I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

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Unexpected Results (3)

The captain, sailing between the Kingdom of Naples in southern Italy and Spain, was gnawing on jerky that was hard enough to make his jaw hurt.

The peace treaty between the Ottomans and Habsburgs was like a disaster for the Spanish crew.

With the Barbary Pirates running rampant, the danger had doubled. The thought of sailing solo was unimaginable now; despite potential losses, merchant ships had to stick together.

“Pirates! It’s a pirate ship!”

At the shout of a lookout from the mast, the captain shoved the half-chewed jerky into his pocket and yelled back.

It was the captain’s job to calm the crew, who were getting restless at the mention of a pirate ship.

“There’s no need to fear just a few pirate ships!”

There were only three ships sailing with him.

Even though the merchant ships lacked crew and arms compared to the pirate ships, they were hardly in danger against an ordinary group of pirates.

Before the crew could settle down at the captain’s confident shout, a lookout’s frantic voice echoed.

“Pirates! Pirates! Turn the ship around! Turn it around!”

There was no need to question the panicked crew member shouting at the top of his lungs.

They were close enough to see the lookout high in the mast.

At first, it was just a small dot on the horizon.

That small dot had become a line, and as that line turned into numerous ships, the captain shouted in horror.

“Turn the ship around, you fools!”

With the captain’s roar snapping the crew back to reality, they scrambled in a panic, while the captain prayed to God that the fleet wouldn’t take an interest in them.

Whether God granted his prayer or not, the fleet maintained its course, sailing off as the captain watched them with cold sweat dripping down.

“Is this war?”

The captain recalled the pirate fleets that had once raided the Papal States’ harbor and felt a surge of fear.

Kasim, watching the three distant ships disappear, spoke bluntly.

“Isn’t it a bit much for your sister to have summoned an escort with pirate ships?”

Ten Ottoman ships moved in formation, surrounded by over a hundred pirate vessels.

Of course, the armament of the pirate vessels couldn’t compare to military ships.

Half of the pirate ships were mere galleys, unable to carry more than ten cannons and small enough to hold a maximum of a hundred men.

Even though a hundred seemed like a lot, without the rowers taken into account, the actual number of combatants was small, and the Ottomans often used such ships more for supply than direct combat.

Still, sheer numbers meant that this level was sufficient to engage in warfare, and as Kasim complained, Hasna chuckled while grooming the lion’s mane.

“Kasim, didn’t I tell you to ask directly if you had questions? I know your nature well enough not to beat around the bush.”

At Hasna’s chiding, Kasim smiled.

“This is why talking to someone from our family is uncomfortable. You know me too well.”

“Of course, I’ve known you since the day you were born.”

“It’s just a two-year difference, come on. Anyway, what does Father think?”

Gathering this many pirate ships for an escort was excessive.

This fleet was so significant that not just the Habsburgs, but even France would be taken aback, so it wasn’t merely a warning.

The opportunity cost for the pirate ships involved in the escort duties was considerable.

“Perhaps he’s gone overboard worrying for me.”

“I don’t see you every day. I know he’s not that simple-minded.”

Kasim’s question, claiming to inherit his father’s personality, made Hasna gesture for the nearby people to quiet down.

As the sound of waves and the refreshing sea breeze drowned out their voices, Hasna’s emerald eyes gleamed.

“Do you think they wouldn’t consider what you’re thinking? They might find it excessive to mobilize so many ships just to guard a single woman. Or they might think it’s a waste of time spent on escort duties.”

“…A culling?”

“Yes, to forget that they are dogs of the Empire and to weed out those who have become beasts.”

Now there were over a hundred, but how many of those pirate ships would come for the escort on the way back?

The chances of them making excuses and halving in number were high.

“Why the sudden need to check loyalty? It’s not like we’re at war, and if there’s no chance for profit, it’s obvious the pirates will desert.”

“How long does Father intend to keep providing new jobs for the Barbary pirates? I’m talking about escort missions, not pillaging.”

After a moment of thought at the unexpected comment, Kasim sighed.

“Should I call this typical of Father?”

“Isn’t it his benevolence for a peaceful sea?”

Kasim shook his head at Hasna’s demeanor, which seemed to genuinely believe that.

The biggest threat in the Mediterranean was the Barbary pirates, and it was the Western ships, which were the pirates’ prey, that needed protection.

The pirates certainly wouldn’t be fighting amongst themselves; it essentially meant they intended to extort tolls under the guise of providing escort.

The escorting pirate ships would serve as a kind of pass.

‘Who are they calling devious?’

Kasim grimaced at the thought of Yusuf, who effortlessly came up with ideas one could hardly imagine.

There’s a thin line between tricks and shenanigans, and on the Ottoman end, this was a fine plan.

“Unlike pillaging, if a steady source of income emerges, the scale of the pirates will grow. That means the Empire could muster more troops.”

“So, that’s why you’re trying to weed out the loyal pirates of the Empire.”

“There’s no need to raise a dog that doesn’t even recognizes its master.”

Hasna cast a frigid gaze similar to Yusuf’s, as if to say blood cannot be faked.

“If my sister were a man, she’d be one more dangerous competitor.”

Kasim shook his head vigorously.

A while later, the southern coast of France was thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of the Ottoman envoy fleet.

*

Yusuf set down the cylinder he had been peering through.

“It’s not bad, but it’s a long road ahead.”

Making the telescope itself wasn’t hard.

Lenses had existed since ancient times, and the history of its development from reading stones to glasses had been hundreds of years in the making.

The problem was how precisely to grind the lens to create a telescope and make clear glass.

“The glass-making technique is so well-guarded by the Venetians that it’s a real hassle.”

“It’s important and valuable technology, after all.”

Yusuf nodded at Shamsi’s words.

The place with the most advanced glass technology in Europe was Venice.

Since the 13th century, to prevent replication, all glass craftsmen were forcibly relocated to Murano Island, and those who attempted to flee were punished for effectively protecting their technology.

Yusuf turned the slightly opaque glass used in the telescope around and around.

‘I can’t bridge the several hundred years gap in one go with the knowledge I have.’

The glass-making technique he had was merely scratching the surface.

Even by limiting it to transparent lead glass, dozens of volumes of papers from the early 17th century covered technical details extensively.

Understanding which regions could produce materials of what quality had to begin from scratch tailored to the Ottoman context.

“Still, it should be good enough for general sailors.”

The Ottoman navy, which was stationed far away in the Ming Dynasty, had introduced telescopes early on, but the lenses were imported from Venice at high prices, so they could only be distributed to flagship vessels.

Though the quality was lacking, it had become good enough to the point where telescopes could be introduced to ordinary ships.

Yusuf lifted the telescope again and nodded as he watched the crowd through it.

“Here they come.”

The faint sounds of a military band floated through the wind, and cheers erupted in the capital.

The Janissary military band marched rhythmically across the massive arched bridge connecting to the Golden Horn.

Heavy cannons that displayed might followed closely behind, and soldiers who crossed the bridge without incident marched straight into the capital.

In that moment, at the completion of a bridge that modern technology could hardly have contemplated, Yusuf patted Hasan on the shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard, Hasan.”

“No, it would never have been completed without the Padishah’s support.”

“Your labor doesn’t compare to that. This bridge should be called Hasan’s Bridge.”

If the bridge connecting the Bosporus Strait was successfully built as planned, then this bridge would eventually fade from eyes, but having his name attached to such a colossal bridge was an immense honor.

Shamsi and other officials looked at Hasan with envious eyes, but he nodded in respect.

“Your words are truly an honor, Padishah, but would it be alright if we gave it another name?”

“What name do you have in mind?”

“I want to attach the name of my beloved to the bridge. So that even after I die and hundreds of years pass, people will not forget her.”

Seeing him kick away the honor bestowed upon him to name the bridge after a woman left the officials with confused expressions.

As Yusuf looked at Hasan’s wrinkled face, he nodded.

“Very well. It’s your opportunity, so it’s only right to follow your wishes. Michelangelo.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

Turning to face Michelangelo, Yusuf gave a slight smile.

His passion-filled eyes revealed a mingling of inspirations regarding how to utilize the grand sculpting materials.

“I entrust the task of giving this bridge new life to you.”

“There is no one more suited for this than me, no matter who you bring from this world.”

Possessing heartfelt sincerity for sculpting, Michelangelo was indeed brimming with self-assurance.

“Hasan, as it was decided, why don’t you take a break for a while?”

“No, Padishah. There’s no time to waste if I am to fulfill your command punctually.”

Whether Yusuf’s remaining fourteen years would pass more quickly than Hasan’s lifespan or vice versa wasn’t clear, but both had scant time to construct the massive bridge crossing the strait.

Yusuf clicked his tongue at Hasan, whose strong will showed he was fully dedicated to bridge construction.

“Stubbornness. Do as you please.”

“Thank you, Padishah.”

Yusuf, with a wry smile on his face watching the deeply wrinkled Hasan, gazed at the bridge that the subjects had begun to cross.

“Your beloved’s bridge.”

Not a bad name.

*

News of the Ottoman envoy’s disruption along the southern French coast rapidly spread through messengers.

The large-scale envoy crossing France, including the Janissary military band, was a significant issue on its own.

However, the rumors of the Ottoman princess visiting in person stirred curiosity amongst both men and women alike.

As the princess was indirectly connected with Aishe Hatun, who had made many maidens’ hearts flutter through Yusuf’s deeds, rumors about Hasna reached Paris faster than the envoy did.

“She’s a beauty that even women would fall for.”

“It’s pitiful for the man who cannot directly face her.”

Various rumors swirled around Hasna to the extent that the third prince, Kasim, was nearly overshadowed, and as time passed, exotic music echoed in Paris, the capital of France.

The cheerful Turkish music of the Janissary military band resonated through the streets, with the sharp and formidable Ottoman soldiers marching in step around the massive wagon.

The roads became crowded with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the Ottoman envoy, and the nobles gathered in large numbers at the destination, the palace.

Upon arriving at their destination, the military band halted their performance, and as the guards opened the wagon door, all eyes turned to them.

-Growl!

With the crowd gathered, the lion let out a low growl as if displeased, shaking its head, and while the nobles were startled at the beast’s appearance, a soft voice rang out.

“Be quiet.”

-Urgh

With a single gesture calming the lion, Hasna surveyed the surrounding nobles with an air of leisure.

It was the moment they had set foot in the heart of France.