A hyuck, hyuck, hyuck...
Yep, see, I's got da Skill. I got something, and hopefully it ain't contagious...
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It is almost funny, how the warning is sent to Spain, at the cost of some 36,000 petards. A State Gift to Siederbergen, costing some 90,000 petards, ensures that the two houses are very close, closer than brothers. And in a bit of a coup, the explorations of England and Burgundy are exchanged, opening brave new worlds to colonization. If only they could join the alliance. Then Burgundy would be unstoppable.
All eyes are turned towards Spain, waiting for some move to show that they are unwise, uncouth, unmentionable fools.
The forts in Catalonia and Gerona are ordered rebuilt, better this time. It costs 500,000 petards all told for the two upgrades, but it is felt that it will be most beneficial.
That revolt in Manhattan? The fools declared themselves free of Burgundian rule. Unfortunate, no doubt, but it will be over quick.
The northern Dutch Provinces are fools, they try to revolt, and are put down. With all the dead rebels, you could dam all of Holland. It is quite ridiculous.
Reports that come in are not good. The natives are surprisingly well trained. Close to 13,000 men are sent in in waves, only to be beat back by the fort there. In desperation, war taxes are raised, causing the people in Jalisco to revolt. The force in Tampico is split in two, so that 7,000 men march towards Jalisco to quell the upstart rebels.
Rebels in Tenochtitlan try to regain the glory of the Aztecs, only to be put down by a force from Tampico. The revolts are everywhere. Erie revolts, and much is feared.
Calls come from Catalonia to sell several offices that are no longer used in the province. Although it will hurt in the long term, the fact that 100,000 petards can come from it does not hurt. The funds are used to call up troops in Shenandoah, Appalache and Irondekoit. They will have to deal with the rebels in Erie.
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The sheer amount of petards raised in the collection of war taxes is staggering. 2,695,000 in all. As well, there are more men able to be called up in all of the provinces. As such, in the Aztec provinces, every province gets some amount of men called up, mainly to deal with any unforeseen revolts.
As well, troops are called up along the Polish border, as well as along the border with Siederbergen and Naples. Why not? It can only help.
Notices are received from several quarters, the army has improved. All the rebels squashed have produced a net improvement. [Land 19 ]
It is also a time for joy in Bretagne, as the shipyard built there is finished, and given an order for 8 warships and 12 transports.
It is a good year for the troops in Manhattan as they take the fort finally. Lenape is annexed once more. Let it be a notice to all rebels, they will not live to see another day.
Finally, a 90,000 petard State Gift is ordered for Siederbergen. It improves the relations so much that there is actually talk of offering them to become our vassals.
After several weeks of careful observation, the final word comes down from Ball Sack himself. The troops are still too hesitant to make any bold attacks in battle. They are to become more offensive minded. Offensive +1
Order is restored, and money is poured into the treasury. 835,000 petards sit in the hold until the focus is placed once more on all things army. With these funds, missionaries are sent to Poitou, Cevennes and Guyenne to teach the unbelievers that they have TWO chances for redemption. Only two. No more, no less.
Settlers escaping from the unrest in Holland arrive in Stadecone and Bermuda, turning Bermuda into the finest fish hook shaped hook island around!
In the Palace of Jean the Moon King…
Reports had come that the Spaniards had declared themselves to be Counter-Reformed Catholics, and all of their former allies had been shocked to learn so, and had left, at least for the time being. Jean was giddy with glee. He laughed maniacally as Ball Sack entered the room, and Jean shouted out:
“You! You don’t have any Spanish Blood in you, do you?! Do you?!! Answer me, damn it! I’ll not have anyone of Spanish descent in my realm. In fact, I’ll wipe Spain off the face of the earth! Now, show me some plans you have…”
Ball Sack listened and pulled out his map, as well as unrolled a scroll he had with him.
“Here, King. We brought down our armies from the Northern provinces, we have an enormous amount of pressure to put on them. We could take their land and destroy them in no more than 10 years. But I wonder if such a thing would sit well with the Catholic Community? We are the same faith, and so claiming we are doing this as a service to God does not work. But if we were to call up troops in the Dutch Provinces, then perhaps we could counter any revolts that may arise after the fact. And here,” Ball Sack pointed to his scroll, “here is a list of what actions we can take.
1) A Trade Embargo. Suffocate them from any of our goods.
2) We use the armies in Catalonia, Navarra and Bearn to strike quickly to incapacitate the Spanish armies. Use the Dutch Armies to take out any other Spanish armies around..
3) We try and use our fleet in the Med to strike lightning quick at the Spanish and hope they do not intercept our 21 galleys. If they do, there is a very real chance they will beat them. We simply cannot count on galleys.”
He finished, and Jean laughed.
“Let us do them all! Strike the bastards dead and make them truly understand how foolish it is to take on Burgundy! We will be victorious, or die trying!”
And so it is the defining war of the reign of Jean, Roi de Lune begins over a differing of the interpretation of what it means to be Catholic…
The War Of Spanish Intransigence
It is ironic that Siederbergen joins in the battle against Spain and her allies and the Pope chickens out. Now the true colours of the Pope show, and they are Yellow!
It is August 2nd, 1580, and the war has begun. All of Spain’s allies join in, and in a true showing of the Pope and his fancies, he dishonours the alliance. Siederbergen joins. There are several armies brought in, close to 275,000 men, horse and artillery all told, and they will teach the people of Spain the true meaning of the word Terror. Cantabria is the site of fierce battle as Spanish troops and Burgundian troops clash. In Aragon and Valencia, the pathetic armies there are no match for the Burgundian forces. Assaults are begun immediately as speed is of the essence. Get the allies out of the battle quickly, then worry about Spain.
Ukraine and the Knights are the first to leave the Spanish alliance, leaving Portugal, Aragon and Spain herself to deal with.
In all the brutality of war, there is news that a new heir has been born. Jean must admit that the son is not his, as he is sterile. All eyes look towards Ball Sack, but nothing is said aloud. Let the peasants think good things. Let them cry “It’s a miracle!” It is all good.
Aragon and Valencia are taken with ease, and Cantabria, Murcia, Castilla and Leon are put under siege. Assaults are not attempted against such modern forts.
The last day of 1580, war taxes are raised, mainly to aid in getting troops to the battle in Spain. Yes, Hindua and Oswego revolt. But all things considered, it is greatly less than was anticipated.
