Imperial Diet II

[Ignoramus]

A page hands Sigismund der Furchtlose a a scroll. After briefly glancing at its contents, Sigismund smiled as he rose.

"Mein Chancellor, it appears that we are currently only making a paltry 500 florins every two years(one turn). Currently, we only have 72 florins. Please tell me how we are to build anything in this bankrupt Reich? We are on the brink of economic collapse, and we are not being wise."

I am sure that mein fellow Swabians would agree."

Sigismund der Furchtlose glances at the Swabian electors as he resumes his seat.

[Stuperman]

*the 6th elector of Bavaira stands*

The honourable Sigismund der Furchtlose has a point, perhaps our retaliation towards the French should focous on Marseille, the florins streaming in from such a large trading center would surely help aleviate some of the financial burden Chancellor Maximillian Mandorf's bold plan has caused in the short term.

[Warluster]

Jobst von Salza stands again, and nods towards Sigismund der Furchtlose

yes,yes,yes.

I agree there Sigismund, and the 6th Elector of Bavaria's Plan seems fine, but of course comes the way of getting the money to attack and stuff.

So why don't we pluch a few trade Rights? That we surely help us, if we send off about 5 diplomats world wide, not only can we ask for trade rights, we can gain allies, more soldiers, promises and spread our influence?

[Ituralde]

Duke Leopold had withdrawn from the Diet after the Election and had just recently returned to the chambers. His departure for Vienna was approaching but he wanted to attend the Diet before he left.


My fellow Electors!

What are these words of nit-picking and squabbling I'm hearing in this Assembly?
The House of Swabia seems to be particulary fussed by the new Chancellor's actions. You have supported him with all your votes, so maybe it's time you stuck up and actually support your choice, not only by vote, but also by your actions within this body? Not more than one year has passed and already the heart of the Reich has been cleansed of rebels and two major victories were won against our foes and still you find the time to complain? May I remind you that not one single building has been constructed in Vienna during the last Chancellors half-term? I don't even want to begin speaking about the military support I recieved from the rest of the Reich or our Chancellor. Meager Militia was all I had to deal with the Milanese threat.

Finally Chancellor Mandorf is undertaking actions to remedy this situation, so that finally our Eastern borders can have the same attention, Northern Italy and the western border had in recent time. All you can do is complain about the state of your oh so mighty castle, which is indeed upgraded to a fortress as we speak. Your Ducal Army under Sigismund command is ready to take your orders, so I understand why you don't see any need for additional troops. Other Houses have to make do with Militia though and for them recruitment is a top priority and I'm glad Chancellor Mandorf thinks along the same lines.
What good is a fortress if we don't have the men to properly defend it? The Reich needs soldiers, professional soldiers! This will indeed cause a short-term lack of florins but it is necessary. The attacks we had during the last Chancellors term have shown us how vunerable we are. We need to be ready to answer every threat that our enemies could pose toward us! We can only do this with soldiers, not with buildings or Florins. I fully support
Mandorf in his recent decisions and believe that he does the best job possible at this moment!

I would also like to remind anyone here who suggests offensive actions against the French that this would directly violate Edict 5.12, which calls for a defensive stance towards our foolish French neighbours.

The Duke returns to his seat.

[TinCow]

*Mandorf shakes his head angrily.*

500 florins? Count der Stolze, I suggest you have some firm words with your scribes. Next year the Reich Treasury will receive nearly 8,500 florins to fund future expenditures. That is more than we received this year, and need I remind you this year's profits included a signficant gift from the Russians? The Reich is becoming profitable, it is not going bankrupt.

[Ignoramus]

Sigismund der Furchtlose smiles as he rises to reply.

Mein dear Mandorf, it is true that the Reich will receive nearly 8,500 florins next year. Yet, 8,000 of those are required for the payment of our soldiers, our clergy, and our fleets. We can not construct much with 500 florins.

Sigismund resumes his seat.

[TinCow]

Again, I must state that you are misinformed Count der Stolze. I understand that the wording of the standard treasury report can be confusing, but the entry titled "profit" does not reflect where the treasury will stand next year. I assure you, at the beginning of the year we will have approximately 8,500 florins to spend on the various needs of the Reich. The "profit" line merely indicates how much more we will be receiving next year than we did at the beginning of this year. We will be making 500 florins more next year than this year, for a total income of approximately 8,500 florins.