Chapter 9: More reckless behavior!
As the news spead of the Swedish annexation of Denmark, more countries felt obliged to say something and King Gonzo soon got a letter from Castile and Burgundy, it read:
Dearest Gonzo.
We heard you had conquered the Danish, good for you! But what is this we hear of you imposing a sound due?! No this will not do! Therefore we would like you to know that your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elderberries! So there!
Your two friends, Castile and Burgundy
P.S.
We almost forgot, you're no longer welcome in our trade centers
While Gonzo was hurt by that mean and at the same time very true remark about his parents, he didn't bother much about their embargo since he had no interest in their petty trade centers. Nevertheless he thought it might be a good idea to lay low for a while.
To improve Sweden's relations with local powerhouses a marriage was arranged with Poland, who had managed to get Lithuania as a vassal and rumors also spoke of them into space, whatever that meant. A future alliance with Poland would surely be beneficial since they are close but at the same time not close enough to be in the way of Sweden's ambitions.
King Gonzo had heard news of the Bohemian inheritance of Urbino and was now looking into the full width of the Bohemian sphere of influence, they had spread far indeed and looked to have complete control of the holy roman empire, this was not good, not good at all.
If they would continue to hold the seat as they had the last 60 years they would no doubt eventually be able to unite the vast empire under their banner. He realized that Sweden needed to dismantle the empire before that happened, but before such a goal could be achieved Sweden would have to become even more powerful.
While busy with improving the realms interior, King Gonzo received a call to arms from their ally Novgorod, who were in need of help defending against the Teutonic Order. As the Teutonic Order for some unexplainable reason had chosen to break their alliance with Sweden there was little hesitation and soon Swedish soldiers were besieging Estland and Ösel.
The war was quite uneven in favor for Sweden who had taken control of the defending side of the war, and soon peace was brokered, where the Teutonic Order would pay Sweden 68 ducats, not a grand prize but King Gonzo did not wish to gain any more infamy and saved any territorial expansion for the future.
Only a few months after the last war Novgorod called to arms yet again, this time against Muscovy, Gonzo agreed but was beginning to tire of his ally's endless warmongering, so un-stylish, not at all like the classy wars that he himself devoted his life to.
It was at this time that a proper reason for war was presented to Gonzo, an old document was found in the libraries of Tre Kronor castle, the document stated that Neva was actually a Swedish province, of course this was written by a total moron but old documents are old documents and old documents are indisputable proof, this saved him the trouble of looking for a reason in the bible.
The final nail in the Novgorodian coffin came when the war with Muscovy ended and they directly asked Sweden to join in a war against the Ottoman Empire. Sweden declined and declared war on Novgorod. Two countries saw this as an act of treachery on Sweden's part and joined Novgorod, these were Pommerania and Nizhny Novgorod.
King Gonzo had long looked for a reason to claim Vorpommern and now the opportunity had shown itself, but it was not without its risks, Pommerania had a well trimmed army that while not as disciplined as Sweden's was superior in morale. So instead of just blockading Pommerania's armies, Gonzo split his own in two, one half to deal with Novgorod and one half to deal with Pommerania.
Pommerania's armies proved a formidable foe and not once but twice did they manage to obliterate one of the two armies that were fighting in their lands and it was only when Gonzo hired a brilliant General that the tide was turned and Victory could be secured.
Things were not looking too good on the eastern front either as a 15000 strong Novgorodian army was wreaking havoc in Finland, but in contrast to the well drilled armies of Pommeriana, Novgorod's forces were merely glorified farmers and 10000 Swedish soldiers were enough to turn the tide.
As the balance was shifting and Novgorod was beginning to loose, several of its neighbors smelled the scent of blood and soon the vultures swooped in, the vultures being the Teutonic Order, Ryazan and Tver.
The war was won and it was time to set the terms for peace.
Pommerania would become Sweden's vassal and secede Vorpommern, a deal that would accomplish Gonzo's mission to aquire said province, only problem was that the war was not started on that casus belli and Sweden gained a great deal of infamy by this.
As for Novgorod, Gonzo had hoped to take Neva, Kexholm and Ingermanland but the Teutonic order had occupied Ingermanland, and Gonzo settled with only Neva and Kexholm, he felt abit weary of the extra infamy regardless.
Gonzo looked at his kingdoms newfound glory and burst out in evil laughter, well... some said evil laughter, others said childish giggle. How should I know? were you there?! I wasn't...
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Sorry for the delay in updates, fever sucks
I wonder if I'm getting reckless with infamy, I'm usually quite careful about doing anything that gives me infamy over 5
I'm up at 16 again >.<
oh and post nr 69.... giggity
