Became The Sultan Of The Ottoman Empire [EN]: Chapter 93

Mask of Fury (2)

Living Yusuf’s life, I truly feel that human life was so fleeting in this era.

Kidnapping could lead to being sold as a slave overnight, and defeat in war could result in the massacre of thousands upon thousands.

A merchant might find a recently peaceful village in ruins at any time, and a passing nomad could turn into a bandit, threatening life at any moment.

*Assalamu alaikum*, the greeting meaning ‘Peace be upon you,’ needed to be contemplated, as peace could be broken at any time, and this time, it just happened to be Trabzon.

“Many have died.”

“I am sorry, Padishah [Ottoman title for ‘sovereign’].”

Out of the four thousand troops defending Trabzon, three thousand were either dead or wounded, and out of fifteen thousand citizens, four thousand casualties occurred.

Including those who might die any day now, there were over three thousand deaths, and the bodies had to be cleared all day to rebuild Trabzon.

“There is nothing to apologize for. You have fulfilled your role faithfully.”

As I always feel, no matter how much future knowledge I have, there is no reason to underestimate the people of this era.

I still don’t know why Venice is only preparing and not moving, but what if Venice *had* moved?

‘The fleet would have moved to the west, and Trabzon would have fallen because rescue didn’t arrive in time.’

The two concubines and daughter might have been taken as prisoners to Ismail [Shah of the Safavid dynasty], or they might have taken their own lives before being captured.

In that situation, no matter what the outcome, the Ottomans would have been swayed by the Safavids.

Whether negotiating to save the captured women or waging war to show the Sultan’s face and the Ottoman’s strength.

The initiative would be in the hands of the opponent, and it wouldn’t have returned to the Ottomans with good results.

That’s how fatal Ismail’s move was.

‘And even if reinforcements arrived in time, Arda’s ability to hold off Ismail during that time cannot be said to be lacking at all.’

Even though the civilians in the castle helped, they endured for over twenty days with four thousand soldiers against thirty thousand enemies.

Even though the siege weapons were somewhat poor because they brought supplies through Samtskhe, Arda’s achievements could not be downplayed.

Even a person who couldn’t leave a single name in the history books is like this, so how can anyone ignore people of the past?

“Arda, I heard your son also died in this war?”

“…My third son.”

“If it was the third son, was he a Serdar [military rank]? He was a playful one. I remember him cutting off all the tips of your arrows. Do you remember?”

“I do. I am ashamed to say that I did that on the day I went hunting with Padishah, so how could I forget?”

It was the day when all sorts of ridicule poured out towards Arda, who was laughably looking at the arrows without tips.

He ran away from Arda, who was chasing him with a club, all over Trabzon.

“Perhaps because of the effect of hiding back then, he said he endured to the end.”

Conversely, because he inflicted so much damage, he was dead to the point where it was difficult to recognize him, and he wouldn’t have been found if it weren’t for the broken sword next to him.

Of course, Serdar wasn’t the only one who showed a heroic figure. It was because there were so many people who risked their lives that they were able to endure.

“Shemsi Pasha.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“Reward those who survived this battle generously. And we will build a mosque for the dead. Also, spread their actions widely so that they can be emulated.”

“I understand.”

Yusuf looked at the corpses placed in makeshift coffins and coldly turned his body.

I am sorry for those who died in this battle, but the rewards are not given with a pure heart.

It was literally a measure to make an example.

It was to give the belief that even if you die fighting for the country, you don’t have to worry about those left behind.

‘Patriotism cannot be built up at once. It can be built up slowly in this way.’

This position was one where even the sacrifices of many had to be used as political means.

Yusuf, whose heart was slightly heavy, changed the subject.

“Is the preparation for the fleet’s return almost finished?”

“Yes, all the unloading of the cannons has been completed, and except for some supply ships that will take gunpowder and necessary supplies from the capital, all are ready to return to Gelibolu [a city and district in Turkey, located on the Gallipoli peninsula].”

“You have worked hard, Kemal Reis [Ottoman naval rank, ‘Admiral’].”

There was no need to keep the fleet afloat to conquer Georgia, which is mostly inland.

It’s just a waste of power.

All I had to do was take the cannons that could be used in siege warfare and field battles, and Yusuf gave Kemal an order.

“There may be provocations from the West. I will leave the judgment after that to you.”

“Trust me and leave it to me.”

“And contact Urji as well. If the Western fleet moves, tell him to run wild.”

When there is a gap in the sea, it is the pirates who get excited.

“The Barbary pirates, including Urji, will be very happy.”

“It’s up to them how much they take for themselves, even if there is an opportunity.”

Yusuf, who answered briefly, patted Kemal’s shoulder a few times and returned to the castle, and picked up Hasna, who was toddling over.

“Ah! Giggles.”

Seeing her giggling face, I felt a little relieved from the heavy heart, and towards Yusuf, who was smiling slyly, the two women said as if they were jealous.

“Even though she is my daughter, wouldn’t you give me some attention too?”

“Aisha Hatun [Ottoman honorific, ‘lady’] is right. You don’t easily show us a smile.”

Yusuf just laughed it off at the two women who were glaring.

It was no wonder they were jealous, as he had been holding Hasna since arriving in Trabzon.

“She’s my daughter, but isn’t she a mysterious and special child?”

To all parents, their children are special.

Because they are blinded by love, it is difficult to judge their children objectively, and rather, it was difficult to know how special they were.

Even before Mehmet started studying in earnest, I had no idea how smart he was, and I didn’t know how outstanding Murat, who was born as a large baby, had.

However, is it because I am used to the cases of one or two children? Somehow, Hasna’s specialness quickly caught my eye.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve wanted to see someone like this every day.’

It’s not just because she’s my daughter and she’s pretty.

Because my emotions have been worn down by past experiences.

“If you’re already like this, how are you going to send her off to marry later?”

“That’s something to think about when the time comes.”

I don’t know how long this feeling will last.

Still, one thing is certain is that when this child reaches the age to marry, the country will feel noisy in many ways.

‘It would be fun to watch that too.’

The opportunity to watch the beauty of the country next to me, which I had only heard about, will not be common.

While spending time with Hasna lightly, a Janissary Aga [commander of the Janissaries, elite Ottoman infantry] guarding the castle came to visit.

“Padishah, a messenger has come from Samtskhe [principality in Georgia].”

“Really?”

Samtskhe must be feeling like their feet are on fire.

It’s not a problem that the Cherkes [Circassians] captured the port and his fleet became fish food.

If they can’t somehow appease the Ottoman’s anger, the end will be obvious.

“Ah?”

Yusuf, who stroked Hasna’s head as she was sucking on her fingers as if she was hungry, said in a soft tone.

“Kill them all and hang their heads on the castle gate.”

Over the half-collapsed castle gate, dozens of heads were hung on poles.

***

The value of a standing army depends on how many troops can be quickly assembled.

In that respect, the Ottomans were among the top countries in the current era.

When a conscription order was issued in Anatolia, the Sipahis [Ottoman cavalry] headed to Trabzon in an orderly manner as if they had been waiting, and began to join one after another.

The Ottoman’s movements were extremely blatant, and even those who always paid attention to the Ottomans, their greatest enemy, quickly noticed.

“Doge [chief magistrate of Venice]! What are you going to do about this!”

Venetian Doge Leonardo Loredan sighed at the rebuke of the envoy from the Papal States.

“Who would have expected things to turn out this way?”

“If Venice had moved its fleet, this wouldn’t have happened! Don’t you know what will happen if the Safavids collapse like this?!”

The reason why the Ottomans could not easily move east was thanks to the Mamluks [a powerful military caste that ruled Egypt and Syria] and the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty [Turkmen tribal confederation] checking the Ottomans.

The Safavids must play that role instead of the Aq Qoyunlu Dynasty, but at this rate, the Safavids are about to collapse.

This was not a problem that would end with the collapse of the Safavids.

“Do you really think the Mamluks can stop the Ottomans?”

“…Unless we support them.”

The Doge answered, but a negative answer welled up inside.

It’s not that the Mamluks are weak. It’s just that the opponent was the opponent.

The infidel emperor, who had never experienced defeat, thought that even if the Mamluks piled up mountains of gold, it would be difficult to overcome.

“How can you trust those who are digging the ground and struggling unnecessarily?”

“You’re being too harsh. It’s not a useless thing.”

The Doge frowned.

Due to his mistake, Portugal gained control of the Indian Ocean, which greatly impacted Venice’s spice trade.

To make up for this, he quickly made an agreement with the Mamluks to build a canal, but the envoy pointed that out now, so he had no choice but to feel uncomfortable.

The envoy took a step back for now.

“Hoo, I was too harsh. But you must know. If the Safavids collapse, the next will be the Mamluks.”

If the Ottomans conquer even the Mamluks, Venice, which profits through Mediterranean trade, would have no choice but to be hit hard.

The Doge sighed at the envoy’s pressure.

“Okay, it’s late, but I’ll move the fleet now.”

I don’t know how much help it will be, but if the fleet moves from the West, the Ottomans will not be able to attack the Safavids with all their might.

It was a decision to at least give them some breathing room.

After the envoy left, the remaining Doge shouted.

“By the way, where the hell did the envoy who went to the Safavids go!”

It was a decision made by those who did not know Yusuf’s mind, who had no intention of setting foot on Safavid land, unlike what he had said.

***

“Aaaaaah! Damn it!”

How did I get this position in my hands?

Kvarqvare threw the glass he was holding against the wall.

The words that his uncle, Mzechabuk [Georgian noble title], had made a foolish choice rang in his ears, and the reality that he realized that the words were true was unbearable.

-I brought Mzechabuk.

“Bring him in!”

Kvarqvare did not even realize that the servant used to call Mzechabuk a sinner, but now he was calling the other person’s name.

Mzechabuk, who had a bad complexion as if his prison life had not been comfortable, staggered in, and smiled at the sight of his drunken nephew.

“It’s unsightly. You acted like you had the whole world. The smell of alcohol is strong.”

“Shut up. This is your last chance to live.”

Kvarqvare, who staggered slightly from the alcohol, grabbed his uncle’s collar.

“Tell me quickly how to stop the Ottomans. You, who have been with the Sultan for a long time, must know a way?!”

“A way to stop them? Hahaha.”

Mzechabuk burst into laughter in a hoarse voice, and after laughing so much that he coughed, he replied.

“It’s already too late. It’s not something that can be solved even if you put my life on the line, not just your life. That’s what you did. Do you understand, you fool.”

Kvarqvare’s hands trembled at the feeling that even a small hope had been cut off, and Mzechabuk said with despair and futility.

“Remember clearly. It’s you. You are the culprit who caused all the famous families of Georgia to perish.”

The nightmare was approaching rapidly.