I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

왕자들의 시간(2)

The Crimean Khanate was a nation established as an independent entity from the Kipchak Khanate, one of the four khanates that emerged after the disintegration of the Mongol Empire.

After gaining independence, it struggled to maintain its existence, carefully balancing itself between surrounding great powers, until it inevitably provoked Mehmet II and fell into the clutches of the Ottoman Empire.

However, this turned out to be a boon for the Crimean Khanate.

Due to the strong backing of the Ottomans, Western nations had to tread carefully with the Crimean Khanate, and in this window of opportunity, it captured the capital of the Kipchak Khanate, absorbing vast territories.

Now, the Mengli Giray, who called himself Kagan, meaning emperor among the nomads, welcomed the arriving man.

“Welcome! It must have been a long journey!”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Was there any inconvenience on the way?”

With a friendly smile on his face, Selim wasn’t fooled by that grin.

‘A slippery human.’

It only took three days on horseback from the Cape to the capital of the Crimean Khanate, Bahçesaray, so exaggerating a bit would only make it sound like a stone’s throw away.

During that brief journey, who knows how many brutally murdered slave corpses he must have seen?

Since the other side had sent a guide, it could hardly be dismissed as mere coincidence; it was a power struggle, a battle for control.

‘Even just looking around proves that.’

For a place welcoming guests, there were far too many soldiers with swords drawn, and the oppressive aura from them hinted at how many they had cut down in the past.

It felt as precarious as walking on a blade, yet Selim smiled nonchalantly.

“Having come with such a strong escort, what inconvenience could I possibly have? I felt like I would like to visit again when I have the time.”

At Selim’s words, Mengli’s expression stiffened slightly.

The time when a prince would have leisure was when he became the owner of the empire, and when he was present in person was during a military expedition.

The words were indistinguishable from threats, and a murderous intent poured from Mengli, yet Selim freely glanced around.

“It seems there are too many ears around to have a deep conversation.”

The soldiers who met Mengli’s gaze retreated without a word, and facing each other alone, Mengli asked.

“So, what do you wish to say?”

“I mean let’s not wear ourselves down over what’s been somewhat discussed. After all, the problem seems to be Yusuf, doesn’t it?”

At the mention of Yusuf, Mengli let out a sigh tinged with annoyance.

For Mengli, who had proclaimed himself emperor, the strict prohibition of military raids by the Circassians reminded him that no matter how much the Crimean Khanate expanded, it was still an Ottoman vassal.

This was a practical issue.

“Not only Prince Yusuf, but the other two princes have sent me warnings. They said that if I aid you, I wouldn’t be able to keep this position.”

The position of a khan of a vassal could easily be shaken by the influence of the suzerain.

That was why he hesitated despite gathering an army of thirty thousand.

“Is it really just that little threat? Once I ascend to the Padishah position, it will all be over.”

“You’re confident, are you?”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t an empty boast.

Yusuf, who took over Trabzon in Selim’s stead, had clearly benefited far more than anyone else.

Thanks to several military achievements, the generals expressed their respect without hesitation, and even the Sultan summoned Yusuf to the capital out of favor.

‘But all of this will be meaningless unless I secure the Padishah position, and the strategic position of Trabzon, which has given so much until now, will strangle that fellow’s neck.’

Selim said calmly.

“There are three princes in Anatolia. So none of them can easily reach the capital. Especially not that Yusuf fellow.”

Trabzon was far too distant from the capital.

Yusuf would inevitably have to battle the princes blocking his path.

“If we occupy the lands of Rumelia, we can secure a far more advantageous position than anyone else.”

Rumelia referred to the area south of the Balkan Peninsula, which would allow princes to reach the capital without crossing the Bosporus Strait.

If Selim could seize this place, he would sit in an extremely favorable position.

After pondering for a while, Mengli firmed up his resolve and asked.

“When do you plan to march?”

At this question, Selim threw out a statement pregnant with meaning.

“Soon. The day my brother wants to burn through the remaining few years of his life will be here.”

*

A lot had happened in the mere span of a decade.

Upon becoming Yusuf, he experienced three crises and realized the harsh reality while staying as a Sanjakbey in Trabzon, going through two wars.

‘Looking back, I was quite lucky.’

Not only was he alive and well, but his main plans were also proceeding as expected.

Of course, there were many unexpected situations, but regardless, he was able to steer the outcome in a direction he wanted.

The information in his hands also fell within the scope of his predictions.

“In the end, all my nephews have been appointed as Sanjakbey. From the looks of it, my brother must have exerted quite a bit of influence.”

Ahmet’s four sons were appointed as Sanjakbey.

The second son, Suleiman, the third, Aladin, and the fourth, Osman, were assigned to the Sanjaks of Çorum, Osmanlıçk, and Çankırı, respectively, all near Ahmet’s Sanjak of Amasya.

The most troublesome was the city of Bolu, held by the eldest, Murad. It directly blocked the way to the capital.

“My brother Ahmet must have known as well. This is the last opportunity.”

His four sons were the last trump card Ahmet could play.

Having failed to shine in Dulqadir, and with his ally Korkut dead, he had lost much of his foundation.

For someone once viewed as the most likely candidate for the next Sultan, his appearance was pathetic.

Yusuf lightly caressed his gun and calmed his gaze.

“In any case, I will have to take all of my nephews’ lives. They will inevitably become my enemies.”

“Is that sad to you?”

Despite being Sanjakbey, they were still nothing more than children.

How much could they possibly understand? They would merely play the part of Ahmet’s pawns against their own will.

But the words that came from Yusuf’s mouth were cold.

“Not particularly. Except for the fact that they are too young to go to Allah’s embrace, I don’t mind at all.”

Perhaps it was due to his over-familiarity with Ottoman culture.

‘Killing siblings or nephews without hesitation for the Sultan position isn’t odd at all.’

Siblings or nephews, they were nothing more than blood relations he had never seen before.

To argue about blood ties would make them less significant than a passerby he met on the road; and if he faltered over such ties, he would never be able to wage war.

Countless innocent lives would be lost in wars much younger than they were.

“By the way, what of Selim’s movements toward the Crimean Khanate?”

“No significant movements yet. He probably will act after winter passes.”

Selim had settled in the Cape under the pretext of teaching Suleiman and meeting his father-in-law.

It was too blatant to not recognize his intentions, and although he pressed heavily, he wouldn’t budge an inch.

Yusuf frowned slightly.

“That seems suspicious. He wouldn’t stay still like that.”

The alliance between the two felt unstable.

In terms of rank, Mengli, a khan of a vassal, and Selim, a prince, were in a similar position.

However, Selim was in a more desperate position, while Mengli could cut ties with Selim whenever he chose.

Uncertain how long Mengli would endure the pressures coming from all directions, it would be better for Selim to raise his army sooner rather than later.

“It means he has a reason to endure such risks.”

“Yes, while we don’t know, it seems Selim knows something.”

Yusuf questioned whether that was simply an idea.

Knowing the future flows and having deployed informants, Yusuf was a step ahead of the other princes in terms of information and judgment.

He didn’t dismiss Selim but found it hard to imagine falling behind him.

After contemplating for a moment, Şemşi spread out a map and said.

“I have one conceivable aspect.”

As he said this, Şemşi pointed to Selim’s Sanjak, Teke.

“If it’s this place, we can get much higher quality information than us.”

“…Konya, and the information network of Şehinşah.”

It was only a five-day horseback ride to get to Teke and merely two days for a messenger to go back and forth.

No matter how much effort Yusuf poured in, it would take him at least a month and a half just to gather information from Konya.

Especially for the relatively less important information of Şehinşah, it would take even longer.

“Of course, this is merely speculation, but Prince Selim may know information about Şehinşah that others are unaware of.”

What popped into mind first was the rebellion of the Turkmen, who supported Şehinşah.

In particular, Shakul, who wished to become the next Ismail II, could rebel at any moment.

But, this was something Yusuf predicted because he knew the future flows.

“…I’m not sure how he predicted this, but it might be for other reasons.”

If Selim was calmly waiting, it meant something was about to go down in Anatolia.

If so, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.

“Pasha, we too must move.”

“Command me.”

“Get in touch with the Circassians and Georgia. The time has come. The gathering date will be in spring.”

“Understood.”

As he turned to watch Şemşi depart, Yusuf let out a deep sigh.

“It’s been a long wait.”

Next year would mark ten years since becoming Yusuf. That would be the moment when everything would be decided.

*

Cough, cough

Whether it was due to the cold winter breeze or not, Şehinşah let out a violent cough as he staggered to his feet.

With a trembling hand that rushed to steady him, Şehinşah slightly smiled and asked.

“Okai, how long have you been serving me?”

“…Since the day you first came here, it has been over 25 years.”

“What a long time it has been.”

There were wrinkles on Okai’s once young and unrestrained face, speaking volumes of the years gone by.

Gazing at Okai’s snow-white beard, Şehinşah lightly shoved him and stood up, prompting Okai to voice his concern.

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately.”

“No, rather, I feel more alive these days.”

Perhaps it was time for the opium; Şehinşah struggled to steady his trembling hands against the wall.

“Isn’t it better now than back in those stupid days?”

Knowing well of the times when Şehinşah had drunkenly neglected his Sanjakbey duties, Okai sighed.

“It’s not too late even now. You can take care of your health and still continue.”

“When I return to Allah’s embrace, I can rest as much as I want.”

It felt as if he was preparing for an end, and Okai’s expression hardened.

“I know you aren’t pleased about mingling with Ismail’s lackeys. Therefore, allow me one request.”

“Speak.”

“When spring comes, Shakul and I will start a rebellion together.”

Şehinşah also understood that Shakul’s goal was not to seat him on the throne.

The throne meant nothing to someone who knew his own state of health better than anyone else.

“When the army departs, make sure to secretly kill İshubat.”

Commanding the death of İshubat Bey, an ally of Ismail, Şehinşah chuckled like a child.

“Having been born as a prince against my will, I want to leave as a prince of my own choosing.”

Even if I end up making numerous companions along the way.