The Crescent of the Sultan

Thanks to the wise actions of the great sultans of the empire, in order to collect poll taxes from pagans to support foreign expansion, even in the 18th century, when the empire retained the Arab region and Egypt, the proportion of Muslims in the empire was only close to 100%. sixty.

Especially in the densely populated Balkans, apart from the loyal Albanians of Sudan and some residents of Bosnia who have converted to God for a better tomorrow, the proportion of Christians in the entire Balkans is as high as 68%. Lim's head is getting bigger.

The Egyptians, Arabs, and Persians were all easy to deal with. Anyway, the Ottomans also copied each other. Especially as the empire gradually stabilized, the Sudanese increasingly despised the barbaric Turkic language, so they introduced a large number of Persian and Arabic vocabulary and continued to improve it. Ottoman language. In addition, everyone is Muslim, so there is no problem for Selim to create an Ottoman nation.

But as for the Bulgarians, the Armenians, and the Serbs, who were the vanguard of the rebellion, for hundreds of years, the empire relied on the blood slavery system to stabilize the Balkans. But when the wave of nationalism rises, the empire melts rapidly like ice and snow under the sun.

As for the Greeks, from the post-Byzantine era to the independence of Greece in 1821, there was no such thing as Greeks. These aboriginal people on the Peloponnese Peninsula always considered themselves Romans.

Yes, you read that right. The real Greek national identity was actually created by the Greek elite at that time based on three basic points: classical Greece and modern Greece, classical Rome, and Orthodox Christianity. In the later period, this group of people further strengthened the national identity of Greece by provoking a dispute between Rome and Greece.

However, the main force for Greek independence was not only the remnants of Rome on the Greek peninsula. The Romanians also participated. From this, it is not difficult to see that the entire Greek War of Independence was a war that forcibly united the various ethnic groups under the Ottoman Empire with the help of the Orthodox Church. The War of Restoration of Rome was nothing short of a multi-ethnic religious revolution.

However, Greek independence still occurred in the original time and space, largely due to the spread of national ideas brought about by the Napoleonic Wars and the mutual aid society established in 1814.

But Selim would not allow this to happen. If you secede today and I become independent tomorrow, then Selim will be the sultan, and Atatürk probably won’t be able to do it.

Considering that the cultural identity of Greeks is more important to them, the introduction of cultural, religious and ethnic policies is imperative.

As for how to solve it? Referring to a certain large Eastern country, although our great Ottoman Empire does not have a culture of 5,000 years, it still has a culture of 500 years. There is no systematic writing. Arabs, Persians, and Latin can also be integrated. Isn’t this a combination? It’s a big Ottoman cultural circle.

As for the nation, the entire Ottoman Empire is one nation - the Great Ottoman Nation.

As for faith, secularization is achieved through the separation of church and state. There is no reason why the Ottoman Sultan could not do what the Pahlavi dynasty could do in Iran.

When the previous sultans were the shadow of God and the caliphs of the world, the jurists headed by the Grand Mufti could depose the sultans, so why did Selim have to alienate the Christians of the empire and let Catherine This usurper is trying to win people's hearts.

But, this kind of thing has to be slowed down and evolve peacefully, otherwise Selim might not even know how he died.

While Selim was thinking about it, the Grand Mufti and four Ulema outside the door had already arrived. The main purpose of this group of people is to solve the empire's writing problems and religious policies. On the one hand, they unify the writing system and on the other hand, they vigorously preach.

"Paul, let them come in." Selim said nonchalantly, "My dear Grand Mufti, how is the compilation of the new textbooks going? I hope to be able to publish language and history textbooks for primary and secondary schools in September. Put into use."

The Grand Mufti bowed deeply and replied: "Your Majesty, the teaching materials have been compiled and the printing is in charge of the printing house under Abraham's name. But I have some doubts. Are you planning to open a separate grammar school? This seems not to be beneficial to Allah. Belief."

Obviously, the Grand Mufti had doubts about Selim's actions. Since the Prophet, Muslim education has been in charge of jurists. The Sultan's behavior is undoubtedly destroying the balance between imperial power and religious power, although he is also an Islamic believer. The Caliph taught.

However, it is one thing for the Grand Mufti to have doubts. He is satisfied with the preservation of the Sultan's words. Even if he is not satisfied, Selim is not afraid of a palace coup. "My dear Grand Mufti, if you are familiar with history books, you will naturally know that even in the era of Rome, the west and the east were not completely unified, and Latin Catholics and Greek Orthodox Christians could not get along. This is because the Romans Is your butcher knife not sharp enough? I believe you already have the answer in your mind. To defeat a nation, physical conquest is only the first step. Cultural recognition and spiritual transformation are the most important."

"But, Your Majesty," the Grand Mufti wanted to argue, but Selim did not give him a chance to speak, and continued: "Grand Mufti, you must know that taking one step back is to take two steps forward for the better. Culturally, by integrating Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs, and Armenians with us, the faith of God can spread throughout the world, and the light of the new moon can shine on the earth forever. You say, isn't this the will of God?"

There was helplessness on the Grand Mufti's old face. He was unable to refute what the Sultan said. If it were before, such a rebellious Sultan would have been replaced by the old one.

But now, there is a gap between the jurists and the Guards, and there are also many conflicts within the Guards. The Free Officer Corps, and the brotherhood in the military are making trouble every day. As for Ali Pasha, this softie, the Grand Mufti sighed and said :I obey your will, Your Majesty. ", the old man staggered slowly and left the Sultan's palace, and the four Ulema also left with him.

In the afternoon, Selim left for the Orthodox Patriarchate in Constantiniya. In fact, as the sultan of the empire, Selim could come and leave the patriarch at a moment's notice.

But Patriarch Nicholas is really a loyal servant of the Sultan. The flagships of the second and third fleets of the entire empire, the "Legislator" and the "Conqueror", were generously donated by Patriarch Nicholas. They are mainly lavish.

So, today Selim plans to go to the Patriarch again to calm down the autumn wind, "Paul, inform Abdullah Pasha and ask him to send a musketeer battalion to accompany me on patrol."

The Orthodox Patriarchate is not far from Topkapi Palace, and Selim soon arrived at the Cathedral of the Saints, which was also the office space given to the Orthodox clergy by Selim’s great ancestor Mehmed II the Conqueror. , after all, non-Muslims have to rely on them to collect taxes. How can they do it if the office location is too shabby?

Patriarch Nicholas was waiting at the door. When he saw the Sultan's car, he immediately bowed and said, "Welcome, Your Majesty, I have prepared afternoon tea for you, and you have chosen your favorite Qi Qi." Black tea and raisin cake.”

"Anna is back from England! Why didn't you tell me earlier."

Selim was about to question Nicholas, but a clear and sweet female voice came from the church: "Your Majesty, please don't blame father, I only arrived this morning."

As he spoke, a girl with long blond hair walked out of the church. She was nearly 1.7 meters tall, wearing a French lace bonnet with a red bow, a sable coat, and a pair of deerskin boots to set off the girl. She was like an elf in the forest, and Selim was stunned.

"Anna, where did your clothes come from? Konstantinier is not suitable for wearing this kind of clothes. It will be troublesome if those old guys see him." Selim moved his hands up and down the girl's hair, and said He asked pretending to be serious.

"Your Majesty!" The girl replied with a blush while avoiding Selim: "Princess Sophia gave it to me, saying that you like others to dress like this. The princess also asked me to bring you a gift."

"Gift!" Selim suddenly became happy and said, "Show me quickly."

The gift box has a black background with gold edges, and is tied with a rose-colored satin ribbon. There is a letter on it. When it is opened, a line of beautiful handwriting comes into view: "Dear Selim, haven't you always wanted a Chesterfield gift?" Field dress coat? I specially ordered one for you and added some lace myself. I hope you like it.

Your faithful Sophia”

Opening the gift box, a black dress appeared in front of you. It had a soft velvet collar, double rows of buttons, and gold lace embroidered on both sleeves. Overall, it gave people a sense of luxury.

Selim couldn't put it down. He knew that even though Sophia was a princess, George III, a slave girl, would not refuse any request. But George III was no fool when it came to a men's frock coat. Needless to say, Sophia must have bought this dress with her annuity.

Anna beside Selim giggled and asked, "Your Majesty, why didn't you ask me if I brought you a gift?"

"You? What did you bring? Violin or cello? Or piano or harp?" Selim asked perfunctorily.

It's not that Selim treats her differently, it's just that this girl has been studying music at Oxford University since she was sixteen years old. Every gift is a variety of musical instruments. You make Selim so excited.

Anna didn't mind Selim's tone. His Majesty had always been like this and said he didn't care, but he opened a special showroom in Topkapi Palace for the gifts she gave him.

"Okay, Anna, come with me in. Your father and I have some important matters to discuss. By the way, don't change these clothes yet. Follow me to Topkapi Palace later." Selly Mu said, the girl smiled brightly and leaned into the Sultan's ear: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Patriarch Nicholas, who was standing aside, smiled proudly as he watched his daughter getting close to the Sultan.

To be honest, the ethnic issues in the Ottoman Empire are very complicated, especially the predecessors of the modern Greeks. This group of people is quite stubborn. The Greeks in this article refer to the predecessors of the modern Greeks.

The judgments about the Greeks in the article are made by me based on the data. It may be a bit complicated to write, so you can check it yourself.