
Yet in 978, the common people achieved what had been long thought impossible - they overthrew the empire, and paraded through the streets of Griffenheim, preparing to implement their broad agenda of Liberty, Prosperity, and Democracy. So I ask is there any way to edit the save to force a nation to be my puppet without a war.

If that suits you just fine, work towards adding and removing inflation on your way to All it would be is a new building slot, upgradable but not able t yesman.
