Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 17

#17. Small Movements (1)

The gazes of the boy who greeted them and those who received the greeting intertwined sharply.

Even those considered heinous and terrifying in modern times are mostly harmless compared to the people of this era.

The Sipahi [Ottoman cavalry soldiers] could kill even a child without hesitation if ordered or necessary, and those gathered here could create a small cemetery with the enemies they’ve killed.

The Qadis [judges in the Ottoman Empire], who could control people’s lives with a single judgment and scoff at the Sipahi, who were human weapons, could not be judged by modern standards.

An ordinary person’s heart would sink just from being in their line of sight, but Yusuf instead smiled brightly.

“I know I’m handsome, but being stared at so intently is a bit 부담스럽다만 [burdensome], don’t you think?”

It was a trivial remark, but it was enough to lighten the atmosphere.

Omer spoke in a gentle voice.

“I was being rude while observing you, thinking you would be the prince we would be working with in the future.”

As Omer took the lead, responses followed.

However, it was mainly the Qadis who spoke, and they gave the Sipahi mocking looks.

Even with just a walk and a greeting, it wasn’t difficult to judge whether the other person was someone to be dismissed as just an 11-year-old.

Yusuf definitely felt this uneasy atmosphere.

‘It’s good for me that the two sides don’t get along.’

However, he didn’t make the mistake of thinking that the enemy of his enemy was his friend.

It was just that the Qadis were keeping the Sipahi in check, not that they were expressing goodwill towards him.

“I’m glad everyone attended despite the sudden invitation. Those who came with you must be enjoying the banquet by now, so let’s enjoy ourselves and talk.”

At Yusuf’s signal, the door opened, and the savory smell of food wafted out.

“I was treated to Trabzon food by my brother Selim, so this time, I prepared food from the palace. I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

The food, starting with burek [a filled pastry made of thin flaky dough such as phyllo], filled with meat inside pastry made with butter, was enough to satisfy the five senses.

Just when the atmosphere seemed to soften as their mouths were satisfied, a sharp voice was heard.

“Ahem, the taste is 괜찮으나 [not bad], I still prefer the food I’m used to. Shouldn’t the prince also get used to the food here?”

It was Burka’s remark, and no one here was foolish enough to think of it as a simple complaint.

Depending on what answer he gave, they could predict his future actions, and everyone paid attention to how Yusuf would react.

‘If he’s going to use a conciliatory approach, he’ll gloss over it smoothly, but…’

Yusuf didn’t want to spend a lot of time on internal affairs, and he turned his head to Shemsi, who was elegantly eating as if nothing was happening on his right.

“Pasha.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Was what I said earlier too difficult? I didn’t say I didn’t like the food here.”

Everyone was surprised by the indirect jab, implying that they couldn’t even understand such a simple statement.

The level was higher than expected.

“Your Highness.”

Towards Burka, who was expressing anger in a low voice with a reddened face, Yusuf coldly retorted.

“Burka Sobashi [title], didn’t you listen properly to my introduction earlier? I introduced myself as Sanjakbey [governor of a district], not a prince.”

Who he defined himself as contained a lot of information.

Emphasizing Sanjakbey meant that he would actively intervene in the territory, and at this, not only the Sipahi but also the Qadis hardened their faces.

“Sanjakbey, may I say something?”

“Of course.”

“You don’t have to overdo it since you haven’t been here long.”

Omer spoke gently, but in short, it meant to stay still if you don’t know well.

As if agreeing, the others exerted unspoken pressure, and Yusuf readily nodded.

“I don’t know much about the Sanjak to intervene directly.”

Their faces brightened as they thought he understood, but one should always listen to the end of a person’s words.

“So I’m going to learn properly one by one. So first, I will check the armament of the Sipahi and the training status of the 종자 [retainers].”

The Sipahi’s faces contorted, and Yusuf chuckled inwardly.

‘They’re angry, but there’s no justification to refuse, right?’

The Sipahi were obligated to train their 종자, the 제벨루 [cavalry soldiers], and participate in battles together, depending on their income level.

Although the central government conducted periodic checks every 20 years, there was no justification to refuse if the Sanjakbey checked directly.

It was as if the corps commander had suddenly ordered an inspection of the training and supplies of all troops, so they would be furious.

In an atmosphere where a fierce backlash was about to erupt, Yusuf quickly continued.

“There’s no need to worry too much. I’ll start slowly from the closest place. I feel a bit sorry for Burka Sobashi.”

Burka was finally able to completely shake off his prejudice based on age at the words that he was essentially targeting him to proceed with the work.

As the blindfold of prejudice was removed, Yusuf’s eyes came into full view.

‘A monstrous bloodline.’

It wasn’t the eyes a boy who hadn’t even finished puberty could have.

Burka, who was vaguely reminded of Selim, whom he had followed, shook his head slightly.

‘He’s still far from that person.’

He had excellent capabilities compared to his age, but the absolute level was higher for Selim.

Still, as he realized that he was not an easy opponent to the point of being compared, Burka’s face became rather calm.

Yusuf, who was watching this change in expression in real-time, gave a bitter smile.

He had hoped they would continue to ignore him, but they came to their senses faster than he thought.

“If the prince wishes, we will have to do so. I have a lot to prepare, so I will get up first.”

Burka, who used the expression ‘prince’ on purpose to imply that he did not recognize him as Sanjakbey, rose from his seat, and the Sipahi also rose from their seats.

As nearly half of them left the banquet hall, it naturally flowed into a breakup atmosphere, and the Qadis also left the banquet hall with light greetings.

After sending out all the servants, Yusuf was finally able to sigh.

He was so nervous that he would have made a mistake if the banquet had been longer.

Those people had the experience to intuitively know the other person’s condition with just small actions and tones.

Yusuf, who had paid attention to every gesture and glance so as not to be underestimated, felt great mental fatigue.

Shemsi, who had been watching Yusuf, spoke first.

“Did you confirm everything you wanted?”

“Yes, it goes without saying, but not all Sipahi are fond of Burka.”

To be honest, checking armament or training status was just an excuse.

He just wanted to know what emotions the Sipahi showed when Burka was in trouble.

It was a brief moment that would have been missed if he hadn’t watched carefully, but fortunately, he was able to observe everyone.

“It seems like we can win over about four people.”

“I’m glad you had results, but if you’re not careful, it could have ended with just buying resentment.”

“The possibility was high enough. If there’s someone who’s favored, there’s also someone who’s jealous.”

As much as Selim lived in Trabzon, Burka was his closest aide, and it was natural for someone to be jealous of this.

“Still, four people are not enough. Not only will we be outnumbered, but we won’t be able to exert much influence in Trabzon, where the prince is.”

“I know. We need to increase our numbers too.”

If it was just about filling numbers, there was no need to bring in expensive people.

“Pasha, send me the data of the Sipahi who are on the verge of bankruptcy or are in financial difficulty.”

Even if they received the same 봉토 [land grant], it was more common than expected for Sipahi to go bankrupt due to lack of ability, livestock being wiped out, or crop failure.

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of gathering power with money?”

Shemsi’s voice was full of displeasure.

“I don’t want to waste money either.”

At worst, he would just be scammed out of money, and he could be ridiculed for solving things with money like a nouveau riche.

‘If you’re a modern person, you should know how to use money in a sophisticated way.’

Why would he waste money so foolishly?

“I’m not giving it, but lending it as livestock. If I lend a pair, it would be appropriate to repay with four 새끼 [offspring]. If they don’t have the knack for management, I’m thinking of connecting them with people who will take care of it for them.”

“Is it a kind of policy?”

“Yes.”

In modern terms, it can be seen as a low-interest support policy and professional management.

There was a disadvantage that a lot of funds were tied up and some losses could occur, but it was a worthwhile deal if he could attract Sipahi with just that much cost.

“What if the livestock dies in the middle and they can’t repay it?”

“They’ll have to repay with their bodies.”

It just so happened that a war to drag them into was not far off, so wasn’t it a good thing?

Shemsi nodded with interest.

“It’s an interesting policy. There’s room for corruption if applied on a large scale, but it can be sufficiently controlled in Sanjak.”

The Sipahi who were on the verge of bankruptcy would sell even their equipment to maintain their livelihood, so it also helped maintain combat power.

“This should be enough to fill the numbers in a hurry. It’s Sanjakbey’s job, so there’s no justification to oppose it.”

He didn’t need many.

He just needed to increase the size to the point where even Burka couldn’t move carelessly.

The big picture he had set was to tie them down like this and then cut down their power through inheritance.

“I’ll get up and start preparing now. I’ll be busy.”

As even Shemsi left, Yusuf, who was left alone, looked out at the gloomy outside.

It seemed to foreshadow the chaos that would sweep through Trabzon.

***

After the banquet, an uncomfortable energy spread throughout the castle.

The Sipahi conspicuously roamed the castle fully armed, and even gathered threateningly near the free food kitchen operated by Fatima.

It didn’t take long for word to spread that the relationship between the Sipahi and the new Sanjakbey had soured badly.

Unlike the Sipahi, who were conducting indirect displays of force, Yusuf’s people consistently ignored them as if dogs were barking.

In this acute conflict, Yusuf actually had more free time.

‘No matter how much Shemsi does, he can’t select supporters in a short time.’

The current administration was not an era where information would pop up with a few taps on the computer.

He had to find and organize the data one by one, and even if Shemsi dragged in the teachers who had taught him, it would take quite a few days.

“I shouldn’t waste the floating time.”

He couldn’t touch big projects like Cherkes or Georgia when the internal affairs weren’t even sorted out yet.

What was left was internal affairs: agriculture, medicine, and hygiene. These three.

Agriculture was being tested in his Has [private land], and Sinan was looking for horses and cows with 우두 [cowpox].

What was left was hygiene.

“This is more ambiguous than I thought.”

It was a task that would grow infinitely if touched greatly, so he had to divide what he could and couldn’t do.

After pondering for a while, Yusuf came to a conclusion.

“At least I have to solve the drinking water problem.”

The simplest way was to make them boil it, but it wasn’t an easy task.

“If I tell them to boil it because there are invisible germs, they’ll treat me like a madman.”

Even if he forced them, they wouldn’t listen, so it would be better to boil tea like in China.

After tapping the desk for a while, Yusuf got up from his seat and went out of the room, and put his hands on Aisha’s shoulders, who was waiting outside.

“Aisha, I need you.”

“…Yes?”

Aisha’s face turned as red as a ripe apple, and her pupils wandered aimlessly.

Yusuf, facing her who was bowing her head in embarrassment, said with a serious face.

“Do some work in the kitchen for me.”

She thought she was going to be beaten by a slave.