some advice is never push east late game. AI over there always seems to use full stacks of cavalry archers. doesn't always kite with them properly but its still impossible to not take heavy losses ;)
edit: ok so ive figured out how to recruit more than double attack troops, this is NOT including any bonuses from traditions/generals/experience. I do wonder how many people know about this, do CA? is it intended? because its not immediately obvious that this is possible. although now i've pointed it out I bet people can figure it out easy, or maybe people already know about it and im being stupid.