It was a phrase all too familiar to the officials of Ming, Japan, and the Empire. To a monarch, especially one who had newly succeeded in founding a nation, the meritorious subjects who helped build the state were both comrades and enemies. Because they had endured arduous times together, they were the ones who understood the monarch’s heart best. Conversely, they were also the ones who boldly demanded their share or looked down on the monarch.

This was because, having shared joys and sorrows, they had also witnessed many of the monarch’s shortcomings. Therefore, as time passed, a founding monarch had no choice but to carry out a purge. It was a ‘necessary evil’ that had to be undertaken not only for their own power but also for the successor who would inherit their position. This was the reason the famous idiom ‘‘When the cunning hare is caught, the hunting dog is boiled’‘ came into existence.

This was also why the Qizilbash of the Persian Safavid Empire and the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire were inevitably destined to be targets of purges.

The Qizilbash were the most powerful military force of Ismail, the Shahanshah of the Safavid Empire, but due to their extreme religious ideology, they had become an existence that worsened relations with the populace.

The Janissaries were created to correct a deformed military structure overly reliant on cavalry and simultaneously strengthen the Sultan’s power, but from a certain moment, they had become the core of power.

Both the Shahanshah and the Sultan found themselves in a situation where they were swayed by their own strongest cards. And it was here that other nations found an opening.

Having completed the kill list for seizing control of the Safavid Empire, the officials of the Empire, Ming, and Japan submitted the document detailing the plan and the kill list to their respective monarchs.

And the order sent by the monarchs of the three countries was simple.

• Execute.

Accordingly, Ming and Japan began organizing new units, and the Imperial Navy transport fleet, tasked with carrying them, entered final maintenance.

***

While the Empire, Ming, and Japan were preparing for their final approach to scheme against Persia, the European powers were also entering their final preparations.

• Sultan Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire is visibly weakening.

As this rumor spread not only throughout the Ottoman Empire but even to the rural villages of Europe, the politicians and strategists of the European powers accelerated their pace even further. As they sped up, two countries were the first to have their movements surface. One was France, and the other was Italy.

France was a traditional European powerhouse, a country that had caused many incidents and accidents to protect its political standing and interests. Of course, it had suffered severely at the hands of England during the Hundred Years’ War, but France had overcome this and returned to the position of a powerhouse. Therefore, very few were surprised that France had made a move.

However, Italy was an unexpected player. It was a newly born nation that had only recently escaped the aftereffects of the Unification War, and the prevailing assessment was that its capabilities were not significant. Yet, the capacity and ambition Italy displayed as it surfaced were considerably powerful. Italy possessed more commanders and soldiers than anyone else who had gained sufficient combat experience and become accustomed to new types of warfare through the recent Unification War. And fitting for a new nation, its ambition was vigorous, and it also had a justification.

• To secure the safety of the Suez region, the stability of the Ottoman Empire is absolutely necessary.

Under this banner, Italy began to move openly. As France and Italy started moving overtly, their allies and enemies also began to accelerate their movements. Consequently, alignments and realignments began to occur once again among the European powers.

The side that drew closest first was France, Italy, and Portugal. France had grown distant from Italy and Portugal through the Italian Unification War. However, with Suez at stake, France had no choice but to join hands with Italy and Portugal once more.

No, it wasn’t just Suez. Italy was the country that best understood the situation in the Mediterranean region, including the Ottoman Empire. And Portugal was the country with the most interests in the Atlantic Ocean, which was also France’s front yard, and the New Continent Gloria beyond it, followed by Italy.

Eventually, the leaders of the three countries gathered in Paris to hold a historic summit meeting. As France, Italy, and Portugal joined hands, it was a natural reaction for Spain and the Habsburgs to ally. This was because the Habsburgs had to deal with the enemy called France, and Spain had to deal with Portugal.

In the end, Spain and the Habsburgs successfully concluded a marriage alliance. And here, England fell into ‘choice paralysis.’

• Considering military power and all other capabilities, the France-Italy-Portugal alliance is the strongest.
• Then, allying with them is the safest. Of course, it would be difficult to demand a large share, but the risk of loss is also small.
• If there is a problem, it is that France is there.
• However, joining the side with Spain and the Habsburgs also presents many problems.
• Spain, who draws its sword at the mere sight of Islam, and the Habsburgs, whose pride pierces the sky while meddling in others’ affairs even though they struggle to manage their own. If things go wrong, we could end up ruined just cleaning up after them.
• Move independently? Regardless of success or failure, I like the idea that ‘it’s all mine.’
• The problem is that there are no lines connected inside the Ottoman Empire.
• France, Italy, and Portugal have built long and solid connections within the Ottoman Empire, starting from Suez.
• The Habsburgs also established connections with the Ottomans through past wars fought with Hungary.
• Especially with the annexation of Hungary and the Habsburgs, the Ottoman connections built by Hungary have been added to the mix.

Facing this situation, England had succumbed to ‘choice paralysis.’ Ultimately, in London, Henry VII and his ministers agonized over the solution to this problem.

“Haa~. It is truly not an easy task.”

At Henry VII’s complaint, the ministers and nobles all nodded. Following Henry VII’s lament, a noble voiced a grievance.

“The world is changing too fast. In the past, we were bored saying ‘a today like yesterday, a tomorrow like today,’ but these days we pray, ‘please let it be just like yesterday’…”

At the noble’s complaint, everyone nodded. As he said, the world was changing increasingly fast. New merchants hung up their signs or went bankrupt and took them down almost daily. Distances that used to take days to travel by horse, carriage, or foot could now be covered overnight by riding the iron horse.

Trade was the same. Previously, it was all about the North Sea and the Mediterranean, or at furthest, the Caspian Sea, but now ships traveled beyond the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. As the world changed like this, international relations also shifted rapidly. Allies and enemies changed frequently with the passing of a day, a month, or a year.

Of course, there were unchanging enemies like France.

“Even so, we cannot complain forever. Considering the value of the Ottoman Empire, the moment we fall behind here, England will never be able to step forward again.”

At Henry VII’s words, the ministers and nobles sighed and turned their gaze back to the reports and the world map.

“Can’t do this, can’t do that…”

“Whichever side we choose, the profit is small and the loss is likely large…”

“My stomach hurts…”

“Is it only your stomach? My hair loss has gotten worse.”

While everyone, starting with Henry VII, was deep in worry, the door opened and a young official entered and bowed.

“What is it?”

“We have identified the Ottoman successor with whom the Habsburgs have joined hands.”

At the young official’s answer, Henry VII sprang up from his seat.

“Yes! Who is it!”

“It is Korkut of Anatolia!”

At the young official’s report, the ministers and nobles present rummaged through the reports with quick hands.

“Korkut of Anatolia…”

“Here it is!”

Examining the relevant report submitted by a minister, Henry VII looked around at the surrounding ministers and nobles.

“For now, it seems the Habsburgs have moved as we expected.”

“That is correct.”

The Anatolia region was connected to the Balkan Peninsula of Eastern Europe. For the Habsburgs, this was a region they knew relatively well. Anatolia was the starting point for Islamic forces attempting to advance into Europe—especially the Hungary region.

For that reason, the Habsburgs were well aware of the factions and the inclinations of the leaders in the Anatolia region. Therefore, choosing Korkut was a reasonably sound move. Since he was a known opponent, he would be easier to deal with later.

“The problem is Korkut’s current situation…”

“Given Korkut’s current situation, he would have conceded much to the Habsburgs.”

At the minister’s answer, Henry VII nodded. At this time, Korkut’s circumstances were very poor. He had suffered massive losses after failing to suppress the rebellion of Shia mystics.

Thanks to this, Korkut had plummeted from the strongest contender for the throne to the candidate most likely to lose his head first. To revive himself from crisis to opportunity, he would have to grasp even the soul of the Habsburgs if necessary.

Reviewing the situation, Henry VII looked around at the nobles and ministers.

“Now we must choose our hand depending on whom France chooses. Who was our prediction?”

At Henry VII’s question, a minister flipped through a report and answered.

“It is not France but Italy, however, Italy continues to contact Selim.”

“I understand there is a problem on that side?”

At Henry VII’s point, the minister answered immediately.

“Yes, according to what we have found, they are showing disagreement over the Janissary issue.”

“Hmm… Is there anything known about what the Habsburgs intend to do with the Janissaries?”

At Henry VII’s question, the young official who first brought the report answered.

“Not yet, but we will find out as quickly as possible.”

“Send more spies if necessary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Giving the order to the young official, Henry VII looked around at the ministers and nobles.

“It seems best for us to decide our choice based on who chooses the Janissaries, or rather, whom the Janissaries choose. Of course, opposite to the Janissaries’ choice.”

“That is correct.”

***

While London was watching the situation closely, Italy was persuading Selim, who had nested in Trabzon.

“Governor, I know well that you intend to join forces with the Crimean Khanate. However, you also know well that the Crimean Khanate is now a setting sun. You are not unaware of how powerless cavalry is before hwacha and cannons, are you?”

“I know well.”

At the Italian envoy’s point, Selim nodded heavily.

“Anatolia has joined hands with the Habsburgs, and Ahmet of Amasya possesses sufficient artillery and musketeers. The Crimean Khanate is insufficient.”

“I am aware of that to some extent. However, your demands regarding the Janissaries are the problem.”

The reason Selim could not agree to the proposal of Italy and France was because of the Janissaries.