I have recently finished two unsuccessful campaigns as Uesugi in Japan with each campaigning resulting in annexion by Ashikagi. I am also using Common Universalis and 1356 timeline mod. I swelled my borders beyond the original two provinces expanding to five or six provinces within 20-30 years but only to end in disappointment and discouragement. I have fought in consecutive wars again in an attempt to grow quickly resulting in rebellions or economic ruin. It shouldn't be this hard, should it?