Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 164

An Official Visit (2)

As the waves crashed, the fisherman’s boat, which had cast its net, rocked violently.

The fisherman, clutching the net, yelled at his companion, who was staggering, “Jang, be careful! Have you forgotten that Wang fell in and died not long ago?!”

“Don’t worry! How many times have I been on this boat?!”

“That’s exactly how you end up like Wang!”

The small wooden boat, barely enough for two people, indirectly reflected the harsh local conditions.

The southern coast of Ming China, known as Hong Kong in our history and a center of trade, was a frontier area of the Ming Dynasty.

For the farmers and fishermen, tomorrow’s weather was more important than the change of emperors in Ming China. They were the backbone of the economy, and it was a common sight to see them setting out to sea in old, small boats.

When Jang stopped pulling the net and stared blankly, the fisherman yelled, “What are you doing?! Did the ghost of Wang, who drowned, pop out?!”

Despite the rebuke about a water ghost appearing, the fisherman raised his head at Jang’s blank stare and was rendered speechless.

It felt like a tsunami made of ships was approaching.

Ships of a clearly foreign design, different from the junk ships mainly used by the Ming Dynasty, with red flags clearly visible under the bright sun.

The fishermen barely regained their senses as ships large enough to capsize their small fishing boat just by passing by formed a fleet and approached.

“I feel sorry for them,” Shuleiman said, watching the fishing boats rowing away without even having time to gather their nets.

The net was a valuable item to the fisherman, though not as valuable as his life, valuable enough to keep mending and using even when torn.

Ibrahim bowed his head to Shuleiman, who felt sorry that they had lost their nets.

“I will arrange compensation through someone familiar with the local situation.”

“That wouldn’t be bad.”

There was no need to feel a sense of obligation, but as they had come to establish good relations, this much consideration could be given.

Shuleiman, taking his eyes off the small fishing boat, looked at the faintly visible land in the distance.

“After a long voyage, we have finally arrived.”

The long-distance voyage, harsh even for the crew, was not easy for Shuleiman.

Not only was the food and drink inadequate, but when the ship rocked in the storm, he worried that he might be going to meet Allah [God in Islam] sooner than expected.

Of course, the past voyage was not without value.

“Ibrahim, the world is truly vast.”

“I understand why Padishah [Ottoman Emperor] is willing to take risks and venture into a wider world.”

The fleet of over 80 ships was enough to solidify control of the Mediterranean.

Forgoing this opportunity, making various arrangements such as concluding a peace treaty with Charles V [Holy Roman Emperor], and sending a large fleet was a major gamble for the Ottomans as well.

If the fleet suffered a major blow, even the Ottomans would have difficulty recovering in the short term.

“Yes, I can see why Padishah told us not to carelessly disregard the people living here.”

The destination is Ming China, but the real purpose is to establish a sea route leading to Ming China.

They had contacted the countries along the sea route to this place, and he could understand what Yusuf [advisor to the Sultan] had meant.

Kemal, who was examining the approaching land, nodded in agreement with Shuleiman’s words.

“If we had fought a war with those island nations, it would not have been easy. I understand why the Portuguese struggled there.”

“Those guys are everywhere.”

Shuleiman clicked his tongue.

Despite being a small country in the West, they had stirred up trouble even in this distant place.

‘But it was all good for us.’

In Indonesia, as in India, Portugal allied with the Hindu kingdom of Sunda to check Islam.

Thanks to this, Muslims in Indonesia had a high regard for the Ottomans, who had pushed out the Portuguese.

In countries that had directly fought naval battles with Portugal, such as the Demak Sultanate, the Ottomans were gladly welcomed.

“The ship was certainly large.”

“It was a ship that sacrificed maneuverability to increase its size. It can be seen as a moving fortress. It’s no wonder Ming China banned its entry.”

The main ship of the Indonesian island nations, the djong [large Javanese sailing ship], was banned from entering Guangzhou due to its danger.

When Portugal fought a naval battle with the Demak Sultanate in 1513, the cannonballs could not penetrate the hull, so they set it on fire to repel it, which shows how strong the ship was.

As Kemal said, the expression ‘fortress floating on the sea’ was not an exaggeration, and it was natural to refuse entry to such a ship armed with cannons, as it would cause enormous damage if it shelled the port.

“And there’s a high possibility that our entry will be rejected as well.”

Shuleiman looked at the approaching port.

The port of Tuen Mun, where they had received permission to enter, was small.

It was mainly a port where fishing boats docked, and if ships were coming for trade, they would head to Guangzhou, which was only 100km deeper, so there was no reason for the port to develop.

The Ottoman fleet completely blocked this small port, causing a great commotion in the port, and after a while, a junk ship docked at the port approached.

“Is that him?”

“Yes, Pasha [high-ranking Ottoman title].”

Gurai, who had obtained the permit after a thorough body search, replied, looking at the official from Ming China who was allowed to board.

The Ming official, sweating profusely, also looked at Gurai and raised his voice.

“You scoundrel! You deceived me!”

“Deceived? That’s unpleasant to hear. I have never told a lie.”

“Not a lie?! How can this be called a fleet coming for greetings!”

Even the relentlessly swarming Wokou [Japanese pirates] didn’t come like this.

Bringing a fleet that would devastate this area and calling it a greeting was infuriating.

Gurai replied with a smile to the official’s anger.

“In my Ottoman Empire, we always bring heavy gifts for the first greeting. It’s a matter of etiquette.”

The catch is that what they are mainly holding in their hands are weapons.

Cutting off the official who was about to say something more, Gurai said firmly.

“And you are in front of the imperial family of our empire. Please show some respect first.”

At those words, the official could see the man standing at the very front.

The official felt his back getting wet as he looked at the man with a fair face, though a bit short.

Those surrounding him as if to protect him looked as if they would kill him at any moment, and the official hurriedly paid his respects.

“I am Zhang Huan, who manages Tuen Mun. I apologize for the rudeness.”

Shuleiman, who heard the translation from the side, nodded.

“I am Shuleiman Pasha, an official of the Ottoman Empire. I accept your apology. So, when can we enter the port?”

Huan felt his heart sink as he looked at the entry permit he had written himself.

He should have realized it when he gave so much gold just to get an entry permit.

That it might be the fare to the afterlife.

Huan replied in a trembling voice.

“I’m sorry, but in order to enter the port, you must obtain permission from the Guangzhou government.”

“That’s different from what you promised.”

“Th, that is.”

Huan rolled his eyes silently, and Shuleiman put the permit in his arms and said coldly.

“You better hurry back. We will continue to be around here until the answer comes back.”

Huan opened his mouth in surprise at Shuleiman’s words.

This many fleets cannot stay in front of the narrow Tuen Mun forever, and eventually they will go out to a wider area, which was the gateway to Guangzhou.

Pretending not to know was too big of a deal, and Huan returned to the port with a pale complexion.

“The answer that will come back is expected.”

Shuleiman’s thoughts were correct.

When the fear that a foreign fleet would invade Guangzhou swept the southern coast of China, the Guangzhou government sent back an answer.

-Zhang Huan, who privately profited and issued an entry permit, has been sentenced to death, and entry is not allowed until permission from the imperial family is obtained.

“It’s practically a rejection.”

Shuleiman knew well how long it would take for a report from this border area to reach the imperial family in the Ottoman Empire, a vast empire like Ming China.

He didn’t know how long it would take for the report to go up to the imperial family, make a decision, and get an answer back, and he couldn’t just wait endlessly on the ship for that long.

Shuleiman, looking at the land of Ming China with cold eyes, gave an order to Kemal Reis.

“Since the easiest path has been thwarted, it seems we will have to move as Padishah planned.”

“I understand, Pasha.”

Kemal, who heard the order, gave instructions, and the Ottoman fleet unfurled its sails.

***

Yusuf looked at the newly drawn map.

The expanded territory after absorbing the territory of Louis II was noticeable, but Yusuf’s gaze was directed to the east.

“They must have arrived in Ming China by now.”

Yusuf tapped the territory of Ming China with his finger.

He has a variety of knowledge, but he doesn’t know everything.

Because of that, he doesn’t know everything about Ming China, but there were a few things he knew.

‘The fact that the current emperor, Jiajing [11th Emperor of the Ming dynasty], is considered one of the four great incompetent rulers of the Ming Dynasty.’

It is difficult to surpass the ace incompetent ruler, Wanli Emperor [14th Emperor of the Ming dynasty], who refused to do the emperor’s work for 30 years, but Jiajing is an incompetent ruler who follows Wanli Emperor.

Zhengde Emperor [10th Emperor of the Ming dynasty], who operated an avatar by giving the title of general to his pseudonym, and Tianqi Emperor [16th Emperor of the Ming dynasty], who was so talented in woodworking that he neglected the emperor’s work, have room for defense, but these two did not.

Jiajing seriously fell into Taoism during his long reign of 46 years, and he even experienced an assassination crisis after abusing palace women to make the elixir of immortality.

‘It’s okay for us because there is room to use the fact that he is obsessed with cults.’

He was sending people to various places to find herbs for immortality, so it was easier to coax him than other emperors.

The important thing was how to reach the emperor.

“Mustafa.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

Mustafa, who had turned 16, stole a glance at the map with sparkling eyes and shuddered.

Not as much as Kasim, but Mustafa was old enough to become a Sanjakbey [governor of a district] long ago.

‘Even if I send him to Sanjakbey, he’s the type to run away.’

Mustafa had a great desire for sailing, to the point that Tazlu, who was preparing for the position of Sanjakbey of Tabriz by using the family’s influence, resented him every day.

Tazlu, who confidently declared that her son would take the position of Padishah when she first came into his arms, became another example proving that children’s affairs are not like parents’ hearts.

‘There is a way to satisfy Mustafa and Tazlu’s hearts at the same time, but.’

The answer was the homework given to Mustafa.

If he can’t even come up with this much of an answer, it would be better for him to give up the position of Padishah for the sake of the country and for Mustafa.

Anyway, Yusuf asked Mustafa, who was likely to go out to sea whether he found the answer or not.

“Ming China is currently pursuing a maritime ban policy. Just because we sent a fleet doesn’t mean they will easily open the door. So, what do you think is the biggest problem?”

“Since it will take quite a long time, wouldn’t it be food and water?”

“That’s right. People have to eat to live.”

It’s not for nothing that sailors who stole food and water during the Age of Discovery were tortured or executed.

That’s how important water and food were.

“The problem is that we can’t trust Ming China to get food and water.”

Ming China’s naval power was so weak that they had to issue a maritime ban because of pirates, so the Ottoman fleet was large enough to devastate the Ming China coast.

Since Ming China has a way to easily neutralize the Ottoman fleet, that is to tamper with the food and water.

They may or may not actually carry it out, but the very fact that there is such a risk means that replenishing supplies in Ming China should be avoided.

At least until relations between Ming China and the Ottoman Empire are established.

“Then we must first prepare a base where we can secure supplies.”

“That’s right.”

He didn’t know how relations with Ming China would turn out in the future.

It could be like Portugal, which was able to gain Ming China’s favor and trade by helping to suppress pirates.

‘Or we may have to fight naval battles with Ming China and engage in smuggling while being treated like Wokou.’

Piracy is the Ottoman’s side job, so it didn’t matter even if it became the latter.

He was willing to harass Ming China to the point that they couldn’t survive without improving relations.

Of course, it would be best to establish friendly relations with Ming China, but you never know what will happen.

Anyway, since they will be moving in the long term no matter how it proceeds, it was important to prepare a base, and Yusuf knew the most suitable place.

“If my plan is carried out, this is where the empire’s fleet will be based in the future.”

Yusuf pointed to an island drawn on the map.

***

“Padishah! An island is visible!”

At Ibrahim’s words, Shuleiman came out of the room and stood on the deck.

If Yusuf hadn’t drawn it as an island on the map, he would have thought it was part of the continent, a huge land mass was visible.

The island covered with green forests looked beautiful, and Shuleiman recited the island’s name that Yusuf had written down.

“That’s Taiwan Island.”

It was the island that would become the Ottoman’s base.