Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 39

#39. The Sultan’s Summons (1)

Creating successors is an important duty for royalty.

Looking at the Sultan alone, he maintained his marital status as legally single to circumvent Islamic law, which only allows four legal wives, and instead built a harem.

Children could die at any time due to war, disease, or unfortunate accidents. The more potential successors there were, the better the chances of finding truly exceptional ones, so it was a natural choice.

This was unavoidable for Yusuf as well.

‘It’s a bit strange to think about having children at 14, but it’s necessary when I think about the future.’

To put it coldly, a son is just a tool to increase a prince’s chances of succession.

Just having many sons can gain the support of officials who want a stable succession, and it becomes a strong support base when he becomes a Sanjakbey [governor of a district].

For a prince who doesn’t have to worry about childcare costs, the best investment is his sons. It may sound ruthless, but Yusuf felt the same way.

Yusuf gently brushed back Ayşe’s hair as she slept soundly next to him, her fair shoulders exposed.

‘Even if it’s a child Ayşe gave birth to, it’s no different.’

If it’s a son, he would be a tool to make himself stand out before becoming Sultan, and if he becomes Sultan, he would be one of many successors.

If it’s a daughter, she would be the subject of a political marriage for smooth rule.

Anyway, since he will have many descendants in the future, he didn’t regret buying the [Excellent Genes] trait.

‘It’s a trait that increases the probability of an outstanding child being born, but if it’s a matter of luck, there’s no need to worry.’

Strictly speaking, isn’t the kind of child born always a matter of luck?

Even if acquired factors cannot be ignored, there is such a thing as innate talent.

The idea that luck will also affect his children is just speculation.

‘If possible, I hope smart children like Suleiman are born.’

So they’re easy to exploit.

It’s hard to make someone else’s child a workaholic like Yaya, who ran away to the capital, so raising his own son that way wouldn’t be bad.

He doesn’t know what his future sons will think, though.

Yusuf smiled to himself and carefully got up, so as not to wake Ayşe, and headed to his office.

“Everyone’s here?”

Şemsi, Arda, and Hasan were already gathered in the office, and Yusuf sat in the seat of honor.

Seeing Yusuf’s complexion bright, despite the slight fatigue, Arda asked with a slightly smiling voice.

“You look bright, so you must be having a good time these days.”

“Well, it’s not bad.”

To be honest, it was good. To the point where he almost impulsively chose Virility as his trait?

Hearing Yusuf’s answer, Şemsi said in his unique, dry tone.

“It’s the best time, and although successors are important, it’s meaningless if your health deteriorates.”

“It’s not like I can’t control myself to that extent, so you don’t have to worry.”

Living like a degenerate, indulging in women, is something only those with leisure can do. It’s impossible for him, who is walking a tightrope on the edge of a cliff.

Şemsi, who was worried that he might be too caught up in the pleasure he was experiencing for the first time, nodded as if relieved.

“As you know, the fame from this war is spreading rapidly. This means that more people will be paying attention to you in the future.”

“I know. My brothers will start interfering in earnest.”

The old Sultan would step back to watch the situation to distinguish the gems from the stones, and his brothers would do anything to get rid of Yusuf, who had newly emerged.

The war with Venice had already entered the peace negotiation stage, so the officials who had been unable to pay attention to the succession dispute because of the war would rejoin it.

‘It’s time for me to use any means necessary too.’

Even if countless blood flows in that path.

Yusuf looked back at Hasan, who had started to gain weight again recently.

“Hasan, did you send the letters detailing the atrocities of the Shia to the Qadis [Islamic judges] and Muftis [Islamic legal scholars]?”

“Of course.”

He sent writings about the Sunni oppression currently taking place in Safavid to the Qadis, who work as Islamic judges, and the Muftis, who are Islamic legal scholars.

Their role within Islam is not small, so they would create negative public opinion about the Shia.

‘The conflict between Sunnis and Shias needs to deepen further than it is now.’

That way, the holy war he waged can shine more.

In addition, an anti-Shia atmosphere can be created within the empire, creating greater chaos.

Satisfied with Hasan’s answer, Yusuf turned his head to Arda.

“It’s good to rejoice in victory, but isn’t it time to discipline the soldiers? The rumors aren’t good.”

“I apologize. As you said, there were some acts of misconduct, and I have entrusted the judgment to Ömer Qadi.”

“If they have committed a crime, they must receive a reasonable punishment. And those who have lost their discipline should be excluded from the war with Georgia.”

“Understood.”

Since they have already experienced getting rich in the war, they wouldn’t want to be excluded from the war.

Especially since the war with Georgia was likely to be easy.

“Your Highness, may I ask you one question?”

It was very rare for Hasan to ask a question.

It wasn’t easy for a slave to dare to ask his master a question, and Hasan had a crime to his name.

“What is it?”

“Do you have any plans to sell cement externally? Not only the two Sanjakbeys who participated in the war together, but also merchants who heard the rumors have shown interest.”

“Selling…”

It was definitely a product that could make money if sold, but it was necessary to consider it.

There is no concept of patents, and the materials for making cement are not special, so it can be copied anywhere.

Even if he hid the manufacturing process, there are no eternal secrets.

Şemsi asked Yusuf, who was pondering for a moment.

“Your Highness, how about offering the cement manufacturing method to the Padishah [Ottoman Sultan] instead?”

“To the Padishah?”

“First of all, we cannot hide the existence of cement from the Padishah. We have already sent a report of the victory to the capital, but we must report the detailed war process.”

“That’s true.”

To answer the question of how he captured five thousand Kizilbash [Shia militants] without much damage, he had to mention the existence of cement.

There were already too many people who had directly experienced it to make a false report.

“So you mean that since the Padishah will find out anyway, we should offer it in advance?”

“He is not someone who doesn’t know its value, so the Padishah will give a reasonable reward.”

Certainly, Bayezid was not a stingy person. Rather, he had a generous personality.

It wouldn’t be a bad choice if he could play the role of a good son and get a reward.

“I’ll have to think about this a little more.”

It wasn’t too late to think about it after the Sultan’s reply to the victory report arrived.

And after a month, the Sultan’s letter arrived, containing words that no one had expected.

***

A month is a period in which many things can happen.

The number of Janissaries [elite Ottoman soldiers], who had achieved sufficient results with only five hundred men, nearly doubled in preparation for the war with Georgia.

They are undergoing strenuous training for the expedition next spring and are rapidly transforming into an elite force.

The fortress of Erzurum had completely repaired the damage caused by Ismail’s army’s attack, and the surrounding villages that had not yet been subjugated were completely brought under control.

Since he had occupied Bayburt and Erzurum, the size of the Sanjak had virtually doubled.

‘It’s not a land that makes a lot of money, though.’

It was not a financially helpful land, as it was a place where soldiers had to be stationed to confront the Safavids.

What’s important is that the number of soldiers that can be mobilized has increased.

While he was living each day diligently, the letter that arrived from the capital contained content that warranted an emergency meeting.

“For the Padishah to tell me to come to the capital in person. That’s strange.”

There is a rule that those with succession rights must leave the capital at the age of 15.

In Islam, 15 years old was considered the age when puberty was achieved, and from then on, they were treated as fully adults.

The only time a successor over the age of 15 returns to the capital is when he becomes Sultan.

“Even if you are still going through puberty, for the Padishah to summon a prince who has already become a Sanjakbey is exceptional.”

“Usually, at this age, you can’t even create a reason to be called to the capital.”

If he is not old enough to be treated as an adult, he can’t even make achievements, let alone fulfill his role as a Sanjakbey.

What reason would there be to call a successor who is learning the Sanjakbey duties from a high-ranking official dispatched with him to the capital?

‘Even so, I can’t imagine being called to the capital in person.’

It was difficult to grasp the Sultan’s thoughts in making this decision.

“Isn’t this an issue that can’t be refused anyway?”

“That’s true.”

The Sultan called him directly, so the prince can’t refuse. It would be different if the Sultan was old enough to be a doddering old man, but he is still healthy for his age.

There was no particular reason to refuse either.

What he needs to think about now is the profit and loss calculation when he goes to the capital.

“It’s been a month since we reported, so the fact that we’re only hearing back now means that the opposition from the officials must have been great.”

Even though he is still young, Yusuf is being regarded as equal to the other princes.

Those who supported the other princes can’t help but worry that the Sultan’s heart has turned to Yusuf.

“Since the Padishah overcame that opposition and called me, I’ll be getting a lot of attention.”

“There will be those who try to approach you. It could be a great opportunity for you, who doesn’t have a big connection in the center.”

All the other princes would have at least one connection in the capital, but he didn’t have anyone to give him news from the capital.

It means an opportunity to create a faction.

Of course, it’s not just a good opportunity.

“The fact that we don’t know why the Padishah called us is also an unsettling factor.”

“Well, it’s hard to see that the Padishah called me to give me strength.”

It’s true that the Sultan has a liking for him, but choosing him as his successor is another matter.

There are already sons in their 30s who are mature, so the Sultan’s position is not cheap enough to hand it over to a son who hasn’t even finished puberty just because he’s doing a little well.

‘The fact that I’m being called this time is likely to be another test.’

Because a prince must be constantly evaluated by the Sultan.

“And those who support other princes may be up to something.”

Even Şemsi was pushed out by the central power.

It’s a place swarming with people who have hundreds of snakes in their bellies, so there’s no telling what might happen.

“In other words, it means it’s beneficial if I come back alive?”

Not difficult.

Surely I won’t die in my hometown, which I’m returning to after a long time?

***

The scenery of Kostantiniyye [Constantinople], which he returned to after 3 years, hadn’t changed much.

The towering Topkapi Palace and mosques were visible, and the port was bustling.

“It really hasn’t changed.”

Thwack!

“Ah, an assassin! Catch him!”

“Even to the point where my life is in danger.”

Yusuf nodded as he looked at the arrow that grazed his shoulder and stuck in the ground.

He had forgotten that his hometown was like this, having lived in relatively peaceful Trabzon.

“That’s quite the welcome.”

This was definitely the city closest to Allah. For him only.