1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 90 The full moon is sometimes dim

I'm old after all.

Murad II thought so in the dim palace of Edirne.

He inherited his father's throne of Sultan in 825 AD and, step by step, began to control this vast country until today.

Now he is forty-eight years old and his body is no longer as strong as it used to be. He often feels overwhelmed.

Compared with the gradual weakening of his body, the depression of his mind was the main reason for Murad II's aging.

The depression caused by the loss of his loved ones and the weariness of the world for a long time caused Murad II to be exhausted and gradually fell into the abyss of self-doubt.

I couldn't eat, my head hurt, I felt depressed, and I was sleepy and listless...

What's going on here?
Murad II looked at the plain ceiling and felt an inexplicable emptiness in his heart.

He climbed out of bed, dressed, and walked out into the empty corridor.

The sun had just risen, but the sky was still dark, like milk mixed with mud.

After the defeat in the Battle of Kruje Castle, Murad II was greatly disheartened and entrusted state affairs to several ministers headed by Grand Vizier Khalil Pasha, and lived in seclusion in the palace from then on.

Khalil Pasha was an old minister of Murad II. He was of noble status and loyal. He managed government affairs in an orderly manner and was very cautious in diplomatic affairs. Murad II was very relieved to have him in the empire.

There were a few guards and eunuchs scattered along the corridor, and when they saw the Sultan approaching, they all bowed and saluted.

"You're all tired after standing guard all night, right?"

"Go home early and spend more time with your family."

Murad II smiled and soothed him gently.

Of course the guards did not dare to leave their posts. They shouted that they were not tired, but their faces were still filled with emotion.

Murad II was a good sultan and a good man.

During his reign, he quelled the civil strife in the Ottoman Empire, continued his father's ambitions, and saved this country that had been torn by war for many years from the chaos of the Battle of Ankara and the Ottoman Interregnum. He consolidated the political situation, subdued the various barbarians, and stabilized the people in all directions.

In life, Murad II was a simple person. He never pursued fame and fortune, never wasted money, and never exploited the people.

The soldiers liked him because he valued honor and justice. He could lead them to victory and share the fruits of victory, and he could also share the joys and sorrows with them, drinking snow water and eating dry food.

The people like him because he is always sincere and simple, compassionate, cares for people's livelihood, develops water conservancy projects, and tolerates every citizen with a tolerant attitude, no matter where they come from.

The clergy liked him because he was an extremely devout Muslim, but he was able to accept every different belief with a broad mind and allowed hostile Christians to continue to live in his territory.

The nobles liked him because he brought political stability, which freed them from fear and ensured that their vital interests were protected.

His enemies respected him because he always kept his promises, even when they had shown a willingness to tear the treaty apart.

Although he was born in the martial Ottoman court and grew up in the conflict-ridden Balkans and Anatolia, he was an unrepentant moderate.

Throughout his life, Murad II never initiated any war and never caused unnecessary killings.

However, the era in which Osman lived determined that it was impossible for him to truly find inner peace and tranquility. Instead, it forced him to take up the banner of war and strive to protect the foundation passed down by his ancestors.

Murad II's life was a complete tragedy of contradictions.

He hated war but was good at it, cherished his family but was forced to execute his brother, loved his children but could only watch his two favorite sons fall in his arms, longed for peace but led Osman to fight everywhere...

Murad II patted the guards on the shoulders, smiled encouragingly, and continued walking.

As he walked, Murad II stopped in a small room and stared at the dusty window frames in a daze.

Ali...house.

There were crooked words carved on the door with a knife, from his deceased second son and favorite child, Ali.

Murad II looked at the handwriting and seemed to see his young son. While carving the door, he turned his head and looked behind him nervously, guarding against the teacher's figure that might appear at any time.

This place has been closed since the death of his son.

Murad II fumbled for the writing, but the door creaked open.

In the empty room, the frightened spiders fled everywhere and hid in the corners.

Murad II slowly walked into the room, sat on an old chair, and watched the spiders mend their messed-up webs.

The relics related to Ali in the room had long been cleared away, and only a lonely half-length painting hung in the corner of the wall.

Murad II looked away, not daring to meet his gaze.

The half-length painting was very crude, as if it was done by a child.

Looking closely at the bust, one can see that the person in the painting bears some resemblance to Murad II.

Mustafa Osmanoglu, his own brother and Ali's uncle.

After Murad II ascended the throne, foreign forces who did not want to see the reunification of the Ottoman Empire racked their brains to instigate rebellion among the Ottoman princes, trying to bring the Ottoman Empire back to the period of the Great Interregnum.

Mustafa, who was proud of his bravery, was one of them. With the support of the Emperor of Constantinople and Karaman Bey, he launched a civil war, which was quickly put down by Murad II.

Murad II originally wanted to let his brother go, but all the ministers and generals argued with him and forced the Sultan to hang Mustafa.

Murad II eventually compromised, but protected Mustafa's family.

In order to prevent his only remaining younger brother from suffering the same fate, Murad II sent his younger brother Mahmut away, hoping that he would stay away from the dust of the country.

Sadly, Mahmut was caught by the Eastern Roman Emperor on the way, who used both soft and hard tactics to force him to oppose his brother.

Murad II once again raised an army and executed his last brother with tears.

Because of this incident, young Ali refuted his father for the first time.

"Why did you execute your two uncles?"

"The ministers forced me to do it."

"You are the Sultan. If you don't want to, no one can force you."

Murad II was silent.

"For the stability of the country, I had to kill my brother."

"Then, when my brother ascends the throne, will he kill me as well?"

Ali looked at his father, expecting a negative answer.

Murad II opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer.

Watching his son run away in disappointment, Murad II began to feel disgusted with his position for the first time.

From then on, Ali placed a portrait of his uncle Mustafa in his room to remind himself.

However, neither he nor his brother lived to see the day to compete for the throne.

Allah’s retribution came quickly. He killed his two younger brothers, and God took away his three sons.

Murad II turned his head and looked at Ali's painting.

Mustafa in the painting had his eyes wide open, as if mocking him.

For a moment, Murad II's mind was in chaos, and countless scenes flashed by like flowing water.

"Brother, I was wrong, don't kill me!"

This was Mustafa's plea for mercy.

"Your Majesty, you must severely punish the rebels, including their families. You must not show any leniency!"

This is the cry of the ministers.

"Father, take care..."

The eldest son lay dying in the arms of Murad II.

"Cough cough..."

Ali forced a smile, his pale face covered with blood from coughing up coughs.

Murad II shook his head vigorously, trying to drive away the chaos.

He raised his legs and tried his best to move, but he couldn't.

"Father, will my brother kill me?"

Ali's pale face appeared before Murad II again, like a nightmare.

Murad II held onto the table, and suddenly his vision went dark.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

……

Murad II had a very long dream, which was very bizarre, but he could not remember anything.

In the end, only his son Muhammad's determined face and firm voice remained.

"If you consider me the Sultan, then I command you to come and lead the army,"

"If you think you are the Sultan, then come and lead your army!"

Murad II suddenly opened his eyes, sat up, his chest heaving, and looked around.

Familiar bedroom, familiar face.

"Your Majesty, you are awake!" His concubine, Lady Halima, who had just given birth to her youngest son Ahmed, exclaimed in surprise and wiped away her tears.

Murad II did not look at her. Instead, he looked away and looked at his Grand Vizier, Khalil Pasha, who had rushed over after hearing the news.

"Halimah, please go out first."

"His Majesty……"

"go out."

The Sultan's tone was gentle, but unquestionable.

After his wife left, Khalil stood next to Murad II, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

At this time, Murad II had a ruddy complexion, looked calm, and seemed radiant.

In a trance, he seemed to see again the Ottoman leader who was commanding the battlefield of Varna with such confidence.

"Your Majesty, I have asked the doctor, you have a minor illness and you should rest and recuperate..."

"The soldiers of the Royal Guard are waiting to go hunting with you, hahahaha..."

Khalil smiled dryly, trying to cheer the Sultan up.

"Leave this honor to my son Muhammad."

Murad II smiled and took Khalil's hand.

"Khalil, how do I treat you?"

"I will never forget your kindness."

"I have a few things for you to do."

"You must swear to Allah that you will never break your promise."

Murad II's eyes suddenly became sharp.

"You say."

Khalil nodded and swore immediately.

"First, after I leave, keep my death a secret until my son Muhammad comes."

"I know that almost everyone in Edirne dislikes him, so he must come quickly to take control of the Guards."

"Your Majesty, you..."

"Second, when I am gone, bury me in Bursa, next to my son Ali,"

"Do not build a luxurious palace over my grave, but bury me in the ground and let the rain, the blessing of Allah, fall directly on me."

Murad II smiled as if he was talking about something insignificant.

“Third, tell Muhammad to remember the Red Apple Campaign and never forget Osman’s dream.”

"We can never have peace as long as Constantinople remains in the hands of the infidels."

"The cunning pagan emperor dares not confront us head-on, but only hides behind the thick walls and instigates our relatives to kill each other."

Murad II looked a little angry.

During his reign alone, the Emperor of Constantinople supported four Ottoman princes in rebellion, causing him considerable trouble.

"Skanderbeg was originally my Janissary. He occupied Albania and claimed to be the king of the mountains. He must be eliminated one day."

"Karaman Bey is my great enemy. He has been harassing the border and refuses to change his ways despite repeated admonitions. I have already laid the groundwork and will wait for internal strife before advancing straight in. We must not give them a chance to catch their breath!"

"If we wipe out these three parties, our country will have no worries."

Seeing that Murad II said nothing more, Khalil Pasha bowed and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Khalil Pasha turned around.

"Send soldiers to seal off Halima's residence, forbidding her to come and go as she pleases, forbidding the Kandhars to associate with her, and forbidding little Ahmed to leave Edirne until Mehmed arrives."

"Go."

After the old Sultan said this, he gasped heavily, as if all his strength had been drained away.

……

Bilinch, Castle Black, in the garden, Isaac is walking with his wife Leonore.

For some reason, the year 1450 was exceptionally short, passing by in the blink of an eye without any explanation.

This was a joyous year. Isaac married Leonor. In addition to his father who was far away in Constantinople, he had another person to worry about.

It was a glorious year, in which Isaac successfully won the Cyprus War, took control of the island of brass and cypress, and seized the crown of Armenia.

This was a year of development. Under the policy of recuperation, the entire territory entered a stage of development and sedimentation, eliminating dissidents and consolidating the foundation. With the help of Leonor, more and more local forces began to accept Isaac's sovereignty and began to actively or passively join Isaac's system.

This was a year of surprises. After three years of exploration, Earl William finally lived up to expectations and discovered the country of gold. He opened up Queen's Harbour and began to gradually exchange gold for that of the local natives.

This was also a sad year. A few months after Isaac's wedding, Queen Mother Helena died suddenly, and Constantine was deeply saddened.

“History is amazing.”

While walking, Isaac suddenly had an idea.

"what happened?"

Leonor bent her head and looked at Isaac.

"The first emperor of Constantinople was called Constantine, and his mother was called Helena."

"The current emperor of Constantinople is also called Constantine, and his mother is also called Helena."

Leonor looked at her husband's heavy face and found it funny for a moment, but when she thought about it carefully, she didn't know how to refute it.

"You should know the Komnenos dynasty, which saved the Roman Empire from the abyss."

"I know, what's wrong?"

"The founder of the Komnenos dynasty was named Isaac, and your name is also Isaac."

Leonor blinked, seeming satisfied with her answer.

For some reason, Isaac's mood suddenly improved when he saw her smile.

"So, how about we name this little guy Alexios?"

Isaac said with a grin, placing his ear on his wife's slightly bulging belly.

After the couple's unremitting efforts, they finally succeeded in nurturing the fruit of love two months after their marriage.

Leonor blushed slightly and pouted.

"No, it sounds ugly, change it."

"Basil?"

"It sounds bad, no."

"Flavius?"

"not good."

"Constantius?"

"Do not."

"Nerva? Hadrian? Trajan? Antoninus? Aurelius?"

"Who would come up with such an ancient name?"

Leonor punched Isaac on the shoulder.

Just as the couple was playing, the footsteps of the servants were heard.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Isurt has urgent news."

Isaac took the letter and broke the fire seal.

After reading the letter, Isaac put it away and looked at the servant.

"Tell Isurt to summon the ministers. I will be there soon."

"Yes!"

After the servants walked away, Isaac stood there with a complicated look in his eyes.

"what happened?"

Leonor was keenly aware of her husband's abnormality.

"Murad II is dead."

Isaac sighed, pointed to the north, and made the sign of the cross on his chest.

On February 1451, 2, Murad II, the son of Mehmed the Victor and father of Mehmed the Conqueror, died suddenly in Edirne at the age of 16.

(End of this chapter)