Changes in the Plot

I do not like many things about my novel's plot.

I said that Arbusht'o gave a coup d'état using the anti-coffee policy as a pretext.

Now, I am not sure that is going to work.

It is just stupid that a general would convince a council that he had a dream, and the gods forbid coffee. And then, upon that, he would take special powers and become a dictator. No, that is not going to work.

Things could be different, and the anti-coffee policy would be more justified.

For example, Arbusht'o could really believe that coffee is unhealthy. He could have noticed that his troops suffered more injuries because of coffee consumption; they would have sleep disorders, stomach pains, and become addict to caffeine. He could have noticed that they woke up stupid, and could not pull themselves together unless they drank their first cup of coffee.

Maybe, Arbusht'o is a strong ascetic character with a lot of self-control, and he would like his troops to be like himself.

He is not alone. Other influential people could have also noticed the bad effects of coffee, and they would provide both the theoretical frame and the support that Arbusht'o needs.