2 Things this game desperately needs

[Taqwus]

Sandman said:
Why on earth punish the player like that?

It's not punishment. It's the logical consequence of your actions.

If you try to break into my place by punching your fist through the glass door and cut yourself, that's a direct consequence, not punishment. My following the trail of blood and beating you with a metal staff would be an example of punishment.

If you tell soldiers that you're suddenly going to stop paying them, during a war, when they're likely far from home, and the now-unemployed band happens to be fairly strong compared to anybody else in the local area -- they aren't necessarily just going to fade away. Hence, the unrest boost. This should be higher if the unrest is already significant and there isn't a remaining garrison that can compare to the newly unemployed.