Note: If you DO NOT want the cities you work hard to build up destroyed by others, then be sure to play on an Age II server that does not allow the capturing of player made cities.
Sure, advising noobs to start out on a months old server, where everyone is far ahead of them.

DO NOT worry if a stronger player colonizes you
Well... dont think I have to comment on this one.

18 Farms
Lol just lol. I wouldnt even mind 50/50 Lumber/Iron... but 18 farms is a joke.

simply sell some other materials
teaching noobs that resources are the same as materials... nice.

It is a good idea to build a level 9 Academy in each city and "research" each item in the academy up to level 10 EXCEPT for Privateering and Stockpile.
Every good player knows that Stockpile is a great research. Japanpimp does not know that Stockpike increases capacity limit.

You will need to use lots of warriors to farm/hunt for medals.
Questionable...

Once you have your 4 cities built up to level 9 everything
level 9 marketplace? level 9 relief station? lvl 9 inn?

As troops finish training use the troops to attack Level 5-9 Barbarian cities.
Right away... ur first farming... NPC5-9s?

In your feasting hall only keep 1 political hero and 3 attack heros
So... if you come across a good ATT hero in the inn, you dont recruit because you rather have crap heroes?