Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 70

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 70 (70/213)

Predetermined Ending (2)

When Yusuf became Yusuf and started planning for survival, one of the most important factors he considered was the earthquake of 1509.

No matter how much you influence history, you can’t change a scheduled natural disaster.

Moreover, the upcoming earthquake was no ordinary disaster.

‘Even if I could ascend to the Sultan’s throne without any obstacles, I would have refused if it were to happen before the earthquake,’ he thought.

In an era without earthquake-resistant designs to mitigate vibrations, an earthquake with a magnitude of over 7 was a tremendous catastrophe, and its damage wasn’t limited to the capital.

It caused severe damage to many cities, including Edirne, the former capital located 200km west of Constantinople, and even Egypt, across the Mediterranean, felt the tremors.

As people in this era were wont to do, they attributed the disaster to the wrath of God. The West saw it as divine punishment for the armed Ottomans, and Bayezid claimed it was due to the failings of religious leaders.

‘That means if I were to suddenly sit on the Sultan’s throne before the earthquake, I would be the perfect scapegoat for the disaster,’ Yusuf mused.

Just like Selim’s future that would soon unfold.

When Yusuf mentioned the disaster, the commanders looked confused.

No matter how much they trusted Yusuf, believing in the abilities of a ruler was definitely different from believing in prophecies.

“Is it true that a disaster will befall the capital?” one of them asked.

“Yes, and its aftermath won’t end with the capital; it will continue for a long time.”

Because the aftershocks from the earthquake would continue for several years.

Among them would be several more major aftershocks that would further devastate the cities being rebuilt.

Everyone hesitated to speak at Yusuf’s assertion, and the most senior Grand Vizier stepped forward first.

“Your Highness, please forgive our lack of faith in not readily believing.”

“It’s alright. It’s natural that it’s hard to believe.”

This was a time when Nostradamus, famous for his prophecies, wasn’t even in elementary school yet, and those who learned that Muhammad was the last prophet wouldn’t easily accept prophecies.

‘If I weren’t a prince, I would have been tied to a pole as a heretic, and I would have nothing to say,’ Yusuf thought.

‘No, even if it weren’t just those who follow me gathered here, it would have been dangerous even if I were a prince.’

Since the Sultan could replace the leader of Islam at will in the Ottoman Empire, he wouldn’t die, but he could die politically.

That was why he couldn’t readily decide what to do, even though he knew about the great disaster of the earthquake in advance.

Because he couldn’t act as a prophet to prevent earthquake damage.

‘So, it was very fortunate that I was able to point to Selim as the cause of the disaster.’

Due to this earthquake, the damage to the Ottoman Empire went beyond material damage, and the story that they had received divine punishment spread, undermining the authority of the Padishah [Ottoman Sultan].

It was also one of the reasons why Shiites, like the Safavids, were gaining power in Anatolia [a large peninsula in modern-day Turkey, comprising the majority of the country].

If the cause of the divine punishment is limited to Selim and the disaster is predicted, it can rather be a blessing in disguise.

“Then, when do you think the disaster will occur?” the Grand Vizier inquired.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Because it was such a big event, he had experienced it several times in the game, and he knew very well that it would happen on September 10, 1509.

However, he avoided confirming the date. Even a difference of a day or two could ruin the plans he had made so far.

“But it’s not that far off. It will probably happen within a fortnight.”

At Yusuf’s confirmation, the Grand Vizier stroked his long beard and pondered.

Although he knew that Yusuf had foreseen the victory in the war with Venice and the emergence of the Safavids before becoming a Sanjakbey [governor of a district], predicting a disaster was another matter.

The Grand Vizier, who was wondering whether to believe it or not, made up his mind.

“I will act according to Your Highness’s will, but you must remember: everything of Your Highness depends on this word. Are you really sure that the disaster is coming?”

If Yusuf’s words ended up being a delusion rather than a prophecy, he would lose most of the trust he had worked so hard to build up.

It would be worse than returning to Anatolia to prepare for a civil war, as Shemsi advised, and it might be better to quietly offer his neck to Selim.

The Grand Vizier gave him one last chance. A chance to just pass it off as a slip of the tongue.

However, Yusuf smiled at the pouring pressure.

“Thank you for the advice, but there’s no need to worry. The disaster will definitely happen.”

“I understand. If you are so sure, please command us. We will follow.”

When the Grand Vizier knelt down and paid his respects first, all the other commanders also knelt down.

Yusuf slowly looked down at the dozens of kneeling commanders.

Was it because of his charm? Or was it thanks to the achievements he had built up so far?

He couldn’t be sure of the reason, but he knew very well how difficult it was to follow unbelievable instructions.

There was only one thing Yusuf had to do for their heavy trust.

“I will not betray your trust.”

Just repaying the trust.

Yusuf, who had prevented the division before the earthquake, which was the biggest source of anxiety, made a decision.

‘Now that I have gained trust, I can raise the stakes.’

If the army had disbelieved the words that a great disaster was coming and had been divided, he wouldn’t have been able to move actively, but now there was nothing to hold him back.

“Shemsi Pasha.”

“At your command.”

“Use informants and messengers to spread the word as widely as possible that a major earthquake will occur within a fortnight.”

“I understand.”

To spread the word as far as possible, he had to move immediately, and Shemsi turned and moved to carry out the order.

Yusuf turned his eyes to the Grand Vizier.

“Grand Vizier, you will have to issue evacuation advisories to the cities around Constantinople.”

“How far should I say?”

“As far west as Çorlu, as well as Edirne. Messengers must be sent as far east as Izmit.”

“That far?”

“In fact, even this is not enough.”

Because the impact of the earthquake was much wider than this. But the evacuation advisory was not of great significance.

Yusuf grinned.

“Do you think people will listen to us if we issue an evacuation advisory?”

“…They won’t listen.”

If Yusuf were on the Sultan’s throne, they would at least pretend to listen, but Selim was already in place in the capital.

People would obviously think of it as Yusuf’s last struggle.

‘It’s a pity, but even that will be their choice.’

If he couldn’t reduce the damage, it was best to just take advantage of the current situation.

Yusuf looked up at the clear sky even though a great disaster was imminent.

“I don’t know how history will record this event.”

Would they think of him as a prophet like Nostradamus, or would they think of it as a rumor spread to soothe public sentiment after the earthquake?

‘They might just see me as a lucky person.’

Either way, it didn’t matter.

Because the great disaster would make him the master of the empire.

***

Selim looked down at the Divan [high governmental body in the Ottoman Empire] meeting conducted by the Chancellor, the Minister of Finance, and the Military Judge.

Only the master of the empire could look down at the Divan meeting, and Selim’s complexion hardened even though he had risen to the position he so desired.

“Yakub Agha.”

Yakub, the commander-in-chief of the Janissaries [elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan’s household troops], who betrayed Bayezid and played a major role in the occupation of the capital, paid his respects.

His complexion was not good because he anticipated the words that would come out of his mouth.

“Why haven’t your soldiers returned?”

“I am sorry.”

The soldiers borrowed from the Crimean Khanate were still staying in the capital, but they were not his soldiers.

Selim, who knew how important the role of the central army was in maintaining power, was seething with the soldiers who did not return.

The only solution, Bayezid, had been usurped from the Padishah’s [Ottoman Sultan’s] throne and was holed up in his bedroom.

‘If it weren’t for Yusuf, I would have gotten rid of him long ago.’

Now that he had ascended to the Padishah’s throne, Bayezid’s usefulness was over.

He wanted to kill him to reduce variables, but he couldn’t kill his father, the former Padishah, recklessly.

To reduce suspicion, he had to send him to another city and kill him secretly, but if he sent his father out of the capital, he might fall into Yusuf’s hands.

“It’s just annoying.”

The central army, which had gone out to suppress the rebellion, followed Yusuf and became rebels, and most of the troops in his hands were other people’s soldiers.

He couldn’t kill his father, who was an eyesore, and the Grand Vizier sided with Yusuf.

Moreover, this was not the only thing that scratched Selim’s insides.

“Have you caught the people who are spreading rumors?”

“…We are catching them, but it is not easy to catch the leaders because they are using people from the back alleys.”

“The leader. The leader is obvious, isn’t it?”

Only Yusuf would spread such nonsense that a disaster would befall because of him.

It was just funny that his only competitor was delusional from the shock of defeat.

Selim twisted his lips.

“Yusuf’s army still has no intention of returning to Anatolia, does it?”

“That’s right.”

“He’s doing something stupid.”

He had already issued a conscription order, and tens of thousands of Sipahis [cavalry soldiers] who had received the Padishah’s order would soon gather.

Time was on his side as time passed, but Yusuf was foolishly wasting time.

Selim, who ridiculed Yusuf, got up from his seat and left the Divan meeting hall.

As Selim became the master of the empire, the Divan meeting continued until late at night every day, and the sky had already turned black.

Torches brightly illuminated the Padishah’s path, and the Janissaries, who had sworn allegiance to the new master, stood guard with sharp edges.

Passing through the Second Courtyard where the Divan meeting hall was located, Selim reached the gate leading to the Third Courtyard.

It was the Gate of Felicity, which only the monarch and his close aides could pass through, and where the grand enthronement ceremony had recently been held.

It was when Selim stepped into the gate, recalling the moment he had longed for for a long time.

-Kugugugung!

“It’s, it’s an earthquake!”

“Protect the Padishah!”

The ground shook, and the buildings screamed.

As the ground shook so hard that it was difficult to maintain balance, Selim staggered.

The Janissaries hurriedly supported Selim, and Selim, who barely regained his balance and raised his head, saw it.

The brilliant capital was collapsing miserably.

Kuuung!

-Kyaaak!

The buildings, unable to withstand the tremors, collapsed with a crash, raising dust like fog, and the capital was filled with screams, cries, and wails.

The breath of disaster spread throughout the capital, beyond the weakest private houses.

“Ah, Allah!”

The mosques that conveyed the will of God sat down one by one, and the imam [Islamic religious leader] who shouted God in the great Fatih Mosque despaired.

The four large pillars supporting the mosque were collapsing.

The last thing he saw was the cool moonlight seen beyond the tragically cracked dome.

“It’s, it’s the moment of judgment! The day of judgment has come!”

“Allah! Save us!”

The huge minaret of the Hagia Sophia Mosque fell on the heads of those who knelt on the ground and prayed earnestly.

The minarets, built in the hope of ascending to the sky, came down to the ground and took the lives of many people.

Also, the hand of disaster did not divide social status.

“Kyaaaaak! My le, legs! Please save me!”

A woman who had recently received the title of Gözde [favorite concubine], meaning beloved, while hugging Selim, slowly met her death with both legs crushed.

The terrible scenery, as if the end had come, was captured in Selim’s two eyes and ears.

As a terrible despair wrapped around his body, and he wanted to regard it as a nightmare, he heard the Janissary’s shout.

“It’s a tsunami!”

Selim, who was staring blankly at the tsunami of over 6m sweeping through the capital, shouted with a devilish face.

“Yusuf!!!!”

***

“It’s, it’s an earthquake!”

“The tent is falling! Save me quickly!”

A great commotion arose in the camp, and the entrance to the tent was roughly opened.

“Your Highness, it’s an earthquake!”

At Shemsi’s excited words, Yusuf slowly opened his eyes, which he had been closing.

“Yes, the time has come.”