I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

신성불가침(3)

“Your Majesty, are you serious?”

Fatima, who hadn’t intervened or even asked a question since Yusuf seized the sanjakbey position at the age of eleven, was this surprised.

Yusuf casually set down his book.

“It’s not unusual to make use of stories.”

It’s quite common for those in power to spread tales to solidify their control.

There are legends like the Dangun myth where Hwanin’s grandson is Dangun or the myth of Park Hyeokgeose being born from an egg.

In Greek and Roman mythology, Hercules and Perseus, known as sons of Zeus, are also said to be of Egyptian origin and become the ancestors of Sparta and the Mittenea dynasty, respectively.

Throughout history, the power of stories has been utilized for the sake of power.

Even outside the era of theocratic rule, spreading the news of victories serves a similar purpose.

“But it doesn’t reflect this weak appearance.”

That wasn’t incorrect.

Instead of telling stories about Mehmet II’s conquests in taking many places including Constantinople, they conceal the tale of becoming a sultan at a young age and then being manipulated by his vassals to restore his father.

Even if someone isn’t in power, psychology suggests that people tend to show off a better side rather than the struggles during tough times.

“It’s fine. To me, it feels rather bland. There’s no story of nearly being poisoned and then stabbed not long ago.”

“Poisoned?! No, more importantly, Your Majesty—”

Fatima seemed confused, not knowing about the miraculous survival from the assassination attempt thanks to silver coins.

Yusuf quickly smirked at her. It was a rare gentle smile.

“I wish to approach the subjects as a human, not a god.”

“…Why do you think that way?”

“The failures of a perfect god negate existence itself. Wouldn’t a humble hero be better than a god?”

That was quite an unhumble joke, and Fatima chuckled faintly, as if to say it couldn’t be helped.

“How could I obstruct His Majesty’s path? Do as you wish.”

There wasn’t much need to get permission from Valide Hatun, who oversaw the harem, but it wouldn’t hurt to do so.

Yusuf lightly expressed his gratitude and looked down at the harem.

He was a significant figure that created a turning point in Ottoman history, but since he was born after Yusuf had become Yusuf, he was still just a little kid now.

‘Not wetting himself is quite an achievement, I suppose.’

If he were to bear the crime of insulting the sultan, even a young girl would find it hard to survive.

He must know that his neck could be at risk from the blade of the Silahtar tasked with protection, yet this is a composed reaction.

“Alexandra, do you want to keep writing?”

“…I would like to, if granted permission.”

It was something she impulsively started, nearly died doing it, but the harem felt it. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Good. Then listen well.”

“Speak, please.”

Yusuf quickly contemplated.

What content should be included, and what should he gain from this writing?

‘I need to start as a thorough underdog. A story starting from weakness, overcoming numerous trials, eventually rising to the position of sultan.’

Having organized his thoughts, Yusuf waved the book that Hirem had written.

“In your writing, I must overcome precarious and difficult times, making the subjects feel pity and rise to the position of Padishah.”

“Pity?”

Alexandra seemed puzzled at the thought of receiving pity from the subjects, and Yusuf nodded.

During the succession war, the failed Turkeman rebellion and Ismail’s continuous failures had left the pro-Ismail factions in the empire decimated.

However, one reason there once existed a phenomenon of Ismail in the empire was that people felt pity for him after he lost his family and had to hide away.

‘This means emotional manipulation can still be quite effective in this era.’

Thinking of bringing Ismail’s heroic tale makes it easy.

Of course, if it ends merely as a heroic tale, would it not feel embarrassing in modern-day memories flooded with all kinds of stories?

“I’m not saying to write just a hero’s tale. Infuse it with the love story of Aishe as you’ve written before, but refer back to what I said earlier. Can you do that?”

“Of course!”

Despite complaints about pushing romance too much in dramas and movies, it’s not easily eradicated.

That’s because it’s effective.

‘When viewed by men, it can feel like a hero’s tale, and for women, it will feel like a romance novel.’

The brothers who have already embraced Allah will become villains, but the empire’s subjects are supporting Yusuf to the point they can’t even imagine another sultan.

No matter how much one tries to package it as a heroic story, that can’t be done since half the brothers were sent to Allah’s embrace; feeling guilt about that is also hilarious.

Just becoming the protagonist and enjoying popularity is enough. Of course, there’s one crucial point to clarify.

“Aishe may be significant, but you must include the story of Hatice as well. Do you understand the reason?”

“…Is it for my safety?”

Though still young, she seemed to have some basic awareness.

“Correct, jealousy can sometimes lead to reckless actions. I’ve noticed closely that while I won’t take your life, I can make it miserable enough to regret it.”

“I will include the stories of the two Hatuns.”

“If there’s something you’re curious about, make sure to get help from Valide Hatun.”

At Yusuf’s words, Hirem’s face brightened.

In living the harem life, the person one should build closeness with is the sultan’s mother, Valide Sultan.

Since a concubine would typically leave the harem following her son when he becomes sanjakbey, becoming close to the highest authority in the harem could be deemed as establishing a proper position within it.

‘Well, at best, it’ll only be a step above being a favorite concubine.’

The power obtainable in the harem without sharing a bed with the sultan is just about that much.

“Alexandra.”

When called, Hirem looked up and met Yusuf’s gaze.

As her emerald eyes sparkled like jewels caught his attention, Yusuf continued speaking.

“Using your name as it is may not be appropriate. I will grant you a new name.”

Upon hearing this, Hirem couldn’t immediately reply.

The idea of a name change felt like discarding her entire life before being captured as a slave.

After a brief silence, Hirem opened her mouth heavily.

“I will graciously accept.”

“From now on, your name will be Hirem. It means joyful person in Persian.”

Although the reason differs from when Suleiman decreed it, considering what she will do in the future, it’s quite a fitting name.

After rolling her new name around in her head several times, Hirem deeply bowed her head.

“Thank you. I will live as you wish, Your Majesty.”

Nodding in response, Yusuf lightly shook the book he held while sporting a mischievous smile.

“However, Persian has quite a few shortcomings.”

At Yusuf’s words, Hirem’s face turned bright red.

It wasn’t an issue that easy words were used, but there were far too many grammatical errors and wrong words.

Considering she hadn’t been learning for too long, merely writing it was praiseworthy, but it had issues to be presented like this.

He didn’t expect anything as grand as Shakespeare’s works, but at least one must ensure the basics, don’t you think?

“I need someone to refine the writing.”

Conveniently, there’s someone for that.

Someone with superb literary knowledge who can be easily commanded.

“I will assign Suleiman Pasha to you. He will be of help.”

Yusuf had a playful smile as if he was playing a fun prank, and soon after, Suleiman arrived.

With a body bent as if bowing, but with a loud voice, he exclaimed, “Your Majesty, who on earth wrote such painfully terrible writing?!”

Yusuf burst into laughter for the first time in ages.

Their meeting, like a twisted fate, was flawed from the start.

*

Everything flowed smoothly.

Seizing the opportunity, Hirem poured all her passion into writing, while Suleiman struggled to refine it.

‘Producing a large number of books isn’t difficult.’

With the completion of the Reconquista, driving Islam out of Spain, Muslims and Jews were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula.

During this process, Bayezid II strictly prohibited discrimination against Jews and accepted them, while in the meantime, they obtained Gutenberg’s printing technology.

By 1500, there were around 300 printing houses in Germany alone, so it was a technology that would come someday, but the fact that it could be utilized right away is important.

Thanks to this, the printed books were soon in the hands of the officials holding the divan meetings.

“Ahem, Your Majesty. The book is interesting. However, is it truly alright for such a book to circulate?”

“Through the mouths of those who have read it, surely the content will reach those who cannot read. I’m worried they might take Your Majesty lightly.”

Amidst the worried comments, Yusuf raised the corners of his mouth.

“Me? How dare they?”

At Yusuf’s question, the officials became alert.

The sultan before them was not someone whose authority could be diminished by such a book.

With the portraits established all over the Ottoman Empire, they clearly realized how Yusuf was perceived among the subjects.

‘They said people gathered like a pilgrimage to cities with portraits.’

‘If even a vassal principality like Walachia, which received a single portrait, sought another, there’s nothing more to say.’

His position was too firm for such a book to harm him.

They might propose hanging the neck of the one who insulted the sultan, but it was unimaginable to humiliate him.

While everyone was silent, the Grand Vizier quietly began to speak.

“However, Your Majesty. The subjects are uneducated and are more ruled by emotion than reason. I worry that baseless sympathy might reach the imperial tradition of succession to the throne.”

“Are you suggesting that they could think that the imperial succession law requiring the death of all brothers is too harsh?”

“Yes.”

It might seem unlikely that public sentiment would affect succession laws, but the reason the bloodline of fratricide was implemented and the practice of imprisoning brothers via kephes was enacted is rooted in the harshness of public sentiment.

This suggests that the Grand Vizier has extraordinary foresight.

However, this was already part of the plan.

“If indeed the subjects wish for something, it wouldn’t be a bad option.”

At Yusuf’s words, the officials widened their eyes. This was unexpected.

‘The excellent trait of noble blood can easily turn into poison for the empire.’

It’s good if the offspring are exceptional because a capable successor will be reassuring, but if the talented ones fight to death, the empire could divide.

At the very least, those drooling like hyenas outside the empire might get greedy.

That would be the failure of his goal of creating a powerful empire and providing a peaceful life for the subjects.

“The succession law is not urgent right now. If the world desires it, we can adapt. It’s not even time to worry about such things, is it?”

“It seems I’m just worrying more as I grow old. My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Yusuf lightly waved his hand.

“It’s fine. Your unwarranted worries aren’t without merit. Also, there’s nothing to regret, for the next book will include both your story and Hatice’s.”

At this remark, the Grand Vizier made a subtle face.

“I appreciate the story of Hatice, but there’s no need to include my story.”

“It’s perfectly fine since you test me in such a shameless manner to have it polished. Surely you won’t die from it.”

“…Your Majesty.”

With a sigh from the Grand Vizier, books began to spread across the Ottoman Empire.

This marked the beginning of the saga of Yusuf, which would spark a future debate among scholars worldwide.