Chapter Sixty Nine
The fleeing Swedes were all but destroyed in Jamtland more famous as the last home of the Portuguese Empire.
Lima converts 25/01/1802
Mariquita converts 26/01/1802
Italy is much like France in that the provinces are such high value that you can only gain a couple in a war. Milan has guaranteed three minors, Corsica, Switzerland and the Papal States. The plan is to DOW all three in turn as a route to war with the Milanese but then leave them alone. In a few years time I’ll be able to DOW these three again, again bringing in Milan and that time they will be annexed. Milan should be reduced to a very small power by that stage.
Iroquois declares war on Switzerland – March 1802
Milan honours.
Peace with Great Britain – March 1802
This is a perfect peace deal, reducing Great Britain to London only.
Curacao converts 13/04/1802
Peace with Switzerland – Late May 1802 the Swiss offer peace for cores and cash which I accept.
War with Tibet – June 1802
Five province Tibet has only 5000 soldiers and refuses to either attack Iroquois or get caught up in the diplomatic games of the major powers. I need Tibetan land to give me non Timurid access to the Nepali capital. The diplomatic situation looks promising to be able to quickly roll up most of the Indian minors.
Progress against Milan is slow – while they have few troops they are high tech and require repeated battles to destroy. Assaults often fail so cities have to be taken by second attacks.
Progress against Sweden is better; the Swedes are running out of troops and have been forced back to Finland. A successful trap has beaten the last intact Swedish field army. Stationed in Finland (the province) they waited for a chance to cross to relieve Stockholm. Once that siege completed I let my armies gather in the neighbouring provinces before lifting a blockade of the crossing. The Swedes took the bait crossing to reclaim their undefended capital. The crossing was promptly blocked while two large armies took it in turns to engage the Swedes who died under the constant pressure.
War with the Mongol Khanate – August 1802
This is of course simply another chance to inflict damage on the Timurids.
By the end of the year Tibet has been completely occupied while progress continues against the other larger enemies. Regrettably my Stadtholder passes away and his replacement, another diplomatic candidate, is only Diplo7 – I lose 0.3 diplomats a year.
Peace with Sweden – March 1803
Sweden is still several wars from annexation but this peace removes a set of highly fortified provinces. The Swedish/Norwegian border is the most heavily fortified area of the Peninsula. Vilna is simply a high value province that makes my communications on the approach to Russia somewhat simpler.
Peace with the Timurids – May 1803
This is a peace deal taken as soon as I had high enough war score. Timurid vassal the Mongol Khanate is annexed as part of this deal. There is a single Timurid province left in Southern India, an assault failed as I have limited troops in theatre.
India – Late Spring 1803
The map of India has changed significantly in the last few years so here’s an update.
War with Pskov – August 1803
Pskov is guaranteed by the Golden Horde, Ryazan and Tver. This war provides yet another opportunity to reduce the Golden Horde.
Peace with Milan – October 1803
There were virtually no battles of any consequence in this war, Milan didn’t field enough troops. Italy is covered in Level 6 forts so even without enemy field armies progress was slow.
War with Manchu – January 1804
Its five years since the last war with Manchu and as they only guarantee Korea there aren’t many chances to attack.
War with Bengal – January 1804
The Foreign Office multitasks and declares war on OPM Bengal on the same day. This brings in guarantors five province Nepal and two province Ceylon. Objectives here are the annexation of Bengal and the reduction of the other two countries to OPM status.
Ceterum censeo Castile esse delendam