Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1072 Tosagupin (2)

The Janissaries were not a simple group of slaves. It was a group of children selected from Christian families, the lowest class in the Ottoman Empire. Although some children were forcibly brought here, there were many more who came voluntarily to gain a higher status. No, most children change that way after going through training and education courses.

Children who achieved excellent results in training and education went straight to work in the imperial palace or as bureaucrats, clergy, or artists. Children with military talent were recruited into a fighting unit called ‘Janniserry’. And as time passed, the Janissaries gradually turned into a powerful power group. Therefore, those who wanted the position of sultan had to acquire the Janissaries.

No, he had to be chosen by the Janissaries. Looking at the current situation, the Janissaries were friendly to Selim. No, it had to be friendly.

* * *

The biggest change since the empire began to move in earnest on the international stage was the mass distribution of high-performance guns and artillery. Guns and cannons manufactured not only by the Empire but also by the Ming, Japanese, and European powers were rolling around everywhere. In this situation, the ‘Janniserry as an army that professionally used guns and cannons’ lost some of its luster.

Of course, thanks to the characteristics of the Middle East and Central Asia, where tribal guards were traditionally the core of power, the Janissaries were still the sultan’s most powerful force. However, the Janissaries, who are increasingly part of the vested interests, have become an ‘enemy rather than an enemy’ to the presidential candidates.

-When you join hands, you are the strongest comrade, but after that, you are the one who has to give up the most.

-Even if you don’t hold hands, your life is threatened, and even if you hold hands, your life is threatened.

This situation, which continued until Mehmet II and Bayezid II, changed as firearms and artillery became common. There was the problem of used goods, but as the prices of guns and artillery became very cheap, it became possible to form independent rifle corps and artillery corps.

The real money eater was gunpowder, but the Ottoman presidential candidates were willing and able to take it. In the end, two of the leading candidates for the presidency after Bayezid II, Korkud and Ahmed, formed their own musketry and artillery corps.

Selim also formed musketry and artillery. However, only his own escort was composed of the minimum number possible. This was Selim’s plan.

-Considering the size of the rifle and artillery forces that Korkud and Ahmed have, it would be difficult for the Janissaries to gain a large stake even if they join forces.

-Then the Janissaries will come to me.

-Then, I will be able to obtain the Janissaries with less concessions than I initially thought.

* * * Although

they formed their own rifle corps and artillery corps, subsequent events brought about a contrast between Korkud and Ahmed. This was because in the process of suppressing the rebellion by Shia mystics, Korkud lost a large amount of its military power, especially musketry and artillery. In addition, as the suppression of the rebellion failed, its political status plummeted.

On the contrary, Ahmed was preserving his strength by managing and training his forces well. And here Selim’s plan went awry. The Janissaries boldly demanded their share.

-Now the only remaining opponent is Ahmed. However, with the power you have, you are no match for Ahmed.

It looks like they will borrow the power of the Crimean Khanate, but the main players on the battlefield are not cavalry, but musketeers and artillery.

-What to do? There is not much time left now.

“Haa~.”

As Selim was pondering the Janissaries’ demands, the situation changed again.

Korkud had made a comeback and Italy was approaching.

* * *

Korkud, who had been pushed out of the race for the presidency after failing to suppress the rebellion, immediately joined the Habsburgs when they extended their hand.

-Instead of giving up advancing into the Balkan region, advancing into the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions will not be hindered.

Based on the above mutual agreement, the Habsburgs began supplying Korkud with a huge amount of guns and cannons. It wasn’t just weapons. An instructor group was formed with officers and soldiers who had experienced a new war in the previous war with France, and began training the soldiers of Korkud.

As Korkud succeeded in making a comeback, Ahmed and the Janissaries also began to feel desperate. Ahmed again began to use his treasury to purchase large quantities of guns and cannons, and hired European mercenaries to serve as instructors. The Janissaries sent Selim again and presented slightly better conditions than before.

But Selim did not respond right away. It was because of Italy.

“Come join us. If you join us, you can be armed with new weapons straight from the factory, rather than those discarded used weapons. No, it’s not just military officers. “I will even hand over the bullets, shells, and gunpowder for guns and cannons on credit.”

“There is no kindness without a cost. “What do you want?”

“More gold from Suez and passage to Persia and Bark.”

“Persia and Bakura…”

From the words of the Italian messenger, Selim could understand what they wanted.

‘Is it oil after all?’

It was Selim, aiming for the Ottoman sultan. Although he was the governor of Trabzon, the easternmost part of the Ottoman Empire, his eyes and ears were open to the west. Therefore, he also knew about the increasingly important oil.

‘No matter which of the Italians or the Janissaries are captured, there will be losses. So then who will join hands with less losses?’

While Selim was literally thinking about ‘the next best evil’, the Italian messenger said something.

“We, Italy, are not the only ones moving. Portugal and France are also joining us.”

Selim’s face changed at the words of the Italian messenger.

‘Italy, Portugal, France? Italy, Portugal and France were at war, but joined hands? how? Suez!’

For the Ottomans, Suez was a well of gold. However, three of the five countries that jointly manage Suez with the Ottomans joined hands.

‘No, there is an empire behind Italy and Portugal, so that means they have all moved.’

Selim shook his head furiously.

‘It hasn’t happened so far, but if those countries all join hands, changing the sultan will be as easy as flipping the palm of your hand. The reason this has not happened until now is because the empire remained quiet and the sultans guaranteed their interests. But oil changed things. They needed a road not only to Suez but also to Persia.’

“Hmm…”

Seeing Selim not being able to give an easy answer, the Italian messenger added.

“We want to benefit together with the Ottomans like we did in Suez.”

“I need more time to think.”

“I understand.”

A few days after the Italian messengers withdrew, a Janissary emissary visited Selim.

“I heard a rumor that the Italians have visited your Excellency the Governor-General. Sir, are you really planning to join hands with those unholy European pigs? Everything that belongs to the Ottomans must belong to the Ottomans and cannot be shared with Europe. One Korkud is enough for such a foolish bastard. And Korkud will never become sultan. And he who does not need our Janissaries will also not be sultan.”

Selim’s eyes changed at the words of the Janissary’s emissary.

‘It’s a threat. Korkud, Ahmed and the threat to make someone other than me sultan. ‘They say they can do it.’

Selim, who understood the hidden meaning of the emissary’s words, asked the emissary:

“What do you want?”

“It is impossible for a foreign power to set foot anywhere other than Suez. What we want is to prevent the inflow of foreign forces. And our loyalty is recognized.”

Selim smiled and answered the emissary’s words.

“I guess they want something in return for their acknowledged loyalty.”

“I just want a little reward.”

“i get it. “I will give you an answer after further consideration.”

In response to Selim’s words, the Janissary’s emissary issued a warning.

“We don’t have much time.”

“We will make a decision as soon as possible.”

The day after the Janissary’s emissary came and went, an Italian messenger visited Selim.

“The Janissaries came and went, right?”

“How to do that?”

“Even the beggars in the back alleys know how loud it was.”

Selim’s eyes darkened at the Italian messenger’s words.

“Did these people intentionally make a fuss?”

“maybe? Rumors have a way of making facts. “They can also raise their own prices.”

“Ugh…”

Selim couldn’t help but grit his teeth at the Italian messenger’s words. This was because he could know the intentions of the Janissaries.

-If the rumor is spread as if it has already become a fait accompli, Selim will have no choice but to accept the Janissary’s proposal.

-If you refuse, you will become a ‘promise breaker’ and suffer political damage.

-At the same time, Selim’s competitors will also try to take control of the Janissaries. This is because it allows you to strengthen your own power and at the same time weaken your competitor’s power.

-No matter which way the decision is made, the Janissaries will have nothing to lose.

As Selim was forced to grind his teeth due to the Janissaries’ intentions, the Italian lion asked with a slight smile.

“What will you do? Do you want to become a sultan who is under the control of slaves who should be under his control?”

Nominally, Janissaries were ‘slaves of the sultan’. Originally, the Janissaries, who were supposed to be obedient and watch out for the Sultan, ended up paying attention to those who wanted to become the Sultan.

“But you can’t ignore the Janissaries. “The Janissaries are a powerful army.”

“A powerful but outdated military. “This is not the time of Mehket II.”

“It’s an army from the past…..”

“Shouldn’t we create a new army? “Not the sultan’s slaves, but the sultan’s army.”

“It’s the Sultan’s army…”

At the words of the Italian messenger, Selim was once again lost in thought.

“Come back tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

The next day, Selim asked the Italian messenger who came again.

“If I take your hands, how long will it be possible to complete my army?”

The Italian messenger immediately answered Selim’s question.

“Immediately.”

“Immediately?”

When Selim made an expression of disbelief, the Italian lion responded meaningfully with a wry smile.

“It is important that it is the governor’s army. “Isn’t the origin of the soldiers important?”

Selim’s expression also became meaningful as he heard the Italian messenger’s meaningful words.

“Not really. “What is important is the military flag, not the color of the soldier’s face.”