Quote Originally Posted by Furious Mental
If you play as the WRE in BI other factions often seem to demand you become their protectorate. I accepted once and I didn't actually have to give them any tribute, which I thought was weird. Often they attack you in the same turn as you become a protectorate. Crazy AI.
That's why before accepting to be their protectorate, ask for loads of money first. Then when they break the pact, they've just given you loads of money for nothing. Idiots.