Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 82

Intersecting Gambits (1)

As the Age of Exploration dawned, civilizations previously unknown to each other, or engaged in limited trade, connected, giving rise to a truly global history.

A key element of this era, defined by massive sailing ships traversing the great seas, was the pirate.

Privateers, in particular—pirate ships sanctioned by their governments—wielded considerable influence.

Francis Drake, who defeated the Spanish Armada despite being outnumbered, propelling England to become a rising power, was one such privateer captain.

‘The two Barbarossa brothers before me are much the same as Drake,’ Yusuf mused.

They were figures who served not only as pirates but also as admirals in their respective navies.

Yusuf smiled at the two brothers, who remained silent after he mentioned plunder.

“Why is this not obvious? I summoned pirates, so naturally, we discuss plunder.”

“That is true, but…”

Taking a short breath to steel himself, Urgj said firmly.

“Though my homeland is the Empire, I am not one to blindly follow its orders.”

“Is it because of the Hafsid dynasty?”

“Indeed.”

The Hafsid dynasty ruled over the region of North Africa and was a major patron of the Barbary pirates.

Urgj, as a Barbary pirate, was contractually obligated to give one-third of his spoils to the Hafsid Sultan in exchange for strategically using Tunis as a base.

Yusuf waved his hand dismissively.

“Did you think I would summon you without knowing that?”

As the Ottomans conquered all the Islamic forces around the Mediterranean, they became the greatest patron of the Barbary pirates, but they were still only one of the sponsoring nations.

Rather, with the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire and the decline of trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, pirate activities shifted to Spain and North Africa, diminishing Ottoman influence.

“It matters not. Do not equate my Ottoman Empire with the incompetent Hafsid dynasty that relies on your income.”

“Then what do you desire?”

“Strategic advantage and the abduction of useful talents are sufficient.”

The Hafsids? They will be annexed by the Ottomans anyway, after passively watching the Mamluks being conquered.

The treasures amassed by the pirates could be seized then; for now, it was enough that the Barbary pirates were rampant.

“Urgj, you grew up under the patronage of my brother Korkut, did you not?”

“…That is correct.”

When Korkut became the Sanjakbey [governor] of Çorum, an inland region, Urgj fled to North Africa, fearing that his friendship with Korkut might cause trouble.

As Yusuf brought up his connection with his deceased brother, Urgj looked at Yusuf with a nervous gaze.

A single word from the Padishah [Ottoman Sultan] could send a mere pirate captain to his death at any moment.

However, the words that followed were reassuring, contrary to Urgj’s worries.

“Though he departed this world in vain, I trust in my brother Korkut’s judgment. He must have provided you with so much support because of your outstanding abilities.”

“I received excessive favor.”

“There is no need to overthink it. Just consider it a continuation of our connection through my brother. Think of it as a return to those days when you were with my brother.”

Unlike someone who had plotted to kill Korkut, Yusuf spoke in a gentle tone, and Urgj, unaware of this fact, bowed his head, touched by the sentiment.

“I shall act according to the Padishah’s will.”

“Well said, Urgj. I will lend you ships and ports. Go and wreak havoc as you please.”

“Thank you, Padishah.”

It did not matter which areas the Barbary pirates chose to plunder.

They could raid the Italian territories under the Papal States or mainly target Spain, which would be a formidable enemy until the 16th century.

‘Or they could even raid Venice, with whom we have a peace treaty.’

Wasn’t the true reason for outsourcing to have the ability to deny everything at any time?

The goal was to prevent the West from focusing its attention this way until the Safavids and Mamluks were conquered.

Even that alone would be worth their keep.

“And Kemal Reis.”

“Yes, my Padishah.”

“There is no need to feel too disheartened.”

Budgets and resources are not unlimited.

Supporting pirates meant less support for the navy.

Realizing that this thought had shown on his face, Kemal hurriedly knelt.

“I am sorry, Padishah!”

“No, it is fine. It is a natural reaction for someone leading the military. I do not intend to blame you.”

“Thank you for your mercy.”

“Go and seek out Suleiman Pasha and a man named Tahir. They will more than compensate for your disappointment.”

Small cannons were more useful at sea than on land, and Kemal Reis would recognize their value well.

Filled with anticipation at Yusuf’s words, Kemal bowed deeply.

Yusuf returned to his room, leaving the three behind, and looked at the map affixed to the wall.

“Two Barbarossas.”

His intervention had twisted the fate of Baba Urgj.

He was the man who seized Algiers, rose to the position of Sultan, and then became a vassal of Selim, fearing a Spanish invasion, eventually becoming the governor of Algiers.

Though he died fighting the Spanish army not long after becoming governor, he laid the foundation for his brother Hajir to make a name for himself.

‘Without him, there would be no Hayreddin, the Ottoman Grand Admiral.’

Considering his reputation in the original history, his eyes were more drawn to his younger brother Hajir, but Urgj was also a capable talent.

At the very least, he was on par with an Ottoman admiral, and he wondered what achievements he could make with active support.

“Shall we see your skills then?”

This was the period when the Barbary pirates, who had existed since the 7th century, absorbed Jews and Muslims expelled from Spain and gradually gained notoriety.

It was worth anticipating the activities of the Barbary pirates, who would later turn all of North Africa into a single pirate state.

Of course, it might be too harsh for those who were on the receiving end.

“Not my problem.”

Yusuf smiled playfully.

It was a decision that would make the Mediterranean tremble with the infamy of the Barbary pirates.

***

Hürrem’s eyes widened as she first stepped into the harem [the private living quarters of a Sultan’s wives, concubines, and female servants].

Born as the daughter of an Orthodox priest, Hürrem had received a good education, but she had not lived a life of luxury.

The appearance of the women wearing Turkish dresses with long, flowing sleeves was captivating even to another woman, and their coquettish laughter echoed in her ears.

The scent of expensive perfumes and incense wafted through the air, and the jewels worn by the women were enough to live on without worry, even if only a portion of them were taken.

It was her first glimpse of the harem, and Hürrem, who had a slightly dazed expression, immediately had to see the hidden side behind the splendor.

“These are the women who have newly entered the harem this time.”

The female administrators who led the women into the harem with an overbearing attitude paid their respects, and Fatima scrutinized the women as if scanning them.

Fatima, who turned her head as if uninterested, said,

“Eine Kalfa [female servant in charge of training].”

“Yes, Valide Hatun [the Sultan’s mother].”

“Assign one Kalfa to each of them and have them start by teaching the language. I entrust their education entirely to you.”

“Understood.”

With Fatima’s command, a harsh education began.

The women, who could not even properly use Ottoman Turkish, let alone etiquette, had to learn the language while being beaten.

As the number of those who stammered the language increased due to the exquisitely administered beatings that did not leave scars, they then had to learn court etiquette.

Thanks to the education that was ingrained into their bodies, they did not even know how the day passed, and at that time, a strange rumor circulated among the women.

“I heard that the reason we are being educated so harshly is because of a little brat who was disrespectful to the Padishah?”

“The Kalfas heard that rumor and are sharpening their knives.”

As this rumor spread, the women, who could be said to be in the same situation, turned their heads towards Hürrem.

Hürrem, whose mind and body were already exhausted due to the harsh education, was tormented and despised even by the other harem women, leaving her with nothing but venom.

Hürrem, who exuded a prickly venom like a hedgehog, took revenge on the women as if releasing her pent-up emotions.

It did not take long for Hürrem to be dragged before Fatima due to the daily disturbances.

“Valide Hatun, this child is Alexandra, who has been constantly causing trouble in the harem.”

Hürrem, who had been dragged to this place, froze as the same green eyes as the Padishah scanned her.

Fatima, who examined Hürrem, asked the Kalfas in charge of education.

“So, what do you wish to be done?”

“We believe she should be expelled for causing trouble in the harem. We fear she may harm the Padishah.”

The harem was a place where they were taught to obey the Sultan, and a rebellious woman was not the ideal woman sought in the harem.

At the Kalfa’s reasonable argument, Fatima looked down at Hürrem and said.

“Alexandra, do you know what will happen if you are expelled from the harem?”

“…I do not know.”

“If you are lucky, you may be given as a gift to an administrator, and if you are unlucky, you may end up in the arms of a different man every day.”

Hürrem, who was only 10 years old, trembled at these words.

Her family had been brutally killed before her eyes, and she had been dragged into slavery, but she did not want to end her life that way.

Fatima, who had been looking down at Hürrem, who was momentarily overcome with fear, reached out her hand to her.

“I will give you one more chance. You shall attend to me.”

“Valide Hatun!”

The Kalfas cried out in haste, but Fatima waved her hand.

“Enough. Is she not still a child? Allah [God] will be pleased if we give her one more chance.”

“Understood. Alexandra, quickly offer your thanks!”

“T, thank you, Valide Hatun.”

Fatima, who smiled softly at Hürrem, who awkwardly performed the etiquette she had learned, said to the Kalfa.

“Take her and teach her etiquette step by step.”

“Understood.”

As Hürrem and the Kalfas retreated, Fatima, who was left alone, erased her benevolent smile.

“Why would the Padishah show interest in you?”

Fatima, who had moved the harem for that one reason alone, stopped drumming her fingers on the table.

“Now that I have made her follow me as planned, I will be able to see if my guess is correct.”

It was Hürrem’s first step into the jungle-like life of the harem.

***

Sitting in a luxurious bedroom, Ismail stroked the hair of the woman beside him.

“Tazlu.”

“…Yes, my Shah [Persian title for King].”

Tazlu, who had been summoned to the bedroom for the first time since being abducted by Yusuf, who was now the Padishah, answered softly.

Her heart was pounding wildly.

It was not because she had been called by Ismail after a long time.

The touch that stroked her hair contained more coldness than affection, and his soft voice felt like a snake coiling around her body.

“My beautiful woman, it has been a long time since we have been together, has it not?”

“That is correct.”

The touch that started from her hair groped her body blatantly, but Tazlu felt more fear than shame.

His touch now was so different from when she had been in his arms.

“Are you so nervous because it has been so long?”

“No, I am not.”

“Is that so?”

Ismail, who lifted Tazlu’s chin with his hand, asked while looking her in the eye.

“Then you must be nervous because of the little rats you are being helped by?”

Tazlu’s eyes shook violently at the sudden words.

Ismail, looking at Tazlu, who was so startled that her heart seemed to stop, distorted his face hideously.

“Why did you do that? Did you think I would not know? I, who am favored by Allah!”

“I, I am sorry!”

Tazlu trembled and immediately prostrated herself before Ismail.

Ismail, who looked down at her with cold eyes, pressed down on her head.

“Do not worry, I will not kill you. However, you will never leave this room until you die.”

“My Shah!”

Despite Tazlu’s desperate cries, Ismail left the room without hesitation, and the door was tightly shut.

Late at night, torches blazed in Tabriz.

To eliminate the little rats who had witnessed the envoy from Venice.