Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1072

1072. The Spoils System (2)

The Janissaries were more than just a simple slave group. They were an elite corps selected from Christian families, technically the lowest class in the Ottoman Empire. While some children were conscripted, many more volunteered to improve their social standing. In fact, after undergoing the rigorous training and education, almost all of them embraced their new lives.

Those who excelled were immediately assigned to prestigious positions within the imperial palace, becoming officials, clergy, or artists. Those with military aptitude were assigned to the Janissaries, the elite combat units. Over time, the Janissaries amassed considerable power. Consequently, anyone aspiring to become Sultan needed their support.

More accurately, they needed to be *chosen* by the Janissaries. As it stood, the Janissaries seemed to favor Selim. Indeed, they had little choice.

* * *

As the Empire became more involved in international affairs, the most significant change was the proliferation of advanced firearms and cannons. Weapons manufactured by the Ottoman Empire, Ming China, Japan, and various European powers were becoming increasingly common. This meant that the Janissaries, initially valued as a military force specializing in guns and cannons, began to lose some of their unique advantage.

Of course, the Janissaries remained the Sultan’s most powerful force, particularly given the tribal guard traditions prevalent in the Middle East and Central Asia. However, as the Janissaries evolved into a powerful interest group, they increasingly became a potential ‘foe rather than a friend’ to those vying for the throne.

-Aligning with them meant securing the most powerful ally, but also conceding the most power later.

-Whether you allied with them or not, your life was constantly at risk.

This dynamic, which had persisted from the reign of Mehmed II to Bayezid II, began to shift as firearms and cannons became more readily available. Even if they were used, the prices of these weapons dropped significantly, making it feasible to establish independent gunner and artillery units.

The real expense was gunpowder, but the Ottoman power contenders were willing and able to shoulder this cost. Consequently, two leading candidates to succeed Bayezid II, Korkud and Ahmed, formed their own gunner and artillery units.

Selim also established such units, but he kept them small, just large enough for self-protection. This was a deliberate strategy.

-Given the size of Korkud and Ahmed’s gunner and artillery units, the Janissaries wouldn’t be able to demand as large a share of power, even if they joined forces with either of them.

-Therefore, the Janissaries will come to me.

-And I can secure their support with fewer concessions than I initially anticipated.

* * *

Despite forming their own gunner and artillery units, Korkud and Ahmed’s fates hinged on subsequent events. While suppressing a rebellion by Shia mystics, Korkud suffered significant losses, especially within his gunner and artillery units. Furthermore, his failure to quell the uprising diminished his political standing.

Conversely, Ahmed managed and trained his forces effectively, preserving his strength. This is where Selim’s plan encountered a snag. The Janissaries confidently demanded their price.

-Now, Ahmed is your only real opponent. But with your current forces, you can’t possibly match him.

-You seem to be planning to rely on the Crimean Khanate, but the battlefield is now dominated by gunners and artillery, not cavalry.

-What are you going to do? Time is running out.

“Haa~.”

Just as Selim was considering the Janissaries’ demands, the situation shifted once more.

Korkud had managed to stage a comeback, and Italy had approached him.

* * *

Korkud, who had been sidelined after his failed rebellion suppression, immediately accepted the Habsburgs’ offer.

-In exchange for abandoning expansion into the Balkans, we will be free to advance into the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions.

Based on this agreement, the Habsburgs began supplying Korkud with massive quantities of firearms and cannons. More than just weapons, they provided a training corps of officers and soldiers experienced in the new warfare tactics developed during their recent conflict with France, and they began training Korkud’s soldiers.

As Korkud regained prominence, Ahmed and the Janissaries grew anxious. Ahmed raided his treasury again to purchase more firearms and cannons, and he hired European mercenaries as instructors. The Janissaries sent another messenger to Selim, offering slightly more favorable terms than before.

However, Selim didn’t respond immediately, because of Italy.

“Join us. If you do, you won’t be stuck with discarded, used weapons. You’ll have brand new equipment straight from the factory. Not just weapons, but also bullets, shells, and gunpowder for your guns and cannons, all on credit.”

“There’s no such thing as unconditional kindness. What do you want in return?”

“More gold from Suez and passage to Persia and Baku.”

“Persia and Baku…”

Selim understood their objective immediately.

‘It’s oil they’re after, after all.’

Selim aimed to become the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Although he was the governor of Trabzon, the easternmost province, he kept a close watch on developments in the West. He was well aware of the growing importance of oil.

‘Whether I align with Italy or the Janissaries, I’ll have to make concessions. The question is, which alliance will minimize my losses?’

Selim was weighing ‘the lesser of two evils’ when the Italian envoy added another point.

“Italy isn’t the only one making moves. Portugal and France are also working together.”

Selim’s expression changed.

‘Italy, Portugal, and France? Those three, who were recently at war with each other, are now allies? How? Suez!’

For the Ottomans, Suez was a goldmine. However, three of the five countries that jointly managed Suez with the Ottomans had now formed an alliance.

‘No, the Empire is backing Italy and Portugal, so everyone is making their move.’

Selim’s mind raced.

‘This has never happened before, but if those countries unite, changing the Sultan will be as easy as flipping a hand. The only reason this hasn’t happened before is because the Empire was stable and the Sultans guaranteed their interests. But oil has changed everything. They need not only Suez but also a route to Persia.’

“Hmm…”

Seeing Selim hesitate, the Italian envoy added,

“We want to share the profits from Suez with the Ottomans, just as we do now.”

“I need more time to consider this.”

“Understood.”

A few days after the Italian envoy’s departure, a messenger from the Janissaries visited Selim.

“We heard that the Italians paid you a visit, Governor. Surely, Your Excellency isn’t considering aligning with those impious European pigs? Everything Ottoman must remain Ottoman and cannot be shared with Europe. Korkud is foolish enough to consider such a thing. And Korkud can never become Sultan. And those who don’t need the Janissaries will never become Sultan either.”

Selim’s eyes narrowed at the Janissary messenger’s words.

‘Blackmail. They’re blackmailing me by implying they’ll make someone other than Korkud, Ahmed, or me the Sultan. They’re saying they have the power to do it.’

Selim, understanding the hidden meaning, questioned the messenger.

“What do you want?”

“It is unacceptable for foreign powers to set foot anywhere other than Suez. Preventing the influx of foreign powers is what we want. And recognition of our loyalty.”

Selim smiled and replied.

“You want a reward for your recognized loyalty.”

“We only ask for a small reward.”

“I understand. I will give you an answer after further consideration.”

The Janissary messenger issued an open warning.

“Time is running out.”

“I will make a decision as soon as possible.”

The day after the Janissary messenger’s visit, the Italian envoy returned.

“I heard the Janissaries paid you a visit?”

“How did you know that?”

“Even the beggars in the back alleys know how noisy it was.”

Selim’s eyes flashed.

“Did they deliberately spread these rumors?”

“Perhaps? There’s also a way to turn rumors into reality. It also increases their value.”

“Gritting his teeth…”

Selim understood the Janissaries’ strategy.

-By spreading rumors as if an agreement was already in place, Selim would be forced to accept their proposal.

-If he refused, he would be branded a ‘breaker of promises’ and suffer political damage.

-At the same time, Selim’s competitors would try to win over the Janissaries, strengthening their own position while weakening his.

-No matter the outcome, the Janissaries stood to gain.

As Selim seethed at the Janissaries’ manipulation, the Italian envoy smiled slyly and asked,

“What will you do? Do you want to become a Sultan ruled by the slaves you’re forced to rely on?”

Nominally, the Janissaries were ‘slaves of the Sultan.’ But now, instead of obeying the Sultan’s wishes, they were intimidating the potential successors.

“But I can’t ignore the Janissaries. They are a powerful army.”

“Powerful, but an army of the past. This isn’t the era of Mehmed II.”

“An army of the past…”

“Shouldn’t you create a new army? Not the Sultan’s slaves, but the Sultan’s army.”

“The Sultan’s army…”

Selim was lost in thought once more.

“Come back tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

The next day, Selim asked the Italian envoy,

“If I join forces with you, when will I be able to complete my army?”

The Italian envoy answered immediately.

“Right now.”

“Right now?”

Seeing Selim’s incredulous expression, the Italian envoy smiled wryly and replied meaningfully,

“What matters is the Governor’s army. It doesn’t matter where the soldiers come from, does it?”

Selim’s expression mirrored the envoy’s.

“That’s true. What matters is the flag of the army, not the color of the soldiers’ faces.”