Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 120

Became the Sultan of the Ottomans – Episode 120 (120/213)

Justification? (1)

Ismail looked up at the sky.

As he exhaled a sigh-like breath, a faint vapor scattered like floating clouds.

Looking down at the panorama of Tabriz, Ismail could faintly see people collecting the snow that had fallen the previous night into buckets.

Before long, they would be collecting rain in those buckets instead of snow, which meant war was imminent.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

To the question of Muhammad Khan Ustajlu, his most trusted subordinate, Ismail replied,

“I was recalling that day. The day I first saw their fleet.”

That day, when a thunderous explosion echoed just as they were about to reach their objective, remained vivid in Ismail’s mind.

The sight of the Samtskhe fleet being helplessly swallowed by the sea was a landscape that evoked a terrible sense of powerlessness, a moment that made him question himself.

It was as if Allah had abandoned him just as he was about to take the final step, siding instead with that damned Yusuf.

Ustajlu, understanding Ismail’s feelings, spoke consolingly.

“This time, we have the same firearms as they do. Allah will smile upon us this time.”

“Yes, this time we have them too.”

He harbored no fondness for the Venetians who had ruined everything, but he had imported their firearms nonetheless.

The number was only 200 cannons, but considering the advantage of defense, it was not a force to be dismissed lightly.

In addition to the cannons, they had also acquired nearly 2,000 matchlock guns by investing every resource possible.

He should have felt confident this time, but his heart pounded even harder than when he had faced tens of thousands of enemies who had darkened the steppes with only 7,000 cavalry.

“Through this war, I must prove that I am the one chosen by Allah.”

“Do not worry. Allah, who has guided the Shah [Persian title for king or emperor] to this point, will not abandon him.”

“Of course, that must be the case.”

If not, he would feel as if his entire life was being invalidated.

Ismail, looking down at the kingdom he had built with heavy eyes, turned away.

“Was the envoy sent by that man from Kabul sent back?”

“Yes, Babur’s envoy was informed of the current situation and sent back.”

If it weren’t for the war, he would have accepted the proposal to jointly occupy the land of Shaybani, whom he had defeated before, but he didn’t have the capacity to do so now.

He didn’t even meet the envoy in person, which was tantamount to turning him away, but he couldn’t help it because someone more important had arrived.

Ustajlu, who had not heard the full story while meeting the envoy, asked.

“Did they confirm that the plan is proceeding as scheduled?”

“It was not a complete success. Ramazan showed a lukewarm response, while Dulkadir said they would assist us.”

“Dulkadir, you say?”

Ustajlu asked, sounding slightly surprised.

It had not been five years since Ismail had turned the capital of Dulkadir into ruins.

Dulkadir had been forced to move its capital because the land of Elbistan had become too desolate, so it was difficult to understand why they would join forces with them.

“The old man is afraid of his nephew, who is in the hands of the Ottoman bastards. He’s willing to turn a blind eye to the suffering of his people to protect his power.”

Ismail sneered.

The Ottomans, who had provided assistance at the time, had lost a prince and thousands of soldiers, yet the black-hearted old man repaid the favor with betrayal so easily.

It was an act devoid of loyalty, but it didn’t matter. Even a beast-like human was useful if they could help.

“If they plunder the Ottoman supplies, we will have even more leeway.”

“Since it will be an unexpected attack, it will be even more devastating. In any case, the key to this war will be the supply lines.”

An army can collapse more easily than one might think if supplies are not properly delivered while traversing the desolate western lands.

The outcome of this war will depend on how effectively the supply lines are disrupted.

***

Kayseri.

A city located in a high-altitude area of over 1000m [approximately 3,280 feet], it was also the capital of a small kingdom during the Crusades.

Turning one’s head, one could see Mount Erciyes, the symbol of this region, with its 3916m [approximately 12,848 feet] high peak covered in perpetual snow, from anywhere.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

Winter had not completely passed, so it was cold enough to make one shiver, and the sheep huddled together to graze.

While the shepherd, with a reddened nose, tried to warm himself by blowing into his hands, the sound of rough hooves echoed.

-Baa!

-Woof! Woof!

As the ground shook, the sheep, as if sensing danger, tried to scatter, and the shepherd dogs ran around, herding them back together.

The cavalry galloping, kicking up the remaining snow, might have been frightening, but the shepherd waited with composure, not even tightening his grip on his staff.

It was a situation he had experienced several times already.

As the shepherd expected, about two hundred cavalrymen stopped in front of him and called out.

“Let me ask you something. Has the Padishah [Ottoman sovereign] already arrived?”

It was a question he had heard many times, and the shepherd gave the same answer he had repeated each time.

“Of course. People have been gathering in the city even in winter to see the Padishah.”

“What about the others! Have many other Sipahi [Ottoman cavalry soldiers] gathered as well?!”

“There is no room to set foot around the castle anymore.”

“Damn it!”

At the shepherd’s answer, the Sipahi hurriedly grabbed their reins and rode off quickly.

This was why the shepherd wasn’t very worried even though the soldiers looked like bandits.

On the way to Kayseri, it was common to see Sipahi moving in units of hundreds or thousands, and Kayseri, where they gathered, was truly bustling.

“What is the status of the assembly?”

To Yusuf’s question, as he looked out from the ramparts of Kayseri Castle, the Grand Vizier [chief minister] carefully answered.

“I am sorry, Padishah. Only about half, around 30,000, have assembled so far. It seems that it will take more time for the Azabs [auxiliary infantry] to arrive.”

“It is alright. There is no reason to blame you.”

Because winter had not completely passed, there were many places in Anatolia where snow was piled up, and it was natural that it would take more time to assemble.

It was not for nothing that he had taken a ship to reduce land travel, even though it meant traveling a longer distance overall.

“Although it is unavoidable that it will take time to assemble, strictly prohibit soldiers from fighting among themselves after they have assembled.”

“I will warn the commanders once again.”

Outside Kayseri, 30,000 Sipahi and 10,000 central troops were stationed, which was only half of the total force, but the area outside the castle was already crowded.

It was natural for problems to arise when vigorous men were gathered like that, and since many were confident in their martial prowess, most disagreements ended in fights.

If it wasn’t managed with strict discipline, it would quickly become a mess.

‘60,000 Sipahi, 10,000 central troops, and about 40,000 Azabs. And 10,000 in the navy.’

More than 90,000 Sipahi were registered in the Timar [land grant system], but it was impossible to mobilize all of them.

It was necessary to have Sipahi to protect the fortresses of the mainland and Sipahi to collect taxes from the Timar lands of those who had gone on expeditions.

Of course, a total of 120,000 troops was not a small number, but considering the troops that would be diverted to logistics to maintain the supply lines, the number had to be seen as inferior to the enemy.

Furthermore, as land was occupied, the supply lines became longer, and troops had to be left behind to maintain security, further reducing the available forces.

“Is everyone gathered in the conference hall?”

“Yes, everyone is waiting for the Padishah to come.”

“Then let’s go.”

Kayseri was derived from Caesarea, which meant the emperor’s street in ancient Roman times, and had a long history, as the Apostle Paul had been active there.

As such, there were many old buildings, and the castle where he was currently staying was a solid structure steeped in history.

Yusuf, who had been staying for about a week and was familiar with the castle, entered the conference hall, and all the gathered officials paid their respects.

Yusuf, sitting in the highest seat, addressed the kneeling officials.

“Everyone, rise.”

As Yusuf’s command echoed, those who filled the conference hall stood.

Even though it was a fairly large conference hall, it felt so crowded that it seemed packed with people.

Many had followed from the capital, such as the Grand Vizier and the Viziers [high-ranking officials], as well as the Janissaries [elite infantry], but there were also quite a few Sanjakbeys [district governors].

Usually, a Sanjakbey leads about 2-3 thousand Sipahi to participate in the war, so there were about 13 Sanjakbeys in this place alone, and this was only half of them.

There were some Sanjakbeys who were familiar to him from the last Georgian conquest, while there were several he was seeing for the first time.

“Grand Vizier.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“What do you think is the most important factor in winning this war?”

“I believe the victory or defeat of this war depends on supply.”

“You are right.”

This was a simple problem that even a Janissary trainee who had not yet fought in a real battle could solve.

“Even if the Safavids, whom we must occupy first, have obtained cannons, their main force is cavalry. They cannot simply remain holed up in the castle.”

The real power of the Qizilbash [Safavid soldiers] is unleashed when they are on horseback, so consuming them in a siege would be a waste of resources.

However, just because they rush out of the castle doesn’t mean they will engage in a full-scale war with the Ottomans.

“The Safavids and Mamluks [Egyptian dynasty] will persistently harass our supply lines. That will be the most certain path to their victory.”

The importance of supply is greater for the attacking side than the defending side, and it was obvious that they would persistently target it.

However, if too many troops are invested in logistics out of fear of enemy attacks on the supply lines, it would be a case of putting the cart before the horse.

At Yusuf’s words, the Grand Vizier carefully inquired.

“What is your opinion, Padishah?”

“First of all, what answers have Dulkadir and Ramazan given?”

“Ramazan said that they cannot participate in this war. If we wish, they can open Mersin, but they stipulated that no more than 200 troops can enter the city.”

“What about Dulkadir?”

“It is similar there as well. They stated that they are reluctant to participate in the war because of the great damage caused by the last Safavid attack. However, they said that they would allow the passage of logistics units.”

At this answer, Yusuf twisted his lips.

“Both of these vassal states are treating us like fools. Without any fear. Isn’t that so?”

A vassal state is a country that can be called a principality in Western culture, and is called an Imarah in Arabic and an Emirate in English.

The modern United Arab Emirates is also named after the fact that seven emirates have united.

In any case, there are two vassal states that act as a buffer between the Ottomans and the Mamluks: Ramazan and Dulkadir.

Ramazan controlled the port of Mersin, and Dulkadir was a landlocked country.

Because of these two countries, the Ottomans and the Mamluks did not share a border.

“Both places have been countries where the influence of the Mamluks has been strong since ancient times, but it seems suspicious that Dulkadir is giving up revenge on the Safavids.”

“It is presumptuous, but Padishah, if we can only maintain the supply route, it is not too late to punish them later.”

At these words, Yusuf sneered.

“If the Dulkadir bastards keep their promise properly, that is.”

“Surely Dulkadir would not betray us after seeing what happened to Georgia?”

“The world is wide, and there are many fools. Isn’t that so, Ali Bey?”

Ali Bey, the nephew of Bozkurt Bey, the ruler of Dulkadir, deeply bowed his head and agreed.

Even in the original history, he was the one who blocked and plundered the Ottoman supply route because of his nephew Ali Bey, and the possibility was significant.

Of course, Bozkurt’s actions may differ as history has changed.

‘It doesn’t matter. It is better to eliminate the seeds of danger from the beginning.’

He was not foolish enough to leave the danger unattended and risk being backstabbed later.

“The same goes for Ramazan. If we occupy that place, we can definitely shorten the supply route.”

Considering that they would no longer have to pass through Kayseri, which is a high-altitude area, as well as gaining access to the port of Mersin, it was a significant advantage.

The Grand Vizier, realizing that he had decided to occupy the two vassal states, spoke.

“Then justification will be important.”

“Justification, huh? It is important. Bring Hassan in.”

At Yusuf’s order, the Janissary went outside and brought in a man.

It was Hassan, who had been wandering the barren land for nearly two years, cursed by his name, and Yusuf asked Hassan, who was kneeling while paying his respects.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, a nobleman from Dulkadir has agreed to attack our scouts. We have arranged to be careful so that there will be no damage to our troops, so you don’t have to worry.”

Justification?

If there isn’t one, you can just create one.

It’s not hard to play the victim.