Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Kingdoms, Volume 48

The Atlantic Ocean: The State of Northern Turkey original: "北土魯機國" (Bei Tuluqi Guo), a phonetic rendering of Turkey

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During the era when this nation first rose to power, amidst the various conflicts between rival factions, they relied on a record of winning a hundred victories in a hundred battles. However, Turkey later suffered defeats in both naval and land warfare. Had the Western nations likely referring to the European powers or Russia not been restrained from further action, the Turkish state would have already been overthrown. Nevertheless, France has constantly come to its aid in times of crisis.

In the first year of the Daoguang era 1821 AD, Greece rebelled against them. Though Turkey fought with all its might, they were ultimately unable to prevail, and Greece subsequently established itself as a new, independent nation.

Six years later 1827–1828 AD, Turkey again engaged in a life-and-death struggle with Russia. They were unsuccessful and were forced to pay ten million silver dollars original: "yuan" (員), referring to silver coins and cede various territories along their borders to sue for peace.

In the twentieth year of the Daoguang era 1840 AD, Britain assisted Turkey in strengthening its forces to subdue the region of Syria. However, the foundations of the state are already exhausted; its total collapse seems imminent literally "between dawn and dusk".

Within the palace, the Sultan's wives, concubines, and slaves total six hundred people. One is selected as his favorite consort, and the first to give birth to a son is designated as the Queen. Inside the halls, there are both White and Black Eunuchs referring to the Aghas, the eunuch corps of the Ottoman court. Many among them are cunning and clever, using their positions as favorites to meddle in state affairs.

The military consists of one hundred thousand troops. The entire country is divided into twenty-eight departments provinces or Eyalets. The governor of each department frequently maneuvers for power before the throne.