I discover liberalism in 1330 AD, and perform the standard nationalism grab. The engineer rushed Taj Mahal.
My reward for rushing the Taj is for Stalin to declare war. I dial up China, and give him philosophy to join the war. The distraction pays off, as I watch the knight stacks from Stalin disappear from inside my borders.
I pop another scientist in 1360 that builds an academy in Pyongyang.
I get my first general during the war, and he builds a military academy in Pusan. Everyone seems to hate Stalin, and France declares war on him. What surprises me is Stalin is so strong that he captures a Chinese city.
Outside of late game with Gunships, I don't think I have ever seen an empty AI town before. A knight rushed that city.
I pop another scientist in 1505 AD, and I simply merge him into Seoul.
After this I sign peace due to the variant rules. I don't want the -20 hit to score. Under a normal case I would have taken Stalin out.
The vultures circle, and I grabbed a site where France razed a Russian city.
I popped an artist in 1590 AD. Most of the time I curse them, but in this game he will go a long way toward securing Moscow.
That annoying wheat city finally flips.
I entered the industrial era in 1635 AD.