The Banfor uprising and the New Lords
Well after Shay had left and power had passed to his children's children, there was a revolt. Then Landed Lord's had realised the potential of Gonjo and were starting to cultivate it and sell it abroad, much to the chagrin of other nations. However, the port was important, and was, by now, the regional centre - because the low taxes encouraged trans-shipments, many goods passed through its warehouses, and the other nations could not do with out it.
They encouraged and covertly funded Roger Banfor to oppose the Shay's and the lords, and when peaceful means didn't work, Banfor lead an assault against the lord's and the council. It would have succeeded except that two merchants, John-Hugh Etta and Karen A'Dair, who both profited greatly from the Gonjo trade had prior warning.
It was a tense time, it was touch and go for the council and Banfor and his supporters started to gain the upper hand, and that was when John-Hugh and Karen approached the council. They offered the support of 8 ships, each crewed by battle hardened veterans and each carrying a complement of 50 mercenaries, in exchange for seats on the council. The council was is session humming and hawing over the decision when news that Banfor had taken another city block and was moving closer to the council chambers arrived. That made their decision for them, and they ceded the extra places on the council. A prearranged signal, saw 400 battle hardened mercenaries charge into the rear of Banfor's forces and the battle was turned ...
Thus, the New Lord's managed to secure places for themselves and their family on the council