Chapter 340: The Meeting of Round Table

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."

"It is sweet and honourable to sacrifice for my mother nation." 

-        Horace, Odes

It is almost the end of the Muharam month of year 863 according to the Hijri calendar in the Ottoman capital city, which is also considered a start to the new year. But there are absolutely no one in the capital city who has the mood to celebrate or conduct any ceremonies, for obvious reasons unlike the good old days. 

In the old days the Sultan would take the chance to have a celebration with his civil servants, military staff and citizens of the capital city to engage and have a closer relationship with them, boosting his own image among their hearts and minds spending money in exchange for support just like the ancient Roman traditions. The Sultan would issue a lavish bonus salary to his loyal servants, a grand gift to the ulema of mosques around the Sultanate, and hold luxuriant celebrations with feast for the citizens.