Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 14

#14. Two Monsters (3)

Yusuf was only 11 years old.

Considering that one usually gets appointed as a Sanjakbey [governor of a district] at the age of 12, being appointed even half a year earlier was an exceptional event.

This was possible due to the Sultan’s trust, gained by Yusuf’s claims of divine knowledge and future insights, and because, as Yusuf had warned, even if a new kingdom didn’t arise, there was a high possibility of problems occurring in the east, taking advantage of the war.

It was a kind of consideration from the Sultan to prepare adequately.

Compared to such a Yusuf, Suleiman was far too young.

‘Well, he’s five years younger than me, so he must be like a kid in kindergarten.’

It was amazing that this child would grow up to be called Suleiman the Magnificent in Europe, achieving tremendous accomplishments in both conquest and internal affairs.

Selim sat Suleiman on his lap and asked Yusuf,

“What do you think of our son, brother?”

“He seems very bright, just like his name [Suleiman means ‘peace’ or ‘safe’ in Arabic].”

The name Suleiman itself was the Turkish version of King Solomon.

Yusuf playfully added,

“He’s also better looking than you, brother.”

“Haha! Yes, our Suleiman is smart and handsome.”

Even though he was short, his appearance was promising, living up to the reputation of being a heartthrob.

Of course, Yusuf, whose genes inherited from Fatima were shining thanks to his natural charm, had nothing to be ashamed of either.

If it weren’t for the amicable atmosphere, it would look like the two were brothers and Selim was the kidnapper.

“I’m thinking of sending him to Kostantiniyye [Istanbul] next year to receive an education.”

“That’s an excellent idea. There’s no better place to receive an education.”

The Enderun school, located in the deepest part of the Fourth Courtyard of Topkapi Palace [the Ottoman Imperial Palace], was responsible not only for educating children selected through the Devshirme system [a system where young Christian boys were converted to Islam and trained for state service] but also for the education of princes.

Yusuf, due to his perceived weak personality, couldn’t adapt properly, and his tutor and Fatima were in charge of his education.

He had to suffer for over two months to make up for all that accumulated studying.

Anyway, that education was the beginning of Suleiman’s journey on the elite track.

‘Honestly, it’s better to compete with Selim than to be born as Selim’s son and compete with Suleiman; there would be no hope.’

If King Sejong’s creation [the Korean alphabet, Hangul] was the result of the best education in Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom], Suleiman was the epitome of Ottoman education, and his academic abilities were truly monstrous.

‘If I catch him later, lock him up, and exploit him, wouldn’t industrialization be a piece of cake?’

Even though he couldn’t be sure of what would happen in the immediate future, greed began to fill him.

One might say, ‘Why are you suddenly talking about the Industrial Revolution? Is it that easy?’

‘At this time, the Ottomans are closer to the Industrial Revolution than Europe.’

It would be problematic to think of the mustached guy who was getting thoroughly beaten by Europe, crying, ‘Hawaawa [a cry of distress], what is the Industrial Revolution?’

The Ottomans had inherited the legacy of the Islamic Golden Age, from the 9th to 13th centuries, when Islam achieved great accomplishments in both science and literature by embracing various cultures.

Thanks to that, the Ottomans continued to make steady progress in science until the 16th century.

‘But they were hit by the counterattack of religion.’

From the 17th century onwards, the Islamic spirit was considered important, and mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy disappeared from school curricula, eventually leading to the decline of science.

The current Ottomans possessed the scientific ability to create even basic steam engines in a few decades.

Thinking this way, Yusuf could offer heartfelt well wishes.

“If you go to the capital, study hard for the future.”

As he gently stroked his head along with the blessing, Suleiman, with a surprised look, soon nodded with a bright smile.

“Yes! I will work hard.”

The sight of him clenching his small fist and making a pledge was quite adorable, so hard to believe he was born to a bandit leader like Selim.

Though one never knows what the future holds.

‘If I become the Sultan, I don’t necessarily have to kill my nephew.’

But I’ll have to kill my brothers.

Hiding his murderous intent behind a smile, Yusuf said to Selim,

“It’s getting late, so shouldn’t we wrap things up?”

“Well, it’s not good to keep those who have just arrived for too long.”

Selim readily agreed, and the banquet was quickly concluded according to the will of the two rulers.

Selim said to Yusuf as he left the banquet hall,

“I had an enjoyable banquet thanks to you, brother.”

“I’m a little disappointed. I wish it could have been a banquet that I continued to host for you, brother.”

Then, even if I couldn’t make radioactive tea, I would have served you some heavy metal-flavored wine.

“Won’t there be such an opportunity someday?”

“I will definitely treat you then.”

With a last supper, that is.

Yusuf swallowed the unspoken words.

Because the next time the brothers meet in the future, it will only be to kill each other.

***

Returning to his room, where he had stayed for nearly 20 years, Selim erased the subtle smile he had been wearing.

Selim turned to his son, who had followed him into the room, and asked,

“Suleiman.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What did you think?”

There was no need to ask who he was referring to, and Suleiman fidgeted with his hands, pondering.

When he first saw him, he didn’t feel like his father’s brother.

Even though he had heard about him, the age difference was too great when he actually saw him, and he was sorry to his father, but the difference in appearance was also too big.

This difference aroused curiosity, and his maturity, which was not fitting for his age, was enough to make him admire him.

As Suleiman continued to think, his hand unconsciously went to his head.

‘It was warm.’

He still felt the warmth of the touch that stroked his head.

“He seemed like a good person.”

“A good person… Suleiman.”

Suleiman flinched at Selim’s stern voice.

Selim, who frowned slightly as if he didn’t like this weak appearance, said coldly,

“A good brother to a prince is only a dead brother. Like your brothers.”

Suleiman simply nodded his head at Selim’s words, which didn’t contain even a shred of paternal love.

A cold hand was placed roughly on Suleiman’s head as he bowed his head.

“You just need to follow your father’s words. Then you will become the next master of the empire.”

“…I understand.”

Selim, with a satisfied smile as he watched his son obediently nod, sent Suleiman back.

Left alone in the room, Selim stroked his beard and reflected on the day.

Trabzon was a place of love and hate for him.

He had spent most of his life in Trabzon since he took over after the death of his older brother Abdullah, whom he had never properly seen.

Now, it felt more like home than the capital, which was fading from his memory.

However, this place had become a prison for him.

A place far from the capital, a remote area that no one paid much attention to.

When he realized that he had to wither away here, worrying that another brother would become the Sultan, he felt suffocated.

It was a time of anger and despair, writhing as if trapped in a swamp he couldn’t escape no matter how hard he struggled.

‘Then the order came down.’

An order that his place would be filled by a younger brother he had never seen.

After hearing that his brother had volunteered for this position, he felt a strong sense of doubt rather than joy.

So he waited and met him.

“Shehzade [Prince] Yusuf, should I kill you or spare you?”

It would be a dangerous act, as he would be the first to be suspected if he died mysteriously.

“My intuition keeps telling me to kill you.”

Selim looked up at the night sky, where not a single ray of moonlight shone.

Should he ignore his intuition, or should he take the risk?

As his 고민 [worry/anguish in Korean, used here to imply deep thought] deepened, Selim recalled Yusuf’s words for his slave and made a decision.

“Brother, please do not covet what is not in your hands.”

If you want to live even one more day.

***

Yusuf patted Aisha’s shoulder, who had followed him to his room with an excited face.

“I made you see something unpleasant for no reason.”

“No, I’m worried that our relationship might have been broken because of me. I’d rather…”

The hand gripping her skirt trembled, and Yusuf returned her courage.

“Kyaa!”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, just go to sleep.”

Yusuf continued bluntly towards Aisha, who was clutching her forehead after being flicked.

“I’ve been telling you you’re pretty, so you think you’re something, but you’re still a slave, okay? Do you think the friendship between princes will be broken because of a mere slave?”

Yeah, there was no such friendship from birth.

If there was friendship, would my life be on the line?

“And as I said, I’m not kind enough to willingly give up what’s in my hands.”

He was someone who was trying to turn the Ottoman Empire upside down and become the Sultan to protect his own life.

If someone wants to take what’s in my hand, they should naturally risk their life.

Yusuf stroked Aisha’s hair, who silently lowered her head.

“Don’t think nonsense and go rest quietly. There will be many things for you to do in the future when I become the master of this place.”

“…I understand.”

Aisha, who couldn’t raise her head until the end, ran out of the room as if fleeing, and Yusuf clicked his tongue briefly.

“Selim, I still don’t like this guy.”

They were in a relationship where they would stab each other in the stomach, so there was no thought of letting his guard down, but his actions reminded him of Russia’s special product, radioactive tea.

Well, it’s not like there were no helpful points.

He was able to grasp the atmosphere here for sure.

“After all, I need to clearly show them who the master will be in the future. There will be growing pains, but it can’t be helped.”

If they miss the predecessor, there’s nothing I can do, I’ll just have to make them miss the predecessor so much that they go crazy.

Of course, if you just barge in, the rolling stone will be pushed out instead of the embedded stone.

So, I had to split up those who were united first.

“I have a few methods in mind, but I need to investigate and make a plan for this.”

Yusuf, who was lost in thought while fiddling with a ducat [gold coin], put this part aside for now.

It was enough to move after Selim left.

“Selim is whatever, but Suleiman is a concern.”

Should I spare him?

He’s cute now, but in ten years or so when the succession war breaks out, he’ll become a nephew.

Who knows if he’ll say with that innocent face, ‘Uncle, can I measure how thick your neck is to see how much my knife will go in?’

Succession is basically a fight between brothers, but even if they are nephews, they will be killed if they are annoying in this era’s succession war.

“I still don’t know.”

He decided to think easily.

If he gets in the way in the process of becoming the Sultan, I’ll kill him. If I can spare him, I’ll use Suleiman like a workhorse.

He concluded neatly, but if there was a side he still wanted.

“I hope I can spare him.”

Because the bright eyes of the child, who was only 6 years old, kept bothering him.

Tiredness washed over him due to the long voyage and the power struggle with Selim, and just as he was thinking of going to bed,

[Assassination Avoided, Score +1]

“…Seriously, this damn brother?”

I will definitely kill Selim.

Yusuf vowed.