by Deacon Sat Oct 22, 2011 6:53 pm
Typically the first thing listed on assets is canals and roads, both of which have a cost listed.
Roads and canals go from A (best) to E (worst)
The cost listed is what it takes to improve it to the next higher level, and has NOT been spent. If it has, you'd have a little notation: "Roads to level X by DATE" which says that you've spent the money and the work is on-going (takes a year).
That should be the only thing on the assets sheets with costs listed because given the differences in each country costs for roads/canals are different and not standard (hence have to be given to individual players)
You won't want to build canals since they collapse without spoon dredger technology which only england and the netherlands have. If you ever get it, then you can think about canals.
For the rest, typically you have your capital city listed, yourself, your advisors, building and units in that city, then the various other cities locations with your assets there. All these add up to the annual run costs.
If you don't have an adviser of a type you want, you can just appoint one. If you want to ask trade questions and don't have a trade adviser, just say you want one to your chief minister and he can arrange it. Ditto other kinds of ministers.
I suggest if you're worried about mis-steps that you take my advice and put caveats on your orders giving your ministers a chance to overrule you. Richard can walk you back from any foolish choices if you give the ministers permission to do so.