Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 195

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 195

The Moving Princes (1)

A ruler’s chessboard is the scope of their vision, limited to the world they perceive.

Usually, this scope is proportional to the size of the country they govern. The larger the country, the wider their field of vision.

‘In that sense, the Emperor of China is unique.’

Even after building a vast empire, their world remains confined to their own country, which they call the “world under heaven” [Tianxia, a Chinese term for their perceived cultural sphere].

Whether it’s the arrogance of believing the “world under heaven” is perfect, or the constant threat from surrounding enemies seeking to devour the empire, the barriers they’ve built are remarkably thick.

Colonizing the New World requires persistent effort over generations and significant investment, but they seem incapable of it.

‘Even if the Jiajing Emperor [r. 1521-1567] tries to take a step forward with determination, there are many ways to make him reconsider.’

When chessboards overlap, the victor is the one with the broader perspective, making them virtually unbeatable.

Yusuf unfolded a map he had drawn himself.

“If this survives to later generations, it will become an OOPArt [Out-of-Place Artifact, an object found in an unexpected context].”

A map so advanced it would be considered an artifact that transcends its era.

The map, drawn from memory, even included Antarctica, unknown to people of this time.

It was a map he would only consult in private, with no intention of showing it to anyone.

‘Especially, I must never show it to Mustafa.’

He’s more of a simpleton than a son; he might actually try to crawl all the way to Antarctica.

Anyway, historically, Spain has the widest view of the world in this era.

They colonized the New World, circumnavigated the globe with Magellan’s fleet, and discovered the Pacific route, connecting America and the Philippines.

The birth of a country encompassing the entire world, but…

“From now on, that position belongs to the Ottoman Empire. All the pieces are in place. All that remains is to guide it as I wish.”

Yusuf’s eyes gleamed as he folded the map depicting all the continents.

Seeing the culmination of the game he has set up will be the goal of his life.

***

The envoy, who had several meetings with Yusuf and learned a great deal, returned to his home country.

Having already dealt with the pirates and opened trade with the Ming Dynasty, there was no need to send the Eastern Fleet. Instead, they boarded a merchant ship heading to the Ming Dynasty, unlike their arrival.

Even a merchant ship was an Ottoman vessel that pirates wouldn’t dare approach, and with five ships traveling together, safety was assured.

After the envoys departed, Dragut [Turgut Reis], who had undergone special training, left for Algiers with four sailing ships.

A ship entered Constantinople, where ships come and go as usual.

“It’s been a while. I wonder how Hasna Nuna and Orhan are doing.”

Mustafa, deeply tanned, wore a cheerful smile.

He didn’t need to worry about his father, Yusuf. Any health issue, even minor, would have caused an empire-wide uproar.

‘To succeed such a person and become Padishah [Ottoman Sultan].’

It’s a thought bordering on disqualification for a prince, but he lacked confidence.

Even if he became Padishah, he would be overshadowed by his father’s immense legacy.

His more pragmatic brother, Kasim, likely felt the same.

Since he wasn’t visiting the capital because of succession matters, Mustafa dismissed the thoughts.

“Armen Pasiyan.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mustafa asked Armen, an Armenian merchant and a key figure in the Eastern Trading Company.

“I hear many soldiers are being discharged from the Eastern Fleet these days?”

“Wouldn’t it be because they’ve made a lot of money? Many will pay off their remaining military service.”

“Keep a close eye on those being discharged this time. Surely some will squander their money and have to become sailors again.”

It’s common for those who gain wealth they can’t manage to fall apart.

Whether through gambling or fraud, sailors who lose their money and return to work are valuable manpower.

The experience of living in harsh conditions for nearly six years is not easily acquired.

At Mustafa’s order, Armen’s eyes gleamed, and he bowed his head.

“I will keep a close watch.”

While giving instructions to Armen, the ship entered the capital, and Mustafa set foot there after a long absence.

It was a pity the envoy from the East had already left, but Mustafa, already focused on a new venture, didn’t dwell on it and continued onward.

Mustafa entered the most central part of Topkapi Palace, accessible only through the Gate of Felicity where the audience hall is located, and entered the room where Yusuf was waiting.

“I greet the great Padishah.”

“Welcome, Mustafa.”

Sensing the hidden joy in the indifferent tone, Mustafa abandoned his formal greeting and smiled brightly.

“It’s been a while, Hasna Nuna and Orhan.”

Hasna, with her beautiful appearance, smiled softly, and Orhan, still young, buried his face in the lion, looking at his unfamiliar brother.

Mustafa, enjoying the reunion by playfully teasing Orhan, who peeked at him with curiosity and unfamiliarity, asked Yusuf.

“I was surprised you suddenly told me to come to the capital. Is it because of the letter I sent a while ago?”

“What other reason would I have to call you? You haven’t contacted me properly before that letter.”

At Yusuf’s remark, Mustafa smiled awkwardly.

The lack of contact was due to encountering a storm, but mentioning it would only earn him a scolding.

“Are you interested in that island?”

“You seem very interested too.”

Mustafa agreed with Yusuf, who instantly read his mind.

“Yes, that’s right. On the way back, I asked the natives of the nearby islands, and they only knew it as a barren and large island.”

“Would those busy trying to survive risk exploring? Only reckless guys like you would do that.”

Mustafa had no response to this.

He was fortunate to discover habitable land, but if things had gone wrong and only deserts continued, he would have died of thirst.

He couldn’t claim success, having proceeded with the exploration despite the sailors’ repeated dissuasion, relying solely on his gut feeling.

Seeing Mustafa close his mouth and look at him, Yusuf softened his gaze.

“I won’t press you further since you seem to know what you did wrong. Mustafa, don’t blindly trust your senses. You only have one life, and one failure will cost you everything.”

This was something he had to tell Mustafa.

Some people are particularly lucky, and they often blindly trust their luck and fall into ruin.

That’s why he, with even greater luck than Mustafa, never relies on it.

Feeling a sense of foreboding at the seemingly prophetic words, Mustafa bowed his head.

“I will never forget it.”

“I believe you. Now, tell me properly about the island you saw.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Yusuf’s command, Mustafa began to describe what he had seen.

The story, told with considerable eloquence, was vivid, and by the time it was over, Orhan’s eyes were sparkling, and he was fidgeting.

After finishing the story and quenching his dry throat with a drink, Mustafa asked Orhan.

“Was it fun?”

“…Yes, so much so that I want to write it down right away.”

“Perhaps because he resembles his mother, he has quite a talent for writing.”

If Suleiman, who processed Hürrem’s voluminous letters into readable text, had heard this, he might have protested, but Orhan was indeed talented.

Unlike before, Hürrem, having learned to write properly, was the most skilled writer among the concubines.

“More than that, Mustafa, I have something to order you.”

“Tell me, please.”

At the word “order,” Mustafa straightened his posture.

An ordinary order could have been sent by letter, but being summoned to the capital meant it was important.

“I intend to make the island you discovered a territory of the empire. And I plan to entrust that mission to you.”

“Is that island worth it?”

So far, all he knew was that the northern part was barren, making it difficult to live there, and that natives lived in the eastern part.

Except for the unfamiliar animals he had never seen before, it didn’t seem particularly noteworthy.

At Mustafa’s question, Yusuf smirked.

“You, who have been treasure hunting since you were young, would have sensed it, right? The value of the island you discovered.”

“…It’s still just a feeling.”

“I’m saying I will invest to confirm that feeling. Would occupying such an island strain the empire?”

With the Ottoman Empire’s current power, even if things went wrong, it would only be a minor setback.

Seeing Mustafa’s complexion darken, Yusuf reassured him.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of lowering the empire’s dignity to the level of those brutal Iberians. I plan to incorporate it by co-opting the natives.”

“Thank you, Padishah.”

Mustafa’s face brightened at the news that he wouldn’t have to betray the natives who approached with goodwill.

Of course, many natives would die, but the Ottomans would approach as generously as possible.

At least, they wouldn’t suppress them unless they resisted with force.

“I will provide proper support, so do your best. Don’t forget the time when I gave you 15 years.”

“…I understand.”

If he wanted to survive, he had to establish his own solid territory before the new Padishah ascended the throne.

Mustafa bowed his head, recalling the burden all princes bore.

As the atmosphere suddenly became heavy, Hasna spoke to lighten the mood.

“By the way, raising babies in a pouch on the belly. I wonder what it looks like.”

-Grrr?

The lion, lying down as if uncomfortable with Hasna’s interest in another animal, let out a low growl.

“Since you can’t go, Nuna, if I go to the island next time, I will try to bring one to the capital.”

Yusuf frowned at the mention of bringing a kangaroo.

“That’s enough. That cat already makes the place smell like animals.”

-Grrr?!

“What are you looking at?”

Yusuf scoffed at the lion, who was bowing his head.

He should get rid of the name Hassan soon.

***

Yusuf stared at the coffee cup.

As more people started drinking it, coffee also evolved.

This coffee was brewed using linen fiber called amapo as a filter, eliminating the inconvenience of coffee grounds getting on the mustache, a chronic problem with traditional Turkish coffee.

“Not bad.”

“Every time there is such a change, I realize that the time I spent in the East was quite long.”

“It wasn’t a short time.”

Yusuf, responding to Suleiman, asked him.

“Have you grasped the changed situation properly in the meantime?”

“It wasn’t difficult with the help of Padishah and other officials.”

The period of six years was a long time for the dynamically moving empire.

Territorial and policy changes, as well as the surrounding situation, had changed so much compared to when he first left, and it took a lot of effort to grasp this.

Yusuf gave a mischievous smile at Suleiman’s answer.

“I see that the officials who needed even one more hand actively helped you.”

“After living as an official for a long time, I realized that the best way is to help even one person before they collapse.”

Yusuf turned the conversation at Suleiman’s answer, which was full of wisdom.

“More than that, do you really have no intention of having children?”

“Even if I have children, wouldn’t it be a burden to the princes? I’m fine.”

Suleiman, stripped of the title of Shehzade [Prince], meaning the bloodline of the royal family, was still a member of the royal family.

It was a shackle he couldn’t escape, even by changing his name, and Yusuf clicked his tongue at Suleiman’s answer.

“If they are so lacking that they are burdened by that, I wouldn’t pass this position on to them. That’s enough. Who can stop your stubbornness?”

Yusuf, looking at Suleiman with a subtle smile and a displeased face, leaned back in his chair.

“Suleiman, the time is coming when someone must take this position.”

“…Is that so?”

He answered calmly, but Suleiman’s voice trembled slightly.

He was reminded of Selim’s last appearance, willingly offering his neck to save him.

“No matter what anyone says, the succession war is a tragedy for the empire, but human greed is endless, so completely cutting off that shackle would be arrogance.”

The bloody battle to take the position of the owner of the empire would happen again someday.

Because it is such a sweet position.

“However, I don’t want to see that sight again with my own eyes.”

“It will be as Padishah wishes.”

Because the two of them had directly experienced a civil war in the Ottoman Empire where more than 100,000 troops were entangled.

Because he was the one who killed even a brother in name only to survive, and he was the one who lost his father in the process.

The two had the same thought.

“I have given orders to Mustafa. All that remains are Mehmed, Murat, and Kasim.”

Whether it’s a prince who sincerely wants to be Padishah or a prince who is secretly giving up.

The orders to be given are already decided. The given orders will be the foundation of the empire and the lifeline of the princes.

Yusuf opened his eyes coldly.