Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 209

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 209 (209/213)

Scheduled Event (1)

Carlos drummed his fingers on the armrest, his expression stiff.

The explosively grown influence of Osman had spread deeply throughout Europe, to the point where if Osman so much as coughed, neighboring countries would fall ill.

It wasn’t an exaggeration; even a slight increase in canal tolls would cause European prices to fluctuate, making it seem like Europe was held on Osman’s leash.

‘That’s why I should have captured Yusuf during the Siege of Rome. Damn those foolish merchants.’

All the numerous defeats suffered at the hands of Yusuf were painful, but the most bitter defeat was the Siege of Rome.

If Venice hadn’t betrayed them and Yusuf had been captured in Rome, Osman wouldn’t be what it is today.

Of course, he had heard the reason for the betrayal, but Carlos couldn’t accept it.

‘No matter how crazy those Osman guys are, would they really destroy the canal?’

In one corner of his mind, the thought that they were capable of anything arose, but Carlos, wanting to find the responsibility for the defeat elsewhere, denied that thought.

Anyway, even a cough could shake the surrounding countries, and Osman, fluctuating ahead of the succession, was having a huge impact on its surroundings.

Prince Murat had swallowed half of Africa, and Prince Mustafa, for reasons unknown, was ordering ships on a large scale, causing timber prices to soar.

Prince Mehmed, who seemed quiet without any action, had made the Grand Duchy of Moscow a vassal state.

“Do you think Prince Kasim, not Mehmed, could become the next emperor?”

“…I don’t think so.”

“Damn it.”

He was just asking in case.

For Osman, making Moscow a vassal state was beneficial in itself, but Moscow also became a means to check Lithuania.

The two countries were on bad terms, frequently engaging in wars.

Mehmed’s achievements were too great to overlook with just building a bridge, and Carlos indifferently asked the gathered vassals.

“Then, is there a way to recover the money we supported?”

The vassals avoided eye contact.

There was no way. Even if they tore down the entire bridge, they wouldn’t be able to recover it.

“In the meantime, in the East, the Ming Dynasty fleet is attacking our merchant ships.”

“It seems they found out about the attack on the Ming Dynasty ships that reached the New World.”

“Then how the hell did they find out about that!”

Not many people within Spain knew about it, but the fact that the Ming Dynasty, far away, knew about it was beyond strange and absurd.

More than the cause, the problem was how to solve this.

“Can we reconcile with the Ming Dynasty again?”

“It won’t be easy. According to the returning merchant, they can’t even talk to the Ming people because of what the Portuguese did in the past.”

“Isn’t that the fault of the Portuguese?”

“It seems they look the same to them…”

He didn’t know exactly what the Portuguese had done in the East, but untangling the twisted thread seemed unusually difficult.

“The only way is to ask Osman for mediation.”

“They won’t do it. How much is the damage?”

“There are several ships that couldn’t return due to storms and the Ming Dynasty, but more ships are returning, and it’s more than enough to recover the losses. That’s why the scale of merchant ships going to Manila is constantly increasing.”

“And as a countermeasure against the Ming Dynasty fleet, they are strengthening armaments or forming alliances between merchant ships.”

The reason why Spanish ships were helplessly attacked was due to the limitations of merchant ships rather than the strength of the Ming Dynasty fleet.

Ships that increased space for loading had weak armaments, reduced crew numbers, and slower speeds due to the weight of the goods.

Increasing defense by sacrificing space, or moving by creating a fleet of merchant ships, is the safest way.

Of course, friction with the Ming Dynasty will intensify as much, but Spain doesn’t have time to build a relationship with the Ming Dynasty at ease. They don’t know when Osman will close the port of Manila.

Seeing this, a sense of regret washed over him.

“I wish we had started the canal construction in the New World sooner.”

If they had dug the canal earlier, which they had postponed due to lack of resources, many things would have been different.

He swallowed the growing regret as he thought of Osman, who had become the strongest country by digging a canal.

It was fortunate that they had started the canal construction now, and there was a separate agenda that was important enough to create this position.

“We will soon revoke Ferdinand’s authority to govern the Holy Roman Empire as regent.”

The vassals gathered at Carlos’ declaration had faces that said it was coming.

There were signs. The blame for the defeat in the Siege of Rome was placed on him, and unlike Carlos, who was doubted for his abilities due to repeated failures, Ferdinand’s abilities were recognized.

Of course, it was relatively noticeable because Carlos was so bad.

“There will be quite a backlash. We must prepare thoroughly and proceed.”

“We must summon the Archduke of Austria here before announcing it, and we must have some of the nobles of the Holy Roman Empire on our side.”

Various opinions poured out as if they had been waiting, and Carlos listened to the various opinions.

When the conference hall was heating up with the exchange of opinions, a person appeared who poured cold water on it.

“Your Majesty. A letter from the Imperial Diet has arrived.”

“Bring it!”

The Imperial Diet, composed of the Prince-Electors and feudal nobles who elect the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Imperial Cities that govern themselves as cities under the direct control of the Emperor.

This Imperial Diet, the most powerful group after the Emperor, was something Carlos, who had not heard of the convocation of the Diet, unfolded the letter.

-The act of supporting the Prince of the Ottoman Empire with profits gained from the Empire is an act of betrayal and a dangerous act that could provoke a war with the Ottomans. The Imperial Diet, which must prioritize the safety of the Empire, is greatly concerned about this matter…

Carlos, who had been suppressing his anger while reading the following letter, crumpled the letter after seeing the sentence written at the end.

-…In order to prevent recurrence, we would like to nominate the Archduke of Austria as King of Germany.

King of Germany, a term that refers to the de facto emperor in the Holy Roman Empire who has only not received coronation from the Pope.

“Ferdinand!”

His brother’s betrayal was faster.

***

The news that the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire was nominating Ferdinand as King of Germany brought even greater chaos to the already complicated situation due to Osman.

Carlos naturally protested fiercely, and the Holy Roman Empire did not budge.

The atmosphere became so ominous that it was said that it was fortunate that France was between Spain and the Holy Roman Empire.

As the situation flowed fiercely, the support of Prince Kasim, which the Imperial Diet presented as a reason, also received great attention.

In response, Kasim readily admitted it, but said firmly.

-It is true that I received support in response to the statement that I wanted to establish a good relationship with the Empire, but as a prince, I have never promised any compensation for it.

That’s not wrong. He had promised after becoming Padishah [Sultan], but he had not promised what he would do as a prince.

It was clear to anyone that Carlos had been taken advantage of, and the Imperial Diet used this as a basis to drive Carlos even further.

Watching the situation unfold, Yusuf smiled mischievously.

“Doesn’t watching brothers fight make you feel warm inside, reminding you of old times?”

“I don’t think the parties involved would think so.”

“That’s none of my business.”

Yusuf took a sip of coffee.

Frankly, the Imperial Diet’s claim is far-fetched. There is no guarantee that the money supported to Kasim came from the Holy Roman Empire, and even if it did, it is difficult to take issue with it because it is Carlos’ property.

Yet, they are making far-fetched claims.

“How much did Carlos hate governing the Holy Roman Empire that they would come out like this? Thinking about it, isn’t Carlos amazing too?”

“Considering his past actions, it’s only natural.”

As Shemsi said, considering Carlos’ actions, it was strange that a large-scale rebellion did not occur in Spain.

He was the culprit who created the opportunity for Osman to set foot in Rome, dropping the authority of Christianity to the bottom.

The perception that he is an incompetent ruler who has only inflated Osman’s belly with repeated defeats is widespread.

It was only natural for the Imperial Diet to freak out when Carlos, who was like that, thought of ousting Ferdinand, who was working smoothly as an agent, and wielding power.

“It’s frustrating for Carlos, but he will have to acknowledge Ferdinand becoming the King of Germany. It’s not a situation where he can suppress it with force.”

“Even if he opposes Ferdinand, someone like the King of France will take his place, so there is no choice.”

“Come to think of it, is that guy still sending letters to Hasna?”

“It’s lasting longer than I thought.”

Being a king, sending letters from France to Osman wouldn’t be a burden, but considering the sincerity of sending them steadily, you can see how tenacious a man’s first love is.

“He even said he wanted to visit the Empire in person, didn’t he?”

“I heard that the French nobles were horrified and stopped him.”

Even though they are in an alliance with Osman, it is unsettling for their king to go to another country.

Moreover, the distance is not close.

“He’s in his twenties, but he hasn’t gotten married and endured, so he has no successor, right? It’s natural to stop him.”

He was recognized for his abilities because the attack on Milan, which he led despite the opposition of the nobles, was successful, but he stubbornly refused to marry, making the nobles anxious.

How much would the French nobles want to bring Hasna, who believes in Islam, as queen?

‘Of course, that’s ridiculous.’

There is no reason to send Hasna to France, and she herself is satisfied with the capital life where young royals gather.

It’s just that François II and the French nobles, who are rejected like an annual event, can only sigh.

“I wonder when he will give up his lingering feelings. I’m getting tired of seeing the French envoys begging and pleading.”

“He may not give up his lingering feelings, but he will get married. He can’t stay in a state without a successor forever.”

Yusuf, who was exchanging opinions with Shemsi, suddenly burst into a small laugh.

“Isn’t that guy amazing too? He even makes us worry about his children. I haven’t even worried about the princes.”

“Wouldn’t that be an ability too?”

Shemsi laughed as if he felt it was a funny situation.

When they took a sip of coffee to moisten their dry throats, Yusuf erased his smile and said.

“There aren’t many days left to sit here and drink coffee together.”

It means that the end of the promised 15 years is approaching.

Now that Kasim’s last mission to create a deep rift between Carlos and Ferdinand has been accomplished, everything he wanted to achieve in this position is over.

Osman was at a time when he had to focus on stability rather than expansion while digesting what the princes had achieved, and he didn’t need to worry about that.

“It’s time to prepare for the abdication.”

At Yusuf’s declaration, the Silahhtars [guards] who were guarding him knelt down all at once.

He felt the sad emotions of those who wanted to oppose but had no right to oppose, and Yusuf raised his eyebrows.

“Grand Vizier, even the Silahhtars are like this, so it seems like it will be tiring for a while.”

“I expected this.”

He had already announced his abdication plan more than 10 years ago, but even that time seemed insufficient to properly accept it.

Of course, even if there is a backlash, there is no way to change the scheduled event.

“The scheduled abdication will take place at the end of winter in the capital in two years, so tell them to gather in the capital.”

Mustafa in Australia would need to take a full year to come to the capital after hearing the news, so he had to issue a summons now.

“I will proceed accordingly.”

Shemsi bowed his head with a relieved and regretful face.

It was a moment when he realized that it was really time to step down from this position.

And Shemsi was not the only one who felt this news was new.

***

The news that the princes would be summoned to the capital in two years for the abdication spread quickly.

It’s not something that can be hidden even if you try to hide it, and it’s because you didn’t try to hide it.

The reaction to this news was immediate.

“G, Grand Vizier!”

“What’s going on?”

The Grand Vizier, who was carrying out his duties, asked indifferently when the vizier under his command hurriedly approached.

“An enormous number of letters opposing the abdication are piling up.”

“I see.”

It’s a fully expected reaction.

When he first announced the abdication plan, he received an enormous number of letters pouring in from all over the country.

From suspicions that the reason why Padishah [Sultan] is stepping down is your fault to threats that they will make you regret it if you don’t stop it.

He had received all kinds of letters, so there was nothing to be surprised about.

“Isn’t it just a matter of selecting the ones from reasonably well-known people, writing replies, and discarding the rest? It’s not the first time, so why the fuss.”

At Shemsi’s dissatisfied words, the vizier hurriedly shook his head.

“It’s not just letters. Those who oppose Padishah’s abdication are gathering in the capital from all over the country.”

At these words, Shemsi’s expressionless face broke for the first time.

“How many are there?”

“…It seems there will be at least a hundred thousand.”

He didn’t expect this.

Shemsi, who heard the report, suddenly stood up from his seat.

“Where are you going?!”

“I’m going to Padishah. I should resign two years earlier.”

Of course, he was firmly rejected, and Shemsi and the officials shuddered at the thought of the guests who would be coming soon.

The scheduled backlash had arrived.