LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 178
The hawk swiftly crossed the sky and captured a rabbit that was hopping across the grasslands with its sharp talons.
As the prey struggled, the hawk flapped its wings vigorously a few times, and upon stopping its resistance, let out a satisfying cry.
“I’ve caught it, Your Padishah.”
“Is that so.”
Yusuf, nodding at the words of the falconer who manages the hawks for the hunt, leisurely guided his horse.
Considering that the position held by the falconer before being appointed as a Sanjakbey shows how cherished hunting falcons are.
Extending his gloved hand, the hawk landed lightly on it.
“This is the catch.”
“Let it serve as food for that one.”
Yusuf respectfully offered the lifeless rabbit, gesturing towards the lion, Hasan, who was licking his lips in anticipation.
Glancing at the lion that snapped up the prey, Yusuf passed the hawk aside.
When the Knight Orders under his command had ceded Malta in the previous history, it was Charles V who, in a formality, requested one Maltese falcon as an annual tribute, illustrating that falconry was a pastime of the royalty and nobility.
“I don’t particularly like it, though.”
It’s just an excuse to socialize with the nobles and go on excursions.
“Would you like to hunt directly? The beaters are prepared.”
At Shamsi’s question, Yusuf raised the gun tied to his horse.
“Your Padishah, there’s a crack in the wooden stock. Should I prepare a new gun for you?”
“No, it’s fine. How often would I need to fire?”
The gun gifted by the craftsman Tahir who helped him bears the marks of its age.
Though it was the finest gun when first made, the craftsmanship has advanced over time, and this trial piece made by the deceased craftsman is inferior to what the Janissaries use.
“Thinking that I could make a rifled barrel rifle if I wanted, this gun is even more primitive.”
The rifling requires meticulous work from the craftsman, so it’s not impossible to create, but the cost-efficiency isn’t worth it.
The reason for clinging to this gun was out of respect for a craftsman who had toiled for him until the day he breathed his last.
“I think we can call the hunt here. If you and Hasan have come this far, there must be something you wish to discuss?”
“The movements of Portugal are unusual. It seems they are inciting Charles V.”
Having been roughly rebuffed after lightly proposing an alliance through marriage to the Ottomans, Charles V married a princess from Portugal.
Although Portugal’s military might diminished after losing their fleet, they remain a formidable opponent for Charles V.
“Are they planning to combine forces and target the Mediterranean?”
“Seems so. Charles V has made a contract with Andrea Doria, the mercenary leader of Genoa, who had a contract with France.”
“Andrea Doria.”
France won the naval battle against Spain prior to François’s death thanks to hiring this mercenary fleet.
The balance of naval forces in Europe could pivot significantly depending on which country Andrea contracts with, effectively making him a mainstay of Spain’s naval power.
If Portugal, Spain, and Andrea band together to target the Mediterranean, it would pose a considerable challenge for the Ottomans.
“It’s fine. In a little while, Portugal won’t even be able to afford to pay attention to the Mediterranean.”
“How so?”
“A pretty big misfortune is heading their way. Just remember that much.”
The 1531 Lisbon earthquake that claimed 30,000 lives would occur the very next year, leaving Portugal with no mental bandwidth to target the Mediterranean.
Reattaching the gun to his horse, Yusuf slowly guided it back.
For safety’s sake, the Padishah cannot act recklessly. Just coming out to hunt near the capital and seeing hundreds moving about makes this clear.
Even this light excursion meant for health was daunting enough, let alone going further afield.
‘A place like the Ming Dynasty is out of the question.’
Since he can’t directly go to the Ming Dynasty, all he can do is offer as much advice as possible to Suleiman, framed within various hypothetical situations.
For instance, should there arise an opportunity to meet the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Considering the Ming Dynasty’s tendency to retreat within their borders, helping to eliminate pirates might be reasonable, but if an audience is granted, the reason would be singular.
‘The country of the Ottomans piqued the Emperor’s curiosity, prompting him to command a meeting.’
The advice he left with Suleiman was how to capitalize on the Emperor’s traits and curiosity.
In a world devoid of means to quickly communicate with distant parties, all he could do was hope they manage well enough.
Shortly after Yusuf returned to the capital, rumors quickly spread that the Padishah had predicted a new disaster.
*
The pirate eradication went smoothly.
Guangzhou was thrown into chaos when the Ottoman fleet, previously known only through rumors, reappeared, but the atmosphere shifted when a letter from Beijing arrived.
Although there is officially only tribute trade with the Ming Dynasty, the scale of sea trade that is tacitly allowed is substantial, and the economy of Guangzhou heavily relies on this trade.
However, with pirates running amok effectively paralyzing trade, the arrival of the Ottomans was akin to that of a savior when the situation couldn’t be resolved otherwise.
The Maritime Commissioner of Guangzhou, overseeing coastal defense duties, tribute trade, and foreign affairs, actively cooperated with the Ottoman fleet.
With the Ming Dynasty’s coastal fleet, well-versed in the region, collaborating with the Ottomans, the rampaging pirates could be swiftly eliminated, leading to communication with Maritime Commissioners in other regions.
While it was impossible to eradicate all pirates, the Ottomans played a significant role in extinguishing the immediate threat and were formally invited to Beijing.
– Long live, long live, long live!
Upon hearing the resounding exclamations, the Emperor appeared before Suleiman, who was presenting his respects.
“It’s good to see your face. Raise your head.”
As the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the Jiajing Emperor’s words were interpreted by the translator, and Suleiman raised his head.
The foot-covering made it hard to see anything but the outline of the Jiajing Emperor, but from the voice and the fleeting shape, it was apparent he was young.
“It seems we are seeing each other after a long time.”
“If one goes to the south, they will see many who live as subjects of the Empire.”
Nodding at the courtier’s advice, the Jiajing Emperor asked.
“Is it true that you came from a country called the Ottomans? I saw the map you sent—quite a large country indeed. It calls itself an empire.”
“What good is a large land?”
“Merely calling oneself an empire while being a mere peripheral nation is excessive. You seem to lack a sense of proportion.”
This statement, imbued with a sense of hubris that only the Ming Dynasty could rightfully claim the title of an empire, wasn’t fully interpreted by the translator, but it was clear the atmosphere grew unfavorable.
The grandeur of the palace, the proclamations praising the Emperor, the throngs of officials lined up—all resonated an air of intimidation directed at those honored with an audience.
However, Suleiman was not easily shaken by this.
“Your Majesty, may I speak?”
“Proceed.”
“Our Empire has strived to maintain good relations with the Ming. If this is the reward for that effort, I would be grievously disappointed by the conduct of the Ming Dynasty, which calls itself an empire.”
Suleiman’s blunt remarks ignited sparks in the eyes of the officials.
There were many courtiers who opposed the Emperor’s decision to grant this audience from the start.
The presumption of calling itself an empire while attempting to engage in equal trade, not tributary trade with the Ming, created discomfort.
‘It would be troubling if His Majesty developed an interest in distant lands.’
‘Just like during Zheng He’s fleet, if they decide to send a fleet to distant regions, it could lead to disaster.’
Sending a fleet to distant regions is a venture that devours enormous amounts of money.
No one would wish to activate endeavors that could severely destabilize the nation’s finances, and no one knew what actions a Daoist Emperor, who called himself an immortal, might take.
As the calls for immediate punishment of Suleiman rose, the Jiajing Emperor raised his hand to calm the uproar.
“Voices have risen to punish you. Do you regret what you have just said?”
“Take my head if you wish. However, once a thread is tangled, it’s not easily untangled.”
With resolute confidence, Suleiman stood firm, prompting the Jiajing Emperor to look at his officials.
“Indeed. Do you truly want to punish him? Those who can be responsible for the consequences, step forward.”
At the Emperor’s inquiry, the officials hesitated to answer.
They all knew too well how heavy the notion of responsibility could be.
If they were to execute this royal member of the Ottomans, it was obvious the fleet currently anchored on the island would turn Ming shores into a disaster.
With no one willing to speak now unlike before, the Jiajing Emperor clicked his tongue.
“Now that it’s quiet, it feels a bit better. Yes, the empire isn’t a country without basic decorum. You say you desire trade?”
“That is correct.”
“In that case, you’ve come to little purpose. The empire has no need for external products.”
With vast lands producing everything, Ming Dynasty boasts that its technology is the best in the world.
“No matter how large the Ming Dynasty is, one cannot procure everything, can they? Just consider something as simple as pepper.”
Historically, pepper had been a crucial trade item, with exports treated with utmost caution.
This was why even the Ming Dynasty had to resort to importing pepper.
“The world is vast. There exist countless things that Your Majesty has not seen or obtained. Among them are things Your Majesty would desire.”
“Such as?”
Seeing the Emperor’s interest piqued, Suleiman wore a gentle smile.
“For example, there is a product from the Empire called Qahwa. It is a beverage brewed similar to the tea favored in the Ming.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s a rare drink, consumed only by the Padishah and the nobles of the Ottomans. Drinking Qahwa clears the mind, providing the ability to stay awake all night without fatigue.”
At Suleiman’s explanation, both the Jiajing Emperor and the multitude of officials wore intrigued expressions.
It’s only natural for interest to rise at the mention of a new tea, especially with such effects.
“Don’t all power holders dream of longevity and immortality? But those are difficult realities to achieve, aren’t they?”
“That’s true.”
Tales of emperors seeking eternal life abound within the Ming Dynasty.
The Jiajing Emperor also dreams of eternal life through Daoism.
Therefore, he fully grasps how arduous achieving longevity can be.
“It may be difficult to live longer than others, but one can still extend one’s lifespan beyond average.”
“Which means reducing sleep?”
“Precisely. The nobles of the Empire read the words of ancient sages through the night, working for the empire without resting, thanks to Qahwa. Given that all nobles drink it daily, its effects cannot be doubted.”
There could be numerous reasons, but among the gathered officials, many likely felt that days were too short.
At this juncture, the Chief Minister, the Second-rank Minister of the Ming Dynasty, stepped forward.
“While it’s an intriguing tale, is it safe? It wouldn’t do to provide something untrustworthy to Your Majesty.”
“Such worries are understandable. We have Qahwa brought from our homeland through trade; why not have the civil and military officials verify it first?”
Given the gleam in their eyes, many officials were intrigued, so confirming it wouldn’t pose a problem.
The likelihood that someone who claimed to desire trade would bring something dangerous was low.
As the conversation turned towards verification, Suleiman sighed inwardly in relief.
‘Just as the Padishah suggested, I’ve piqued their interest with Qahwa.’
Honestly, it bordered on a flimsy scam.
If Qahwa was truly as beneficial as claimed, there wouldn’t be officials collapsing under the weight of their excessive workloads.
‘Thus, newbies fall into the trap of dependence on Qahwa.’
The way high-ranking officials tease fresh recruits who unwittingly come to rely on coffee is no joke.
Amidst the buzzing discussion over coffee, Suleiman addressed the Jiajing Emperor.
“While the Ming Dynasty is vast, so too is the Ottoman Empire. This could serve as an excellent opportunity for Your Majesty to enjoy many things you’ve not yet seen without undue effort. Included amongst them might be items that could aid Your Majesty’s longevity, just like Qahwa.”
“Hmmm.”
While such products may not yet exist, surely scouring unexplored lands would unearth at least one health-benefiting item.
Suleiman boldly crafted his deception, and after some consideration, the Jiajing Emperor spoke.
“Very well, you may withdraw for now. I shall ponder and render a decision.”
“Understood.”
Though he didn’t receive a definitive answer, Suleiman was content to have garnered a positive response as he took his leave.
Following this audience, rumors of a mysterious beverage from the distant West rapidly circulated in Beijing.