Had just a look at my Men-Nefer. Seems to me that key problem is likely to be money (yours at least). So, making money?
- manage to import as few as you can. Because you do not have access to a dentist, houses will not develop much, this meaning that you cannot expect lots of money from taxes.
- export as much as you can (meaning papyrus as there is nothing else). Check out that the merchants get everything they can buy each year. Map is small, it helps.
- you can try to build schools quite early. They are cheap enough and upgrade your houses for better taxes. Did not check if libraries are available (do not build them anyway, libraries help to make lots of money only above a certain housing level).
In this game, income is very low so that you have to rely on minimum staff you can. Start with one sole block close enough to the plain. Shape varies according to player but I suggest a pure rectangle 22 or 24 long and everybody to live around (1 policeman, 2 fireworkers & 2 architects, 2 bazaars, etc.). As you cannot expect housing level to reach manor, you can buid the houses out of the rectangle (with manors, I recommend houses inside, it is easier to manage). Forget taxes for a while.
Don't be too shy at beginning: it is better to run broke rather soon to develop your industries and sell the papyrus rather than a step by step move that will lead to a spiral of debt. Take care interest rate: last comment could be totally irrelevant if rate is very high; 15-20% (did not check either).
Papyrus sells well (135 or so). Check out your bank account (yes, yes, paper and pen: I will get this, I can spend this).
Try to check out how high you can tax them: increasing wages allows to increase the taxes. People won't care any more at some levels. Check this in "People opinion towards you" (it takes little time before people react).
A search in post for sth like "taxes" related to "wages" may help you (never tried this one).
See you soon.
[This message has been edited by Tryhard (edited 06-30-2001 @ 11:09 PM).]