If you were reading the previous part, you will remember
that we finished with our King dying suddenly, leaving a 2 year old heir, and a
Regency Council in charge of the country. As usually happens in this
circumstance, a pretender to the throne emerges...
In September 1462, Gaspar de Castro decides to have a go at
being King, and raises 8000 troops... You rebel scum!
By November 1462, we have 8000 troops of our own in the
area, but with the financial troubles we have been in army maintenance was
turned down low, and it will take some time for their morale to be high enough
to engage the rebels. Fortunately, our erstwhile Castilian allies come to the
rescue
And in December an almighty battle takes place. Note that
the Castilian general has placed his troops (yellow) on the front line, with ours (green) in
reserve.... thanks :)
The rebels are swiftly defeated in two battles, and the
rebellion has been crushed
Many years ago, the people of the Kongo allowed our
missionaries in... they have now converted to the Catholic faith. The Catholic
world is impressed with us, and the Pope very happy! We then send a diplomat to
improve relations with the Kongo.... who knows, we may end up getting a vassal
or Protectorate out of this event!
Taking a look at our government, there really is no option
but to reduce costs the old fashioned way.... laying people off. The advisors
are both canned, saving us some monthly income. Our Regency Council is good
militarily, but pretty naff elsewhere, so our tech advances will slow down
until Joao de Avis is old enough to take direct control of the nation.
In January 1463 we get a lucky break, with the Duke of
Coimbra event giving us some much needed extra tax.
By February 1463, our balance of trade is positive again,
but we are spending so much money on the colonial developments that there is no
foreseeable way to pay off our loans in the short term.
And then, in September 1463, we strike it rich.... GOLD!
This is the turning point for the finances of the budding Portuguese Colonial
Empire. Once the colony is finished, we will get significant amounts of gold
flooding into our coffers. Yes, this will increase inflation, but we can
control that. The most important thing is that we now have a way out of our
loan/debt crisis.
By January 1464, our finances are in a much more healthy
state, but with the production of gold our inflation is rising. We take the
opportunity to rehire our Master of Mint, who brings the inflation rate under
control
Two years later, in March 1466, we have done little but
watch our colonies grow and our coffers slowly fill, but we are now down to
only 2 loans, one of which we now pay off
Finally, in April 1467, Pernambuco turns into a proper
province, we complete our mission, and our colonial maintenance costs drop by
66%. Phew! Our financial problems should now be over! Not only that, but we now
have a cored province in South America, which will give us enough colonial
range to start pushing towards Argentina and the Caribbean
The 1467 vintage is not good... oh the humanity!
But we are made happier in October of the same year, when we
are able to take our fourth exploration idea... this will make colonies grow
much faster
In May 1468 we become debt free, for the first time in a
decade. Note our legitimacy at 59 near the top of the picture. Regency Councils
do not command much respect around Europe!
Playing peacemaker in 1468 reduces Morocco’s dislike of us
to tolerable proportions, meaning war is much less likely for the foreseeable
future
And, finally, in September of 1468, the Cape Verde Islands
become self-sustaining. Hurrah!
And so ends the first 6 years of Regency Council reign. We
have sorted out our financial situation, and finished colonising Pernambuco and
Cape Verde. With three foreign holdings (the previously mentioned two plus Rio de Oro –
but not including Madeira and the Azores as they are already self-sustaining at game start) and no
ability to start wars due to the Council, we are in a great position focus on
colonisation for the next few years.
The next update will take us through another 6 years of the Regency Council, until our King is old enough to take control himself!
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