You’re taking this way to seriously – you’re complaining about playing more of a computer game you choose to play!
just enjoy playing it – get into the roleplaying part of it.
the late game clean up with your paladins should feel great – forget about your economy, just steamroll his buildings with half your army while the other half chases his troops around, while his army desperately tries to find an opening to do any kind if damage.
This is peak medieval warfare – and it reminds me soo much of the Lithuanian campaign.
alternatively – if your time is precious to you, just resign and take home the moral victory.
It’s a game.
not your job.