After the meeting on July 1st, Manuel finally transformed the basic system of Bosporus from the old feudal structure to a more administratively efficient bureaucracy through a series of drastic reforms.
Although administrative efficiency cannot directly translate into combat power, a barely complete bureaucratic government is more effective in digesting conquered territories or fully utilizing occupied areas.
The day after the meeting, most of the new departments were quickly operational.
Though they had only been officially established yesterday, Manuel had already pre-selected their heads, and then recruited their subordinate officials.
So, in less than a week, the young Caesar successfully avoided the possibility of overwork.
"I slept so well," Manuel said, fully refreshed, as he got out of bed on Saturday morning, after the monastery clock struck seven for ten o'clock, looking at the sunlight streaming into the room.
"Alright, I finally have time to seriously consider how to deal with the Circassians, with whom we signed a diplomatic treaty earlier."
He was referring to the Adyghe Principality, which they had secretly befriended four or five years ago by taking a detour to counter the Genoese.
The strong and robust Circassian warriors had left a deep impression on Manuel, who was still a teenager at the time.
However, as he said this, he seemed to have forgotten that he was only wearing a thin white silk robe…
After dressing and finishing his lunch, Manuel summoned all his cabinet members, except the Archbishop, to his office in the palace to seriously discuss his bold plan with them.
After Manuel briefly explained his idea, some of his cabinet members were astonished by its audacity: Hadn't the civil war only ended less than half a year ago?
Was their respected Caesar a warmonger?
Only Badars remained as calm as ever, inside and out.
As Commander of the Guard, confidential secretary, and head of the secret department, all he needed to do was provide almost infinite support to his Caesar.
Tukharovsky, the Army Commander, directly asked after Manuel finished speaking: "Caesar, although a small-scale war is not much for the Autocratic State at present, we cannot continue like this."
"Why do you always think that such matters can only be resolved through the clash of blades?"
Manuel felt he was about to lose his composure.
"Ah?" Everyone was puzzled, except Falero, the Grand Admiral, who seemed to have thought of something.
"Military power is not just a sharp blade for defending or conquering land; it can also be used flexibly to, uh, extort… no, no, no, to intimidate, to intimidate."
Manuel put on a confident expression, building suspense.
"Caesar's meaning should be that we can make the other party submit without resorting to war."
Falero aptly took over his words.
"Yes.
By the way, in the Eastern Dynasty, this is called 'subduing the enemy without fighting.'"
Manuel, feigning profundity, said the seven words in Chinese, and then, according to his own linguistic habits, translated it into greek word order.
"That sounds impressive.
As expected of Caesar," Badars, who had followed Manuel since childhood, praised in his heart.
However, the other cabinet members felt more bewildered.
Their respected Caesar always uttered outrageous statements or tried to cite obscure sources when he got excited, but they were all used to it.
Now they wanted to know Manuel's plan.
Although Manuel's linguistic style was full of flaws in their minds, his strategic vision was truly precise and unique, earning their admiration.
Therefore, they all looked seriously at their respected Caesar, showing an attitude of listening attentively.
Seeing this, Manuel did not hide much and straightforwardly explained his strategic plan: "The secret treaty signed between our two countries five years ago stipulated that both sides have the right to station troops within the other's territory.
Although due to our previous size, we couldn't actually utilize this secret treaty clause, it's different now: we are now, theoretically, a, uh, medium-sized country capable of mobilizing nearly ten thousand people.
"In any case, dispatching a legion or half a legion of over 700 men is still sufficient.
If they raise objections, then we will cite this secret order as the basis for stationing troops.
After that, we can take the opportunity to transform this ally into a vassal.
After all, vassalage is the highest form of alliance."
Having said that, Manuel looked at his cabinet members, waved his hand, and signaled for their opinions.
"Lithuania and the Golden Horde will react, right?
And Venice, they might not be willing to continue to sit idly by while we expand."
Falero asked first, full of worry.
"External forces are indeed difficult to predict, but besides the Golden Horde, there shouldn't be any reaction.
That place is not a strategic stronghold for them, and it's just a tribe.
Even if they are fellow Christians, they should be closer to us, Christians with whom they communicate frequently, have close relations, and show earnest attitudes."
"Earnest attitudes?
It's more like using almost fawning behavior to secretly prevent their influence from infiltrating," Falero muttered to himself.
"Then the Golden Horde…" Tukharovsky wanted to remind him that they were currently in an awkward stalemate with the Golden Horde.
"There are risks, but they are worth taking.
As long as this matter can be resolved within a month, Sarai will not have time to react."
Manuel playfully tapped the table.
"Before and after the event, I will also send more people to improve relations with neighboring countries.
If the benefits are sufficient, mending fences is not impossible."
His meaning was that if necessary, they would once again become a tributary of the Golden Horde.
To strong allies and suzerains, he was submissive; to weaker forces, he struck hard – this was Manuel's consistent strategic thinking.
After he answered the diplomatic concerns, Arno, the Minister of Finance, finally asked: "Caesar, financially, this action is completely fine.
However, if I may be so bold as to ask, what if those capable individuals on the other side insist that this clause does not exist and refuse our army entry?"
This question hit Manuel's sweet spot.
He tried his best to restrain himself and maintained a smile: "We will not act hastily in the first month; that would be too obvious.
Arno, the Autocratic State can allocate funds to bribe the Adyghe leadership, right?"
"Yes, Caesar."
Arno bowed.
Spending a small amount in this regard was still a trifle for the current Bosporus.
"That's good," Manuel's smile grew even brighter.
"If there are still obstacles by then, it doesn't matter.
Are the troops we dispatch at that time fake?"
"So, in the end, it still comes down to resolving the problem through war?"
Tukharovsky took a deep breath.
"No, even so, we are still not achieving our goal through means of war this time," Manuel explained seriously.
"Even then, it will merely be a special military operation."