Chapter 108
In 812 AD, the Romans once again struggled to keep their territories under control. While the Romans were bloodthirsty, they were hesitant to attack their own people. This was the case in the Iberian peninsula where a small nation has gained its independence through peaceful means. Because the new nation's capital was located in Barcelona, the nation declared itself as Barcelona. With another nation breaking free, the Roman's control over the Iberian peninsula was further weakened. Barcelona had a few provinces in her control with one that was thankfully coastal. This nation immediately began to improve relations with Leon as both nations were in similar situation. While both nations gained independence, the fact that they bordered Rome meant that their independence isn't guaranteed to last forever. The Barcelona ruler, following Leon's lead, improved relations with the Langobards, the only superpower that can take on the Romans. The Langobards welcomed the birth of the new nation with open arms by arranging marriages. The act to befriend the newly formed nation didn't go unnoticed by the Romans. The tension between the two nations risen further.
In Asia, the Langobards still needed to cut the Romans off from further expansion eastwards and an opportunity presented itself near the Persian Gulf. One of the newly captured Kangju provinces gave the Langobards knowledge of a coastal province that bordered the Romans. It was imperative that the Langobards take the province to delay the Romans from discovering anymore provinces eastwards. The province was under the control of the Japanese who, from the many coastal provinces they control, had proven themselves as a naval power that expanded steadily along the coast. The Japanese were already occupied with many of their wars in the East which meant that their ruler wasn't happy when he learned of the new war. Therefore, a few months passed and the Japanese province was ceded only days after its occupation. It was only months later that the Langobards ruler learned, to his surprise, that Funan, a Roman ally, was east of the newly conquered province. Should the Romans take the new province, it would link the two nations and result in a tougher encirclement of the Romans.
By the end of the war with the Japanese, the Langobards learned of a region called India. It was said that there was great wealth in the area and it wasn't that far from the Persian Gulf. Unfortunately, the Romans heard of the news as well and prepare to do the same. The Roman emperor asked the ruler of Funan to deliver accurate maps of the region to aid his expansion in the area. The Funans, while thankful for the liberation by the Romans, weren't too thrilled to learn of the Romans wanting to expand into their region. The Funan ruler chose to refuse the request which nearly sparked a war between the two nations. What stopped the war from taking place was the vital decision that would take place in Rome. The Romans were prepared to take a national idea to move their nation further ahead. After much debate, the Romans took an unexpected choice. With the centuries of warmongering, the Romans were expected to take a military related idea to further boost their military capacity or simply improve the quality of their troops. Instead, the Romans took the idea of National Trade Policy which would increase the ducats entering the Roman treasury. Many nations found the development very interesting. The fact that the Romans picked a financial idea meant that their economy wasn't as great as they boasted it to be.
In 825 AD, another peaceful fight for independence resulted in the nation of Zeta breaking free in West Balkans. With five provinces under their control, Zeta appeared to be in great shape. There were two things that worked against this new nation. First, this nation didn't have great relations with Rome which meant that their independence wasn't guaranteed. Secondly, the Zeta wasn't a Catholic nation. Their independence was quickly shortlived when the Langobards declared war. At the time, the Romans were rumored to be preparing in the retaking of Zeta. The Langobards chose to strike first to deny the Romans from reclaiming their former territory. The action proved to spark further tension along the Langobards-Roman border with people from both sides bracing for another war. While the war with Zeta was taking place, worrying news arrived at the Langobards court. The people of Great Moravia wanted recognition as a nation and formed many claims in Eastern Europe near Warsaw. As soon as the war with Zeta ended, Langobards troops were immediately relocated into Eastern Europe to quickly respond to possible rebellion. As expected, the people of Great Moravia, following the Langobards king's denial to their independence, chose the bloody path of war to achieve their goals.
On the January of 829, the people of Great Moravia rose up in rebellion to fight for their independence. The rebels were estimated to be five hundred thousand strong. Some cities fell instantly as the rebels overwhelmed the garrisons. The Langobards troops sent by the king, garrisoned in nearby provinces, were immediately sent into the area. Bloody battles would ensue as both sides suffered heavy casualties. The king, upon hearing the slow progress of the battles, ordered more reinforcements into the area. Unfortunately for the rebels, they didn't have the same luxury. Some of the provinces they occupied still haven't been converted to Catholic yet. As all Catholics, the rebels chose to slaughter those that followed a different faith. As such, the rebels lost support of the locals. To make matters worse, the locals began their own resistance to fight against the rebels. With enemies on both sides, the rebel numbers began to dwindle and many of their headquarters were retaken by the Langobards troops. One year later, the rebellion had more or less been successfully put down. The Langobards king, taking no chances, ordered his troops to clean up the remaining pockets of resistance.
Tech:
Government: 11
Production: 28
Trade: 13
Naval: 19
Land: 62
Map of Langobards in year 830:
Religious Map of Langobards in year 830: