Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 75

Became the Sultan of Osman – Episode 75 (75/213)

The Winds of Change (1)

When a large earthquake occurs, aftershocks follow for a while.

Future common sense is knowledge not readily accepted in this era, especially since earthquakes were largely unfamiliar to people back then.

In modern times, we frequently hear news of earthquakes from around the world, but in this era, such events were relegated to old wives’ tales.

Yusuf wasn’t particularly pleased with the current situation.

‘Actually, it’s better to avoid using future knowledge in the form of prophecies.’

If I become Sultan and start acting like Nostradamus, I’ll lose more than I gain in the long run.

People’s minds are fickle. Even if they’re enthusiastic now, they’ll surely doubt and resent me later if disasters and big problems occur and I can’t predict them.

That’s why I need to be supported as the leader of the empire, rather than as some kind of prophet.

‘Besides, there are plenty of people who would look at me askance if I called myself a prophet.’

It’s not just the Islamic people right in front of me; the West, which views the Ottomans as some kind of Islamic demon, is also a problem.

For example, let’s say I predict the earthquake that will occur in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1531.

If they ignore it, dismissing it as the ramblings of some infidel, and about 30,000 people die in the earthquake…

“The evil infidel created a great disaster by borrowing the power of the devil! It is time for a Holy War!”

I could bet the Topkapi Palace [the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans] on the creation of a Holy League to strike down the Ottomans, with the Pope at its head, shouting such things.

Even the rumor that the king of the infidels performed a miracle called prophecy was slightly precarious, even if I didn’t make a prophecy like the example.

The Reformation is trying to take root, witch hunts are frequent, and the war-mad Julius II, who tries to expand the Papal States through war, is sitting as Pope.

It’s a situation where you don’t know what variables will emerge if you stimulate it by acting as a prophet.

Even though he is well aware of these facts, he continues to predict aftershocks, including those in Edirne, because of the seeds he has sown.

‘The problem is that Selim, who was blamed as the culprit of the earthquake, was executed, but the earthquakes continue to occur.’

It would be okay if it was a weak aftershock without damage, but a large aftershock that would be separately recorded was enough to make people doubt Yusuf’s claims.

Since all the other brothers are dead, my position may not be in danger, but I may lose the momentum for the initial reforms.

Although, as a result, I ended up facing Islamic figures.

“Padishah [Ottoman honorific title equivalent to Emperor or Sovereign], I will ask you something.”

“Speak.”

The silahdars [sword-bearers] of the Kapikulu [Ottoman standing army], who were in close protection as if they would cut him down if he spoke nonsense, exuded a sharp aura, but Sheikh ul-Islam [highest religious authority in the Ottoman Empire], Zenbilli Ali Efendi, asked calmly.

“How did you know about the earthquake?”

“Hmm, do I have a reason to explain that to you?”

“Then I will ask differently. Do you think of yourself as a prophet?”

Yusuf smiled and asked back at Ali’s pointed question.

“What if I am?”

“According to the Koran, Muhammad is the last prophet. Can you handle being considered his successor?”

At Ali’s words, those who were guarding him placed their hands on their sword hilts and exuded murderous intent.

The murderous intent of the best elite warriors in the Ottoman Empire, who survived countless suicide missions, was at a level that was difficult for a scholar to endure, but Ali, who was kneeling, didn’t even flinch.

‘So, he was a figure who rebelled against Selim as well.’

He was known in history as a person who opposed Selim, who had harsh tendencies, and he was not of ordinary courage.

Yusuf asked, as if amused.

“Then what do you think about me predicting the earthquake?”

“I think you were just lucky.”

“Luck, huh.”

It’s true that I’m lucky. I’ve received a lot of help from luck so far.

However, they probably don’t know this, so it was meant to just pass it off as good luck.

The prophet controversy was water under the bridge, and if possible, I had to get something out of it.

“Zenbilli Ali Efendi.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“The empire has grown and valued Islam. Isn’t that so?”

“That is correct.”

When the Ottoman Empire was emerging, the Islamic world was faltering as the Crusaders rampaged in the west and the Mongol Empire in the east.

At that time, the Ottomans gained the support of Islam by declaring that they would conquer the lands of the infidels who had invaded Islam.

From its birth to its demise, the Ottoman Empire’s character as an Islamic empire was important.

“However, the current interpretation of Islam is too narrow to embrace the empire.”

“How can you say such a terrible thing?”

Yusuf said coldly to Ali’s agitated reaction.

“How many hundreds of years ago was the Koran first created? How many countries have been destroyed and how much culture has changed during that time? Do you really think that the Koran at that time, which was tailored to nomads, is suitable for our empire?”

Ali fell silent at Yusuf’s criticism.

Muhammad’s Koran well reflects the needs of the nomads, who were the main force at the time.

‘Banning pigs is a good example.’

For nomads, pigs are slow to move and not suitable for nomadic life. They require a lot of precious water and food, and they don’t provide labor like sheep or cows that provide wool and milk.

Because they don’t provide labor like sheep or cows that provide wool and milk.

However, some people raised them despite these problems because they tasted good, and this was not a very desirable situation for the leader.

So, it can be inferred that it was religiously prohibited.

‘Besides, there are many rules that fit the nomadic situation.’

The bowl was not suitable for embracing the empire, which is still huge and will become even bigger in the future.

“Are you trying to claim to be a prophet and create a new Koran?”

“Including you, there is no way you would tolerate such heretical acts.”

There is no reason to volunteer to be treated as a heretic in the Islamic world when they are being called pagans in Christianity.

In particular, they have to conquer and rule Islamic regions such as the Safavids and Mamluks, which will only make governance more difficult.

Ali had a confused look on his face at Yusuf’s words.

“What are you going to do?”

“My will has already been conveyed. The tolerant empire will walk the path of glory.”

The tolerant empire was the empire that Yusuf was envisioning.

Tolerant doesn’t mean that he will not wage wars of conquest, but that he will generously govern various religions, cultures, and races.

‘Inclusiveness has a big impact on the development of cities and countries.’

Explosive development usually occurred during periods when various cultures and races freely mixed.

The Islamic Golden Age, when all kinds of studies such as mathematics, medicine, chemistry, literature, and architecture flourished, was also achieved because various cultures such as Greece, Rome, Persia, and India were combined.

‘It’s not good for the perspective of one religion to deeply influence the empire.’

The more the Ottoman Empire declined, the more Islam came to the fore, which greatly influenced its downfall, as people despised science.

It doesn’t mean that Islam is inherently bad, but that the more religion holds power and influences the country, the more problems it causes.

Ali said with a stiff face at Yusuf’s declaration.

“Are you going to abandon Islam?”

“Those who believe in Islam are also my subjects. Why would I abandon them?”

If I conquer the Mamluks, I can also get the position of Caliph [leader of the entire Muslim community], who can be said to be the Pope of Islam, so there is no reason to do that.

“You too will enjoy glory in the shadow of my empire, the Ottoman Empire.”

Of course, this tolerance will also apply to heresies that are favorable to Yusuf.

Even if he doesn’t bother to call himself a prophet and try to change Islam, heresies that think of Yusuf as a prophet may emerge, and through this, he can bring about changes in Islam within the empire.

‘The Koran is similar to Confucius’ Analects.’

It is a book in which his disciples compiled records after his death, not one that he wrote directly.

You can argue that there was no distortion in the process, and you can question the meaning of the word “last prophet.”

Even if I didn’t throw this logic, it wasn’t difficult to gather people because I had directly seen Yusuf’s prophecy.

If I give more power to these heresies, I can influence Islam to my liking.

This was something that Ali could fully expect, and he let out a small sigh.

“I think this old man will see you often for bad things.”

“You may be able to see me for a long time as long as you don’t cross the line.”

Religious leaders such as Sheikh ul-Islam were a kind of person in charge.

I mean, the person in charge who gets executed if problems like rebellion occur.

Ali decided to watch the situation for now at Yusuf’s warning, and after paying his respects, he stepped down.

Yusuf returned to his room and sat down with a thud.

“Well, it’s not like there were no results.”

Because I twisted the story a bit and covered up how I could predict the earthquake.

The important thing is that I bought time for now.

If I conquer the Safavids and Mamluks and achieve military achievements, there is no need to maintain public sentiment by acting as a prophet.

“And we need to have a proper national framework.”

It was an era without the things that people usually think of when they think of a country.

There was no properly defined national name, so various names were used depending on the time, and there was a flag symbolizing the monarch, but no national flag symbolizing the country.

That’s why religion has to be used to occupy and govern the public sentiment.

“It’s natural that patriotism is weak because the form of the country is not properly established, and it’s easy to split if the country is shaken.”

It was also necessary to establish an accurate national name, create a national flag, and introduce national literature to instill a sense of being citizens of the same country.

In addition, various education had to be widely carried out.

Of course, it will be a long process because it is an era when even the concept of a proper nation is vague, and we cannot only focus on internal organization forever.

“It’s urgent to eliminate the Safavids led by Ismail.”

Yusuf looked down at the map.

The Ottoman Empire has a lot to overturn right now, but the Safavids are still a threatening enemy to be immersed in this.

“They might even join hands with the West.”

Even if they point fingers at each other as pagans, they can join hands as long as the benefits are right.

Yusuf declared coldly.

“It’s two years from now.”

I’m going to raise an army to defeat the Safavids.

***

A grand banquet was held in Tabriz, the capital of the Safavid Empire.

Ismail, who led 17,000 Qizilbash [Shia militant group], defeated 28,000 Uzbek troops and took the life of the enemy ruler, Muhammad Shaybani Khan, who had been ambushed.

“Hmm, this is good wine.”

Ismail smiled as he drank the wine contained in the jewel-encrusted skull.

It was a wine glass made from Shaybani’s skull, and a soldier paid his respects to Ismail, who was laughing cheerfully.

“Great Shah [Persian title equivalent to King], those who rebelled with Shakulu are asking to see the Shah.”

“Hmm, let them in.”

There was no reason to meet mere remnants, but Ismail allowed it.

It was after he received the news that Yusuf, whom he considered to be the most difficult opponent, had finally become Sultan, and he needed to hear how he fought.

The man, who had barely arrived in Tabriz after fleeing to avoid pursuit, knelt down and paid his respects politely.

“I greet the Great Shah.”

Ismail, who lightly comforted him for his hard work, asked.

“Yes, tell me about the battle situation in detail. Why did you lose?”

The man trembled slightly as he recalled the events at Ismail’s question.

“A huge thunderous sound came from the enemy’s weapon, and the soldiers who were running bravely fell down in droves.”

“Thunderous sound?”

As Ismail stroked his beard as if he was interested, the person next to him carefully said.

“It seems like he is talking about the gunpowder weapons that the Ottomans have.”

“I heard there was something like that.”

Ismail smiled with interest.

***

Yusuf’s informants, who contacted Tazlu and helped her, were carefully selected.

They spread rumors about Ismail and also reported 5,000 Qizilbash who were trying to bypass Erzurum and attack Trabzon.

“Brother Hassan.”

The man lying in the room jumped up at the voice calling him.

“I told you not to call me by that name!”

The man called Hassan hit his subordinate on the head.

“Isn’t that why I’m going through this trouble because of that name!”

Thanks to perfectly completing the difficult mission, he became a spy in the middle of enemy territory.

No matter how I think about it, I can only think that Hassan’s curse, who is in charge of excessive labor, has descended.

Hassan, who was lightly angry, asked his subordinate.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing special, but the remnants who rebelled in the empire have been in the palace for a long time.”

The key task was to select important information, and it was information that would normally be omitted.

However, Hassan felt something strangely bothering him, and after much deliberation, he made a decision.

“Include it in the information to be sent.”

“But, isn’t it a trivial matter?”

“Maybe. That’s how we see it. But, Padishah may see something we didn’t see.”

“I don’t know anything even if I get reprimanded later.”

The subordinate, who had been hit one more time for adding unnecessary words, grumbled and added the information.