Osman sat in his high-ceilinged chamber, meticulously studying the maps and notes spread before him. Although news of rebellions in Anatolia and Rumelia had become a recurring issue in Ottoman history, this time was different. These uprisings were the natural consequence of the young sultan's ambitious reforms.
Through his bold interventions in the timar system, Osman had successfully weakened the power of the landowners within the empire. By redistributing their lands to the sipahis—those who had previously been deprived of their rights—Osman aimed to kill several birds with one stone. This strategy not only dismantled the economic foundation of the rebellion but also bolstered public confidence in him. The people saw his reforms as a direct benefit to their lives. Meanwhile, the timar landowners had lost both the economic and military support needed to fuel their rebellion.
Osman's plan was profound. "This rebellion is an opportunity," he thought.
By eliminating these landowners, I will not only resolve today's threat but also avert future dangers.
During meetings with his loyal advisors, Osman meticulously detailed his strategy. Once the rebellion was quelled, the central authority's influence over the provinces would strengthen, and the government would seize the lands and wealth of the insurgents. This newly acquired wealth would serve as a vital resource to finance the agricultural reforms Osman had initiated.
Osman paid particular attention to the financial condition of the state. His newly established "Royal Endowment Bank" was still in its infancy. The bank required time to build trust among the public and merchants. While corruption had significantly decreased since Osman's ascension to the throne, the citizens' memories of past abuses had not faded entirely. As a result, the bank struggled to attract the level of investment Osman had envisioned, especially due to its limited branches in the provinces.
As Osman scrutinized every detail of the operation, he envisioned multiple outcomes. "This rebellion won't just be a cleansing," he mused.
I will reorganize the military structure. By integrating the timar sipahis into the Janissaries, I will create internal competition and prevent them from forming a unified force. This will establish a new balance in the Ottoman military authority.
Diluting the Janissary corps' cohesion was a calculated move to weaken potential threats in the future. Osman, ever the visionary, refused to appoint only his loyalists to high-ranking positions. Meritocracy was his ultimate principle. Reform supporters would ascend to positions of power only when they earned it. Yet, he was patient; the young men being nurtured in the Enderun School would one day possess the experience and skill to fully implement Osman's vision for the empire.
Osman's faith in the Enderun School was unwavering. With the mindset of the 21st century, he was molding the leaders of the future. Propaganda, in particular, came easily to him. In the 21st century, Osman had witnessed modern propaganda methods firsthand and understood their impact. For a society unfamiliar with such techniques, these methods proved highly effective, and Osman wielded them with skill.
As he strolled through the stone corridors of the Enderun School, mingling with the young students during his visits, his simple yet compelling words planted seeds of his ideology:
"A leader cannot simply issue commands from a throne. A ruler who does not walk with his people and understand their struggles is nothing but a shadow."
These words left a profound impact on the students. They admired Osman's authority, his vision, and the transformative power of his reforms. Through such strategic actions, Osman was not only addressing the present but also laying the foundation for a reimagined Ottoman future.
When Osman finally set out to suppress the rebellions, he carried with him more than just military might. He was armed with the support of the people and a sharp, tactical mind. By personally inspecting the provinces and his troops, Osman aimed to observe the initial outcomes of his reforms and adjust his next steps accordingly.
This time, Osman wasn't merely suppressing a rebellion—he was paving the way for the Ottoman Empire's rebirth. To him, this campaign was not just a military operation; it was the beginning of a revolution.