However, Manuel did not directly show his appreciation for Serenus on his face, but nodded ambiguously, indicating that he had indeed seriously reviewed and read the report.
Afterward, Manuel continued to read thoughtfully. "...Therefore, having connections and contacts with the Caucasus region, including Pontus, should be extremely important. In my humble opinion, the Autocratic State could start by probing the Circassian tribes or the Alans, such as the Adyghe Principality, with whom the Autocratic State already has diplomatic relations. From a topographical perspective, although the Adyghe region is mostly woodlands and grasslands, it is fortunately not as mountainous and hilly as Circassia, making it quite suitable as a springboard to Pontus Caucasus..."
This idea was very much to his liking, as he had already made some seemingly insignificant moves in Adyghe not long after the civil war ended. Even before seizing Theodosia, Manuel had secretly harbored thoughts about the Adyghe Principality, which had already established diplomatic ties with the Autocratic State. Now he began to seriously consider how to employ Serenus.
However, it was also possible that Serenus's suggestion was a coincidence, and perhaps he had simply misunderstood. He couldn't promote someone exceptionally based solely on one excellent report; if he misjudged, it would be over. Due to past experiences, Manuel quickly sounded a warning bell in his mind.
"But if he truly is a talent, then he cannot be wasted either." This thought also emerged from his mind, making him ponder the man before him.
Serenus, standing before him, was unaware of Manuel's thoughts. The report on the Caucasus he had written was indeed meticulously crafted after consulting numerous sources. Of course, to gain the attention of the Caesar, who was similar in age to him, he had indeed taken a gamble, boldly incorporating many of his radical ideas into the report. After all, he had not come to Mangup to be idle.
Had he made a mistake? Serenus felt both nervous and regretful, wishing he hadn't spoken so much in the palace earlier.
Fortunately, Serenus had gambled correctly.
After reading the report for a while, Manuel looked at the slightly nervous Serenus and, with a calm expression, made his arrangements: "Serenus, are you interested in participating in the revision and adaptation of the code for the Bosporus?"
"Ah, Your Majesty's meaning is?" Serenus's heart couldn't help but quicken.
"Literally," Manuel smiled gently, "If I may ask, how much do you understand about the theodosian code currently in provisional use by the Autocratic State?"
"Although I only began to understand this code in detail after arriving in Mangup, it indeed aligns well with the current situation of the Autocratic State and Your Majesty's need for centralized power. However, there is something I wish to say, though I am unsure if it is appropriate to speak." Serenus bowed cautiously.
"Is it that the theodosian code does not yet cover all aspects? Or that it has not yet shed the old system?" Manuel smiled helplessly, "The code of that year was compiled under my supervision; I, of course, know its limitations."
Serenus awkwardly replied, "In my humble opinion, both."
Manuel: ...
However, Manuel was well aware that Serenus's answer was not without reason. When South Tauris was still under Trabzon rule, Theodoro's governing power was gradually and completely usurped by the Gavras Family who remained there; after the Principality of Theodoro effectively separated from the Empire of Trebizond, losing external pressure, Theodoro's system could not even maintain the Pronoia system and inevitably slid into the classic Eastern Europe feudalism. By Manuel's era, if not for the other noble forces being suppressed by the Gavras Family, something akin to Poland's Sejm noble council might have emerged.
However, such a problem meant that ambitious minor nobles would instigate Gavras civil wars when it was profitable. In Theodoro's 200-year history, civil war was not uncommon. For example, in the past half-century, Manuel's grandfather, Stephanus, used civil war to exile his two brothers, who intended to usurp power, to Moscow, and Manuel's generation even dealt with his own brother and the nobles who bared their fangs. ①
To put it bluntly, even with the temporary implementation of the theodosian code and its elevation to the Bosphorus Despotate, Manuel believed that the institutional framework of the Bosporus might still be inferior to that of the Roman Empire, which was currently barely surviving in Constantinople. Because even in its present dilapidated state, Constantinople still retained various specialized positions and titles. As for whether these positions and titles were actually filled or held, that was another story.
In short, if he did not thoroughly reform the basic system under the current favorable circumstances, Manuel believed he should not be Caesar.
While Manuel pondered this matter, Serenus stood before him, not daring to interrupt. It was not until Manuel slightly recovered his senses that he subtly hinted with his mouth, hoping that the Caesar before him would not overlook him.
"Ahem," sensing that the other party was still present, Manuel immediately came back to his senses and covered his embarrassment with a light cough. "I generally understand what you mean. This is also why I hope you can participate in the revision and adaptation of the code. Just in case, I'll ask first, Serenus, do you understand Roman law?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Serenus first answered him confidently, and then softly reminded him, "However, Your Majesty, the widespread use of classical Roman law was nearly ten centuries ago."
"I know," Manuel felt another black line appear on his forehead, "If you're referring to Roman law from the time of Emperor Justinian the Great, then it is indeed outdated. But what if I'm talking about the time of 'scholar' Emperor Leo, or Alexius I?"
"Ah, then that certainly has reference value. However, Your Majesty, that should only have reference value." Serenus reminded him.
"I know," Manuel felt like he was about to laugh in exasperation, "Systems from centuries ago certainly cannot be transplanted wholesale into the present, but they are not without aspects from which we can learn and draw inspiration. After all, we also came from that era; for the present, learning from the past is not something to be ashamed of; on the contrary, what we are doing now is merely returning this region to its rightful appearance, as if the Empire's tendrils are reaching here." As he spoke the last sentence, Manuel's eyes held a hint of fanaticism.
Serenus was infected by his attitude, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited. Although he still found it difficult to understand why this Caesar, who was similar in age to him, became subtly fervent when discussing reforms. However, he was now willing to believe that perhaps here, he would achieve accomplishments similar to those he might have achieved by following Constantine.
"I am willing to accept the appointment and trust Your Majesty." Serenus bowed, sincerely accepting Manuel's new appointment, as if the unpleasant anecdote from earlier that afternoon had never happened.
After Serenus left, Manuel let out a long sigh, "If he is indeed capable, then the position of Chief Secretary should not remain vacant for too long."
Having said that, he pulled out a plan for military equipment from his desk and muttered to himself, "There's also the military equipment aspect. To fight in the Pontus Caucasus region and Asia Minor, which are mainly plateau and mountainous terrains, neither military technology nor strategy and tactics can fall behind. Ah, I will do my best."