1125:

Emperor, Caesar, and Senators,

The election is finally over. The tally is complete and I am, as of now, starting my term as Megas. A few things first to get out of the way.

We are very near a financial crisis. The Crusade will be over soon. When that happens, it will no longer become self-funding. Add in the fact that there will have to be multiple private armies created overnight, and we will simply run out of money. I am therefore asking for your help.

1.) If you have extra units under your control in an army/garrison/fort, please disband them.

2.) We have far too many mercenaries. By my count, there are 14 mercenary units. These are a drag on our finances. 11 are in House Komnenodoukai alone. I ask that these be disbanded immediately. I will recruit cheaper replacements for the private armies.

3.) We need to raise taxes. I can not finance buildings with no money. I ask that everyone set their taxes as high as possible or allow me to do so.

4.) Since we have little money, I will make very clear that expensive items will not be financed. And, with no money, we have little need for new military buildings. Please do not put military buildings at the front of your build queues.

With the disbanding of extra units, and the raising of taxes, we can get at least 5000 more florins out of our economy next year. With that money, we can build the infrastructure we sorely lack. Together we can move the Empire in a new direction.

Now on to some finer points of bureaucracy.

For now, the entire navy is under control of the Office of the Megas.

The same goes for all agents of the Empire.

The Armenian Cavalry that is currently with the Caesar, has been seized by the Office of the Megas. That unit is not to be moved.

The spear militia that is currently with Michail Arianitis, has been seized by the Office of the Megas. That unit is not to be moved.

The units currently with Aleksios ek Ikoniou are now part of his private army. Those units are now his and can only be moved by him or someone he designates.

God speed and Good Luck,
Megas Makedonios Ksanthopoulos

The save is now open!