Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 174

Planned Work (2)

While Hasna and Kasim were in France, the alliance negotiations between the two countries progressed rapidly.

The Habsburgs were pushing for a treaty that would relinquish not only Milan, the contested territory, but also Flanders and Burgundy. This pressure mounted daily.

For France, Ottoman assistance was crucial to alleviate this pressure. Conversely, the Ottomans needed to curb Habsburg expansion, aligning their objectives.

With François II actively championing the alliance and Kasim, a key Ottoman decision-maker, present, any delay in the alliance process would have been surprising.

As the negotiations swiftly concluded, François II and Hasna met frequently.

“Is it too bitter? You can add a little sugar.”

“Not at all. It smells wonderful.”

François sipped his coffee, attempting to appear composed, while Hasna sweetened hers.

Sensing a hint of melancholy in his gaze, Hasna smiled.

“I prefer it with sugar. Shall I add some for you?”

“…Please do.”

François intently watched the spoon stir sugar into his cup, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes as Hasna withdrew her hand.

Hasna savored the subtly sweet coffee, a contrast to its earlier bitterness, and gently stroked her cup.

“It’s good. I don’t usually drink it with sugar. My father isn’t fond of it.”

“Why is that?”

“He dislikes unnecessary extravagance. Sugar is quite expensive, isn’t it?”

François looked at Hasna, puzzled.

Sugar was more valuable than its weight in gold; 1.5 kg could purchase a calf.

It was considered more than a mere spice, regarded as a panacea [a cure-all], and only accessible to royalty and nobility. Yet, it seemed odd that the affluent Ottoman royalty would need to conserve it.

“A spoonful of sugar here could save one of his subjects from starvation today. The king’s extravagance ultimately harms those at the bottom. Isn’t that what he dislikes?”

“I believe so too.”

He agreed with a touch of youthful idealism, though it was difficult for François, raised with the belief that commoners should sacrifice for nobles, to fully grasp.

“You’re wise, and you’ll understand someday. I believe it’s time for me to leave.”

François glanced at Kasim, who was waiting behind her, and asked with disappointment, “Can’t you stay a little longer?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve already been here for quite some time. We must depart before the weather makes travel difficult.”

“When will I see you again?”

Meeting his earnest gaze, Hasna bowed.

“If you govern France well as a good king, won’t there be a day when we meet again? I hope to see you again next time.”

Unable to dissuade her, François accompanied Hasna to where the Ottoman delegation, ready for departure, awaited.

Only the ambassador and a few guards remained, along with nobles who had befriended them, come to bid farewell.

After exchanging brief greetings and entering the carriage, Kasim sighed, observing the lion’s plump rear.

“How much like a pig did you eat while we were here?”

-Krrheung!

The fattened lion wagged its tail, playfully bickering with Kasim.

As the carriage departed, Kasim remarked to Hasna, who was leaning comfortably against the lion, in a teasing tone, “I heard you were having an interesting conversation earlier? Father doesn’t dislike sugar because of extravagance, but because it ruins the taste of *kahwa* [coffee], doesn’t he?”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know.”

There was no way she didn’t know. Hasna was more informed about Yusuf’s affairs than anyone else.

Hasna smiled playfully, removed her veil, revealing the face that had instantly captivated François.

“It’s a kind lie, hoping he’ll become a good king. Allah [God] will forgive this much, won’t he?”

“Let’s just say so. So, have you accomplished all your goals?”

“I made a lot of memories together.”

Listening to the Ottoman military band with the nobles, gifting him a book about his father Yusuf’s life, and sharing coffee, among other things.

It was more about promoting Ottoman culture than creating personal memories.

“Seeing you charm the king, I thought you were going to get married.”

“Marriage? You know that’s impossible. I don’t want it either.”

The religious barrier is insurmountable.

The influence of Christianity was strong, with a cardinal among those who would be involved in governing for a while in place of the still immature François II, and the country would be turned upside down if a heretical queen came in.

Of course, it might be possible if she converted, but there was no reason for the Ottomans to convert a princess and send her to marry.

Hasna stroked the forehead of the lion rubbing against her head.

“It’s enough to leave him with memories of first love. Won’t he also be fond of the culture of the empire because of me?”

“The culture that the king likes will become popular, but I feel sorry for the French king.”

How could he encounter a woman so adept at leveraging her strengths?

Kasim couldn’t help but sympathize with the boy who would be heartbroken by an impossible love, and said.

“We should have stayed a little longer. Weren’t the results promising?”

A trend had begun to emerge, centered around the Parisian nobles, and a few more months would have solidified it.

However, Hasna insisted on leaving within the scheduled period, and when asked about it, she explained.

“It’s my father’s order. He said not to deviate from the schedule, as new chaos may arise.”

Kasim looked puzzled.

The chaos in the West stemmed from the war between France and the Habsburgs, and a treaty between them was only a matter of time.

It contradicted the widespread expectation of imminent peace, and if anyone other than Yusuf had said it, he would have dismissed it.

“I traveled all the way to distant France with difficulty, but I still don’t understand. What kind of world does my father foresee?”

Hasna smiled brightly, stroking the purring lion’s neck.

***

Yusuf stroked his beard as he examined the collected taxes.

The tax revenue, stagnant since the Mamluk conquest, was rapidly increasing with the canal’s opening, indicating that more people were profiting from Eastern trade.

‘The trade dynamics between Europe and the Ottomans in the original timeline weren’t much different either.’

The ultimate consumers of Eastern trade goods, including spices, were in Europe.

Having goods to sell was beneficial, but a trade imbalance, like during the Opium Wars, would cause significant losses for one side.

However, the Ottomans, acting as intermediaries between Europe and Eastern countries, were somewhat shielded from the damage caused by such imbalances.

Regardless, wealth would continue to accumulate, and its proper utilization was crucial.

“In the end, it boils down to luxury?”

It was not a trivial matter, as the inclination towards luxury was a contributing factor to the Ottoman’s stagnation in the original timeline.

In the Ottoman Empire, tulips, which bowed their heads when they bloomed, were cherished as a symbol of humility. Tulips were also considered the flower of God because the letters were similar to the word God in Arabic.

The problem was the importation of luxury goods, including tulips, leading to significant waste. This period was known as the Tulip Era, named after the flower that symbolized luxury.

Without proper precautions, this trend of luxury could easily take hold.

“Shemsi, do you believe honor can be bought with money?”

“I think so. Can’t you enhance your honor through generosity? Or you can flaunt yourself by indulging in luxury.”

“More people choose the latter than the former.”

Appropriate luxury is necessary, but as a nation, the former is more desirable than the latter.

“I have to sell honor to guide the people on the right path.”

Yusuf retrieved a wooden plaque from his pocket.

It was a form of identification card issued when surnames were assigned to the people.

“How about adding a separate mark on this identification card based on the amount of charity given? From providing food to the poor to sponsoring talented children, it would be officially recorded.”

“That’s a new undertaking.”

Evaluators and monitors would be needed, requiring additional manpower.

Still, it was a beneficial system in the long run. With a sponsorship system, talented individuals lacking opportunities to study could also seize them.

“I’m considering inviting those who have exceptionally demonstrated their honor from across the country to the palace every five years to meet them in person.”

Considering the immense honor of meeting the Padishah [Ottoman Emperor] in person, it would be a strong motivator.

Of course, buying honor with money is not entirely desirable. Many may donate with impure motives.

‘But it’s better to have someone who donates with impure intentions than someone who doesn’t donate a penny with a pure heart.’

Shemsi agreed with this idea.

“You can’t stop sponsoring to avoid being dropped from the list every five years.”

“That’s right. It’s also good for me. It will be an opportunity to hear directly from people across the empire.”

He was receiving considerable information about the empire through Hasan’s intelligence agency, but more communication channels for hearing stories from various classes were always beneficial.

That’s how you can lead the country in a balanced way.

‘Those who succeed me will need it more than me.’

The princes are talented, but they all have flaws.

“This is my idea. Refine the policy.”

“…I thought you had prepared to some extent since you brought it up.”

“There are excellent people like you, so why bother thinking about it any further? I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Shemsi suppressed a sigh at Yusuf’s brazen words.

It was somewhat expected since the topic arose, so it wasn’t a new situation.

Yusuf took a sip of coffee and asked Shemsi.

“The Habsburgs must have learned about our alliance with France by now.”

“That’s right.”

It would be an unexpected development from Charles V’s perspective.

The war has been prolonged, and he is unable to adequately compensate the mercenaries he hired, preventing him from extracting significant compensation from France, the defeated nation.

“There was a riot in Milan against the Duke of Milan, and Venice has been devastated by the continuing war.”

That means all countries have been weakened by the prolonged conflict.

The Habsburgs’ inability to pay their mercenaries is, in some ways, the best-case scenario.

Regardless, the army remains intact.

“The Habsburgs will either have to accept the losses and disband the army, or seek a new target.”

“If a suitable justification arises, they will definitely act.”

Despite Yusuf’s interventions altering many aspects of the original timeline, there hasn’t been enough time to significantly influence the high-ranking nobles and royalty leading the war.

Just as Layos II followed the same path as in the original timeline, their desires and actions are likely to mirror the original course of events.

While Shemsi and Yusuf were engaged in a casual conversation, an announcement of a new guest echoed.

-Padishah, Hasan Shaytan Pal Pasha has come to see you.

“Let him in.”

As soon as Yusuf granted permission, Hasan entered and paid his respects.

His arrival without prior notice indicated something important, and this expectation proved correct.

“Pope Hadrian VI has died, Padishah.”

Yusuf smiled brightly at the news of Hadrian’s death, the Pope who had directly supported the Reformation.

“Did the cardinals finally act?”

“That’s right.”

The conflict between the Italian cardinals, seeking to protect their interests, and the Pope continued to escalate, and with the war’s conclusion, the Pope was assassinated.

Of course, in the Papal States, where the cardinals wield significant power, they will simply attribute the Pope’s death to illness.

“We can’t simply ignore the injustice inflicted upon someone who died doing noble work. Don’t you agree?”

“That’s right, we’re already taking action.”

***

Upon hearing the news that the Pope had died of illness, the citizens of Rome rejoiced at the death of the barbarian Pope.

He had remained Pope longer than expected and had been a thorn in the side of the Roman citizens, leading some to even hold parties.

Amidst the festive atmosphere surrounding the death of one man, a rumor quickly spread throughout Italy.

-The Pope was assassinated by the cardinals.

The animosity between the two was well-known, causing the rumor to spread rapidly, eventually reaching the ears of the Habsburg army, which had lost its purpose.

The Habsburg army, also under the tutelage of Charles V, declared to the Papal States.

-We will directly investigate the cause of the Pope’s death.

The seeds of a new war had been sown.