When the Fire lord rised, everyone stopped imediatly talking. The gazes of everyone focused only on him and they bowed lightly toward him. He couldn't care less about them. He decided long ago to not simply follow one of their advises, because each of them wanted the best result for themselfs and not for the nation and the world. Some members of the council however were fire sages. So they are quite loyal and in theory support him. But they tend to prefer things the way they are and Sozin wants to change not only the Fire nation but the whole world. "I understand all of your conercns and are fully aware of the possible consequences." The young Fire lord opened his speech. "It's a fact that the Fire nation is the most advanced nation in the world. However the other nations don't follow our actions and live a backward life. Eventhough their lifes would be much more easier if they would adopt our technology."
"So this puts us in a bad situation. On the one hand he not only want to help but rather feel obliged to help. But on the other hand they refuse our offer. I think their strange behavior results of pride and the fear, that he would ask for something as a compensation in return for the favor of sharing our technology. But this how their leaders think the most commoners would be happy with our help. So I finaly concluded that there a two ways to resolve the matter."
"One is to let merchants sell our goods in other nations, if they advertise us. They should tell them how easy it is for us to make products and how good our lifestyle is thanks to technology. But they shouldn't act to boastful and arrogant, because this could lead to the romour that with technology comes lordliness. Which would serve the other nations as an excuse to reject our offer.
Another way would be to use the help of the Air Nomads. If the Fire Sages manages to convince them of our noble aim, then they could spread our technology all over the world.
So in the end it would be best to use both ways in order to increase the propability of our success. Of course you, the members of my council have many connections towards either the merchants or the Air Nomads. So I will task you to arrange everything. Are there any question?"
The last question of the Fire lord rhetorical question. But he assumed that some would ignore his frightening look and actually try to contradict, even if they hide their try out of fear. And just like he predicted one of them asked, "We should offer the merchants some kind of bonus for helping us. This should encourage more merchants to help us." The Fire lord could just sigh about this argument. It just sounded to much of bribery. Also the courage of this person would certainly cause others to raise their voices as well. His dignity is about to get undermined again. He just hates all of this. When he got Fire lord, he was happy to be finaly able to form the world like he wanted in order to make it a better place for everyone. But he soon realized how naive he was back than.
"What would you suggest. The last time I tried to support the orphanages of our nation with some money, we barely managed to give them some money. But as soon as rich merchants are concerned, there will appear a way to make them even richer." The Fire lord stated with anger burning in his eyes. The one, who was stupid enough to retort, had hit a certain point, which made the Fire lord so aggressiv. Seeing his mood other, who wanted to retort to him earlyer, remained quite and lowered there head.
Only one of the Fire Sages, he was the oldest among them, said with some concern, "We Fire Sages will do everything we can in order to convince the Air Nomads of our goal. But the chances are quite low. After all they are even more conservative than we Fire Sages are. Furthermore they disaprove of worldly goods and therefore are likely to reject our technology as just a temptation." The Fire lord of course realized that this Fire Sage was speaking truthfully. So he answered in a much softer voice, "Of course I know it will be hard. If it was easy, than it would be already done by now. But a low chance is better than no chance. So I want you at least to try it. And in order to make you put all of your effort into it. The person, which attributes most to the success of my plan, will become my personal advisor."
This left the gathered people speechless. Not only has the personal advisor of the Fire lord a high position and reputation, but the rewards of being the advisor would lead to overwhelming fortune. So many people decided to do everything they can, even if they didn't approve the idea of the Fire lord in the first place. The Fire lord, who naturaly saw the greed in their eyes, dismissed his council. He was happy to finaly leave them. While he went to his private rooms, the members of the council prepared everything in great hurry. They wouldn't mind to spend a lot of time and resources to get the place as his personal advisor.
When he arrived in his quarters, a messenger waited for him. "I hope you have good news." 'Because right now I can't take any bad news without slicing someone.' [Authors note: the last part was the Fire lord only thinking]. "Your friend has now a young, male heir to his family." That was indeed some good news. So the face of the Fire lord light up. "Do you know the name of this young boy?", the Fire lord couriously asked. "Yes, it's Jiraiya." "Oh a rather uncommon name. I have to ask him how he came up with his boys name."
"Would you please deliver a message to my friend. I want to meet him, his wife and their son as soon as possible. After delivering the message, make sure to take next week of and enjoy your holidays.", the Fire lord said, while proceeding to enter his quarters. 'I can't wait to see the three of them', was his last thought before he colapsed exhausted from his responsibilities on his bed.