Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 207

Perfect Justification (1)

No matter how outstanding a person is, there are limits to what they can do alone.

This is especially true when it comes to running a country. Even running a small store is too much for one person, let alone a country.

In the end, you have to trust and delegate, but sometimes there are those who betray that trust.

“The Sanjakbey [District Governor] of Selanik [Thessaloniki] took bribes from Jewish merchants and acted accordingly, is that right?”

Selanik is the Ottoman pronunciation of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Geographically, it was a major port for entering the Balkans and had long been considered an important trade hub.

“Were there many Jews in Selanik?”

“Yes, more than half of the city’s population of over 30,000 are Jews.”

The reason why there were more Jews than Greeks in Greek territory was that the Jews who were expelled from Spain settled there.

It was a policy implemented by the empire to reduce the influence of the Greeks.

“That’s a lot. So, the Sanjakbey must have been in cahoots with them.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I can turn a blind eye to taking kickbacks if it’s not excessive, and provide convenience accordingly.”

It’s not that I condone it because of the rotten people’s excuse that fish can’t live in water that’s too clear [meaning that some level of corruption is inevitable].

It’s difficult to stop everything that continues as a custom, and a lot of human and material resources are spent on monitoring corruption, punishing corrupt officials, and deploying new officials.

However, there is a reasonable limit.

“I cannot tolerate hindering other merchants beyond providing convenience.”

Even delaying entry permits and making customs clearance procedures difficult is a major blow to merchants.

Shemsi, who reported, asked.

“How will you punish him?”

“Turn him over to the court. He will be punished according to previous precedents.”

He will probably be sentenced to confiscation of property and forced labor. Instead of being stuck in a mine, he will be buried in piles of documents.

As if he had expected the result, Shemsi bowed his head and carefully opened his mouth.

“Padishah [Ottoman Sovereign], do you intend to leave the intelligence agency as it is?”

“Was this also confirmed by the intelligence agency?”

“Yes, it was. It’s not that I don’t know their hard work, but it’s also true that the size of the organization has become too large.”

Shemsi, who is close to Hassan, the head of the intelligence agency, and knows how well Yusuf uses the intelligence agency, expressed concern.

“I know that the intelligence agency personnel are loyal to the Padishah. However, the Padishah has less than 5 years left. There is a high possibility that it will be corrupted when it meets a new owner.”

“I understand your concerns. I am well aware of the risks.”

Looking at the original history, the CIA, which is similar to the intelligence agency, has caused more than one or two problems like a runaway horse.

Because it is easy to get out of control as it operates in the shadows.

“But, what isn’t? Even the Janissaries [elite Ottoman infantry], who are loyal to me, can be corrupted after a hundred years. It may be more dangerous than the corruption of the intelligence agency. Should I cut out the Janissaries too?”

If it stagnates, it rots. It’s not for nothing that people often say that. It means that there are many situations in which it is commonly used.

Yusuf leaned back.

“If the blade is dull, it must be sharpened. But, sharpening that blade is not what we should do now. Sharpening an already sharp knife will only weaken the blade. Isn’t that so?”

“…That’s right.”

“I guess you’re getting worried as it’s time for you to step down. Whether to create a group to check it, or to split the organization, that’s what those who come after will do. You may be worried and distrustful, but you can’t keep coddling the child who will come out of the cradle forever.”

Of course, today’s decision may be a mistake in the distant future.

Just as Suleiman, who is called the Great in the original history, is evaluated to have made mistakes that led to the decline of the empire.

‘But that’s just a result-oriented story anyway. If the descendants had corrected the problems that arose, it wouldn’t have been evaluated as a mistake.’

If a problem arises, it is because an incompetent guy is sitting in this position who can’t even sharpen the blade in time.

At least while I’m alive, I don’t intend to let that happen, and I can’t help it because the distant future is out of my hands.

I’ll either get caught up in the revolution and die.

“All we can do is believe in the guy who will be punished this time, just like we did. Don’t worry too much. Or are you so free that you’re worried about that?”

“Don’t say such things even as a joke.”

Yusuf, who smiled lightly at Shemsi’s serious face, shook the empty coffee cup with his finger.

“More than that, Mehmed said he brought the Grand Duke of Moscow.”

“I heard.”

“That was his choice.”

The current Grand Duke of Moscow, Ivan IV, is the first Russian monarch who will later be nicknamed the Terrible.

He is a capable person who laid the foundation for the vast Russia, and also a person who committed all kinds of madness.

“Are you uncomfortable with that?”

“Uncomfortable, huh? It’s not that kind of story.”

If you only think about his ability, he is a rare person in this era. The problem is whether he can be controlled.

The reason why he showed madness to the point of massacring his own people is usually attributed to three things.

Abuse suffered by nobles in childhood, syphilis that spread to the brain, and mercury poisoning.

Even if he had only one of them, he would have been crazy, but it’s strange that he’s normal with all three.

‘But I can’t rule out the possibility that it’s his true nature, and apart from that, kidnapping was more dangerous than beneficial.’

Yusuf tapped the armrest with his finger.

“I gave him information that the young Grand Duke was being abused, and left the choice to him. And if it was just to gain justification, there was no need to risk kidnapping him.”

“Even if he just wrote a letter asking for help in his own handwriting, it would have been a justification for invasion.”

“Yes, of course, if the Ottomans invaded with that as a justification, the remaining Grand Duke and his brother could be in a difficult situation. They could even die. But, that’s none of our business.”

It’s cold-hearted, but it’s fortunate that the kidnapping plan was successful, but there was a high possibility that it would fail.

Then Mehmed would have to start a war without justification and be responsible for going the hard way.

“Mehmed can’t not know the risks, and it’s not like that child who calculates gains and losses. It’s certain that there’s been a change of heart, which is interesting.”

Whether the change will benefit the empire remains to be seen.

Yusuf smiled as if he was amused that his son, who he thought he knew well, had changed.

***

Mehmed indifferently watched the two children eating busily.

He doubted whether they were the same children who had come to him looking like beggars, but after being washed and properly dressed, they looked quite noble.

Perhaps a large part of their nobility comes from their neat table manners, even when eating in a hurry.

‘I can’t believe they rummaged through the trash and ate rotten food.’

Seeing them shove so much food into their mouths every meal, it doesn’t seem like a lie.

When the children, who had gained quite a bit of weight since he first saw them, finished their meal, Mehmed opened his mouth to their backs.

“It’s about to begin, Grand Duke.”

There’s no need to explain what’s about to begin.

Ivan, who was staring at Mehmed, asked.

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you being so nice to us? Is it just for justification?”

The reason why they followed those whose identities they weren’t even sure of was because they thought anywhere would be better than hellish Moscow.

This thought was correct, but he was bothered by the fact that they were being treated better than he had expected.

At Ivan’s question, Mehmed stroked his beard with his hand.

“As you said, once I have you in my hands, there’s no need to be so nice to you. I could torture you, or take your brother hostage, and you would have no choice but to follow my will.”

It was such a blunt statement that Ivan would have been angry if Yuri, who was smiling and grabbing his full stomach, didn’t have hearing problems.

Ivan asked with sharp eyes.

“But why?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. Is it because he’s about the same age as my son in the capital? I’m just concerned.”

At the lighter reason than he expected, Ivan smiled weakly as his tension was relieved.

“Is that all?”

“Did you think I wanted something special from you? It’s good to have pride, but it’s not good to overestimate yourself.”

It’s a land that doesn’t benefit the Ottomans much to the point that they wouldn’t have even looked at the Grand Duchy of Moscow if Yusuf hadn’t ordered them to.

Ivan pouted his lips at the words that pointed out the reality.

“Ha, I’m curious what it’s like for a guy who was born under someone like a prince.”

“I’ll introduce you later. But I think he’ll get along better with your brother than you.”

At least I won’t have to suffer from earaches from the constant questions.

Mehmed chuckled as he swallowed these words, and Ivan was slightly surprised.

Because it was the first time he had seen him smile, even though they had spent quite a long time together.

“Anyway, we’re going to war soon. What are you going to do?”

“I want to go with you, but I’m worried about Yuri.”

He wanted to see the punishment of those who had insulted him and his brother with his own eyes, but he was worried about his brother who would be left alone.

A soft female voice was heard in Ivan’s ear, who couldn’t make a decision easily.

“Don’t worry and go.”

“Mother.”

The golden hair that had shone brilliantly couldn’t overcome the flow of time and faded, and wrinkles were faintly visible on the eyes revealed outside the veil.

However, the time that took away her beautiful appearance bore the fruit of dignity.

Aisha, who captivated the atmosphere just by taking a light step, reached out to Yuri.

“Ugh!”

Aisha, who smiled brightly and gently stroked Yuri’s head as he hugged her legs, gestured to Ivan as well.

Aisha lightly patted Ivan’s back as he approached hesitantly.

Unlike Mehmed, who had learned Russian while ruling the Donbass region, he couldn’t communicate with Aisha.

However, Aisha had penetrated deep into the hearts of the two children to the point that not only Yuri but even Ivan let down his guard and approached her.

“Mehmed, tell him not to worry and be careful because I will take good care of Yuri.”

Ivan, who indirectly heard Aisha’s words, nodded his head.

If she took care of his brother, he could go without worry.

“Prince, I will go with you.”

It was the moment when the perfect justification joined the Ottoman army.

***

The disappearance of the Grand Duke and his brother was a huge incident, but the people of Moscow did not know this fact.

This is because the boyars [Russian aristocrats], the knightly class of Eastern Europe, hid this fact.

Of course, the news didn’t go outside the palace, but the inside was completely turned upside down by this incident.

“Andrei Shuisky! Didn’t you kill the Grand Duke?!”

“What nonsense are you talking about?!”

“If the Grand Duke’s bloodline is cut off, isn’t the Shuisky family the one who will inherit the position?! I can’t help but suspect!”

“Belsky! Who was it that drove the Grand Duke out of the castle and created this situation, and why are you spouting such nonsense?!”

In the Duma [Russian assembly of boyars], the council of the Grand Duchy, the boyars raised their voices and fought.

They were boyars who were engaged in a fierce power struggle to the point that they could lose their lives at any time if they were careless.

There were already too many bridges crossed to unite their strength in a crisis situation.

The boyars, who were becoming more and more anxious as the Grand Duke’s disappearance period lengthened, became so emotional that they were about to cause another bloodshed, and Shuisky, who held the greatest power, shouted.

“Stop! Stop! Finding the culprit is the priority now! We have to find the Grand Duke!”

There were no boyars who didn’t know that fighting with raised voices was an escape from reality, and a heavy silence flowed through the Duma.

“First of all, it is true that the soldiers who were guarding the Grand Duke are dead, and the Grand Duke has disappeared. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive, but he’s not in Moscow.”

It’s also true that they were careless because they didn’t think there would be a force that would kidnap the Grand Duke in Moscow, but that force was very meticulous.

They found traces of secretly leaving Moscow, but their skill in shaking off the pursuit afterwards was extraordinary.

‘Maybe it’s not a force from the Grand Duchy.’

Shuisky didn’t express his suspicion out loud. Because if he said it, he felt like the worst situation would become a reality.

“There will be an event soon where we have to take the Grand Duke to an official event. You have to find him by any means until then. Even if you have to ask other nobles for help.”

“That’s…”

“Don’t forget that it’s already the worst situation.”

Even if the boyars had to give up a little of the power they held, that was the best they could do.

When the Duma became noisy again as they shared their opinions, the door burst open.

“I, I found the Grand Duke’s location!”

“You found him?!”

The faces of the boyars, who had been brightened by the news that they had found his location, quickly turned black.

“He was in the Ottoman Empire! And the Grand Duke asked for help, and the Ottomans raised an army!”

“What?!”

For the Grand Duchy, which was struggling even with the looting of the Crimean Khanate, the Ottoman attack itself was a terror.

But, the bad news wasn’t just this.

“In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople sent letters to all the churches in the Grand Duchy.”

“Get out of the way!”

Shuisky, who snatched the paper from the hand of the person who had urgently delivered the news, read it quickly.

-…Like this, the Lord took pity on the Grand Duke who suffered from all kinds of atrocities by the boyars and guided the hand of the Ottoman Empire, the guardian of the church. Brothers of faith, do not resist. Because it is the punishment of the guilty. And the guilty, fear. Because the day when justice will be established in the Grand Duchy is approaching.

A villain wearing a mask of hypocrisy stabbed a knife into the heart of the Grand Duchy.