My understanding is that due to the number of cities if is 2 turns to revolt into Merc, and 3 turns to revolt into Merc and Vassalage. With that in mind I'm not sure it makes sense to delay the golden age significantly, but I was planning to wait for the next GP anyway.
If you take the list output from a single turn, it is around 500 hammers, plus a further 250 gold. Ignore the culture, food and good, Merc would pay back around 100 gold per turn. Given at best 3 turns of lost output, that is probably 25 turns to catch up.
GA is better, but I have to start laying down plans.
If you take the list output from a single turn, it is around 500 hammers, plus a further 250 gold. Ignore the culture, food and good, Merc would pay back around 100 gold per turn. Given at best 3 turns of lost output, that is probably 25 turns to catch up.
GA is better, but I have to start laying down plans.