The World in 1620
Europe
The Netherlands was a nation teeming with action at the outset of 1620, as Maurice of Nassau oversaw the construction of new dockyards and port facilities in Amsterdam. This was mightily successful, as even standard citizens and passers-by would stop and assist in the construction for several hours or even days for no pay.
This sped construction greatly as well as minimizing the required funds. Though the ports would be completed by early next year, it would help in the continued improvement and advancement of the Dutch Navy. [-150 gold to Netherlands. +1 Navy Level in 1 turn]
What it is hoped the new Dutch Warships will do upon completion
As these new port facilities rapidly expanded, Maurice also saw the beginning of the construction of several new warships to supplement the fleet's current capabilities. As with the new drydocks, citizens who saw the work were inspired by pride in their leader and their home country, and worked for no pay in the construction of these ships.
[-200 gold to Netherlands. +10 small ships in 1 turn, +5 large ships in 2 turns]
With the Netherlands at war with the Spanish Empire, and soon to be horribly outnumbered by the bulk of that nation's army, the generals and aristocrats of the army were encouraged – though mostly through gold and silver – to improve the organization and logistics of the Dutch Army. This proved moderately successful as bribes were in exorbitant sizes in both their amount and the number of them, but innovation was made nonetheless. [-300 gold to Netherlands. +1 Army Level I n1 turn]
The last move of the Dutch in the year were to encourage the creation of the Dutch West India Company. It was founded and saw initial success in the West Indies, but quickly suffered setbacks after government funding – which was a large source of its income and treasury – was withdrawn as a result of the massive spending brought about by the war and the expansion of the navy. The Company struggled, and it would not be long before it would go bankrupt. [-250 gold to Netherlands. Dutch West India Company on the verge of bankruptcy]
The King of England, knowing that the safety of England's shores lay solely in the capabilities of his navy, worked with Parliament to order the construction of several warships to reinforce the Royal Navy. However, halfway through the construction of several warships, a fire of unknown cause broke out at the dry-docks at Portsmouth, leaving many of the docks there with the burned-out hulls of many unfinished warships. [-300 gold to England. +5 small ships in 1 turn, +3 large ships in 2 turn]
Following the moderate success that was the naval building program for the year, the King urged members of Parliament to increase funding towards expanding the production of wool throughout the nation. Not only this, but mining in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales also found new sources of iron and gold, which would help with the further development of the country.[-350 gold to England. +100 production income to England]
With the war on the continent expanding, the James I was worried that, should war be brought to his own shores, his army would be inadequate to defend the rolling hills and beaches of Britain. Thus, he urged increased funding towards the development of an improved system of organization in the army. Not only this, but he pushed for the recruitment of several thousand more men for the army. His first endeavor proved to be much less successful than anticipated, as the generals in charge of the re-development program were particularly unimaginative and the aristocracy and advisers proved little assistance. However, the rallying cry of “Ten Thousand for His Majesty” spread through the smallest of towns in the countryside, rallying many to join the military.
[-600 gold to England. 1/2 turns to next Amy Level. +10,000 regulars to England]
In Spain, Philip III, realizing he would require massive amounts of funds to support his war effort in the region of Germany, ordered the expansion of the many gold mines in Peru. This proved surprisingly successful, as the relatively mediocre funds supplied to the project resulted in a large increase of productivity from the mines in the region. [-250 gold to Spain. +150 production income to Spain]
In an attempt to increase the trust the Portuguese people had for him, Philip ordered the distribution of food to the people of Portugal that desperately needed it. This soaked up many funds the Empire desperately needed, and although it would take time for this to happen, many in Portugal began to view the Spanish King – and their new rulers – in a positive light. [-200 gold to Spain. +1 Stability to Spain. Increased pro-Spanish sentiment in Portugal]
Militarily, however, the King realized that the amount of troops stationed in the European Continent were not adequate enough to support their Imperial allies in Germany while also tying down the Dutch in the Low Countries. Therefore, Philip pursued both the recruitment of more troops at home while also recruiting mercenary vessels to harass Dutch shipping. Though recruitment – particularly in the Spanish Netherlands – proved to be greatly successful, there were no mercenaries to be found for service to Spain, as many were already either fighting in Europe or were unwilling to fight for the Spanish. [-250 gold to Spain. +10,000 regulars to Spain]
Maurice of Nassau, the Dutch Commander
In the Low Countries, hostilities existed between the Dutch and the Spain yet again. The Spanish Army here , under the command of Ambrogio Spinola, Marquis of the Balbases, took a heavily defensive posture, awaiting reinforcement and supply from the home country. His army of a little over 30,000 men encountered a larger force under Maurice of Nassau numbering 35,000. Ambrogio, limited by long supply lines and trouble with reinforcement from home, hoped to fight a conservative and defensive battle. Maurice executed several well-coordinated waves of attacks against the Spaniards, who occupied strong defensive positions on the ridgeline facing the Dutch. Though outnumbered, the Spaniards held out until their supplies and ammunition dwindled, after which they withdrew. The Dutch Army, suffering heavy casualties, was too weakened and tired to give chase, and so rested and repaired for further battles. [-4,000 regulars to Spain. -6,000 regulars to Netherlands]
However, as Duke Ambrogio's forces withdrew southwest to a better strategic position, he encountered a sight he did not believe he would see – a force of 15,000 English troops landing at Dunkirk. Quickly organizing, the expeditionary army moved to engage the battered Spanish troops. Spinola gave a moving speech citing betrayal on England's part for invading the Spanish Netherlands, and his rally effectively saved his army from destruction. The English army took heavy casualties and withdrew northeast towards their new Dutch allies. [-2,000 regulars to Spain. -3,000 regulars to England]
Off the coast of the Low Countries, however, the Dutch attempted to blockade the region and prevent any seaborne supplies from reaching Spinola's battered forces. This proved to be a relative disaster, as one squadron of warships was intercepted by a much larger squadron of Spanish frigates, easily devastating the Dutch. The so-named battle of Ghent [-1 large ship to Spain, -2 small ships to Spain. -3 large ships to Netherlands, -6 small ships to Netherlands]
There were many actions in the war abroad as well. The Spanish committed 15,000 troops to the war against Bohemia in Central Germany, which would be ready for action by the beginning of the following year. However, at sea, the Spanish hoped to use its much-lauded navy to devastate Dutch trading and to attempt to cripple its economy. This proved to be a moderate success until the Dutch retaliated with their own treasure-hunting fleet. The two squadrons did battle, with heavy casualties for both sides but neither being able to secure victory. Both fleets returned home after the battle, disappointed with the lack of a total victory. [-2 large ships to Spain, -4 small ships to Spain. -1 large ship to Netherlands, -4 small ships to Netherlands]
Finally, in the Far East, the Dutch encouraged their East India Company – a militarily formidable force despite its lack of funds – to utilize the base at Jakarta to interfere with the Portuguese spice trade in the region, to affect the monetary income of Spain. However, Philip III had anticipated this, and dispatched his own force to the region. A small, drawn-out battle took place between the several-thousand man armies of both sides as they vied for control of Java and Jakarta. Fighting was inconslusive, as casualties were high in comparison to the actual sizes of the forces, which, when combined, numbered no more than 8,000 men. [-1,500 regulars to Spain. -1,000 regulars to Netherlands]
In the Kingdom of France the King ordered that roads and bridges that were damaged in the Wars of Religion be repaired or rebuilt to improve trade and communication in the country. This was quite successful with France’s economy improving quite a bit. [+1 Infrastructure to France, -250 gold from France]
The King also attempted to expand the Army but corrupt officials pocketed the money and the army remained the same size as last year. [-50 gold from France]
The Duke of Richelieu
Acting on behalf of King Louis the Duke of Richelieu began the expansion of metalworkers across France. This was extremely successful. The King was extremely pleased with the new money he could use on Palaces and parties promoted Richelieu to a member of the royal council of ministers were he proved an indispensable advisor for King Louis. [+200 Production Income to France, -350 gold from France]
In early April a quite significant amount of money was removed from the Royal Treasury and it was rumored that the Chief Minister himself had taken it. [-200 gold from France]
In the Electorate of Brandenburg the Elector ordered the construction of a series of forts along the border with Bohemia. This was quite successful as Brandenburg will, next year, be well defended from any frontal assault by the Emperor. [Strong system of forts and defences on Brandenburg’s southern border in 1 turn, -150 gold from Brandenburg]
He also ordered the expansion of the army to ensure the safety of the Duchy. This was middly successful with 7,000 new men being recruited. [+7,000 regulars to Brandenburg, -100 gold from Brandenburg]
In the Duchy of Bavaria the Duke ordered the establishment of a national academy in Munich to train. This was quite successful with the cultural development of the nation increasing. An attempt to increase Infrastructure was also very successful with the infrastructure of Bavaria improved after significant investment. [+1 Infrastructure, -200 gold from Bavaria, +1 Stability to Bavaria]
Preparations for the coming war were far less successful with no one joining the Bavarian Army and after the recent slip-up by the Papal States the increased number of Protestants in Northern Bavaria resulted in the failure of an attempt to increase taxes as well. [-1 Stability to Bavaria, -150 gold from Bavaria]
In the Kingdom of Bohemia King Frederick managed to persuade the Bohemian Estates to allow a onetime emergency tax to help defend Bohemia. [+250 gold to Bohemia]
The King also ordered that the Army needed to be improved and increased. So first he called for new recruits to join him, and defend their homeland which was quite successful and then he ordered that the training of the Bohemian army be standardised which increased its effectiveness. [+1 Army level to Bohemia, -250 gold from Bohemia, +10,000 regulars to Bohemia, -150 gold from Bohemia]
The Kingdom of Bohemia also received funding from mysterious sources. [+200 gold to Bohemia]
In the Archduchy of Austria the Emperor ordered that additional conscripts be recruited to help deal with the rebels. This was a little successful with the Austrian Army gaining a few thousand new conscripts. [-50 gold from Austria, +5,000 Conscripts to Austria]
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
The Emperor, wishing to improve his standing with Protestants issued the Patent of Pressburg allowing all Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire religious tolerance. Hardline Catholics and the Pope were outraged at this action with the Pope reportedly saying he wanted to excommunicate the Emperor. Eventually the Pope’s rage subsided but Papal-Imperial relations resembled those of 1076 more than those of a few years before. [-1 Stability from Austria, Papal-Imperial relations damaged]
Far more successful was the Imperial Decree relaxing restrictions on trade. Commerce boomed after this although it was largely with the Mediterranean area due to the rebels in the North. [+100 Trade Income to Austria, -200 gold from Austria]
In the Papal States the Pope called for the expansion and improvement of the army to meet the new Heretical threat the expansion was a complete failure with very few men joining the army. The improvement on the other hand was far more successful with the Papal Army improving discipline and fighting techniques quite a lot. [+1 Army Level to Papal States in 1 turn, -250 gold from Papal States]
The Pope also attempted to increase his influence with the North Italian Minors; this was quite successful with all the minors agreeing to form a united army in case of a Protestant invasion. [+7,000 regulars to Papal States if Protestants invade Italy, -50 gold from Papal States]
The Pope also initiated a plan to improve the Papacy’s image in France and Germany spending large amounts of money in an attempt to gain new converts however for many this simply reinforced the image of Papal corruption and many people especially in Germany and Northern France began to question the Popes authority and converting to Lutheranism or Calvinism weakening the Catholic cause. [Many Catholics converted to Protestant/Reformed mainly in Northern Germany and France,-100 gold from Papal States]
In the Most Serene Republic of Venice the Doge ordered a review of the fleet be conducted to attempt to assess its modernity and if necessary improve it. This was quite successful with the advantages and disadvantages understood the Naval Administration understood what changes were needed. [Venice can improve navy level quicker than normal, -50 gold from Venice]
The Doge also ordered the expansion of and improvement of fortifications on Venice’s numerous European possessions, this was extremely successful with Venice now having several very well defended bases in the Mediterranean. [-150 gold from Venice, Venetian European non-Italian holdings very well fortified in 1 turn]
An artists impression of the Flying Dutchman
He Doge also announced that any Private Company who sailed to the east to trade would be assisted by the Republic, a Company immediately seized on the opportunity sending significant amounts of goods and money on a fleet of ships to India. They were never heard from again and the rumor was that they had been sunk by a Demon-Ship, the Flying Dutchman. After this Venetians refused to head Eastward [Venetians afraid of sending ships to India, -50 gold from Venice]
In the Kingdom of Denmark the King ordered the expansion of production. This was extremely successful with new artisans springing up across the country. [+100 Production Income to Denmark, -200 gold from Denmark]
Also successful was the improvement of water connections inside Denmark and Norway which further improved the Danish financial situation. [+100 Base Income to Denmark, -200 gold from Denmark]
In the Kingdom of Sweden the King ordered the expansion of the roads in his kingdom to improve transport, making it quicker and cheaper. This was extremely successful with communication improving drastically this year and more will come in the next. [-100 gold from Sweden, +1 Infrastructure to Sweden, +1 Infrastructure to Sweden in 1 turn]
The King also ordered the expansion of Production to improve his economy which was quite successful. [+100 Production Income to Sweden in 1 turn, -250 gold from Sweden]
The armor worn by the men ordered to pose as Poles...
In the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth the King attempted to create a border incident by having some of his troops wear Swedish Uniforms and then attack Polish troops in the border however news got out of the attempt and the Polish public were incredulous that their King would try and provoke their powerful northern neighbor when the threat from the south remained. [-1 Stability from PLC]
Far more successful was the construction of a military academy in Warsaw which improved the Polish army quite significantly. [+1 Army Level, -300 gold from Poland]
Also quite successful were the military parades in major Polish cities which encouraged some men to join the Polish army. [+5,000 regulars to Poland, -150 gold from Poland]
In Russia the Tsar ordered the construction of a Musket Manufactory in Moscow to improve the state of the Russian economy. He also ordered that the Mestnichestvo system be abolished. The entrenched noble families were rather annoyed at this but it could only benefit the Tsardom in the long run. [-300 gold from Russia, +100 production income to Russia, +1 Infrastructure to Russia, -1 Stability to Russia, Mestnichestvo abolished]
Asia
Having seen the defeat of his forces the previous year to the Manchu the Ming emperor orders the conscription of 200,000 men to make up the armies to be sent on another attack against the Manchu. While the Quota is just met some of the later recruited troops have to pay extra to encourage them not to desert the army at the first opportunity. (+200,000 conscripts to Ming, - 800 gold to Ming)
An effort by the Ming Emperor to modernise the Army gets nowhere. Many of his generals wonder why he would need to do so to defeat the Manchu since Ming troops are already technically superior to the Manchu and with so much extra manpower new tactics are simply not needed. Attempts to convince them fail miserably and the new plans are scrapped half way through completion. (-50 Gold to Ming)
Some of the Ming Empire's new ships
Hoping to strengthen his navy the Ming Emperor orders the construction of more small ships to bolster the navy. Construction after several delays begins and soon a number of ships have been built. However most of the ships will have to wait to next year to finish due to the delays that occurred before the programme could start. (+5 small ships to Ming, +15 small ships to Ming in one Turn, -200 gold from Ming)
Hoping to strengthen his Empire the Ming emperor begins a campaign against corruption and inefficiency. He is however ever convinced by several courtiers to focus on the corrupt as the greater danger and by the end of the year a sizeable number of corrupt officials have been arrested and replaced by the Emperor however some still remain. (The Numbers of corrupt officials have dropped significantly.)
Hoping to create more links with the Joseon kingdom of Korea the Ming emperor tries to marry one of his daughters to a Korean prince. While after some initial doubts over the arrangement the Joseon king accepts the offer and relations improve slightly but the Joseon continue to try and do a balancing act between the Ming and the Manchu. (Ming-Joseon relations have improved slightly.)
The Ming Emperor determined to bring the Manchu to heel and after the humiliating defeat the year before sends 150,000 men two thirds recent conscripts into Manchu lands to capture their leaders and wipe out their army. The Manchu hearing of this are able to muster 100,000 men mostly cavalry to oppose them. As the Ming forces advanced they soon passed onto the plains which were Manchu territory. Soon the Manchu army formed up in front of them led by Nurhaci himself. The Ming general ordered an advance against the Manchu forces but a slight rise for a short while hid the Manchu army from the sight of the Ming troops and using this opportunity the Manchu surged forward and managed to get close enough to engage the Ming army in close combat fighting without suffering from much musket fire. At this point with large numbers of arrows being fired by the Manchu forces into the Ming ranks the conscripts began to give way before the Manchu assaults. Soon they were in almost full retreat but the regular components of the army held up better and would have fought the Manchu to a standstill if it was not for the numerical supremacy of the Manchu forces and the death of the Ming general Yuan Chonghuan who was spotted by a number of Manchu horse archers who launched a volley at his position several of which hit and killed him. After this the remainder of the Ming regulars withdrew towards to the Great wall harassed by the Manchu forces but no major attacks were launched by the Manchu forces as they had been bloodied during the fighting. The stand of the Ming regulars did give many of the conscripts to fall back to the wall as well meaning that the pursuit after them was not as swift as it could be. This humiliating defeat weakens Ming support from the populace and added to the previous defeat gives hope to opponents of the Ming being able to defeat them. (-15,000 regulars from Ming, -35,000 conscripts from Ming, -1 Stability from Ming, Manchu army has suffered some losses.)
The Japanese Shogun decides that more roads are needed. However a number of corrupt officials plus a series of bad planning mistakes results in a series of badly made roads going nowhere for a very high cost. Most of the roads lead to mountain faces or to the edges of steep cliffs and are utterly useless so much so they are dug to sell the rubble to try and recoup some losses but this money goes straight to corrupt officials. (-100 Gold to Japan)
The Japanese Shogun hoping to increase his realms stability gives a series of speeches about Japan moving forward into a new age of advancement and greatness for Japan. The speech is well received by the crowd and results in an upturn in support for the Shogun slightly. (+1 stability for Japan)
The Japanese Shogun sends an expedition using some of the new ocean going ships built with the help of the shipwrecked Englishman William Adams. While the Shogun
bars him from going personally a well-trained team of navigators is able to after a long and difficult journey visit England and the United Netherlands securing lucrative
trade deals as well as sizable arms deals from both to help reequip the Japanese army in more modern European methods. While the trade will be lucrative right now the war between Netherlands and Spain will make trade between the Netherlands and Japan near impossible the trade with England is already proving profitable for the Japanese and to a lesser degree to the English and the arms shipment should arrive next year. (-250 gold from Japan, +! Army Level to Japan, +50 Trade Income to Japan]
After this the Japanese Shogun again tries to increase his popularity by ordering a parade of troops through Kyoto to show the Shogunate’s power. However a series of arguments between the various samurai who were supposed to be involved in the march as to where in the line they would march results in a series of heated arguments which force the march to be cancelled.
In an attempt to reassert Omanese trading power in the Indian Ocean the Omanese Sultan sends a delegation to the Sultan of Arjuuraan to reopen trading links. Having brought gifts to try and persuade him to reopen trade and acquire special access to trade ports in his sultanate they find him over eager for the scheme but accepts the gifts anyway. Swiftly a mix of Somali trade links and Omanese expertise in trade result in increased wealth for both kingdoms. (-5 Gold to Oman, +50 Trade income to Oman, Sultanate of Arjuuraan is very wealthy.)
The Sultan of Oman having chosen to make peace with the Portuguese finds himself in a difficult position. Several tribal leaders voice their anger at the move and claim that the Sultan must be a weakling for not standing up to the infidels. The fact the Sultan had given up Masirah Island doesn’t particularly affect them since even the ones who dislike the Sultan most dismiss the island as a long strip of rock and dirt. (Several Tribal Chieftains dislike the Sultan)
The Port and lighthouse are built only slowed by the difficulty of getting to the Island to build it. By the end of the year a reasonable port with a sturdy looking lighthouse have been built for the Portuguese. When Portuguese ships begin arriving by the end of the year to develop a colony they are able to fairly effectively find the port and soon a small Portuguese colony has been established on the island. It soon becomes an important go between for Portuguese trade in the region (-10 gold to Oman)
Oman hoping to learn from the Portuguese ships sends agents to watch them to try and learn from them and help improve the Omanese navy. A number of them set themselves up in inns near the port but after several days it becomes clear that there is no way they’ll be able to come up with much useful information from the outside. Adapting swiftly they get several sailors drunk with a significant investment in buying alcohol to do so and manage to draw some reasonable quality sketches of the design of the ships from their descriptions. A number of naval experts in the Sultanate looking over the designs are after some time work out how to improve Omanese ships by a bit. (+1 Navy Level to Oman, -30 gold)
A Sketch of the outside of the Portuguese ships
The Omanese Sultan seeing the success of the Safavid army against the Ottomans just a few years earlier tries to copy some of their reforms. However with the dispute with Tribal leaders he finds it difficult to implement any of them in the face of Tribal opposition as many tribesmen view the Sultan as a weakling for surrendering to the Portuguese. However the Omanese Sultan does get his way on Artillery and plans are drawn up for a new artillery corps to be produced in a few years (+1 Army level in 4 years for Oman, -100 Gold)
The Ottoman Sultan orders a reorganisation of the tax system to attempt to make it harder to avoid tax in the hope this will reduce corruption. However even though the reform does reduce the ability of the populace to avoid taxes the increased revenue is utterly cancelled out by the fact that more money flows into the pockets of corrupt officials who now dominate the tax service. (-50 Base Income to Ottomans, corrupt officials now control the flow of taxes)
In an attempt to increase support for the Ottoman Sultan he orders the spreading of propaganda about the Greatness of Islam and the Ottomans. In the Balkans this is easily seen as an attempt to convert them by the local Christians and only results in the forming of rebel units to oppose the Ottomans by striking from the mountains and forests. In the Arab lands this emphasis on Ottoman achievements in Islam equally backfires as the Arabs realize that the Ottomans want to turn them into Turks so they begin rising up and forming rebel units as well who strike Ottoman forces from the desert. (-1 Stability to Ottomans, Balkans and Hedjaz covered in hostile rebels)
With rebels now growing in strength throughout a large portion of the empire the Ottoman Sultan decides to crack down on the Nomads in Asia Minor. These formerly loyal subjects are horrified to find out that they’re going to be forced to settle. While fairly few in number their cause is strengthened when a descendant of the Karamanids arriving to take leadership of their cause and with him leading them they slowly grow in strength. One side effect is that large sections of the Ottoman Cavalry defect to the Rebels many of them having been recruited in the Nomad tribes now rebelling. However Sipahi units mostly stay loyal to the Ottoman army. (-1 stability to Ottomans, Turkic rebels in Asia Minor with a focus of strength in Karaman province,-10,000 Ottoman Regulars)
In a bid to strengthen his army against the rebels the Ottoman Sultan orders the creation of a large number of Military academies to ensure his forces have proper leadership. Most of the military is distrustful of these new institutions and they find it difficult to find anyone willing to enter. They lower standards to increase intake and a flood of locals from the Balkans and Asia Minor finally start entering them. However by the end of the year it’s clear that they have no interest in joining the Ottoman army and most desert to rebel units as soon as they leave the academies. [-100 gold from Ottomans, Rebels have better leadership]
Hoping for some reason that he can bring peace to Europe the Ottoman Sultan tries to call a European council to organise a long term peace agreement to end war in Europe. However much to his surprise everyone ignores him and no one at all turns up, not even his vassals, when he tries to organise the so called council. (-100 Prestige to Ottomans)
Hoping to convert the Sunnis in his land the Persian Shah orders a building spree of mosques to be used by Shia priests to spread the Shia faith among the masses who still held on to their Sunni identity. While the program increases the number of mosques used by Shia Imams it fails to convert significant numbers of people but some do convert. (-20 Gold to Persia)
Determined to hold off Portuguese ships from his waters the Persian Shah orders the strengthening of the fleet in the Persian Gulf. Though construction looks set to begin quickly it falters as no one knows by how much or even how the fleet is to be strengthened. Questions such as what kind of ships are to be built or are older ships to be dismantled and replaced by more modern ships bother the Persian officials throughout the year and even by the end of it they are still uncertain over exactly what the Shah wants. The effect on the treasury though is noticeable as the ship builders had to be paid despite no work being done. (-80 Gold from Persia)
The Persian Shah hoping to strengthen his technological position tries to lure westerners with knowledge and skills he can use to his court. However the long distances result in only a handful with knowledge less useful to the Shan arriving. However many Shia artists from the Ottoman empire also arrive and help make the palaces of the Shah look truly magnificent bolstering his prestige. (+20 Prestige, -10 gold)
Some of the new Persian irrigation system
The Persian Shah hoping to improve agriculture orders the construction of a great many irrigation channels and the renovation of others. The work turns out to be an absolute success as many of the proposed channels are swiftly dug and the land soon becomes much greener as farmers are able to use the extra water the channels bring to grow more crops in increasing income both for them and the Persian state. (+100 base Income to Persia, -300 gold to Persia)
In the Mughal Empire the Emperor ordered that firearms and artillery be imported, this was quite successful with the armies adopting firearms in some small elite units. [+1 Army level to Mughals, -100 gold from Mughals]
The Emperor also ordered that Muslim Imams be sent out to attempt to convert the populace to Islam. He also ordered that there be no forced conversions however none of the Imams listened to this and there were widespread reports of Hindus being forced to convert to Islam. Eventually the tensions boiled out of control with large numbers of Hindus rising in the Southern part of the country and killing all Muslim soldiers, administrators and Imams in the area. Large numbers of Hindus in the army defected to the rebels giving them a potent military force to defend themselves. [-100 gold from Mughals, Hindu rebels control much of the south, -50,000 regulars from Mughals]
Africa
The Moroccan Sultan orders the construction of great fortifications to defend Marrakesh from invading armies. Despite some mistrust of the idea among his court the idea eventually goes ahead. However having realized how much money they would be getting their hands on a number of the Sultan’s siege engineers decide to take the money and make a run out of the country. Without the Sultan realizing they were fleeing with his money until the day after they had fled the country. (-250 Gold to Morocco)
The Moroccan Sultan also orders military parades and a string of speeches by both him and other prominent Moroccans to bolster support for him in the country. It works almost to plan with support for the Sultan rapidly rising throughout the country. (+1 Stab to Morocco)
After this a small increase in recruitment is met by a flood of eager volunteers as recruiting are jammed full of volunteers. To cope with this flood the recruitment quotas have to be increased and many troops join the army to serve the Moroccan Sultan. (+2000 Regulars Morocco -10 Gold to Morocco)
The Moroccan Sultan also tried to invest in agriculture in the area surrounding his capital. However a misjudged move by some of his officials who he entrusted the task to resulted in a large number just being given money with the officials hoping this would increase production. However this didn’t happen but the Sultan did claw back some of his money before it was all spent. A side effect was that peasants surrounding Marrakesh were particularly positively disposed towards the Sultan. (-200 Gold from Morocco, peasants around capital are extremely positive about the Sultan)
