The Pope's ambitions should probably not be encouraged. He is not a man who would be content with only one territory.

[If there was ever a man who needed to beaten back it was that one.]

Though it would be good if we could put off having to fight the Westerners and Dongying. Our navy isn't as well equipped. Against those two a stalemate at the moment would be the best case scenario if we were to fight.

But Dongying will not move if it is not a sure victory. As you said, expanding for an island nation is more of a risk. If either the Pope or the Eighteen Tribes were to be beaten back they will, in all likelihood, choose against taking military action.