I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

인사차 왔습니다(1)

The throne of Buda Fortress.

Yusuf, now seated in the place of Ruyos II, who has entered the coffin, spread out a map.

While small changes can create marvelous differences—a butterfly effect—there are times when even the largest changes produce no different results.

This was the case with the current Hungarian War.

Nobility, sluggish in times of danger, cared more about their own interests, leaving their country’s safety to the incapable Habsburg king.

Despite the many precedents of devastating defeats against the Ottomans in the plains, they serious got their cavalry mixed up in poor decision-making.

The changes Yusuf instituted were inadequate to overturn this overall crisis, following in the exact footsteps of the Battle of Mohács—considered the worst event in Hungarian history.

Thanks to that, they achieved a grand victory, but what was important now was what came next.

“Mehmet, Murad. What do you think we need to decide right now?”

Murad couldn’t answer right away, but Mehmet quickly responded.

“It’s about deciding what we must gain and what we must give up.”

“Right. Ruyos is dead, but we can’t just take all his territory. So, how should we divide it?”

“First, we must give up the Kingdom of Bohemia.”

The Kingdom of Bohemia corresponds to modern-day Czechia, with Prague as its capital.

The monarchy in both Hungary and Bohemia was just as lowly, a region where the power of the nobility was strong, even introducing serfdom that didn’t exist before while ignoring the king.

“Your words are correct. Bohemia is worth relinquishing. Even if we take it, maintaining it will be difficult.”

Bohemia is a kingdom whose borders are wider touching Poland and the Holy Roman Empire than Hungary, making it challenging to protect, and the Bohemian nobility would be annoying as well, making it just tiresome to occupy.

“Moreover, if we expand our territory too much all at once, there will surely be troubles. There’s no trustworthy nation for us, right?”

“That’s true too. France and Venice can become enemies at any moment.”

It’s a saying that applies to the relationships between nations, like a square peg being jammed into a round hole.

Right now, they’re trading blows, but it wouldn’t be strange if they joined hands to attack the Ottomans.

Yusuf, examining the map, made his decision.

“Hungary has lost, and the news of Ruyos II’s death has likely spread quickly around. Send envoys to Bohemia, Poland, and Venice.”

“Are you thinking of getting involved in the current situation?”

“Indeed.”

The first two nations to briskly slip under Habsburg’s shadow right after Ruyos died were Bohemia and Poland.

Wasn’t it unpleasant to fatten up the Habsburgs without even fighting a war?

“Tell Sigismund of Poland that he should not harbor any desire for Bohemia, and convey that we have no intention of invading the Kingdom of Bohemia, but if they pay a reasonable price, we can conclude a peace treaty.”

Normally, the Bohemian Parliament would have the throne hastily passed to Ferdinand, Ruyos’s brother-in-law who represented the Holy Roman Empire.

With the increasing sense of crisis against the Ottomans in Eastern Europe, if they were to establish a peace treaty with the Ottomans, the Bohemian Parliament would also consider their choice of king carefully.

If Poland were also eager for Bohemia, Ferdinand’s ascension to the throne would likely stagnate.

“Tell the Doge of Venice that if he desires the Croatian coast, he should take action.”

Knowing Venice was greedy for coastal territories, they’d surely mobilize.

It would not be bad to share the discontent of the Habsburgs who were craving Croatia, by conceding a portion of the Croatian coast.

Though, naturally, there would be a price to pay for handing over the coastal lands.

“Act quickly. Before the beast that has been lurking for opportunities devours the prey we’ve caught.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

The instructed officials dispersed rapidly, and Yusuf turned his gaze away from the map.

Once this expansion was complete, even just considering the Ottoman territories in Europe, it would be significantly larger than many countries.

‘The actions taken now may only serve to buy time.’

With the chaotic Italian War, the Ottomans’ growth has been practically neglected, but if the trend of Ottoman expansion continues to be evident, the possibility of a grand war in Europe grew significantly.

Given such a risk, perhaps it would be better not to occupy Hungary after all.

“Sooner or later, war will arise even if we stand still.”

Among the Christian nations, tangled in a complex web of blood relations between their kings, they continued to bang heads; there was no way to maintain peace with the Ottomans.

If there was to be a fight, it was better to bulk up as much as possible to widen the gap quickly.

By seizing Hungary this time, they managed to claim the forests of the Balkans and the Carpathians, which could somewhat ease the increasingly severe timber issues.

‘The only way to ensure the safety of the Ottomans is one.’

To raise as many players on the stage as possible to balance the power.

Yusuf envisioned a broader world not drawn on the map.

*

The history of Hungary fighting against the Ottomans dated back to Murad II, Yusuf’s great-grandfather.

The abrupt downfall of Hungary, having stood as the Ottoman’s bulwark for a century, came as a shock.

It wasn’t just a rumor; while the fear of the Ottomans crept into Europe, the Ottoman Empire acted even more swiftly.

“Hmmm, is it truly possible to establish a peace treaty?”

“There are no empty words in the Padishah’s statements.”

Charles I, duke of the feudal duchy of Münsterberg in Bohemia, regarded the envoy who had arrived.

He came at the time when the existing king, Ruyos II, had died, and they were about to elect a new king before the Ottomans attacked.

The man wearing a turban stood casually in the parliament where the prominent nobles of Bohemia were gathered.

“It’s hard to believe.”

Charles replied briefly, and the envoy smiled knowingly.

“Perhaps you don’t want to believe it.”

“What?!”

“I’ve heard that you, Duke, support Ferdinand of the Holy Roman Empire. They say he is the most suitable candidate to fend off our empire.”

At the envoy’s words, Charles glared and glanced around the room.

If the envoy was aware of discussions within the parliament, it meant someone here had leaked information to him.

As Charles tried to find the traitor, the envoy spoke softly.

“Why the grimace? Can’t one hold a different opinion for the future of the kingdom?”

“…Who said what?”

Charles took a step back.

Even though his power was considerable, he couldn’t dominate all those assembled here.

“The empire advises for the peaceful future of the Kingdom of Bohemia. If someone like Ferdinand becomes the new king, things could change significantly.”

“Ahem, that is indeed a valid point.”

Agreeable murmurings arose here and there.

The times had changed from when a king was merely a stamp machine while the nobility ran the country at their whim.

Seeing the nobles perk up, Charles scowled in displeasure.

“Who killed our king but now wants to speak of the kingdom’s peace? It’s laughable.”

“Do you truly think so? Who would spark a war by killing an envoy of the empire? Wasn’t it someone drowning while trying to flee?”

The Bohemian nobility had nothing to say on this topic.

When they had set up an easily manipulated king, he couldn’t even do a proper puppet’s job, going so far as to commit the brash act of cutting off the envoy’s head.

Plus, it wasn’t even murder—he drowned while fleeing, so they had more room to be embarrassed.

“Not tearing the corpse apart and sending it here intact is already a great kindness from the Padishah.”

“Are you saying that as if it matters?”

“Do you think killing an envoy of the empire is justified? If you truly believe so, then kill me as well.”

If they were to kill the envoy of the Ottoman Empire, who had presented a peace treaty, the aftermath went without saying.

The Ottoman envoy, turning away from Charles, whose face was stained with anger, smiled brightly.

“Then let’s start talking about the peace treaty.”

The envoy who had ignited the flames at Yusuf’s command had a grin on his face.

Unlike the nobles’ concerns, the conditions of the peace treaty were not harsh. It primarily included tax benefits for Ottoman merchants and facilitated human and material exchanges.

To the vanquished Bohemia, it was almost dubious whether this was a real condition, and the peace treaty proceeded swiftly.

While Bohemia managed to cast off the fear of the Ottomans, Croatia was not so fortunate.

The Ottomans, who had not suffered significant losses during the occupation of Belgrade and the Battle of Mohács, concentrated their firepower on Croatia.

Right before the document claiming Ferdinand’s succession to Ruyos II arrived in Croatia, the Ottoman army, leading 500 cannons, pushed in faster.

They resisted desperately, but the Venetian navy, allied with the Ottomans, attacked the Croatian coast and quickly crumbled.

As Yusuf received all this news from Buda Fortress, he looked at the person he had summoned from the capital.

“Kasim.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

Responding to Yusuf’s call, Kasim gracefully saluted.

“Have you felt upset about not being appointed as Sanjakbey all this while?”

Now, it was 1527, and since Kasim was born in 1511, by Ottoman standards, he was already 17 years old.

It was quite late for an Ottoman prince to become a Sanjakbey.

There were even rumors that Kasim had fallen out of Yusuf’s favor.

“No, how could I be discontent with the Padishah’s decision?”

“You still excel at flattery. That implies you’ve been enjoying yourself at the capital.”

“Hahaha, my apologies.”

Noticing the atmosphere, Kasim quickly apologized.

Kasim had amassed quite the reputation in the capital. He had almost found himself in serious trouble for trying to entice the daughter of an official more than once.

“Enough. It’s rather amusing to scold you about it now, and you’ve kept the final line intact.”

If he hadn’t avoided physical contact, he would have been the first prince to be assassinated.

“Kasim, I intend to appoint you as Sanjakbey here in Buda.”

“…That’s quite an important role.”

Vienna, close to Buda, was one of the central cities of the Holy Roman Empire.

“You will have to engage with the Western nations from here. You may even cross over to Vienna to engage in your social activities, but be warned, you might die in the process.”

“I understand.”

“If you get captured, the empire will not sacrifice anything to save you.”

“I know that as well.”

Kasim raised his head, looking into Yusuf’s eyes, which held both cruelty and warmth.

He didn’t think his father was being harsh; it was obvious he would think that way, prioritizing the safety of the empire.

“However, I will assuredly take revenge for whatever may happen to you.”

Exchanging glances with Yusuf, who embraced both tenderness and ferocity, Kasim lowered his head.

“That alone is enough for me.”

“Good. From now on, you are the Sanjakbey of Buda.”

At Yusuf’s proclamation, Kasim stood up.

He stood at the most dangerous front line of the empire, but it wasn’t all bad.

‘To stay alive, one must take risks.’

Having thrived in the tumultuous upper-class society, Kasim had a good grasp of his family.

They weren’t the kind who would easily eliminate someone hard to replace just because they were deemed a risk.

‘Unless they work him to death.’

As Kasim mused this, he steeled himself.

By the time the conversation between Yusuf and Kasim was coming to a close, a voice called from outside.

“Padishah! An envoy has arrived from Venice.”

“Let him in.”

With Yusuf’s permission, Giovanni, a familiar face, walked in.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s an honor to meet you in this new setting.”

“So, do you like the lands you’ve taken?”

Venice, having gained a portion of Croatia’s coast, and Giovanni bowed his head.

“The Doge extends his gratitude for thinking of our country.”

“Of course, it’s not for free.”

“I understand.”

Just like Cyprus, they had to pay a small annual tribute, but even with that cost, it was a deal that yielded plenty of profit.

The conversations that followed merely served to reconfirm the friendship between the two nations.

As the mood turned harmonious, Giovanni suddenly recalled something.

“Padishah! Have you heard the rumor?”

“What are you talking about?”

“They say you’ve found the Governor of India, whom you were after, in the New World.”

“…What?”

Yusuf’s face turned puzzled at the thought of why he would be there.

“They themselves don’t even know how they got to the New World. They drifted northward following the islands and somehow ended up there.”

Drifting to the New World?

Yusuf wore a look of disbelief.

While the currents between Malacca and Mexico would soon be discovered in reverse history, sailing along the Kuril Islands was still ages away.

If they reached the Bering Sea, it wouldn’t have been strange if they were wrecked rather than just adrift.

In fact, while pondering whether the Governor’s luck was just a fluke, bizarre words reached Yusuf’s ears.

“And when they reached the strange land, they exchanged weapons and supplies with the pirates there.”

In that strange land, corresponding to Japan, they traded with pirates, making Yusuf frown in distaste.

He had sent a fleet to the Ming Dynasty, and it seemed something strange was happening with events.

*

“G-great person!”

“What is it!”

The harbor manager frowned at his flustered subordinate.

“Th-the foreign fleet you permitted to dock last time, the one with the red flag?”

“Hmm… yes, I remember that.”

The distinct representation made it unforgettable.

“They’re coming again!”

“They come if they come. Why the fuss.”

The manager scoffed at the first statement, but he dropped the fan he had been holding at the next words.

“Th-they say there are over eighty ships! They’re heading this way!”

“W-what?! They said it was a fleet coming for greetings!”

Feeling his strength drain from his legs at the hot-blooded Ottoman style of greeting, the harbor manager nearly collapsed.