The next attack comes from Qin. He amphibiously suicides 2 horse archers. Japan then lands two axes by Turfan. Things have heating up enough that my next city has been delayed to pump out troops. I draw a GE that is merged into Karakorum. The 3 shields are nice, but the 6 beakers are better. Well this makes the next city interesting. I declare war because of founding New Sarai.
The final homeland city is built.
If I have no open trade routes, can you explain how this happened?
I have my first failed wonder with Angkor Wat. The lost time building extra maces cost me another prophet source. OTOH I can stay in deficit research for a long time. I get thrown for a loop when Cyrus lands by New Sarai. If anyone harassed that city, I was expecting Russia since I can see Vladivostok next to the city. My next GP is another Merchant that is merged into Karakorum. Gandhi finally joins the party in 1388 AD and immediately adopts theocracy and vassalage. I get another prophet that is merged into Beshbalik, as I have zero interest in divine right. Operation AI harassment begins.
I have to disband the worker due to lack of cargo space, but the delay to AI development is worth it. I entered the renaissance era in 1532 AD.