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Four Princes (1)

In the Ottoman Empire, there remains much debate over whether Yusuf, the reigning Padishah, is truly a prophet or not, and this controversy has even spread to the West.

However, as Ottoman officials rise through the ranks, they begin to sense that Yusuf’s truly strange aspect is not his predictions of earthquakes but rather the information gap between the Padishah and themselves.

Suleiman gazed at the map he had received.

‘The real difference lies in the information gap between the Padishah and us.’

High-ranking officials tend to acquire information similar to what the Padishah knows. In fact, they often gain more information in their respective fields than the Padishah does.

Given the vastness of the empire, many events transpire, and if one were to receive reports of them all, they would be buried under piles of documents.

Yet working with Yusuf often yields information even unknown to officials, some of which is utterly incomprehensible.

The map they had just received was a case in point.

“I’m curious how you knew about an island that not even the Portuguese, who arrived first, have ever set foot on, but that’s not our immediate concern.”

Utilizing the information was more important than understanding how it was acquired.

Sweat trickled down due to the tropical humidity, and the sun was scorching, but Suleiman diligently scrutinized the coastline.

With great mountain ranges in the east and center, there was little need to pay them any mind for now, and the Ottoman fleet moved along the western coast.

“The harbor appears rather large compared to the nearby fishing vessels.”

“I agree with the Admiral. However, it seems poorly maintained due to infrequent visitors.”

Both Kemal and Suleiman assessed the small coastal village they passed.

The large dock suggested that there had once been visitors, but much of it looked abandoned at first glance.

As local inhabitants, frightened by the appearance of the Ottoman fleet, began gathering nearby with their bows, Suleiman issued a command.

“Do not kill them; just scare them.”

Following Suleiman’s orders, the soldiers fired their muskets into the air, and the billowing gray smoke and explosive sounds caused the locals to either collapse in fear or flee.

Terrified, the locals seemed to have lost all morale.

“Now, we can finally converse.”

It might sound absurd for a robber armed with a sword to suggest a conversation, but Suleiman wished to maintain as smooth a relationship as possible with the locals.

Although the number of Ottoman troops was considerable, local cooperation was essential for them to establish themselves quickly.

‘The sooner, the better. We must fortify this place and reach out not only to Ming China but also to other nations.’

Suleiman clenched his fist as he observed Ibrahim, who was attempting to communicate with the locals using his hands and feet.

The Ottoman red flag was planted in Tainan, land inhabited by the Siraya Tribe, the indigenous people of Taiwan.

*

While Mehmet had to establish a new city, and Murad was managing the area of Yemen where Arab nomads were plundering for survival, Kasim’s situation in Buda, now appointed as a Sanjakbey, was not particularly rosy either.

With only Jews remaining, the fact that Buda had not faced a siege was the only consolation in a grim situation.

As the Ottomans completely took over Buda and implemented a mild policy, some began to return to the city, but considering its original population of over 5,000, it was insufficient.

Ultimately, Kasim made a decision.

“I will relocate people from Pest to Buda.”

Separated by the Danube River, Buda and Pest were vastly different; Buda was prosperous due to its palace and the influence of the Renaissance, whereas Pest resembled a refugee camp.

The massive mountain range of the Danube served as a barrier sharply dividing the disparities between the two cities.

After relocating some from Pest and maintaining peace with soldiers to stabilize Buda, Kasim made a quick decision.

“I shall go to Vienna.”

“Is there a reason to rush, Sanjakbey? Though bound by a peace treaty, you never know when they may become enemies. It would be wise to observe the situation a bit longer.”

Paradin Pasha, who followed Kasim like Shemshi did with the former Yusuf, expressed his concerns, but Kasim shook his head.

“Given that we are undermining the peace treaty by occupying Hungary, we have to act now.”

Although the Ottomans had established a peace treaty with Bohemia, it wasn’t enough to assuage the unrest in a city so close as Vienna.

“Just by seeing that the Archduke of Austria is collecting Ottoman taxes, we can’t predict how things will unfold.”

Ferdinand, the proxy emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and Archduke of Austria, had started collecting special taxes in response to the Ottomans occupying Ruyos II’s lands.

Austria, facing financial woes, sought to collect additional taxes labeled Turkish or Ottoman as a way to counter the Ottomans.

This was evidence that they did not fully trust the peace treaty established with Charles V.

“Simply assuaging anxiety isn’t the goal. We’re laying the foundation to gather information. Pasha, if we are to gather their intelligence, we must enter among them. Do you think that’s doable?”

“It will be difficult.”

For the Ottomans, acquiring quality information from those who are on guard against them was nearly impossible.

“If we cannot infiltrate them, then we must lay the groundwork. After all, doesn’t your father have a method he employs?”

Kasim playfully shook his cup filled with coffee.

“Are you suggesting we open a coffeehouse to gather information?”

“Indeed. My father also uses tea houses, but coffee would be more fitting for the nobility.”

The princes, who had heard stories of Yusuf’s use of tea houses through Fatima, were also aware that he had begun to influence the coffeehouses that emerged with the coffee craze.

“To ensure the plan’s success, we must first introduce coffee to the nobility, so I must take the initiative to promote it myself.”

Realizing that opposition would be futile, Paradin bowed his head in resignation.

“I will notify the Archduke of Austria regarding our visit. If they wish to avoid war with the Ottomans, they will guarantee the prince’s safety as much as possible.”

“Good, I’m counting on you. I need to write a letter to my father. To obtain coffee at a favorable price, I need his approval.”

Kasim picked up a quill and letter paper.

*

Receiving the letter from Kasim, Yusuf twisted his lips.

“What a cunning fellow.”

One of the routes by which the intelligence agency directly under the Padishah, led by Hasan, acquired information in modern terms resembled a café, i.e., coffeehouses.

However, it was no easy feat to use it in the same way even if he knew about it, and the letter contained ideas far beyond mere imitation.

‘He wants to turn the coffeehouse into a social hall for noblemen and women. It’s not something one would think of unless it was Kasim.’

Just as a peacock spreads its vibrant tail to attract a mate, men tend to become more talkative to impress women.

This was a notion that could only arise if one understood such tendencies, and it showcased Kasim’s strengths.

It was a thought that someone like Mehmet, who possesses a brilliant mind yet struggles with understanding people, or Murad, who preferred fists over conversation, would never conceive.

Moreover, in a society like the Ottomans, where the upper class lived distinctly separated by gender and often did not even meet face-to-face until arranged marriages, this made it even more plausible.

Kasim’s profound interest in male-female relations allowed this idea to emerge.

“To whom was that letter addressed, that it elicits such a reaction?”

“It’s a letter from Kasim. He’s really come up with something clever.”

Responding lightly to Hirem, Yusuf tucked the letter away.

Providing cheap coffee and supporting the establishment of coffeehouses was an investment he could easily make.

Of course, if the returns did not meet expectations, he would be disappointed with Kasim.

As Yusuf shifted his gaze from the letter, he looked down at Orhan, his fifth son born from Hirem, who was fidgeting in his arms.

“It seems children grow quickly even in a short time of absence. Is there no issue at hand?”

“Princess Hasna is taking good care of Orhan, so you need not worry.”

At Hirem’s words, Yusuf tilted his head slightly, and Hasna responded with a graceful smile.

Standards of beauty vary by region and era, yet the fair face of an untroubled noblewoman symbolizes beauty even in Islam.

The initial claim was that the reason for the introduction of the veil, such as the niqab that covers the face, was to avoid darkening from the sun.

In the Ottoman Empire, the once cumbersome veil now became a symbol of the upper class, so it was only natural to prefer a white face.

By such standards, Hasna was truly a perfect beauty.

Her porcelain complexion and sparkling green eyes reminded one of the beauties of the Circassians, and her royal upbringing instilled a heightened sense of dignity in her.

The courtiers, who had heard rumors, kept requesting Yusuf to arrange a marriage with Hasna for a good reason.

‘Old fogies.’

Ottoman princesses had been married off to courtiers since olden times, yet those who rose to become courtiers were typically in their 40s.

It was not unusual for a 20-something princess to marry a 50-something nobleman, which means there was no need for such a choice unless Hasna desired it.

Hasna could serve greatly without marrying and remaining a princess.

“I heard you’ve been busy lately, but I didn’t know you were looking after Orhan too.”

“How difficult can it be to converse with the ladies? Spending time with a younger sibling I haven’t seen in a while is quite enjoyable.”

“If that’s how you feel, it’s fine, but don’t overdo it. There’s also the business with the West.”

Jean de la Foret, who had been sent to Ruyos II as an envoy from France, had now taken his seat as the ambassador in the capital, and Western nobility began visiting the Ottomans.

Among them were noblewomen, and such meetings mainly fell on Hasna’s shoulders to handle.

Her high charm played a significant role in impressing these ladies and immersing them in Ottoman culture, making her role absolutely vital.

“I shall bear that in mind, Father.”

“Right, I’m sure you’ll handle it well.”

As they shared light-hearted conversation in the harem, a voice from the outside announced.

– “Your Majesty, Prince Mustafa is waiting in the palace.”

Since a prince could only stay in the harem until puberty, Mustafa was not allowed to enter, and upon hearing he was waiting, Yusuf rose from his seat.

The fact that Mustafa, who hadn’t been seen for a while, had come meant he had found an answer to the problem he had raised.

Handing Orhan, unwilling to part, back to Hasna, Yusuf headed toward the Topkapi Palace, where Tazlu and Mustafa awaited.

“Mustafa, have you decided where you wish to go as a Sanjakbey?”

“I wish to go to Basra.”

“Basra, huh.”

Basra was a port city by the Persian Gulf, flourishing alongside nearby Baghdad since ancient times.

While its glory faded with the opening of canals, it still had the advantage of easily accessing the Indian Ocean.

“You haven’t given up on your dreams of reaching the sea.”

“I thought there was no reason to give up.”

Wanting to reach the sea while fulfilling the duties of a Sanjakbey, Basra was indeed a fitting choice.

‘Picking Basra is half the answer.’

Yusuf asked coldly.

“Choosing Basra is good, but do you think you can adequately carry out the duties of a Sanjakbey there? That place is beyond Tazlu’s effective reach.”

“I am aware. The Shiite government that has been firmly established there for a long time is a point of concern.”

In actual history, those who governed Basra, having drawn in the Portuguese to escape from the Safavids, are nearly as troublesome.

It may have seemed calm under Ottoman rule, but they wouldn’t be so easily submissive as to follow a prince appointed as a Sanjakbey.

“Then how do you plan to resolve that issue?”

“I intend to make following me beneficial to them.”

Upon hearing Mustafa’s words, Yusuf’s lips curled into a smile.

“How do you mean?”

“I plan to seek investment. I’ve heard that merchants are currently pooling capital to purchase ships for trade.”

Acquiring a single vessel required a substantial sum, and considering the risk of sinking, purchasing a ship was akin to gambling.

To mitigate this risk, contracts that involve sharing capital for trade and splitting the profits according to the ratio had been increasing.

“They wouldn’t even get permission to use the canals without my help. For money’s sake, they will follow me.”

“Is that all?”

“No, I plan to expand the scale further. I intend to gain investments from the Kurds and Armenians that my mother has connections with.”

That was a clever idea.

Currently fostered through Tazlu, the thread of connection could snap at any moment if Tazlu were to perish.

However, if they became connected through financial ties, that bond would grow stronger, providing a sufficient choice to keep Tazlu’s loyalty.

Yusuf looked at Tazlu, who was smiling faintly.

“Tazlu, is this your idea?”

“No, it’s Mustafa’s idea.”

Upon being gazed at by Yusuf, Mustafa bowed his head.

“Correct. I shall create a position for you in Basra.”

Drawing on the idea of a joint-stock company like the East India Company, Mustafa was indeed deserving of praise.

The four princes were now firmly establishing their positions.