After hearing his father's words, Ioannis rises to respond.

Your highness, noble senators, if the reconquest of Anatolia preceded well, I would attempt to negotiate a truce with the Turks. Rapid expansion would leave us vulnerable to attack from other enemies, and the further we expand from Constantinople, the weaker our authority becomes. What is more, beyond our former lands, there almost none of the true faith. Without a missionary expedition, we would never be able to suppress revolt.

Ioannis resumes his seat.