Following the collapse of the Mongols in the Far East, China re-emerges, reunited, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
The new dynasty, the Ming Dynasty has consolidated control over China proper, but is shaky on its limbs like a newborn deer.
By the way, this here is the Trafalgar Square, one of the new wonders introduced from 1.9 onwards.
It probably would have been more appropriate for me to build it in my capital, which enjoys meaty production rates thanks to The Great Cothon.
However, there were certain strategic incentives for me to build it in Qart-Hadasht.
1) I didn't want to waste my Wonder cap in Kition on a low-Hammer cost wonder.
2) Qart-Hadasht is much closer to the Atlantic allowing me to shuttle my vessels out faster.
The Trafalgar Square is quite decent; be sure to get it for a coastal production city.
And if you're playing America, this is absolutely a requirement for optimizing your fleet for the inevitable Oil grabs with the 5+ XP.
Large Safavid armies cross the border, occupying Phoenician cottages in Mesopotamia.
Armies are being rushed over to crush the Safavid incursion but until then,
a brave pair of Portuguese scouts continue to evade the enemy.
Also, the Dutch are born.
Alas, the Phoenician cavalry could not make it time to rescue the border folk as the Safavids massacred the civilians and plundered the cottages.
The cavalry was able to inflict some losses on the Safavids as they retreated though, annihilating a significant portion of their musket corps in revenge.
As swarms of Phoenician cavalry threatened the Safavid border, Abbas had no choice but to make peace, for fear of serious reprisals.
He paid the Phoenician Senate a handsome war indemnity, although a significant portion of it was Phoenician wealth to begin with.
The eastern border of the Punic Republic would be safe for now, but the memory of the Safavid raids would live on in their memory forever.
And we meet Hongwu, the leader of the newly resurrected Chinese.