Destroy your std as they're useless this early in the game. Replace it with a guild/forge. Make sure you are at max plunder. Work on tier 2 EBs as of now for cash. Wall me if you need specific questions answered.
Buy allies to get more plunder(gold) when you attack people. Buy an ally and attack an eb and smite your plunder. Buy another and attack the same eb and note plunder again. Keep doing this until the plunder stops increasing. You will now be at max plunder. Repeat this every time you build or upgrade.