Zhu Xi are better at opening boat plays than Chinese. They tend to have more gold due to cheaper tech up, Meditation Garden resources, and earlier Imperial Official.

Can Chinese make Palace Guard in Feudal Age? No, they require Castle Age. It's a unique thing to Zhu Xi.

Mass Zhuge Nu can hit hard in Feudal timing because China needs Song Dynasty first, forcing them into horsemen which are countered by spearmen.

With the unique upgrade, Zhu Xi's Zhuge Nu match crossbow range and do more damage to spearmen, so mass infantry can't survive against them.

Chinese might consider Astronomical Clocktower instead of Imperial Palace to get free Nest of Bees, which can shut down a Zhu Xi push.