My apologies for the lack of screenshots in this update. I'm short of time but wanted to get an update out like I promised. The save file can be
found here. There are some issues for the Synedrion to discuss.
200
The City of Alexandropolis commenced works on a colosseum. This pleased both the aristocracy and the working class who dwelt in the city and surrounds. The city administrators expected the project to be completed within a decade.
The working-class Delphi Novan neighbourhood of Pulsa was forcibly relocated by the authorities to fertile lands where many of them were forced to put down their hammers and pick up ploughs. They were most displeased with the Chief Ministers and all those in the Synedrion who were responsible for this injustice.
The modernisation of the Delphian Army commenced. A mighty work it was. The greater and lesser powers of the world would be right to tremble before the might of the Delphi.
The farming neighbourhood Baan Kaw Ken, who had made their home on the plains west of Soukotai were gifted prime riverside farmland by the Crown. They were pleased with the receipt of this great gift.
In Alexandropolis the slighted ex-aristocratic working class neighbourhood of Baan Baan Koo were rewarded for their loyalty to the Crown. An area full of copper deposits were annexed by the city and the neighbourhood were given a royal charter to mine it. Within a year they had grown rich and could count themselves among the number of aristocratic neighbourhoods once more. They were deeply grateful and felt indebted to all Synedroi who had voted for this great boon.
In international affairs, Delphian negotiators managed to push the Poles into accepting Delphian copper for 5 gold per year. The Chinese of the newly "Holy" Despotate were convinced to cough up 6 gold per year in return for Delphian cotton and the Delphian promise to vote in support of the Cultural Heritage Sites proposal when the World Council would next meet.
And for the Dutch, the tide of doom appeared to be rising against them. They'd heard the rumours from the neighbouring kingdom about the prospect for war. They knew they were undefended. They'd heard how the great Delphian war machine had laid Old Apollonia low in an awesome and awful display of power. And then news that filled them with dread: the Basileus of the Delphians and the Siamese publicly denounced the Protestant Archbishopric of the Netherlands. These were dire times indeed. They suspected an attack, and they knew they were completely unprepared. They wasted no time in publicly denouncing the Kingdom, trusting to hope that the international community would be of some protection to them. Their hope was likely to be in vain, but they were most desperate.
201
In news most dire the Lord of Zurich died and a strongman took control of the Delphian province, pledging allegiance to the Holy Despotate of China. Some wondered just how the former lord died, and suspected Chinese involvement. Unbeknownst to the public, the Government of Delphi financed an operation to assassinate the new despot in Zurich. The new regime crumbled with his death and the heir of the deceased Lord of Zurich took up the mantle and brought the province back into the Delphian fold, renouncing all ties with the Chinese Holy Despostate. Either because she suspected Delphian involvement in the failure of her coup, or perhaps out of solidarity with the Dutch, the Despotess of China denounced Delphi.
In Kirrha the arts were flourishing and the great writer Ludovico Ariosto had made quite a name for himself. He published a great work which was placed on display in the Royal Library of Kirrha.
202
The ideals of Chivalry were codified, allowing for the development of specialist horse-borne warriors known as Knights. The modernisation of the Delphian Army continued.
Works commenced on a trading post near Dostana, greatly pleasing the aristocrats.
An Inquisition was established at Soukotai. Their eyes turned toward their Dutch neighbours, but they bided their time because they knew the time of deliverance was at hand.
The New Apollonian farming community of Bromata migrated to the coast, where they joined with the brave fishermen who had created many maps of the Delphian western coastline over the years. With their combined expertise and cunning, they greatly increased food yields for the city and became so wealthy they were before long accepted into the aristocracy and gained themselves franchise in the Synedrian elections.
In a great coup for the Kingdom, Agent Ninurta managed to sneak out schematics of the Chinese marvel known as the printing press. The technology quickly proliferated throughout the kingdom. With the sudden burst of publishing of texts, much faster than books written by hand, many tomes are produced in the field of finance. Whether this will lead to increases in wealth is unsure for now, but forward thinking — and also greedy — folk think it must surely do so.
203
Traders from the Shoshone Federal Republic wanted to deal with the Kingdom, but they weren't willing to make anything resembling a fair deal and so left empty-handed.
New Apollonia grew and a new labouring neighbourhood was established.
An Artists' Guild was established in Kirrha, cementing that city as the cultural centre of the entire kingdom. Funding was being sought in the city for a new caravan, which was hoped to be ready to commence operations within three years.
204
A new farming neighbourhood was established at Dostana.
The Colosseum of Soukotai was finally completed and the people rejoiced. Works in the city now commenced on a university which was not expected to be completed in this term of government.
A Delphi Novan caravan returned from its trade mission to Shanghai and was swiftly sent forth on a much safer route to Te-Moak. This was the condition given for the commencement of hostilities with the Netherlands, however General Pompey strongly urged the government to consider pushing back the invasion by a few years to ensure his New Model Army was properly provisioned and assembled. It remained to be seen what the political leaders would do with this military request.
205
The Basileus had called the Fifth Synedrion into session to debate General Pompey's request to delay the war with the Dutch by a year or few.
The University of Dostana was completed. Works now commenced on a shrine for the faithful.
In the meantime the cities of Kirrha and Delphi Nova had continued to grow, and more of the "middle class" were emerging. A new neighbourhood named Kromos was established in the urban environs of the Kirrhan Artists' Guild, and the influence of the University of Delphi had bred a new class of "middle class" citizens: scholars. The new neighbourhood included many men who had studied at and who now worked at the university. These were an even more educated class than the artists. Some questioned whether this new "middle class" neighbourhood should be granted the vote as well, after the precedent set by gifting franchise to artistic middle class neighbourhoods. But that would be a matter for the government and the Synedrion. For now the newly established neighbourhood of Literos was only a hint at the potential of what change this new class of citizen would bring to the kingdom — and the world.
Franchise
Extension of priestly voting franchise, trade restrictions
