12-16-2020, 12:11 AM
I have undertaken a bit of a gambit. The King's Gambit, let us call it. I allowed the french infestation to spread across the entire Newfoundland peninsula, and deep along both banks of the St Lawrence, mostly unchallenged. We've had a few minor clashes - in the most recent, I sent some hired natives to probe the defenses at Oswego, along Lake Erie. They were repulsed, of course, but it helped trim his options for a fortnight.
In return, I have been able to avoid building a large military, and thereby have avoided spending months tending my bank accounts. We have stout defenses, to be sure, but have not maintained the aggressive military posture customary at this time in history. I have also expanded my settlements inland. Indeed, in a lucky alignment of the stars of colonial commerce, I was able to roll a settler caravan out past Cumberland, to the strategic Fort Duquesne - something previously thought utterly unreachable by my predecessors.
But as time advances and our lines firm up, I run the risk of being edged out. The French might squeak out a dominant colonial position. In spite of my spreading civilisation and my fattening towns and counties, le francais may just give us a bloody nose (and end my bloody career!)
Then again, it might just work. Perhaps, months from now, I will look my continental opponent in the eye, claim his sword, and tell him Les jeux sont faits...
In return, I have been able to avoid building a large military, and thereby have avoided spending months tending my bank accounts. We have stout defenses, to be sure, but have not maintained the aggressive military posture customary at this time in history. I have also expanded my settlements inland. Indeed, in a lucky alignment of the stars of colonial commerce, I was able to roll a settler caravan out past Cumberland, to the strategic Fort Duquesne - something previously thought utterly unreachable by my predecessors.
But as time advances and our lines firm up, I run the risk of being edged out. The French might squeak out a dominant colonial position. In spite of my spreading civilisation and my fattening towns and counties, le francais may just give us a bloody nose (and end my bloody career!)
Then again, it might just work. Perhaps, months from now, I will look my continental opponent in the eye, claim his sword, and tell him Les jeux sont faits...