I similarly hate the idea of CF'ing other top kingdoms then trying to out tax/whore ghettos. #1 should fight #2 as soon as reasonably possible.
I haven't tried to compete at the top for a few ages, but I think i'd get beyond annoyed at the whole message the server for free land game. Dorje usually likes just taking it by force, which is respectable, even if in the old days it got him in trouble, you could at least count on him to go for a hyper aggro start. I.E. a fun to play/try strat.