The Thirty Years' War had begun, and chaos engulfed Europe. Osman pondered how he could turn this turmoil into an opportunity for his dynasty. As a first step, he aimed to solidify the administrative and economic foundations of the state. For this, he focused on the importance of standardizing measurement units. This would not only eliminate errors in tax collection but also lay the groundwork for future technological advancements.
When Osman brought this issue to the Divan, some of the viziers' hesitations were evident. Yet, Osman's sharp gaze and unyielding authority silenced even the most reluctant. The Sultan now held full control over power, and even the execution of the Sheikh-ul-Islam had cemented his position. Most of the Janissaries were loyal to him, leaving no room for opposition to voice dissent.
"This standardization will eliminate errors in tax collection, enhance commerce, and increase trust in the state's capabilities," Osman declared with a tone that left no room for negotiation. He then shifted his focus to corruption within the state. "Furthermore, we must develop a more effective method to combat corruption. For this reason, I am establishing a new state unit: the Bureau for Investigating Corruption and Waste. This unit will report directly to me and will have the authority to issue orders to local law enforcement when sufficient evidence is gathered."
For this critical role, Osman proposed his trusted mentor, Murad Çelebi, who had been his loyal companion during their travels in Andalusia. Murad's political acumen and unwavering loyalty made him the natural choice for the position. The viziers, fearing Osman's authority, dared not oppose this appointment. Most of them had refrained from joining the recent rebellion, as they lacked both the guilt of greater crimes and the ambition to take such risks.
The Ottoman palace was rejuvenating, its bloodlines becoming fresher and younger. Osman's reforms transformed the state from an old, sluggish entity into a dynamic and ambitious one. The abolition of the tax-farming (iltizam) system had opened up positions for young talents, with new tax officials drawn from a broader pool of candidates. The average age of civil servants was declining as Osman strategically placed loyal Enderun graduates in key positions.
When Osman advocated for increasing civil servant salaries, the finance minister, Mehmed Emin Efendi, objected. "But my Sultan, our economy is in dire straits," he protested. Osman replied firmly but calmly, "We will address this issue after this meeting. Necessary steps will be taken to resolve the economic crisis." The finance minister bowed his head in silence, unable to challenge the Sultan's authority.
Another critical reform was the implementation of an incentive and penalty system for state officials. "If people are not motivated, they become lazy," Osman said. He proposed an annual review system where each official's achievements and mistakes would be recorded. Successful individuals would be rewarded with promotions or bonuses, while failures would face demotion, fines, or dismissal based on the severity of their shortcomings. This was one of the few proposals unanimously supported by the Divan members.
Osman also placed great importance on education reform. However, it was not yet feasible to increase literacy rates across the vast Ottoman Empire. Instead, he adopted a more focused and practical approach: establishing primary school-style institutions in densely populated areas. Students would be admitted based on a combination of fees and basic aptitude tests. They would receive education in mathematics, Ottoman Turkish, history, and basic citizenship principles. Successful graduates would be invited to the capital for further training, with all expenses covered by the state.
The Enderun School would be expanded and divided into specialized fields such as economics, law, military sciences, administration, and medicine. Osman planned to invite scholars, thinkers, and doctors from all corners of the empire and the world to teach at these institutions. His education reform aimed not only to cultivate talented individuals but also to foster a sense of Ottoman identity among students from diverse ethnicities and religions. By including children from influential families, Osman sought to propagate the Ottoman ideology among society's upper classes, knowing that the lower classes often followed the cultural lead of the elite.
With these reforms, Osman was rebuilding the empire in every sense. The Ottoman Empire was once again embracing the vigor and ambition of its youth, reviving its greatness and energy.