I began a long Shimazu campaign on normal difficulty as it was rated as easy. Having never played the game before (obviously) I didn’t want additional challenges without knowing how things work.

I can’t really say that it’s been all that easy. It’s about 1555 now and I have subdued all of Kyushu and 3 trade nodes. I have also put down 2 peasant rebellions. Taxes are normal. I am presently at war with no one, trading with 7 clans and am building post roads everywhere. The plan is to allow fast movement so that a smaller garrison will be needed to protect the island from naval invasion. The navy is getting some attention also because I rely heavily on trade.

One province, Bungo IIRC, is 100% Christian and these guys have already revolted once. In fact they killed my daimyo as he defended his castle. I built a Buddhist temple there but it can’t overcome the effects of the nanban port that is on the coast. To help control these people I decided to build a level 3 castle that uses 3 food. I overlooked the fact that Bungo produces only 2 food and now I must alter my arts pursuits to get to terraced farming sooner than I intended. I considered burning the nanban port but it is valuable and worth trying to accommodate. I may still end up destroying it if the rebellions continue. I have no plans to convert the daimyo to Christianity.

I have no allies but have married off a daughter to the Date who are both well to do and powerful. I have no idea how long peace will reign but while it does I will continue to invest in my infrastructure. I have a couple of ninjas, a couple of monks and a metsuke keeping an eye on things.

Tactically I have found the AI to be aggressive. It almost always attacks regardless of who the aggressor is on the strategic map.

A long campaign has many turns. The need to move expand rapidly and continuously just isn’t there. It looks like moving cautiously with an occasional bold move is the way to go. Of course, I haven’t finished yet either…