＃39화. The Sultan’s Call (1)

Creating an heir is an important duty for royalty.

Just look at the Sultan, who wanted to circumvent Islamic law that allows only four wives. Legally, he remains unmarried to establish a harem.

Children can die at any moment due to war, disease, or unfortunate accidents. So it makes sense that having many heirs is the best choice to pick the precious from the worthless.

Yusuf can’t escape this either.

“It’s a bit funny to have to think about kids at 14, but it’s necessary for the future.”

To be blunt, for a prince, having a son is just a tool to improve succession chances.

The mere fact of having many sons will garner support from officials wanting a stable heir, and becoming Sanjakbey would mean a solid support base.

For a prince who doesn’t worry about raising costs, having sons is the best investment. It might sound harsh, but Yusuf thought the same.

He gently brushed the hair of Aishe, who lay beside him, revealing her pale shoulders and sleeping soundly.

“No matter how much Aishe’s son is involved, it’s not the same.”

If it’s a son, he’ll be a tool to showcase before becoming a Sultan and will be one of many heirs when he becomes one.

If it’s a daughter, she’ll become a target for political marriage to ensure smooth governance.

Anyway, since he needs many descendants, he had no regrets about acquiring the trait [Excellent Genes].

“It increases the likelihood of giving birth to excellent children, so if it’s left to luck, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Strictly speaking, what kind of child is born is indeed left to luck.

While acquired factors shouldn’t be ignored, innate talents are a reality as well.

Thinking that luck would affect the child as well is merely conjecture.

“I hope they are as smart as Suleiman.”

Just to make them easy to handle.

It’s hard to turn someone else’s child into a laborer like Yaya, who fled to the capital, so raising sons this way ain’t such a bad thing either.

Who knows what their opinions will be in the future.

Yusuf chuckled quietly, careful not to wake Aishe as he rose and headed to the office.

“Everyone’s here?”

Inside the office, Shamsi, Arda, and Hasan had already gathered, and Yusuf took his seat at the head.

Noticing the slight fatigue mingled with brightness on Yusuf’s face, Arda asked with a hint of amusement in his tone.

“You seem to be doing well lately.”

“Well, it’s not bad.”

To be honest, it was quite good. He almost accidentally made a trait for King of Vigour!

Hearing Yusuf’s answer, Shamsi spoke in her characteristic deadpan tone.

“It’s a good time, but while heirs are important, it means nothing if health declines.”

“I’m not so out of control that I can’t handle it.”

Living like a wild man lost in women is something only those with spare capacity can afford; for Yusuf, balancing on the edge of a thousand-foot cliff, it was impossible.

Shamsi, who had worried that he might fall excessively into the tempting pleasures he just tasted, nodded as if relieved.

“As you know, the fame from this war is spreading rapidly. This means more people will pay attention to you.”

“I’m aware. My brothers will start to interfere in earnest.”

The old Sultan would probably take a step back to discern the valuable from the worthless and his brothers, now spotlighted, would stop at nothing to oust Yusuf.

The war with Venice was already at the peace negotiation stage, so the officials who couldn’t pay attention to anything else due to the war would again interfere in the heir competition.

“I can’t afford to be picky either.”

Even if countless blood flows along the way.

Yusuf looked back at Hasan, who had recently started putting on weight again.

“Hasan, have you sent the letters to the qadis and muftis about the Shia atrocities?”

“Of course.”

He sent letters to the qadi working as an Islamic judge and the mufti, an Islamic law scholar, about the Sunni oppression taking place in the Safavid region.

Their roles within Islam are significant enough to generate negative opinions towards the Shia.

“The conflict between Sunni and Shia needs to deepen more than it is now.”

This way, the crusade he initiated will shine brighter.

Plus, it will create a stronger anti-Shia atmosphere within the empire, leading to greater chaos.

Satisfied with Hasan’s answer, Yusuf turned to Arda.

“While it’s good to celebrate victory, isn’t it time to regain control over the soldiers? I heard the rumors aren’t good.”

“I’m sorry. As you mentioned, there have been some deviations, and I’ve entrusted the verdict to Qadi Omer.”

“Those who commit crimes must receive proper punishment. And those who lose discipline will be excluded from the war with Georgia.”

“Understood.”

Having experienced getting rich in war already, they surely wouldn’t want to miss it.

Especially since the war with Georgia was likely to proceed in a bland manner.

“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”

It was very rare for Hasan to ask a question.

It wasn’t easy for a slave to dare question his master, especially since Hasan already had a crime to bear.

“What question is it?”

“Are you considering selling cement externally? Alongside the two sanjakbeys who participated in the war, traders have also expressed interest after hearing the rumors.”

“Sale…”

Although it was certainly a product that would bring money, it required some thought.

There’s no patent system, and the materials for making cement aren’t special, so it could easily be copied elsewhere.

Even if he concealed the manufacturing process, there’s no such thing as eternal secrets.

As Yusuf pondered, Shamsi asked.

“Your Highness, why not consider offering the cement manufacturing method to the Padishah?”

“To the Padishah?”

“We can’t hide the existence of cement from the Padishah. While reports of victories have already been sent to the capital, a detailed report of the war process is necessary.”

“That’s true.”

In response to how the 500 Qizilbash were captured without major damages, he would need to mention the existence of cement.

Too many people had firsthand experience to fabricate a false report.

“Since the Padishah will find out regardless, are you suggesting we offer it in advance?”

“He wouldn’t be oblivious to its worth, so the Padishah would surely provide proper compensation.”

Certainly, Bayezid wasn’t stingy. He was quite open and generous.

Playing the role of a good son while securing compensation wouldn’t be a bad choice.

“I’ll need to think about this a bit more.”

It was a matter he could decide after receiving the Sultan’s response following the victory report.

And after a month had passed, the letter from the Sultan contained words no one could have anticipated.

*

A month is a period in which a lot can happen.

With only 500 of the elite guards attaining sufficient results, their numbers nearly doubled in preparation for the war with Georgia.

They were undergoing intense training for the expedition planned for next spring and were quickly transforming into an elite force.

The fortress in Erzurum has fully recovered from the damages incurred due to Ismail’s troops, and the surrounding villages that had not yet submitted were completely under control.

With control over Bayburt and Erzurum as well, the size of Sanjak effectively doubled.

“Though it’s not exactly a land bursting with wealth.”

Since it was a place where soldiers needed to be stationed against the Safavid, it wasn’t financially beneficial land.

However, the increase in available troops was significant.

While living each day diligently, a letter from the capital contained contents severe enough to warrant an emergency meeting.

“The Padishah is calling for me to come to the capital directly. That’s unusual.”

Those with claims to succession must leave the capital at the age of 15.

In Islam, 15 is viewed as the age when puberty is achieved, at which point one is treated as a full adult.

When a successor over the age of 15 returns to the capital, it’s only when they become Sultan.

“Even if the prince is still in his adolescence, calling him now that he’s become a sanjakbey is extraordinary.”

“At this age, there shouldn’t even be a reason to call him back to the capital.”

Being treated as an adult means he should not only be making achievements but also adequately fulfilling his role as a sanjakbey.

What necessity would there be to call a successor who is learning the duties of a sanjakbey alongside the high-ranking officials sent?

“Even so, to personally call someone to the capital is something unimaginable.”

It was hard to grasp the Sultan’s thinking that led to such a decision.

“Isn’t this a problem that cannot be refused anyway?”

“That is true.”

Despite the Sultan calling personally, no prince could refuse. Unless the Sultan were an incredibly old man, he was still reasonably energetic for his age.

There was no particular reason to refuse either.

What needed to be considered now was the profit and loss of going to the capital.

“Since it took a month to get a response, there must have been significant resistance from the officials.”

Though still young in age, Yusuf was regarded on the same level as the other princes.

Those supporting the other princes would worry that the Sultan’s affections were directed toward Yusuf.

“Receiving the Sultan’s summon despite that resistance means he will gain a lot of attention.”

“There will be those attempting to approach the prince too. For you, who lack strong connections in the capital, this could be a significant opportunity.”

Normal princes would likely have at least a straw to grab in the capital, yet he had no one to relay news from the capital to him.

It was a chance to form factions.

Of course, it’s not only a good opportunity.

“The fact that we don’t know why the Sultan called is a source of unease.”

“Indeed, it would be hard to believe the Sultan summoned me to lend strength.”

It was true that the Sultan had some fondness for him, but whether he would choose him as a successor was a whole other issue.

There were older, more mature sons already over 30; the Sultan’s throne wasn’t so cheap as to hand over merely because a son was slightly better than the others prevailing through puberty.

“This summon might likely be another test.”

Being evaluated continuously is just part of being a prince.

“And who knows what schemes those supporting the other princes might be up to?”

Even Shamsi could be pushed out by central power.

A place filled with people harboring countless hidden agendas, who knows what could happen?

“In short, it means that if I return alive, I stand to gain.”

Not difficult after all.

Having come back to his hometown after so long, surely wouldn’t he die?

*

The scenery of Constantinople that he returned to after three years hadn’t changed significantly.

The towering Topkapi Palace and mosques were in sight, and the harbor was bustling.

“Really unchanged.”

Thud!

“Ah, an assassin! Catch him!”

“To the point of risking my life too.”

Yusuf nodded as he noticed the arrow lodged on the ground, having brushed past him.

Having lived a somewhat peaceful life in Trabzon, he had nearly forgotten what his hometown was like.

“What a grand welcoming gesture.”

This was definitely the city closest to Allah, at least for him.