That evening, the Arno family was having their usual family dinner.
After Isaac Arno finished his portion of cheese bread, Michael Arno asked, "Isaac, how have things been these past few days?"
"Hmm, not bad, Father," Isaac quickly swallowed the rest of the bread in his mouth and replied.
"Good. Regarding the list His Highness asked you to draft, did you do as I told you?"
"Yes, it's completely fair, without any personal bias." At this, the young man curiously asked, "Father, why must I be fair and just? Why can't I open the back door for a few families we're close with?"
Michael Arno did not answer him directly but instead asked, "What kind of person do you think the Crown Prince is?"
Isaac pondered for a moment and replied, "He separates public and private matters clearly, is talented, possesses extraordinary military strategy, is far-sighted, exceptionally learned, diligent and fair, trusts those he employs and does not employ those he doubts, and has excellent judgment of character. He is young but ambitious enough, and his measures, though seemingly outrageous at first glance, are actually quite effective. Aside from his relatively weak personal combat ability, being a control freak, and occasionally making extreme remarks, he can be said to be an ideal monarch."
"Since that's the case," Michael Arno nodded and continued to ask, "do you think it's better to focus on those petty gains, or to gain the trust of the Crown Prince and follow him to establish a great enterprise?"
Isaac understood his father's meaning, but being young, he still didn't quite grasp some things. "Then Father, why do I need to stand with His Highness? Father, you are mature and steady, capable, and a well-known and influential lord in Theodosia. If you were to step forward, His Highness couldn't possibly refuse you, could he?"
"Isaac, you also said that the Crown Prince is a control freak, right?" Michael Arno slowly said, "If that's the case, how could he like an overly capable local lord?"
"But Father, I am also a lord's son! Besides, your title was granted by the Principality, and you are also a member of the new military department personally appointed by His Highness."
"There's a difference between us." Michael Arno continued to explain, "Admitting me into the new military department is to encourage loyalty to him and to appease capable lords like me, acknowledging the facts. The new military department is just a military structure; it can participate in tactical arrangements but not strategic ones."
"Moreover, I am old, a whole generation older than the Crown Prince. This potential generation gap will indirectly affect his choice of confidential members. An old man like me, who will soon be in his grave, will ultimately not be able to gain his complete trust. And although your two elder brothers are currently employed in Mangup, they often write to complain that they cannot access the Principality's truly important affairs."
"But you are different, Isaac. You are still young, and haven't even started a family. Although you are one of my heirs, according to the current inheritance rules, you cannot inherit much land from me. Furthermore, the road ahead is long, and you should choose to follow the right person, not just flounder around in the city of Theodosia. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Father." Isaac, now clear on his father's meaning, nervously placed his hand on his forehead.
"Good. From now on, you must no longer consult me on matters entrusted to you by the Crown Prince. You must handle them yourself."
"Why, Father?"
"You're old enough now; such important matters must be handled independently. Every time you consult me, it's akin to leaking secrets, do you understand?" Michael Arno narrowed his eyes, warning his youngest son, "For those in high positions, leaking secrets is a sign of disloyalty, and a disloyal person cannot gain their trust."
"Yes, Father."
The following days were spent waiting for the exaktors Manuel had requested from Mangup to arrive. To avoid idleness during this period, Manuel, after swiftly handling the orthodox Church's tax issues, specifically sent for the Catholic bishop of the Kaffa diocese to discuss tax matters in detail with him.
Upon receiving Manuel's summons, the middle-aged Kaffa bishop, Radifa Keni, initially wanted to refuse but was eventually persuaded by the clergy around him to go. This was because, ever since Theodoro took the city, they had been in an awkward position. On one hand, at the request of Prince Alexius, a large number of Catholic churches were converted into orthodox churches, and during this time, the property of many monasteries was plundered by rioters and has yet to be recovered. Meanwhile, their old rival, the orthodox Church, received official endorsement, rising from a suppressed, miserable status to become a favorite in the eyes of the powerful, with many even openly mocking them. On the other hand, Theodoro had not explicitly expelled Catholic clergy, only forbidding them from further proselytizing to citizens, and then, perhaps due to the war, simply left them unchecked.
Now, however, the lord of Theodosia, the Crown Prince of the Principality, had extended an olive branch, hoping to enjoy tea with His Grace the Bishop and discuss the status of Catholicism in Theodosia. Although Radifa Keni was skeptical, he couldn't resist the demands and expectations of those around him: they were even having trouble collecting tithes now, and knowing the official stance sooner would help them make further plans, such as leaving or continuing to develop there.
Thus, at everyone's request, Radifa Keni finally put on his formal bishop's robes, covered his Mediterranean blonde hair, and boarded the carriage to the palace. Along the way, he grumbled quite a bit, knowing that during the previous Genoese rule, if the local consul wanted to discuss matters, he would personally come to the bishop's church to find him. But now, under someone else's roof, he had to humble himself, for Radifa Keni ultimately did not want to be a miserable bishop with only an empty title.
Upon arriving at the palace and stating his purpose, he quickly met the Crown Prince named Manuel. Although he had already received information from many sources, he was still amazed by the young man's achievements and charming appearance. To show his respect, Manuel had also dressed much more formally this time: he wore a custom-made dalmatica outer garment woven from off-white silk satin, a flat-topped felt hat made of wool, and a pair of grey-black long boots, with a gentle and peaceful smile on his face.
Seeing the bishop arrive, he courteously welcomed him into the council room. This attitude even gave Radifa Keni the illusion that he could persuade him to convert to Catholicism. It was only after hearing the Crown Prince's firm orthodox prayers that the bishop abandoned this delusion in his heart.
The two first exchanged pleasantries, then Manuel had a hot drink served, introducing it: "Come, Your Grace Radifa Keni, please have some tea. This was purchased at great expense from the distant Eastern Dynasty, and it is said to be a type of tea called black tea."
"Thank you for Your Highness's kindness, but I wonder, what do you require of me?"
Manuel did not reply directly but instead handed him a church tax proposal he had personally compiled, smiling, "These are some of my immature insights. Please take a look."
Radifa Keni curiously took it and read it carefully. After a long time, he ignored his somewhat sore eyes and almost wanted to throw the document directly at Manuel's face.