In 1755, Lisbon was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in European history. Much of the city was destroyed, trade was disrupted, and Portugal faced an enormous economic challenge.
Rather than simply rebuilding what had been lost, the Marquis of Pombal introduced ambitious reforms, reorganising Lisbon and strengthening the state's role in economic development.
The disaster became an opportunity to rethink how the country functioned.
The lesson? When the foundations of an economy are about to change, the greatest advantage isn't necessarily having the most wealth, but knowing how to adapt.
Today, as we await an update that could reshape War Era's economy, perhaps there's something to learn from Pombal: fortunes may rise or fall, established strategies may become obsolete, and yesterday's smartest investment might become tomorrow's expensive mistake.
History rarely rewards those who assume nothing will change.