you have to select the option to enable maunal management (managing at no general presence), otherwise you have no control over the settlement, I think 1.5/1.6 has a big improvement on this, not sure the detail, cuz I always set manual management on
umm, I dont' cheat, I don't know ... but you will get generations of families, check the family tree, boys become general at 16, and girls marry military commands (cute guys?)
send diplomat to negotiate terms with foreign nations, always be strong when you have the term ready ... cancel all treaties before start a war ... dont' start a war within 3 turns of ceasefire, maintain a good position in both financial and military. Allies are good for the beginning, but you need to watch what they do, dont' let them get too strong
***BI is a very interesting too
***do you know where I can that them cheap ... my disc is worn out