I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

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Yusuf stood on the city wall, gazing around the capital.

During the reign of Emperor Justinian, the peak of Eastern Rome, the population of Constantinople was estimated to be 550,000.

A millennium had passed since those glorious days.

Now, after such a long time, Costantinople was experiencing its own golden age under the Ottoman Empire, with a population exceeding 600,000.

In the early 16th century, before Yusuf became Padishah, the population was just over 200,000, illustrating how steep the increase had been.

Buildings destroyed in the great earthquake were reconstructed even taller and larger, and with smaller areas protected by walls, construction was also underway outside the city’s boundaries.

The Golden Horn boasted a bridge nearing completion, proudly showcasing itself, while the Galata region beyond the Golden Horn expanded rapidly.

It was a scene that indirectly testified to the twenty years of Yusuf’s reign as the empire’s master, and as he stood with his arms crossed, admiring the magnificent city he had built, he murmured,

“Francois is not captured nor truly dead, is he?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

Death is fair.

Regardless of status, every person born must eventually die. Yet, the journey to that end is not fair at all.

Some die from an untreated minor boil, while others enjoy luxurious care and extend their lives even in dire situations.

‘While many soldiers face death in war, there are also noble ranks that get captured even in defeat.’

Francois, the King of France, belonged to such a rank.

It’s better to capture alive than to kill.

In the historical case, although he faced a crushing defeat at the Battle of Pavia, François’s news of death came as Yusuf quietly remarked.

“It’s unfortunate. He was not a bad opponent.”

Although he faced defeat and captivity at Pavia, occurring in modern France, he is not well-regarded as a king.

Still, he contributed to the arts, sciences, and architecture of France, a rare king who personally engaged in battle.

‘For the Empire, having him as a trading partner was what mattered most.’

In the context of this era, establishing close relations with infidels would have been unfathomable, yet he achieved that.

One could think of him as a person who turned common sense upside down.

“What were the circumstances?”

“It has been reported that he died fighting against the Spanish infantry during a night attack amid the siege. After the French king’s death, they retreated immediately, so the worst losses were avoided.”

“Then the war would have been paused for now.”

“That is correct.”

With François’s death, the conflicts between the Habsburgs and France cannot be easily resolved, but war cannot be sustained by anger alone.

With the need for quickly organizing François’s funeral and crowning a new king to restore order in the domestic chaos, France also lacked the resources to continue the war.

‘François’s death must have had a significant influence on us.’

We supported weapons, supplies, and pirates, dragging the war into a prolonged state, and Murad stirred the Gibraltar Strait, making Charles V anxious.

It is impossible to deny the connection to François’s death.

“There’s nothing we can do about the one who’s already dead; what we need to think about is how to proceed forward.”

Having lived under the help of high fortunes, Yusuf realized that luck rarely provides unexpected benefits.

After all, how one acts in the same situation can turn misfortune into fortune or vice versa.

Luck merely plays the role of setting the table in a more favorable manner.

‘A variable has emerged; I must reshuffle the deck.’

Yusuf raised the corners of his mouth.

A while later, the French ambassador stationed in Constantinople sought a meeting.

*

The door to the audience chamber opened, revealing the familiar face of the French ambassador, Jean de la Forêt, who entered with a somber expression.

Like a seasoned Osman, Jean greeted with a bow.

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while. I have heard the unfortunate news. May God grant him blessings.”

“Thank you.”

With a wry smile, Jean lowered his head. Despite being far from home, it would be unusual to have a pleasant expression upon hearing of a king’s death.

Yusuf leaned back in his chair and asked,

“So, what brings you here?”

It had been some time since the Osman received the news, and it was now clear enough for Jean to have received his orders from his home country.

“Soon, the Dauphin de Viennois, the Duke of Brittany, will be crowned as the king of France.”

Dauphin means dolphin in French, a title given to the French heir apparent.

“The Duke of Brittany.”

Though he was the firstborn of François, Yusuf was not familiar with him.

This was understandable, as François died suddenly before him, and his younger brother Henri II ascended to the throne.

While holding a duke’s title, François effectively ruled the dukedom, leaving no significant achievements.

“How old is he?”

“If calculated in Ottoman years, he would be twelve this year.”

“He’s rather young.”

Considering that the deceased François was five years younger than him, it was not unusual for the heir to be so young.

Though Yusuf had once become a Sanjakbey at the tender age of eleven, that was beside the point.

It wasn’t merely a case of the late king’s sudden death; a situation had arisen where the young prince succeeded the throne after a defeat in war.

“It must be a chaotic situation. First, I’ll initiate ceasefire negotiations.”

“That is correct. Currently, France lacks the resources to continue the war.”

The damage from this war has been significant, but with France having over 18 million people, the recovery would be swift.

The larger concern was how quickly the country could stabilize.

“With the Duke of Brittany ascending to the throne, he will negotiate a ceasefire with Carlos. Did you come to deliver this news?”

“No, I did not.”

Under the pressure from Yusuf that if there was a matter, he should disclose it without delay, Jean swallowed hard.

He was fully aware of the potential storm his forthcoming words could unleash.

Yet, it was unavoidable to disregard the news from his homeland.

“France wishes to formally ally with the Ottoman Empire.”

“An alliance, is it?”

Yusuf chuckled, finding it amusing.

Though the Ottoman Empire had grown close ties with Venice and France through the canal, an alliance was a different story altogether.

In history, François had allied with the Ottoman Empire, primarily due to a deep-seated hatred for Charles V.

Now, the one who committed such a shocking act lay in his grave, yet the conversation of an alliance had resurfaced, suggesting various implications.

‘It means our Ottoman Empire has seeped in so deeply that France is now considering an alliance.’

After assuming the Padishah, Yusuf had been doing his utmost to spread Ottoman culture across Europe.

While it might not suffice to completely dismantle the walls built by Christianity and Islam over hundreds of years, it indicated that the Ottoman had established some presence in France.

Of course, they likely didn’t request an alliance merely due to cultivation of a relationship.

“It seems you wish to forge an alliance as soon as possible. You probably want the empire’s prestige before engaging in substantial negotiations with the Habsburgs.”

No more than a few seconds had passed since the term alliance slipped from his lips.

Overwhelmed by the rapid grasp of the situation in that brief moment, Jean lowered his head to conceal his expression.

“…It’s embarrassing, but that is indeed correct. If negotiations proceed in this fashion, we would have to negotiate from a disadvantageous position.”

Although the Habsburgs emerged victorious in the war, the drawn-out conflict had resulted in significant losses for both sides.

The Habsburgs would impose excessive conditions to recover from their losses, while France, booted with the young twelve-year-old as king, would lack the spirit to engage in a power struggle.

To anchor for negotiations on as equal footing, relying on Ottoman prestige was a wise decision.

This was an option now available only because François had died and not been captured.

“The important matter is whether the alliance with France would be beneficial for the empire.”

Yusuf drummed his fingers on the armrest as Jean’s heart raced with each regular sound that resonated.

The emergence of the Ottoman as a variable in negotiations could create friction with the Habsburgs, but there was no reason to tread carefully since things had already been amiable.

France needed to remain strong to counter the Habsburgs, making an alliance advantageous.

‘If the situation aligns just right, I might be able to set up an entertaining game.’

“Though I must verify the conditions first, I will consider it positively.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Though it wasn’t a formal alliance yet, Jean expressed his gratitude with a smile, confidently adding,

“If you permit, I would like to formally invite the Ottoman Empire to the upcoming coronation ceremony.”

This wasn’t something an ambassador could decide on a whim, suggesting a predetermined decision from France.

Appearing eager to swiftly establish an alliance before the Habsburgs caught wind of it, Yusuf readily agreed.

“I shall send Kasim.”

“Prince Kasim?”

“Yes, he would not be lacking as a congratulatory envoy.”

Isn’t that exactly why he raised Kasim?

Although there were concerns about him courting some overly ambitious widow or young woman, it was the most suitable circumstance for Kasim to shine.

Despite only aiming to invite high officials, with the prince attending, there was no reason to decline.

“Thank you. My homeland will not forget the Padishah’s consideration.”

“Return now. Time is tight if you wish to prepare an envoy.”

As Jean took his leave, following the customary formalities, a messenger was dispatched from the capital toward Buda.

*

In present-day Baghdad, now an Ottoman territory, there existed a place called the House of Wisdom.

Baghdad was once a city that lost its former glory after being thoroughly destroyed by the Mongol invasions in the 13th century, yet it had once been the capital of the mighty Abbasid Caliphate.

In its time of splendor, the House of Wisdom played a significant role in Baghdad.

Scholars flocked from across the empire, becoming the hub of knowledge that compiled learning from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Persian periods in subjects like theology, philosophy, architecture, medicine, and chemistry.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the place where all the knowledge from the 9th to 10th centuries converged.

‘It would have been much better if so many books hadn’t burned in the hands of the Mongols.’

Yusuf pulled a book from the shelves.

This library was constructed under his orders to recreate the House of Wisdom.

Filled with the musty smell of paper, this place had arrived with various texts either original or transcribed, translating them back into Ottoman Turkish for public access.

Though it was still in its early stages, the massive library was yet to be fully occupied, it would someday also face shortages and be a central force in the empire’s advancement.

While flipping through a newly translated book, Yusuf closed the book and spoke.

“What brings you here, Hasna?”

“How did you know?”

With a playful laugh, Yusuf returned the book to the shelf and replied.

“With such a disturbance occurring, how could I not know?”

This disturbance wasn’t due to Hasna’s beauty, concealed behind a veil and missing a hijab.

Yusuf turned to watch the magnificent beast.

“You’ve grown quickly after eating like a pig.”

– Grunt.

The lion brought by Murad seemed to have rich fur and appeared well-fed, its mane swaying smoothly like it had been groomed.

Perhaps due to being raised in Islam, it seemed to respond with a low snarl, as if it understood it was being called a pig.

– Sniff!

“Quiet down. Silence is the rule in the library.”

After receiving a jab to the nose, the lion lowered its head when Yusuf glared at it.

“Know that if you urinate in the library, you will be castrated.”

“Father, Hasan would never do such a thing.”

“Huh, it’s a shame to bear such a great name without doing any work.”

No matter how much among the staff, Hasan might be tagged with an unfortunate title of being overburdened, that name was too precious for a creature that sprawled about in the sun.

“Hasan is also doing his duty of guarding me.”

“If that cat couldn’t handle that job, it would’ve been skinned for meat long ago. Now, what do you need?”

At Yusuf’s mention of skinning, he nudged the lion’s large head that was rubbing against his leg.

Hasna replied calmly.

“I’ve heard that Kasim will attend the French coronation.”

“That’s correct.”

“I also wish to go.”

“Why is that?”

“Because if not now, it will be hard for me to experience life outside the empire. When will I get another chance?”

While it was uncertain how long the newly crowned king of France would live, such an opportunity was incredibly rare.

It would indeed not be easy to venture outside the Ottoman Empire, especially not now that a peace treaty with the Habsburgs had been established.

Challenged by Hasna’s request, Yusuf coldly asked,

“Why should I send you, knowing the risks involved and the extra expenses incurred?”

“The chance to make acquaintance with many noblewomen from France is rare. I’ve heard that unlike our empire, women’s influence in the West cannot be disregarded. It will surely be beneficial for the empire.”

“Can you be certain?”

At Yusuf’s inquiry, Hasna raised her veil slightly and smiled brightly.

“Have I ever disappointed you, Father?”

“I can’t say that’s not true.”

At Yusuf’s resolute response, Hasna pouted her lips.

It wouldn’t be bad for Hasna to gain some experience in France. Traveling alongside Kasim, who understood the alliance’s significance, the French would also be mindful of her safety, so there shouldn’t be much cause for concern.

“Alright, I grant you permission.”

“Thank you!”

“I’ll still need to give it some thought since you are going.”

Hasna’s beauty was only rumored at this stage, so it wouldn’t be surprising if some reckless suitor made a clumsy approach.

It wouldn’t be unwise to instill a warning in her mind.

*

From Algiers, over a hundred pirate ships set sail.

Their objective was escort duty.