In fact, Murad V did not even need to give the order. Alber Ozer, commander of the Imperial Guard, had already dispatched men to the outermost Imperial Gate.
Alber Ozer had great confidence in Topkapi Palace's defenses. After all, the palace had possessed defensive functions from the day it was built.
The outermost Imperial Gate connected to the ancient Byzantine city walls. The stone ramparts, eight meters high and three meters thick, looked immensely grand and imposing, unconsciously inspiring an overwhelming confidence bordering on arrogance.
Alber Ozer's confidence also came from the Imperial Guard soldiers under his command. Every one of them had been personally trained by French instructors and equipped entirely with French-style gear.
With Topkapi Palace itself situated on high ground, the attacking side would have to fight uphill and was naturally at a disadvantage. Alber Ozer believed that even if only the Imperial Guard remained, the Russians would never be able to storm Topkapi Palace.
Moreover, from the very beginning, he had opposed using those motley troops made up of common rabble to fight the Russians. Alber Ozer believed that would only disgrace the Ottoman Empire.
"Rest assured, Sultan. As long as I am here, Russia will never breach the Imperial Gate. We are not weak Byzantines."
Alber Ozer deliberately spoke in a deep, booming voice. He wanted certain people to hear it.
Rather than taking offense at his provocation, the Ottoman Empire's high officials instead felt somewhat reassured. This Imperial Guard commander truly seemed capable.
Aside from a small minority, most of the Ottoman Imperial Guard on the walls of the War Empire looked down on everything below with arrogant contempt. Though the Russians had already advanced to within several hundred meters, though the Ottoman troops before their eyes were retreating step by step, they showed