[SIZE=+1]Senator Anastasios VI Salamis[/SIZE]
*many years have passed since the last big Senate session and Anastasios is already quite old, 62 years old- he was still quite healthy in both mind and body which was surprising for his age. His trouble-maker uncle, Pontius, was dead but succession was still in danger and the White-supporteing son of Pontius, Georgios, was still alive and making trouble. The son of Anastasios, Antiochos, has grown into a wise man, who is masterful yet not perfect in the art of diplomacy- but still with a tongue too harsh and reckless, sometimes saying dangerous things. Anastasios has decided that, for now, he will not give up the castle of Salamis, the ancient holding of his family which was greatly developed by house Salamis over the years and by naw became one of the major castles in Greece- with a very big town surrounding it, and a base of the Imperial Navy. There were also some whisperings that darker reasons caused Anastasios to not give up his lands… Including what seemed to be an absurd rumour of houses Salamis and Raoul controling the Agaean sea, with the castle of Salamis as one of the central bases of this “operation”. Anastasios himself has finaly abandoned his life ambition- which was, as he finaly revealed, to lead a colonial expedition and govern a colony of the Imperium. He was finaly more down-to-earth, and understood that the time for Colonialism is still not nigh- however, he was still a great supporter of both Exploration, and insisted that the time for it is close, that the Imperium should send as many expeditions as possible.*
Good day to you, my fellow Senators.
We’ve gathered here to discuss some very important issues- and it is of a great importance that we choose the right thing.
First of all, I would like to congragulate Beatitude Theophilus Rhadenos for his new office. I’m sure you will be a great and holy Patriach, just like you were as a Bishop and just like the faction you lead *Anastasios momentarily eyed Senator Ouranos*.
Now, for the matter of the next reform. The Sacred Emperor has been heavily reforming the Administration, and these reforms are bearing fruits- we can already feel the Administration getting better. Indeed, in this time of need such reforms are important and help with re-filling the treasury and reviving the army- both of which are in need. On the other hand, I agree with honorable Senator Lazaros- reforming the Administration too much and heavily may do more harm than good.
I believe that the time may be nigh to finaly begin to spread the Imperium Romanum into the rest of the world, to discover the world which god created, and surely wanted us to see, to find more trade opportunities and expand our limes. I, of course, support the expedition to the Eastern Ocean whole-heartedly and believe that accompanied with a strong reform and leglislation which concentrates on Exploration or Expansion will be of an immense help to the Imperium, and may provide a great strategic advantage against our enemies.
I would also like to add that the importance of the Navy is getting clearer and clearer- we can’t defeat the Xenoi without a decent fleet, and that is also something which we should consider.
Now, for the second and most important matter we’ve gathered here for.
I believe that if we do not help the kingdoms of Poland and Aquitane, we would betray our duty as the protecters of the Christendom. Furthermore, we saw just how important are our Polish allies- they were able to defeat the Mongol force which was advancing to help their treacherous German allies from Tirol, thus preventing a great disaster. Aquitane is also one of the last true Christian nations- loosing them will be like loosing a brother.
Furthermore, delaying a war with the Xenoi now will be delaying the inevitable- it will happen sooner or later. But if we choose to wait and wage war with the Xenoi later, or wait until we’re attacked, we will be in a worse situation, without our allies from Poland and Aquitane against the soulless Xenoi and Pisan traitors. Finaly, I would like to ask one of the members of the red demes- if any of you knows anything about army matters- or someone from the other demes: Is our army in a good enough situation now to face the Xenoi?
Thus, if I will not be convinced otherwise by an oppinion of an army expert, I suggest that the Imperium accepts an alliance with Aquitane and sends the army to a war with the Xenoi. I believe that, in our current situation, we can sign a peace with the Mongols and still recieve our rightful lands in Taurica- with a good Diplomat *Anastasios says this in a stronger tone to show just how important can Diplomacy be* it can be entirely possible, and I’m
entirely sure that the Sacred Emperor, as god’s regent on earth, will choose the right Diplomat.