somoeno, pointed out that there can be a bug with the mines in Nisa, so that can be a problem as well. I think the best thing is to smash the AS as soon as possible, because they gen crazy amouts of money for thouse many cities (1200 for each). If you are lucky, you can use your initial spies, to make the cities beneath your starting ones rebel and tak them whitout starting a war whit AS right away, wich can give you a few turn advantage before the Grey death decents apon you.
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