Sire, today it pleased you to announce to those who were here present that the amount held in your treasury was no more than 20,000 doblas and that you used it for gaming and for pleasurable pursuits. I concluded, Sire, that you said this to humiliate me as your chief treasurer and to imply that I do not look after your financial affairs properly. However, Sire, you are well aware that I have been your treasurer since the beginning of your reign till now, that is, for some seven years. In that time, your kingdom has always been subject to such an unceasing series of troubles as have led your rent collectors to dare to do things they ought not to have done. As a result, I have been unable to control the situation as peaceably as it required. Now, however, if you will grant me authority over two castles of my choosing, I shall in a very short time garner into them for you such a large sum as to enable you to say that you have amassed more than 20,000 doblas.