“There you are, my great tactician!”
“Your Majesty, my generals and I have drawn up our plans for this campaigning season.”
“Go on! Let me see them!”
“We will campaign down the river and exchange gifts with the local kingdom. Then we will travel further down the river and make sure our rivals are not becoming too adventurous…”
“Ah, but shouldn’t you…?”
“Yes, your Majesty?”
“No, you’re right. We will see it through your way.”
“Then, onwards to the next location…”
…
“My great tactician…”
“You summoned me, your Majesty?”
“I hear the campaign was a great success.”
“Indeed, your Majesty. We have brought back a tributary gift from the local kingdom. And beyond that…”
“Do you believe they wish to join us?”
“Your Majesty…?”
“The local kingdom. They have been our allies for some number of years now. Why don’t we invite them into our wonderful kingdom?”
“I can send out a messenger with your request, your Majesty. However, I suspect the answer will be, ‘No.’”
“Why so?”
“The kingdom… They are a proud people. They are proud of their heritage and their independence. And they have formented their independence over the generations through their many alliances such as the one we share.”
“Ah, yes, but such a way of living will not be sustainable for too much longer. Kingdoms north and west are consolidating. Better for them to consolidate with us than them. We share ancestry, after all.”
“Very well. I will share your request with them.”
…
“We should bring them under our rule. It is more practical that way.”
“Your Majesty, I would advise against—”
“They are our closest allies, are they not? We are one and the same people.”
“Your Majesty, they see themselves as their own people with their own culture.”
“Well… then… Why are they our allies?”
“The royal family of the kingdom has paid many deeds and tributes to ours over the years.”
“Right… So why not formalize it if they are already paying tribute?”
“Your Majesty, they pay those tributes out of mutual respect for our ties, but in return they expect us to respect their independence.”
“Why—?”
“It’s a matter of governing themselves, your Majesty.”
“Have we not done enough for them?”
“To the present day, yes. However, the present day is not the future.”
“Nonsense! Do they lack the faith and courage in my rule?!”
“Your Majesty…”
“We are one and the same people! So we should be one people!”
“Let me speak with them first. There is no need to fight a senseless war with our ally.”
“So be it, then. But they will have ten days to come to an agreement!”