Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 19

#19. Internal Affairs (1)

Even though 90% of Trabzon’s population was Christian, the real power resided with the 10% who were Turkish Muslims.

The power struggle between Yusuf and the Sipahi [Ottoman cavalrymen, often landowners] was a distant concern for the Christian population, but that didn’t mean they were ignorant or uninterested.

They were on edge, worried about being caught in the crossfire, and the situation became a juicy source of gossip in their otherwise uneventful lives.

The news of a new store opening was unexpected for the residents, who were constantly exchanging stories about how things would turn out.

Even after hearing what would be sold, they couldn’t hide their skepticism.

“Barley water? Who would buy something like that to drink?”

“There’s water everywhere. Why would you buy drinking water separately?”

In large cities like Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul], water carriers delivered water from springs or fountains in leather bottles, distinguishing between types of water. They wouldn’t drink collected rainwater, using it only for housework or gardening.

But this was common only in large cities with a higher standard of living. In Trabzon, those who could afford water carriers usually had slaves or servants.

For the people here, buying drinking water was an unfamiliar and difficult concept. However, the atmosphere shifted somewhat as the promotion featuring Sinan’s name spread.

When word got around that it was good for people who often had stomachaches, especially young children, people started to reconsider.

“Is barley water really that good for you?”

“The doctor from the capital guarantees it. If he’s good enough to attend to the prince, he must be trustworthy.”

In fact, doctors weren’t generally trusted in this era.

Hygiene was poor, and patients often worsened due to incorrect procedures. People didn’t often seek medical help until the 19th century.

However, the title of doctor who came with the prince was enough to create a bias, leading people to believe that the words of an authority figure were always right.

The fact that Sinan was actually a surgeon who carried around surgical tools that looked more like weapons was irrelevant.

As the atmosphere shifted as expected, Yusuf issued new instructions.

“Aisha, provide barley water to the children around the free food center until the store is completed.”

“For free?”

Yusuf nodded at Aisha’s question.

“They have to drink it themselves to know if it’s good or bad. We also need to find out in advance what problems might arise when we make and sell it in large quantities.”

Since it was his first time doing business, he needed promotion and a period of trial and error.

Since he would be using the barley already allocated to the free food center, he only had to worry about labor and firewood costs, so there was no significant financial burden.

In the long term, improving access to drinking water was a worthwhile goal, so he wanted to focus more on Aisha’s work. However, the situation didn’t proceed smoothly.

Shemsi approached him with a serious expression.

“The four Subashi [local administrators] who were initially receptive have changed their attitudes.”

Yusuf nodded.

“Burka must have found out.”

“Yes, Burka’s men were confirmed to have visited the Subashi. It seems they issued a warning.”

No matter how secretly they moved, complete secrecy was impossible.

Half the land outside the castle could be considered Burka’s eyes and ears.

He knew he would be discovered, but the reaction was faster than he anticipated.

“He’s a faster thinker than he looks. This won’t be easy.”

“It’s a shame that we couldn’t immediately bring the four Subashi to our side, but it’s not a major setback.”

The best outcome would have been to secure the support of the four Subashi, but there was no need to be discouraged by this failure.

This was within the realm of possibility.

“If they received a warning, they must be very upset. Once we gain some power, they will side with us on their own.”

Burka knew this too, but he probably couldn’t imagine them gaining that power.

He must have believed he had the Sipahi firmly under his control.

“Our Sipahi support policy isn’t exposed, is it?”

“No, he’ll think I’m reviewing the documents because of the investigation I warned about earlier. No matter how talented he is, it’s hard to imagine him anticipating something like this.”

If he had predicted a policy that had never been implemented before and interfered with it, it would be better to quietly admit defeat.

That would mean he was someone who could have been the Grand Vizier [chief minister] in the capital.

If the policy remained secret, there would be no disruption to the plan.

“What’s the preparation stage?”

“It seems it will take some time to implement, but it’s at a stage where it’s okay to announce it.”

“That’s good. Now that things have progressed this far, there’s no point in delaying.”

If Burka had a little more time to consolidate his power, the current situation could become permanent.

Then he would have to obediently bow his head and wait until he came of age, or until Burka died.

Shemsi, nodding in agreement with Yusuf’s judgment, asked,

“Then shall we announce it?”

Yusuf pondered for a moment at Shemsi’s words.

“Exclude Trabzon from that plan, and spread the rumor that it’s because Burka took the livestock from the Has [Ottoman term for land or revenue source granted by the Sultan] that will be mine.”

“…Are you serious?”

It was nothing less than a declaration of open conflict with Burka.

“Everyone who needs to know already knows that Burka and I are on bad terms. There’s a limit to how much Burka can threaten me.”

No matter how hard Burka tries, he wouldn’t dare attempt an assassination.

If Yusuf died, Burka, as the commander of the castle and in charge of security, could not avoid responsibility, and that responsibility would be paid with his life and the lives of his family.

Fatima, the Sultan’s woman, was in the same situation.

“Rather, I’m worried about others. It’s less of a concern since Pasha [high-ranking title] has the title of high-ranking official, but he can definitely target others.”

“If you’re so worried, you can stop. You may lose a little pride now, but you can defeat Burka before you come of age.”

Yusuf frowned at Shemsi’s words, who seemed to be testing him, and shook his head.

“That’s just running away.”

And the Ottomans are a country where a prince who runs away can never become a Sultan.

He also had to accept that someone might die because of his decision.

Even if it was someone close to him.

“Won’t you regret it?”

“I might regret it, but I have to endure it.”

Yusuf added, nodding as if he understood, towards Shemsi.

“Of course, I have no intention of letting it go if he harms my people. If they shed tears, he will shed blood.”

This was the only promise he could make to his people.

Shemsi, who had been looking at Yusuf for a while, sensing his firm determination, quietly got up from his seat.

“Then I will proceed with disclosing the policy. It will be noisy for a while.”

Yusuf laughed at these words.

“Has it ever been quiet around me?”

“That’s also true.”

Shemsi, giving a small, almost imperceptible smile, left. Shortly after, the policy announcement shook the Sanjak [Ottoman administrative division].

***

Kwaang

“Damn brat!”

Burka, who smashed the table with his bare fist, trembled, blood dripping from his hand.

Burka, watching the subordinate who was hurriedly wrapping the wound with a cloth, took a long breath.

“I vowed not to underestimate him, but I made another mistake.”

“No. It was something that could not have been foreseen at all.”

“That’s also true, but it was wrong to be relieved that I had only warned the other Subashi.”

If he was going to back down this much, he wouldn’t have started a confrontation.

The result of negligence was painful.

“What’s the atmosphere like now?”

“They are careful with direct remarks, but there seems to be a lot of dissatisfaction because they are the only ones excluded from the benefits.”

“That dissatisfaction will be directed at me because of the rumors circulating now.”

The subordinate bowed his head silently at Burka’s self-deprecating voice.

“It will be difficult to control the defections. It’s about money. Can’t we handle it instead?”

“The prince can do it because he can mobilize the money of the Sanjak.”

“Hahaha, that’s a painful money fight.”

The more revenue the Sipahi had, the more soldiers were drafted, so the more money was needed.

Even the most successful Sipahi didn’t save money; they maintained their power with their military strength and influence rather than wealth.

“Hoo…. If time goes by like this, there is no solution. If the best outcome is not possible, we must choose at least the second best.”

The opponent had already taken the lead by making the best move.

Even if he made a bold move, he had to create momentum and offer practical benefits.

“Arda, draft four squads of ten.”

“I understand.”

Burka, who gave the order, got up from his seat.

He had no intention of being easily defeated.

***

Since Yusuf had dropped a bombshell with the policy announcement, he paid close attention to Burka’s movements.

This is an era where you never know what extreme choices a person with power will make.

Thanks to this, he soon heard the news that Burka had left the castle with about forty subordinates.

“I can’t figure out what he’s thinking.”

He would have understood if Burka had drawn his sword and caused a scene in the castle, but he couldn’t understand why he went outside.

Even Shemsi didn’t have enough information to understand the reason for this sudden action.

As unproductive time passed, Hassan, with a hardened face, came to the office.

“Prince, you should go outside the castle.”

“What’s going on?”

“Burka Subashi is leading a herd of livestock and looking for you at the entrance of the castle.”

“Livestock?”

Yusuf tilted his head and got up from his seat.

No matter how hard he thought and worried, it was better to ask the person involved directly.

Since Burka was looking for him so eagerly, it was only natural to go and greet him.

As he approached the entrance of the castle with his escort, he saw a large crowd of people. The entrance was already packed with onlookers.

When Yusuf appeared, the crowd parted as if they had been waiting, creating a path.

Only then could Yusuf see Burka.

‘What are you planning?’

It was literally a herd of livestock.

Sheep were bleating as if they didn’t know why they were there, and there were a few cows scattered among them.

Sipahi in full armor surrounded the herd, which seemed to number in the hundreds at first glance.

Ignoring the glares from behind the pressed helmets, Yusuf stood in front of Burka.

“Burka, what’s going on?”

Burka replied in a cold voice to Yusuf’s question.

“I called the prince to clear up a misunderstanding.”

It wasn’t the voice of someone trying to clear up a misunderstanding, but since that’s what he said, Yusuf asked in a relaxed voice.

“What misunderstanding are you talking about?”

“There’s a rumor that I took the livestock from the land that will be Yusuf’s Has.”

“I heard that there was such a rumor. So, are you saying that’s a misunderstanding?”

Burka nodded with a blank face towards Yusuf, who was answering slyly.

“I just bought the livestock at the request of Prince Selim, but you might misunderstand it that way. So I’m trying to clear up this misunderstanding.”

“What do you mean by clearing it up?”

Just when Yusuf thought Burka was going to return the livestock willingly, Burka’s subordinates moved at his gesture.

Chwaaaak!

-Meeeeee!!

Starting with the cry of a sheep whose neck was half cut off, the Sipahi wielded their weapons without hesitation.

It didn’t take long for all the livestock that had filled the open space to turn into corpses, and Burka plunged his sword into the head of the last remaining sheep next to him.

Burka, wiping the blood that had splattered on his face, asked with a sneer.

“Is the misunderstanding cleared now?”

The bitter smell of blood filled the air between them.

When a thick silence fell around them, Yusuf smiled.