Conseil du Royaume

[Andres]

Thierry is in deep thought and looks up. He takes a sip of his goblet of water and stands up to address the Counseil.

Messieurs, it seems like we are not going to war with the English soon and I understand the wisdom behind that.

I also understand that we are going to build infrastructure in our Royaume, which is also a wise course of action.

But, we also have the English present in our very own lands. Yes, we are not powerful enough yet to take the initiative and start war, but we shouldn't be naive by assuming they won't attack us first in the near future. Once the treacherous English make their first moves, we'll need to mass recruit troops.

Some of you speak of conquering rebelious settlements, but we'll need troops for that. I understand that mercenaries will be recruited for that purpose.

Infrastructure is expensive, mercenaries are expensive, recruiting troops to defend ourselves against an attack of the English, is expensive.

We need money.

My esteemed colleague, Raynaud de Xaintrailles, talks about a "Holy Crusade". I prefer to call a spade a spade: we need money, the Moors have rich cities, let's take their money to finance our expensive projects. It will also give an opportunity to the more restless among us to prove themselves on the battlefield. It might be a good lesson for those "chivalrous and honorable" types among us, so that they learn that a silly tournament and a real war are not the same.

It is with this in mind, that I second Edict 1.5. But I'd like to repeat my query to Raynaud and insist that he rephrases it so that all settlements be sacked and all buildings destroyed. Since making money is the purpose, I'd also suggest that we try to ransom the prisoners we take. Of course, if no money is paid, the lifes of our captives are worthless and they should be hanged.

Thierry sits down again.