In Europe, and likewise in the Ottoman Empire, mercenaries were not an unfamiliar existence. In history before Hyang’s intervention, and even in history after Hyang’s intervention, it was cannons crafted by European artisans and operated by European gunners that had brought down the walls of Constantinople.

An interesting coincidence was that both before and after Hyang’s intervention, the creator of the giant cannon that shattered the walls of Constantinople was a Czech. With this background, Selim showed no aversion.

However, Selim did not make a decision immediately.

“You said it is possible right now, but how many can you mobilize?”

“We can support you with 300 musketeers and 20 hwachas immediately. And within a fortnight, we can mobilize 2,000 musketeers, 300 hwachas, and 50 cannons.”

“That is a bit few…”

At the Italian envoy’s answer, Selim wore a perplexed expression.

“That amount is sufficient to deal with Korkut or Ahmed. However, it is insufficient to deal with the Janissaries. Just the Janissaries guarding Konstantiniyye exceed 60 ortas (approximately 12,000 men).”

“Within a month, 10,000 musketeers, 30 cannons, and 500 hwachas will arrive.”

“Within a month? Hmm…”

At the Italian ambassador’s words, Selim began to carefully weigh his options.

‘Currently, that damned Ahmed has the greatest advantage. He is closest to Konstantiniyye.’

“Hmm…”

Selim looked at the map, calculating repeatedly. Although it was a three-way contest between Korkut, Ahmed, and Selim himself, the most formidable contender was Ahmed. He was the eldest son of Bayezid II, and the region he was assigned to govern was closest to the capital, Konstantiniyye. Conversely, Selim was in the region farthest from Konstantiniyye.

‘The fact that the Janissaries have not sided with Ahmed is his weakness, but that could change the moment I join hands with Europe.’

Because Ahmed possessed a powerful independent military force, the Janissaries had tentatively excluded him. As the Janissaries openly displayed their displeasure with Ahmed, the nobles of the capital also hesitated to grasp Ahmed’s hand.

This was Ahmed’s greatest weakness.

“Hmm…”

Seeing Selim unable to decide easily, the Italian envoy spoke as if he understood.

“We are well aware of how the Ottoman successor is determined. The moment you join hands with us, the one to enter Konstantiniyye first will be you, Governor.”

“How?”

“Because we will step forward and block Ahmed’s entry into Konstantiniyye.”

“Ah!”

At the Italian ambassador’s words, Selim’s face brightened. The reinforcements promised by the Italian ambassador would arrive by ship, which meant they could head straight for Konstantiniyye. If so, blocking Ahmed’s entry into Konstantiniyye while simultaneously defeating him was possible.

‘No, I don’t necessarily need to arrive first. With the forces they possess, I could overturn the situation even if another faction enters first.’

Selim realized that other scenarios were also possible.

• In principle, the winner is the one who enters Konstantiniyye first.
• But a principle is just a principle.

Even the 6th Sultan, Murad II, had to fight a fierce civil war against his younger brother Mustafa and another Mustafa supported by Byzantium—who claimed to be Murad II’s uncle—before securing his position as Sultan. Furthermore, the current Sultan, Bayezid II, also fought a fierce civil war against his younger brother Cem. In other words, entering Konstantiniyye first was only half the victory. One became the true victor only after completely suppressing the other competitors.

‘France, Italy, Portugal… and if the power of the Empire is behind them…’

Having finished his calculations, Selim clenched his fist tight.

‘The winner is me!’

Solidifying his resolve, Selim looked at the Italian envoy.

“I will accept your proposal.”

“A wise choice!”

“In return, guarantee it with a clear written document.”

“That applies to us as well.”

One of the biggest influences the Empire had exerted was ‘documentation.’

• The closer you are, and if you wish to maintain that closeness, leave all promises in writing.

While alignments and realignments were underway in the Ottoman Empire to seize power and protect vested interests, similar events were unfolding in Tabriz.

“Haa~. This is a headache.”

In Ismail’s palace located in Tabriz. The monarch Ismail, who would later be called Ismail I, placed a hand on his forehead and sighed.

“Qizilbash, Qizilbash, these people are the problem.”

Ismail’s face was crumpled as he mentioned the Qizilbash, who had been his strongest supporters and comrades but had now become his biggest headache.

***

The Qizilbash became a headache for Ismail from the very moment of glory when he established the Safavid dynasty. The first thing a founder of a new dynasty had to do was to win the loyalty of the people he would rule.

And one method to gain such loyalty was to select capable individuals from among the populace and appoint them as officials. This was a method agreed upon not only by Ismail but also by his vizier and high officials. However, the Qizilbash revolted against this.

“Those apostate Sunnis becoming officials! This cannot be!”

“Appointing heretics as officials is unacceptable!”

Openly opposing the decision of Ismail and the vizier, the Qizilbash swept through Persia, massacring Persians.

“Will you die, or will you abandon heresy and convert!”

The problem was that they didn’t demand a relatively simple conversion from Sunni to Shia, but forced conversion to the Sufi order of the Qizilbash. Consequently, an unrestful atmosphere began to hover over the Persian region, which had barely been brought under control. And this, ironically, strengthened the Qizilbash’s position.

This was because they were the only armed group Ismail could trust and rely on. And at this time, envoys from the East arrived and sought Ismail.

***

“I have already heard much about the East from which you come. Welcome to Persia.”

At Ismail’s hospitality, the envoys of the Three-Nation Alliance bowed their heads politely and responded.

“It is truly an honor to meet the Shah. We are truly moved by such hospitality from the Shah.”

“It is our tradition to welcome those who come from afar. I pray to Allah that Persia and the East will continue to maintain a good relationship in the future.”

“We are truly grateful.”

Ismail treated the envoys of the Three-Nation Alliance with utmost hospitality. He, too, was well aware of the rumors regarding the three nations of the East. The Empire, a powerful nation that even the arrogant Christians of Europe were wary of; Ming, a powerful nation slightly inferior to the Empire but still among the best; and finally Japan, the weakest of the three but stronger than most European countries.

‘For my country to become richer and stronger, the help of these three nations is desperate! I must absolutely not treat them lightly! I must not miss this opportunity!’

Realizing this was the opportunity of a lifetime, Ismail did his best to welcome the envoys of the Three-Nation Alliance.

***

Two days after the grand banquet welcoming the envoys of the Three-Nation Alliance ended, the full-scale talks began.

“So. What is the reason you have sought our Persia from the East?”

“It is to interact with the Shah’s country and to obtain petroleum.”

“Petroleum?”

Hearing the subsequent explanation, Ismail nodded.

“Ah, you speak of that black oil. Is that important in the East?”

“It will become important to everyone in the future. Therefore, we request of the Shah. Please allow us to share the profits through the black oil.”

“Profits?”

The Ming official who stepped forward as the representative explained in more detail.

• Petroleum has little use as crude oil itself.
• However, through a refining process, oils and byproducts that can be used for various purposes are produced.
• These oils and byproducts are needed not only by the East but also by Europe and other countries.
• The problem is that there are only a few places where these oils come from, including the Persian region.

“…Therefore, it is certain that the Ottomans and Europe will attempt to scheme against this Persia.”

“Mmm…”

At the Ming official’s explanation, the faces of Ismail, the vizier, and the ministers hardened seriously. They too had ears, so they knew to some extent the rumors coming from the Mediterranean region. They were also aware of the confusion in the Ottoman succession process and the involvement of European powers.

“So, you mean the reason Europeans are interfering in the Ottoman Empire is also because of this petroleum?”

“That is correct, Vizier.”

Hearing the Ming official’s answer, the vizier looked at Ismail with a serious face. Approaching closely to Ismail’s side, the vizier whispered softly.

“If those words are true, war is inevitable.”

“It must be true.”

Answering the vizier, Ismail asked the envoys.

“The East said let us share the profits together. However, listening to the envoys, it is certain that strife will arise. What will the East do?”

At Ismail’s question, a Japanese official stepped forward and answered.

“The East and Persia will be tied together as one.”

“Tied as one?”

“Yes.”

The Japanese official began to explain ‘One Belt, One Road.’ As the official’s explanation grew longer, Ismail and the vizier became engrossed in it.

***

The talks continued for a long time.

“I ordered a banquet to be prepared, but the banquet is not important right now. I wish to have a simple meal first and continue talking.”

At Ismail’s words, the envoys of the Three-Nation Alliance answered with expressions as if it were nothing.

“We shall follow the Shah’s will.”

“Is it not tiring?”

“This much is not hard work.”

At the envoys’ answer, Ismail and the vizier momentarily wore blank expressions.

‘Not hard work? They’ve been explaining for hours now?’ ‘The rumors that the officials of the East are crazy about work were true!’

Soon regaining his composure, the Shah ordered the envoys.

“The ‘road like a single string’ you spoke of truly touches my heart. However, the envoys have still not answered my question. You must not be unaware of that.”

“Do you mean the method to prevent the disturbance?”

“Correct.”

At Ismail’s words, the Imperial official stepped forward.

“We will create an army for the Shah.”

At the Imperial official’s words, Ismail froze for a moment. After some time passed, Ismail, barely regaining his senses, asked the Imperial official again.

“You will create my army?”

“That is correct. We will create the Shah’s army, and Persia’s army.”

“My army, and Persia’s army…”

As Ismail trailed off, the vizier beside him hurriedly intervened.

“It seems the Shah is tired. Let us continue the remaining discussion later!”

At the vizier’s words, Ismail, coming to his senses, gestured to the envoys.

“As the vizier says, I am tired. Let us end here for today. Go back and rest.”

“We receive the Shah’s command.”

At Ismail’s order to leave, the envoys bowed politely and withdrew.