Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The Sons of Osman (Part 3)
Leaving the battlefield, we made a quick camp for the night all the men were in good spirits as we feasted on the majority of the supplies we had left. The following morning, we marched to Bursa, where we received a hero's welcome, the crowd was bigger than the last time I was in Bursa showing the city's growth. We marched down the main road once more, this time parading the enemy prisoners in front of the crowd to be pelted with insults and random rotten fruits.
Reaching nearest the palace square more and more people could be seen, the sultan's musellem cavalry and yaya infantry can be seen guarding the corners of the square not allowing anyone to enter. To my surprise, a giant platform was built in the square that can only be described as an execution block. The Sultan my father Orhan, a magnanimous figure still in his elder years, stands very imposing on this execution platform.
As the vanguard of me and my brother Suleymans personal guards and the main prisoners of foreigners sent to assist the rebels and my brothers arrived in the square, my father spoke... "My people remember the fate of these rebels, all who seek to destroy their heritage will always lose! It is their right to fight for the sultan's throne... But these scum, my flesh, and blood conspired with foreign powers to rebel against me their father just for a chance at power... Oh, my people, I hope you all remember their stupidity and not pity any of them as the consequences of such actions are dire and a man must live with his actions." </font>
Finishing this short statement, my father looked at me and Suleyman nodding toward us inviting us onto the "stage". Never truly uncomfortable in front of crowds I leaped onto the stage, looking at my army and my future people, and said "I will protect the oppressed, even if he is my enemy. But I will not forgive the traitor even if he is my brother! My people we do not fight the ignorant, but ignorance. Not the fault but the fault. A great man once said, "The desires of this world are like sea water, the more you drink of them the more you thirst". I finish with this last quote "If you trust in ALLAH and make him your companion then all your paths will become easy and safe."
After finishing my speech, I looked to my Suleyman who just said, "Speech is silver, but silence is gold!" then he looked at my father who nodded. Then he directed the soldiers to bring all three of my brothers onto the stage... And by himself choked them all to death with a silk cord... In front of this crowd of people, 3 men of the noblest of blood were put to death for their deeds... The rebels were sliced in half and posted on the walls of the city to let all know how we deal with rebels, and foreign interference.
Holding a short ceremony for our dead siblings who were executed and slain in battle, they were buried, and we continued with our lives. In the throne room just my father, Suleyman, and I were there... My father said "So who shall take the throne? Suleyman as the eldest and as you are the humblest of my children, I must ask as you also have the strongest claim as the eldest... To have my seat if you so wish!" He then stood up and gestured to his seat...
My brother got up from his floor cushion and bowed his head and said, "Father I will take the throne if you deem it a necessary act for the continuation of our beylic, but if you give me a choice, I will always choose to live the life of a soldier, expanding and protecting the lands of my father's father's father!" then he looked at me, then to my father...
My father then looked at me for a while and said "Son, you are very young... I have to say you showed your talent in rulership in your first year as a Sanjak bey, I could've never expected a boy who just became a man to expand my borders so rapidly... I truly couldn't convince myself to place the burden of the throne on my youngest son... But like my father before. You more than proved yourself worthy to rule, I can no longer doubt your capabilities because age cannot determine talent... So, my son will you take the throne and Lord over the realm as the leader of this house of Osman?" As he said the last words it looked as if a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulders.
I then stood and said in response "I can say I am not the humblest like my brother or a schemer like Murat... But I believe in Allah first and then myself, I know I have what it takes to rule this world! I shall strive for nothing less than excellence for myself and my people. Father, we all can see I am young but in my short years I know once I sit on the throne, more enemies will appear because they shall see me as weak because of my age... But I shall not stress because I also know that there isn't a tree without a worm or a brave man without his enemies, I shall pray that my enemies are strong enough to test the limits of my strength, only by passing many obstacles can a man improve."
My father replied "Well, at least I know our young sultan paid attention in school... *Hahaha* but the son never forgets himself... No matter how far you have climbed in life, remember the basics never lose yourself, and remember your late brothers who died for their desires. I want you to keep this in mind your entire reign. One moment of patience may ward off a great disaster, but one moment of impatience may ruin your whole life... Never forget this, for these words shall brighten your path when it is darkest!"
After saying this my father walked up to me and grabbed my shoulder then my arm in a soldier's handshake and then a father-to-son hug, once he let go, he did the same to my brother before stopping and saying, "He may be a ruler, and you his subordinate but remember it is the eldest brothers duty to protect his younger brother!"
Then my father called the pages to assemble the council immediately. As we waited I began to think over the various functions I could find in the memories of my predecessor, because the records were scattered in my period, I never knew how the ottoman court functioned until the 15th century. But in this period according to my memories, we are technically not a sultanate just yet, and the sultan title is hollow. We should be considered beys, the same as the other tribal chieftains who are less powerful than our tribe, but we still hold the same title, the ottomans have never been in full control or have full authority over the tribes surrounding and cooperating with them. So, in actuality, we have to decide our overall direction with a council of lords as we have no divine right to lord over these tribes.
I truly cannot accept such a system; I knew it was a good idea to summon my council immediately after the battle ended. In a time like this I could use my Imam recruited from the system well, he could probably come up with a religious solution to this issue of title for me. I refuse to allow my subordinates to dictate my directives, if I want to campaign if my funds allow, we will campaign, same for building or recruitment. I have ruled as a king since I was appointed as a sanjak bey have I not, no way I could change my ways now.
Less than an hour later, the viziers and beys began to flood into the throne room... But surprisingly no one made a peep no emotions were expressed throughout their entrance, lining up on two sides in front of the throne. Used to do this action continuously they arrived in their positions quickly and waited for their lord to enter, the grand vizier came from the quarters behind the throne and stood on the right side of the throne whilst I stood on the left. My father walked into the throne room soon after the grand vizier and to everyone's surprise, just walked near the front of the throne but did not sit.
Then he turned to his confused advisors and beys and said "My advisors today I announce my Abdication! I shall pass my rulership to my son Alaeddin Bey, anyone who disagrees shall make their thoughts known... or else forever hold your tongue because once he sits on the throne... he shall be the court and the executioner!"
For about a minute no one spoke up, but the grand vizier took a small step forward and said "I have one concern, my sultan. Your son is indeed a great heir no doubt, but would his enthronement not cause many of the bordering beylics to become emboldened enough to outright attack our lands?"
Once he finished speaking the next advisor stepped forward as well and said "My concern is the same, are we so dominant that we can ignore all other Turkmen tribes? I do not understand why you need to step down is there a reason my lord if so please enlighten us.".
I immediately spoke up "I have an army far stronger, quicker, and far more organized than your forces here in the bursa. Another point is my sanjak's income far surpasses your income here in Bithynia. I have a more efficient governing system and more control over my lands, than the loose control you practice here with these disloyal beys who just ride our coattails and collect loot and taxation in our name without paying up. I shall only strengthen and expand our current forces, income, and land nothing on my watch shall decrease except the number of useless people, surrounding my house of Osman." After saying this I walked forward and sat on the throne no time for nonsense and said again "#2 bring them all in"
Seeming to appear from nowhere a man dressed in dark clothing and armor, walked to the Throne room's entrance and opened the door. My council made up of the system-recruited spies, imams, Diplomats, and merchants walked into the throne room, 8 men all wearing extremely expensive clothing as if the silks were brought from heaven.
Seeing my servants have finally arrived I stood up and stated "This group of men here were responsible for supporting and protecting my rule in Rumelia and Karasi, they were formerly known as the council to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting them. But from today onwards they shall be known as my court viziers. Two men are missing today as they are both military men and do not care for such court intrigue. So, from today onwards meet your superiors, anyone from the previous regime minus the grand vizier shall be placed underneath one of these men here. The grand vizier of my father shall stay and assist me as my left vizier, and my brother Suleyman shall be my right vizier."
The new left and right viziers are to have their functions in the administration and military hierarchy. The left vizier shall do what the grand vizier used to do, that is help administrate the lands and oversee the administration viziers. The right vizier shall be the second in command of the entire military structure except for the Kapıkulu, they can lead armies outfitted for an entire campaign, not just a battle army. They will also be responsible for overseeing the generals appointed to oversee my new military structures that have yet to be introduced, this will be a task shortly.
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