예정된 일(2)

In modern times, millions gather for sports, so 100,000 might seem small, but considering the population and means of transportation, it’s not an everyday occurrence.

An urgent divan meeting was convened in response to the news pouring in from various regions of the 오스만. There were pressing points that needed to be addressed first.

“Where did the figure of 100,000 come from?”

At Yusuf’s question, the ministers quickly presented their evidence.

“The ones gathering the fastest in the capital are the 시파히. There are nearly 40,000 of them alone.”

“시파히, huh.”

It’s only natural for the 시파히 to act quickly. As standing soldiers who can be summoned at any time, they receive information faster than ordinary subjects and, being a sort of landlord, they have fewer economic worries. Being cavalry, they also have no concerns about transportation.

Yusuf clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“If only we had restructured the army earlier to reduce the numbers.”

Reducing the 시파히, which number over 100,000, was a long-term plan. Even though guns and cannons have become the main forces on the battlefield, it’s evident from the Roman siege that cavalry are very useful, with the 시파히 also playing a role in maintaining public order like the police.

It had been postponed as it would be too challenging to reduce them in such a short time, but he never expected it would come to this.

“A strong supporter of the_PADISHAH, he might be upset if he hears this. Isn’t this gathering a display of gratitude for what we’ve received until now?”

“Who asked for such expressions?”

Yusuf’s face showed irritation.

Having led countless wars to victory starting with the Safavid conquest, Yusuf was not just an excellent ruler to the 시파히, but a figure close to a deity. It was akin to how Ismail of the Safavids was revered by his followers as a god.

Moreover, with the introduction of the four-field crop system and limestone fertilizer, the productivity increased, directly benefiting the 시파히, who were a kind of landlord.

This meant that their active participation was to be expected.

“The problem is that, with the 시파히 coming, news of the PADISHAH’s abdication is spreading even faster.”

There were reportedly rural villages in the 20th century that were unaware of wars, so in this era, one can only imagine how things are.

Without the internet and telephones, it was a time of severe information disparity; the movement of the 시파히 was akin to spreading rumors far and wide.

Of course, since they have their livelihoods, not everyone would come to the capital, but it was still sufficient reason to estimate 100,000.

Yusuf tapped the armrest of his chair.

“If that many gather in the capital, it will lead to numerous problems.”

“Just thinking about it, there will be price hikes near the capital, issues of safety, and hygiene problems will follow. There won’t even be enough space for such a population to stand in the capital.”

Twenty years ago might have been different, but the capital now exceeds a population of 500,000 and is already overcrowded.

Adding 100,000 more could mean the roads might be occupied by homeless people.

Yusuf frowned, and Shom suggested cautiously.

“Wouldn’t it be better to stop their movement right now?”

“Forget it. Considering how excited they are to come, there could be unnecessary conflicts.”

If we can’t stop them from coming, we have no choice but to prepare to minimize the issues.

“Entry into the capital is forbidden. Instead, we will set up tents to provide temporary lodging and leave public safety to the arriving 시파히. To prevent diseases due to hygiene, I’ll also deploy doctors and administrators.”

Hearing that administrators would be dispatched, the ministers did not object.

Those present weren’t the sort of people to be rolling around in such places. While low-level bureaucrats would scream upon hearing this news, it was of no concern to those gathered here.

“And solving the price issue is not that difficult.”

While he couldn’t be sure how many would gather, unless they fasted as a group, they would be consuming an enormous amount of food.

Naturally, prices would rise, and Yusuf easily suggested a solution.

“Record how much goods each merchant sells. Let them know I will remember all this personally.”

“…Your Highness?”

“Of course, the same goes for if news comes that merchants aren’t selling goods and the subjects are starving.”

The faces of those gathered in the meeting room paled.

No matter how close Yusuf was to abdication, he was by no means powerless.

Any prince who becomes the next PADISHAH would not be able to completely shake off Yusuf’s influence; destroying a merchant or two would be child’s play.

The faces of merchants in the 오스만 who would soon hear the most terrifying threats were already vividly imagined.

“I will personally see to it and sort out the situation in three months. Until then, you all work hard.”

As Yusuf patted their shoulders and walked away, Shom sighed.

They say time goes faster as you grow older, yet he felt it was dragging on for him.

*

People began to gather outside the walls of 코스탄티니예.

Since the 오스만 was a well-maintained nation, the gathering happened quite quickly, and unless one was wealthy enough to find accommodation in the capital, they had to live in tents outside the walls.

With people of all kinds from various regions of the 오스만 gathering, all sorts of events unfolded.

A priest conducting worship with Christians began an argument with an Islamic scholar who was praying towards Mecca.

“What original sin do we have? Allah forgave Adam, so there is none.”

“Didn’t eating the fruit of good and evil cause humanity to have faults? And can you say that Muhammad is the last prophet?”

“It is written so in the Quran! How dare you insult him?!”

“Then what’s the deal with the PADISHAH?”

When the priest mentioned Yusuf, who had performed almost prophetic acts, the Islamic scholar was momentarily taken aback.

While Christianity was being shaken by the Reformation, Islam was confused because of Yusuf.

Claims began that after Muhammad, Allah had no choice but to send another prophet to rectify the shaken Islam, alongside arguments insisting he was not a prophet at all.

This debate had been ongoing for decades, and the Islamic scholar boldly continued.

“The PADISHAH may have prophesied, but he never claimed to be a prophet, so he is not one.”

“What nonsense…”

“In any case, that’s how it is. Furthermore, we do respect Jesus as a prophet, but the claim that he is the son of Allah is utterly absurd, isn’t it?”

Disputes broke out as dignitaries of Islam and Christianity engaged in heated discussions, with different cultural contests, such as archery, being held regionally.

Thanks to this, the denizens of the capital ventured outside to watch, and Yusuf heard reports of this every day.

“It’s a relief that it’s not causing as many problems as I thought.”

Though there had been incidents of theft and assault, they were rare compared to the huge crowd gathered.

Generally, perpetrators were quickly apprehended.

“Isn’t it because this is a place where those who think deeply about the PADISHAH gather?”

“That aside, what do you think about the various people from different regions competing in different events and interacting?”

“It seems good.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to hold competitions regularly where players from all over the nation gather in one place?”

In simple terms, it meant hosting the Olympics, and this concept was unfamiliar to Shom, who expressed a slightly negative view.

“Would the benefits be worth the effort?”

“Our empire is vast, and thus various ethnicities and cultures coexist. As time goes by, the perception of being one country may fade. I’d like to provide a sense of belonging to the same nation through these competitions.”

As the Olympics had started for the physical training and morale of French youths and then expanded worldwide, who knows if that would be the case in the future.

Thinking this might not be a bad idea, Shom nodded.

“It seems like a plan worth considering. After all, it’s not something that will take place until after I retire.”

“That’s right; my son will manage it well.”

“The next Grand Vizier will likely continue that plan and see it through.”

The two laughed, leaving behind tasks for the next generation.

“By the way, Your Highness, may I ask how you plan to calm those gathered there?”

“The simplest way would be to cancel my abdication. But in that case, both you and I would have to remain here until we die.”

“That sounds like the most difficult method.”

Neither knew when their time would come, and while Shom had no great affection for life, he didn’t wish to be buried under paperwork until he died.

At his resolute words, Yusuf chuckled softly.

“I have no intention of doing that either. I don’t want my plan to wear down into mere idle talk. I just want to give them promises that will reassure them.”

With that, Yusuf took a sip of his coffee.

*

Three months, as promised, have passed.

Despite the limited time, the crowd gathered in the capital had already surpassed 100,000, creating what seemed like another city outside the walls.

“Your Highness, everything is ready.”

At the report of Commander Silahtar, who also served as an aide, Yusuf nodded.

With the sound of clanging chains, the heavy gates of the capital began to lower, and Yusuf walked slowly.

The majestic military band announced the PADISHAH’s arrival, and the lined up 예니체리 cleared a path.

Beyond them, an overwhelming number of people stood in formation, a sight almost impossible to gauge in totality.

‘It’s been a while since I felt this way.’

Feeling a strange pressure on his chest, Yusuf took his place on the prepared platform.

“Lift your heads, for I want to see your faces!”

At Yusuf’s command echoed by the 예니체리, the gathered people raised their heads.

Just a cursory glance revealed a diverse group of varying ages, regions, and social standings.

“It is truly a joyous day. Which ruler has experienced such luxury until now? The distant emperor of the Ming Dynasty or the emperors of ancient Rome, now reduced to dust, have surely never experienced this.”

In a space where not a single sound except for the voice of the 예니체리 could be heard, Yusuf continued.

“I am well aware of the reason why you have come this far. How can I bear to leave such subjects behind? However, I do not intend to change the decision I have made.”

-PADISHAH!

Voices called out from various places, and Yusuf raised his hand to calm the uproar.

“My belief that stepping down is truly for the good of the empire remains unchanged, and the ruler of the empire must not make empty promises. I must do this for the stability of the empire.”

His words left no room for question, and soft groans of dejection filled the air, as Yusuf allowed time for emotions to settle.

Among the gathered crowd might be former comrades from the battlefield, as well as those whose lives were saved because of certain policies.

The notion of a changing PADISHAH felt as though the heavens were crashing down for some.

Yusuf directed a light-hearted joke toward an old man who was weeping nearby.

“To weep on such a joyous day of seeing faces is truly unworthy of a subject. While I may soon step down from this position, it does not mean I will be far from you. Rather, it will become an opportunity for us to grow closer. In five years, I shall return personally to survey the empire.”

In five years, the administration would likely have stabilized, making it no burden for the prince, who would become the next PADISHAH, to travel across the empire.

Having said that, Yusuf smiled at the old man wiping his tears.

“So do live long.”

Yusuf turned around and returned to the capital.

This was the limit to the promises he could offer.

*

After Yusuf’s declaration, the gathered crowd dispersed obediently.

No matter how hard they tried, they realized they could not change his will to abdicate, and they were barely satisfied with the promise to return in five years.

Of course, this promise was not simply an empty comfort for the gathered subjects.

‘The future of the empire will be determined largely by how well united we remain as one nation.’

There may be religious disputes, a wave of nationalism like in history, and the industry revolution, which is bound to shake the empire.

Other countries would continuously strive to fracture the empire, and internally, it would tremble due to individuals pursuing their own interests.

To overcome such crises, there was a need to bind together as a stronger nation.

That was the reason for the promises and absolutely critical, to even delay scheduled plans.

Thinking that things had gone well, Yusuf opened a letter from Mustafa he hadn’t seen in a long while.

As he read through the letter conveying the intent to come at an opportune time and filled with trivial welfare updates, he suddenly paused.

-Also, I want to inform Father of a surprising fact. Amazingly, there are vast gold mines in the center of the island. I’ve already found over ten of them. Isn’t that amazing?

That was indeed surprising.

That damned stroke of luck.

“Bring forth the Grand Vizier. I have urgent matters to discuss.”

The hurriedly arrived Grand Vizier read the letter and sought to resign, but Yusuf firmly rejected it.

Time passed as they planned against inflation.

Princes gathered in the capital, and the focus of the world was on the impending abdication.