Odd Strategy...

[clairvaux]

Yeah it really does... That's probably why I feel unsatisfied by the end of it. Using this stragety I don't have to build anything but a few farms, merchants, and military buildings. In fact, if they are not newly conquered provinces I never upgrade, the walls fall easier for the eventual re-seige.

[Rilder]

Plus you don't get to see major powers develop into foes that will be a pain in the backside to defeat.

[katank]

Letting cities rebel intentionally always seemed like a bit of an exploit. Repeated sacking can lead to huge cities with 400 pop! Alas, it feels fairly cheesy. It certainly works though. You can even emphasize farms to make them grow faster and base your economy not around trade but massacring of your own citizens.