Grandmasters Plan:
All Shipbuilders at the Hispanian Coast are instructed to build 46 Heavy Frigates and they will get crewed by 7000 sailors. The Tradefleets have to split up into tree main parts: the European Tradefleet, the African Tradefleet and the Indian Tradefleet.
All 150 Heavy Frigates will be split up as the following: 80 for the European Fleet, 30-40 for the African Fleet and the Rest for India. The African Fleet will concentrate on the Gulf o Aden and the Ivory coast ((Half Aden,Half Ivory Coast)) The Indian Fleet is just for the Trademarkets near Ceylon and protecting the Tradeships to Aden.
The European Fleets are mostly for Genoa and Venice, some for Alexandrian Markets. If there are enough Trade ships in each, Genoa and Venice some can be added to the African Fleet. Also in the following 5 years we should increase our Mercantilism. ((If you get an event wich gives you the choice between Mercantalism and something else, take Mercantalism)) Some Shipyards should be build.
((So just to be clear, the European fleet will be split between Genoa, Venice, and Alexandria (40/20/20?), the African one between Aden and the Ivory Coast (20/20), and the Indian one solely in Ceylon (30)? Also don't worry about mercantilism. We passed a law requiring us to take any option raising it.))
Enrique, searching the hotel where Michaelos Tsirigatos, a greek merchant, lived, walked through the streets. And so Enrique, totaly disoriented, saw a big mass of people. They all went behind a circle of guards, a human shield for... The beatifullst woman Enrique ever saw. She was sorrounded by a number of servants, and walked like a queen. Enrique asked a craftsman who this woman was and the craftsman looked at him as Enrique would be stupid
"You don't know her?"
"No, i never saw her before."
"She is the grand-granddaughter of Francesc I and a Trastamara."
"How they call her?"
"Joaquima, and don't make hopes, the people say that she is descerning."
Enrique watched a last time sad on her, and he imagined that she looked back. But just a Imagination, he said. He sadly turned back and walked back to his fathers palace, in love with a girl that not noticed him.
Joaquima enjoyed visiting the market. It was a breath of fresh air from court life, a place she found herself dreading more and more. Sure she was a Trastámara, but not a very important one. Her father was the fourth son of a prince, after all, his father only giving him some minor barony near Madrid to placate him. Her future most likely consisted of marriage to some minor noble or even a cousin to keep the bloodline strong. Not a promising future for someone who craved adventure.
As Joaquima passed by a group of beggars, she took the coin-purse her servant held for her and distributed a few coins amongst them. They thanked her gratuitously, bringing a smile to her face. At least her circumstances were not like those poor people. She always tried to do what she could for those less fortunate.
One of Joaquima's servants made her way towards her, a letter in hand. "My lady, a letter from Count Godoy."
Joaquima eyed the letter for a second. She shrugged and made no move to take the letter. "I shall read it later, I suppose."
The servant raised an eyebrow. "But my lady, you were so overjoyed when the Count started to court you. Perhaps he intends to seek your hand."
The young noblewoman stifled a yawn. "The Count no longer interests me. He's far too boring and posh."
"Last week you described him as refined and worldly."
"That was last week," Joaquima said. "I want someone a bit more exciting than that. Someone who would really ruffle my father's feathers."
The servant held back a gasp. "It would be improper to go against your father's wishes."
With a cold voice that failed to match her pleasant smile, only adding to the power of her statement, Joaquima said, "And it would be improper for you, a servant, to tell me what I can and cannot do. "
That ended that conversation. Joaquima continued through the market on her way home. As she passed one stall, she noticed a man standing nearby watching her. The admiration in his eyes was quite clear, bringing a seductive smirk to her face. She glanced back at him as she walked by, but continued on her way. Perhaps there was a man her father would disapprove of. She was certain if she looked in the right place, she'd find someone who would truly fuel her rebellious side.
* * * * *
((Private))
Emperor Joan III paced around his chambers. The loss of Gaston Jacques de Saint-Pierre had not been unexpected, considering the man's age, but it left the Council's most important position vacant, not to mention the need for a new marshal. The grand admiral had also passed away, leaving the navy without direction or an admiral. It would not be wise to leave those positions vacant for long. But who to appoint now? Marti de Leon had distinguished himself over the past decade or so and was a respected figure. Choosing the chancellor, in this case Andrés de Alvaro, was always a safe choice. Unfortunately both men were in their 80s, and it was not wise to place yet another aged figure in charge. No, he needed someone younger, but also experienced. Someone from a prominent family that could draw plenty of support. Someone who could back his policies, such as his hopeful plans to uplift his Italian subjects. That left one obvious choice.
* * * * *
With the unfortunate passing of Margrave Gaston Jacques de Saint-Pierre, the position of prime minister has summarily been left vacant, something I cannot allow. Affairs of state never end and someone must take up the helm of leadership for the Council. I thus wish to offer the position of prime minister to Félicien Pierre de Montségur, who I believe will serve both the Crown and the Hispanian people admirably.
- His Imperial Highness, Joan III de Trastámara, Emperor of Hispania, Caesar of Rome, & Protector of the Greeks
((
@alscon is thus our next PM, assuming he accepts. He can now appoint whomever he wants to most of the positions, and may take one for himself, although he is already chamberlain so it might be easier to just keep that.))