What to do on the campaign as Gelt?

I've finally come to the conclusion that the main reason I run out of steam on a campaign is lack of clear goals. Goals as in enemies to destroy.

I'm less interested in victory conditions or objectives as I am crushing my enemies and hearing the lamentation of their women.

But enemies can run out - at least natural enemies. In most campaigns there is the starting faction and maybe one or two nearby obvious enemies. But by turn 20-40 this is all sorted and you're sitting on a little empire with no where to go.

Take current Gelt. It's been a long long while since I've engaged with the Supreme Patriarch. Can't wait to delve deep into the gunpowder and hellstorm spam. The college of magic mechanic is very engaging. Yes I went for life mage and light mage immediately. How could I not?

So I'm all set to go: the starting rebel Cathay faction has been destroyed; I've got their two provinces; and I'm out of enemies. I feel directionless. What am I doing in Cathay? I'm not terribly interested in cleaning up the vampire faction there and taking more Cathay land. Nor do I care to take it and give it back to one of the Dragons. Nakai can chill. What do I, The Supreme Patriarch and Metal Wizard, care about some wood elves in their magical forest? I probably need to take out Ghorst but then I will meet all sorts of Ogres. Do I march all the way across the world and head back to the Empire? What have you done to spice up Gelt's start?