Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 178

Cheat Even If It’s a Scam (2)

A hawk soared across the sky, its sharp talons seizing a rabbit that had been running through the meadow.

As its prey struggled, the hawk flapped its wings powerfully a few times. When the resistance ceased, it emitted a satisfied cry.

“I have caught it, my Padishah [Ottoman title equivalent to emperor or sovereign].”

“Indeed.”

Yusuf nodded at the chief falconer, who managed the hunting falcons, and leisurely urged his horse forward.

Considering that the position of chief falconer was often a stepping stone to being appointed a Sanjakbey [governor of a district in the Ottoman Empire], it was clear how highly hunting falcons were valued.

Extending a hand clad in a thick glove, the falcon landed lightly on it.

“It is the prey that was caught.”

“Let it be given as food to Hassan.”

Yusuf politely received the lifeless rabbit and pointed to the lion, Hassan, who was smacking his lips behind him.

Yusuf glanced at the lion devouring its prey and handed the falcon to an attendant.

Falconry was a hobby of royalty and nobility. When the Knights Hospitaller, whose lifeline he had severed, were granted Malta in history, Charles V formally demanded one Maltese falcon annually as tribute.

‘I don’t particularly enjoy it, though.’

It was just a pretext for socializing with his subjects and taking a trip.

“Would you like to hunt yourself? The beaters are ready.”

At Shemsi’s question, Yusuf raised his gun, which was attached to his horse.

“My Padishah, the wood supporting the barrel has cracked. Shall I prepare a new gun for you?”

“No, it’s fine. How often do I even fire a gun?”

The gun presented by Tahir, the artisan who had assisted him, bore the marks of time.

When it was first made, it was the finest gun, but as time passed, manufacturing techniques advanced, and the prototype made by the deceased artisan was now inferior to those used by the Janissaries [elite infantry units of the Ottoman army].

‘Considering that I could have a rifled barrel made if I wanted to, this is quite a primitive gun.’

The rifling would have to be done manually by artisans, making it not cost-effective, but the production itself wasn’t impossible.

The reason he insisted on using this gun was out of respect for the artisan who had worked for him until his dying breath.

“I’ll stop hunting here. You and Hassan must have something to say to come all this way, right?”

“Portugal’s movements are unusual. They seem to be inciting Charles V.”

Charles V, who had been subtly offered a marriage alliance with the Ottomans but flatly rejected, had married a Portuguese princess.

Although Portugal’s national power had been greatly diminished by the destruction of its fleet, it was still a valuable partner for Charles V.

“Why, are they trying to combine their forces and target the Mediterranean?”

“It seems so. Andrea Doria, the Genoese mercenary captain who had a contract with France, has now signed a contract with Charles V.”

“Andrea Doria, you say.”

The reason France had defeated Spain in naval battles before Francis died was thanks to hiring that mercenary fleet.

The balance of European naval power shifted greatly depending on which country Andrea contracted with, and he would effectively serve as Spain’s main fleet.

If Portugal, Spain, and Andrea combined to target the Mediterranean, it would be quite troublesome for the Ottomans.

“It’s fine. Before long, Portugal won’t be able to pay attention to the Mediterranean.”

“How so?”

“A rather large misfortune will occur. Just know that much.”

The Lisbon earthquake of 1531, which killed 30,000 people, was next year, so Portugal would not be in a state to focus on the Mediterranean.

Yusuf reattached the gun to his horse and slowly urged it forward.

For safety reasons, the Padishah could not move carelessly. Just coming to hunt near the capital caused hundreds of people to move en masse.

Even this was the case for a light outing for health, let alone going further.

‘A place like Ming [China under the Ming Dynasty] is out of the question.’

Since he couldn’t go to Ming himself, all he could do was give Süleyman advice, anticipating as many different situations as possible.

For example, what to do if he ever had the opportunity to meet the Ming emperor directly.

Considering Ming’s tendency to isolate itself, helping to suppress pirates wouldn’t be enough to warrant an audience with the emperor, but if an audience were granted, there would be only one reason.

‘The Ottoman Empire piqued the emperor’s curiosity, and he ordered a meeting to see for himself.’

The advice he left for Süleyman was how to utilize the emperor’s characteristics and curiosity.

In a world where there was no way to quickly contact someone far away, he could only hope they would manage well on their own.

Not long after Yusuf returned to the capital, rumors quickly spread that the Padishah had predicted a new disaster.

***

The suppression of pirates proceeded smoothly.

Guangzhou [a major port city in southern China] was initially thrown into chaos when the Ottoman fleet, which had only been heard of in rumors since its first appearance, reappeared. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when they presented a personal letter from Beijing [China’s capital city].

Officially, the Ming Dynasty only engaged in tributary trade [a system of trade where foreign states presented tribute to the Chinese emperor], but the scale of maritime trade that was tacitly permitted was large, and the Guangzhou economy relied heavily on it.

However, trade was virtually paralyzed due to rampant pirates, and when they couldn’t easily resolve the situation, the appearance of the Ottomans was like a savior.

The Maritime Deputy Commissioner (海道副使) [a Ming Dynasty official overseeing coastal defense, tributary trade, and diplomatic affairs] of Guangzhou actively cooperated with the Ottoman fleet.

The cooperation between the Ming fleet, which was well-versed in the coast, and the Ottomans quickly suppressed the rampant pirates, which led to connections with Maritime Deputy Commissioners in other regions.

It was impossible to completely eliminate the pirates, but the Ottomans played a part in putting out the immediate fire, and they were formally invited to Beijing.

-Long live the Emperor!

The emperor, who appeared amidst the resounding shouts, spoke to Süleyman, who was paying his respects.

“I wish to see your face. Raise your head.”

When the interpreter translated the words of the Ming emperor, the Jiajing Emperor [reigned 1521-1567], Süleyman raised his head.

Only the outline of the Jiajing Emperor could be seen due to the screen, but even from his voice and the shape that could be glimpsed, it was possible to discern that the other party was young.

“It seems it has been a long time since I have seen a Huihui person [a Chinese term for Muslims].”

“If you go to the south, you can see quite a few people living as subjects of the empire.”

At the eunuch’s advice, the Jiajing Emperor nodded and asked.

“So, you said you came from a country called the Ottoman Empire. I have looked at the map you sent. It is quite a large country. You call yourselves an empire.”

“What use is land if it is only large?”

“The title of empire is excessive for a mere peripheral country. It seems they do not know their place.”

It was a statement full of the arrogance that only the Ming Dynasty could use the title of empire, and the interpreter did not translate such words, but Süleyman could tell that the atmosphere was tense.

Everything, from the huge palace and the shouts praising the emperor, to the many civil and military officials lined up and the ominous atmosphere, was a scene full of oppressive force to intimidate those who were granted an audience with the emperor, but Süleyman was not shaken by it.

“Your Majesty, may I say something?”

“Speak.”

“Our empire has strived to establish good relations with Ming. If this is the reward for that effort, I fear we will be greatly disappointed in the propriety of the Ming Dynasty, which calls itself an empire.”

Sparks flew from the eyes of the officials at Süleyman’s blunt remarks.

From the beginning, many officials had opposed the emperor granting this audience.

It was not only because he dared to call himself an empire and showed an arrogant attitude of wanting to engage in equal trade with Ming, not tributary trade.

‘It would be troublesome if His Majesty took an interest in that distant foreign land.’

‘It would be a disaster if he tried to send a fleet to a distant place like Zheng He’s fleet [a series of voyages undertaken by the Ming Dynasty in the early 15th century].’

Sending a fleet to distant regions was a business that consumed enormous amounts of money.

No one wanted to see a business that would greatly shake the country’s finances become active, and no one knew what the emperor, who worshiped Taoism and called himself a deity, would do.

The Jiajing Emperor raised his hand to silence the uproar at the voices demanding that the offender be punished immediately.

“There were many voices calling for you to be punished. Do you not regret what you just said?”

“If you wish to take my head, then take it. However, a tangled thread is not easily untangled.”

The Jiajing Emperor looked back at his officials at Süleyman’s confident attitude.

“Is that so? Should we really punish him? Let those who can take responsibility for the aftermath come forward.”

The officials could not easily answer the Jiajing Emperor’s question.

Because they knew too well how heavy the word responsibility was.

If they killed that man, who was a member of the Ottoman royal family, the fleet that had already returned to its original island would surely devastate the Ming coast, and no one would confidently step forward in that situation.

Unlike before, when no one opened their mouths, the Jiajing Emperor clicked his tongue.

“It’s a little better now that it’s quiet. So, the empire is not a country without basic propriety. You said you wanted to trade?”

“That is correct.”

“In that case, you have made a wasted trip. The empire is a country that does not need anything from the outside.”

It was a statement containing the basic thought of the Ming Dynasty, which boasted that all kinds of things came from its vast land and that its technology was the best in the world.

“No matter how large Ming is, it cannot obtain everything, can it? Even just peppercorns.”

Since ancient times, peppercorns had been an important trade item, so the outflow of seeds to the outside was greatly guarded against.

Even the Ming Dynasty had no choice but to import and use peppercorns.

“The world is vast. There are many things that Your Majesty has not actually seen or obtained. Among them, there are things that Your Majesty will desire.”

“Me? What is there?”

At the emperor’s appearance of being interested, Süleyman wore a gentle smile on his face.

“For example, the empire’s products include something called Kahwa [coffee]. It is a drink that is brewed and drunk similarly to the tea that is enjoyed in Ming.”

“Is that so?”

“It is a precious drink that only the Padishah of the Ottoman Empire and other nobles drink. When you drink this Kahwa, your mind becomes clear, and you can stay up all night without any problems.”

Not only the Jiajing Emperor but also the civil and military officials had interested expressions at Süleyman’s explanation.

Even new teas were interesting, but it was inevitable that they would be even more so with such effects.

“Do not all rulers dream of longevity and eternal life? However, this is realistically difficult to achieve.”

“That is so.”

The stories of emperors who dreamed of immortality to escape death were numerous in the Ming Dynasty.

The Jiajing Emperor was also dreaming of immortality through Taoism.

That was why he knew so well how difficult it was to live a long life.

“It is difficult to live longer than others, but it is possible to use more time than ordinary people.”

“That is to reduce sleep?”

“That is correct. The nobles of the empire use Kahwa to pore over the words of the ancient sages even at night and work for the empire. All nobles drink it every day, so there is no need to doubt its effects.”

There were several reasons, but many of the officials gathered here felt that the day was too short.

In response, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet [the equivalent of a prime minister in the Ming Dynasty], a second-rank official, stepped forward.

“It is an interesting story, but is it safe? We cannot give His Majesty something that cannot be trusted.”

“That is a natural concern. Since there is Kahwa brought from the home country through trade, how about the civil and military officials check it first?”

There were many interested officials based on their sparkling eyes, so it was not difficult to find volunteers to check.

It was also unlikely that someone who wanted to trade would bring dangerous goods.

As the story flowed in the direction of checking it out, Süleyman was relieved inside.

‘As the Padishah said, I first attracted attention with Kahwa.’

Frankly, it was a scam close to sophistry.

If Kahwa, which made people work without sleep, was good for the body, there would be no officials groaning from overwork.

‘That’s why Kahwa newbies…’

It was not for nothing that high-ranking officials teased the newbies in the Ottoman Empire who unknowingly became dependent on coffee.

In the atmosphere buzzing with coffee stories, Süleyman spoke to the Jiajing Emperor.

“Ming is also vast, but the Ottoman Empire is also vast. It will be a good opportunity for Your Majesty to enjoy many things that you have not seen without much effort. Among them, there may be items that will take Your Majesty one step further towards longevity, like Kahwa.”

“Hmm.”

There were no such products yet, but if they searched the unexplored lands, wouldn’t they find at least one more thing that was good for the body?

Süleyman shamelessly exaggerated, and the Jiajing Emperor pondered for a moment before speaking.

“You may withdraw for now. I will deliberate and make a decision.”

“Understood.”

Süleyman, satisfied with having received a positive response even though he did not receive a definite answer, paid his respects and withdrew.

After this audience, rumors of a mysterious drink from the distant West quickly spread in Beijing.