While I've been in the Modern Era for over a week I still need to unlock the Scoped Rifles from the previous age. The first few weeks after entering a new age is always a struggle because it's all about trying to figure out what to focus on. I'm trying to give more time and goods to the Campaign Map since it must have been over a month since I've acquired a new province. The Guild Expedition has gotten harder since I no longer have a tech advancement over the opposing side and it'll be some time before I do. Before I can use better troops in the expedition I need to add them to my city defenders first. I keep getting plundered too so I'm trying to increase my boosts but compared to the player that's attacking I'm not sure if that'll help.