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Osman had realized that he could no longer delay the matter of marriage. While his heart longed for a union based on love, he understood that, as the ruler of an empire, such personal desires had to be set aside. His responsibilities to the state took precedence, and this decision had to serve the interests of the Ottoman Empire above all else.
For weeks, Osman had carefully considered his options. Marriage was not just a personal milestone—it was a tool of statecraft. A union with a Georgian prince's family, an influential vizier's household, or even the Safavid dynasty were all possibilities. Yet the Safavid option offered a unique opportunity. A marriage alliance with Şah Abbas's court could pave the way for a fragile peace, reduce sectarian tensions in the eastern provinces, and allow Osman to execute a deeper plan.
Osman's thoughts turned toward the economic ramifications of the ongoing conflict with the Safavids. The wars had disrupted the Silk Road, cutting off vital trade routes and diminishing the flow of wealth into Ottoman coffers. Şah Abbas's attempts to circumvent Ottoman lands by forging alliances with distant powers threatened to exclude the empire entirely from lucrative silk trade agreements. However, Osman saw this not as a problem but as an opportunity.
The plan forming in his mind was straightforward yet cunning. While the marriage would publicly symbolize peace, Osman intended to secretly arm the discontented Türkmen tribes within Safavid territory. These tribes, oppressed under Şah Abbas's rule, were already prone to rebellion. Osman would provide them with weapons from Ottoman stockpiles, disguising the source of the support by planting false evidence pointing to foreign intermediaries, such as the East India Company. This would destabilize the Safavid state further while strengthening Ottoman influence in the region.
Osman paced his chamber, his gaze fixed on the large map laid out before him. He traced the eastern provinces with his fingers, his mind weighing the risks and rewards. Finally, he turned to his attendant, Hasan, and commanded, "Send for Kara Öküz Mehmet Paşa. I need to speak with him immediately."
Kara Öküz Mehmet Paşa arrived promptly and bowed deeply. Osman motioned for him to rise and began speaking without delay. "Paşa, I have decided to pursue a marriage alliance with the Safavids. This union will serve as a gesture of peace, but it will also provide the cover we need for our true intentions. While we negotiate this alliance, we will covertly support the Türkmen tribes within Safavid lands, supplying them with weapons from our own stockpiles. False evidence will point to the East India Company as the supplier, ensuring our involvement remains hidden."
Mehmet Paşa frowned slightly, his voice cautious. "Sultan, the strategy is clever, but it carries great risks. If our support for the Türkmen tribes is uncovered, the Safavids will see this as an act of war. And if the tribes falter in their rebellion, Şah Abbas may retaliate with even greater force. Are we prepared to face these consequences?"
Osman's expression hardened as he stepped closer to the vizier. "Paşa, the Safavids are already weakened. Their recent defeats at our hands have shaken Şah Abbas's throne. His suppression of the Türkmen chiefs has bred discontent among his own people. These tribes are ready to rise, but they lack the means. We will give them what they need—discreetly and effectively. This is not an act of war; it is a calculated move to ensure our dominance in the region."
He gestured to the map, his voice firm. "The Silk Road remains blocked, our trade suffers, and Şah Abbas is forging dangerous alliances to bypass us entirely. If we do nothing, we risk falling behind. This marriage will be a symbol of peace to the world, but behind the scenes, we will weaken the Safavid state piece by piece. The Türkmen tribes will bleed them dry while we prepare for the next stage of our expansion."
Mehmet Paşa was silent for a moment, weighing the young sultan's words. Finally, he inclined his head and said, "Sultan, your vision is clear. While the risks are great, so are the potential rewards. I will oversee the preparation of weapons and ensure the false evidence implicating the East India Company is convincing. The negotiations for the marriage will proceed as you command."
Osman nodded, his gaze returning to the map. "Good. See to it that every detail is handled meticulously. This is not just about a marriage or even trade—it is about reshaping the balance of power in our favor. We must ensure the empire's future."
As Mehmet Paşa departed, Osman stood alone in his chamber, the weight of his plans heavy on his shoulders. The marriage, the clandestine support for the Türkmen tribes, and the careful manipulation of evidence were all pieces of a greater puzzle. To the world, this would appear as a move toward peace. In reality, Osman was setting the stage for a masterstroke of empire-building, one that would redefine the Ottoman presence in the East.