Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1084

1084. The Traitor’s Fate (14)

“But why the south?”

Ahmad’s strategist, sensing Ahmad’s hesitation, questioned the English army’s staff officer.

“Ahmad’s power base is in Amasya. Why start from scratch in a place with no existing support? And consider Amasya’s location. It’s directly opposite Korkud’s Antalya. Even if Selim becomes Sultan, he can’t attack both simultaneously, can he? That would leave his own rear vulnerable.”

Ahmad’s supporters nodded in agreement with the strategist’s point. The English army’s staff officer, having listened, readily concurred.

“That’s a valid point. However, if Selim becomes Sultan, splitting your forces would be a fatal error.”

“A fatal error?”

“The forces he can mobilize will be significantly larger. He could then contain one of you while attacking the other.”

“You mean, we’d be defeated one at a time?”

“Precisely.”

At the English staff officer’s words, Ahmad, his strategist, and the other staff officers studied the map again.

“Indeed…”

Even if Ahmad and Korkud returned to their respective bases and rebuilt their strength, it would be difficult to face Selim, who would control the entire Ottoman Empire. While Selim couldn’t strike both at once, he could secure enough forces to defeat them separately. The English army’s staff officer, seeing the agreement from Ahmad’s advisors, continued.

“By establishing yourselves in the south, near Korkud’s base, Ahmad and Korkud can mutually support each other. No matter how powerful Selim becomes as Sultan, it will be too much for him to handle. If you play this strategically, you can extract concessions from Selim.”

“So, where would be a good location to establish ourselves?”

At Ahmad’s question, the English army’s staff officer pointed to a spot on the map.

“Adana.”

“Adana…”

Ahmad and his strategists, having located Adana, all nodded.

“Suitable.”

“It seems suitable.”

Adana’s location did appear ideal. It was a reasonable distance from Korkud’s stronghold in Antalya, neither too far nor too close. It was also moderately distant from Mersin, the largest nearby port, and backed by highlands.

In essence, it was a city that offered time to prepare for attacks from both the sea and inland.

“Hmm…”

Ahmad, pondering the map, instructed his strategists.

“Send a messenger to Korkud. He will accept the proposal.”

“Yes, sir.”

The next day, a messenger, having memorized Ahmad’s proposal, set out for Korkud’s camp. Two days later, the messenger returned with one sent by Korkud. Korkud’s messenger, after politely greeting Ahmad, delivered his message.

“My lord sends word to Ahmad: ‘I have carefully considered the proposal and find it agreeable.'”

Korkud’s messenger then conveyed Korkud’s specific demands. Following this, Korkud’s and Ahmad’s armies launched small-scale attacks against Selim’s forces. Exploiting the gaps in Selim’s defenses created by these coordinated attacks, messengers from Korkud and Ahmad traveled frequently between their camps, negotiating details. The English army commander, observing this, asked his staff officer.

“They all know how to read and write, so why memorize everything? A small mistake could create significant problems, couldn’t it?”

The staff officer immediately replied.

“It’s likely a precaution against capture by Selim’s army. They want to avoid compromising their plans by carrying sensitive documents.”

“So, the escorts’ mission isn’t just simple protection?”

“Probably not.”

As the English army suspected, the soldiers escorting the messengers had additional responsibilities.

-If capture is imminent, eliminate the messenger.

This was a standard mission for messenger escorts. With the widespread use of firearms, it was a task that could be carried out with certainty. In the worst-case scenario, they simply had to place a gun to the messenger’s head and pull the trigger.

The messengers were well aware of this. Coordination between the two sides proceeded swiftly, and an agreement was reached the day before the Sabbath [Saturday, the day of rest]. After a surprisingly peaceful Sabbath, on the first day of the new week,

Korkud’s army unleashed an unprecedentedly fierce barrage on Selim’s camp. While Selim’s army was pinned down by the shelling, Ahmad’s army slipped away from Bolu and began moving south. Under the protection of Korkud’s forces, Ahmad’s army bypassed Korkud’s camp and rapidly headed south. As Ahmad’s army withdrew, Korkud’s army also began a swift retreat.

* * *

“Bolu is empty!”

“Korkud’s army is retreating!”

“Hmph!”

Selim scoffed at the reports.

“Ahmad has played a trick!”

Selim immediately recognized the mastermind behind the move. Korkud had initiated the alliance, but he was a man of books and contemplation, which had led to his earlier failures. Ahmad, as the eldest son of Bayezid, had been trained in the art of kingship – a political and cunning individual.

Therefore, Ahmad, despite facing criticism, had strengthened and preserved his forces.

“Is he planning to retreat and fortify a new position?”

Selim analyzed Ahmad’s intentions.

-Judging by Ahmad’s current direction, he has abandoned Amasya.

-If he continues this course, he’s definitely heading south.

“…Then he intends to maintain his alliance with Korkud and hold out. A judgment befitting Ahmad.”

Selim shared his thoughts with his staff officers, who then asked,

“Do you want us to organize a pursuit force immediately?”

“No, not yet.”

Selim clearly stated his intentions.

“Entering Constantinople is now the priority. We must first eliminate the troublemakers within the city.”

The “troublemakers” Selim referred to were the Janissaries [elite Ottoman infantry]. The staff officers, understanding Selim’s meaning, immediately replied.

“We will move towards Constantinople at once.”

“Prepare thoroughly; they may have laid traps.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

With Ahmad’s withdrawal from Bolu, the road to Constantinople was open. Having secured a path, Selim’s army advanced rapidly. The French-Italian-Portuguese forces, who had seized Gebze, responded accordingly, moving east to meet Selim’s army coming from the west.

The combined armies converged in Izmit and began their march towards Istanbul. The Italian, Portuguese, and French fleets, having received the report, moved swiftly. They dispatched a large transport fleet to ferry the ground forces across the Bosphorus Strait and sent warnings to the English and Habsburg fleets in the area.

-Withdraw from the Bosphorus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the eastern side of the Gallipoli Peninsula.

-Remain, and we will sink you!

“Do you want war!”

The admirals of the English and Habsburg fleets protested vehemently, but the messengers remained calm.

“Why not?”

“Ugh…”

Faced with a fleet united by three powerful nations, the English and Habsburg admirals could only grit their teeth. A direct battle would result in their defeat.

“I will inform my home country!”

“That is your prerogative, but please withdraw immediately.”

“Damn it!”

Ultimately, the English and Habsburg admirals retreated past the Gallipoli Peninsula to the Aegean Sea and sent reports home. England and Habsburg, upon receiving the reports, sent protests to France, Italy, and Portugal.

The diplomats of the three countries responded calmly to the fierce criticism.

“Preventing unnecessary sacrifices is a reasonable choice. Is there a problem?”

“Do you want war?”

“If you wish. Shall we remove the flags of our allies and fight under our own banners?”

“Ugh…”

France boasted the strongest ground forces in Europe, while Italy and Portugal possessed significant naval power. The messengers from England and Habsburg had no choice but to back down.

“The problem is the duration. How long will you maintain this blockade? Trade will suffer greatly.”

The officials of the three countries immediately answered.

“Until the new Sultan of the Ottoman Empire is decided.”

“Hmm…”

“Perhaps you could assist us. The longer this takes, the more everyone loses, correct?”

“Ugh…”

The messengers could only groan at the brazen request. In the end, the English and Habsburg fleets withdrew west of the Gallipoli Peninsula and ceased interfering with the French, Italian, and Portuguese fleets.

* * *

With the Habsburg and English fleets out of the way, the French-Italian-Portuguese allied fleet could fully demonstrate its power. Stationed in the southern port of Constantinople, the fleet bombarded the Janissary positions within the city. Simultaneously, a large transport fleet shuttled across the Bosphorus Strait, carrying Selim and the allied forces without pause.

Another transport fleet carried supplies to the ground forces advancing beyond the Theodosian Walls [Constantinople’s land defenses]. The Janissary commanders, under relentless attack from land and sea, urgently requested support from the Habsburg army. However, the Habsburg commander refused.

“I’m sorry, but we lack the capacity.”

“No capacity! The land route is open!”

“Bandit activity has increased recently…”

“Huh!”

The Janissary messenger was incredulous at the mention of “bandits.”

“Please hold out a little longer. We will assist you as soon as we are able.”

“Please help us.”

However, when the Janissary messenger returned, the Habsburg army had retreated far away.

“Despicable! Cowardly!”

Looking at the retreating Habsburg army, the Janissary messenger screamed at the sky.

* * *

From the moment the retreat of the Habsburg army was confirmed, the morale of the Janissaries plummeted.

“There’s nothing we can do now.”

“This cannot be…”

The commanders, in despair, soon issued a cease-fire order and raised a white flag. As the white flag was raised at headquarters, the Janissary soldiers laid down their weapons and raised their hands. With the Janissaries’ resistance broken, Selim entered Constantinople. The French, Italian, and Portuguese armies dragged the Janissary commanders before Selim, forcing them to kneel.

“Please forgive our disloyalty.”

“Please have mercy…”

Selim, looking at the commanders begging for mercy, ordered with a cold expression.

“I have no need for a dog that bites its owner, let alone chooses its owner.”