I am finding the Turks early game a breeze as well. I have the game set at M/VH. The siphais and turkomen wipe the floor with all of the units I've fought so far. I've taken most of the surrounding rebel settlements, Edessa I saved for last as it has a large stack defending it. Jihads are nice and quick, especially since you don't need to worry about appeasing the pope to get one off.
I agree with most of the above posts that taking Antioch quickly is a very good idea. With its cash flow the surrounding rebels are easy to gobble up. I've allied the Egyptians and kept them happy with a gift every turn or two.
One of the biggest helps to my steady and quick growth was the nobles giving me 4 units of Siphais for 3 of the rebel provinces they ordered me to take. Made the expansion steady and smooth as I as easily able to build garrison forces to move in after my full stack of frontline troops smashed its way through rebel settlement after rebel settlement.
I reckon since I'm playing on medium difficulty for the campaign and avoided angering the Byzantines they've left me alone all together. A few armies have threatened to cross the border but have been quickly dissuaded by my full stack of HA's lead by my Sultan. I've expanded as far east and south as possible without declaring war on the Egyptians. I guess now I'll either move in force on the Byz Boys or move further north of the Black Sea. Tsibli is my northern border as of now and looks to be a good place to set up for the eventual arrival of the Mongels. The mountain range stretching east to west with the few passes would be a great place to set up some forts with some specific mongel killing armies.
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