Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 157

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 157

Dangerous Deal (1)

Krishna Deva Raya, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, sat pensively, gazing at the spot where the envoy had stood just moments before.

As the breeze from the fan beside him fluttered his bangs, Krishna spoke,

“Prime Minister, what did you make of him?”

Prime Minister Thammarasu was Krishna’s most trusted advisor.

The former king, his half-brother, had ordered that Krishna be blinded and his young son be made king.

However, Thammarasu presented the dying former king with the eyes of a pair of rock goats, ensuring Krishna became king. Having served the royal family for three generations, he was genuinely devoted to the empire.

The seventy-year-old Thammarasu bowed his head.

“He is a man with venom in his tongue. He is very adept at manipulating others and elevating himself.”

His ability to skillfully pressure the emperor by pointing out his ties with Portugal was like a viper.

He tenaciously clung to the fact that they helped Portugal occupy Goa, but he also showed appropriate restraint, as if he knew the boundaries he shouldn’t cross.

Krishna frowned at Thammarasu’s assessment.

“Then, can I dismiss what he said as mere bluster?”

“No, he didn’t seem to be lying, and he is the kind of person who would be troublesome to have as an enemy.”

The Vijayanagara Empire had a standing army of 50,000, including 2,000 cavalrymen as palace guards, and another 2,000 as the emperor’s personal bodyguards.

Krishna nodded, recalling Hassan, who hadn’t flinched once despite being exposed to their fierce killing intent throughout the conversation.

“So, his disregard for our empire’s army of over 200,000 was not an exaggeration.”

“Whether it was arrogance or truth, at least he spoke sincerely. Considering the naval power Portugal has demonstrated, it’s not entirely an exaggeration.”

At Thammarasu’s words, Krishna wore a heavy expression.

The news that the powerful Portuguese fleet had been completely crushed by the more than twice as large Ottoman fleet was a great shock to Krishna.

“Fortunately, he sent an envoy to us before the Deccan Sultanates, so we can maintain a friendly relationship. The envoy also said that the Ottoman Emperor is tolerant of religion.”

“I also think it’s fortunate that the Ottoman Emperor is not narrow-minded. For now, we should observe the situation carefully without being swayed.”

“That is a wise decision.”

He knew well that the political situation could be shaken depending on which side the Ottomans favored, and if they lost the initiative, the losses could be severe.

It was sunset when they finished their meeting with Thammarasu and decided how far they would concede.

Thammarasu’s face was filled with fatigue, and Krishna, also exhausted, rose to his feet.

“Let’s decide the rest after talking with the envoy again tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

–Your Majesty, there is urgent news to report!

Frowning at the boisterous voice, Krishna sat back in his chair and shouted.

“Come in! Yes, what is it?”

The messenger, who was sweating profusely as if he had come in a hurry, bowed and answered the question.

“The Ottoman envoy has been attacked!”

“What?!”

At the messenger’s words, Krishna jumped up from his seat.

Things had become complicated.

***

The bandages wrapped around his waist were stained red, and the boy’s eyes, wiping Hassan’s cold sweat, were filled with tears.

“Are you alright?”

“…I’m fine. Unexpected things always happen in life. Just like how you and I met.”

Wiping his blood-soaked hands, the doctor warned.

“Please refrain from speaking as much as possible. The stitched wound may open at any time.”

“I will be careful.”

“Then, I’ll be in the next room, so please call me anytime.”

Boy Hassan was relieved that Hassan was more okay than he thought, but he glared resentfully at the soldiers guarding the door.

‘They weren’t there when they were needed.’

Although the time they had spent together was not long, Hassan was the first person to show kindness to the boy, who had lived a hard life pickpocketing on the streets.

He had been wary, thinking there was no such thing as kindness without a reason, but after seeing him collapse with a large wound in his side, he realized how much he had taken root in his heart.

“Relax your eyes, Hassan. It was just bad luck.”

“But!”

Hassan, who had pressed down on the boy’s head as he raised his voice, raised himself up slightly.

“I’ve kept you waiting, Prime Minister.”

“No, it is largely our fault for not properly protecting the envoy’s safety.”

“I also bear some responsibility for dismissing the soldiers around me, thinking the security was good. So, who was the one who attacked me?”

Thammarasu sighed and replied.

“He died in the process of being subdued, so he hasn’t been properly identified yet, but judging from the fact that many people saw him at the temple, it seems he was someone deeply devoted to Hinduism.”

“I see.”

Hassan frowned as if it was difficult to continue speaking.

Fortunately, the vital points were missed, but he had just stitched up the wound, and Thammarasu took a step back.

“It’s time for you to rest, but I’ve spoken too long. Leave the task of finding the mastermind to us, and please rest for now. We will do our best to ensure the safety of the delegation.”

“I ask for your favor.”

Thammarasu’s face, who greeted him with a smile and left the room, sank coldly.

Thammarasu said in a low voice to the general walking next to him.

“Keep a close watch on their movements.”

“Do you suspect it was a self-inflicted act?”

“Well.”

Thammarasu stroked his beard, recalling the boy who had looked at him with resentful eyes.

Judging by the boy’s appearance alone, it didn’t seem like a self-inflicted act.

“Let’s just keep the possibility open. After all, even if we suspect it, there’s nothing we can do without evidence.”

He should have stopped it before it happened.

The incident had already occurred, and only the task of managing the situation with minimal damage remained.

Thammarasu sighed as he walked down the moonlit corridor.

“Things have become difficult.”

He had to rewrite the plan from the beginning.

***

Along with the cool sea breeze, the sound of a violin rang out.

When the excellent performance ended, to the point where even the sailors unfamiliar with instruments like the violin did not make a loud noise, Suleiman clapped his hands.

“Excellent performance, Ibrahim.”

“I am just grateful that you praised my lacking performance, Pasha [a high-ranking title in the Ottoman Empire].”

“There’s no need to be so humble. The reason I got to know you was thanks to that performance.”

Suleiman, who usually enjoyed art, was drawn to Ibrahim, who was playing the violin on one side, unlike other new officials, and that became their connection.

The violin was the medium that connected them.

Ibrahim, who was balancing himself on the swaying ship while playing the violin, put down the bow and asked.

“Was it okay for Padisha [Ottoman honorific title for the emperor] to say that the reason you were taking me was because of the violin?”

“It’s okay. At least you please my ears. If you passed the exam, you must have basic skills.”

“That’s true, but.”

“Padisha gladly allowed it, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Padisha, who had a strange look on his face when he said he was Pargali Ibrahim from the Parga region, was concerned, but he gladly received permission.

At Suleiman’s confirmation, Ibrahim put aside his worries and strengthened his resolve.

The reason was strange, and he was dragged along, but he knew how big of an opportunity this was.

“I will do my best not to cause trouble to Pasha, who trusted me.”

“Yes, that’s the spirit. By the way, you’re lucky. You were captured by pirates and sold as a slave, but you were taken in by a wealthy widow and received an excellent education.”

“I think so too.”

What is the probability that a slave captured by pirates would receive education in Islam, foreign languages, poetry, and the violin?

It was probably because he showed such intelligence, but still, it would have been less likely than being castrated and becoming a safe servant.

As he was having a light conversation with Ibrahim, a sailor who was guarding far away shouted loudly.

–We’ve almost arrived in Goa!

The ships that had been safely following the Ottoman fleet showed busy movements as they knew they had almost arrived in Goa.

As they went up the Mandovi River connected to the sea, they saw the bustling port of Goa, crowded with docked ships.

Other ships would have been allowed to enter through a complicated procedure, but Suleiman’s fleet, flying the Ottoman flag, was able to enter smoothly.

As Suleiman Pasha set foot on the port, the person who came to greet him bowed his head.

“Welcome to Goa, Pasha.”

“I don’t recognize your face. Who are you?”

“I am Gokhan, helping Hassan Pasha. Sanjakbey [governor of a district in the Ottoman Empire] is not feeling well, so I came to greet you instead.”

Suleiman was surprised to hear that Hassan Pasha was not feeling well.

Hassan, who plays a big role in the shadows of the empire and is a talented person cherished by Yusuf, was also friends with Suleiman.

He couldn’t help but worry that he was not feeling well in a foreign land.

“Is it that bad?”

“Let’s talk about the details at the citadel.”

“Alright.”

As he moved on the prepared horse, the exotic scenery of Goa did not catch his eye, and Suleiman, who entered the citadel and met Hassan, frowned.

“Hassan, what is this!”

Boy Hassan, who was disinfecting Hassan’s wound, flinched at the shout.

Suleiman, who calmed down after seeing Hassan’s complexion, which seemed okay compared to the wound, asked the boy who was flusteredly paying his respects.

“Hassan Pasha, do you have a hidden child? Even when Padisha said he would give you a woman, you hated it so much, but to think you had a hidden child.”

“Enough with the jokes. I took in this child here. Hassan, step back.”

“Understood.”

As boy Hassan politely stepped back, Suleiman shook his head.

“The name of the child you took in is also Hassan. This situation feels more like a joke.”

“Allah [God in Islam] created such a coincidence. Or maybe Padisha’s heart reached him.”

“Considering that Padisha likes the name Hassan, I think the latter is more likely.”

The story that Hattan got a vacation from Yusuf instead of naming his son Al-Hassan was passed down like a legend among the officials.

While exchanging light jokes, everyone around them stepped back, and only Hassan and Suleiman remained in the room.

Suleiman quickly noticed that everyone had stepped back.

“It’s a self-inflicted act.”

“That’s right. Thanks to that, we were able to get a lot of concessions from the Vijayanagara Empire.”

“That’s a stupid thing to do. What if things went wrong or the self-inflicted act was discovered?”

Hassan smiled at Suleiman’s criticism.

“Self-harm and extortion are not difficult compared to what I usually do. I used even the Deccan merchants to twist the work, so it will be difficult to catch the tail.”

“Is there really no problem?”

“The prime minister there seemed quick-witted, so it was a bit dangerous, but I received Hassan’s help. The boy’s tears were as effective as a woman’s tears.”

Suleiman, who noticed the situation, clicked his tongue.

“You’re a terrible adult. He seems to follow you sincerely.”

“I learned from Padisha to use everything I can. And I didn’t know he would worry about me so sincerely.”

The memory of losing many acquaintances while escaping from Ismail remained like a trauma for Hassan, and he had avoided relationships that would leave regrets until now.

The attitude of the boy, with whom he had formed a relationship on a whim, gave him a great resonance.

Suleiman sighed at Hassan’s first warm smile.

“You’ll have to hide this well if you don’t want to be hated.”

“As he learns my work, there will come a time when he understands this.”

“That’s up to you. So, is the Vijayanagara Empire’s work roughly finished?”

“That’s right. I’ll leave the work of the Deccan Sultanates to Pasha. As you can see, I still need to rest.”

At the words pointing to the large scarred wound, Suleiman nodded.

“Leave the aftermath to me, and prepare to be scolded by Padisha when you return. You did a dangerous thing without making a successor, so you’ll be greatly scolded.”

Hassan, who understood for the first time the hearts of other officials who sang that they wanted their children to grow up quickly, sighed deeply.

***

The clinking gold coins fell from his hand.

“Hmm, you said you came from a country called Osman?”

“That’s right.”

The official managing the port nodded at the words of the exotic man wearing a turban.

“I’ve heard that name. You drove out the treacherous Portuguese?”

“I also heard that they caused trouble here.”

Initially, Portugal had settlements in the Tuen Mun area of Hong Kong and around Lantau Island, but they were defeated by the Chinese navy and driven out.

That was also the biggest reason why the Ming Dynasty labeled Diogo’s fleet, who was the governor of India, as pirate ships.

“We are different from those rude people. If you just write the entry permit, we want to quietly form a relationship.”

“Hmm, judging by the sincerity you have shown, it certainly seems so.”

The official, who carefully placed the box full of gold coins next to him, asked the Ottoman.

“So, how many ships are scheduled to come?”

“I can’t know exactly, but the Padisha of the empire said it was a fleet sent for greetings.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. Alright! I’ll write the permit.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The Ottoman smiled brightly as he watched the official happily wield the brush.

A dangerous deal was made.