EDIT: Also monitor the ministers in your government and replace them if they build up bad traits.
This should not be a problem if you make a healthy profit from trade. If you figure out the money side you can use tax to manage happiness and you can afford more effective armies. Do not fight bretonnia more than needed to take back mariemburg. Using that I was able to conquer all of India and some of the Americas. … Start by upgrading the building found there - from the Training Field to the Rally Field. REINFORCE this channel here: guide on how to play the Empire in multiplayer! Prussia can be you best friend or your biggest threat.
So you take 1-5 territories you're interested in and then you build them up with population and wealth buildings. Play defensive and let your cannons do the work. I thought it was really good at teaching the new mechanics in Empire and certainly helped me. Also the tip about demolishing the coaching inn to access a second school is a good one.
