You accept a return of portion of the spend funds.
Next, you grant audience to the envoy from Ceodwell.
"Greetings, good Duke! Your uncles have sent me with a query whether you would be willing to sell some of the grain that we heard has been harvested plenty this year in your Duchy, as our Kingdom unfortunately had bad luck with weather and harvests this year."
Unfortunately, you have none of surplus left - the diplomat leaves unhappy, giving you a bit of a glare too.
977 AD, Midwinter
Revenues from the gold mines arrive in Treasury on schedule.
977 AD, End of the Year
And again, the year comes to a close and the Scrolls of Kingdom Status land on your desk.
Happiness: 6
Population: 7
Economy: 7
Army: 6
The Duchy prospers and grows stronger every day!
978 AD, Spring
One of the guards, Oen, that went with Ulan, has returned!
He brings his report; your son have spent most of the year coursing through the eastern plains, charting the outskirts of Gubta Empire before venturing straight southeast toward the populated areas and large settlements. They had to deal with bandits and cultists and mystics who could talk with spirits of dead people.
Then, they've spent few months in Gubtan heartlands, and then went east, into forests of trees and plants sparsely seen even in Kashite and Ceodwell. Ulan have heard of the Suravay people who have black skin and grow 'colors' on bushes, and decided to see those marvels with his own eyes.
Before the winter set in, the prince sent Oen to deliver you all these news, and to bring his notes and maps to your scribes. Ulan promises to return before the onset of the new decade.
978 AD, Mid-Spring
Ygwylla gives birth to another boy! She names this one 'Ceodwell', after your family.
978 AD, Late Spring
Terrible news! The veins of copper, both metal and malachite ores, have begun to thin out and run dry! The prospectors and miners believe that they might be able to continue profitable exploitation for another year.
"Sire, I believe we should sell the copper. It's obvious that by the time Calvendocians return, we won't have copper to sell them. Plus, what shall we do about the Damdamian trade deal?"
As for the stockpiled copper...
A) Keep stockpiling it for another year, just to make sure.
B) Just sell the stuff.
As for the trade deal with Damdamians...
A) Send a messenger to them explaining to them that you will have to cancel the deal after next caravan due to lack of resources.
B) Send a messenger to them explaining that you're running out of malachite gems, but you can sell them some other gems instead.
//Per usual, no split votes.