since he learned of her pregnancy.

‘The pregnancy is later than I anticipated.’

The harem is the only place in the Ottoman Empire that meticulously records and manages everything, much like Joseon [a Korean dynasty].

It was late considering they systematically tracked everything from menstrual cycles to cohabitation dates.

Considering that it took quite a while to conceive with the previous three children, it’s likely that individual characteristics and luck played a significant role.

“If Valide Hatun is overseeing her care, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

It was as Yusuf was about to say more to the eunuch that it happened.

-Padishah, a messenger from the Mamluks has arrived.

“From the Mamluks?”

Anticipating the inevitable, Yusuf gestured for the eunuch to step back.

The eunuch exited through the open audience chamber door, and the eunuch who had delivered the news of the messenger’s visit entered.

“You said they came from the Mamluks?”

“Yes, what are your orders?”

The relationship between the Mamluks and the Ottomans was strained.

The Mamluks, internally divided and lacking the capacity for external expansion, had been constantly wary of the Ottomans, who were burning with the desire to conquer.

‘They may have sensed who would ultimately cut off their breath.’

The season was transitioning from spring into summer.

Cannons were being mass-produced using the cannon boring machine created by Tahir and Suleiman, and Hassan, under Shemsi’s guidance, had established a saltpeter field in Georgia.

Military provisions were being accumulated without significantly impacting prices, and soldiers were being equipped with guns that could even be fitted with bayonets.

‘If I were solely focused on dealing with the Safavids [a Persian dynasty], half a year would have sufficed, eliminating the need for this extended year and a half.’

Regardless of how diligently the Mamluks and Safavids attempted to conceal it, the subtle exchanges between the two had not gone unnoticed.

“Clear away any obstacles in their path. Let them in, let’s hear what nonsense they spew.”

“I understand, Padishah.”

The eunuch who received Yusuf’s order went outside, and after a short while, the Mamluk messenger arrived.

Despite the sudden arrangement of the meeting, the Mamluk messenger maintained his composure and paid his respects.

“I greet the Padishah of the Empire. I am Aziz Yarbay, dispatched under the order of Sultan Ashraf Kansuh al-Ghawri.”

“You have endured a long journey.”

Yusuf leisurely scrutinized the messenger.

The rings adorned with jewels sparkled, indicating his high rank as a messenger, and his eyes possessed the shrewdness of a merchant.

“You appear to have avoided any encounters with pirates along the way.”

“Thanks to Allah’s protection, that was indeed the case.”

“I suspected as much. Had you encountered pirates, you would likely have only two fingers remaining.”