D+2: "The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials."

I'm back. Got in during the wee hours Tuesday morning. I've taken a pass through the logs, and got a little bit of time tonight to start going through the game itself. Quite an undertaking catching up. I'll see what I can do in the next couple days, but don't expect anything before thursday from me at the earliest - I've got a lot going on these days. If Duke wants to jump ahead, that's fine with me...just let me know so I don't start playing.
 
Originally posted by TheViking
Oops, I overlooked the "Same rules as the Demo-game" part :blush:

The "no spaceship win" rule was discussed near the end of the previous succession game ;). This is a mess - a fun mess :D.
That comment was made specifically regarding the bribing rules. I don't think I meant for it to apply to all rules (i.e., spotless) and I didn't think that one applied in this game except that we *wanted* to do it early on because of the alliances and gifts. However if we are going to choose to remain spotless, I'll play that way too.
 
Originally posted by Duke of Marlbrough
Yep, as far as I remember, no city bribes and a spotless Rep. I think we were a little cocky after our last game. ;)
Remember, we had Andu playing every round during that game! It's easy for someone like me to get cocky when following him! :worship: :lol:
 
Originally posted by Duke of Marlbrough
Tim, are you playing? It sounded like you were already reviewing the game to play.

If you're still busy (or get done playing) I should be able to get my turns in anytime this weekend.
I've started but didn't get too far (fiddled around "turn 0" and almost done with "turn 1"). I had planned on playing last night but RL interfered. I hope to get to it tonight.
 
Feel free to take your time -- I know that I did. Trying to be caeful is sooooo time consuming.
 
I'm back from my vacation but will be on a vacation again on August 8-15. Now I'm hoping things either get much quicker or continue to be slow so I do not miss my turns while on vacation :D.

It will be interesting to see who starts a big war and when.
 
I'm on holiday from Friday 8th until 25th. I don't think we'll get to me in time so I'll slot back in when I get back. I'd need the save by Thursday morning GMT to have time to play.
 
Finally…Sorry again that it took so long. Turns were taking me up to 4 hours each, and I just haven't had that much time.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
- How far can we advance our nation's technology with science set at 10% most of the time?
- Leo’s has expired, who has the tech advantage?
- One of our cease fire agreements is no more.
- Four cities changed hands, Who, When and Where?
- Have you ever seen a city that can produce over 100 sheilds…without a manufacturing plant?


1832 (Turn 0)
New President Elected In Landslide
BEIJING (Reueters) - As expected, Tim N. Chanter has been elected by a wide margin in today's Presidential Election. The following are excerpts from his acceptance speech:

"First I would like to thank my opponent and our current leader, President V. I. King. It has been a hard fought campaign, and the President put up a dignified fight. During his tenure in office our nation has seen unprecedented population and economic growth. Thanks to his exemplary leadership, our people have prospered and much has been done to improve our already great nation. But today's vote is a clear mandate for change. It is time for a new direction. The people have spoken and it is time to put an end to lavish spending on pork-barrel improvement projects..."

"Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Chinese people, we are the most powerful industrial nation in the world. Yet the old powers are jealous as their strength and influence fade. Our long-time enemy in Athens continues to be a nuisance to our northern provinces, and the Mongols have never thought well of us. But the most disturbing trend is that our former allies have turned their back on us. We no longer can trust the other nations of the world. They have cast their greedy eyes towards our great nation and wish to take by force what we have built with our own sweat and blood. They attack our merchant ships, terrorize our cities, and steal our technological secrets."

"Our industry is strong, yet our military is weak. For too long, we have cowered in the face of the bullies of the world. It is time to take a stand. As I have said throughout the long months of this campaign, now is time for our nation to show its WILL.
- We WILL retake control of the seas.
- We WILL vigorously defend our borders.
- We WILL use our technological superiority to build weapons systems that strike fear in the hearts of other nations.
- Any nation that attacks us WILL pay dearly.

Hear me now and believe me later; we WILL defend our nation, and WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!"


Initial situation notes

We are supreme. We have no friends.
War with Russians (~6500g, Demo), Vikings (~8000g, Fundy), Greeks (~2100g, Republic), Mongols (~2800g, Republic)
Tenuous cease fires with presumably the weakest nations, Spanish and Zulu.


Current Tax set at 3/2/5 for celebrations. Net 500g/turn 500b/turn (5 turns 2360b needed)
Lux rate of 30% leads to widespread disorder, but this might be controllable with a few elvi. 40% gives no disorder, but cuts potential celebrations considerably.

14 caravans built. 8 are located near Genoa at NW end of main continent, but no ship chain is in place to reach foreign shores. 1 (Fort Viking Dye) is in Spanish territory, near demand delivery at Mongol city of Shangtu. If it survives the turn, it will be delivered next turn. 2 (Beijing cloth, Das Boot Gold) are in a badly damaged transport W of Spanish shore. Mongols could target this transport, must get to shore quickly. 1 (Tim’s Whale Oil) in Spanish Overlook - would be nice to get this to Novogorod demand. 1 is in Pisa, and has no immediate way to reach a legitimate destination unless Roma can build a transport to reach Russia. Last one is food near Tsingtao.

Possible strategic objectives:
1) Major military offensive. Mainland buildup of rush-bought units, including several spies. We could move against (a) Spain, (b) Zulus or (c) go really crazy and try a major offensive against Viking wonder cities. We already have a presence in Spain including a few offensive units.

2) Trade offensive. Put cruisers into the north to reach Russian cities for bigger demand deliveries.

3) Defensive measures. Improve defenses in Eastern mainland, cruisers into waters near Vikings, Russians, Zulus.

4) Get vans in place and get CfC


Actions:

1832 (turn 0)
- All objectives need cash infusion. Unfortunately I’ve been left with only 41g! Cut off most celebrations immediately: Set taxes 6/1/3 - net ~1275g. Adjust workers in numerous cities to avoid disorder.

- Cavalry E of Rhodes kills Greek knight, vet status.
- Russian cannon near New Capua killed - vet cav.

-Kaifeng region - NW ports switch to cruisers for trade escort and defense. Inland regions go for spies and other preparations for Zulus.

- Mainland - produce freights and some military/spy units.

- Southern islands - work on growth/development.


1834 (Turn 1)
President Attempts to Regain Confidence of Chinese People
BEIJING (Reuters) – With his popularity dropping significantly in the polls following his election, President Tim N. Chanter attempted to win back the hearts and minds of the people who elected him to office. The following are excerpts from the President's State of the Nation address last night:

"My Fellow Chinese, it has been two years since you trusted me with the leadership of the nation. I know times seem more difficult, yet it takes time to implement significant change. Certainly I am not nearly so celebrated as my predecessor. But I took office to serve the people of China, not to hear my name cheered in the streets. To fulfill the promises I made when I campaigned, we must all make sacrifices. I ask you for patience. In the long run, our nation will be a better place."

"In the past two years we have seen some amazing advances in farming technology. Soon our lands will produce even more food than before and we can store it longer thanks to the new technology of Refrigeration. We are ready to starting to develop experimental farms around Tsingtao to help feed our factory workers there."

"We continue fight against our enemies on all fronts. We've taken some losses, but we will hold our ground and continue to fight. China's defense industry is just now starting to come into its own. We are building several new heavy ships to protect our shores, and make the seas safe for merchant travel again."

"As you've heard reported for the past several weeks, there has been highly aggressive troop movement by the Zulus near our border. The Zulus insist they are just performing training exercises, but we have troops stationed there to guard the border. If the Zulus are foolish enough to use force against us, I assure you we will take swift and decisive action against them. Our military may not be the largest in the world, but understand this: China can most certainly defend herself."


- Greeks develop Amphib Warfare.
- Greek Cavalry toasts our wounded vet cavalry on mountain near Rhodes.
- Greeks get Electricity from Spanish for tactics - peace treaty.
- Mongols Republic. Move many units toward tundra fortress.
- We are happiest civ, followed by Russians, Mongols, Greeks, Vikings, Zulus and Spanish.
- Russians develop Amphib Warfare.
- Zulus move many units out in an unfriendly fashion.
- Vikings Also develop Amphib Warfare.
- Viking Ironclad attacks our Cruiser and dies. Cruiser is down in low yellow.
- Greeks get Chemistry from Vikings,
- Upgrades Phalanx->Musket, Musket->Rifle,Knight->D’goons
- Discover Refrigeration, start Machine Tools (Amphib, Fundy, Guerilla War)
- Disorder in StillNoBarbs(size 3) - Elvis hired.
- WLTPD Cancelled many places.
- Disorder in Duchy of China (elvis)
- Temple in Taipei (order restored)
- Barracks in New Capua
- Market in Venice
- Sewer in Issus
- Aqua in Yangchow

- Fort Viking Dye caravan to Shangtu (d-236)
- DasBoot Gold to Barcelona (d-218)
- Beijing Cloth to Toledo (nd-234g)
- Lisbon Oil to Beijing(d-354)

- Doh! One shield short of cavalry in Tsingtao! :wallbash:

- Spy steals (no target) Amphib Warfare from Greeks (Delphi). Upgrades. Vet spy returned!
- Greek Settler killed by cavalry near Apollonia.

- Transport leaves Genoa with 3 engineers, 3 caravans, rifleman.
- Port of Spain founded - reachable from Genoa in one transport turn :).
- Build 2 more engineers into city so it isn’t wiped out in an attack. Rush Walls.

- Chopsticks Coal van to Seville (d-455g)

- Mongol cannon killed by recently upgraded none crusader (vet) near Naples
- Cavalry kills 2 units on mountain near naples (red)

- Tax 4/3/3 with some Einsteins to complete Machine Tools this turn and upgrade the cannons currently being rushbuilt. (Firepower 2=Good!)



1836 (Turn 2)

President Discusses War
BEIJING (Reuters) - Last night, President Tim N. Chanter personally addressed the nation regarding the war with the Zulus and other issues facing the nation last night. The primary topic was the outbreak of war with the Zulus. The following is the transcript of that speech:

"Good evening. I first want to recount a bit of our national history. The Zulus have been our neighbor and ally for thousands of years. We have worked side by side with the Zulus to grow and face the dangers of the world. However, since the rise to power of radical elements in the Zulu government at the turn of the century, those thousands of years of goodwill have been strained. They cancelled our alliance. They have allied themselves with those who wish to destroy us. They have stolen our military secrets.

We looked the other way from these transgression and were rewarded with a sneak attack on one of our border cities. Forced to react with a measured response, we fought them at the city of Ibabango. When the city was taken, we found the barbaric Zulu leaders ordered the killing of their own people and they razed their own city as we arrived. It was believed that the Zulus had learned a valuable lesson and there has always been hope that relations with the Zulu government could someday be repaired.

That is no longer the case. Their recent actions have damaged our relations irreparably.

As you all know, the Zulus launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on troops patrolling our border. The surprise attack wiped out an entire Alpine defense company and a Cavalry unit. Attacks were also made against a northern port city. Hundreds of lives were lost in the largest single military setback our nation has seen since the Great Barbarian Raids of centuries past.

The radicals leading the Zulu nation have gone too far and must be removed from power. The Zulu people who have been our neighbors for so long deserve much better.

We have recently developed a new weapon called Artillery that can fire explosive warheads at long distances, thus doubling the firepower over that of conventional cannons. Early versions of this new weapon were used, along with several Calvalry units to liberate the cities of Umtata and Swazi. Scattered resistance was encountered after the cities were taken, and many of these rogue units were eliminated. Small pockets of resistance still remain. But the cities themselves are secure.

It is clear the current Zulu leadership is out of control and represents a constant threat to Chinese peace and prosperity. Every attempt will be made to liberate the Zulu people from this tyranny so that our continent can live and prosper.

Several new Naval vessels set sail recently as well. These ships have begun to patrol the Straits of Paoting to counter the raids by Viking ships in that area. Our economy is still the strongest on the planet and it is the success of this economy that allows us to build our strength and defend ourselves.

Our nation is stronger than ever, and the other nations of the world should take notice that NO offense against China will go unpunished.

Thank you all, and Good night."


- Mountain cavalry withstands greek cavalry near Rhodes (red, Vet)
- Greeks get leadership from Vikings (but they already had Tactics?!)
- Zulu government overthrown
- Zulus break cease fire!!!
- 2 Zulu Cavalry kill AT and Cavalry in Fort near Umtata
- Zulu Destroyer loses to rifleman at Tatung.
- Viking destroyers move near our eastern coastline
- Spain develops steel
- Spain wants to talk. No.
- Port of Spain builds walls, WLTPD
- Order in Stillnobarbs, wltpd
- Romanov engineers (disorder as wrong citizen taken :( )
- Duchy of china barracks
- Chopsticks freight (Silver)
- Das Boot engineers (need to fix production)
- Spy in Badlands? (why not AT?) No zulus here, Jaynes plains, Cremona, Nanking
- Smallville freight (silver)
- Market in Sydney WLPTD
- Bergen Silk
- Salzburg silk
- Kaifeng Factory
- Pollution in Tsingtao
- Leo’s upgrades Cannons to Artilleries
- Discover Machine Tools, Start Refining

- Zulus are now in Communism

- Xinjian Wine to Saragossa (D-710g)

- Cavalry kills Zulu Diplomat.
- Umtata has 3 ATs, engineer and transport, - also supports ironclad.
- 3 Artillery kill Zulu ATs in Umtata (all heavily damaged, 2 vet)
- Cavalry defeats engineer with surprisingly heavy damage (Vet)
- Cavalry defeats transport at Umtata.
- Vet cavalry kills cannon/cav stack, and cavalry
- Artillery loses to AT at Swazi. AHA! There’s a barracks there, but not Umtata.
- Send in the ladies. Walls destroyed in Swazi
- Artillery kill 2 ATs
- Vet Cavs kill 2 more
- Swazi Captured 120g. Barracks Library, Bank and colosseum remain. Size 7.
- Partisans. Zulus want to talk? No. Senate oks continued action.
- Capture Umtata 173g. Library Walls, Bank Colosseum. Size 11.
- Partisans - NINE of them! Try to avoid this next time.
- Again send Zulus away - senate OKs. :D
- Kill Cavalry near Swazi
- Bribe zulu cannon for 352g Cannon kills partisan next to Swazi.
- Bribe partisans for 440g
- Kill 4 partisans near to Umtata
- Bribe cavalry between Cremona and Mpondo

- Salzburg Silk to Madrid (d-606)
- Bergen Silk to Seville (d-708)
- Chopsticks Silver to Cordoba (D-500+)

- Cruiser smokes Viking Destroyer (Vet)
- Viking destroyer kills Viking frigate
- Mpondo has 5 ATs and 2 Rifles, building Cavalry.’
- Ngome has 3 ATs, 1 Rifle, building another AT.

- Back to 6/1/3 tax
 
1838 (Turn 3)

Northern Cities Under Attack
BEIJING (Reuters) - Several Chinese cities in the far north were attacked last night in what appears to be a coordinated effort by Russian and Greek forces.

The cities of Aurora Borealis and Romanov, were each bombarded by gunfire from Russian destroyers. All defenders in each city were killed, but no Russian ground troops were sent to capture the city.

"The Russians made strategic strikes against military targets in our northern cities." Said Defense Minister Shu Ting. "There does not appear to have been a Russian invasion attempt."

However, the Greeks sent ground troops into the forest surrounding Kung Fu in an attempt to seize the city. The troops did not attack, but have taken up positions surrounding the city.

"The situation in these cities is under control" said the Defense Minister. "and plans have been set in motion to deal with each of these situations." He continued, "These attacks have highlighted a degree of vulnerability in the region, but we will come out of this even stronger than before."

- Greek ship unloads knight and dip near Kung Fu
- Russian ship kills rifleman in Romanov
- Russian ship kills defender in Aurora Borealis
- Zulu Cavalry kills our cavalry. partisan kills our rifleman
- Viking govt overthrown.
- Viking destroyer kills our destroyer.
- Vikings get Steel from Spanish for Amphib Warfare
- Vikes and Spanish declare Thessalonica pact to contain Chinese aggression.
- Viking ship kills rifleman in paoting.
- Spanish get Chemistry, Monotheism from Vikings.
- Spanish get Feudalism from Mongols for Amphib warfare. Philosophy for Tactics. Polytheism for Chemistry, Monotheism.
- Discover Refining, start Combustion

- Order restored in Romanov, WLTPD
- WLTPD in chopsticks, Ghent, Umtata
- Middleboro builds Market, WLTPD
- Lost city Coal
- Kung Pao Wool
- Moo Shi harbor
- Pisa silk
- Prague Harbor
- Salamis Engineers, WLTPD
- Verona Temple, WLPTD
- Issus Dye
- Yangchow Spice
- Swazi walls, WLTPD
- Xinjian Gems
- Population exceeds 40million

- Tims Whale Oil to Magnitogorsk (ND -522g)
- Turin Dye to Novgorod (D-766g)

- Vet Cruiser kills Viking destroyer
- Cruiser kills damaged Viking destroyer at Paoting (Vet), kills other destroyer nearby.
- Kill Viking AT in Spanish lands

- Hut 100g
- Kung fu has Knight and Dip at doorstep with 1 rifle defending. Take out the dip

- Retreat injured units to central barracks cities (Beijing, Tsingtao, etc) to heal. Some units rehomed to Tsingtao.

- Sell Romanov temple to get cheaper Coastal fortress with no shields in tank

- Yangchow spice to Trondheim (D-312)
- Right Canal founded
- Kill 2 partisans with cavalry
- Put Vet AT in to zulu fort to see what happens.

- Transport of Vans to Spain.
- Kungpao wool to Granada (D-344)
- Combustion nearly complete (~90%), but going for cash before spain declares war.
- Xinjian gems to Valencia (nd-354g)
- Smallville silver to Valencia (nd-172g)

- Sacrifice transport to obstruct the Cruiser that will undoubtedly attack Port of Spain
- Rush new transport in Genoa to get vans to spain.


1840 (Turn 4)
World's First Supermarket Opens
TSINGTAO (Reuters) - The world's first "Super Market" opened in Tsingtao today. This store takes advantage of the latest Refrigeration technology to bring fresh food from farmlands in to the industrial areas of the city. It is believed this innovation will allow Tsingtao to increase its total productivity by 20-25% because more workers can get the fresh produce and meats needed on a daily basis. "This is a great day for the Chinese people." said Domestic Minister Chu Wing at the ribbon cutting ceremony. "Now people can get the fresh food they need every day without traveling to a distant farm or market."

China Strikes Back
BEIJING (Reuters) - The Defense department announced that strikes had been made against Russian and Greek targets in response to recent attacks. "We have sunk the ships that attacked Romanov and Aurora Borealis" said Defense Minister Shu Ting. "In addition, all Greek troops in the vicinity of Kung Fu have been destroyed."

Military action against the Zulus was again limited to minor skirmishes. When asked why further action had not been against the Zulus, Ting would only say that the Zulus had not been forgotten and that all was going according to plan.

- Frigate and knight attack Kungfu. Rifle killed but knight out of movement.
- Mongols develop communism
- Mongols get steel from Spanish for Communism
- Russians develop Espionage :(
- Russian destroyer dies attacking cruiser-escorted-transport stack near Roma
- Zulu govt overthrown
- Vikings develop machine tools :(
- Vikings in republic
- Spanish ships and troops dance around, but don’t attack!
- Port of spain completes Coastal fortress.
- Discover Combustion, Start Automobile
- Romanov builds coastal fort.
- Spy in seoul, jaynes plains.
- Kev’s peninsula Dye
- Tim’s whale market (WLPTD) needs aqua to grow, so emphasise shields ending celebration for now
- Bergen Gold
- Cremona Copper
- WLTPD in Issus, Yangchow
- Paoting coastal fortress
- Hangchow Gems
- Tsingtao Supermarket, Pollution
- Barcelona walls

- Knight killed at Kung Fu
- Pisa Coal to Kuibyshev (D-170g)
- Cruiser sails out of Spanish overlook to kill wounded Russian destroyer that hit Romanov
- New Nanking cruiser kills Viking destroyer
- Issus Dye to Mpondo (D-460)
- Cavalry kills Zulu engineer near New Capua
- Vet Crusader kills Mongol Cannon/Cavalry stack near naples
- Mpondo now has 9 defenders (2 rifles, 5ATs, Marine, Cav)!
- Ngome has 4ATs, rifle, Transport

- Vet Cavalry goes on likely suicide mission to kill stack moving towards Ngome from north...turns out to be Cannon and engineer.

- Greek caravan killed near Duchy of China
- Greek dip spotted by spy near Apollonia. Killed by cavalry
- Bribe Spanish Cannon blocking route for freights
- Bergen Gold to Shangtu (D-552)
- Cremona Copper to Cordoba (D-272)
- Lost City gold to Madrid (D-585)

- Set AT on mountain next to Mpondo to see if they’ll attack him and weaken defenses.


1842 (Turn 5)
Zulu War Resumes
BEIJING (Reuters) - After months of quiet in the war with the Zulus, China unleashed a furious assault against her former ally and neighbor to the north. "We have not forgotten the Zulu people," said president Tim N. Chanter "we simply needed time to regroup and continue to grow our military capabilities. We now have a military force that can stand up to any army on the planet."

Chinese Engineering forces led the way into battle, clearing the way north from Swazi. Intelligence operatives then disabled key Zulu defenses, allowing Chinese Artillery to take command. Defenses in Mpondo and Ngome were decimated after being constantly pounded by Chinese artillery shells. Chinese troops were welcomed to the cities and no new rebel forces were reported anywhere in the region.

"Mark my words. We can, and we will free the Zulu people." said the President.

- Greek destroyer seen off the coast of Greek Overlook
- Mongols move toward Spanish
- Russian gov’t overthrown
- Zulus develop Steel
- Alpine on mountain near Mpondo attacked by Cavalry (survives) then by something in Mpondo (defeated)
- Cavalry unit in Zulu territory survives rifle attack from fort. Zulu cavalry occupies fort again.
- Greeks get Machine tools from Vikings :mad:
- Spanish units wander around (lots of ships), but no action.

- Port of Spain Barracks
- Sna Fu Temple
- Still No Barbs engineer (Disorder, rehire elvis)
- Cymru temple
- No barbs yet Harbor, WLTPD
- WLTPD In duchy of China
- Left Canal Harbor
- Middleboro Silk Caravan
- Malta Harbor
- Bermuda Aquaduct, wlptd (can’t sustain)
- WLTPD in Lost city (no food)
- Kung Pao Spice van
- Port Old n Slow market (WLTPD)
- Venice engineers
- Crete Market (WLTPD)
- Anyang Market (WLTPD)
- Macao Coastal fortress
- Xinjian Dye

- Leo’s cancelled
- Discover Automobile, start Mass Production
- Pop exceeds 42 million

- Mpondo now has 10(!) defenders - 6 AT, 2 rifle, cavalry, and a badly wounded marine that attacked our AT
- Ngome has 5 defenders and transport
- Both have barracks, but Vets should be able to hold on. Use vets on Ngome because Mpondo on river.

-Ngome offensive
-- 5 defenders defeated with 1 vet artillery lost.
-- Non-vet artillery kills badly wounded AT (vet)
-- Non-vet artillery kills Transport.

-Mpondo Offensive
-- Vet Spy brings down walls in Mpondo, escapes
-- 5 veteran artilleries win
-- Non-vet artillery: lose to AT, Defeat rifle (vet), Lose to AT, Defeat Rifle, defeat wounded AT (vet), Kill Cavalry (vet)
-- Vet Cavalry kills Wounded AT. Nonvet cavalry kills marine. City empty.

- Artillery kills Cavalry in fort near Ngome.
- Artillery kills cannon NW of Mpondo
- Partisans killed E of Swazi, SE of Umtata

- Completely fill city radius of Mpondo with Cavalry, ATs, Artillery, Engineers and even a food freight.
- Capture Mpondo, plunder 285g. Size 18, Barrack, Library, Bank, university.

- Completely fill city radius of Ngome with units…mostly engineers. :lol:
- Capture Ngome, plunder 247g. Size 18, Granary, Market, Sewer, Aqua.

- Greek Cannon killed near Rhodes. AT comes out to defend cavalry. Engineer trails, should build fort on mountain soon.

- Cruiser sinks Viking Ironclad near Nanking (vet)
- Marines spotted assembling near Aarhus, Cruiser bombards stack, kills 2.

- Pisa silk in Dnepropetrovsk (D-222)



Notes.
1) Firepower=2 is a good thing! Nothing like playing with a new toy :nya: Artillery are fairly effective against fortified Alpines. If the city has walls, you need to have Vet Artilleries to defeat vet ATs with regularity, and even then I wouldn’t try it against walls if the city was on a defensive bonus.

2) I did not complete the turn, so there is still work to do in 1842. We still need to deliver freights, several units have movement left, and rushbuys can be made and production changed, etc. Also check for unhappiness problems with troops in the field. An easy solution for many of these problems would be to use remaining engineers to put forts around the large stacks of artilleries next to Mpondo and Ngome. I made several rushbuys that I wanted to ensure were done, but most have yet to be made.

3) I’ve been getting a tech per turn, but I slacked off on freight production to ramp up for that last big hit against the Zulus, so I doubt we can get a full tech this turn without raising the Science rate considerably. This also cramps our ability to rushbuy. I’ve been spending about 3000g per turn with taxes and delivery payments. I’ve been doing all I can to deliver to demand cities in Spain, but I’m running out of demanded goods. Vans from Xinjian pay well enough that they are worth delivering even if not demanded. With superhighways, this will get even better.

There are three newly built freights, in Kung Pao, Xinjian and Middleboro. I moved the stockpile of non-demanded goods to the Iron Mountain near Tsingtao. (I didn’t want our freight stack killed by the Zulus up north.) There is also a dye caravan in Port of Spain waiting until I figured out how to deliver to Russia. You can usually ferry transports across from Genoa directly to Port of Spain, but the Spanish have had so many ships wandering around they’ve blocked my shipping lanes, so you’ll have to do some creative sailing to get the freights across this turn.

Because demand is Spain is drying up, I’ve tried to get the start of a ship chain up to Russia. There are lots of demand opportunities up there, but the Russian Navy has been all over the place. Romanov now has a coastal fortress, and is building a defender now, so you might be able to use it as a way-station to Russia.

You can probably switch to more freight production as we have a fairly good sized army riding the rails through Zululand now. I wanted to pick Mobile Warfare this turn but it was unavailable. It should be there next time if you want.

4) I used almost the entire main continent engineering force to suppress the Partisans at the zulu cities. Many of them have been used up building rails and such. There is a small stack of them left in the fort between Umtata and Swazi for you to do as you wish. I just moved them here so they would be easier to locate. Note that they have had part of their movement used up this turn.

The engineers spent most of my time working on Tsingtao, mining and RRing the remaining hills and making farmland so the city can reach full potential. It’s currently celebrating its way up to full capacity. Actually, if you rehome two of its units, you could complete superhighways in two turns, no rushbuy. (Just wait till we get a Manufacturing Plant!)

5) The Spanish have been very antsy, but have yet to attack us. It should come at any time now. Our cities there should have adequate defense, but we could not probably make much headway in an offensive without bringing over support from the Zulu campaign.

6) The Vikings have been a regular nuisance in the east, and I saw they were amassing Marines near Aarhus. We still do not have much defense in this area. Watch out.

7) Russia has been a complete pain in the butt up north, mostly with their ships. They now have espionage, so be careful up there.

8) Mongols remain at war, but they have not made much of a showing at sea. They occasionally sacrifice a few troops to the Mountain near Tundra Fortress/Naples. It’s generally a good idea to let the spy look around there each turn so you know what’s coming, then go attack it.

9) I was sending an engineer out from Duchy of China to the mountain with our troops to build a fortress, then road back to the city for support (Similar to Tundra Fortress)

10) I didn’t send diplomatic emissaries as it seems we are locked in mortal combat from here on out. The senate is our biggest obstacle at this point, but I didn’t move out of democracy for fear of cities being bribed away.
 
EXCELLENT, Tim. Well worth the wait! Five turns seems more than enough to have some excitement with our current siutation. I'm impressed that you were able to put such offensive strikes together given the defenses of the AI and use of cavs and artillery. With Mobile Warfare, we should be able to do some serious damage in a hurry - just have to see how long we can hold onto that secret.

Wonder if we'll need a mole to strike by the time my next turn comes about....:)
 
Originally posted by Kev
EXCELLENT, Tim. Well worth the wait! Five turns seems more than enough to have some excitement with our current siutation. I'm impressed that you were able to put such offensive strikes together given the defenses of the AI and use of cavs and artillery. With Mobile Warfare, we should be able to do some serious damage in a hurry - just have to see how long we can hold onto that secret.

Wonder if we'll need a mole to strike by the time my next turn comes about....:)

Thanks! I would not want to play more than 5 turns at this point. Too much going on with trade and transportation, wars, maintaining defenses, and trying to continue growth and development.

I wouldn't get too hot and bothered over Mobile Warfare quite yet. With 3 hit points, but only a firepower of 1, Armor are actually less effective than Artillery against this type of defender - especially if you're using non-vet armors against Vet alpines. Their main advantage is mobility and defense, but since we can lay down railroads, mobility isn't too much of an issue yet.
 
Exciting stuff Tim -- nice write-up as well. :) :D ;)

Long and careful -- As George C. Scott said in Patton, "This is where it (the long training) pays off"

Very Andu-like play.
 
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