Chapter 121: Mehmed II

Mehmed II.

That is what historians, students, fans of history and others will be calling him in the future.

He ruled the Ottoman Sultanate, an empire left to him by his father Murad II. The overlord of Eastern Mediterranean, a true power house looming over both Christendom and Islamic world. Feared by everyone, of course, except Khan Timur.

He first reigned the country from 1444 to 1446, showing the image of an unmatured young aggressive politician who wants to have everything done fast and steady, desperate to proof himself against his father, who is trying to retire and have an enjoyable peaceful elder time living along the coasts of Anatolia. One thing that is debatable, however, is whether he is a bright kid who knows his boundaries and invited his father back to the throne to lead the state against the crusaders from that famous sentence. "If you are the sultan, come and lead your armies. If I am the sultan, I hereby order you to come and lead my armies." Or it is simply he got controlled by the loyal Grand Vizier of his father Candarli Halil Pasha and forced to abdicate to his father.

But either ways, when the next time he showed up on the throne after the ascendence of his father to heaven in 1451, he gives the image of a matured politician, Sultan, and general. Changing the impression that he leaves during his last reign, becoming almost like a different man, but still keeping the robust energy and charisma of a young adult. Modifying the relationship with all the court viziers, beys and Janissaries, he stabalised the foundation of his rule. Fighting back the aggression by the Bey of Karaman strengthening the leash on the various lords and beys of Asia minor, providing him with a source of levies and soldiers. By elaborating the importance of Renaissance and patronage to arts, he expanded the Sultanate's cultural influence while also luring countless artists and scientists to be at his service.

If he is not dead in 1453 at the age of only twenty one years old, it is guaranteed that he will remembered as one of the mightiest ruler and conqueror in world history.

But now, he is dead.

The Sultan of the Ottoman empire has gone to heaven following the path of the Great Prophet.

This is the first piece of news Zaganos Pasha received when he woke up in the morning the next day at his own tent.

He stares blankly at the woods and charcoal burning vividly in the middle of the tent as the messenger conveys the news of the Sultan's demise.

Although he is staring at the fire, his eyes and heart are already like dowsed with a bucket of icy cold water. He moved his lips slowly, struggling to manage his emotions and utter a few words in response, but failed miserably, like his lips weigh a thousand tons. Zaganos Pasha clenched his fist, hard, although they still do seem to be weak from days lying on bed. He is now filled with grief and sorrow deep in his mind. There were so many things he could have done to avoid the death of his Sultan, but he chose not to, why?

The impact of the death of the Sultan is overwhelming upon Zaganos Pasha. He accompanied Mehmed since the Sultan's teenage years all the way when he was exiled by his father as a governor. He devoted all his attention and power helping the young prince and the later Sultan, his life, his career, his family, his passion onto Mehmed. Just like a sharp blade wielded by its master slashing and striking onto his targets.

However, now with the master gone, who is there to wield the blade now? Can a blade wield itself?

Zaganos Pasha suddenly stood up and charged towards the fire ready to throw himself into the stove in front of his guards and Karaca Pasha, who is here with the messenger. Karaca Pasha and the guards quickly stopped Zaganos Pasha and his insane move managing to halt him before he makes himself into the fire and get burnt to death, cursing and ordering the pasha to control his emotions and stop.

Zaganos Pasha was thrown back onto the mattress and pinned down by Karaca Pasha, panting up and down from the vigorous activity prior.

"Did the sultan leave any last words about the state?" After a while, Zaganos Pasha struggled to lift his head up looking at Karaca Pasha and asked.

"The Sultan did not leave any last words about the state behind…" Karaca Pasha tried his hardest to recall. "But he did leave a few last words…"

"What are the words?" Zaganos Pasha interrupted anxiously.

"The Sultan… Mentioned 'The wall' for three times."

"The wall… The wall… The wall…" Zaganos Pasha murmured under his breathe, then after a while he came to his realisation as he struggled off Karaca Pasha's iron grip again, jumped up and shouted with stars sparkling in his black marble eyes. "I know what the Sultan means! And… I will be the successor to complete his last will…"

Then, he turned back facing Karaca Pasha and asked with a rapid breath. "Karaca Pasha… Who is in charge of the army now?"

"It is the Grand Vizier." Karaca Pasha replied, still with confusion in his eyes.

"Tsk, it is that old goat beard bastard." Zaganos sniffed.

"Why? He is the Grand Vizier, of course he is in charge."

"Fine, listen, my old friend." Zaganos Pasha suddenly leaned forward and grabbed Karaca Pasha by his shoulder. "Help me get to the Grand Vizier's tent. I want to know what his next step after our Sultan's demise is, and please ready some troops, they might come in handy later."

Karaca Pasha is shocked as he looked around and whispered back in Zaganos Pasha's ears. "Wait wait wait… You are not planning to… throw a coup, aren't you?"

"No, I do not need a coup." Zaganos Pasha replied with determination in his eyes.

"But I want a revenge to be done."