While Selim I’s commanders were gradually finishing preparations with the help of the French military advisory group, Ahmed’s commanders were also steeling their resolve.
“We already know the end anyway, but…”
Ahmed’s commanders were in a calm, no, resigned state. Those who came with Ahmed from Amasya to Adana were the most loyal of loyal servants to Ahmed. Therefore, they were fundamentally different from those Korkut left behind. Ahmed’s commanders were those who had almost no chance of survival even if they abandoned Ahmed and surrendered.
“Since the end is determined anyway, I will be remembered as a warrior, not a coward!”
Victory and survival were abandoned, but rather because of that, Ahmed’s commanders were even more resolute. And in the ensuing battle, later named the ‘Battle of Adana’, Ahmed’s commanders fought fiercely and tenaciously against Selim I’s forces.
It was thanks to even the subordinates, assimilated by the commanders’ resolve, committing okswae (honorable death). Selim I won the battle and beheaded Ahmed, his son Osman, and all remaining family members, but the military damage was significant. Selim I, receiving the report, sighed and looked at the French military advisors.
“Phew… Do Europeans call this a ‘Pyrrhic victory’ in cases like this?”
“The enemy’s will was firm.”
“Phew… Those heretics are formidable in their stubbornness…”
Selim I, examining the report again, looked back at the Vizier with a face full of regret.
“I wanted to execute the heretics right now, but it won’t do. Restore the army’s losses as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, Sultan.”
“And, we need to grow the army a bit more. Prepare regarding the necessary time and funds.”
“Yes, Sultan.”
Selim I, having given orders to the Vizier, muttered while looking at the map.
“Those filthy heretics will get to survive a bit longer.”
***
Meanwhile, Shah Ismail of Iran—or Safavid Persia—was also spending busy times. While solidly building an administrative system with the help of advisors dispatched from the Empire, he opened doors to converted subjects, obtaining capable talents.
Also, he was moving steadily militarily. First, by seizing the Shia holy sites in southern Mesopotamia, he secured suzerainty over the Shia sect. Next, by subjugating the Uzbeks remaining in the northeastern region, he solidly seized control of Persia.
With blood shed in these battles, the blade of the Iranian army was becoming increasingly sharp. All this work required considerable funds. Therefore, Ismail actively conducted trade with the three Eastern nations.
Distributing goods from the three Eastern nations that came in through the trade ports built in southern Persia to the north and east of the Caspian Sea, he pocketed decent intermediary profits.
That wasn’t all.
Selling crude oil produced in Baku and Mesopotamia to the three Eastern nations, especially the Empire, he reaped huge profits. Although it was in the form of distributing profits from a joint venture company, it was still a significant profit.
“Wouldn’t it be better to abolish the joint venture company and monopolize the oil ourselves? Our military power is not insignificant now.”
Occasionally, there were those who argued for the annulment of the agreement with the three Eastern nations, but Ismail’s answer was consistent.
“Drag that treacherous subject out immediately and behead him!”
At Ismail’s strong response, those arguing for annulment had to shut their mouths. However, they did not give up. They secretly sought the Vizier and asked for assistance.
“The military power we possess now is also formidable. Is it really necessary to share with the heathens of the East?”
Hearing this, the Vizier became greatly angry and scolded them.
“Have you ever seen such fools! Who is our enemy right now! It’s the Ottoman bastards! It’s not an easy situation with just the Ottomans alone, and you want to increase enemies?”
“But consider the wealth the heathens of the East take. We must see this as exploitation!”
“It is a fair trade!”
“Unfair things must be overthrown!”
“Do you think only you are smart? Do you not know that without the help of those three Eastern nations, we cannot obtain even a single bullet! And do you not know how much profit we take in the process of selling those Eastern goods! You fools! Shut that mouth immediately and get lost!”
Thus, the annulment faction (pagipa) had to be chased out without even getting their principal back. As an aside, this annulment faction was pushed out of Iranian politics not long after. The annulment faction, pushed out from the center of politics, went down to the countryside and began to move among the subjects.
It was the birth of the ‘Self-Strengthening Faction’.
Amidst this small commotion, news of the Battle of Adana entered Tabriz. Hearing the news, Ismail immediately gathered the Viziers and the political and military advisors of the three Eastern nations.
“They say Selim of the Ottomans has finally ousted all remaining competitors. Then wouldn’t it be safe to assume he will aim for us now?”
At Ismail’s question, the Vizier and advisors answered with one voice.
“It is likely so.”
“Then should we prepare for war immediately?”
At Ismail’s question, the Vizier stepped forward and answered.
“War will not break out immediately.”
“What is the reason?”
“According to incoming news, the Ottoman Army suffered considerable losses in this battle. Considering the time to recover those losses, they won’t be able to move immediately. I believe we should use that time to prepare even more steadily.”
At the Vizier’s answer, Ismail looked back at the advisors of the three Eastern nations. At the silent question, the military advisors of the three Eastern nations stepped forward.
“We also agree with the Vizier’s opinion. The losses the Ottoman Army suffered in this battle are not at a level that can be recovered in a short time.”
“Of course, war will happen. However, moving too hastily is not good. Tired of waiting, the soldiers’ morale will worsen.”
“Hmm… You mean prepare, but do not move too lightly?”
“That is correct.”
Ismail, hearing the answers of the Vizier and military advisors, pondered for a moment and made a decision.
“Good. We shall be prepared for war but not move lightly. Instead, use that time to prepare more thoroughly.”
“We receive the Shah’s command.”
***
While the Ottomans and Iran were steadily preparing for the ‘coming war’, Seoul was still noisy.
“I’m not seeing things wrong these days, am I?”
“You are seeing correctly.”
“Oh my, for such a thing to happen…”
The Prime Minister and ministers were watching the debate unfolding in the conference room with fascinated expressions.
“I’m telling you, the Ministry of Finance’s plan makes no sense!”
“We’re doing it because it makes sense!”
“If we do that, it puts a strain on national defense!”
“We aren’t suggesting reducing the army!”
“That makes it even more of a problem! A railway connected to Ming, say something that makes sense!”
A situation occurred where the Ministry of National Defense fiercely opposed the ‘Empire-Ming Railway Connection Plan’ proposed by the Ministry of Finance. It was a situation completely opposite to the daily routine where the Ministry of National Defense stepped up and the Ministry of Finance opposed.
***
The reason the Ministry of Finance conceived the plan in question was confirming that Ming envoys, under the Hongzhi Emperor’s orders, had entered negotiations with Central Asian nations. The Central Plains and nomadic tribes had a history of conflict as long as the conflict between the Central Plains and the Korean Peninsula.
However, the negotiations taking place this time were sailing quite smoothly.
- Construct a railway starting from Ming and leading to Iran.
- Countries through which this railway passes will manage the railway together with Ming and share the profits.
- Countries through which the railway passes will sign a military agreement with Ming.
The attractive points were that it was a pursuit of common interest rather than unilateral exploitation by the Central Plains or nomadic states, and that it guaranteed military support through military agreements. No matter how remote and barren the nomadic states of Central Asia were, they knew how the world was turning.
They also knew well that they could survive only if they had sufficient guns and cannons now. The problem was those guns and cannons. Especially, the item called a cannon was not something that could be made by hammering away in a neighborhood smithy, and the price was filthy expensive.
However, if a railway was laid, they could earn a lot of money by transporting more goods than when moving them on existing camels. This meant they would be able to buy that troublesome fellow called a cannon themselves.
On top of that, Ming offered another carrot.
- If you agree to railway construction and even the military agreement, we will supply guns and cannons used by the Ming Army cheaply!
Ming was properly applying the method the Empire had used. Nomadic states hearing Ming’s proposal had no choice but to fall into deep thought. It was a truly sweet proposal, but the problem was Ming. It was a nation of the Central Plains with whom grudges had been piled up over generations for a long time.
After countless worries, nomadic states began to accept Ming’s proposal one by one. Securing information that Ming had finally started constructing a railway penetrating Central Asia, a few visionaries in the Ministry of Finance moved immediately.
“Ming is setting a delicious table, so what are we doing playing around? We should put our spoon on it quickly!”
The proposal drafted by them went up to the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Finance immediately summoned the drafters.
“They are guys who moved their capital from Beijing to Nanjing because they were scared of us; do you think they would agree to a railway connection with our Empire?”
“Wouldn’t that be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ share?”
“And, honestly speaking, our Empire has never struck first, has it? Yet if they say something, isn’t it like the guy who hit gets angry while the guy who got hit stays still?”
“Hmm…”
The Minister of Finance was dumbfounded by the proposers’ answers but couldn’t easily cast it aside. Because even he thought they could see great profit if done well.
And the railway construction cost is unexpectedly low too.
The railway already laid in the Northern Territories had spread near the border.
Only the last 300 li (approx. 120km) remained unlaid for military reasons.
“I will think about this agenda a bit more. Go back and work.”
“Yes, Lord Minister.”
Afterward, the Minister of Finance, agonizing over and over, made a decision.
“It is certainly helpful to the national interest. I must tell the Prime Minister.”
The Prime Minister, receiving the proposal in question from the Minister of Finance, summoned other ministers and shared opinions.
“….The Ministry of Finance’s plan looks quite good. However, this is not something to decide by my sole discretion, so please speak your opinions, my lords.”
The ones who reacted first to the Prime Minister’s words were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense.
“Coaxing Ming to come over might be a bit of trouble, but it seems okay.”
“It absolutely cannot be done! Say something that makes sense!”
The Minister of National Defense opposed vehemently.
“A railway connected to Ming! Do you intend to make it so they can come all the way to Seoul without suffering? What are you thinking!”
“No! Are you that unconfident? What are you so scared of over a mere railway!”
Seeing the parallel lines continue to be drawn, the Prime Minister chose the easy way.
“Let us report to His Imperial Majesty.”