The Shame of Whosit the Liberator
Inherited Turn 379, 1738 AD
The reign of Nocho the Ready saw the beginning of a great Golden Age for the Russian Empire, as well as the start of a successful war campaign against the nefarious Chinese. However, despite many successes at home and abroad, civil unrest and growing agitation against the war effort forced Nocho to step down. The Russian Congress immediately convened to to elect a new head of state. They chose a little-known but up-and-coming official named Whosit. Though the Congress hoped that the new prime minister would follow in Nocho's footsteps, change was afoot.
Seeing as the nation's wise men believed that Russia's Golden Age was coming to an end, Whosit used emergency powers to order a reorganization of the government. The people's spirits were high, and they quickly adopted the new civics with little fuss. Knowing that civil unrest was growing, Whosit abolished slavery and adopted the Mercantilist practices of Russia's neighbors. He briefly considered granting Universal Suffrage, but decided that the benefits were too little.
Economists agreed that the changes were of great benefit to the empire. Here are the changes that occured:
Before Civic Changes:
738 beakers per turn
-275 gold per turn
Artillery: 11 turns
Immediately after Civic Changes:
794 beakers per turn
-266 gold per turn
Artillery: 10 turns
After Adjusting Tiles and Specialists:
828 beakers per turn
-266 gold per turn
Artillery: 9 turns
Research was changed to Steam Power (7 turns). Artillery pieces are projected to be too costly to produce en-mass at this point in time, although a few cities would benefit greatly from Levees.
In other news, Whosit charged the Mongols a bit more for Ivory, and sold Sheep to Spain for a nominal fee.
St. Petersburg was ordered to interrupt the construction of a Cannon crew in order to build a Granary, because somehow the city had never built one, or perhaps lost it at some point.
-End Turn-
Turn 380, 1740 AD
Unfortunately, all good things must end. Russia's Golden Age comes to a close, and with it, much of the wealth. Research plummets to 696 beakers per turn, and Russia's treasury will soon run out, meaning that 100% research will no longer be possible.
News from Mongolia is that Khan produces a Great Scientist.
Beijing has been reinforced, and Qin Shi Huang has surrounded himself with a number of Riflemen skillfuly trained in the art of defending cities. Our Cossacks do not even have 1% odds of winning a battle. Howevever . . . they may be able to withdraw. The other option is to wait and see if the Mongolians or Spanish attack the city. On the other hand, there's a small chance that they might take the city themselves. We outnumber our foe about 2 to 1, or 4 to 1 if you only count the Chinese Riflemen.
After great consideration, Whosit, now known as the Liberator, decides that Fortune favors the bold and orders a charge. The first Cossack, with Flanking II, manages to retreat from battle after doing minimal damage to the defender. The second Cossack also retreats, but does a bit more damage as well. A third Flanking II rider does not make it out alive, however.
However, there are cheers as a newly promoted Flanking I Cossack nearly defeats a Rifleman before being forced to retreat!
Another Cossack dies in the attack. Then a retreat.
At this point, I think I have to know when to call it quits. The Chinese Riflemen are injured, but at the rate things are going, we'll pull a Khan and hand Beijing to the Mongolians, if we have not already. We will have to bide our time and wait. No sense in throwing good Cossacks in after the bad.
Let's see what happens.
-End Turn-
Turn 381, 1742 AD
Novgorod: Cossack > Airship
Yakutsk: Theatre > Granary
Research is reduced to 0% and cities are configured for maximum commerce in order to build up some extra cash for more deficit spending.
Little else to report this turn.
-End Turn-
Turn 382, 1744 AD
Vladivostok: Granary > Library
Mongolian and Spanish troops are massing outside of Beijing. Hmmm . . . .
-End Turn-
Turn 383, 1746 AD
Novgorod: Airship > Airship
Explorers near Vladivostok discover texts in old ruins that give clues to Steam Power. I choose not to fund additional explorations, however.
It appears that Khan attack Beijing, but did not do significant damage. I'm not sure whether to wait another turn, or to attack now . . . . Our own odds aren't very good now, either.
. . .
Patience, then.
-End Turn-
Turn 384, 1748 AD
What? What??
Qin Shi capitulates to the Mongolians?! They never even took Beijing!! Whaaaaaat??
Whosit the Liberator promptly hangs himself. As his conciousness fades, he sees what might have been . . . . The conquest of Beijing, though at heavy casualties, and the capitulation of China to
Russia. (Explanation: I went back to the last turn to see if I could have taken Beijing. I could have.) Ah, Death's sweet embrace.
So, yup yup. I royally screwed up. It never occurred to me that China would capitulate without putting up more of a fight. Khan never even got close to breaking through Beijing's defenses. Much as I wish I could use my
alternate reality, it just wouldn't be right.
I'll be booting Civ up in just a few minutes, so hopefully you'll get to have a save from a semi-sleep deprived, confused fellow. Heh heh.
If we can knock KK's standing down far enough by razing four of his core cities, she should break away from him (is it still 50%?). We can then bribe her to DoW on him and generally just raise a ruckus. Easier for us to kill her later, if necessary.
