Tension in the empire

I am very worried about tension in the empire, no, not an assassin, but a civil war. When I give territory to people as a provincial Consul, I am worried that they might take their armies against each other or me. This could end with disatrous results. My empire could be torn apart in a bloody civil war, will it happen? I do not know. So what do I do, do I take their postions aay or will that get them mad and make them rebel? I think I will keep with their positions, but there is another matter. There is a conspiracy in the empire. A radical member of this cult is right in front of me, in my speech and debate club. In order to stop this I plan to imprision him, but what happens if he nukes me first? He is a barbarian though we might be able to persuade him to remain on our good side. He plans to get a small island, store up nukes and attack me. How he will get them, I do not Know. He is just a minor detail and is nothing to be reckoned ith. Like a small bug on a Cow. Just letting you know.