[cleveland]

Having 20 provinces by year 2 is great. If you can hold them.

Per DC, one of TC's strengths is their perceived weakness. Nobody's going to feel too threatened by you early, unless you make a meteoric rise up the province graph. Then they'll be coming out of the woodwork to tagteam you.

Best to have an unassuming opening that you can properly defend. Give yourself a chance to let that research develop, then surprise everyone when your battle magic comes online.