Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 204

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 204 (204/213)

Conman (1)

Spain’s basic tactic is melee combat.

How strong could the cannons used as naval guns be, and how accurate could they be?

Their ships weren’t so flimsy that a few small holes would sink them, and they couldn’t fire cannons indefinitely, so it was considered a reasonable tactic.

And Cortés bitterly realized how unreasonable this reasonable tactic could be.

-Kuuung!

“Damn infidel bastards!”

Cortés, grabbing the ship’s railing as it shook from the cannon fire, cursed.

He knew that victory was impossible without divine intervention, given their overwhelming numerical inferiority, but he never imagined he would be in such a miserable situation.

Melee combat? It was nothing more than a delusion since they couldn’t even get close.

The Ottoman fleet, with its larger cannons forming a wall, unleashed a one-sided barrage.

Feeling the ship shake from a single cannon shot completely erased any desire to approach, and when they returned fire, there was a clear difference in range and accuracy.

Of course, some ships bravely charged forward. All of them became floating debris in the sea, though.

-Aaaaaagh!

A soldier was seen jumping into the sea amidst an explosion, likely because a cannonball had hit a cannon being prepared for firing. Black smoke billowed through a hole in another ship, indicating a fire.

They were being pushed back to the port like a dog with its tail between its legs, and the number of ships unable to fight only increased.

Hanging on was close to mere stubbornness.

Crack!

-Dodge!

A mast, unlucky enough to be hit by a cannonball, collapsed with a cracking sound and slammed onto the deck of the ship next to them, causing Cortés to order with a bleak expression.

“We surrender! Surrender!”

As soon as the flagman moved to signal the order, the Spanish ships raised white flags as if they had been waiting for it.

It was a pathetic end for Spain, which had occupied Manila and raised a toast.

***

The Ottomans, having captured Spain and set foot in Manila, declared:

“The occupation of this place, one of the Empire’s important trade routes, is greatly detrimental to the Empire’s interests. For the sake of stable trade, we will place it under the protection of the Empire.”

‘Protection’ was just a word; it meant a new occupying force to replace Spain.

It was a similar development to when Malacca fell into Ottoman hands, and it was clear that they would never give up Luzon Island, including Manila.

However, the backlash was less than expected.

-They’re better than those who tried to force us to change our religion.

-It’s the Ottomans, the Ottomans. Even the Ming Dynasty [the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644] defers to the Ottomans at sea.

-As long as trade is safe, who cares who the owner is?

Manila is a region that believes in Islam.

They couldn’t help but think that the Ottomans, whose Padishah [Ottoman Sultan] was also the Caliph [leader of the entire Muslim community], the pope of Islam, were better than Spain, which tried to convert them to Christianity after the occupation.

The merchants, the core power of Manila, had no reason to oppose the Ottomans, who could guarantee safe trade.

Having directly witnessed the feared Spanish fleet being utterly defeated, they didn’t even dare to resist.

Barbarossa Uruj, who had occupied Manila, pointed to a chair.

“Please sit here, Marquis.”

Cortés, looking haggard, sat powerlessly in the chair.

He had lost the fleet he had built with Charles’ support. Even though his head was still attached, it was as good as over.

“I have heard much about your reputation. I wanted to meet you once, but I never thought we would meet like this.”

Uruj, offering slightly cooled coffee, sat on the opposite side.

Cortés was slightly surprised.

“Do you know me?”

“What is there not to know? You are the man who gifted Carlos [likely referring to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain] with more land than he inherited. I know you have received a lot of jealousy and checks, but that means your achievements were that great. Feel proud.”

Cortés felt a slight stinging in his nose.

The experience of being dragged back to his home country and suffering hardships despite occupying a vast territory, and the fact that the position of viceroy, which he should have rightfully taken, was passed on to a higher-ranking noble…

The emotions he had been trying to suppress in his heart rose up, mixed with his current miserable state.

“What good are those achievements? It’s all over now. So, how are you going to deal with us? Execution? Or are you thinking of selling us as slaves?”

There were cases of releasing people for ransom, but Cortés didn’t expect much.

Filling the space for prisoners with spices was much more profitable.

However, the answer he heard was unexpected.

“I’m thinking of releasing you.”

“Are you serious?”

“What reason would I have to lie to a prisoner unnecessarily? Of course, I can’t return all the captured ships, but I can give you about six that are in good condition. If you fill them with spices, you won’t suffer a big loss.”

The fleet brought to Manila consisted of 23 ships. Losing 17 ships was a blow, but as Uruj said, filling the space with spices could actually result in a profit in terms of money.

It was an opportunity to minimize responsibility, but Cortés looked suspicious.

“Why are you giving me this opportunity?”

“It’s the Padishah’s order.”

Uruj, getting up from his seat, opened a box in the corner of the room.

Gold and silver coins flowed from his handful, and Uruj’s hand, without hesitation, brushed over a porcelain that looked precious.

“Gold and silver, which people like us are crazy about, and these precious items don’t attract much interest from the Padishah. There are plenty of these things in the imperial palace.”

Honestly, he couldn’t imagine what it would feel like, but it wasn’t arrogance for the Ottoman emperor.

“So, the Padishah is very interested in the artifacts in the New World. He wants various things to satisfy his curiosity.”

So that reason didn’t seem strange.

“If you can get New World artifacts, we may allow trade here. You, who have already failed to occupy it, will know that this is a great act of mercy.”

“…What do you want?”

“The treasures of the Indians that you crush and melt down because they take up too much space are good, and the crops they eat are good too. If it’s something we’ve never seen before, we can pay a high price.”

It wasn’t a difficult condition. He would have to do some legwork, though.

Uruj, sitting back in his seat, leaned back in his chair.

“What do you think?”

It was the moment when the word ‘of course’ should have popped out, but Cortés’ thoughts flowed in a different direction.

“The Empire knew we were heading here. Didn’t they? That’s why they arrived in time and could offer this deal. How did you know?”

“There is someone who doesn’t want you to do well.”

Someone who wants him to fail.

The answer came without much thought.

“The Viceroy! Antonio de Mendoza. It’s him!”

Uruj kept his mouth shut, but Cortés’ conviction grew stronger.

If he achieved the success of opening the sea route, he could become the viceroy.

‘Even if it’s not, it doesn’t matter. It’s a situation that’s suspicious enough.’

It was strange that the Eastern Fleet, which had been quiet, intervened at the right time, and not many people knew about this sea route development.

The viceroy was among that group, and if he did well, he could kick him out.

‘Then I could become the next viceroy.’

He had failed to occupy Manila, but he had succeeded in opening the sea route.

It was possible if he established it under the pretext of stabilizing trade.

“You look complicated, but let’s stop talking about work. I have a question I’d like to ask.”

“Speak.”

“I’ve seen maps of the New World, but why don’t you build a canal?”

If they pierced the thin waist of the New World, there would be no reason to dangerously and laboriously go around South America.

Cortés frowned.

“Why wouldn’t I know that? I’ve reported the plan, and the King has shown great interest. We gave up because we lacked capital because the home country kept fighting wars.”

“Well, it’s something that requires a lot of sacrifices to succeed. But the rewards are great. I was wondering why you don’t do it when there are so many natives you can mobilize.”

Uruj said that and clapped his hands briefly, and the door opened.

“Send him back politely.”

Uruj, who sent Cortés back as if he was done with his business, said to the soldier who had been standing in the room for protection.

“I did as you told me. Is this enough, Hassan?”

The young man raised his head and gave a deep smile.

The child who was adopted by Hassan in India.

Hassan II, who uses the same name as his father, Hassan Shaytan Pal,

“It’s perfect. Now, all you have to do is watch him being played by his tongue.”

He became a great conman.

***

The face of an old man bears the marks of time.

The noble gestures and kind smile of the old woman’s face told a lot about the life she had lived.

“Is your health okay?”

“It’s natural to be sick when you get old. It’s nothing special.”

The only person Yusuf uses honorifics to in this world.

Fatima gently patted Yusuf’s hand.

“You don’t have to worry about me. I will endure well so that the Padishah doesn’t have to worry.”

Strictly speaking, he, whose memories were mixed up, couldn’t assert that he was Yusuf, whom she gave birth to.

However, their bond is genuine. He wasn’t sure if it was the emotion between mother and son or the camaraderie of overcoming difficult times together.

Yusuf, who had a brief conversation with Fatima, turned his head and looked at the three children.

“I heard you are adapting well in the capital. It must be an unfamiliar environment, so I’m glad.”

“It’s thanks to Valide Hatun’s [the mother of the Sultan] care.”

At Omer’s words, Yusuf slowly examined the three children.

Omer, the oldest at ten years old, Ali, nine years old, and Batur, the youngest at six years old.

‘To be honest, they are not as good as their fathers, but they are useful enough.’

Anyone would be lacking compared to a prince born from a combination of luck and traits, so they were good enough to be placed on the passing line.

It’s just that he couldn’t teach them directly.

“There are many plans in the world. There are plans that can yield great results at the cost of great risk, and there are plans that have little risk but also little reward. Do you know what plan I like the most?”

“Isn’t it the former? Doesn’t the Battle of Rome fall into that category?”

Yusuf smiled slightly at Omer’s answer.

At first glance, the Battle of Rome may seem like he took a gamble with his life.

“You’re wrong. The plan I like the most is one that benefits me no matter what choice the enemy makes. The Battle of Rome was like that too. No matter how hard Carlos racked his brains, there was no possibility of occupying Rome.”

He prepared for all the risk factors and entered without risk, and whatever choice Charles V made, it benefited the Empire.

“To make this possible, you must have a broader perspective than others. Of course, it’s not easy. But the satisfaction of succeeding in that is greater than anything else.”

Like the plan currently underway in the East.

Manila, the center of trade, is as important a land as Malacca, and it is a coveted place.

However, as the Ottomans, who care to some extent about their reputation, could not attack Manila without justification.

‘So I brought in the Ming Dynasty.’

To indirectly realize the Pacific route, so that Spain would covet Manila.

They would be able to absorb Manila by becoming a savior, just like they took Malacca.

Of course, he could easily leak the direct route, but if he had done so, they would have suspected it and the plan would not have proceeded as smoothly as it is now.

‘And because we hid that we leaked the route, we can make them suspect each other.’

Even the envoy who came the other day was terrified and returned, not knowing how the Ottomans knew in advance.

They would definitely think there was a traitor, and he leaked the story so that the viceroy in the New World would be suspected first.

‘Finally, I deliberately opened up the lifeline of trade.’

For the Ottomans, who had to worry about rising food prices, they needed staple crops such as corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes in America.

The more Murat occupied Africa, the more hungry mouths would increase.

In addition, he hoped that the Panama Canal, which Cortés had planned but abandoned in the original history, would proceed.

‘The Panama Canal is much more difficult than the Suez. There will be a huge loss of life, and that will result in worsening public sentiment among the natives.’

Of course, if it succeeds, it will bring enormous benefits that are worth trampling on the public sentiment of those natives.

‘We would be grateful if you connect it.’

Yusuf gave a mischievous smile.

“A person who forces harm on the enemy. Do you know what such a person is called? A conman. And a good ruler is a great conman.”

Like me.

Yusuf educated the children.