NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23
### Chapter 23. A Bigger Picture (1)
Dududududu
The cavalry, numbering around 200, gradually increased their speed as they approached the target.
As they got closer to the straw stacks arranged like enemy troops, they drew their bows, and the cavalry that reached close range released their arrows.
With a chilling sound, the arrows struck the straw, and the cavalrymen pulled back on their reins, turning their horses in perfect synchrony.
Those skilled riders showcased their talent by shooting arrows backward while merely turning their bodies.
It was a sight that drew admiration, and Yusuf nodded in appreciation.
“The swarm tactics are indeed impressive.”
In simple terms, it was a hit-and-run strategy mainly used by nomadic tribes like the Mongols or Turks.
The advantages were clear. It forced a war of attrition while accumulating damage.
When cavalry pursued, they would retreat before targeting separated infantry, using a delay tactic to endlessly harass during their retreat.
‘Due to the viciousness, they’re treated as invulnerable, but no strategy is perfect in this world.’
The tactics were only useful in the field; the real problem arose when cavalry fought against other cavalry of similar speed.
If they attempted a quick dodge while shooting arrows, they’d be swept away before gaining speed, so they had no choice but to either keep fleeing or engage.
An army that only retreats couldn’t win, and for a fair fight, the cavalry was lightly armed.
No wonder there were tales of six cavalrymen getting skewered on a single spear.
‘This means I can’t fight Ismail, who will be primarily using cavalry, like this. And considering we’re already at a numerical disadvantage…’
Their opponent would also be cavalry, so either they had to nurture cavalry like the Winged Hussars that charged with long lances, or rush to develop cement to build fortifications for territorial expansion.
For now, those were the only two options that came to mind.
The former required pouring money into extensive training, and for the latter, they had to assess its practicality – not exactly like building a Great Wall or France’s Maginot Line.
Yusuf, deep in thought, was approached by the stoic-faced Arda.
“Sir Sanjakbey.”
“What is it?”
When Yusuf asked with a serious face, Arda frowned slightly and replied.
“Why are you just standing there when you asked me to teach you how to ride?”
This was the reason he had exited the safe and comfortable castle.
Coming to learn to ride yet just gawking around, Arda’s critique was valid, but there was a reason.
“I’m getting to know the horse.”
“Is this getting to know the horse, standing five meters away just watching?”
“Even with animals, manners are important.”
Personal space is essential; if you get too close, they might feel uncomfortable.
It’s about keeping some distance while mixing in some friendly conversation to build a bond.
Just like a doctor builds rapport with a patient, it takes time to establish mutual trust with a horse.
However, this logical explanation didn’t click with Arda.
“Stop saying strange things and get closer!”
“Alright, alright.”
Although he was making a fuss, he wasn’t afraid of the horse itself.
After all, he had faced humans so terrified they’d run away screaming, so why fear a horse?
As he stroked the horse’s head, which looked down at him with big eyes, it snorted in response.
This wasn’t some wild horse; well-trained horses followed humans just like cats or dogs.
“Now, get on. I’ll help you.”
The horse stood at about the height of an adult woman, making it hard for a child to mount alone.
As he was almost lifted onto the horse by Arda, his view changed drastically.
How on earth did people ride horses without stirrups? Even with his foot in the stirrups acting as a footrest, he felt dizzy.
‘Where on earth did this body, with nomadic blood, go wrong?’
Honestly, while he didn’t regret not investing points in physical abilities, he regretted it every time he tried to ride.
Yusuf’s memories of basic horsemanship were just a terrifying recollection of being unseated, offering no help whatsoever.
Still, thanks to his efforts, he was okay with a jog now.
“Let’s pick up the pace a bit.”
He definitely couldn’t handle galloping.
As Arda’s horse kept pace next to him, Yusuf shook his head.
“How the hell do you run on horseback?”
Just a tad more speed made his body shake wildly, but Arda assured him that matching the rhythm of the horse’s motion wasn’t hard.
For a regular body endowed with only a physical ability level of three, it was a challenging request.
‘It’s not like driving; I would need some experience with riding first.’
If he were a Sultan, he wouldn’t be suffering like this.
Sultans, during wartime, could ride alongside concubines without breaking a sweat.
However, as a prince, he couldn’t emulate that, and unless he wanted to just sit back during a war, mastering riding was essential.
Just the requirement for succession demanded leading troops to the capital, and he couldn’t just run solo amongst cavalry.
“Hmm… I should probably save the intense riding lessons for later.”
“If that’s what you wish.”
Returning to the castle with his escort, Yusuf let out a long sigh.
Despite his inner conflict, he realized one thing today.
“Riding indeed requires the right traits.”
The points needed for those traits doubled incrementally.
The second trait needed 20 points, and adding the 5 he recently earned, he was at a total of 21 points now.
“This trait effect is better than I expected, which puts me in a dilemma.”
Even just having a talent for emotion detection had already proven to be quite useful.
He was also coveting the talent identification he failed to obtain last time, along with many other traits that could be beneficial.
‘Still, the most useful for me right now is this.’
[Excellent Riding Talent]
Of course, just buying this wouldn’t make him able to ride perfectly or perform feats while straddling a galloping horse.
But it would help him learn to ride faster and more easily. He could be considered a genius with respect to horsemanship.
Yusuf, considering all this, pressed the purchase button, gaining his second trait.
‘The sooner I learn stuff like this, the better. As I engage in battles and broaden my influence, I’ll rack up points for my next trait.’
As long as he operated according to his plans, he would be living quite an exciting life, and the points would accumulate on their own.
That said, his life would also become more dangerous.
It was a world of beautiful equivalency.
“Damn this world.”
Not some clichéd trope where one becomes stronger after nearly dying.
Muttering under his breath, Yusuf spread out a map.
Compared to modern maps, it was crude, but it wasn’t so primitive that a high-ranking official wouldn’t recognize it.
The first thing on his mind was, of course, Ismail.
“By now, he should be on the move toward Erzinjan.”
Erzinjan lay about 140 km south of Trabzon, roughly the distance from Seoul to Daejeon.
From here, Ismail would lead an army of 7,000, composed of nine clans, and start his full-scale conquest.
Honestly, if he wanted to kill Ismail, now would be the opportune moment.
“If I were the only child, I could lead my entire army without worry and kill the potential threat easily.”
But given the need to fight bloodily over inheritance with his siblings, he couldn’t pre-emptively eliminate his target for fame.
Truth be told, Erzinjan was territory of the White Sheep Dynasty, making it difficult to launch an attack.
Since he couldn’t touch Ismail right now, he shifted his gaze to the east.
“Georgia…”
A country situated between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, also Stalin’s birthplace.
Always a blood-soaked crossroads between Asia and Europe, it would later become a battleground between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires.
Now, it was split into three kingdoms and five principalities.
The notable one was the Principality of Samtskhe, bordering the Ottomans.
“The other nations in Georgia have a good relationship with Ismail.”
That’s because they aided Ismail in eliminating tributes to the White Sheep Dynasty.
Of course, due to Ismail’s broken promises, they fell into oppression as vassals of the Safavid Empire, but at least for the moment, the relations were cordial.
In contrast, Mzechabuk, who aspired to become the king of the Principality of Samtskhe, was ambitious and subservient to the Ottomans.
Though the subservience came after Selim became Sultan.
“Nevertheless, this is the most promising area. I’ll send people to the Circassians in summer, while I should send agents to Samtskhe in winter after the current king passes away.”
The current king were aligned with the other Georgian kingdoms.
Honestly evaluating, pulling in the Circassians and Georgians wouldn’t be easy.
With national and ethnic fates at stake, they wouldn’t be so impulsive, and thus it would take time.
“When I clash with Ismail, I might not have their help.”
Well, he could still face Ismail even without their assistance.
“Then I’ll just have to seize the nearby Sanjakbeys by my father’s influence and drag them into the fire with me.”
It would certainly cause panic if other Sanjakbeys heard that.
Once Yusuf set the fundamental future policy and caught his breath, a knock sounded, and Şemsi entered.
“Has it been two weeks, Pasha?”
Since he had completely dominated the Sanjak in the banquet hall, it was probably around that time.
As Yusuf rested his chin while observing Şemsi standing in front of him, he asked.
“So, have you given it some thought?”
“I’ve pondered a lot on whether I should continue to follow you, just as you mentioned.”
That was the reason he had granted a period of two weeks.
Having completely dominated the Sanjak, Şemsi could somewhat take over, meaning it was time to reset their relationship.
Still, having more talented people was better, and without securing a Burqa, he felt uneasy, so he hoped for a good reply.
“Having watched you from the side for nearly half a year, honestly, I still don’t quite understand what kind of person you are.”
“In what sense?”
“You seem to have an ordinary or even lacking intellect, but there are moments when you display unexpected brilliance.”
…Is that a compliment?
Though it was factual, it also stung.
“And your actions are quite extreme. I’m sure you are aware of how much chaos this internal restructuring has caused.”
“Didn’t it turn out well in the end?”
“That kind of thinking is what’s extreme.”
The two stared at each other silently for a while.
It was Yusuf who broke the silence first.
“So, are you rejecting me, Pasha?”
Yusuf swallowed his disappointment and steadied himself as Şemsi shook his head.
“On the contrary, I believe we should work together. Someone needs to guide you along the right path.”
“If you’re just going to get in my way, I have no reason to accept it.”
“I’m merely a supporter. I intend to fulfill that role.”
He wouldn’t outright oppose, but he would speak frankly.
At this point, acquiring someone of Şemsi’s capabilities was a bargain.
‘No matter how exceptional a person is, they can make mistakes. A voice that tells the truth is essential.’
History has proven this countless times.
With that thought in mind, Yusuf was about to voice his agreement, but Şemsi’s next words came faster.
“And knowing you well, if I declined, would you have considered killing me?”
Yusuf grinned at Şemsi’s words.
Ah, he’s onto me.