Ganked by Gandhi: Destabilisation

Gandhi followed his aid into a lavish building. Columns stood atop a wide stairway - in the new renaissance style - tireless holding a decadently decorated Architrave aloft. Inside the marbled floor gleamed as the light streamed through the large windows and was reflected onto indulgent murals depicting the legends of ancient civilisations. 'I better not be painted somewhere' Gandhi muttered to himself.

A man strode confidently towards them. He had olive brown skin and white hair but his youthful demeanour made him seem younger than he was. 'Welcome to the Bank, my lord, I am the manager' He said to Gandhi bowing low.

'Please, explain what a bank is for. It seems to make little sense.'

'Well, my lord, we look after your money, and keep it safe. In return we invest that money and give some of the profits to you in the form of interest. The other part of the profits we lend to those who have less money than ourselves, it's our way of giving back. As people pay these loans back we charge a little extra to cover our costs.' The Bank manger explained.

'Tell me... what happens if you lose my money, your investments turn sour or the people you have loaned money can not pay you back?'

'That won't happen, my lord.' The manager said with a wide confident smile that showed his white, uniform teeth.

This will have only good repercussions, I'm sure!

1080ad: Banking discovered - Gandhi can't help but think that things will only get worse from here.

Focusing my entire empire into accumulating more and more gold has payed off and I'm now in an even better position to barter. I am making over forty gold per turn, a reasonable some, and building a sizable pile of gold Gandhi would be able to swim around in like Scrooge McDuck. However the next turn is expensive. 

I contact Khan, but he is still resistant to going to war, he is really disappointing me, I expected more from him given his reputation. But Bismark, he really shows his colours. For a good proportion of my income, he will go to war with the Ottoman Empire. Next, over to Persia and I find Darius will declare with even less persuasion, a few furs and some sugar is all it takes to bring out his aggressive side. Just to round out the group, I convince Suleiman to go to war with Genghis Khan. I felt it was important to keep him included. In one turn I had completely destabilised the world while staying squeaky clean myself. And despite all the money I was paying out, I was still making ten gold per turn. My war fund had worked perfectly.

Look Dairus, I like you, I'm sure we can find a way to make
this work... don't force me to get nasty!

1230ad: Astronomy discovered - Gandhi's people finally decide to look up at night time, turns out there is stuff up there!

1240ad: Harbour built in Mumbai - Many people are wondering why it had taken so long!

The next few turns produced very little fighting. Which wasn't a surprise. All these nations had war thrust upon them, but it is forcing them to make military units instead of improving their empire. In truth I expected very little from these wars. I knew there wouldn't be much change. My main aim was to increase my standing with each civilisation while undermining other relationships. I wanted a diplomatic victory, everyone needs to love me while hating everyone else. However there was one Empire I hadn't discovered yet. So I decided I really must find it. Dave the ex-warrior (he's now a swordsman) is sent to search for the distant lands.

My relentless pursuit of wealth meant I neglected my citizens a bit.
To make up for it I've started a scheme called coins for Cholera.

Up until this point I know I had done a lot wrong. I had forgotten to build a trade network which had really dented my potential income. I had developed the area around my cities too much, increasing my expenses needlessly, but I had managed to pull through the first half of the game without a scratch and was doing particularly well. When I looked at the diplomacy screen and saw that every other civilisation was friendly towards me, I was incredibly gratified. I had schemed and plotted my way to this point and I was proud of my success. I just hope I can keep it up.

The Gold was cool against Gandhi's bare skin, he seemed to spend more and more time relaxing in his treasure room. Little else felt as comfortable and the wealth beneath him. His aid interrupted his relaxation however. 

'Forgive me my lord. I have received this.' He said handing Gandhi a leather bound book. 'I thought you might want to see it. A gentleman named "Alberti" has completed a great survey of the known world. It is a survey of the worlds richest people. You are at the top my lord.'

'Excellent,' Gandhi replied, digging his fingers into the cool gold piled beneath him.

And then, while I'm giddy with my self satisfied over confidence, Bismark declares he has signed a peace treaty with Suleiman. Coward...