Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 51

#51. Ismail and the Princes (3)

There is no eternal power in this world.

This holds true even for the master of the Ottomans, whose every move sends tremors across Europe.

Like a lame-duck president nearing the end of his term, the old Sultan, who would soon have to pass his position to one of his sons, had become a toothless tiger.

Selim’s remarks, questioning the Sultan’s judgment, and the military’s tacit agreement were clear examples of the Sultan’s authority wavering.

Those sensitive to power keenly felt this shift.

‘Ignorant fools, war is not as easy as they think.’

‘His Majesty made the right decision, but the atmosphere is not good.’

Summoning troops without properly securing food supplies could destabilize the finances and raise food prices overall, burdening the people.

Of course, if they were invaded, they would immediately mobilize the army, but there was no need to endure such losses for the sake of Dulkadir.

The military was well aware of this. However, the military, which gains power through combat, is inevitably belligerent and simply expressing their dissatisfaction.

Yusuf, upon hearing the news while marching to Erzincan, clicked his tongue.

“His Majesty must have a headache.”

Discontent had spread throughout the military.

Trying to control this discontent clumsily could lead to uncontrollable consequences, so the Sultan would try to appease them for now.

In the end, extreme events like rebellion or insubordination wouldn’t occur.

‘This incident will make the military a key variable in the succession.’

The military, wielding military force, had the power to overturn the successor chosen by the Sultan.

Therefore, Selim gained the favor of the military by making critical remarks to his father and officials.

Shemsi nodded in agreement with Yusuf’s words.

“With discontent spread this far, they can’t just stand by and watch Ismail’s atrocities forever.”

“Of course, they will mobilize the army soon. The important thing is the time it takes to mobilize.”

Within that time, Ismail would have devastated Dulkadir and fought the princes who had already begun advancing into Dulkadir.

The only two princes not marching towards Dulkadir were:

Shehinshah, who was expected to join hands with Ismail, and Yusuf, who was heading directly to Safavid.

The other four princes began to gather in Dulkadir.

“The soldiers led by the four princes number about ten thousand. And Bozkurt Bey, who can’t even defend his own home properly and only runs away, has about fifteen thousand. It’s a number worth fighting, but there’s an important variable here.”

“We don’t know if the princes can truly unite.”

“That’s right.”

No one was sure how well brothers, who were worse than enemies, would unite to fight.

Since they all had to achieve military exploits, they could unite properly, or they could fight poorly with the organizational skills of sand [meaning a disorganized and ineffective manner].

To be coldly assessed, the latter was more likely.

“It would be good for me if they all held hands and went to Allah’s embrace [died].”

If they died without me having to get my hands dirty, I would at least express my condolences.

“If the other princes die in this battle, His Majesty will be greatly angered.”

“He will be angry. However, it’s difficult to retaliate properly. It’s hard to create a void in the empire to lead the army and invade Safavid because there are dangerous elements within the empire.”

“Unless we deal with the Turkmen who have been marked as potential rebels, it’s hard to create a void domestically.”

I guarantee that if they lead the army and embark on the conquest of Safavid, those influenced by Ismail will revolt.

And if they eliminate the internal threats and then go on a conquest, Ismail would implement a scorched-earth tactic, destroying all supplies that could fall into the enemy’s hands.

The dissatisfaction of soldiers marching through a desolate land with nothing to plunder was likely to lead to the failure of the expedition.

‘In fact, the moment Ismail’s invasion was allowed, they had already lost in the game of strategy.’

The Sultan’s mistakes were neglecting the Turkmen, causing them to harbor resentment, and watching the invasion.

All of this will soon strangle the Sultan.

-Erzincan is visible!

The shouts of the soldiers moving at the front were heard, and Yusuf gripped the reins and said.

“There’s no need to worry about an uncertain future. We just need to act according to the situation.”

After all, I will be the one who benefits the most from this war.

***

Elbistan, the capital of Dulkadir, is a fertile agricultural region.

It has the fourth largest plain in the vast Anatolian Peninsula, and the Ceyhan River, which is over 500 km long, passes through it, providing abundant water resources for agriculture.

Elbistan itself was derived from the word orchard, and disaster struck this once-prosperous place.

-Moo-err!

The hot flames, using the ripe grain and fruit-laden orchard trees as firewood, began to engulf everything.

Livestock that couldn’t escape were engulfed in flames with terrible screams, and acrid smoke covered the sky.

“It’s a pity. To have to burn this good land.”

Ismail, watching the land dyed red as if the sun had landed on earth from the walls of Elbistan, casually said to Mohammad, the commander of the army.

“There’s no need to dwell on land we can’t occupy.”

Dulkadir is definitely tempting land.

When I first arrived in Elbistan, how greedy I was looking at the fertile plains.

However, Ismail, a cold-blooded commander, was not swayed by vain greed. The two countries that claim to be the owners of this place would not be watching them occupy it.

“More importantly, what is the movement of the Mamluks?”

“It seems that the merchant’s words are correct that they are too busy to pay attention to this place because of the conflict with the country called Portugal over the spice trade. There is no separate movement.”

Although Dulkadir is an important area, the Mamluks, who occupied Egypt, had nothing more important than the sea trade route leading to India.

The Portuguese fleet, which arrived in India via Africa, was constantly at war with Calicut in southwestern India, which is known as the city of spices.

The Mamluks, who, along with Venice, were most wary of Portugal’s advance into India, had no time to pay attention to Dulkadir.

“It’s fortunate that the Mamluks are not moving. I’ll have to send an envoy when the work is done. I’ll need their help to deal with the Ottomans.”

“I understand.”

“The problem is the Ottomans. The princes are heading here with their soldiers.”

How many soldiers would the princes bring with them? It was laughable to Ismail, who had defeated 30,000 soldiers with only 7,000.

The current concern was whether to kill them or not.

“Mohammad, do you think it’s necessary to take risks for Shehinshah?”

“When I heard the story of Ishbat, who is with Shehinshah, he was a very incompetent person.”

Even after learning that he had become addicted to opium due to Ahmed’s machinations, he was unable to break free from his addiction, and he trusted and entrusted everything to Ishbat, who was helping him.

He was definitely not at the level to become the master of a country.

Ismail smiled at the words.

“No matter how powerful a country is, it can easily collapse with just one incompetent king.”

Ismail, who supported Shehinshah to bring down the country of the Ottoman from within, made a decision.

“There’s no need to kill them unnecessarily, but if the opportunity arises, there’s no need to hesitate. Kill the princes.”

“I will issue the order.”

Ismail wore a cruel smile in Elbistan, filled with screams and cries of looting and slaughter.

***

Ismail’s infamy, which turned Elbistan into ruins, spread quickly.

The people of Dulkadir, fearing a possible invasion, began to flee.

Ismail, who plunged Dulkadir into chaos and fear, left the devastated Elbistan and headed towards Maras.

Bozkurt Bey, who had fled from Elbistan to Maras, the second city of Dulkadir, welcomed the princes who arrived one after another.

“Welcome! You’ve suffered a lot coming from afar.”

Mahmud, who came from Saruhan, Korkut’s original territory and later called Manisa, asked Bozkurt with a stiff face.

“Have the other brothers already arrived?”

“Yes. Prince Selim, the fastest, arrived more than ten days ago.”

It was a long journey of more than twenty days by horse from Saruhan, located at the western end of Anatolia [modern-day Turkey], to Maras.

Mahmud, who was annoyed by the fact that he was already very late even though he had hurried as much as possible, asked Bozkurt.

“Where are the brothers?”

“They said they would gather in the conference room after hearing that you were coming.”

With those words, Bozkurt took the lead and guided him.

As if three princes had already arrived in the conference room, the soldiers divided into three groups were pointing their swords at each other.

As if he was used to this situation, Bozkurt didn’t care and opened the door to the conference room.

Three men were already sitting in the spacious conference room, and a terrible chill flowed inside.

“Mahmud?”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t seen you since you were a child, do you know who I am?”

“It’s been a while. Brother Ahmed.”

At Mahmud’s greeting, Ahmed laughed heartily, but with cold eyes.

Because it meant that he had already grasped his appearance.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since the four of us gathered like this.”

The other three nodded at Selim’s words.

Ahmed, the oldest, and Mahmud, the youngest of those gathered here, were ten years apart.

Ahmed became Sanjakbey [governor of a district] at the late age of sixteen, so they had memories of living together.

“It’s a pity that Shehinshah and Yusuf are missing from this seat. Especially the youngest brother, whom I’ve never met.”

Selim, the only one among them who had met Yusuf, said with a smiling face at Ahmed’s words.

“If you meet him once, you will remember him for a long time.”

Because he was still regretting not killing him that day.

After an interesting story passed by at Selim’s words, Korkut, who had been maintaining silence, asked Mahmud.

“Mahmud, how is life in Saruhan?”

“It’s a good Sanjak [district]. I could tell that you took care of it.”

Korkut twisted his lips.

Because he was laughing at his situation of having his territory taken away.

“Yes, it’s a good city. But Alemshah, who became Sanjakbey before you, died for no reason, so be careful. It’s a more dangerous city than you think.”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

Bozkurt, who had been listening to the sharp conversation as if stabbing people with words, clapped his hands softly.

“It’s nice to see brothers sharing their friendship after a long time, but it’s time to talk about important things. As I said before, I think we should defend in Maras.”

Ahmed scoffed at Bozkurt’s words.

“Do you want the entire Dulkadir to burn like Elbistan? Selim, what do you think?”

“We shouldn’t insist on defending to reduce the damage.”

Ismail, who came with the goal of looting, did not need to force himself to occupy Maras.

If they were holed up in Maras, he would just loot and burn other cities.

Bozkurt, who valued his life more, expressed his opinion that Maras should be defended, but the opinions of the four princes were the same.

In the end, it was decided to go to war, and Selim, who got up from his seat first, gave a word of blessing.

“Let’s meet again in good health after the war.”

The four princes, who could stab each other at any time, smiled.