Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
From my understanding, he's no longer with us.


Good post, though Carlos. And you're absolutely right that your starting troops get creamed as the blitz continues unabated, however; crusaders/jihadis and mercenaries, as well as reinforcements from the territories you claim, all ADD to your total troop count. This is necessary because as you expand you will be fighting 10 or more empires simultaneously, and you need a decent general and some fair troops on every front.