*Maximillian Mandorf enters, fresh from bringing Christian justice to lowly highwaymen. He glares at his scribe and gestures towards the door. The man sheepishly slips out.*

Perhaps I should give that man a history lesson on what happens to insolent scribes in places such as this.

*Mandorf sighs.*

My Prince, I understand the theory of how investments in future construction work, but you must also understand reality. The reality is that when I assumed my post, the construction of the fortress had already begun and the appropriate monies had already been deducted from the Imperial treasury. As my scribe stated, I have respected that situation and let the orders stand. You should be most grateful for this, for I most certainly would not have otherwise given priority to construction of that facility at this time.

You accuse me of putting the cart before the horse, yet you are doing the same, my Lord. We have three castles capable of producing decent, professional soldiers. They are certainly not of a quality to make the world shake with fear, but they will perform admirably for the time being. What we need more than anything is not soldiers or even the facilities to produce more soldiers. What we need is money.

Accordingly, it is my full intention to give favor to financial structures and only allow for military construction when there is extra money to spare or when it is essential for the security of the Reich. I understand you will likely vehemently disagree with this assessment, but I believe it to be correct and under the current circumstances, it is my decision to make.

During my campaign for Chancellor, I pledged one thing above all others: giving the Houses the means with which to defend themselves. Austria and Franconia are horrendously vulnerable to attack and their defense cannot wait for armored knights to be produced from Staufen a decade from now. They must be immediately given the forces they need to protect their lands. Accordingly, my priorities are as follows:

First, to immediately increase the professional military strength of Austria and Franconia. Second, to repair the walls of Bologna and invest in new financial structures. Third, to reorganize the defense of cities so that they are garrisoned by militia which do not require pay out of the Imperial treasury. Fourth, to improve the military infrastructure of the Reich.

No doubt there will be much future disagreement with my policies...

*Mandorf's face grows cold and he stares straight at the Prince.*

...but I do not care for petty squabbling over every minutia of my policies. I will do what I believe is right for the betterment of a Christian Reich! That does not include giving favor to any one House or to any one Elector. If you wished for a Chancellor who would pour the Imperial treasury into Staufen, then perhaps you should have run for the office yourself.