ionize said:So you mean I should specialize my core cities to either cash or beakers (banks vs universities)?
Yes.
ionize said:Which leaves the question what to construct in those corrupt nests? granaries I got through The Pyramids, which leaves aqueducts.
Settlers and workers, and get as many cities as you can (CxC spacing) in those areas. Once they hit size 6 (unless on a river), change as many citizens as you can, without starving the city, into scientists or tax collectors. Wealth also in those areas.
You still have extra food which you could convert into shields in your core cities either through mining of forestry.