Hey, this is an interesting dilemma I'm often facing myself in a game: do we go out of our way to grab that important strategic resource, or do we continue our initial expansion and grab the fertile lands around us first?
I often don't know what's best. In the game you're presenting here, I would probably continue to work from my strengths as agricultural civ. That means continuing to settle on rivers for the extra food bonus, and trying to grab as much of the cattle and game as possible.
I think the dilemma about the iron was bigger if you hadn't already got a horse within reach. Horses are more important in the early game than iron. If the Mongols are going to settle in the jungle, you'll probably end up much bigger than them, and your horses will be able to handle the Mongols. Hopefully your horses will be able to secure that iron for you a bit later on in the game, if other expansion possibilities have been exhausted. Err.. edit: I see now you're playing Emperor. I'm only playing Monarch. Your opponants will be bigger. And the faster research on your level probably also explains why your researching philosophy first (see below).
That's the strategy that I would pick, but I'm not a very good player.
Another point: I see that you're researching philosophy, before code of laws. Many players would choose this the other way round. If you already have code of laws if you're finished researching philosophy, you can pick republic as your bonus tech: the so called republic slingshot. Or maybe you're hoping to trade for code of laws?
Anyway, good luck with this game. Let us know how you get on!
If you don't need it for war you can trade it etc.
