Maintaining the large army is drawing down the campaign treasury. With Spanish forces concentrated elsewhere, Madrid is considered, but Portugal is easier to reach because an enemy ship obstructs the direct landing route towards Madrid and another fleet complicates access. Portugal would also provide another college and a foothold judged fairly easy to secure. Conquering Spain's possessions in the Americas has consumed enough money that further expansion requires reorienting forces and rebuilding finances. The next objective must fit both the available maritime access and the cost of sustaining the army.
Notable Point · 3:53:04-3:55:56
Operational access and the cost of expansion
Planning an attack on Portugal connects coastal access and enemy troop concentration with the financial pause required after rapid conquest.