The news of the Old Queen’s death reached the old Chamber of the Janizaries. Several of them, along with some of the principal officers, began to murmur in concern. They believed that opposing the Heavenly Banner could put their faith and souls at risk. They feared that by resisting, they would be treated as unbelievers or infidels, and punished according to the strict rules of their religion.
Attempts to Persuade the Soldiers
In the new Chambers, an officer named Bettas tried to calm these fears. He offered the soldiers large gifts of gold and silver, encouraging them to protect their reputation and honor. He reminded them that the Grand Signior and his mother were their enemies and had intentions to destroy the order of the Janizaries. Bettas promised victory if they followed his guidance and persuaded them to fight against an unarmed and unorganized population Walking Tours Ephesus.
Encouraging Violence and Chaos
To make the task easier, Bettas advised the soldiers to set fire to several parts of the city. The idea was to distract and divide the people, making them focus on protecting their houses and possessions, while the soldiers carried out their orders with less resistance.
Refusal of the Officers and Soldiers
However, this plan failed to gain support among the officers and soldiers. Many of them had houses and property in Constantinople and could not risk seeing their own homes destroyed. They rejected Bettas’s suggestion to burn the city, understanding that it would cause more harm than good.
In short, the soldiers were torn between loyalty and fear. They wanted to obey the authority of the Grand Signior, but they also valued their own property and safety. The attempt to manipulate their religious beliefs and encourage violence ultimately failed, showing that not all could be persuaded to act against their own interests, even under pressure and promises of reward.