Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 26

#26. Fluctuating Situation (2)

Aisha frowned, her beautiful brow furrowed.

She had been taken aback and felt resistant to the sudden arrival of the Ottoman delegation, but their attitude changed when she revealed her origins.

With warm hospitality, representatives from the twelve tribes that comprised the Circassians gathered one after another.

‘Back then, I thought things would proceed smoothly.’

She had even looked forward to quickly achieving results and returning to Yusuf.

It was a hasty thought.

“If it’s a method that the Imperial Prince himself guarantees to be effective, we should start with the areas where the epidemic hasn’t spread yet.”

“That’s also a valid point, but we need to be careful. It’s none other than a plague. How about we try it on just a few people first and observe the progress?”

“The question of which tribe will step forward to verify it is also a problem.”

The meeting had been going around in circles for over a month already.

At first, she actively participated in the meetings and tried to ensure things went smoothly, but the same content had been repeated dozens of times.

At this point, even a fool would know what it meant.

‘They don’t intend to receive help from the Empire.’

Aisha looked at the tribal representatives with a cold gaze.

They weren’t fools, nor was it merely an emotional decision.

It was a long-standing antipathy towards the Empire, and the anxiety of not knowing what demands they would make in return for help.

They were already effectively preventing the spread of the epidemic through the blockade, so they didn’t desperately need help.

For complex reasons, they were just dragging things out, and it was a frustrating situation for Aisha, who had once been under their rule.

‘They’ve always hidden behind the sacrifices of a few, only looking out for their own safety.’

Since she and her homeland were among those sacrifices, she had no desire to understand them.

The more she saw them acting disgracefully, the more she thought of someone.

‘At least the Prince wouldn’t have done this.’

It wasn’t that he was kind or had outstanding compassion for the people. If he had, he wouldn’t have thrown his territory into chaos for the sake of a power struggle.

However, he wasn’t the type to idly watch meaningless sacrifices being repeated.

Aisha, who had been numbly watching the meetings where only voices were raised, stood up from her seat.

She had watched their charade long enough.

When she stood up in the middle of the meeting, gazes converged on her.

“I’d rather pack my bags than continue to watch this.”

At Aisha’s words, the representative of the Besleni, one of the twelve tribes, said with a hint of regret.

“You’ve come all the way from the Empire to help, and we’re sorry to see you return like this.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Unlike her words, Aisha wore a mocking smile towards them, who were clearly delighted.

“I’m planning to go directly to the plague-ridden areas.”

“What?!”

“You absolutely cannot go without our permission!”

As expected, a fierce backlash erupted, and Aisha coldly retorted.

“Then will you stop me by force?”

They immediately became speechless.

She was none other than the Prince’s woman.

They had to take care of her without letting a single hair be harmed, and if they oppressed her as she said, there was a high possibility of retaliation from the Empire.

Seeing them unable to properly stop her, Aisha turned around without regret and said to Sinan as she left the meeting hall.

“We’ll have to proceed as planned.”

“So it’s come to this after all.”

Since they had already discussed it in advance, there was nothing to be surprised about, and Aisha said to the guard.

“Also, tell Asker. It’s time to spread the rumors.”

“Understood.”

It had already been over a month since they arrived, and the representatives of each tribe had gathered, so those who needed to know knew why they had come from the Empire.

Asker, who had come ahead according to Yusuf’s orders, was planning to spread rumors that were favorable to the Empire and unfavorable to the tribal leaders.

‘First, shake the board with rumors and create gaps.’

As rumors spread and they achieved results in the plague-stricken areas, even the tribes that seemed to be united now would develop cracks.

There were twelve tribes, after all, and they couldn’t all be on good terms.

Furthermore, if things went well, they could even shake up the succession within each tribe.

‘Perhaps the Prince would have done this.’

Creating division with rumors and achievements, and seizing the initiative.

It was the method Yusuf had shown before, and Aisha took it out as it was.

Since it was already planned, she was able to finish preparing to leave before being hindered.

Aisha looked back at the faces of her group, who had finished preparing to depart.

Since they were entering the center of the epidemic, fear and tension were visible on their faces.

‘Once we go inside, it’s not just smallpox we have to worry about, so it can’t be helped.’

Since the security inside the blockade was unstable, they didn’t know when they would be attacked, and the sanitation would have deteriorated further, so they could contract other diseases besides smallpox.

Aisha smiled faintly, recalling the explanations Yusuf had given her countless times before departure.

“I miss you already.”

Even if she missed him, she had no intention of returning empty-handed.

With anxiety and anticipation, Aisha’s group entered the center of the epidemic, becoming the eye of the storm.

***

Mzetchabuk Jaqeli

Jaqeli was the family name, and the name was Mzetchabuk.

This man, whose name was difficult to pronounce because it was in Georgian, was someone who would leave his name in history books to some extent, but he was far below Yusuf in terms of succession potential.

“For now, my brother is the ruler of the principality.”

The brother who had ascended to the throne two years ago was evaluated as a wise and educated ruler, and maintained good relations with other Georgian kingdoms.

It was an impeccable rule, and it meant that he had no chance of taking over the rule.

Unless his brother died.

“Frankly, I don’t care if he killed him directly. What’s important is that he’s a person who can take over the rule.”

To put it bluntly, he was an undervalued blue-chip stock whose stock price would skyrocket within a year.

He already had a few ideas on how to use him.

“I’m not going to give him a lavish welcome just because he’s useful.”

No matter how well you treat an ambitious person, most of them don’t know gratitude, so you had to wield the whip first.

Yusuf’s thoughts were reflected as they were, and the first thing the delegation that entered the Sanjak [district] of Trabzon faced was over a hundred Sipahis [Ottoman cavalrymen].

Naturally, the delegation protested against this.

“Why are you oppressing us!”

“We’d rather go back!”

Even these protests didn’t last long because of the Sipahis who were watching with murderous glints in their eyes.

Mzetchabuk, who was leading the delegation, also looked pale at the unexpectedly threatening appearance.

He could feel that things had gone wrong before they even started, for some reason.

The delegation, who had arrived at Trabzon Castle almost dragged along, were surprised by the unexpectedly vibrant appearance of Trabzon.

‘It hasn’t been long since there was such a big commotion, but it’s already recovered.’

It hadn’t been long since the Prince had turned the territory upside down, but there wasn’t a hint of fear on the people’s faces.

If the intelligence wasn’t false, it meant that the Prince’s ruling power was that outstanding.

“Nice to meet you. Welcome to Trabzon.”

Therefore, they couldn’t help but be surprised once again when they saw the Prince, who was welcoming them from the seat of honor.

‘I knew he was young, but he’s a complete kid.’

‘Does he have competent subordinates? That’s more likely.’

There were more than a few who showed their embarrassment as it was.

Yusuf raised one corner of his mouth towards them.

“Everyone seems to have complicated thoughts?”

The delegation was startled by Yusuf’s remark, and Mzetchabuk, who was the only one maintaining his composure, carefully bowed his head.

“Excuse me. I am Mzetchabuk Jaqeli, leading the delegation.”

At the appearance of the person he had been waiting for, Yusuf slowly examined the other party.

His appearance was ordinary. He gave off the feeling of a common middle-aged man.

He didn’t exude the suffocating sense of intimidation like Selim.

At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary person, but.

‘He’s like a snake.’

The way he quickly looked around with his eyes, pretending not to, reminded him of a snake.

Yusuf smiled.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Shehzade [Prince] Yusuf, the owner of Trabzon. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“It’s nothing. Thank you for welcoming us despite the sudden visit.”

Being dragged along menacingly by the Sipahis was also a welcome if you called it that.

“Please sit comfortably. I have many questions that I’m curious about, so I can’t wait for you to relieve your fatigue.”

“Very well.”

Mzetchabuk accepted it calmly, even though Yusuf didn’t give him any time to rest.

It had been a continuous battle of wits from the Sipahis until now.

‘Shall I see how long he can remain calm?’

Yusuf asked with a mischievous smile.

“So, what brings you here in such a hurry, even forming a delegation?”

“I heard that the Prince has become the new owner of Trabzon, so isn’t it natural to pay a visit? I was also interested in the policies you implemented in Trabzon.”

So that’s how it was.

The Prince, who had arrived not long ago and brandished his sword in his territory, must have made the Principality of Samtskhe, which was attached to the Ottomans, feel uneasy.

They didn’t know when that blade would be directed at them.

‘I have no intention of struggling to take over such land when I have to fight Ismail.’

It wasn’t land where oil would gush out with just a few shovels, so it wasn’t worth the effort to occupy.

Well, they wouldn’t know about these thoughts, so they must be worried.

In that case, wouldn’t it be natural to make them even more uneasy?

“It’s amusing that Samtskhe is so interested in the news of our Empire.”

“We are simply paying attention to our surroundings in order to survive.”

Yusuf raised one corner of his mouth at this answer.

“So you’re also very interested in the movements of the Sufis who follow the Shia sect. The one leading them was Ismail, wasn’t it?”

Mzetchabuk’s eyes wavered.

If he was surprised by this much, his heart might stop at the following words.

“Is there anything to be surprised about? It would be strange not to know when they’re moving so openly. Isn’t that so?”

“That’s true.”

“It wouldn’t be strange if you supported Ismail in order to break away from the White Sheep Dynasty.”

Mzetchabuk felt goosebumps all over his body at the green eyes that seemed to see through his thoughts.

The plan to help Ismail was a matter discussed only by the top echelons of each kingdom.

You could tell just by looking at the bewildered faces of the delegation members who had come with him.

Yusuf smiled at Mzetchabuk, who was even feeling fear because he didn’t know how much he knew.

“Hahaha, there’s no need to be so surprised. It’s just a light joke.”

“Is that so? I was taken aback by the sudden story.”

Did he just guess? Mzetchabuk, who was trying to feel relieved, realized that his relief was premature at Yusuf’s following words.

“Even if you really provide military support, I have no intention of interfering. That will be your judgment.”

‘He knows.’

He didn’t know where the information had leaked from, but it was certain that he knew.

Yusuf laughed inwardly at his confused appearance.

‘He wouldn’t normally be someone you could probe so easily like this.’

The long walking journey, the pressure from the Sipahis, and the chilling conversation that followed before he could even relieve his fatigue.

It was something that was difficult to endure with ordinary mental strength.

It seemed like he would slowly open up, and Yusuf made a suggestion.

“How about we send the subordinates to rest and have a conversation alone?”

Mzetchabuk, who had lightly calculated the gains and losses, agreed, and they were left alone in the wide space.

“What story did you leave me for?”

“It’s nothing special, I just left you because I had something I was curious about. As you know, the princes of our Empire kill each other to become the owner of the Empire, right?”

It was such a famous custom that it was well known even in other countries.

“So I don’t understand how you can easily inherit the rule just because you’re the eldest son. How did it feel when you lost your position because of being the eldest son?”

At the question that could be insulting, Mzetchabuk unknowingly asked a question that he wouldn’t normally ask.

“What would the Prince have done?”

Yusuf laughed.

It was ridiculous to ask the Ottoman prince about brotherly love.

“What’s there to say? Of course, I would have killed him if I had the chance. Now that you’ve heard my answer, give me your answer in return.”

How deep is your brotherly love?