I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

더 멀리(1)

After a long voyage, the sunburned face of Suleiman bore the marks of the hardships of time.

Busy glancing at the sailors bustling on the deck as they prepared to dock, he lifted his head.

“It’s been a while.”

Looking past the busy Bosporus Strait, where countless ships came and went, he caught sight of the faint outline of the Topkapi Palace, making it feel real that he had finally returned.

Remembering the years spent in that far eastern land, his fists naturally clenched with determination.

“Pasha, we have received docking permission.”

“Let’s dock.”

As soon as the order was given, Ibrahim, who had set off on a long voyage alongside Suleiman, seemed poised to take on significant responsibilities, confidently commanding the docking.

Among the many ports in the capital, the massive archway bridge caught Suleiman’s eye as they approached the inner harbor of the Golden Horn.

“So, the bridge connecting to the Golden Horn has been completed. I only heard about it before.”

“When the construction first started, I thought it would be difficult, but I had no idea such a beautiful bridge would be completed.”

“And that must mean a considerable amount of time has passed.”

Though Taiwan Island and the Ottoman Empire were far apart, they hadn’t been entirely isolated.

Soldiers returned home due to being wounded, suffering from homesickness, and ships needing precise repairs.

However, that did not apply to the commanders.

“As long as our struggles have benefited the Empire, that’s enough. More importantly, see to it that the envoys who’ve come this far are well taken care of. You have much to attend to.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

As Suleiman entrusted the envoys from Ming and Joseon to Ibrahim, he watched the sailors carefully moving large boxes.

“Move carefully! Know that if there’s a problem with the goods, I’ll sell you off as a slave!”

“Bring the silk over here!”

These were the goods brought from Ming and Joseon.

While there was high-quality silk and tea that couldn’t be easily purchased for mere money, there were also some grassroots goods for which the demand had yet to be confirmed.

To someone unfamiliar with ginseng, the steamed red ginseng seemed like nothing more than regular grass to Suleiman.

As he watched the goods neatly piled up, he saw the Janissaries who had come to the harbor and descended from the ship.

“The Padishah is looking for you, Pasha.”

“Is there anyone else calling for me?”

“No, there isn’t.”

At this, Suleiman sighed.

He had heard that while at war with the West, they weren’t urgently summoning admirals, which indicated that he wouldn’t be thrust immediately into combat.

“Understood, I will follow orders.”

As Suleiman made his way to the Topkapi Palace, he marveled inwardly.

The population of the capital appeared to have grown by more than half since the time he had left, and the overall mood was vibrant.

‘It’s hard to believe this is a country at war.’

The implication was that they firmly believed in victory without the economy being affected, which indicated boundless faith in the current regime.

He suddenly wondered if his father, Selim, had encountered such a scene when he became Padishah, but quickly shook it off.

It was merely an irrelevant assumption.

Entering the Topkapi Palace, which had not changed from the outside, Suleiman paid his respects to Yusuf, who was looking down at him from the upper seat in the audience chamber.

“I have successfully fulfilled the great Padishah’s orders and have now returned.”

“You have endured much hardship for a long time. I’m glad to see you back in good health. Once you recover from the travel fatigue, I shall hold a banquet in your honor.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The little boy who felt shy just being patted on the head upon their first meeting had now grown to nearly forty.

Facing Suleiman like this made Yusuf acutely aware of how long he had lived.

“I’ve heard the news. Was it true that Kemal Reis eventually went to Allah?”

“Yes. He mourned not being able to see the Padishah one last time. His body has been buried in Taiwan Island as he wished.”

“I see.”

Regardless of how far he had fallen out of favor, it was still sad to think that someone who could have died in a storm over twenty years ago was buried far away due to poor health.

“He must have held much resentment towards me. After all, I dragged him out of retirement and sent him that far.”

“No. As a sailor, he was grateful for the chance to witness a larger world.”

“I’ll only know if that’s true after I ascend to Allah.”

As Yusuf cracked a joke, Suleiman cautiously asked,

“I’ve heard we are at war with the West. Shouldn’t we participate as well?”

“Enough. The fleet returning on time is more than sufficient. I wouldn’t be so heartless as to push those returning after a long absence straight into battle. We must also consider the morale of the soldiers.”

Even if monetary compensation was assured, these individuals had spent nearly six years suffering in that faraway land.

After living in a place where they couldn’t communicate and food didn’t suit them, returning to their longed-for homeland only to be sent back to the battlefield?

‘It would be fortunate if there isn’t a mutiny on board.’

Moreover, it wasn’t just the soldiers; the ships would face issues immediately setting sail.

No matter how much they had been repaired along the way, there were limitations, and it was better to think of them in a worn-out state.

The need for a large-scale inspection and repairs would not be a short-term job.

“What you must do is rest, not fight. After all, envoys negotiating for peace have rushed back upon receiving word of your arrival in Cairo.”

“Why did they leave?”

“Things have changed, so they must bring new conditions.”

Considering they wouldn’t be sending out the returning fleet, the Spanish envoys would have no choice but to raise their previously assumed conditions.

“By the way, I heard envoys have come from two countries.”

“Yes, envoys from Ming and Joseon have been sent. When would you like to meet them?”

“Well, I don’t have any pressing desire to meet them quickly. As much as possible, limit roaming around outside.”

As Suleiman found this odd, Yusuf twisted his lips into a smirk.

“I’m merely returning the treatment you received. Those who think they are the only ones worthy of calling themselves an empire must receive suitable treatment.”

“And what about Joseon?”

“Is there really a need for special treatment? After all, it’s just a small country in the East.”

Of course, in a global context, Joseon’s national power was not to be disregarded, but to the Ottomans, it was just a minor nation.

Compared to Ming, even received well, the envoys from Joseon would only feel uncomfortable.

“I’ve heard they’ve opened trade with the East quite well.”

“Thanks to the Ming Emperor being deeply engrossed in Qahwa.”

“The fact that we have goods we can sell is very significant. It’s a major achievement.”

If there were no goods to sell, they would have had to purchase them for silver, which would lead to a massive loss of silver.

“Is there anything else to report?”

“There’s an area in the southern part of Taiwan made up of several islands. Perhaps we should take an interest there?”

At Suleiman’s words, Yusuf tapped the armrest with his fingers.

‘The Philippines.’

As a key crossroads between East Asia and Southeast Asia, it was a region where various races and cultures intersected, filled with small states made up of merchants and pirates.

However, it wasn’t a place to be ignored; the Sulu Sultanate had been a nation that had repeatedly defeated Spain for hundreds of years until the 20th century before being occupied by the United States.

“Certainly, it is a region worth paying attention to, as you say.”

With the likelihood of Spain colonizing the Philippines low, the region had a high chance of becoming Islamized.

Countries with Arab culture were currently on the rise compared to those with Chinese and Indian cultures.

Depending on the situation, it wouldn’t be bad to place some bets.

‘However, it’s probably more likely that the next generation will handle this.’

There wasn’t much time left to reach out to the Philippines.

“We’ll prepare for that matter separately. In the meantime, you have worked hard. You may return now and rest.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, while you’re at it, make some children. I’d hate to face Selim brother in the future without presenting myself properly.”

Suleiman let out an awkward smile.

Having just come from seeing Shamsi’s son suffering under immense work in Cairo, he found it hard to respond lightly.

*

Due to the shipments brought in by the fleet of fifty ships, the merchants were greatly stirred.

Thanks to the canal, it had become relatively easy to travel freely to the far East, but many of the items brought this time were hard to come by even with money.

No matter how large the amount they brought was, the supply fell short compared to the demand, and merchants willingly offered large sums to seize the goods.

As gold and silver poured into Yusuf’s hands, there were places that had to spit out gold coins.

“…Your Majesty, the kingdom’s situation is different from the Ottomans. 3 million ducats is an unbearable amount.”

“3 million ducats is already a lower estimate. Shouldn’t you consider the actions of your people? Or do you wish to continue the war?”

The face of the envoy from Spain turned ashen.

Milan and Ferrara, which had to bear responsibility together, were currently under occupation due to this war, and Portugal was impoverished.

The burden of 3 million loomed far too large, and the envoy reluctantly proposed another offer.

“What if the Princess Maria of Portugal were to be betrothed to a prince of the Empire?”

“Do you think I’m a fool in your eyes?”

Yusuf scoffed, glaring, which made the envoy flinch.

Princess Maria would later become the queen of Spain. Forming an alliance with Portugal could provide room for intervention, which might be alright.

“I’ve heard that princess is still young. That means it will take at least ten years until the betrothal, right? Who’s to say we won’t hear nonsense by then?”

“That’s not something that can easily be overturned after forming a sacred pact with the Empire.”

“Well, if the empire truly feared me, such a situation wouldn’t have occurred, now would it?”

The envoy couldn’t easily deny that.

Portugal had become the catalyst for war, having insulted Yusuf, while Spain had attacked Rome seeking to capture Yusuf.

“And if I command you to marry the Portuguese princess, he would likely be displeased.”

The pretty princess was fantasy, and at least to Yusuf’s knowledge, Maria was not a beauty.

Princes, who could have any beauty they desired, certainly wouldn’t welcome his wife. If it were him, he would refuse.

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Think it over yourself. Besides, princes do not formally marry women, so it’s a condition that can never be established in the first place.”

With the main condition being blocked, the negotiations dragged on unproductively.

As the negotiations continued to drag on, news came that the Watasid dynasty and the Saadi dynasty had been occupied in Morocco, and Yusuf began the negotiation in earnest.

“I dislike wasting time, so if my conditions are met, I will reduce the amount somewhat.”

“What conditions are those?”

“First, I’ll take possession of Gibraltar and Málaga, including the rights to that area.”

“That’s!”

This was essentially claiming the coastline that connected Gibraltar and Málaga, and Yusuf raised a hand to stop the protesting envoy.

“You’d do well to think it through. After all, if the Empire takes Málaga and Gibraltar, maintaining that region would be impossible.”

The Barbary Pirates would evidently go back and forth between the two ports, and the surrounding coastline would become a playground for pirates.

It was something that needn’t be explained, and the envoy’s face fell.

“What other conditions?”

“I intend to develop Gibraltar and Málaga as trade ports. It would be troublesome to block those who travel between the two ports. If these two conditions are included, I will only take 500,000 ducats.”

“…Is that true?”

500,000 ducats was a significant amount, but when compared to 3 million, it was something they could afford.

“The master of the Empire does not speak in vain. What will you do?”

“I will ask the homeland’s opinion for now.”

Though they said they would inquire about their opinions, it was a condition that was highly likely to be approved.

With the previous two conditions included, the negotiations for the peace treaty were concluded, and Shamsi turned to Yusuf and asked,

“Isn’t the condition too light compared to the reduced amount?”

“In any case, even if I received 3 million ducats, I would have had to divide it over a long time and likely just barely hold on for a few years.”

Or they could think there was no way to pay and start another war.

Either way, it was all equally troublesome.

“What matters this time is the conditions that have been recognized. It would not obstruct us from incorporating the hidden Muslims and the Moriscos who had no choice but to convert.”

As persecution escalates, people would gather around the two ports, and to Spain, it would seem like a thorn in their side.

If the treaty were maintained for a mere ten years, the chances of the two ports growing into large cities would increase significantly.

“And there are other ways to squeeze money from Charles.”

A very traditional method.

*

The Barbary Pirate, Dragut, who proved his worth in the conquest of Malta, lay flat before Yusuf.

After the war, Dragut, summoned by Yusuf, felt a sensation of sweat flow from his entire body out of nervousness.

The honor of facing the Padishah was not something a mere pirate captain deserved.

“Dragut, isn’t the Mediterranean too small for a Barbary Pirate? Isn’t it time to reach out to the world?”

For example, America.