So, after a good nights sleep it was time to open the game again and get going. Right now I have only two priorities: Get a military and found some cities.

Beijing builds two warriors and then invest two turns into a granary to grow the city to size 5 before starting on the first settler. Writing comes in and, continuing the plan, I start researching alphabet. 2110BC sees Hinduism founded and the following turn Togugawa switches to it. Just as my settler completes a border appears to the north. Caesar founded just two spots from where I wanted. Since I don't want to alienate him right now with close borders, I redirect the settler. In 1630BC, Shanghai is founded.

Notice the Roman border to the north and the red border to the west. I should get another city up by the worker and one to the south. That'll be four total. After that I need to get them wielding a pointy stick. Beijing became unhappy the following turn and even turning avoid growth on it still grew at the same rate. So... that's the happy limit on monarch. Good to know. Alphabet came in in 1360BC and I set research to Bronze, though only temporarily until I had finished my trading.

Not the most spectacular trades, but nobody wanted to give up Bronze Working and the only nation with more than just Bronze was Japan who didn't want to do anything with me. Obviously I'm not as backwards as expected.

And then, just after clicking end turn, Mansa offered the Bronze for Writing he refused 30 seconds before. I was confused... but accepted. Egypt then offered Archery for Pottery... which she didn't have before. Again, I obviously accepted as I need archers. I switch to slavery. I am not familiar with using the whip, but considering the terrain at Beijing I think it might come in useful there. And, to round it off, Judaism is founded in 1300BC. A busy period of time. Hmm... founded by Hatshepsut... but... how did she get archery then? The plot (and mystery) thickens.

Two bad things then happen. A new red border appears up by the stone.... and this:

I chose... wisely. Anyway, the appearence of red cities have confirmed my first target: Tokugawa. Since he is generally disliked it shouldn't be too risky. I don't have bronze, I don't have a military production... oh joy. I expect I'll have to do it with Horse Archers and Catapults. Shortly after Elizabeth and Saladin become Buddhist. I don't have any religion yet, but regardless I am keeping an eye on what Caesar does. I have a LOT of respect for him, though he is by no means my most hated opponent. That award is shared by Monty, Mansa and Cyrus.

In precisely 1000BC I found my third and last city. From now on it'll be military until I have enough room. Beijing is resuming work on the granary before I will go for a library. Don't worry about Guangzhou saying barracks. I need an obelisk first for the wheat and horses.

As Beijing reached one turn to growth I whipped the granary. Don't know if it was wise or not, but that's what I did at the cost of two pop, but with one growing right back. Egypt then got Bronze Working in return for Meditation. Saladin already has mathematics, but still no wonders have been built which surprises me. If only I had gotten that stone...

Of course, just two turns later I get the message that Stonehenge is BIDL. The obelisk is whipped in Guangzhou. Faster to have the unhappiness dissipate than to continue building by hand and it will give me those ressources. I also whip the barracks in Shanghai so I can start on archers... and I still need an obelisk there as well. Or, perhaps, a library. I am so used to getting the Stonehenge that this new idea of having to build culture is... unpleasent. I really don't care for it. Togu then makes demand number 2... to cancel deals with Egypt. Hmm.... no thanks. You're my enemy, Egypt isn't... at least, not yet.

Good old Togu gets annoyed. This reminds me... in Warlords I don't get a written not on top when doing diplomacy of their moods. Is this just me? I can't find a place to turn it on and a mouse-over still gives me their mood.

The Oracle falls in 715BC. I suppose I could have done that slingshot thing if I had wanted... but too late now. Also, I think I might skip the Gardens. They are nice and all, but I think an army is a more pressing matter. The library gets whipped at Beijing as it is about to grow. Now, it is time for it to start focus on some military. Or rather, a worker and then military. My solitary worker is headed for the Ivory for happiness and for Elephants and I could use someone to work with Guangzhou.

Hey, sure thing, Julius, whatever you wish old boy :) Besides, I was only at +1 with Mansa and I'd rather have him as my enemy. I expect I need to do something to him later anyway to stop him from teching his way into space. Heh, I am now the wind beneath his wings. I suppose I'm kind of his hero then ;) Or perhaps he sees me as a slightly shorter version of Pompey. Let's hope I won't end up like he did ;)

Then, out of the blue in 565BC Roosevelt shows up. I had completely forgotten about him. Another wiseguy who thinks he's so rich. Honestly, looking at the list of nations in this game I would have preferred anyone else but China. No matter who, just someone else. Sigh. Well, perhaps after reporting day I can get to try out the save for one of the other nations.

I get construction in 520BC and start on Code of Laws. With my trait I might as well get it and, if I get it first, I can convert Caesar so we can have our own little gang. Judaism appears in Guangzhou but I, of course, hold off on converting. And Togu continues trying to make friends by annoying both me AND my buddy, Caesar.

What a place to found a city. If it wasn't so close to Antium I'd like it myself, but not if it costs my relations. At least he was wise enough to build it on a hill. Another demand, this time from England. As I won't give Alphabet up for nothing and she's far away, I reject her. Then I consider things and realize I should have sold it some time ago. Better see what I get for it now before it is too late.

I get Polytheism and Sailing. I am only down Iron Working, but none wants to sell. Or rather, Mansa does, but he doesn't want to speak to me. And then, just to spite me, Mansa clinches Code of Laws some 8-9 turns before me. Sigh.

Hey, why of course buddy. I'd be pleased to make this trade with you. Anything for you Caesar, old chap. And... we have no iron. I can see, but can't reach it. At least I got ivory. Some 4-5 jumbos with attendent cats should do well enough. Hmm... Welcome to the Chinese Zoo. Pyramids fall in 325BC, somewhere in England and... oh my... Egypt is huge! At least 5 cities and they look very intimidating on the map, possibly due to her creative trait. This is not very nice.

Hmm... Caesar just went Hindu... like Toku. That's not very nice of him. In fact, it wounds me deeply. Well, it should sour relations with Egypt, so at least that's positive.... unless he asks me to act against them. As I get hold of Code of Laws I use it as leverage to get Calendar from Rome, taking relations to pleased. Good. And we pop a scientist in Beijing the following turn. I assigned two after building the library. He can give me Philosophy or an Academy. I go for the latter.

Ok, just how the devil did this happen:

Hey, everybody, I'm #1. *enter Hatshepshut*. Hello, I'm #2. Nice to meet ya #2.

Right, so I'm no author and I like Austin Powers... but this is amazing. I have difficulty believing it. I suppose I should enjoy it while it lasts. I get metal casting in 55BC... but don't have time to build forges due to my military builds. I sneak one into Beijing and Shanghai though figuring that I'll get the investment back soon. The one in Shanghai also gets some help from chopping. I start on Machinery.

Buddism appears in Beijing in 110AD, but still I hold back. I want Hinduism so I won't alienate Caesar. It appears to be a long wait. Christianity is founded in the same turn. I get a second scientist a few turns later and manage to get Philosophy. Taoism is founded in Shanghai and the missionary heads for Rome. I also pull off two more trades with outdated techs.

As the forges start completing I turn my focus back on military. I just got Machinery and I need to hurry now before longbows appear. 3 cities is not much though and my goal is to capture two Japanese cities and destroy at least one. I then noticed something that caused me to curse more than a little... My Cho-Ko-Nus require iron to build. Blast. I had completely overlooked that and the nearest visible iron is Egyptian. Right. Well, I'm not changing my plans. I shall persevere without them. Right, this may prove to be a mistake, but... let's rock!