Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 50

#50. Ismail and the Princes (2)

Yusuf referred to the fortress where cement and firearms were made as a “workshop” for convenience. Despite his keen interest, he rarely visited it directly.

He possessed a wealth of theoretical knowledge, but practical application was another matter entirely.

He believed it was more effective to simply provide the instructions and let the experts handle the execution, rather than interfering as someone who had never personally worked with metal. This approach proved correct.

His efforts yielded satisfactory results.

The fortress, usually bustling with the sounds of cement production, was eerily silent. The air, typically thick with stone dust, was clear.

All work had ceased in anticipation of Yusuf’s visit.

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

“Tahir, it’s been a while. I’m glad to see you’re well.”

“Allah must not yet be interested in taking this old man.”

Hassan, standing behind Yusuf, subtly frowned as he watched Tahir’s boisterous laughter.

If one were to compile all the curses Tahir had directed at Hassan into a book, it would surpass the Quran in length. Yet, he was now acting so affably that it felt absurd.

Of course, Hassan’s feelings were of no concern to anyone present.

“As I informed you, I’ve come to inspect the progress of firearm production.”

“This way. I’ve constructed them according to the blueprints you provided.”

Tahir presented a lathe [a machine tool used for shaping metal or wood].

It wasn’t a piece of furniture, but a machine tool that rotated the material while a fixed cutting tool shaped or hollowed it out.

“Have you found it useful in practice?” Yusuf asked.

“Words cannot express its value. I lament not having conceived of this sooner, despite my years of experience.”

The barrel through which the bullet travels cannot be made by casting [pouring molten metal into a mold].

Even for cannons, creating a cylinder with a narrow space like a gun barrel through casting is difficult. Furthermore, air bubbles forming during the process could cause the barrel to explode upon firing.

‘It would be like detonating a grenade in your face, not firing a gun.’

In other words, it would be a perfect way to die.

Therefore, barrels were traditionally made by wrapping a heated metal plate around a rod. However, a machine tool capable of cutting out the interior would significantly simplify the manufacturing process.

‘I could even carve rifling if I wanted to, but rifling is too ambitious for now.’

Rifling [spiral grooves inside the barrel] greatly enhances accuracy, but it has its drawbacks.

Even with a machine tool, precisely creating uniform grooves is extremely difficult and increases production costs.

Additionally, rifling weakens the barrel, increasing the risk of explosion, and slows down reloading. Even Napoleon preferred smoothbore muskets because of these issues.

It would be too ambitious to pursue rifling when they were still struggling to produce arquebuses [early firearms] due to cost constraints.

“So, how many arquebuses can you produce in a day?” Yusuf inquired.

“I can make about one or two. Of course, with additional support for the artisans, I could increase the pace.”

“That won’t be possible. It was already difficult enough to bring you here. Instead, I’ll provide you with enough slaves to assist.”

Tahir clicked his tongue in disappointment but understood the situation. He knew the importance of maintaining security.

He didn’t want to die, leaving only his clothes behind, because of involvement with untrustworthy individuals.

Tahir, dismissing his disappointment, retrieved a gun that had been carefully stored.

“I attempted to make one using the metal you provided earlier.”

The gun Tahir presented was a flintlock [a type of firearm that uses a flint to ignite the gunpowder], firing when the hammer holding the flint struck the gunpowder pan upon pulling the trigger.

Yusuf examined the gun, even testing the firing mechanism, and then asked,

“So, was it worth the effort?”

“I’d rather not make another if possible. I’d prefer you call a watchmaker to do it.”

Yusuf smiled slightly at Tahir’s exasperation.

In any case, it was intended for personal use, and he had no intention of mass production.

“I’ll put this to good use. And now, you need to begin producing arquebuses in earnest.”

“Hmm, that’s sooner than expected.”

He had planned to accumulate more technological expertise for another year or two before commencing production.

“I have a feeling the day to use them will come sooner than I thought.”

Historically, the Sultan and princes wouldn’t begin their power struggles for another four years, but history had already deviated significantly.

Judging by the princes’ increasingly rapid maneuvers, anything could happen.

Tahir cautiously spoke at Yusuf’s instruction.

“Making them isn’t the problem, but I’m uncertain about their practicality in battle.”

Tahir spoke bravely, even though his words could be construed as offensive.

If the firearms proved ineffective in the field and led to defeat, he could be killed as a scapegoat.

Arda, guarding Yusuf, added his thoughts to Tahir’s statement.

“Considering you couldn’t hit anything at close range in the last battle, he’s not wrong.”

“…That was just bad luck.”

It was a pathetic excuse, considering his luck stat was 10.

Putting aside the first shooting incident, which remained a dark memory, the practicality was sufficient.

“Firstly, considering production costs, the gun isn’t significantly more expensive than a bow.”

While guns require expensive gunpowder and are costly to manufacture, bows are by no means cheap weapons.

The wood used for bows isn’t ordinary; it’s a well-managed, high-quality material that’s quite expensive.

They also take a long time to make. Even a simple longbow requires over a year to achieve the necessary elasticity and durability, and a composite bow [a bow made from multiple materials glued together] requires three years.

Considering the materials and production time, guns and bows are comparable in cost.

“Unlike bows, guns don’t require extensive skill. Conscripted soldiers can become shooters with minimal training.”

What if they malfunction in the rain? Well, bows are also ineffective in wet conditions.

“I don’t know how lethal they’ll be in actual combat until we use them, but they’re valuable enough to deploy.”

If there are concerns about soldiers firing once or twice and dying like scarecrows, bayonets can be attached later. Then, even if they can’t shoot accurately, they can function as spearmen.

The two, having voiced their concerns, simply agreed and moved on.

“Then Tahir, I’ll entrust you with the production of firearms.”

“Leave it to me.”

As Yusuf was about to return to Trabzon after concluding his business at the workshop, a soldier rushed in.

“Shah Ismail’s army, which had gathered in Erzincan, has begun advancing towards Kayseri.”

“Return to the castle!”

***

In 1507, two significant events occurred for Yusuf.

First, he gained points after a long period.

When Mehmed died of smallpox, the Sultan ordered the implementation of variolation [an early method of immunization], which had previously been optional.

Variolation was implemented nationwide in response to an order that couldn’t be refused, and the system window appeared after a long time.

[Smallpox herd immunity in the Ottoman Empire, +60 points]

He received a substantial score of 60 points, but he still needed 20 points to purchase the next trait.

One encouraging aspect was that since the points were earned within the Ottoman Empire, he could earn additional points if the practice spread overseas.

The second event was that Hatice, who had been having regular unions with him, was pregnant.

She was expected to give birth early next year.

‘I might not even see the face of the newborn baby.’

Hatice might be saddened by this, but there was nothing he could do.

Upon returning to Trabzon Castle, Şemsi, who had already heard the news, was waiting in the office.

“Pasha, Ismail in Erzincan has started moving towards Kayseri?”

“That’s correct.”

The area where Ismail was marching, including Kayseri, was Ottoman territory.

It was tantamount to a declaration of war, but Ismail had no intention of directly fighting the Ottomans.

‘He’s testing how much I can tolerate.’

He would soon send a letter to the Sultan apologizing for the territorial invasion, and while the Sultan received the letter and failed to reach a proper conclusion, he would turn Dulkadir [a Turkish Beylik (principality) in southeastern Anatolia] into a wasteland.

Advancing through Kayseri like mowing with a sickle also had the advantage of making it difficult for Bozkurt Bey, the ruler of Dulkadir, to escape to the Ottomans.

“Do we have any reason to help that bat-like Bozkurt?”

“There isn’t.”

It wasn’t simply a matter of friendship or profit.

It was natural for a small country to walk a tightrope between powerful nations, but Bozkurt was known to openly side with the Mamluks [a medieval Sunni Muslim state] after this war.

In the original history, when Selim launched an expedition to conquer the Safavids [a Shia Islamic dynasty], Bozkurt not only refused to help but also plundered the supply route, leading to his execution along with his four sons.

He was not the kind of person who would be grateful for favors.

“I don’t want to fight Ismail with difficulty.”

The Kizilbashis [a Shia religious movement] had become war machines after years of conquest, and Ismail, a formidable leader, was directly commanding them.

Sticking your head into such a situation would be suicidal.

“My situation is different from that of my older brothers, who need to achieve even minor accomplishments. There’s no reason to overextend myself.”

“Then will you simply watch?”

It would be ideal to watch Ismail and the princes fight each other, but it would be a waste to remain idle.

“We’ll occupy Erzincan when Ismail advances far enough to make a retreat difficult, and we’ll conduct looting operations.”

The entrance fee for entering another country’s territory will be a bit expensive.

***

Anyone who has lived in a group can sympathize: controlling people is usually difficult.

It would be even more challenging with 20,000 cavalrymen accustomed to looting, but Ismail maintained complete control over his army.

The army, marching silently without any looting, turned its horses towards Elbistan, near Kayseri, and revealed its true colors upon entering Dulkadir territory.

Small villages unfortunate enough to be in their path were reduced to ashes, leaving no survivors. Ismail’s army advanced mercilessly to Elbistan, looting, setting fires, raping, and killing.

Bozkurt, terrified, abandoned his capital, Elbistan, and fled to Maras in the south, while Bayezid II, the Ottoman Sultan, remained silent.

It was the moment the princes had been waiting for.

“Since when has our empire become so weak?! Is Padishah [Ottoman Sultan’s title] so afraid that he merely watches this tragedy unfold!”

Selim shouted, his face contorted with anger.

To confront 20,000 Kizilbashis, the central army alone was insufficient, and mobilizing troops from across the country presented difficulties.

However, this reality was irrelevant. What mattered was that the Sultan’s actions were unbecoming of the empire’s ruler.

“The time has come to end the licentiousness of the heretics that Padishah has only watched! It is time for a holy war!”

With Selim’s cry, thousands of soldiers lined up, stomped on the ground, and mounted their horses.

Selim’s words resonated with the military’s grievances, and his message spread rapidly as he advanced.

Not to be outdone, the other princes raised their armies and began gathering towards Dulkadir.

It was the preliminary skirmish of a bloody succession war.