Chapter 3: Politics is politics 

Chapter 3: Politics is politics

My day usually starts with a religious praying event set up by the system-constructed mosque it will slowly convert your population toward whatever state religion your faction has to lower religious unrest in the city...

But in my case as a modified faction, I am currently not receiving any negative public order for orthodox Christian citizens, but I also cannot build churches and expand their believers either so my state religion from the game is Islam which all middle east factions have so there will be events happening now and again but that's mainly for the citizens... I am here to conquer to create an empire the citizens will handle their affairs in religion unless it affects my public order like catholic factions, I don't mind either way as of today...

I am focused on the several people I must win over... there are too many small Turkic tribes within my given territory that it's almost impossible to talk to and convince all of them that riding my coattails is in their best interest.

Luckily for me for humans, we always seem to follow someone bigger for greater protection it seems to be the way here also according to some of the small advisers granted by my mother and father I would only need to convince the bigger tribes and the smaller tribes will fall in line.

I couldn't have been happier with this outcome. This means I will take fewer losses at the political table so to speak. well let me explain see most people who have power and I say most because there are outliers throughout human history of just genuinely great leaders.

But back on topic, most people who hold power will only wish to secure the power they hold and if an opportunity arises in which they can get some more power or gain benefits with little to no losses or negligible accountability to said losses will certainly agree to the terms set...

Usually, in situations like this where there was always a loose authority and a collective of different interests aligning to support a family, there will be power brokers at least one or two controlling the opinions of the rest to get greater benefits for them while allowing the pawn to get some as well.

After reading up on my political opponents and future allies I found that they are split into a few groups there are the peasant or farmer leaders Isaac and Viator who are the representatives sent from the south and north respectively.

Their objectives are simple because they don't hold much power to complain either way but that can change with the population boom, I will organize so best to keep them in my pocket. They are asking for stability in the region and protection from raiders and shark merchants so they are asking for my power to get more recognition from the buyers of their grain this is easy I most likely will be their biggest buyer anyway.

I plan to change from taxing grain into taxing their income from grain its easier than keeping track of every harvest and can give me more coins to shuffle around how I please. They will be easily convinced by my superior farming techniques, so they are relatively easy.

Then there is our Greek Abess Ionna Duca she is the daughter of the former shadow Greek owners of these lands the orthodox church here decided to use their influence to revolt and was crushed by the Karasi leaving a hole in leadership and Abess Ionna was there to fill that void but she's pro-ottoman leadership now that the Karasid prince she supported died in our campaign she by default stayed on outside.

she doesn't have much sway after their failed revolt and doesn't like the Byzantines in Gallipoli because they were supposed to help her father but left him high and dry. So, her backing in leadership at this point can only be me so I will win her easily.

Next are the Greek and Turk Burghers from the cities and towns they are led by Alexius and Mesut, and they seem to be happy about the new walled settlements and paved roads because this is conducive to trade.

They both have agreed on terms to offer me they are asking for access to my market and port in Abydos and are begging to have a naval response force to make trade safe and to attract more merchants to make our city a mainstay in the caravan and fleet trade routes.

This also is within my plans so they will become good allies plus their contacts across the Aegean and Anatolia to the middle east will help me later. only one of their terms is up for debate today access to my newly system-built iron mines.

For the hardest part of the day, we will finish with the tribal leaders represented by the 3 largest tribes who didn't join in the fight again us ottomans, so they became dominant in the region by having fresh troops and no sanctions leveled by the sultan like the previous powerhouses.

These men are Yasin Akin, Ilhan Ozoguz, and Ayyildiz Tufekci their tribes are represented in their last names clearly showing these leaders are feeling pretty confident. and their demands I am not truly against them but giving them to such confident people who have not shown their loyalties seems to be counterproductive let's see if I can straighten them out using threats! no not threats or promises ha-ha!

But their demands happen to be new bigger tribal grazing lands they feel their tribes have outgrown their current lands humph! they also ask for access to my merchants who have access to bigger markets such as bursa, Nicaea, and Constantinople to get better prices on their metal works and woven carpets humph if I had such a great merchant, I still wouldn't let him come to you!

Bring your goods to Abydos and pay the tax and sell your goods like everyone else what makes you special? Plus they also offered their warriors not in a levying style or because I asked but in a mercenary fashion where I pay each soldier a monthly amount like I do the elites my father sent.

and the system recruited troops but why would I Do that when they are on my land you must pay with your services when I call and the prices should be paid in loot that's the normal tribal code these leaders are bold very bold!

I think there is only one way and that's to humble such men maybe through a martial event or maybe I should just replace these men while they are here just letting them drown in the ocean makes my head feel lighter already... well I'll continue to think.

*Knock knock* A bang on the door shook me out of my thoughts.

"Yea?" I yelled

"Lord I'm coming in" Mary walked in

"Lord I'm here to dress you today! I refuse to hear an answer" Mary began to pull out some silken clothing refusing to allow me to wear military clothing as a prince in front of citizens, not enemies I thought.

"Lord hurry and get up. My lady will be here today" Mary said her face beaming with a huge smile looking like those door-to-door salesmen

*sigh* "Mary you're this intense because of my mother why all the pomp I mean she is my mother she kinda has to support me. I'm more focused...." I was cut off by "Lord I hate to be rude but if you do not look good and clean in front of the lady, she will probably skin me. The lady assigned me as your slave to take care of you when she isn't here, and I have indulged your whims for a while but my love for the lady is at stake!" Mary said this with such a serious face like we were being besieged like she was getting me ready to meet her mother

*Laugh Laugh* " Okay let's look nice then Mary but remember you owe me one and I want that something to be let's say worth it," I said with a scheming glint in my eyes easily noticeable by anyone

"I... My lord, I will give you this favor now hurry!" Mary nearly fell over after my words but she choked up the rest of her sentence hahaha I love it. I heard in Europe right now everyone has strong-looking servants serving them, but I have a Mary lucky me!

So, I immediately got up and stripped down with Mary their shirt, pants, and underpants with no shame in my game sporting my morning lance in all its splendor.

"L-blood Y-you turn a-around to get dressed," Mary said with barely any volume in her voice so I got closer because I couldn't hear her.

"My slave Mary I could not hear you what did you say? I thought you were dressing your lord? Then come let's get this done" I said while walking toward Mary with my weapon pointing the way toward her. But she kind of ruined my little game with her training and a bit of courage " O-okay Lord let's get this done turn around I will help you dress" Mary forced out her words and tapped my shoulders to ask me to turn around.

"But Mary how can I put on my underpants from that angle you must help me oh you can't make a lord lose his prestige right?" I said and threw the underclothes I was supposed to wear to her and lifted my leg a little to put them on...

Mary decided it was better to just get it done instead of feeding into my nonsense, so she tried her best to put on a fake straight face. and fix the situation until she went higher and higher and something grazed her cheek... I heard a small yelp, so I let her finish pulling them up and over before asking "Hey Mary what's the issue what took you so long? why is your face so red? is there a problem? Maybe I smell bad huh... maybe instead of doing it myself Mary can do it for me right?"

mary just gave up and looked at me with a face so red my mother taught her certain things but nothing sexual leaving everything up to the imagination... which makes this so much fun!

"Okay Okay I'll finish getting dressed by myself, but I will choose my clothes myself!" I said acting happy about this outcome. "No! I can do it If you stop messing with me okay?"

Mary offered

"Hmm me? How could a noble son such as I do such things to a beautiful lady? Impossible you are the one acting strange my dear Mary" I said gaslighting her into oblivion

"I-I h-have not been strange y-you pulled your T-THING OUT"

Mary screamed near the end making the situation so much more interesting and a shame I must focus on other things, but conquest isn't all on the battlefield there are many types of conquest!

"Hmm, a thing? what thing can you show me?" I said but instead of waiting for a response, I started to put on the undershirt. "My lord I will tie it for you just wait!" Mary said broken out of her thoughts at this moment and soon I was walking out of my bedroom with A very red Mary in tow.

The outfit today looks quite domineering I am wearing a silk button-up shirt kind of looks like the ones from tv shows based on 15th century Italy but it has a high collar and is longer with more Arabic style designs all over the exterior in black material with the silk shirt being blood red. with some tight black pants barely seen under the long kaftan styles shirt... with a pair of low Turkic style black boots look decent better than on tv for sure I am feeling like Henry.

Heading down the hallway I hear " Now entering Sultan Irene wife of Orhan and mother of our lord show respect" bellowed a soldier in front of the mansion. So, I picked up my speed a bit trying to reach my position up the main staircase before my mother looks there.

After picking up speed to a slight jog at some point I Reached my position with my maid following behind clearly shaken out of her daze now that her patron is arriving. And soon my mother walked through the doors stunning me for a quick second.

she wore a silk ottoman-styled dress with tons of different ornaments leading you up to a stunning face from some type of fantasy novel truly I've not seen such a beauty before... She had semi-pale skin Black curled long hair reaching over her shoulders and bright hazel eyes staring me down.

Behind my mother comes another woman about 18-19 years old. looking just like me with Dark straight hair and bright hazel eyes. It's weird seeing a female version of myself odd... But soon I was taken out of my stupor by my mother " My son do you hate me so? why have you not come down the stairs to embrace your mother?" So, I went down and gave my mother a kiss on the hand and a more western-styled hug then my sister kissed my hand and hugged me.

"Mother, was your trip well?" I asked trying not to sound too distant "hmm trying to act like a stranger already you've only been gone 2 weeks or so with this campaign and here you are treating your mother not to love but to alienation!" My mother said acting dramatically moving her hands to her face to make it like she had tears falling from her eyes

"So dramatic! leave my brother alone he has subordinates surrounding him right now another time perhaps?" My straight shooter of a sister plays her role perfectly and shakes me loose from my mother's dramatic damnation but also eyes as to say I owe her!

"Okay okay Mom, Sister Sumeyye let's head to the breakfast table and speak comfortably," I said sounding high and noble bringing out the wealth of memories from my original life and what my "mother" taught me truly bringing to life the saying "best of both worlds"

At breakfast, we had some small talk including marriage candidates for my sister to win my princely faction and a good family to support us. I need a diplomat and spy asap I don't like being blind I need eyes and ears all across the Mediterranean if I can utilize the tavern, I should be able to put together a solid spy network and once I have the triad of merchant, diplomat, and spy the information should start rolling in...

But back to breakfast, my mother says that my father is looking to hear from me looking to know how I am doing in my own words probably some sort of test... He has literally 1500 soldiers here in Kalsi supporting me no way he hasn't a clue what I've been up to. Also, my mother has received word from her supporters in Constantinople that the civil war in Byzantium is heating up.

So, a bit of backstory that I know from history, John V came to the throne at age eight. His reign began with an immediate civil war between his designated regent, his father's friend John VI Kantakouzenos, and a self-proclaimed council of regency composed of his mother Anna, the patriarch John XIV Kalekas, and the Megas doux Alexios Apokaukos.

Then John VI Kantakouzenos proclaimed himself emperor in defense of himself claiming he had no choice. This is because the mega doux imprisoned or killed the entire Kantakouzenos line in the capitol and build a new prison to hold this family and another supporter of the old regent in the capitol. This was done because the queen's mother was afraid that her son would be killed and usurped by the old and more experienced John Kantakouzenos.

Because at this time he was very favored in the capitol for his victories and policies and the fact that he was best friends with the previous ruler in Andronikos III technically my grandfather somehow in this world...

The most ironic part is Anna's mother of the emperor John V was afraid her most stout supporter would kill her son to usurp the throne because the current dynasty was started by a usurper who blinded a 7-year-old child who was his co-emperor who invited him into that position to keep the realm stable until he was above age but... Not all men can be willing to let go of such opportunities to set up a dynasty of their own.

But this news from my mother pleases me greatly one huge reason shows my information about bigger events is mostly accurate. And this split in their country is what makes me so confident in taking Gallipoli and keeping it most likely by not even having to defend it because the Byzantium leaders may just offer to leave me Gallipoli and some gold to help them soon after they see my strength because it's easier and cheaper for my services than asking the sultan Orhan... well at least in these foxes' minds.

Let's get back to the main topic my mother also gave me a few updates Going on in the mainlands of the sultanate and royal court. For now, they are not planning any conquests and are still focused on training the infantry and foot archers for the army and building many different structures ensuring prosperity for the populace my mother's own words no real details.

And a few more tidbits of the civil war at this time the Serbian empire conquered most of Macedonia and Epirus making the byzantine empire practically shrink into its core area around Constantinople and holding one city in Macedonia in the second capital Thessalonica not conquered by Serbia just yet.

so, if this isn't the best chance to take what I want I don't know what is. I just need more system recruits to serve as an anchor for any locally recruited forces to keep them in line during sieges, battles, and marches.

Well, now we are at the end of the conversation where I ask my mother "Can you secure help secure the Greek populace's support of my rule of these Karasi lands?"

"Hmm, should I help my son? My only son needs my help can I afford to help him I believe I have become the worst mother my son must ask for my help with such a gaze *sighs* My only son you don't need to ask for my help you just tell me when and where and I will make it happen!"

My mother said her later words filled with determination and mixed with a loving gaze damn how can I even dislike such a mother *shakes head* "Mother I am sorry for treating you like this I will try harder to give you, my trust." I said with my gaze firm

*RING RING* the bells atop the council chambers ring to signal the meetings are going to begin soon or should I call them negotiations hmm. well, should be simple until the tribes.

When I arrived at the rectangular building with one small golden dome situated atop one side of the rectangular roof something like a domed watchtower... The doors were swung open announcing our arrival and obviously, some are surprised my mother is here because that signals this land will stay in my hands at least until my father passes away or retires and my mother from this point forward is somewhat of a campaign manager for my bid to the throne.

I'm not too sure if all Turks do this but most Turkish empires had such practices. And after everyone gawked at the 3 women, I towed in. They then greeted "My prince!" almost at once like it was practiced what timing I thought. then I walked to the small stage and stated, "We will first talk to the local farming village lords' representatives than the Burgher's reps followed by the tribal chiefs, and ending with the religious representatives!"

Then I followed with "Now first you will swear loyalty to the sultan then to me! Now bring the kingdom's relics and religious articles so everyone can swear in honesty and with pure hearts!" I said whilst eyeing everyone with a chilly stare especially the tribal chiefs I want them to feel cold despair while they wait!

The ceremony was fairly quick just having everyone present kiss some random relic representing our sultan then kissing my ring then swearing their undying loyalty and on and on until finally, I said a few short words before heading to the room with my guard in front of it leaving my maid outside the door and my mother and sister sat behind me on both sides while I sat facing the door sitting upon a lavish elevated floor pillow located on another slightly elevated stage of sorts where my family behind me is also on...

While the visitors will have a semi-comfy mat but will have to raise their heads to speak to me! Kinda domineering ever so subtly I like it this total war system has some taste I can see that the more I pay closer attention to detail.

"My lord the representatives of the village lords have arrived!"

and soon the meetings started! "My lord we dare not ask for much but please listen to your vassals request," they said both of them having their heads lowered

"LOOK UP! And cut to the chase no need for your false pomp behind closed doors" I said waving my hand indicating to continue on

"My lord all we lowly lords ask for its stability and the right to sale our produce and animals in the markets here," the man on the left said whilst on the right looked like he wanted to say more

"Done!" I said pointing to the door... but when they were close, I asked, " What do you think of the farms around my Abydos?" when they turned around I had a slightly smug expression

"My lord I was truly amazed when I realized you were rotating even more crops and the irrigation is outstanding the produce will be very healthy and the crop will be abundant feeding more mouths and making more coin!" this tiny farming lord was so excited

"Okay I see you are interested I already have a team put together would you be interested in helping with their project to change the farming practice in my lands?" before I even blinked, he said "yes lord I thank you" bowed and was

out the door presumably to locate the men in the farming team ha I like that guy he practically from just from looking at some small fields and knew what was happening. Markdown Viator!

Then the next group walked in a little less humble and a lot more refined showing experience in this setting. "My prince" they both bowed. I waved to take a seat "Okay my dear merchants let's hear your requests straight no need for fluff" I said before they could fluff up our meeting... "My lord I will be straightforward then we have talked through a few points, and we want access to the ports and safety on the strait as of recently we have been plagued by a militant pirate group that is very organized and doesn't seem to care what backing merchants have! they even attacked some Venetian ships!"

"Done I was told about this, and a plan is in the works can I count on you merchants to transport some food or troops to the battlefield?" I asked honestly

"My lord We will help with anything if you rid us of this scourge! And my lord if I may suggest that you add small garrisons to the caravansary so that traders feel even safer, and it will spread that we have greatly paved and safe roads where bandits are afraid to even lift their banner in our borders." the merchant offered with a bright smile and submissive attitude... he is good but with such a suggestion what ruler would not implement such a Complimentary policy.

"I'll someone draw something up for implementing that. But I also Want to let you know we will have a new merchant and financier in charge of trade and tax income posted soon so look forward to a merchant-only invite soon" I gave a quick update before they left bowing and walking backward.

Then The door opened again with the announcement of the names of the 3 tribes and their leaders now entering the room half bowing and taking glances behind me. Sadly, these people must've been made a big head by messing with tribes who used to oppress them... people who didn't have any power nor expected to get any but burned for more... Was thrust to the forefront of any group and will probably end up like this group of circle-jerkers who aren't truly aware of my country's power. I am not one to power trip but this for some reason makes me feel a little uncomfortable...

"You all have some nerve! take one more glance behind me and I will have you beheaded before you can even blink again! Now, do you want to be civil? then take a seat!" I stated calmly oddly enough

"My prince we were not intending to be disrespectful but we were told that your sister is unmarried and is looking for a husband to ally with your family so I thought I could take a look at my perspective wife because you need an ally right"*swoosh* *splurt* *thump* *thump*

"Sorry for the mess 2 sirs But Ayyildiz Bey outlived his welcome... I believe he was mistaken on to whom he was speaking but I am the son of Orhan Ghazi, Şehzade Alaeddin Osmanli. I have never seen a Bey disrespectfully talk to my family line for longer than a few seconds and I won't break tradition today so let us continue our meeting."

I said calmly and very domineering with the eyes of a menace bearing down on the two tribal leaders. I decided by the direction of his sentence that sometimes politics involves just getting rid of the other party no need to take the effort to raise a fool just end him and replace him with someone loyal to me not like these tribes could say much I have four witnesses of his words of marrying the sultan's daughter as a mere commoner Bey the disrespect in his tone he had to know after my first sentence I was already a little murderous toward this group but he still said it! DEATH!

These tribes were pretty conducive to the conversation after this so I decided that the dead man's tribe will just move to Abydos and the warriors will be integrated into my own and trained and shown what real discipline is!

It's a little tyrannical but everyone else got their bottom line but this one tribe so it evens out because those two tribes wanted more land and loot from battles, so I gave them the recently vacant lot where a dead man's tribe used to be, so tyranny isn't the word it's more like the logical choice right?

Well anyways I had my mother deal with the abbess and the imam of the region is from the system unnecessary to speak with him he has no need for benefits he will tell me what he needs not what he wants well as of right now the system units are discipline like this... But I haven't gotten a system general, or agent yet guesses we will see soon.

"System how are agents recruited?" I asked

<Agents are located at the building that allows them to be recruited>

<Example lord, Spies are in the tavern and can be recruited with gold or if the certain spy is willing for whatever they ask for>

<Also, generals need to be made in battle and can be recruited from locals if they are outstanding in battle or have been a real field general who fought battles and is willing to follow the lord>

"System how do I build guilds? and is there a limit to how many I can build in a city since I can clear enough space for it in the city?"

<Reply lord can only build one guild and its building tree lvl 1- 1000 ducats level 2- 2000 ducats level 3- 3000 ducats>

<Continued Any guild can be chosen a certain number of times depending on imperium and hq can only build in one place>

"System start construction of Swordsmith Guild in my castle at Canakkale," I said in my head while walking with my family to the city mansion.

<Confirmed! Lord has spent 1000 ducats on Swordsmith guild>

<Building will appear at hosts will... Construction is set at a single turn>

"Set now"

<Confirmed building swordsmith guild has appeared in fortress Canakkale>

"System build alchemist guild here in Abydos"

<Same conditions apply deduction 1000 ducats from lords' purse>

"Build now closest to the armory" I commanded

<Lord has set for Alchemists guild to appear close to armory destination set>

<Construction for alchemist guild has been completed>

Perfect now to visit these guys and set a directive. well after getting a spy and merchant! I've seen my mother and sister home and practically sprinted to the tavern. when I got into the door, I found a bartender who looks like an older Turkish James bond in medieval clothes. I almost laughed immediately but I had to focus... Let's see there are two spies let's see their stats then chat... system do your thing!

Name: Zengin Koca

Agent type: Spy

Agent Skill: 4 Agent skill (Good Spy +2)

Spy Ancillaries: <Black Stallion +25% Movement Points> <Pickpocket +1 Agent Skill AND +1 Line of Sight> <Pet Monkey +1 Agent Skill>

"System no need for another to be shown this is the best spy I can get right now!" I said in my head quickly trying not to be tempted into getting both spies right now!

"Hello, I am the lord of this land and I want to be straight I want to hire you Zengin as my personal spy" I walked up to Zengin and said then stood straight waiting for the reply

"Lord I am more than willing I can start now my price is simply 325 ducats and we can start," Zengin said not bowing or kneeling just sitting in his seat drowning his drink calmly.

"Deal I want to meet you at the council tomorrow there will be others don't be late!" I said walking out the door... Now I need to rush to the fairgrounds. After the same process here are our merchants' stats.

Name: Germanus Zimisces

Agent type: Merchant

Agent Skill: 3 Finance (Good Merchant: +2 A merchant gets a point in Good Merchant each time he successfully acquires another merchant)

Agent Ancillaries: <Merchant Clerk +1 Finance>

"I am the Local lord here come and work for me what do you say?" I said whilst breathing a little quickly

"Lord my price is 500 and I will build you a trading empire the likes never seen before an empire full of merchants ha-ha!" Germanus said with a huge grin

"Okay Germanus this market and the port are now under your control plus we have 2 iron mines so that is also underneath your jurisdiction. Also, we have a meeting tomorrow at the council do not be late!" I said to Germanus giving a quick run-down before running to the council to see about a diplomat because they are cheap and have no upkeep so it's a bonus to have one.

Name: Altay Kocak

Agent skill: 2 Influence (SmoothTalker: +2 A diplomat gains two points of SmoothTalker on creation with 10% probability, and one point with 100% probability on a successful bribery mission)

Agent Ancillaries: none

"Altay will join my lordship? name your conditions?" I said still panting a little I probably shouldn't have rushed around but the excitement is just too much I thought these Agents would take me weeks or months to recruit but the system made this more realistic and fluid leaving these agent's terms to change and there were some I didn't show wanting certain missions completed to be able to recruit them but back to Altay.

"Lord, I will join you free of charge as long as you will need my assistance" Altay bowed showing his reverence, wow just seeing this what a great diplomat I have to use this Altay well... Then I headed toward my next destination the black smithy and the port! (Well, you'll have to wait until tomorrow)