The Crescent of the Sultan

"Interesting, Paleoleg? There are still survivors? The key is that I didn't pay attention at first.

Selim couldn't help but feel amused. He might not have become an old fool recently.

Then again, these people are really tenacious.

It’s just that the Vlach nobles are not dead yet. How could Selim ask them to actively donate land to the country? Without land, how can the people of the empire live happily?

In order to help others, Selim decided to let Justinian kill these remnants.

Pretending to be thoughtful, after a few minutes, Selim slowly spoke.

"Dear John, considering that after the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia were ravaged by the Russian army, their population has become sparsely populated, and many nobles have also perished.

This may not be the right time to discuss this matter, but let’s discuss it another time. "

After perfunctoryly dealing with the dying man, Selim looked around and saw that the participating members no longer had any questions to ask, and immediately announced the adjournment of the meeting.

"His Majesty."

Selim was about to leave when he heard the voice of Patriarch Nicholas.

"What's the matter, dear Nicholas?"

Selim couldn't understand why Patriarch Nicholas stopped him at this time. He was just using him as a positive example. With his father-in-law's face, he would not stop him for such a trivial matter.

“Your Majesty, Simon Ducasse’s reaction is very strange.

He did not try to persuade you to change your approach on the Greek peninsula, nor to win over Fanar interests in the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.

This is not in line with Simon's style. He has always been extremely stubborn in terms of interests. "

Patriarch Nicholas replied seriously.

"Nicholas, what do you mean? But do Simon, or the Fanar people behind him, have the courage? Or do those Greek bastards think they can do it again?"

Selim didn't think that the other party could outsmart him. As the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, he had the Empire's top intelligence organization "Ottoman Sword" in hand. He thought that no one could plot against him.

“Your Majesty, maybe they are not the only ones.

You have always regarded the Guards as lambs to be slaughtered, but not everyone in the Guards is useless. Aladdin Pasha is not an easy person. In the same way, there is really a monolith behind your Grand Mufti. ?

Most importantly, will you stay in Constantinye? "

Selim fell silent in a rare moment. In fact, he had never relaxed his surveillance of this group of people.

Reform is not something that can be accomplished with a single order from the Sultan, even though he led the Ottoman Empire to win the Russo-Turkish War.

The honor that the world can see can only guarantee that no one dares to directly disobey the Sultan's orders, but behind the scenes, there are many cases of overt and covert disobedience.

Selim knew that he was a little impatient. He conquered Egypt but did not let anyone get involved. On religious issues, he repeatedly challenged the fragile nerves of the Grand Mufti and used the Russian-Turkish war to weaken local power.

It is true that vested interest groups whose interests have been harmed do not dare to confront Selim head-on, but what if there is an assassination?

"Your Majesty, maybe you should slow down your speed. Blindly suppressing them will not be conducive to your reforms."

Patriarch Nicholas gave his own advice.

Selim smiled and said nothing, but motioned to Patriarch Nicholas to follow him.

The two walked to the third courtyard deep in Topkapi Palace.

The Third Courtyard, also known as the Inner Palace, is the heart of Topkapi Palace and no outsiders are allowed to enter.

The two turned around to see the main hall and saw a green garden in front of them.

The courtyard is a complex of buildings, and each building is not independent and unified in structure. Various low buildings surround the courtyard and are connected to each other by corridors and passages.

There are not many buildings over two stories high, and trees, gardens and pools are scattered throughout, making it refreshing.

Directly behind the audience hall and in the middle of the third courtyard is a library called the Library of Mohammed III.

It was built on the basis of the pond pavilion at that time by the royal architect Mimar Beshir Agha in 1719 on the order of Sultan Ahmed III.

"Dear Nicholas, what do you think of this library?"

"Very beautiful, Your Majesty. Lovely neoclassical style, with the entire surface made of marble.

There are four passages of equal length in the museum, forming a cross. In the middle is a round-vaulted hall with three rectangular compartments.

One of the cross passages connects to the gate, which can be reached through stairs on both sides.

There is an exquisite drinking fountain under the central vaulted hall, with niches on all sides. The library has a basement to protect precious books from moisture. "

Nikolai didn't understand what Selim meant, but he didn't miss it, so he answered quickly.

"Yes, it is very beautiful. The entire library contains more than 3,500 manuscripts, some of which are inlaid with pearls and ivory.

But what are these books? It is nothing more than a collection of theology, Islamic law, and other Ottoman manuscripts in Turkish, Arabic, and Persian.

In contrast, what do the French and British have in their libraries?

Selim sighed and continued.

"Dear Nicholas, the current empire is just like this library. It looks gorgeous and is a big country.

But what about behind him? We all know it.

Compared with the grand scene of Suleiman the Magnificent, which dominated Europe, the empire at this time was like a crescent moon that was about to fall forever. "

The two walked while chatting and came to the Conqueror's Pavilion located in the northeast of the Expeditionary Army's Mei Palace.

This place was originally one of the pavilions built during the reign of Mehmed II, and it is also one of the oldest buildings in Topkapi Palace.

The pavilion was built around 1460, when construction of Topkapi Palace began.

The Conqueror's Pavilion was used to store crafts and imperial treasures.

It consists of three rooms: a terrace overlooking the Sea of ​​Marmara, a basement and adjoining haman.

The Conqueror's Pavilion has two floors and is built on the top of the cliff. The Sultan can view the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Bosrus Strait from an excellent angle in front of the Conqueror's Pavilion.

"Look, Nicholas, my ancestor Selim the Great once led an army to conquer Egypt, and he left the treasures from Egypt here."

Selim pointed to the four rooms next to the second arch of the Conqueror's Pavilion and said.

"However, I want to show you another place, so come with me."

Selim said as he walked into the three treasure halls located deep inside.

"This is the sword of Muhammad the Conqueror. The hilt is decorated with three large emeralds. The surface of the scabbard is made of enamel and diamonds.

Conquistadors loved it, and it saw the fall of one empire and the birth of another. "

“This is the throne of Suleiman the Magnificent, said to be a gift from King François I of France.

The whole body is made of walnut wood, and the throne is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and turtle shell.

The King of France, who was oppressed by Charles V, respectfully sent gifts in order to please my ancestors. "

The treasurer, who had been following the Sultan and the Patriarch, preparing to explain the history of cultural relics, suddenly realized that he was not as good as the Sultan.

Selim ignored the chief treasurer, who was feeling sad alone, and strode into the last showroom.

"Follow me, Nicholas, you're still behind.

Sultan's voice came from the empty showroom, sounding extremely thick.

It made Nicholas feel as if the five hundred years of Ottoman Empire history had turned into a black mountain and pressed down on him.

It’s difficult but extremely longing.

I checked a lot of information for this chapter, so it can be said that I posted it quite late.

Mainly I want to create a sense of historical depth, but I don’t know if it meets everyone’s standards. Haman means bathroom

Finally, please read and collect