You send orders to the Army to come back home. A letter is also dispatched to Tetan I, reminding him of the silver he promises for Methiant.
1146 AD, Winter
Gemstones and gold arrive in your Treasury.
2to3
Some profits from glasswork arrive this year as well.
You receive a letter from Tetan I; in the letter he thanks you for the services rendered by your noble soldiers, and affirms that the Duke of Koi was instructed to start sending some silver to your Treasury, and believes first caravan should be in Methiant by Spring or Summer.
1146 AD, Midwinter
Iwald and Houlandin are butting heads!
Apparently, Iwald, having 'tasted' the terrain outside the hilly Methiant, have discovered newfound respect for mass cavalry charges. He wishes to therefore expand, probably at the cost of foot regiments, to expand on the mounted units in the Army. Houlandin says that what Methiant has, professional footmen and artillery, is well-suited for protection of the Empire, and therefore shouldn't be suddenly switching philosophies of warfare if the previous one is working well so far.
That wouldn't be anything bad if not for the fact that their argument has already spread to upper echelons of Methiantese Army, and there are already opposing schools of thought developing amongst the officers.
Tails
That is yet another argument that weighs heavily on you. Instead of taking sides, you decide to retreat to your study and weather the storm till it sorts itself out.
And it does - Houlandin and Iwald are both respected commanders, but your heir being heir gains more support, and therefore sword-and-fireblood doctrine will prevail in Methiant, at least for a while longer.
1146 AD, End of the Year
If not for the Advisor bringing Scrolls of Kingdom Status to your new, peaceful study, you wouldn't notice that afternoon have already passed into late evening. How's the numbers, you ask?
4to6, 2to6
Happiness: 5
Population: 7
Economy: 2
Army: 7
Imp.Authority: 0
"Despite heavy losses in the fighting against nomads, the recruitment offices managed to get us large bit of replacements and new recruits. However our expenses continue to outweigh our income. The Treasurer believes we should extend the tax increase for another year. And considering that your authority in the Empire is rather stable, maybe it's a good moment to issue an Edict, your Majesty?"
You decide to...
A) Keep taxes high but pass on edict this year.
B) Keep taxes high, and issue an edict.
C) Lower the taxes and issue an edict.
D) Lower the taxes but pass on edict this year.