Modified IGC2.3. Very hard/ Aggressive. I do not know a lot about history of Balkans so I am just making my imagination run wild. I myself am from Russia, but playing Russia is too easy, so Serbia is much more fun. I know a lot of my AAR historically is laughable, but hey, its just a game. (a very very good one at that!)
START>>>>>
In late 15th Century the combined strength of Greek and Serbian nobles were able to shake themselves loose from the Turkish oppressors. After the battle of Kosovo the Kingdom of Serbia was born. Governed by the hero of that war, Jovan Brancovic. Serbia’s political scene is shaky but on a stable side, as most of the people are willing to give Jovan some time to try to build something good. Serbia consists of the three City/Provinces. Serbia/Belgrade (~12,000 people), Bosnia/Sarajevo ~5000 people, Kosovo/Scopki ~5000 people. Serbia’s main trade is grain (Serbia proper) and wool (Bosnia, Kosovo). All three of the provinces are poor at that time. Serbia generated about 9k revenue and Bosnia and Kosovo another 13k combined. Serbia’s military is poor with antiquated arms and early versions of guns.
In 1492 Serbia has 75k treasury and 15/2 army under Belgrade.
Good relations to Russia, Georgia, Greece, Moldavia.
Bad enemies with Turkey and Polish Duga.
Serbia still remembers the way the Mediterranean kingship of Ragusa stubbed them in a back during Turkish invasion and waits for opportune time for payback. Ragusa is a vassal of Hungary at this time.
The neighbors are from the North, clockwise
Hungary (neutral), Wallachia-Turkey’s vassal (friendly), Turkey (hostile), Ragusa-Hungary’s vassal (neutral), Venice (neutral)
Jovan Brancovic
1492
January 1492
Promotion to tax collector in Serbia initiated.
Two merchants sent to Venice.
The budget is remodeled to curb inflation as well to prevent any research spending onto naval technologies. We doubt we would have a need for those for awile.
28th .Russia, Ryazan, Pskov and Crimea declare war on Kazan, after Russia cancels vasalization with Kazan and declares war on them. There is unrest within Russia for such backstabbing does not agree with the stomachs of some boyary.
February 1492
One of the merchants are successful securing trading slots in Venice (1).
Military spending on maintenance of the army is halved, as peace appear to stay here some time. At least we are relieved that our major danger, Turkey, appears to be looking east not west at this time.
March 1492
18th .We accept Royal Marriage with the Hansel of Munhen, the Prince of Bavaria. He is the cousin of Albreicht IV. Bavaria is now our friend (+114).
April 1492
4th Sensing that Russia has internal problems from starting the war with Kazan, Poland-Lith declares war on Russian alliance.
June 1492
One more merchant is sent to Venice.
Our hopeful suspicions appear to be correct as we are seeing the 43k Turkish army of Hadim Ali move eastward from Bulgaria. It appears Turkey is going to try to lay claim to the holy lands of Abraham.
July 1492
Merchant is successful at securing one more slot in Venice (2).
August 1492
7th Turkey declares war on Mameluks. Our predictions were correct. Hopefully, this will be a long and bloody war, which will bring Turkey down a notch.
21st Ryazan’s capital city falls to Kazan’s khan. Ryazan pays 78k in indemnities to Kazan. With this money, disarray in Russia’s stability and Russia’s other allies, Pskov and Crimea heavily involved in war with dangerous Poland-Lith, Kazan Khanate make actually come out a winner in the war.
October 1492
One more merchant is sent to Venice
November 1492
Merchant is successful at securing one more slot in Venice (3). This is great news as Venice is the most dominant center of trade and we manage to get three merchants slots there. The only other nation with more then 2 merchants in there is powerful merchant nation of Genoa and, of course, the Venice republic themselves who regularly exercise monopoly in Venice.
December 1492
30th .We celebrate the incoming new year as we accept Royal Marriage with the Pan of Salesia, the second uncle to Vladislav II the king of Bohemia. Bavaria is amiable towards us now. (+72). What makes it even better is that Bohemia is in Austria alliance. And Austria along with Hungary is the main power player in Balkans other then Turkey. Having royal marriage with Bohemia might make Austria to look at our nations with favorable eyes.
1492 Summary
In 1492 Serbia was a building year. Serbia’s politics got quite a bit more stable that year, as most of the people were firmly behind our sovereign leader Jovan Brancovic. After the successful struggle against the Turks sucked the country dry a major effort was spend to start rebuilding the Serbian power. New budget for the country was devised. Three merchants have secured place in Venice by the end of the year. Royal marriages to German states of Bavaria and Bohemia were established. Tax collection was enhanced in the capital Belgrade by establishing a Tax collection agency there. Serbia’s revenue by the end of the year consisted of 10% road and bridge tariffs/customs, 13% production of grain and wool, 38% taxes on goods and services, and 38% trade. At the end of the year census tax provided 15k to the federal treasury.
Turkey was seen start a war with Memeluks, hopefully providing the fledging Serbia time to create enough defense in both military and diplomacy spheres if Turkey were to ever try bringing Serbia back in their grasp.
1493
February 1493
Diplomatic contact allows exchange maps with several countries to reveal maps of Central Asia and Africa.
1st February We have also established and headed new military alliance. Greece has accepted the proposal. Greece is our good friend now (+160) and we will fight side by side if Turkey gets any ideas. It makes sense, two of the former oppressed will unite against the oppressor again if he so wishes.
It is at that time that top military advisor insists that it would be a good time to spite Turkey, while they are busy with Mameluks. It would be suicide to attack Turkey itself, but their vassal, Wallachia is bordering us on the north across the Danube river. We now that the people of Wallachia want to be freed from Turkey and would probably prefer joining their fellow Orthodox Slavs. Only a minimal fort and a contingent of 10k troops defend Wallachia capital, Bucharest. We do not that Wallachia values their sovereignty and would still oppose joining Serbia and not existing as a nation anymore. It could probably turn some other countries against us, but the price of richer Wallachia could be worst it. Bucharest generates 14k as compared to our capital Belgrade 11k. That number would likely fall though if they are to resist joining Serbia and as consequence of war. But the potential to get it back to the same level and higher is there.
We take 200k load under the pretext of infrastructure development and start heavy recruiting of troops in Kosovo and Bosnia.
5th Spain declares war on Navarra. With two of Spain vassals, Milan and Naples following suit small brave kingdom of Navarra does not stand a chance.
March 1493
30th We hear news that Pskov is a part of Poland-Lith now. It looks like bad times for Russia. We are also concerned for ourselves and Poland-Lith have never been friendly to us and they are not too far away from our borders.
April 1493
Two newly recruited brigades in Bosnia (5k) and Kosovo (4k) are ready to march to Belgrade to join the main army there. We have them wait from now. No reason to make Wallachia nervous yet. We raise military maintenance back to 100% to raise the morale of our troops. With this and the 200k load our budget is going out of the window.
May 1493
We feel that year and half in relative calm and alliance with Greece people are satisfied with our leader. The stability of Serbia now seem to be at maximum levels. We need that as we are certain to take a hit in stability when we declare war on a nation that has done no harm to us. But majority of the masses we hope that we can convince that we are going to Wallachia to liberate them from Turkish vassalisation.
However as we are almost ready to declare war on Wallachia the Danube floods, by the time the waters would recede it would be too late to proceed before the winter gets here.
The maintenance for the army is lowered back to 50%.
27th Navarra is a part of Spain now. As we thought, that was quick.
Also, to our disappointment we learn that Turkish are doing very well in their war against the Mameluks and are already in control of the holy lands and almost half of the Mameluks territory.
July 1493
The tax collection agency establishment is under way in Bosnia. We don not want to see our loan money just sitting there.
September 1493
We lose on the trading slots in Venice (2).
The tax collection agency establishment is under way in Kosovo. We don not want to see our loan money just sitting there.
22nd We accept Royal Marriage with the Veeks of Bergen, the cousin of the leader of Denmark, Hans. Denmark is friendly towards us now (+102). Denmark is the most powerful nation we have ties to now. It is nice to see that Serbia is starting to get some notice. Or it could just be love.
We send two merchants to Venice.
October 1493
One more merchant is sent to Venice
23rd Russia surrendered Tula to Poland-Lith.
One of the merchant have secured another slot in Venice (3)
1493 Summary
The year was not very good for Serbia. The planned action against the Wallachia is still postponed but the load have already been taken, the recruits have been raised and the maintenance of the military was at full 100% ready capacity for a month. Some of the load money was still partially salvaged by building tax collection agencies in Bosnia and Kosovo. However the load in itself as well as heavy government spending have skyrocketed the interest rates in Serbia, which now stands at 11%, well higher the target rate if 5%.
The year also saw Serbia’s enemies gain significant gains in their military adventures. Poland-Lith won the war against the Russian alliance and gained Tula from Russia. Turkey’s current war against the Mameluks is also going extremely well for them.
The few bright spots this year were the Royal Marriage with the Kingdom of Denmark and also the fact that after two years of relative peace the country appears to be very united and patriotism runs high from the halls of the capital to the cracked dwelling walls in shanty villages. It seems that if the weather will cooperate next year would be a good time for an attempt to free Wallachia from the Turkish overlords.
1494
February 1494
Lost one merchant in Venice (2)
4th We declare war on Wallachia. Unfortunately the rifts within our kingdom appear immediately. Some say we should not attack the country of the same faith that have done us no harm and treated us well. The stability of our land is now in its lowest point. We hope we can restore some of this if the campaign is not too bloody and fast. May God help us! We are only building stronger Balkans to protect us all against the Turkish infidels.
10th .We hear news 10k Wallachia army are on their way across the Danube to our capital, Belgrade. We are willing to wait for them on our side with our 17k army there.
Additional 5k in Bosnia and 4k in Kosovo are ordered to move to Belgrade for support.
Army maintenance is set to 100% to boost troops moral ahead of this battle.
13th We hear that most of Wallachia is repulsed by our action and many people are willing to be recruited to fight us. Could this be the end of Serbia? We know other nations are not pleased with our aggression either. Wallachia appears to be favored by many as a peaceful friendly nation. But we are not here to make friends, but to make Balkans strong. They will thank us one day. We are the buffer between Europe and the Arab infidels and it is up to us to be strong not to be eaten alive.
March 1494
3rd – 16th March 1494 The Battle of Belgrade
5k/5k Strong moral Wallachia vs. 15k/2k Disciplined Serbian troops. Early in the battle we do hold an advantage as they are trying to disembark from their rafts. So first day we hold an advantage.
6th (2k/4k) Disciplined vs. (13k/1.5k) Weak. They do have so much more cavalry that it makes the second half of the battle be on their side and they are able to successfully shock our infantry. We can feel the morale of our troops sap. However we know and Wallachia doesn’t that the reinforcements from Kosovo and Bosnia are due to arrive soon.
9th (.1k/4k) Weak vs. (12k/1.5) Weak. The reinforcements are not here yet, but it appears they would not be needed. We were able to destroy almost all of the enemy’s infantry formations and without them cavalry will not be able to sustain their rushes.
16th Both reinforcements totaling 9k finally sends 2.2k Wallachia cavalry in retreat across the river. We follow, knowing that we will most likely face the newly recruited army there. We hope that 2k of retreating cavalry with low morale and crudely assembled recruits will be no match for our 21k/1.4k army.
April 1494
12th – 17th April 1494 The battle of Wallachia
13th .We were able to face the 2.2k cavalry separately before the newly formed army of recruits could get to help the cavalry. As the result their entire cavalry army was destroyed. We can now wait for the ragtag recruits if they dare, after that we plan to siege Bucharest.
14th 10k infantry recruits arrive, without cavalry they are hopeless.
17th They loose about 1 thousand man and the rest 9k retreat but then cross the rived to Belgrade. We are not worried, as we will be sending most of our army back to pursue them and leave just enough in Bucharest for an efficient siege.
May 1494
9th We engage the retreating recruits in Serbia, 30 verst from the capital. 9k vs 11k They prove to be better then we thought.
16th After looking 3k and taking 2k of our man to their death, they retreat the only way that they can, south towards Kosovo. We follow.
June 1494
8th. Once again we catch up to the army of recruits. They loose another 1k and we loose 100 more infantry and 30 cavalry in a series of scrimmages all around Kosovo. The rest retreat north towards Belgrade. Once again we follow.
July 1494
5th. Once again the cleanup work, but this time it turned ugly. We catch the retreating 5k recruits on the Danube riverbank attempting to cross back to Wallachia. Caught with nowhere to run they fight admirable to the veterans.
14th They loose 1.5k man but at the end of the battle it is they who are victorious. Virtually all of our cavalry is gone and 8k infantry are retreating towards Kosovo. We are not worried thought as what is left of the enemy is not a large enough numbers to begin any sort of siege of Belgrade. We do expect them to pillage the countryside in Serbia though if they do not cross back to Wallachia. But that we can rebuild later.
12th . We also get wind of the BIG Boys war in Europe as France declares war on Spain. All the alliances get involved. France, Savoi, Papal States, Brittany, and Poland-Lith vs. Spain, Naples and Milan. We hope Spain will fare well.
Tax agency completed in Bosnia
September 1494
Tax agency completed in Kosovo
We expect the siege of Bucharest to take a long time. Perhaps, another year.
December 1494
We are do not think there would be any more battles and we are willing to siege Bucharest until the white flag is raised there. The local countryside in Wallachia is under our control and some people are have began to treat our presence there favorably. After all, we are so alike.
1494 Summary
Not much to summarize here. The war is going pretty well. We still have a way to go though.
We have created tax agencies in all three provinces. The country lost a lot in a way of stability when the war was declared but slowly regained some of it by the end of their year.
The world is involved in much larger conflict further west, between France and Spain.
1495
January 1495
We have lost 1500 men during the siege of Bucharest this month due to attrition. We never anticipated such wintry conditions here. This was a month to remember. The siege still goes on though.
May 1495
11th First results from the Franco-Spanish war. Milan lost its independence and is now part of the French Empire.
June 1495
WAR OF WALLACHIAN EMANCIPATION (4th February 1494 – 14th June 1495)
Number of soldiers to have lost their lives:
Infantry troops --- 9345 (5709 in combat / 3636 to attrition)
Cavalry ---- 1861 (1141 in combat / 720 to attrition)
14th Bucharest flies the white flag of surrender. The same day the kingship of Wallachia ceases to exist and becomes part of the greater Serbia.
14th We gain a new neighbor to the north, Moldavia. They dislike both Poland-Lith and Turkey the share our faith. This day they join our alliance with Greece. Now we are three.
Maintenance for army is set back to 50%. We now have to rebuild Bucharest and repay our loan as soon as possible. Hopefully we get few calm years ahead. With the victory our stability is almost back to the level it was before the war started.
December 1495
11th We have invited one more member to our alliance, the brave Caucus nation of Georgia. We can see that Turkey will win the war against the Mameluks soon. We know that Balkans would be the most likely next target. Georgia gives us an ally on the backside/east of Turkey. Turkey will have a lot more trouble fighting on two fronts.
1495 Summary
Serbia is now truly the most powerful it has ever been in our history, with the acquisition of Bucharest, which is even more populous and productive, then our capital at Belgrade. We also secured and alliance with Moldavia and Georgia. Serbia feels more secure then ever in its history from the military perspective. However, there is no way we would be able to repay the load. Hopefully going bankrupt is worth having Wallachia.
1496
March 1496
Five merchants sent to Venice in hopes to acquire 2 to 3 more slots there. It is a gambit, but we decide to take a chance, we need some luck to repay the national loan.
April 1496
No luck. From five merchants sent only one more slot was added in Venice (3).
We decide to print more money to be able to payoff loan in five years. Our inflation raises to 30%!
8th France looses Bearn to Spain. The first major European war is over. Spain is a clear winner taking Bearn. However France did gain Milan in exchange, so they are not the losers here either. The big loser is of course Milan, which is no more an independent state.
19th Probably driven by the same concerns as we the ancient nation of Persia declared war on the Turks. Their African allies, Nubia, also join them. It looks like another good break for us. This news helps us a lot to get the nation stability and patriotism back to the pre Wallachia war levels.
August 1496
14th War between Russia and Kazan is finally over. All that Russia gets out of it is 114k gold. But Kazan remains intact and that is indeed a bigger win for them.
September 1496
11th .The hot tempered khanats of the Caspian steppes have entered a war as it was revealed that one of the wifes of the Golden Horde’s Hun, who was actually originally from Astrakhan still had feelings for her old love from Astrakhan. The Hun immediately annulled that Royal Marriage and Golden Horde declared war on Astrakhan Khanate the very same day.
1496 Summary
This was a very quiet year. We expect the next few years to be quiet like that. Serbia needs time to digest Wallachia. We are not planning to spend any money as our loan needs to be repaid the sooner the better. We are planning to be active on the diplomatic front though. Of course we can only afford as much quiet as Turkey or perhaps someone else is willing to give us.
Here is something to compare to just four years ago. Serbia’s revenue by the end of the 1492 consisted of 10% road and bridge tariffs/customs, 13% production of grain and wool, 38% taxes on goods and services, and 38% trade. At the end of the year census tax provided 15k to the federal treasury.
And now only 8.6% (6k) of the revenue came from tariffs/customs, 14.3%(10k) from production (wheat in Wallachia and Serbia and wool in Bosnia and Kosovo), 41.4%(29k) from taxes on goods and services and 35.7%(25k) from trade. But here is the biggest difference; at the end of the year 31k was added to the treasure via census tax. That is more then 100% growth in 4 years! No wonder the people of Serbia are united and the patriotism for our homeland is as high as it ever was
1497
March 1497
Noticing that our big western neighbor Hungary views us with more suspicion ever since the Wallachian campaign we attempt to marry our prince Slobodan to a niece of Ulazslo II, the king of Hungary. Humiliatingly we are rebuked and our relations with Hungary worsen even more. (+10) Hopefully we can regain their trust soon enough as we really do not want to worry about our western borders.
August 1497
18th Jealousy turns our to be expensive for Golden Horde as the armies of Astrakhan Khanate are able to capture Horde’s capital at Sarai Berke. Golden Horde’s Han Sayyid Ahmad II says goodbye to 119k of gold.
September 1497
14th The Balkans are shaken! Austria declares war on Venice over the trade dispute. All of their allies get involved in a war. This could be a messy affair right on our western border.
Austria, Bohemia, Lorraine, Baden, Sweden, Wurtemberg, Hannover vs. Venice, Hungary, England and Mameluks.
1497 Summary
This was supposed to be another quiet year for Serbia. We are unable secure Royal Marriage with Hungary on our western borders and to all more fuel to the fire a large scale war broke out between to Big boys to our west. We are going to try our hardest to stay not involved it this.
START>>>>>
In late 15th Century the combined strength of Greek and Serbian nobles were able to shake themselves loose from the Turkish oppressors. After the battle of Kosovo the Kingdom of Serbia was born. Governed by the hero of that war, Jovan Brancovic. Serbia’s political scene is shaky but on a stable side, as most of the people are willing to give Jovan some time to try to build something good. Serbia consists of the three City/Provinces. Serbia/Belgrade (~12,000 people), Bosnia/Sarajevo ~5000 people, Kosovo/Scopki ~5000 people. Serbia’s main trade is grain (Serbia proper) and wool (Bosnia, Kosovo). All three of the provinces are poor at that time. Serbia generated about 9k revenue and Bosnia and Kosovo another 13k combined. Serbia’s military is poor with antiquated arms and early versions of guns.
In 1492 Serbia has 75k treasury and 15/2 army under Belgrade.
Good relations to Russia, Georgia, Greece, Moldavia.
Bad enemies with Turkey and Polish Duga.
Serbia still remembers the way the Mediterranean kingship of Ragusa stubbed them in a back during Turkish invasion and waits for opportune time for payback. Ragusa is a vassal of Hungary at this time.
The neighbors are from the North, clockwise
Hungary (neutral), Wallachia-Turkey’s vassal (friendly), Turkey (hostile), Ragusa-Hungary’s vassal (neutral), Venice (neutral)
Jovan Brancovic
1492
January 1492
Promotion to tax collector in Serbia initiated.
Two merchants sent to Venice.
The budget is remodeled to curb inflation as well to prevent any research spending onto naval technologies. We doubt we would have a need for those for awile.
28th .Russia, Ryazan, Pskov and Crimea declare war on Kazan, after Russia cancels vasalization with Kazan and declares war on them. There is unrest within Russia for such backstabbing does not agree with the stomachs of some boyary.
February 1492
One of the merchants are successful securing trading slots in Venice (1).
Military spending on maintenance of the army is halved, as peace appear to stay here some time. At least we are relieved that our major danger, Turkey, appears to be looking east not west at this time.
March 1492
18th .We accept Royal Marriage with the Hansel of Munhen, the Prince of Bavaria. He is the cousin of Albreicht IV. Bavaria is now our friend (+114).
April 1492
4th Sensing that Russia has internal problems from starting the war with Kazan, Poland-Lith declares war on Russian alliance.
June 1492
One more merchant is sent to Venice.
Our hopeful suspicions appear to be correct as we are seeing the 43k Turkish army of Hadim Ali move eastward from Bulgaria. It appears Turkey is going to try to lay claim to the holy lands of Abraham.
July 1492
Merchant is successful at securing one more slot in Venice (2).
August 1492
7th Turkey declares war on Mameluks. Our predictions were correct. Hopefully, this will be a long and bloody war, which will bring Turkey down a notch.
21st Ryazan’s capital city falls to Kazan’s khan. Ryazan pays 78k in indemnities to Kazan. With this money, disarray in Russia’s stability and Russia’s other allies, Pskov and Crimea heavily involved in war with dangerous Poland-Lith, Kazan Khanate make actually come out a winner in the war.
October 1492
One more merchant is sent to Venice
November 1492
Merchant is successful at securing one more slot in Venice (3). This is great news as Venice is the most dominant center of trade and we manage to get three merchants slots there. The only other nation with more then 2 merchants in there is powerful merchant nation of Genoa and, of course, the Venice republic themselves who regularly exercise monopoly in Venice.
December 1492
30th .We celebrate the incoming new year as we accept Royal Marriage with the Pan of Salesia, the second uncle to Vladislav II the king of Bohemia. Bavaria is amiable towards us now. (+72). What makes it even better is that Bohemia is in Austria alliance. And Austria along with Hungary is the main power player in Balkans other then Turkey. Having royal marriage with Bohemia might make Austria to look at our nations with favorable eyes.
1492 Summary
In 1492 Serbia was a building year. Serbia’s politics got quite a bit more stable that year, as most of the people were firmly behind our sovereign leader Jovan Brancovic. After the successful struggle against the Turks sucked the country dry a major effort was spend to start rebuilding the Serbian power. New budget for the country was devised. Three merchants have secured place in Venice by the end of the year. Royal marriages to German states of Bavaria and Bohemia were established. Tax collection was enhanced in the capital Belgrade by establishing a Tax collection agency there. Serbia’s revenue by the end of the year consisted of 10% road and bridge tariffs/customs, 13% production of grain and wool, 38% taxes on goods and services, and 38% trade. At the end of the year census tax provided 15k to the federal treasury.
Turkey was seen start a war with Memeluks, hopefully providing the fledging Serbia time to create enough defense in both military and diplomacy spheres if Turkey were to ever try bringing Serbia back in their grasp.
1493
February 1493
Diplomatic contact allows exchange maps with several countries to reveal maps of Central Asia and Africa.
1st February We have also established and headed new military alliance. Greece has accepted the proposal. Greece is our good friend now (+160) and we will fight side by side if Turkey gets any ideas. It makes sense, two of the former oppressed will unite against the oppressor again if he so wishes.
It is at that time that top military advisor insists that it would be a good time to spite Turkey, while they are busy with Mameluks. It would be suicide to attack Turkey itself, but their vassal, Wallachia is bordering us on the north across the Danube river. We now that the people of Wallachia want to be freed from Turkey and would probably prefer joining their fellow Orthodox Slavs. Only a minimal fort and a contingent of 10k troops defend Wallachia capital, Bucharest. We do not that Wallachia values their sovereignty and would still oppose joining Serbia and not existing as a nation anymore. It could probably turn some other countries against us, but the price of richer Wallachia could be worst it. Bucharest generates 14k as compared to our capital Belgrade 11k. That number would likely fall though if they are to resist joining Serbia and as consequence of war. But the potential to get it back to the same level and higher is there.
We take 200k load under the pretext of infrastructure development and start heavy recruiting of troops in Kosovo and Bosnia.
5th Spain declares war on Navarra. With two of Spain vassals, Milan and Naples following suit small brave kingdom of Navarra does not stand a chance.
March 1493
30th We hear news that Pskov is a part of Poland-Lith now. It looks like bad times for Russia. We are also concerned for ourselves and Poland-Lith have never been friendly to us and they are not too far away from our borders.
April 1493
Two newly recruited brigades in Bosnia (5k) and Kosovo (4k) are ready to march to Belgrade to join the main army there. We have them wait from now. No reason to make Wallachia nervous yet. We raise military maintenance back to 100% to raise the morale of our troops. With this and the 200k load our budget is going out of the window.
May 1493
We feel that year and half in relative calm and alliance with Greece people are satisfied with our leader. The stability of Serbia now seem to be at maximum levels. We need that as we are certain to take a hit in stability when we declare war on a nation that has done no harm to us. But majority of the masses we hope that we can convince that we are going to Wallachia to liberate them from Turkish vassalisation.
However as we are almost ready to declare war on Wallachia the Danube floods, by the time the waters would recede it would be too late to proceed before the winter gets here.
The maintenance for the army is lowered back to 50%.
27th Navarra is a part of Spain now. As we thought, that was quick.
Also, to our disappointment we learn that Turkish are doing very well in their war against the Mameluks and are already in control of the holy lands and almost half of the Mameluks territory.
July 1493
The tax collection agency establishment is under way in Bosnia. We don not want to see our loan money just sitting there.
September 1493
We lose on the trading slots in Venice (2).
The tax collection agency establishment is under way in Kosovo. We don not want to see our loan money just sitting there.
22nd We accept Royal Marriage with the Veeks of Bergen, the cousin of the leader of Denmark, Hans. Denmark is friendly towards us now (+102). Denmark is the most powerful nation we have ties to now. It is nice to see that Serbia is starting to get some notice. Or it could just be love.
We send two merchants to Venice.
October 1493
One more merchant is sent to Venice
23rd Russia surrendered Tula to Poland-Lith.
One of the merchant have secured another slot in Venice (3)
1493 Summary
The year was not very good for Serbia. The planned action against the Wallachia is still postponed but the load have already been taken, the recruits have been raised and the maintenance of the military was at full 100% ready capacity for a month. Some of the load money was still partially salvaged by building tax collection agencies in Bosnia and Kosovo. However the load in itself as well as heavy government spending have skyrocketed the interest rates in Serbia, which now stands at 11%, well higher the target rate if 5%.
The year also saw Serbia’s enemies gain significant gains in their military adventures. Poland-Lith won the war against the Russian alliance and gained Tula from Russia. Turkey’s current war against the Mameluks is also going extremely well for them.
The few bright spots this year were the Royal Marriage with the Kingdom of Denmark and also the fact that after two years of relative peace the country appears to be very united and patriotism runs high from the halls of the capital to the cracked dwelling walls in shanty villages. It seems that if the weather will cooperate next year would be a good time for an attempt to free Wallachia from the Turkish overlords.
1494
February 1494
Lost one merchant in Venice (2)
4th We declare war on Wallachia. Unfortunately the rifts within our kingdom appear immediately. Some say we should not attack the country of the same faith that have done us no harm and treated us well. The stability of our land is now in its lowest point. We hope we can restore some of this if the campaign is not too bloody and fast. May God help us! We are only building stronger Balkans to protect us all against the Turkish infidels.
10th .We hear news 10k Wallachia army are on their way across the Danube to our capital, Belgrade. We are willing to wait for them on our side with our 17k army there.
Additional 5k in Bosnia and 4k in Kosovo are ordered to move to Belgrade for support.
Army maintenance is set to 100% to boost troops moral ahead of this battle.
13th We hear that most of Wallachia is repulsed by our action and many people are willing to be recruited to fight us. Could this be the end of Serbia? We know other nations are not pleased with our aggression either. Wallachia appears to be favored by many as a peaceful friendly nation. But we are not here to make friends, but to make Balkans strong. They will thank us one day. We are the buffer between Europe and the Arab infidels and it is up to us to be strong not to be eaten alive.
March 1494
3rd – 16th March 1494 The Battle of Belgrade
5k/5k Strong moral Wallachia vs. 15k/2k Disciplined Serbian troops. Early in the battle we do hold an advantage as they are trying to disembark from their rafts. So first day we hold an advantage.
6th (2k/4k) Disciplined vs. (13k/1.5k) Weak. They do have so much more cavalry that it makes the second half of the battle be on their side and they are able to successfully shock our infantry. We can feel the morale of our troops sap. However we know and Wallachia doesn’t that the reinforcements from Kosovo and Bosnia are due to arrive soon.
9th (.1k/4k) Weak vs. (12k/1.5) Weak. The reinforcements are not here yet, but it appears they would not be needed. We were able to destroy almost all of the enemy’s infantry formations and without them cavalry will not be able to sustain their rushes.
16th Both reinforcements totaling 9k finally sends 2.2k Wallachia cavalry in retreat across the river. We follow, knowing that we will most likely face the newly recruited army there. We hope that 2k of retreating cavalry with low morale and crudely assembled recruits will be no match for our 21k/1.4k army.
April 1494
12th – 17th April 1494 The battle of Wallachia
13th .We were able to face the 2.2k cavalry separately before the newly formed army of recruits could get to help the cavalry. As the result their entire cavalry army was destroyed. We can now wait for the ragtag recruits if they dare, after that we plan to siege Bucharest.
14th 10k infantry recruits arrive, without cavalry they are hopeless.
17th They loose about 1 thousand man and the rest 9k retreat but then cross the rived to Belgrade. We are not worried, as we will be sending most of our army back to pursue them and leave just enough in Bucharest for an efficient siege.
May 1494
9th We engage the retreating recruits in Serbia, 30 verst from the capital. 9k vs 11k They prove to be better then we thought.
16th After looking 3k and taking 2k of our man to their death, they retreat the only way that they can, south towards Kosovo. We follow.
June 1494
8th. Once again we catch up to the army of recruits. They loose another 1k and we loose 100 more infantry and 30 cavalry in a series of scrimmages all around Kosovo. The rest retreat north towards Belgrade. Once again we follow.
July 1494
5th. Once again the cleanup work, but this time it turned ugly. We catch the retreating 5k recruits on the Danube riverbank attempting to cross back to Wallachia. Caught with nowhere to run they fight admirable to the veterans.
14th They loose 1.5k man but at the end of the battle it is they who are victorious. Virtually all of our cavalry is gone and 8k infantry are retreating towards Kosovo. We are not worried thought as what is left of the enemy is not a large enough numbers to begin any sort of siege of Belgrade. We do expect them to pillage the countryside in Serbia though if they do not cross back to Wallachia. But that we can rebuild later.
12th . We also get wind of the BIG Boys war in Europe as France declares war on Spain. All the alliances get involved. France, Savoi, Papal States, Brittany, and Poland-Lith vs. Spain, Naples and Milan. We hope Spain will fare well.
Tax agency completed in Bosnia
September 1494
Tax agency completed in Kosovo
We expect the siege of Bucharest to take a long time. Perhaps, another year.
December 1494
We are do not think there would be any more battles and we are willing to siege Bucharest until the white flag is raised there. The local countryside in Wallachia is under our control and some people are have began to treat our presence there favorably. After all, we are so alike.
1494 Summary
Not much to summarize here. The war is going pretty well. We still have a way to go though.
We have created tax agencies in all three provinces. The country lost a lot in a way of stability when the war was declared but slowly regained some of it by the end of their year.
The world is involved in much larger conflict further west, between France and Spain.
1495
January 1495
We have lost 1500 men during the siege of Bucharest this month due to attrition. We never anticipated such wintry conditions here. This was a month to remember. The siege still goes on though.
May 1495
11th First results from the Franco-Spanish war. Milan lost its independence and is now part of the French Empire.
June 1495
WAR OF WALLACHIAN EMANCIPATION (4th February 1494 – 14th June 1495)
Number of soldiers to have lost their lives:
Infantry troops --- 9345 (5709 in combat / 3636 to attrition)
Cavalry ---- 1861 (1141 in combat / 720 to attrition)
14th Bucharest flies the white flag of surrender. The same day the kingship of Wallachia ceases to exist and becomes part of the greater Serbia.
14th We gain a new neighbor to the north, Moldavia. They dislike both Poland-Lith and Turkey the share our faith. This day they join our alliance with Greece. Now we are three.
Maintenance for army is set back to 50%. We now have to rebuild Bucharest and repay our loan as soon as possible. Hopefully we get few calm years ahead. With the victory our stability is almost back to the level it was before the war started.
December 1495
11th We have invited one more member to our alliance, the brave Caucus nation of Georgia. We can see that Turkey will win the war against the Mameluks soon. We know that Balkans would be the most likely next target. Georgia gives us an ally on the backside/east of Turkey. Turkey will have a lot more trouble fighting on two fronts.
1495 Summary
Serbia is now truly the most powerful it has ever been in our history, with the acquisition of Bucharest, which is even more populous and productive, then our capital at Belgrade. We also secured and alliance with Moldavia and Georgia. Serbia feels more secure then ever in its history from the military perspective. However, there is no way we would be able to repay the load. Hopefully going bankrupt is worth having Wallachia.
1496
March 1496
Five merchants sent to Venice in hopes to acquire 2 to 3 more slots there. It is a gambit, but we decide to take a chance, we need some luck to repay the national loan.
April 1496
No luck. From five merchants sent only one more slot was added in Venice (3).
We decide to print more money to be able to payoff loan in five years. Our inflation raises to 30%!
8th France looses Bearn to Spain. The first major European war is over. Spain is a clear winner taking Bearn. However France did gain Milan in exchange, so they are not the losers here either. The big loser is of course Milan, which is no more an independent state.
19th Probably driven by the same concerns as we the ancient nation of Persia declared war on the Turks. Their African allies, Nubia, also join them. It looks like another good break for us. This news helps us a lot to get the nation stability and patriotism back to the pre Wallachia war levels.
August 1496
14th War between Russia and Kazan is finally over. All that Russia gets out of it is 114k gold. But Kazan remains intact and that is indeed a bigger win for them.
September 1496
11th .The hot tempered khanats of the Caspian steppes have entered a war as it was revealed that one of the wifes of the Golden Horde’s Hun, who was actually originally from Astrakhan still had feelings for her old love from Astrakhan. The Hun immediately annulled that Royal Marriage and Golden Horde declared war on Astrakhan Khanate the very same day.
1496 Summary
This was a very quiet year. We expect the next few years to be quiet like that. Serbia needs time to digest Wallachia. We are not planning to spend any money as our loan needs to be repaid the sooner the better. We are planning to be active on the diplomatic front though. Of course we can only afford as much quiet as Turkey or perhaps someone else is willing to give us.
Here is something to compare to just four years ago. Serbia’s revenue by the end of the 1492 consisted of 10% road and bridge tariffs/customs, 13% production of grain and wool, 38% taxes on goods and services, and 38% trade. At the end of the year census tax provided 15k to the federal treasury.
And now only 8.6% (6k) of the revenue came from tariffs/customs, 14.3%(10k) from production (wheat in Wallachia and Serbia and wool in Bosnia and Kosovo), 41.4%(29k) from taxes on goods and services and 35.7%(25k) from trade. But here is the biggest difference; at the end of the year 31k was added to the treasure via census tax. That is more then 100% growth in 4 years! No wonder the people of Serbia are united and the patriotism for our homeland is as high as it ever was
1497
March 1497
Noticing that our big western neighbor Hungary views us with more suspicion ever since the Wallachian campaign we attempt to marry our prince Slobodan to a niece of Ulazslo II, the king of Hungary. Humiliatingly we are rebuked and our relations with Hungary worsen even more. (+10) Hopefully we can regain their trust soon enough as we really do not want to worry about our western borders.
August 1497
18th Jealousy turns our to be expensive for Golden Horde as the armies of Astrakhan Khanate are able to capture Horde’s capital at Sarai Berke. Golden Horde’s Han Sayyid Ahmad II says goodbye to 119k of gold.
September 1497
14th The Balkans are shaken! Austria declares war on Venice over the trade dispute. All of their allies get involved in a war. This could be a messy affair right on our western border.
Austria, Bohemia, Lorraine, Baden, Sweden, Wurtemberg, Hannover vs. Venice, Hungary, England and Mameluks.
1497 Summary
This was supposed to be another quiet year for Serbia. We are unable secure Royal Marriage with Hungary on our western borders and to all more fuel to the fire a large scale war broke out between to Big boys to our west. We are going to try our hardest to stay not involved it this.
