1652-1655 : Wars with Hedjaz, Bihar and Iraq
Overextension goes away in May 1652. Not sure why, but I guess releasing Gondwana was enough
I then proceed to diplo-annex Austria, losing 1 stability. The next mission is build a textile Manufactory in Istria.
... and I change the government to Republican Dictatorship and the Doge becomes a Lord Protector.
Since I want to lower stability cost and go back to business as soon as possible, I release the Haasa - their provinces were new and there were no Venetian cores anyway. But this means two provinces are now discconnected and have no access to the sea - Sanaa and Karbala.
After gaining 1 stability point, we declare war on Hedjaz and Iraq to solve this problem, using our new casus belli "Imperialism"
Using the same casus belli, we declare war on Bihar, who has a COT.
I expected a textile manufactory to cost much more - it costs only 964 ducats, not sure why, and I have already several manufactories ( three textile and one naval supply). I queue a textile manufactory in Istria in September 1653, after taking and repaying a loan which leaves me with 2000 ducats to spare.
I like founding new COTS and I found one in Samarkand, after moving the national focus there. The biggest COT is Kutch and I wanted to "split" it.
The wars are not very interesting, Bihar's army is routed in Gondwana...
Hedjaz is annexed in January 1654 - now Sanaa has access to the sea.
Since manufactories are so cheap I build other two - a weapon manufactory in Trent and a textile manufactory in Verona.
Bihar is annexed in March 1654 - one COT more in our control.
But this means we lose the East Indian Trade Rout modifier. This is huge, 20% less. We will have to get rid of one of the four towns listed : Dadra, Bihar, Sunda or Guagzhou. Right now we are at war with Sibir and colonizing so it will wait a little.
In April 1654, the war with Iraq ends as well. Iraq has to cede Basra and Iraq-i-Arab. Karbala is now also connected.
Venice's income is now at 22k yearly. Technologically we are still in the leading pack.
And before the year 1654 ends, a great event hits us, which gives us 20800 ducats and means we will be able to pay our loan.
By April 1655, a colonist will arrive in Tyunmen and we will finish the war with Sibir...
We will probably get rid of the province Sunda, so we can get back the East Indian Trade Route Modifier.
Two wars are in the air, against Lorraine, who has a COT...
and against Spain, who has founded a lot of colonies in the meantime - in Australia and Eastern Russia among others. And has several colonies all over Africa.