Yeah it's not exactly hard to make gold in this game.
I have no idea how to play (almost started a war with Malta accidentally, almost got myself killed by HoC while trying to trade). Despite this, and my lower than average IQ, I was able to make a shit-ton of gold over a few weeks by myself. I'd just buy low, travel far, and sell high.
Imagine what one could do if they weren't horrible at Strat? If they were organized, and had friends far away?