After hearing Manuel's words, the cabinet members present finally confirmed that he had made up his mind.
Metropolitan Oulophin of Kherson, seeing this, also closed his mouth, so as not to displease Caesar.
However, not everyone secretly opposed it like him; at least Tukharovsky and Falero felt energized by it.
"Excellent, Caesar is as ambitious as ever, just as he promised when I pledged my allegiance to him back then." Thinking of this, their gazes towards Manuel grew even more joyful and eager.
Badars, who had followed Manuel since childhood, readily accepted Manuel's bold plan, as naturally as eating and drinking.
"Caesar must have his reasons for making such a decision." Because, based on past experience, in his eyes, Manuel's strategic decisions, though sometimes seemingly bold or even crazy, always yielded unexpectedly rich results in their actual execution.
Since that was the case, he only needed to continue acting as his respected Caesar's loyal hawk.
As for Arno and Serenus, they didn't really care.
Although they felt they couldn't quite grasp why Manuel made such a decision, they considered it their duty as civil officials to diligently perform their support work.
Thus, Manuel's strategic plan for Trabzon passed without objection and was immediately designated as top secret.
After the formal appointments of several legion commanders and the preliminary plan for military supplies for the Trabzon campaign were successively approved, this imperial council concluded successfully.
After the imperial council, Manuel slumped into his chair, feeling relaxed.
He had expected his cabinet to vehemently object to this plan, forcing him to push it through forcefully while also having to explain his reasons.
"It went more smoothly than I thought," he smiled contentedly, muttering to himself, "Although it was a bit rushed today, there was no other way.
The opportunity is right in front of me; if I don't seize it properly, I'm afraid I'll never find another chance." Saying this, he rose from his seat and retrieved an important intelligence report submitted to him by the Dark Department from the bookshelf.
The reason Manuel dared to propose the military plan for Trabzon at this meeting was because he discovered something in the Dark Department's report to him that was neither too big nor too small—
The background was that after iron ore was mined in the Panticapaeum area, Bosporus gradually developed iron smelting and cast iron processing industries controlled by the Gavras Family, and actively integrated the products into existing trade routes.
In early August, after Manuel reviewed the commercial report from the Ministry of Finance, he keenly noticed something unusual and immediately summoned Nikephoros Meaessenus, who was responsible for foreign trade.
"Our iron product trade with the Pontus region seems to have increased significantly this month?"
"Specifically, Trabzon, Caesar," Meaessenus carefully added.
"To be fair, yes.
Speaking of which, our iron product trade only started not long ago, and yet we have such a big client.
So, who exactly is the buyer?" Manuel asked, pointing at the commercial report.
"Well, there are several transactions, but they can all be traced back to a Trabzon nobleman named George Amiroutzes (Γεώργιος Ἀμιρούτζης)…"
Before he finished speaking, Manuel's mouth unexpectedly twitched.
"The Amiroutzes Family?
Father seemed to have mentioned them after returning from Trabzon, saying they were very close to Trabzon's Crown Prince John… Wait, could it be?"
After seeing Meaessenus off, Manuel immediately summoned Badars, briefly informed him of the relevant matters, and ordered: "Badars, have the Dark Department activate all its connections to investigate the relationship between this person from the Amiroutzes Family and John of Trabzon."
"Yes, Caesar, loyalty!"
So, in late August, not long after receiving the good news of the successful conclusion of the special military operation against Adyghe, Manuel received immediate intelligence about Trabzon's Crown Prince John from the Dark Department.
Although its accuracy could not be verified at the time, it was enough for Manuel.
The only thing he found very difficult to stomach was, "So, we Romans are inseparable from the word 'coup' forever, are we?"
It was based on this, after a certain amount of deduction and calculation, that he decided to move against the coveted Trabzon and, in advance, declared his decision at this imperial council, setting out the preliminary strategic plan.
Although this strategic plan was top secret, on the morning of the day after the imperial council, in order to increase the chances of success, Manuel immediately went to the camp of the Filaka Legion.
After conducting a routine training session for the entire army with Aidian and Vladimir, he privately disclosed a little relevant information to the two of them.
Upon hearing this, his two trusted confidantes asked with some surprise, "Caesar, does this mean we need to prepare to attack Trabzon now? But we just finished the civil war less than half a year ago."
"Don't rush, why do you all want to start a war now?" Manuel then earnestly explained, "Strictly speaking, this is not something we need to face immediately, but to ensure success, we must start preparing now.
After all, while Trabzon's military is weak, the distance there is not close for us, and at that time, troops will likely have to be transported by sea.
So, next…"
He then meticulously explained to them a lot about the future training direction and goals of the Filaka Legion.
After receiving their loyal and affirmative replies and urging the Filaka soldiers in their training for the day, he would also supervise their training more closely during future routine training sessions of the Filaka Legion.
Only after confirming that these matters were handled did Manuel leave with peace of mind.
Even on his way back to the palace, his mind was still actively engaged in state affairs.
"Alright, the tone for the next strategic direction has finally been set.
But this is just the beginning; next, I still need to manage the two delegations sent abroad.
I can't afford to offend any major power right now; as long as I can keep them stable, even if it means playing along…"
As Manuel's mind raced, he had already returned to his bedroom.
When he tried to joke with his wife Barbara as usual, he was horrified to find her clutching her lower abdomen, retching continuously.