Chapter 17: A funny thing happened on the way to the conquest…
This update opens with the Catholics trying to get in one last hurrah with a revolt in Owari. Silly Catholics; 11 regiments won’t get it done. In 1713, I pick up National Conscripts in the Offensive ideas, which is good for +25% to National Manpower. I’ve pretty much never needed manpower, and may never need it, but it’s the thought that counts. A few months later, Excellent Shipwrights gets me +2 to maneuver for new leaders. More importantly, I finish my mission (to culture swap the Australian colony I took from Burgundy) and choose a new one.
I’m now really paranoid, so I do some research on Manchu.
To further reinforce my paranoia, I pretty much permanently task a diplomat to this:
At the end of 1713, I discover I have only three more non-Shinto provinces; two are Confucian (from Korea) and one is Makassar, which means I’ll be releasing them sooner or later. In 1714, I start building up my artillery on the Asian mainland, so I can be sure to have as little trouble as possible with Manchu. I also begin a program to beef up my fortresses along the Russian border.
Of course, it’s only now that I look at the ledger and learn that Manchu’s total army is half the size of my infantry alone. Oh well. Hey, I think the game feels bad for Burgundy ROFL-stomping me!
Time for war!
By calling in Xi, I make things even more lopsided. My main role is to blockade the Manchurian coast. I pick up a new DIP advisor, good for +10% to Global Trade Power. Europe’s having a good time too – Burgundy just PUed Lithuania, but Prussia is fighting them in a succession war. Get ‘em Prussia! By 1716, I’ve sunk the Manchurian fleet (at no loss to myself). Of course, everything can’t go
too smoothly, now can it?
Yet, the very same day, Manchu feels bad for me and surrenders, saving me some diplo power. Thanks, Manchu! You’re a real pal!
My mission is complete, and 90 admin power later, the new provinces begin coring. My new mission is to have a bigger army than Burgundy. Agreed! I do get some unsavory news in 1717:
Dammit Russia, that’s my island! I licked it and everything! (No, really – every Japanese soldier is forced to lick at least a square kilometer of land a day. I am nothing if not thorough.) I unlock Superior Firepower, which does not make up for that. That’s a +1 to leader firepower, if you’re keeping score at home. ADM 18 follows shortly thereafter, as does Naval Fighting Instruction (+50% to blockades). By this point, all of my loans are paid off. All funds available are going to building up fortifications on the border with Russia. By the end of 1718, my Manchurian provinces have cored. 1719 is a momentous day:
I move onto Papua New Guinea with one colonist while the other stays to grab more of the island. 1721 sees a dead ruler and a new (awful) heir.
Nepal westernizes in September 1721; I think they’re the first nation not named Japan to do so. It’s possible I’m wrong, though, since I tend not to pay attention. I also get my first +2 MIL advisor, who offers me +5% to Discipline. We get Glorious Arms in 1722 (good for +100% to prestige in Land battles). Yet it’s this idea in 1723 that makes me much happier:
As you can see, that finished the Naval group. More importantly, the bonus itself will prove quite handy once I decide to start investing in the navy again. (The bonus for finishing the group is a bit underwhelming at this point; ships repair in coastal zones.) I build 11 Early Frigates, since I’ve been neglecting my trade fleet at this point. Oh, and Burgundy is currently stomping on Nepal, so if you were a fan, your time has passed. I get ADM tech 19 in 1725, which reminds me I’ve somehow forgotten to build this:
Improved Maneuver follows (for +1 to Leader Maneuver). A couple of years pass, and then this happens.
In 1728, Sind and Kangra break free from Nepal. DIP tech 18 follows (which now gives me 19/18/17). Burgundy starts gobbling up the southern part of New Japan Island. I get a new Heir in October of 1729 who makes me regret complaining about the guy running the show now. 0/3/4 is a lot better than this:
My next idea is an important one:
Priority #1 will be using my extra force limits to outfit my armies with as much artillery as I can afford. That’s 18 regiments worth of artillery. In 1731, a sneaky power (I’m not sure who) uses Sabotage Reputation on me, ending my alliance with Xi. Of course, shortly afterwards, Xi is the least of my concerns.
I
never saw this fire in EU3 unless I did it manually. Should be an interesting few years!
