Chapter 878: Istanbul Tragedy

The more chaotic the cities outside Istanbul become.

The more strictly guarded Istanbul becomes internally.

And the current situation has made the most important priority to keep a close watch on Hamid, not letting him come out to stir up trouble.

Responsible for all of this is the leader of the Royal Guards, Kuma.

He has to circle around Hamid's residence a dozen times a day to ensure there are no problems, only then resting for a few minutes in a horse carriage nearby, before continuing again a few minutes later.

"Boss, there's no need to work so hard, right?"

"Exactly, Boss, isn't he just a little prince? Haha, just leave it to us!"

"Boss, if I were you, I'd go to that flower house over there and have some fun first! You can rest easy here!"

The others immediately scoffed.

"Boss, there's a time and place for everything, right? If someone really wants to get in, they'll most likely act at night! In broad daylight like this, who would come?"

A group of people laughed out loud.

Remember the website address.

Kuma's expression was cold: "You don't know a damn thing. If we have even the slightest slip-up here, every one of us, our entire families won't be able to survive!"

Especially during the day, why be so tense? Is it necessary?

They truly could not understand.

A group of people were yawning.

In short, they had been worn out by this perverted Kuma during this period.

However, he did not expect it.

It was the daytime he considered the safest.

Kuma said nothing, continuing his patrol.

Although it was unlikely that anything would happen during the day, his professional integrity still led him to push his vigilance to the absolute limit.

At this moment.

Just a few days later, in the daytime.

This day, which would be known in later generations as the Istanbul Tragedy, happened in broad daylight, as if to deliberately slap them in the face.

"Support the little prince!"

"Drive out the Grand Vizier!"

Outside Istanbul, it had already become chaotic beyond recognition.

Sipahi Cavalry surging in from all directions and all cities had already begun to approach the city walls; looking out from a high vantage point, one could see the vast and mighty military camps flying the Sipahi military flags, covering the mountains and plains. Such a scene was undoubtedly shocking.

The shouts rising one after another were finally heard by the commoners inside the city on this day. Suddenly, hearts were filled with panic; what exactly was going on? These commoners very much wanted to know what had happened, but following that, the heavy-handed suppression tactics of the Grand Vizier Ahmed began to unfold in the city of Istanbul.

He ordered that no one was allowed to leave their homes without an order.

"Drive out the Grand Vizier!"

"Support Hamid!"

The commoners were suddenly enraged, but they soon temporarily submitted under the violence of the Imperial Guards.

Ahmed stood on the city wall, looking gloomily at the Sipahi Cavalry square formations that stretched for tens of miles, covering the mountains and plains as far as the eye could see.

Everyone, no discussing the political situation!

All weapons in every household were to be confiscated!

A thousand-year-old capital!

Throughout history, how many great battles had taken place here; this city had also been baptized by the flames of war countless times and repaired countless times; it could almost be called the most solid city in Europe.

One had to admit that the immense pressure gave him a headache.

But what is Istanbul?

"Reinforce the defensive works!"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, prepare the arrows and catapults!"

Therefore.

Although these 300,000 Sipahi looked menacing at this moment, he still had 200,000 Janissaries holding the city, and it would not be easy for them to break in.

Ahmed said coldly: "A bunch of outdated cavalry also want to stir up trouble in Istanbul? Fight, fight them hard, let them know who the strongest army in the Ottoman Empire is!"

"Yes!"

"Where is the gunpowder? Where is the gunpowder?"

The generals all over the city wall entered a state of extreme busyness.

These two most powerful military branches of the Ottoman Empire, which at the same time represented the two most representative political groups of the late Ottoman Empire, had thus truly torn off their masks.

The cavalry, representing the spirit of knighthood, and the Janissaries, representing the "scholar-official" group, truly became irreconcilable enemies.

These Janissaries roared in response.

Up to this point.

Since ancient times, regardless of any monarch, as well as game enthusiasts in later modern society, the obsession with cavalry is indescribable.

With strong impact and high mobility, they seemed to truly represent the real combat power of the cold-weapon era and the imposing stature of soldiers.

Consequently.

Under the vast and mighty momentum, the Sipahi also launched their first siege.

The first charge, 100,000 war horses galloping over, the sound of hooves making the entire earth, and even the entire Istanbul, shake violently.

In everyone's heart, they were shaken uncontrollably by the rhythmic sound of the hooves.

"Kill!"

"Charge!"

"Attack!"

Ahmed was able to become Grand Vizier, so naturally he was no mere mediocrity; seizing the opportunity, he coldly gave the order. The city he held in his hands at this moment was Ottoman, and in his view, even the greatest city in all of Europe. Facing the siege of this band of "petty scoundrels," how could it be without dignity?

Momentum!

The momentum of the Sipahi had already been unleashed!

In reality, compared to the Sipahi Cavalry, the combat effectiveness of the Janissary was truly not inferior in the slightest.

As we mentioned earlier, the Janissary were boys selected by the Ottoman from the conquered Christians of the Balkan Peninsula; this was the famous Blood Tax! After these children were taken away by the Ottoman Army, they received Islamic ideology and underwent military training. Relying on strict organization, excellent tactical quality, and fanatical faith, the Imperial Guard became the elite force of the Turkey Empire.

Therefore.

For this first charge, he directly opened the city gates, sent out his own Janissary, and engaged in the first close-quarters combat with this Sipahi Cavalry!

However.

With the passage of history, the Imperial Guard that once brought glory to the Ottoman had now become a source of palace unrest and rebellion, and had even become a serious obstacle hindering the country's progress and reform.

The Janissary had strict discipline and had to absolutely obey the orders of their superiors. Soldiers lived collectively in barracks during peacetime, were not allowed to marry, and could not engage in handicrafts or commerce. Their pay was generous, and those who performed meritorious service could be promoted to high-ranking officials.

When the Janissary were first established, their numbers were only a thousand. By the mid-16th century, at the peak of the Empire, they increased to nearly 20,000, accounting for about one-tenth of the Empire's total military force. Because the soldiers were well-trained, well-equipped, and able to endure hardship, they often became the backbone force in battle. In addition to guarding the capital, the Janissary were also stationed in various important cities and fortresses of the Empire.

The Janissary began to rely on force to obtain the power and interests they wanted, and until now, positions including Grand Vizier, generals, and local officials had been largely usurped by the Janissary.

Of course.

Especially when the Ottoman royal family introduced these Janissary into the Imperial Palace and the Divan, it also caused them to no longer be filled with awe for the majesty of the monarch. Long-term exposure to the comfortable, luxurious life provided by such a wealthy city, and the consciousness of possessing immense power, cultivated their arrogance, gradually making them feel that the life and death of the monarch, the authority of the Divan, the wealth of the public, and the safety of the Empire were actually all in their hands.

Consequently.

This war that shocked the world, pitting the spirit of the old Knight against the Imperial Guard of the new era, began just like that.

Therefore.

Following that, what could not be ignored was that they were also equipped with the finest Weaponry and Equipment in the entire Ottoman Empire. Moreover, the Weaponry and Equipment of the Janissary contained factors specifically targeting the Sipahi.

This great war, which lasted for half a month, was known to later generations as the "Istanbul Tragedy," because no one expected that such an ancient city of a thousand years could be breached by the Sipahi in such a short time.

Furthermore.

During these half a month, countless shocking and tragic events occurred.