Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 61

The Time of Princes (1)

Ankara would later become the capital of Turkey with a population exceeding 5 million, but in the early 20th century, its population was only 35,000.

Even this was thanks to a slow increase in population; it was just one of many cities with a population of only 20,000.

Considering that it was a key point of Anatolian transportation with a population of 200,000 during ancient Roman times, it was a city in decline.

However, its locational importance as the center of the Anatolian Peninsula remained, and Dukaginzade Ahmed Pasha, the Sanjakbey [governor] of this place, carefully folded the secretly delivered letter.

“Andrea.”

“Are you going to do it? If you do, the unstable position of the family may be further shaken.”

The nickname Dukaginzade indicated that he was a member of the Dukajini, an Albanian noble family.

Ahmed frowned at the question from Andrea, a subordinate assigned by the family.

“Family? That precious family made me suffer a lot.”

As the Ottomans seized territory, the Dukajini family was split. Most joined the Kingdom of Naples or Venice, engaging in anti-Ottoman activities.

Those who surrendered to the Ottomans, like himself, suffered the consequences.

Andrea immediately retorted, “But if it weren’t for the family, you wouldn’t be in this position. You don’t think you owe your position to Prince Yusuf, do you?”

“You never know.”

It wasn’t that Yusuf’s influence was so strong that he could appoint someone as Sanjakbey at that time.

It could have just been a coincidence.

Ahmed said coldly, “The truth doesn’t matter. What matters is that we seized the opportunity to side with him.”

It was different from the past.

There were many people who followed Yusuf, and already there were those in the capital competing for his favor.

Ahmed laughed as if he was enjoying it.

“Rather, it is Allah’s grace that Prince Korkut came here.”

He knew very well what would happen as a result of his decision.

Korkut’s death would be a major blow to Prince Ahmed, and he would have to work hard to recover from it.

The princes would not miss the opportunity to undermine a strong competitor, and those who were watching to see which prince to side with would reveal their true colors.

They would actively campaign for the princes they supported and would not hesitate to take each other’s lives if necessary.

“A chaotic period will begin, Andrea.”

“…Your orders.”

“Prince Yusuf holds a very deep friendship. Seeing how worried he is about his brother’s worsening wounds…”

“I will take good care of it.”

Andrea bowed his head and disappeared. A while later, the sad news was announced to the world.

***

Hassan wiped the sweat running down his face and shouted, “What idiot brought iron here! Get it out of here right now!”

At Hassan’s cry upon discovering a small iron bar, a slave hurriedly took it outside.

As the dangerous object disappeared, Hassan let out a deep sigh.

“I’m going crazy. Why did I ask to be in charge of this?”

Hassan looked pale as he looked at the neatly arranged small wooden barrels.

All of those barrels were filled with gunpowder, and this was not the only warehouse here.

The storage locations were separated into several places because he didn’t know when it would explode.

“I might really die like this.”

Hassan shuddered as he recalled the precautions Yusuf had given him.

‘If you try to reuse gunpowder that has clumped together due to moisture, it will explode. If you’re unlucky, static electricity will cause an explosion. If static electricity is conducted inside while using iron metal products, it will explode.’

For Hassan, who was easily frightened, coming here felt like being in Allah’s arms [a place of safety].

Normally, he wouldn’t even come in and would have finished the job, but today he couldn’t because Yusuf was watching from outside.

Hassan quickly finished counting the quantity with the people working below and went outside, where he could see Yusuf chatting lightly with Tahir.

Yusuf asked Hassan, who had returned, “So, what’s the quantity?”

“As reported, there are about 4,000 people worth, enough to fire about five times.”

Five shots seemed small, but in an actual battle, there was no need to fire all five shots.

The reloading speed was slow, and black powder left a lot of residue inside the gun, so it was necessary to clean it after firing a few shots.

‘It would be less if I rifled it.’

If grooves are carved inside the barrel, the space for carbon residue to accumulate increases, which has the advantage of being able to fire more bullets.

However, there was no need to regret something that could not be tried right away, and Yusuf asked Tahir, “How many matchlock guns have been completed?”

“Approximately two thousand have been prepared.”

“Two thousand. The maintenance is slowly reaching its limit.”

It doesn’t end with making guns.

Guns, being lumps of iron, were quickly covered in rust if they were not continuously maintained, and this rust had to be removed periodically.

The more the number of guns in storage increased, the greater this demand became.

“I was worried about that. With the current staff, we will soon reach our limit.”

“You don’t have to worry about this issue. I’m planning to arm the soldiers with guns soon.”

At these words, Tahir said with a heavy face, “So it’s finally starting.”

“Basic training will be necessary, so it won’t be right away, but it’s not far off.”

Even though guns are easier weapons compared to bows or other weapons, it wasn’t like they didn’t require any training at all.

At the very least, there shouldn’t be a farce where they were surprised by the sound of their own gun.

Perhaps it was because the weapons made with his own hands were about to shine, Tahir’s face was filled with worry and excitement.

“If everything goes well, I will not forget your hard work. Do you have any requests you want at that time?”

It was a great opportunity.

If everything went well, Yusuf would be the master of the empire in the future, and he would be in a position to grant almost any request.

At Yusuf’s words, Tahir bowed politely and said, “What greed would this old man, who doesn’t have much time left to live, have?”

“There’s no need to be shy and decline.”

Tahir, who had been hesitating slightly at Yusuf’s encouragement, glanced at Hassan and said, “If I had to make a request, I would like to see that stupid guy find his match.”

“Hassan, you mean?”

Hassan was startled by the unexpected words, and Tahir clicked his tongue at the sight.

“Look at that dumbfounded look. Doesn’t it seem like Allah made him in his sleep?”

“Old man!”

“He’s a very lacking guy, but wouldn’t he be able to do his part if one of his lost ribs was filled?”

In Islam, Adam, the first human, was the first prophet, and they also believed in the Old Testament story that Eve was made from Adam’s rib.

At Tahir’s words expressing his wish for Hassan to find a wife, Yusuf stroked his chin and looked at Hassan.

He seemed quite touched by Tahir’s request, as they usually only bickered and fought.

“Hassan, next year will be the 10th year since I first met you.”

“…That’s right.”

“You have committed a serious crime, but considering your hard work, I can forgive you.”

“Thank you!”

At Yusuf’s words, Hassan immediately prostrated himself on the floor.

It was no ordinary crime, but forgiving a traitor, so it could be said to be a generous decision considering the past years.

“It’s time to get rid of your slave status. So, do you have any women in mind?”

It wouldn’t be strange if Hassan, who does a lot of external activities, had his eye on a woman.

He had no intention of forcing him, but he could help.

Hassan hesitated and couldn’t answer properly to Yusuf’s question, and Tahir shouted in frustration at this.

“Isn’t there a woman you told me about in a pathetic way! Should I tell him instead?!”

“Ah, no…”

“What do you mean no.”

Tahir, who ruthlessly shook off Hassan grabbing his pants, said one person’s name.

“He says he likes that woman Nene. Do you happen to know her?”

“Nene, is it?”

How could he not know?

She was Fatima’s maid and a woman who still provides a lot of help.

Yusuf looked at Hassan as if asking if it was true, and he nodded quietly.

“…Actually, I’ve liked her for a long time.”

“A love that risks your life. It’s a beautiful story.”

As long as the person threatening his life isn’t the person he likes.

A woman’s resentment does not disappear so easily, and Nene still radiated hostility when she saw Hassan.

“I’ll talk to Nene. Instead, how about staying here for a while?”

At least until he ascends to the Sultan’s throne, he wanted Hassan to be alive. It would be difficult to find someone to replace him right away.

Hassan, who knew this inner meaning, bowed his head deeply.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

He didn’t ask him not to tell Nene, so it seemed like he was sincere.

Yusuf turned his gaze away from Hassan, who was digging his own grave, and said to Tahir, “Tahir, please do the maintenance one more time until the soldiers come.”

“Leave it to me.”

Yusuf looked up at the sky lightly.

He recalled Korkut’s death, which he had heard before coming here, and muttered softly.

“Three more to go.”

The end was near.

***

When Korkut’s death was reported in Ankara, the capital fell into chaos.

Bayezid expressed his grief at the death of his son once again, and those who followed Ahmed moved urgently.

The first thing they had to do was to occupy Çorum, where Korkut’s assets remained.

Although they lost many soldiers in the battle with Şehinşah, many of those who followed him still remained in Çorum.

The wealth that Korkut had accumulated in the meantime remained intact in Çorum, so in order to absorb it, one of Prince Ahmed’s sons had to be appointed as the Sanjakbey of Çorum.

Meanwhile, Suleiman was appointed as the Sanjakbey of Kefe, and Selim moved.

Kefe, where Prince Mehmed had died of an epidemic and was even sealed off just a few years ago, seemed to have completely forgotten its past.

Sailors traveling to and from the Black Sea were busily moving in the port, and merchants were raising their voices.

A man slowly set foot in the bustling port.

“It’s been a while, Father.”

Selim, who made the port silent just by appearing, hugged Suleiman, who had grown so much.

“You’ve grown so much that I couldn’t recognize you! Have you been well?”

“Of course. Here’s a gift.”

Selim, who received the carefully handed watch, looked around and smiled.

“It’s an interesting toy.”

“…Is that so?”

“Well, it’s not bad.”

With those words, Selim casually handed the watch to the soldier behind him.

Selim, who came to Kefe under the pretext of congratulating Suleiman, who had just become Sanjakbey, took the lead and moved his steps.

The purpose of this trip was not just to meet Suleiman.

“Has he already arrived?”

“He has been waiting for several days.”

“It’s good that there’s no need to waste time.”

The envoy of Mengli Giray, the ruler of the Crimean Khanate and privately his father-in-law, had arrived.

Having finished preparing to dispatch 30,000 cavalry.

Selim smiled coldly.

“Son, it’s finally time to go find my place.”

The time of princes had come.