Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 201

Osman’s Sultan Became – Episode 201

New Wind (1)

There were signs.

It started with sweeping up slaves from the western regions of Africa, where the slave trade was most active.

The various African nations, unable to properly restrain him due to Osman’s princely status, investigated the whereabouts of the missing slaves and realized this wasn’t an isolated incident.

When they realized that the number of slaves sold exceeded 100,000, they tried to conceal their fear and offer justifications.

“He must have bought them to keep Portugal in check. What interest would a country like Osman have in us?” Afonso I, the Manikongo of Kongo [King of Kongo], reasoned.

“Slaves? Is this the time to worry about such things when rebels are running rampant? They’ve even dragged away women and children. Who knows if they’re using them for pioneering or some strange hobby!”

“Is this the time to think about such things when a thief killed his brother and stole the throne? Bring more weapons!”

The Askia the Great [ruler] who ousted the Mali Empire and created the vast Songhai Empire, was overthrown in a coup. The powerful figures of the Songhai Empire, embroiled in a power struggle, chose to ignore the situation.

It’s only natural that it’s difficult to fully grasp reality when consumed by the opportunity to seize power, expand the kingdom, and plunder neighboring lands.

It was also natural to bear the consequences.

“From now on, we will determine the future of Africa!” Murat’s declaration forced the African nations to confront the reality they had been ignoring. They trembled in fear as an army of 80,000 marched south.

Murat’s progress, starting from Morocco and capturing Taghaza, where the salt mines were located, was astonishing.

“From now on, all slaves except criminals are freed!” People watched with fearful eyes as cities were occupied and chiefs who waged war with neighboring tribes were executed. They blinked in disbelief at Murat’s declaration.

War prisoners and slaves, forcibly mobilized for arduous farming, were especially surprised.

Freedom was something they couldn’t even dream of, living day by day doing hard labor. They couldn’t even attempt to escape because they would face a terrible death if caught.

“A world where you can live as humans and die as humans! That is the world I will create!” With Murat’s declaration, the emancipation of slaves was achieved, igniting a firestorm across Africa, where uprisings erupted everywhere.

“It’s a rebellion! The slaves have rebelled!” Slave revolts followed Murat’s march, and cities collapsed with little resistance.

Of course, the rulers of the cities realized the danger and imprisoned the slaves, but this was like tying one arm behind their backs in an already disadvantaged situation.

Even though soldiers were left behind to deal with casualties and maintain public order, the liberated slaves joined Murat’s banner, and his forces did not diminish.

No city could stop Murat’s seemingly ever-growing army, which came as a great shock to Askia Benkan, the emperor of the Songhai Empire.

“Damn it! How is it possible that they’ve already arrived! You morons couldn’t even buy us some time!”

The distance from Taghaza, where the salt mines were located, to Gao, the capital of the Songhai Empire, was about 970 km [approximately 600 miles].

To cover this distance in about three months was practically the same as marching unopposed.

Benkan looked around Gao with dismayed eyes.

The city, which once had a population of 45,000 and bustled with wealthy merchants, was now desolate.

The remaining people were those who had given up escaping and were trying to adapt to the new world. The square, once crowded with slaves for sale, was empty despite it being market day.

There was no reason to buy and sell slaves who would soon be freed.

One thing was certain: no one believed that Gao, which didn’t even have walls, could stop Murat’s army.

“It’s not too late now. We must escape!”

“…Where are we going?”

Another city? It would only prolong life by a month or two.

Another country? The empire had collapsed powerlessly, so there was no reason to believe that other countries would be any different.

Despite his dismay, time passed, and Benkan, with no other option, bowed his head to the one who brought the storm.

“I surrender.”

Murat, riding a huge camel, accepted this declaration of surrender.

“You made the right choice. I’m glad I didn’t have to kill you.”

With Benkan’s surrender, the Songhai Empire disappeared into the annals of history.

It was the moment when the black storm that had erupted in Africa became widely known.

***

Yusuf frowned upon hearing the news of Murat.

Murat, having occupied the Songhai Empire, stopped marching south and led his army towards the Mali Empire and its surrounding areas.

This was an understandable move. Although linked as one empire, the Songhai Empire, like other African nations, was a collection of numerous tribes.

This meant that control was not easy.

‘Occupation is good, but it’s necessary to create a solid foundation with the feeling of establishing a new kingdom. Whether he thought of it himself or not, it’s an accurate judgment.’

As much as he is receiving enthusiastic support for advocating peace and freedom, it was support that would quickly crumble if life was more difficult than before.

Calming the chaos and establishing policies suitable for Africa are necessary to create the power to conquer other kingdoms.

The Songhai Empire was close to Morocco, and if the Mali Empire was occupied, supplies could be supported by sea, so there was no problem in establishing a base.

The more important problem was separate.

“Grand Vizier, what will be the impact of the slave liberation that Murat is advocating?”

“It seems that there will be no major problems for now. It will take a long time for the wind blowing in Africa to affect the empire.”

For Murat, advocating for the emancipation of slaves was the best choice.

It was like throwing a new spark so that other African kingdoms could not calm the chaos while stabilizing the occupied territories.

Like Songhai, which entrusted agriculture to slaves, slaves are an important component of society in Africa, so the issue of slave emancipation will be taken seriously.

Yusuf tapped the armrest with his finger.

“Even if they feel threatened by the issue of slave emancipation, the vested interests cannot easily abandon the card of slavery.”

“Even if the supreme leader decides to liberate for the sake of the kingdom’s safety, other powerful figures will vehemently oppose it. Slaves are that convenient.”

“Yes, even if I try to do it forcibly, only treason will occur. He threw a good spark in Africa, but the problem is that this spark will also affect the empire.”

“It’s like the price of slaves has risen because of Prince Murat.”

The slave shortage created by Murat not only affected Portugal but also the Ottoman Empire.

It is only affecting the price now, but over time, it may affect the slave system itself.

“I don’t know who this guy takes after that he goes out so recklessly.”

Shemsi took a sip of coffee at Yusuf’s grumbling.

There is no need to say out loud who he resembles.

“Was that spitting on my face?”

“I didn’t say anything, Padishah [Ottoman Emperor].”

Yusuf, who snorted at Shemsi, leaned back in his chair.

“Well, it’s done. The slave system has to change someday anyway.”

Originally, when the Ottoman Empire was an Islamic country, slavery was not a big problem.

According to Islamic law, the same Muslims should not be enslaved, but if they were of a different religion, they could freely engage in the slave trade.

This was also the case with Christians. They sold Muslims into slavery without hesitation.

Anyway, the Ottoman Empire, an Islamic country, had a thriving Christian slave trade, but when the Ottoman Empire broke away from the shadow of religion and religious equality was achieved, a slight problem arose.

‘Christian slaves will be sold in Muslim areas, and Muslim slaves will be sold in Christian areas.’

Can’t you already hear the sound of the country splitting in half?

It is a side effect of the country becoming too large and embracing various religions, and it is necessary to be prepared for the future.

“We need to proceed with the abolition of slavery in the long term.”

Shemsi’s arm, which was raising the coffee cup, stopped with a thud.

“Padishah, it is my lifelong wish. Please allow me to resign.”

When the expected answer came back, Shemsi said as calmly as possible.

“I cannot stop admiring the Padishah’s heart for cherishing and loving his people. The abolition of slavery is also due to that heart…”

“Your tongue is long. I thought you were Hasan. Just get to the point.”

“Is it really necessary to proceed now? At least there won’t be any major problems for a hundred years. Rather, the chaos caused by radical reforms will be greater.”

There is no way there will be no backlash as it is taking away what is in hand.

Slaves are also property, and they cannot be taken away and liberated like Murat did.

“Didn’t Padishah also say? Let’s leave the work of future generations to future generations. I think this is such a thing.”

Yusuf clapped lightly at Shemsi’s protest.

“As expected, the Grand Vizier [chief minister] is not something anyone can do. I was momentarily tempted.”

Shemsi sighed lightly at Yusuf’s words.

In conclusion, it means that it did not work.

“I understand your concerns. At least there must be a consensus on the abolition of slavery as a basis. Don’t you think so?”

“That’s right. Frankly, isn’t the only good thing about the abolition of slavery for slaves?”

Perhaps if the abolition of slavery is carried out, Shemsi will react like this.

It would be fortunate if they considered it irrelevant to them, and those who thought it was a loss would vehemently oppose it.

“I’m not thinking of doing things ignorantly either. First of all, we need to proceed slowly, starting with preventing the slave status from being inherited. The problems after this are to be left to future generations, as you said.”

“It seems possible to prevent inheritance.”

It was not an unfamiliar thing.

The harem alone is made up of slaves, and no one ignores the prince just because the Hatun [title for a woman of rank] is a slave.

It is also taken for granted that children born to slaves who have become concubines are treated equally with other children.

Of course, even this is something that no one could even attempt if it were not for Yusuf.

“Still, there will be backlash. In times like this, there is the best way. A method that has been used several times and its effectiveness has been proven.”

In times like this, there is nothing better than public opinion manipulation.

***

Hürrem bowed slightly.

Her sparkling blonde hair fell on her Turkish-style dress, and her voice trembled thinly.

“I have come at your call, Padishah.”

“Welcome. It’s been a while since we’ve been alone together.”

It’s not that he treated Hürrem coldly. However, he only met with her mother, Fatima, or her son, Orhan.

Hürrem, who is in her mid-30s, smiled like a girl.

“My heart flutters because it’s been a while since we’ve been alone.”

“I’m also excited that a child who used to act like an angry cat has changed like this.”

As Yusuf mischievously said, recalling their first meeting, Hürrem blushed.

“Did you call me after a long time to make fun of me?”

“Fortunately, that’s not the main point. I heard from Suleiman. The writing you’ve been doing these days is quite good.”

“…I want to forget about that time.”

If Suleiman had not recreated her, she might have thrown herself into the Bosphorus [strait connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara].

That’s how messed up her writing was at that time.

“I enjoyed reading it in my own way. It was just hard to decipher.”

“Please stop it.”

As Hürrem, blushing, came and desperately grabbed his arm, Yusuf placed his hand on her head.

“Isn’t it that everyone has memories they want to forget from their childhood? You’re just a little more special. Anyway, you know why I brought this up, right?”

“Is there something I need to write like that time?”

“Yes, I would like you to write about slaves. It would be nice to have a story about ordinary people who are reduced to slaves and suffer.”

Hürrem’s eyes lit up when she heard this.

As a woman who survived in the harem, she was not naive and immediately noticed what Yusuf wanted.

“Should I write it in a way that is as relatable as possible?”

“Excellent.”

“And I want to work with Orhan on this article.”

“I know he writes quite well, but will it be helpful? The content is quite heavy for him to write.”

“Isn’t there content that can only be written because he is not of age?”

“If that’s your judgment, then do so.”

If it was below standard, he could just not include it in the book.

Hürrem, who had received permission, smiled brightly.

‘When the book is completed, I should call the Sheikh al-Islam [high religious official] and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople [spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians] to create a religious atmosphere.’

Yusuf, who had thought that far, looked at the map on the wall.

‘And we should be able to do good things together.’

Yusuf smiled mischievously.

***

“What is this?”

Spanish settlers who discovered a strange type of ship approached the vessel.

The markings on the outside of the large sailing ship suggested it had endured harsh conditions. Judging from the scars on the railings, there had been a battle or an internal rebellion.

As the settlers pulled the ship closer…

“$%[email protected]#$!”

People uttering strange words pulled out their swords and threatened them. The surprised settlers pulled the trigger of their guns.

A new wind has come to the New World.