Reincarnated as Selim III

Cemil walked graciously to Topkapi Palace, his strides purposeful yet unhurried. It had taken a while from his residence, but the sight of the palace gates brought a small smile to his lips. As he approached, a Janissary guard at the entrance raised a hand to halt him.

"Oh, Cemil!" The guard's voice held a familiar tone, a blend of curiosity and camaraderie. "What brings you here today? The passage to the library isn't this way."

Cemil inclined his head slightly, his tone measured yet warm. "Not today, my friend. As of now, I serve as Shehzade Selim's courtier."

The guard raised his brows in realization. "Ah, just like Aydin Effendim! Very well, you may pass." With a respectful nod, he stepped aside, the gates creaking open to reveal the sprawling gardens within.

Walking through the Topkapi gardens, Cemil's eyes lingered briefly on the well-manicured paths, the faint scent of blooming jasmine and roses mingling with the cool breeze. At the entrance to the inner courtyard, an odalık—draped in elegant silk garments that shimmered under the midday sun—approached with a graceful bow.

"Welcome, Effendi," she said, her voice soft yet formal. "Allow me to escort you to Shehzade Selim."

With a subtle gesture, she led Cemil through the winding corridors of the palace, her footsteps light against the polished marble floors. As they reached a carved wooden door adorned with intricate arabesque patterns, she paused and knocked gently.

"My Shehzade," she announced, her voice carrying through the door with practiced poise, "a man by the name of Cemil has come to see you."

I heard the words , "Ok let him in."

The odalik gave a signal to Cemil, and opened the door. Lies Selim and Aydin discussing some matters on the upcoming reforms.

Cemil interrupted, "It seems I missed something here."

I chuckled "Well, not at all though, you came just in time, please sit here." pointing at one chair at front of the mahogany table.

"Now that both of you are here, please let me lead you to the table there".

In this room, there are two table sets, the first one are for Selim and the second are the long table, similar to the table for dinner, with 8 chairs included. Technically, the second table would be for the discussions for a group of people. Also, the room was decorated with the colour of white cream and sunlight filtering through windows, scents, or ambient sounds.

"Welcome to the team, Cemil-effendim. Hope to cooperate with you in the future." Aydin approached with a warm smile, and gave a hand for handshake.

"Thanks, hope the same for you too, efendim." Cemil counters the handshake.

I smiled, "Now let's get down to business." He stood and moved toward a larger table at the center of the room, motioning for the others to follow.

"As you know, we are now discussing the possible events that might take a turn on the empire. I might suspect that the Russians might rapid its naval advancement to outmaneuver us. But for now, we are still in the early stages of building our influence." I started.

"Well you're the crown shehzade, of course you have the power to influence your father." Cemil added.

"Well I hope so, but it is not. In Ottoman politics. We need more political powers and individuals where each can contribute in their own field. Like Aydin, I'd like for him to enter the Ottoman Admiralty, so he can build its reputation from there. But do not worry, I will assist in providing the items, once you get commissioned for a new ship. Well of course, we will have our own training methods."

"Ohho, interesting plan, you have there, my shehzade. And you're right. We are now 3 people and it's just a small 'embers'. Hmm the way of admiralty, at least I was once a seaman, before I became a scriber." Aydin explained.

"Nice one, as for you Cemil, I want to discuss the possible compound that we can utilize for our weaponry. What do you think?"

"That's quite a good idea, my shehzade. But how and where to start actually?"

"There's a compound named nitrocellulose, I assume you know acid right?" 

"Yes, but there's various types of acid you know? And I might need the books from France, since they had introduced the academy of sciences."

"Ahaa, so you knew about it. Clever. But that's the first time I heard of these nitrocelleu--what again?" Cemil struggled to articulate the unfamiliar term.

"Nitrocellulose" Aydin answered.

"Ohhh—" Cemil's expression shifted into a mix of confusion and amusement, his raised eyebrows and exaggerated grimace resembling a caricature of realization.

"So, I need you Cemil to help me in executing the experiments, gather your fellow scholars and alchemists. I'll provide the necessary materials and a space for your work.." I said.

"It would be most appreciated," Cemil nodded.

"As for you Aydin, I'll convince my father to have you join the admiralty." I added.

Aydin nodded with the thing. Then, Cemil added. "What are these nitrocellulose actually?"

"It's a material compound where it is a mix of 2 acids. I'll give you notes on that. Its another alternative for the propellant in the ammunition. Right now we are using gunpowder as the propeller, but the disadvantage of gunpowder is it smokes after firing. And that smoke, is an exposure during battle. But with nitrocellulose, it would be beneficial, since the explosion would be smokeless thanks to its combustion nature."

Cemil was shocked "My shehzade, how come you have such an idea, that will revolutionize the armaments itself?"

I smiled, "It's wisdom, i think."

"Well, we can start to prepare for it. But maybe after you give the formula, we can start looking for it."

"Alright, just wait." I nodded along.

~~~ 

Several days after their discussion, Aydın Burcu formally joined the Ottoman Admiralty as an officer under Hefzuddin Reis, Commander of the Bosphorus Fleet. The fleet, stationed at its base north of Ankara, served as a critical outpost for naval operations in the region.

"Reis, the Sultan has sent a new officer to serve under your command," a sailor announced, his voice steady but respectful.

The door creaked open, revealing Aydın Burcu. He stepped forward, his polished black attire and small turban bearing the emblem of the Ottoman Seal a testament to his new role. The faint creak of the ship's timbers underscored the formal silence. Hefzuddin rose from his seat, his sharp gaze assessing the young officer who now stood before him.

"Hefzuddin Reis, it is an honor to meet you," Aydın began, bowing his head slightly in respect. "I am Aydın Burcu, sent by the Kapudan Pasha and with the Sultan's blessing to assist you in your operations."

The commander gave a curt nod, his expression softening as he extended his hand. "Welcome, Aydın Burcu. I heard that you were personally picked by the young shehzade, is it true?"

Aydın clasped the offered hand firmly, his confidence unwavering. "Indeed, Reis. But I believe in the potential and the knowledge to be of service."

Hefzuddin rubbed his chin, "Very well."

~~~

Cemil stood at the head of a modest room tucked within the compound building in Istanbul, its stone walls echoing with the murmurs of his gathered acquaintances. Technically, Shehzade Selim had utilized the documents to buy a building in Istanbul as Cemil's operation. The scent of ink and parchment mingled with the faint aroma of spices drifting through the open windows.

A young man, his brow furrowed, stepped forward. "Cemil-effendim," he began hesitantly, 

"We've managed to gather most of the individuals with the knowledge you described. But..." He hesitated, glancing at the small crowd assembled before them. 

"Most of them are commoners, and several are women." His tone betrayed a mix of concern and uncertainty.

Cemil's gaze swept over the room, taking in the faces of those who had answered his call. A seamstress with ink-stained fingers stood beside an elderly merchant whose spectacles perched precariously on his nose. A young woman clutching a bundle of notes exchanged nervous whispers with a weathered blacksmith, his hands calloused from years of labor. These were not scholars or noblemen, but they were eager, determined, and perhaps most importantly, unburdened by rigid tradition.

"We need them regardless," Cemil said, his tone calm yet resolute. "Knowledge is not confined to titles or lineage. These people—" he gestured toward the group, "—carry skills and insights that are just as valuable as any we might find in the halls of the medrese. I trust that Shehzade Selim will see the merit in this."

The young man nodded slowly, his apprehension giving way to a glimmer of hope. "I will relay your confidence to the others, efendim. They will be reassured by your words."

Cemil smiled faintly. The path they were treading was a bit unorthodox, but then again, so was Shehzade's vision for the empire. If this was to be the dawn of a new era, it would begin here, with these unlikely pioneers. Also, most of the heroes started from zero. So why not.