Chapter 13: Filling the Void
As colonization in Africa is beginning, we remain optimistic about our chances of increasing our slice. We are researching Machine Guns hastily, and have troops in place to get a colonization bonus when we can begin. As the days go by our infamy is once again approaching 0. We must do something about this so with our military access from Brazil and Peru we decide that Ecuador is the next easiest target.
We still have a truce with Sokoto, so war with them is not possible. Ecuador was allied with Venezuela and USCA, but with the ongoing wars they have lost all their alliances. With only 2 regiments it shouldn't be much of a fight. On July 1, 1872 a justification for war begins preparation.
You can see we have a new commanding officer for Armee d'Haiti. Jean-Baptiste Lherisson is one of the brightest generals Haiti may ever see. At this point his organizational skills are critical because it allows us to have a full organizational rating without giving the troops full supplies, which would cost us hundreds extra each day. The other attributes are just icing on the cake. Of other famous Haitian officers, only Nord Salnave was anywhere near his military prowess thus far.
Then as Armee d'Haiti continued its march towards Ecuador we receive more fantastic news;
This is the final step towards colonization, and it seems we are still in time. Our national focus is immediately directed towards Warri and troops are in place immediately. We also get a nice bonus for our troops in the looming war so the new discovery couldn't have been more timely.
Spain has barely managed to get anywhere by the time we begin staking our claim. It won't be long before we pass the Spanish and they relinquish their claim on the region.
By November 15, 1872 our war justification has been discovered, yielding 6.1 infamy;
It was really right on time, as we had almost reached 0 infamy, and we want to keep expanding and using that to our advantage.
A month later the Winery in Hispaniola is complete and Haiti finally has its first industry operating.
The new year passes bringing in more Socialist and Anarcho-Liberals into the upper house, and a month later we make another discovery;
Another boost to our baby industry, but more importantly the smaller ensuing technologies that will boost our resource production to fuel those industries.
On May 6, 1873 our justification for war with Ecuador is complete and war is immediately declared. Jean-Baptiste Lherisson immediately splits his forces and only moves half of his 12,00 men into Ecuadorian territory with the other half standing by in Peru.
Ecuador mobilizes its troops and now has a total of 9,000 men, mostly stationed on mountains so we need to draw them out. That is why Jean-Baptiste Lherisson only moved half of his troops into Ecuador. Now we just need them to take the bait, and flank them with the other 6,000 men once a battle ensues.
As Jean-Baptiste Lherisson continues his siege, waiting to spring the trap, we get news of another election taking place, and also make another important discovery;
Nothing important at the moment, but once Warri is finished colonization it will have a nice initial boost for its coal provinces.
Finally by June 8, the Ecuadorian's have taken the bait;
Jean-Baptiste Lherisson immediately calls on his backup force to enter the battle, and soon it is clear whom the victor will be.
With their main army routed, the Ecuadorian's have only 1 regiment of mobilized farmers left to defend their poor nation. Jean-Baptiste Lherisson quickly re-organizes his ranks and begins a march on Ecuador's capitol, despite the farmers being dug into the mountains.
Also you can see colonization is progressing uninterrupted, and the budget is constantly negative with the increase in the national stockpile, and military spending. Our little war chest should be enough to last at least until their armies are completely defeated though, so no worries there.
As Jean-Baptiste Lherisson makes his attack, the Ecuadorian farmers prove to be more trouble than Ecuador's main army...
The Battle for Quito is won, but at a very great cost. Jean-Baptiste Lherisson loses over half his men, and it is decided that we cannot pursue the Ecuadorian army with our armies so devastated after that horrible battle. We will do as the farmers do, and just turtle in the mountains while our sieges progress.
By August 22 of 1873 we discover another major technology;
Giving our armies a nice boost in organization and allowing the construction of cavalry.
The very next day we receive word from Warri, our diligence has finally paid off;
We receive 5 new provinces and 25 prestige, relatively a massive gain for our tiny nation!
As we look to continue expansion, it seems that South Cameroon, although risky might be our best region to target next. It offers a nice barrier for the North Cameroon region which will give us at least 1 additional region, and then some additional connections on the east as well.
On November 16 the election of 1873 is complete and once again Parti Liberal has won the majority. We also receive some news in Ecuador, the farmer regiment has grown bold enough to attack our army in Tena, and Jean-Baptiste Lherisson rallies his troops there as some of the sieges finish.
It seems the war chest was not enough and Haiti spirals into debt as we still need critical supplies for our troops as battles continue longer than expected.
Finally as Quito falls, Ecuador is finally willing to give into our demands;
We accept, adding yet another region to the swelling Haitian nation.
With Ecuadorian Pastaza and Warri, Haiti has added two nice regions to its rule in the last year and a half. Citizens of Port-Au-Prince rejoice as peace is made and more provinces are gathered under our sovereignty. Colonization is South Cameroon is going well and it seems we will beat the Spanish to creating a claim on the region. All is going well in Haiti as they continue to grow, and even push up into the top ten most important nations in the world.
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