You can get generals with obscenely high stats so long as you really micromanage them in battle. I had my faction heir complete a crusade when he was 18, and shortly after survived 3 sieges in a row from Egypt.. He ended up with 10 command, but he was also a strong attacker, strong defender, genious (born with), wall talker etc etc. Oh and his body guard are 3 gold. Worked out he was at least 19 star general, AND he was brutally scarred (can any mortal blow fell him?)