Mr. Vader,
You asked for some advice, so here goes:
1. Upgrade all of your basic buildings before starting higher level structures.
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was to build everything as soon as I could. The pull of something new and cool is hard to ignore, but I found that I would have been better off building up a solid base first.
Don't forget that fir planks and stones become hardwood planks and marble in the provision house. Upgrading the production chain for those two guarantees faster upgrades for all of your buildings.
Likewise, remember that buffs are your biggest friend early in the game, even if they are only fishplates. Half an hour doesn't seem like much, but that is 5 extra bronze ingots which means extra swords and tools. Even early in the game it might be wise to NOT run all of your higher level workyards, (bronze swordsmith and tool makers), all of the time. You might find it better to shut things down when they are not buffed so that you get the most bang for your resource buck. (Even now, I only run my iron sword chain if it is buffed.)
In the long run you will find that the resources necessary to build, for example, the iron sword chain, might be better spent on the bronze sword and tool chains. Never underestimate the value of recruits or the number of hammers you'll need to upgrade mines. (It takes me several thousand tools a day to just keep up.)
Please do not neglect your storage capacity either. Try to pay attention to the levels of different resources and ship the extras to the provision house. Finally, upgrade your provision house and barracks as soon as possible. The extra space is worth the cost, I promise.
2. Behold the awesome power of the lowly recruit.
It is tempting to build militia and soldiers but until you are adventuring seriously there is little need for higher level units. Recruits are cheap and quick to build cannon fodder. Even now, I have only 200 each of cavalry, longbowmen and soldiers, but 1200 recruits. Until you are about to ding level 40 recruits are your best bet.
3. Never underestimate the value of gold coins.
Gold coins are easy to get hold of early in the game. Everytime you take out a sector you get 300 or so, another hundred every level and 50 every so often from taking out a bandit camp. That will not always be the case. Trust me when I tell you that the further you go the more of it you'll need to upgrade buildings. Hang onto as much of it as you can.
Trading resources for other resources should always be your first choice, even if it takes a bit longer. (There is always someone who needs what you've got and vice versa.) If you must pay in gold, don't jump on the first offer in trade; take some time and watch prices for a while. Your patience will be rewarded.
May the Force be with you.
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