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To His Excellency, Field Marshal Johann Kaspar von Bellegarde,

Commander-in-Chief of the Saxon Armies, Lord of Prague, Military-Governor of the Territories of Saxony,

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Dear Sir,

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Please forgive me for this late missive, but I have just traveled throughout the domain, trying to gain funds for our military and solve our current economic woes that are plaguing the nation. As to the current problems concerning the mysterious disappearance of half of our treasury to Poland, despite the dissolvency of our protectorate duties to that country. I can only conclude that either administrative corruption is at fault, or Poland bribed our officials to continue giving them funds in order to continue their wars against the Swedes, the Russians, and the Ottomans. (Poland owes us monies and troops for our involvement in diverting the entire Austrian army off their western front!)

I must congratulate you on your victory in once again crushing the Austrian army on the fields of Prague, thoroughly routing their forces! Though I've heard that we've sadly lost our veteran pikemen. Personally, I believe they would've been better served on the flank against the cavalry force that nearly overwhelmed the right flank, but what's done is done. But you've greatly bled the Austrians with these repeated battles!

I've also heard the alarming news that a separate Austrian army is marching towards Berlin. Our nearest forces near that area is the army currently garrisoning Hannover. Unfortunately, it's not in a state or strength to oppose this army, unless your army in Prague came to help. The garrison army is pitifully small. The distance is short enough that I believe you could afford to send the army from Hannover to Berlin, and, once the battle is finished, fly back to Hannover before a rebellion commences (I seriously recommend building a Catholic church or some other place to build public order further so that you can relieve that army to go elsewhere against the Austrians).

I don't really understand the Austrians' folly. Why are they so puffed up with pride and refuse to make peace with us after we defeat them time and time again, decimate their armies, and take their territories. Why are they so insistent on continuing the fight with us, when they themselves are busy fighting against the Ottomans, who are pushing against their borders to the south and keep taking their territory? If they don't wish to get annihilated, they need to sue for peace with us in order to deal with their southern toothache!

Obviously, this sudden disappearance of half our treasury is a real thorn in our liver! If we don't take care of our situation soon, we won't be able to reequip our forces, train new units, or have any breathing room to expand our economic infrastructure. Not to mention build any new ships to replace the trade fleet we lost at the hands of the Austrians!

I would, once again, advise giving Hannover over to Spain, Denmark, or Westphalia, but... I'm sure that, with the news of a new port town being born in a year on the territory, you'd be reluctant to hand it over. However, that being said, it'd be quicker if you took over one of the territories with a port or two. You'll need to pressure Austria into submission!

One final thing, my lord! You need to hurry on building that school. You need to get the tech "Socket Bayonet" and "Fire By Rank" as soon as possible! It's obvious that our struggles have been so tenuous lately due to the fact that our enemies have now become better trained and better technologically-advanced. Not to mention that, despite their woes, they're still financially better-off than we are. Not to mention they have a navy that they can send to the trade-nodes and destroy any shipping we may have.

I eagerly await your reply, Marshal, as well as any future commands you may have. I am at your command and disposal. I shall send you my paperwork on our current financial situation, and I shall, until you say otherwise, continue to look into the mysterious disappearance of some of our funds to the Poles.

Your obedient servant,

Clemens Bachmann, Major

Military Attache to the General's Staff; formerly from the Westphalian Army.