Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 57

Tazlu tried hard to hide her expression, but Yusuf, with his superior insight and experience, could clearly see her emotions.

‘She’s still quite immature in many ways.’

She paled in comparison to Fatima, and even to Ayshe, who was the same age as her.

It wasn’t hard to understand. Even if Ismail had established a harem after becoming Shah, it couldn’t compare to the Ottoman harem in terms of scale and history.

Ayshe, who had been educated by Fatima and Nene, who had survived the cutthroat competition of the Ottoman harem, was better than most officials.

‘Besides, that’s probably why Ismail doesn’t have time to pay attention to the harem.’

Ismail’s eldest son, Tahmasp, was born in 1514.

He was born when Ismail was 26 years old, which is late considering he founded the Safavid dynasty and became Shah at the age of 15.

‘That means he was focused on conquest wars.’

In 1507, he invaded Dulkadir, in 1508, he cleared out the remaining forces of the Aq Qoyunlu dynasty [a Turkoman tribal confederation], and in 1510, he ended the eight-year war with Uzbekistan.

He killed Muhammad Shaybani, the ruler of Uzbekistan, and made a goblet out of his skull.

Naturally, the hierarchy in the harem was determined by the strength of one’s powerful relatives rather than the Shah’s favor, and Tazlu didn’t need to be mindful of anyone.

Yusuf chuckled and said,

“Will you find an answer by suffering alone like that? If you have any questions, I will answer them, so speak.”

“…What did you mean just now?”

“It wasn’t that difficult to understand. I mean I will help you gain Ismail’s favor and power.”

At these words, Tazlu scrutinized Yusuf as if trying to see through him, but Yusuf was not so naive as to let her read his mind.

Tazlu stared at him for a long time before asking with a sigh.

“For example?”

“I can get you the information you need, or I can take someone’s life. Whether it’s someone’s woman, or a child in the womb.”

At the explicit words, Tazlu’s eyes shook violently.

If it were possible, it would be a great help.

“Is that possible?”

“It’s impossible now. Planting people is not that easy. But, it’s possible with your help.”

Tazlu sneered at Yusuf’s words that he would use her to plant spies.

“I don’t need to take your hand.”

“If you trust your clan, I want you to stop. They are more likely to give Ismail a new woman than to help you when his favor is wavering.”

Before power, blood ties were meaningless, and even within the same clan, factions were divided according to their interests.

Tazlu, well aware that there were many who would welcome her downfall, bit her lip and said.

“I can raise and plant people myself.”

“You?”

Yusuf burst out laughing.

Tazlu said sharply to Yusuf, who was laughing while holding his stomach.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s funny that someone who doesn’t even know how to dance in someone else’s game is saying that. Did you really think that I was offered assassination without expecting to be found out?”

At Yusuf’s words, Tazlu looked confused.

It meant that the assassination plan was deliberately leaked to Yusuf.

‘He spoke as if he was ignoring Tazlu, but it’s a well-planned game.’

The most threatening thing to Ismail right now is Yusuf taking Tazlu.

Leaving aside affection, Ismail could find a replacement for Tazlu.

However, if Tazlu went to Yusuf, who could become the Ottoman Sultan, there was a high possibility that troublesome things would happen.

“He must have expected that even if he made a secret offer, it would reach my ears.”

And it actually did.

Of course, it’s just a suggestion, but no ruler would keep a woman who plotted assassination close to him.

“Just by plotting assassination with you, they have already achieved their goal.”

Whether Yusuf, suspecting her, distanced himself from Tazlu, or Yusuf, feeling threatened, killed Tazlu, or sold Tazlu, a dangerous element, for money.

No matter what the outcome, there was nothing to lose.

“…Maybe I’ll feel betrayed and try to become your woman?”

Tazlu, who slowly approached, placed her hand on Yusuf’s chest, and Yusuf, feeling her trembling touch, said nonchalantly.

“Then I’ll try my best to kill both of us. I won’t stop you if you make that choice.”

Unless he becomes Sultan, he doesn’t want to create dangerous obstacles on the rough road ahead.

Still, if Tazlu chooses to stay, he is confident that he can extract benefits from it.

‘It’ll be a messy fight.’

Because incitement and fabrication are his specialties.

At Yusuf’s words, Tazlu sighed and stepped away.

“Give me some more time to think.”

“Of course, after all, all of this depends on your will.”

Frankly, if she commits suicide, it’s like chasing a chicken [a futile endeavor], and he has no choice but to respect her choice.

Yusuf came out of the room, and the sound of a sigh filled with worry was faintly heard.

***

Even if not limited to Islam, there is a strong preference for sons all over the world.

In Islam, if a daughter is born, she must immediately return to housework, but if a son is born, she can take a 40-day break.

Hatice, who gave birth to the healthy Murat, deserved to be treated with great respect, and what she wanted was time with Yusuf.

“Look at this. Isn’t he cute?”

Hatice smiled brightly as she looked at Murat, who was moving his mouth.

“Look at this. His nose and eyes look just like the prince.”

“Hatice.”

Yusuf picked up Murat and stroked his chubby cheeks.

“You don’t have to say that. I know very well. Murat is my son, just like Mehmet.”

Hatice closed her mouth tightly as if her inner thoughts had been exposed.

She had reason to be anxious. Mehmet, who could be said to be Murat’s rival, was already showing extraordinary talent, quickly learning Arabic.

Murat couldn’t be called ordinary either, but Mehmet, who was recognized by Yusuf’s subordinates, including Shemsi, was not an easy opponent.

“There’s no need to worry too much about the distant future and be impatient. A few years of difference doesn’t mean anything.”

Succession is a distant story for Yusuf, who is not even twenty years old.

Yusuf returned Murat to Hatice’s arms.

“Of course, it’s good to be jealous and wary. I can’t stop that either. But I have no intention of forgiving anyone who crosses the line.”

It was a warning not to threaten Mehmet’s life, and a promise to guarantee Murat’s safety.

Hatice, who could receive help from Ahmed Pasha, who had been Grand Vizier twice, and Ayshe, who had planted her people everywhere, were equally threatening to each other.

Hatice nodded with a heavy expression, and Yusuf lightly kissed her.

“Now is the time to celebrate Murat’s birth.”

“I understand.”

Yusuf left the room, leaving Hatice holding Murat precious in her arms, and called Arda, who was waiting quietly.

“Arda.”

“Yes, tell me.”

“Clean up Ahmed Pasha’s rats that have entered the castle.”

If it was the greedy Ahmed Pasha, he might try to kill Mehmet now that Murat was born.

He had been watching because of his relationship with him, but it was right to eliminate him if he became a threat.

Arda left to carry out the order, and Yusuf now went to Tazlu’s room to hear the answer he had been putting off.

Tazlu, who was sitting in a neat posture as if she knew he would come, greeted him in a low voice.

“Have you come?”

Tazlu’s face was slightly haggard, as if she had been thinking hard for the past three days.

However, her eyes were clear, and he could tell that she had finally made a decision.

“So, what decision have you made?”

“I seriously considered becoming your woman.”

It meant that she felt a great sense of betrayal if she was willing to give up her lifelong hometown and start a new life in a strange land.

Who wouldn’t, since he treated her life so lightly.

“But, I’m going back to the Shah. It seems like the fight there will be more difficult.”

“Because of my two sons?”

“…It seems that Allah is biased.”

Although Tazlu was captured as a prisoner, she had enough access to rumors.

Mehmet, who was praised as a genius without hesitation by outstanding scholars, and Murat, who was born as a large baby and was already expected by the Sipahi [Ottoman cavalry], including Arda, were not ordinary.

She even doubted whether she could give birth to a son and compete properly.

“That’s not a bad choice. Ismail still doesn’t have a son, so there’s a better chance there. Then what about my offer?”

“I’ll take the help.”

“It will be betraying Ismail?”

“It’s clear who betrayed first.”

Tazlu, who made a cynical smile, warned Yusuf.

“And you shouldn’t be mistaken that I’m on your side. If I achieve my goal, I’ll kill your hunting dog at any time.”

“As much as you can.”

By the time Tazlu gives birth to Ismail’s son, it will be the time when he will become Sultan and move to conquer the Safavids.

There is no reason to worry about her threat at all.

“How are you going to send people?”

“You don’t have to worry because you’ll be contacted when you go out in half a year.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

A precarious alliance was formed, where they could stab each other in the back at any time if their goals were achieved.

“Then what are you going to do with the negotiations now?”

Several days had passed since the delegation visited, but there had been no significant progress in the negotiations.

Hodabandeh could only offer a limited amount, and Yusuf repeated 20,000 gold coins like a parrot.

He was so frustrated that he even said that he had no intention of negotiating, and in fact, that was right.

“I’m going to negotiate properly. After getting what I deserve.”

He wasn’t the type to just let things go after being wronged.

***

Hodabandeh faced Yusuf with a tired face.

A five-year non-aggression treaty including Georgia was an excessive demand, and the desired gold coins were too many.

‘Like a pig. It would be better to kill him.’

Hodabandeh struggled to suppress his rising murderous intent.

This was just a second-best option, and he did not have the right to decide this.

“I’ll say it again, we have no intention of paying 20,000 gold coins. 15,000 is the maximum. Or take out the non-aggression treaty.”

The non-aggression treaty was more important than 5,000 gold coins.

Based on the non-aggression treaty, he would be able to borrow troops from Georgia.

Yusuf would have ignored Hodabandeh’s words as before, but today was different.

“15,000. If you really don’t want to pay 5,000 more gold coins, you can pay with something else.”

“What are you talking about?”

At Hodabandeh’s question, Yusuf drew the sword hanging from his waist.

“With the heads of those who did nonsense in my land. Bring them.”

With Yusuf’s order, the door opened, and a fishy smell of blood spread.

The soldiers who came in threw a dozen heads in front of Hodabandeh.

The heads containing fear and pain were those who came with him.

“W-What is this!”

“You can’t be saying you don’t know the reason.”

A snake-like cold gaze wrapped around Hodabandeh, and Yusuf pointed his sword at his neck as he sweated.

“You can be happy. If I didn’t need someone to convey the results of the negotiations, your head would have rolled there too.”

“…You will regret it.”

“You’re just a discarded pawn, and you’re saying ridiculous things. Go back and proudly tell your master. That you cut 5,000 gold coins with just a dozen lives.”

Yusuf, who turned around after leaving a sneer, turned his head as if he had forgotten something and said.

“Leave your right hand instead of your neck.”

A scream rang out.