An Empire awakes...(France 1460 – 1488)
The years between 1460 and 1488 were good years for France. The economy bloomed, the peacetime army was raised to over a 100.000 men, our blessed Kingdom expanded and soon only a few duchies remained to be conquered, the Rhineborder had almost been reached.
The wise King of France then decided to implement a massive economic reform in his country and ordered the construction of four refineries. Once built these refineries produced the most fine brands of wine in all of europe, namely the
Montpellier Nonchalant, the
Champagne Chuzpe and the
Marsaille Vignerot.
Fabled were these precious wines, famous in all lands of the continent.
The massive industrialisation also led to most positive synergic effects, effecting the french economy as a whole to blossom and grow as well as providing the rapidly growing french population with work and bread.
In the meantime the french army also thoroughly analyzed the last war with England and as a consequence of their mediocre performance adapted their strategies to a strongly offensive doktrine (+ 4 offensive). The borderfortifications were also upgraded in order to be prepared for any eventuality. All in all there was a feeling of confidence, of strength, of power.
The French, it seemed, were the chosen people.
Afrique Central Francaise & the Ashanti-Crisis
For some time french scholars had studied the maps of centralafrica Portugal had so graciously provided us with. Many fabled kingdoms, it seemed, were located in the central axis of this great and almost entirely unknown black continent. The french court abounded with rumours of gold and other precious goods such as ivory and wild captains dreamt passionately of the unlimited fortunes to be made just beyond the horizon of Marsaille.
Finaly the King was convinced that these territories should in fact belong to France. Political considerations were pushed aside once the magnitude of the riches in these wild lands became known.
An expedition of 20 warships was dispatched which reached Centralafrica after a long and dramatic journey, having lost 5 ships to storms and many men to scurvey. Even so once the goldmines of the Ashanti Kingdom were sighted there was no holding the men, who lusted heavily for gold and also for the dark and passionate indigenous Beauties. War was immediately declared and 10.000 men stormed ashore, led by general Le Boeuff.
The so called army of Ashanti, an unorganised rabble, which dared to confront the noble french expedition was easily dealt with and Ashanti quickly conquered and annexed.
Full of glory and gold the expedition returned to France and the King rejoiced at all these precious riches! He personally decreed that these lands should now forever belong to France and be known as
Afrique Central Francaise.
In the meantime Portugal had strongly protested these actions. The portuguese king, infuriated and embittered, withdrew his ambassador and in general the atmosphere seemed hostile. Portugal, though it had been an ally, was now seen as an potential target and although his majesty, the King, had some reservations due to his honourable nature, his prime minister had not and decided to use this situation to benefit our cause and to increase both the french power and leverage.
England and Venice, both friends and allies of France, were eager to attack Portugal to get their maps and France reluctantly gave their assent to this risky operation. Hence, Venice and England declared war on Portugal albeit France stayed neutral. Alas, the portuguese King fought bravely and valiantly. He was able to fight Venice and England to a standstill and Spain now made preparations to intervene on Portugal´s behalf. This was all the excuse the King of France needed, who desired for the province of Rosello.
The King calmly marched his main army to the spanish border and declared war. He immediately sent his forces into spanish territory and managed to defeat the opposing forces after some passionate and bloody fighting.
Once this breakthrough was achieved and Barcelona had fallen, however, things went very smoothly and soon most of Spain was occupied by french forces, the spanish army having been all but completely wiped out. Likewise, our ally, the Doge, had made good progress in the spanish holdings in southern Italy and thus, having won the war we dictated the terms in the
Peace of Naples. Southern Italy was ceded to Venice and Perpignan (Rosello) to France.
After peace had been signed there were festivities and celebrations in all of France. Something big, many believed, had been born. In Paris all bells were rung and fireworks magically lit the sky. The King, triumphant yet in a dazed and wild mood adressed the nobles thusly :
"
Dear Sirs, a great time it has been for France! We have become a power to behold, we have molded out of the strength of our hearts an Empire of the grandest proportions! We tell thee all, glory awaits this blessed land! Glory and Gold, almost in our grasp and for the taking! May no horizon be too broad nor any land too far for our adept sailors. May no foe be too fierce nor enemy too strong for our brave soldiers! Avast ye all, let us embrace our fortunes, destiny awaits....and more!"
Deflation please. 
