I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

준비는 끝났다(1)

It has been half a century since the Ottoman Empire brought down Eastern Rome.

Even if it has fallen to the status of a city-state, the destruction of Eastern Rome was a significant shock to Europe, and it firmly etched the name Ottoman into history.

Even after the fall of Eastern Rome, the Ottomans continued their Conquest Wars and frequently clashed with Europe.

Countries like England had only heard rumors of the Ottomans, while others had been completely occupied.

Among them, Venice frequently clashed with the Ottomans, and Giovanni Barbaro, who came as an envoy, was overwhelmed by the scene before him.

‘That’s an immense array of artillery. If all those cannons are used in battle, it won’t end well.’

The vast open space was filled with cannons, making it hard to guess just how many there were.

The iron cannons, vulnerable to rust, were being maintained by thousands of men who looked like gunners, and a massive crowd gathered to watch.

Of course, Giovanni didn’t naively think that he just happened to witness this scene on the day he arrived as an envoy.

“It’s a show-off. The weather is nice, but there’s really no need to maintain the cannons outside.”

“I think so too.”

Giovanni agreed with the words of his attendant who accompanied him.

It was often drizzling in Constantinople, and leaving them out to get rained on would do no good.

It was certain that the Sultan had displayed this to impress them, having known of their visit.

‘It’s an obvious trick. But I can’t take it lightly.’

If such a vast number of cannons are operational, no matter how fortified a fortress, it wouldn’t hold up for long.

Having suffered great losses from naval battles with the Ottomans during the previous Sultan’s reign, the threat was even more terrifying to Venice.

The thought that they must make a peace treaty with the Ottomans only deepened as Giovanni glanced at his ship, now occupied by the Janissaries.

“It seems this conversation won’t be easy.”

An ominous feeling pricked at his heart.

*

Looking at the world map that included the Ottomans makes one feel like they’re moving on a giant chessboard.

Yusuf fiddled with a model representing Kemal Reis placed in the Mediterranean.

He could see Rhodes Island occupied by the Knights Hospitaller, and Crete Island held by Venice, while across the Mediterranean lay the territory of the Mamluks.

‘Kemal’s fleet should be heading back soon.’

After rebuffing the Mamluk envoy, a letter of complaint filled with accusations had come flying in, but Yusuf merely scoffed.

That country could do nothing more than that.

Having made a fortune through trade, it lacked the strength to push back a fleet that was a thorn in its throat.

In a situation where maintaining a fleet that pillaged merchant ships was still feasible, Yusuf called Venice because war was on the horizon.

“Is there no issue in preparing the Grand Vizier’s ship?”

“Of course. There are plenty of ships ready to transport supplies.”

In history, when the Ottomans fought the Mamluks, a fleet of nearly a hundred ships was mobilized.

The supply issue, the most crucial aspect of war, was resolved by mobilizing a vast fleet.

If they were to anticipate conflict with both the Safavid and Mamluks, it was necessary to prepare the fleet as much as possible, and Kemal’s fleet, which had operated for a long time, also needed maintenance.

This could be seen as a move to ensure they would have a strong harvest when they withdrew.

-Your Majesty, the envoy from Venice has arrived.

It had already been a week since the envoy arrived.

He had been assigned a shabby lodging under heavy surveillance during that time.

During this period, he had persistently requested to meet the captured Almoro Contarini, and Yusuf had acted capriciously.

There were many instances he returned empty-handed after being granted permission, only for it to be revoked later, but Yusuf finally granted permission.

“Bring him in.”

As Yusuf’s permission was granted, the door to the audience chamber opened, and the envoy, not hiding his tired expression, cautiously stepped inside.

The Sultan, known for his cruelty, had even been said to have cut off the fingers of a Mamluk envoy, so he had no choice but to be terrified while dealing with him.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Giovanni Barbaro, the envoy from Venice.”

Yusuf nodded at Giovanni, who greeted him politely in European style.

“Welcome. Given the long journey you’ve taken, I have granted you ample time to rest, but was it satisfactory?”

Far from having time to rest, Giovanni had spent his time with blood running cold, forcing a soft smile at the brazen question.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration, I have managed well.”

“Then that’s a relief. Now, did you receive the letter I sent?”

Without dilly-dallying with trivial pleasantries, Yusuf went straight to the point, which made Giovanni feel fortunate.

Finally having a conversation, but given the Sultan’s previous fickleness, it could very well come to a halt at any moment.

“Of course. I didn’t know who the artist was, but their skills were outstanding.”

“He is a person I cherish. As time passes, the value of the painting will surely outstrip that of the person depicted, so keep it well.”

Despite being the person who had ruined a significant matter, the captive was someone from the influential Contarini family in Venice.

The notion that the value of a painting with a cheap phrase demanding payment would be higher than that of the noble was taken as mere jest.

Thinking he must have been quite fond of the painter, Giovanni let out a light laugh.

“Hahaha, I will surely keep the painting very well.”

Yusuf also realized that the other party had taken it as a joke, but he had no desire to convince him otherwise.

As if the conversation had reached a suitable conclusion, Yusuf waved his hand lightly, and Giovanni, who had stopped laughing, cautiously asked:

“Your Majesty, before we get into the main discussion, may I meet Almoro Contarini in person?”

“It is customary to check a product before agreeing on a price. Bring him here.”

Not long after Yusuf commanded, a man was dragged in.

With disheveled hair, ragged clothes, and a beard that grew messily across his face, he was hardly unrecognizable.

“Is this Almoro Contarini?”

“Is, is it you, Giovanni Barbaro? Did you come to rescue me?! Oh, my God!”

Seeing Almoro crawl his way and grab at his pants, Giovanni felt a dryness in his mouth.

What on earth had happened during the past time? He looked nothing like a noble but rather like a wretched slave.

It was natural to blame Almoro for the troubles Venice faced now due to his abduction, but his pitiful appearance evoked no feelings of resentment.

“Calm yourself, now. I came here because of you.”

“Please, let me go. The people here are devils! Do not leave me in this horrific place!”

Almoro’s trembling words came through the translation as they reached Yusuf’s ears, and he smiled faintly.

“Did you say your name was Giovanni?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you planning to take only half of the product? I’ll give you a deal. Do you prefer width or length?”

The thought that he would be cut in half nearly made Almoro faint, and Giovanni broke into a cold sweat.

The atmosphere suggested that as soon as a command was given, someone would fetch a saw, so it didn’t seem like an empty threat.

“P-please calm down. I must have frightened you too much. I apologize.”

“Hm. Because you said that, I shall understand. It has been hardly a while since the smell of blood from yesterday’s ship departed.”

The sound of two rings clattering on Yusuf’s palm made Giovanni break into a cold sweat, realizing their origin as he expresed his gratitude.

“Before we talk, what authority do you possess?”

“I have been promised full power.”

“Really? It doesn’t seem like a waste of time. What figure did you bring?”

Mentioning the merchants that were plentiful in Venice made Giovanni swallow his saliva nervously.

“I will offer ten ducats as the ransom for the captive.”

Given that the captive was rather useless, ten thousand Venetian gold coins for him wasn’t too shabby.

This wasn’t the kind of ransom that could be paid unless one was from a fairly prominent noble family, and Yusuf looked at the trembling Almoro.

“That is merely the ransom for that fellow. What will be the price for ruining the peace treaty between us and Venice not even ten years ago?”

Giovanni swallowed hard.

Though retrieving the captive Almoro might be important for the Contarini family, it was not significant for Venice as a whole.

What truly mattered was the need to establish another peace treaty.

“…What if I propose paying fifteen thousand ducats every year?”

At this proposal, Yusuf raised one corner of his mouth in disdain, mocking him.

“On what basis do you believe that? How long has the contract to pay ten ducats in taxes since the last war lasted? And you barely offered five thousand more.”

“From a long-term perspective, it should be worthwhile. And this time will be different, I assure you.”

Yusuf lightly chuckled.

In this era, there was no word more worthless than trust, and among many untrustworthy people, the Venetians were among the least trusted.

There was no thought of trusting them, even amidst all the untrustworthy people.

“One hundred thousand ducats. That is the amount you should hand over.”

“Your Majesty?!”

Hearing such a large amount in a context where finances were already tight due to war left Giovanni stunned.

As he raised his voice in surprise, Yusuf mocked him.

“Isn’t that cheap? Compared to the money you handed over to the Hungarians to contain the Empire during the last war?”

“B-but…”

“Giovanni Barbaro.”

As Yusuf softly called the envoy’s name, he tossed the two rings he held in his hand in front of Giovanni.

The sound of the rings clashing against the floor echoed in the audience chamber, and Giovanni unconsciously lowered his head to look at the rings.

The sight of the golden rings stained with a black mark sent chills down his spine.

“Do not misunderstand. Do you really think that even if you attempt to obstruct my Empire, you will succeed?”

Countless images from the capital rushed through the envoy’s mind.

Even if the Safavids and Mamluks were to collaborate, it was impossible to believe they could halt the path of that ruthless Sultan.

“Where you place your bets is up to your judgment, but remember that you must also pay the price of your choices.”

Venice’s income relied on the Mediterranean trade connected to the Mamluks.

If the Ottomans, who had already taken over the Mamluks, were to reject Venice, the anticipated damages were unfathomable.

“C-can you allow a little more time?”

“Fine. Given the fate of your country hangs in the balance, I’ll grant you time. Depart.”

It was a brief meeting, but with a fatigued expression, Giovanni left, and once everything settled in the audience chamber, the Grand Vizier spoke to Yusuf.

“To face the Safavids and Mamluks, wouldn’t it be necessary to make a peace treaty with the West? Isn’t this a bit too much?”

“That’s enough. The only ones with as many enemies as me are those fools. I’ve scared them enough that they’ll want to cut a deal for a peace treaty.”

Under normal circumstances, it would be different, but the lands of Italy had long been a battlefield, and both the Papal States and Spain had already stepped back, so Venice’s options were limited.

Even if things went wrong, they had enough capability to resolve them.

The Grand Vizier, who completely trusted Yusuf’s judgment, hid his anxiety and changed the subject.

“By the way, is it alright that the book detailing Your Majesty’s stories has ended up in the hands of the printer along with the envoy?”

Yusuf had long been keeping an eye on the movements of the printer Aldus Manutius, knowing everything going on in the capital like the palm of his hand.

“Why, are you worried that they might improperly translate and sell the book?”

“Indeed. They are not the timid type when it comes to money.”

Even if there were no copyright laws within the Ottoman Empire, there would be no one foolish enough to recklessly reproduce a book containing stories about the Sultan, but the West was different.

It was plain to see they would sell it without a second thought.

“Let them be. In any case, even if I tried to stop it, as long as the book keeps getting printed, it will reach the West.”

There were frequent exchanges between the Ottoman Empire’s western territories, where its influence dwindled, and Venice.

“Of course, if asked, I could collect some payment. After all, Venice has laws forbidding unauthorized reproduction of books.”

“But why?”

At that question, Yusuf grinned.

“Because if it comes to that, they might abandon the printing. It’d be a waste of a good opportunity to plant my influence in the West, wouldn’t it?”

It was evident that with such great interest in him, whatever was printed would be sold out and would serve as a cultural invasion into the West.

The more widespread it gets, the better it is.

Of course, this didn’t mean he would give up on financial gain.

“And when it comes to transactions, we must match the values, but I can charge whatever I want for damages.”

Even if that fellow dig in his heels and refuses to pay, it would be fine. The amount could be forced out of Venice.

With the intention of letting them know the fear of copyright laws, Yusuf wore a mischievous smile.

*

As the hot summer passed and the first snow fell on the Empire’s outskirts,

messengers carrying summons scattered across the Empire.

After a brief pause, the Empire once again started to rise.