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Distorted Circumstances (1)

The orders given by Yusuf were mostly not easy tasks.

Even Tahir, who was in charge of carving the cannon holes with a boring machine, was wracking his brain alongside Suleiman, who had taken on the role of technician instead of the Padishah.

The design blueprints Yusuf had casually tossed included many complicated parts like gears, and they also had to decide how large the boring machine should be.

On top of that, Yusuf instructed that it should be a water-powered boring machine using a water wheel. Even though they were familiar with the use of water wheels in flour mills, it wasn’t a light job.

As the two struggled to create a real prototype, they received an invitation from Yusuf.

“Suleiman, Tahir.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“Once the boring machine is complete, we must also research how much we can lighten the cannon.”

“…Yes.”

“While it’s better to be quick, there’s no need to feel pressured. If we ask Şemsi Pasha, we can secure as much budget as necessary.”

They felt the pressure.

Having been suddenly brought to the audience chamber where a banquet was laid out for them, they were left gasping at Yusuf’s words.

They wanted to ask for more time rather than budget, but his smiling green eyes showed no intention of granting that.

They realized it was better to stick with iron blocks than to stay at the banquet.

Still, being allocated a generous budget was a stroke of luck for them.

Those in charge of urban planning were already bogged down by budget issues.

“Urban planning can’t be easy, no matter how many talents we have.”

A meeting was held with bureaucrats led by the Grand Vizier, architects, and masons gathered to discuss urban planning.

Fortunately for them, the capital already had an aqueduct system from ancient Roman times.

For a city to grow, water is essential, so having a water supply system is quite common, but a sewage system was very rare in this era.

“That was lucky. Otherwise, we would have had to tackle something akin to the Paris renovation project of the 19th century.”

If the empire grew, the population in the capital would explode, and without a water and sewage system, they would suffer from plague issues.

Unfortunately, the hundreds of kilometers of aqueducts leading to the Topkapi Palace were damaged by the recent earthquake, but it was something that could be repaired.

With the basic water and sewage systems in place, they just needed to adjust a bit more this time.

While they might think they had nothing else to do since they had the water and sewage systems, there was a need to tidy up the twisted paths created by haphazard development and secure green spaces during this opportunity.

“Once we conquer the Mamluks, the capital’s population will likely triple, so we need to prepare beforehand.”

In recorded history, the population of the capital, which was just 200,000, had exceeded 600,000 in just fifty years, and with Yusuf ruling, it was likely to grow even more.

Lost in thought for a moment, Yusuf looked at Ali Pasha, who had returned from the Grand Vizier role to become a steward.

“Ali Pasha.”

“Yes, Padishah.”

“How are Mehmet and Murad doing these days?”

Yusuf wasn’t idling either and inevitably couldn’t pay attention to his two sons.

“As far as I know, they have been visiting the Enderun frequently lately.”

“Enderun?”

It was a kind of school located deep in the 4th courtyard of Topkapi.

The top school for training commanders and officials, not only those brought in through the Devshirme system but also the offspring of high-ranking officials were admitted there.

Due to its vast and strict education, graduates became well-rounded talents in both literature and military, with most of those who ascend to high-ranking positions originating from there.

“It may not be a place they should be going yet.”

While the princes’ education occurs at the Enderun, it was too early for the 7-year-old and 4-year-old to attend.

They were still in the period of learning from a home tutor.

Hearing Yusuf’s evaluation, Ali wore a peculiar expression and replied.

“Recently, the Enderun has been quite lively due to the two princes.”

“Why is that?”

“Prince Mehmet has been spending time with the Effendis at the Enderun lately.”

Those who received the title of Effendi were typically knowledgeable people, roughly equivalent to university professors.

Their pride was significant, and no matter how royal a prince might be, they wouldn’t follow a little child around.

“It’s said that when they teach him, he learns several times over. They remarked that his intelligence is a blessing from Allah. It seems they are teaching him various subjects.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

No matter how much he conversed with Mehmet, he never sensed any precise talent.

However, that didn’t mean he was being scammed at the characteristic shop.

“I already confirmed it through Mimar Sinan.”

Mimar was a title attached to architects, and Sinan was a renowned architect from the time of Suleiman.

Born in 1489, same as Yusuf, he was just starting as a rookie in the Janissary engineering corps.

He was noted as a great architect who completed the unique Ottoman architectural style, characterized by large domes and spires, but it would still be difficult to expect much from him at this point.

“Still, I definitely sensed a strong talent for architecture in terms of his characteristics.”

Having personally witnessed the characteristic effects in someone who would live until the astonishing age of 99, it was puzzling that Mehmet seemed to be a dullard.

Listening to Ali’s words, it occurred to Yusuf that perhaps it was because he had too many talents.

“Then how is Murad doing?”

“Prince Murad is quite popular with the martial instructors. They say he is exceptionally strong and picks up physical techniques quickly.”

While they were suited to their traits, he couldn’t help but say.

“Ali Pasha, didn’t I assign them a teacher already?”

“Yes, you did.”

Even without going to the Enderun, they could call in as many teachers as they needed.

Yet their insistence on going to the Enderun meant only one thing.

“They’re already trying to gather their people.”

Yusuf couldn’t help but chuckle.

Whether it was a calculated move or just instinctual, it was truly fitting for an Ottoman prince.

*

As the Ottomans descended into chaos due to rebellions and battles among princes, Yusuf was sending his brothers to Allah.

Italy was also engulfed in the flames of war.

Led by the Papal States, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and the Principality of Ferrara formed the Cambrai Alliance and attacked the Republic of Venice.

Just when Venice, outnumbered by the allied forces, was about to give in, unsettling news came from the Ottomans.

“Do you dare to mention that the infidel sultan is making prophecies!”

At Pope Julius II’s thunderous cry, the cardinal delivering the message flinched slightly.

“One, it has already become quite the widespread tale in infidel lands.”

“When I first heard it, I thought it was just nonsense!”

“Yet it has become a rumor with high credibility. Not only did he predict the largest earthquake, but also those arising in Edirne.”

The cardinal wouldn’t dare make up baseless claims, and movements from the infidel Ottomans were always of great concern.

This meant the reliability of the information was high.

“That an infidel would make prophecies under the wrath of God. Had there not been a fortunate earthquake, would that prince not have withered and died?”

“They believe the wrath of God has come down because Prince Selim ascended to the throne among the Ottomans.”

“Would God bring down his wrath for just that one prince? It is rather due to the wicked deeds of all those infidels.”

While he was not one to speak solely from a position of faith, everyone present agreed with him.

The Pope judged that this rumor posed a more significant danger than he thought.

“With such a foolish rumor circulating, it seems there is no significant chaos within the Ottomans.”

“Indeed. It is said that the infidels praise that the will of God is alongside the new sultan.”

“This has become troubling.”

The succession war, originally anticipated to last a long time, had surprisingly calmed quickly as the new sultan seized public sentiment upon his ascendance, and the Ottomans would swiftly regain their national power.

That was not something Christians, who always felt threatened by the Ottomans, welcomed.

“Fortunately, Venice is trying to negotiate.”

Having defeated the Holy Roman Empire and set off a counterattack, Venice had essentially declared surrender after suffering more than 2,000 casualties in a massive defeat.

The Pope, wishing for Venice to remain strong enough to keep the Ottomans in check, readily proceeded with negotiations.

He quickly began to ponder strategies.

The Pope’s goal was to bring Venice under his control and then drive France out of Italian lands, but he could not tolerate the sultan’s claim of God-given prophecy.

After deeply contemplating, the Pope raised his head.

Light streamed down through the stained glass, illuminating the beautiful depiction that praised God, and he made his decision.

“I must show the sultan what happens when divine miracles are spoken of so carelessly.”

The Pope, whose authority was essentially power, looked at the cardinal.

“I need to alter the negotiations with them.”

“Please, speak.”

“We need the ships of their allied forces.”

While it might not have been sufficient for ground warfare, which involved massive cavalry and strong central troops, it was worth trying for a naval battle.

“And tell the Venetian envoys that I will permit ties with the newly established infidel state in the east.”

The Pope’s instructions to use infidels indirectly to capture infidels drew a nod from the cardinal.

History twisted.

*

The briny smell of the sea, the sound of waves, and the swaying hull.

Drinking rotten water and alcohol, and nibbling on withered meals was far too familiar a life.

As a middle-aged man gazed down at the anchored harbor from the deck of a massive ship with four sails, he heard the creaking sounds of the deck underneath him.

“Reis.”

“What is it?”

The title Reis denoted a naval admiral, and Kemal, who turned to his subordinate, was the highest ranking naval commander for the Ottomans.

“This is news from the homeland. The new Padishah has commanded your return to the homeland.”

“Is that so.”

His task usually involved engaging in naval battles against the Knights of Malta, who occupied Rhodes in southern Ottoman territory.

Not long ago, he had captured ships belonging to the order that were fleeing Rhodes.

Currently docked in Alexandria, under Mamluk control, he had certainly not been oblivious to the news from his homeland.

“Is it that boisterous fellow who called for me?”

“Indeed.”

The Ottomans and Mamluks shared many exchanges.

When goods from the Indian Ocean traveled to the Ottomans, Mamluks were a necessary stop, so it was natural.

Thanks to merchants trading across the Mediterranean, news from the Ottomans was easily accessible.

“A prophet.”

Those who held sincere beliefs in Islam would say that the last prophet mentioned in the Quran was Muhammad, questioning how someone would dare to utter such words, but Kemal found it intriguing.

“What do you think?”

“If the Padishah is indeed a prophet, that would be a good thing. I should likely offer a prayer if I finally have the chance to see him.”

“That’s a good idea.”

No matter how excellent a sailor, if luck is against you, the sea is where you die.

The sea was a place rife with superstitions, and the vast majority were deemed heretics in Islam.

For the sultan to be a prophet would be excellent.

“If the Padishah commands one to return, then so be it.”

“And it seems Barbarossa has also been summoned.”

“Really?”

That was somewhat unexpected.

He was the infamous captain of the Barbary Pirates, known throughout the Mediterranean, and had taken refuge with the Mamluks after hearing that Korkut was dead.

Not only calling for the navy commander but also summoning a pirate.

“This is becoming interesting.”

The scent of war that he had experienced multiple times amidst the rolling waves filled the air.