The Emperor patted his Vaidila on the palm, trying to get him to calm down slightly.
"Ah, but King Gustav, the people happily flock to the old gods. Gods who do not require them tithe themselves into poverty or to restrain themselves from all that life can offer. I've never seen a people more willing to give up oppression than the people of Poland. But the poor people of Rome, did they choose? I doubt it when I watch the armies of Hungary treat Bulgaria and the Greeks as if they are already part of their ever-growing Empire. I assume that the Holy Roman Empire might have an opinion with Hungary beginning to gaze upon the Habsburg lands like they once eyed the Balkans. Envy, I feel."
"But my general is right, these are old discussions, we must speak about Russia! Who else can better protect the Russian states, our great wall keeping out the cold of the steppe, than the Lithuanians? All we require is that we be able to move freely through their lands or the expedition will be crippled by red tape. The Russian lands are a breeding ground for rebellion and revolution. They cannot fight both the Mongols and themselves and expect to walk out victorious."
"Ah, but King Gustav, the people happily flock to the old gods. Gods who do not require them tithe themselves into poverty or to restrain themselves from all that life can offer. I've never seen a people more willing to give up oppression than the people of Poland. But the poor people of Rome, did they choose? I doubt it when I watch the armies of Hungary treat Bulgaria and the Greeks as if they are already part of their ever-growing Empire. I assume that the Holy Roman Empire might have an opinion with Hungary beginning to gaze upon the Habsburg lands like they once eyed the Balkans. Envy, I feel."
"But my general is right, these are old discussions, we must speak about Russia! Who else can better protect the Russian states, our great wall keeping out the cold of the steppe, than the Lithuanians? All we require is that we be able to move freely through their lands or the expedition will be crippled by red tape. The Russian lands are a breeding ground for rebellion and revolution. They cannot fight both the Mongols and themselves and expect to walk out victorious."