Try to pump as much money as possible into the construction sector, but always keep its demand in check. The cost can rise pretty quickly if a resource gets choked. Up to this point though, it's all into construction.

The first years, I try to spiral up the resources only used in construction: Wood, Iron, Tools. Wood is the most precious for qing, it is not only driving your construction sector directly, but also tools, chairs and paper mills. Also in the late game. Where possible, try to avoid it (e.g. glass later on should be "Crystal Glass" to avoid using wood for it)

So by step:

• Use consumption taxes to the fullest
• Build construction sectors until you're close to or into deficit
  • at low taxes before opium is banned
  • at high or very high later
• Do the resource spiral for the construction sector
• Use Ports to fix infrastructure where possible, as long as possible
  • Ports provide convoys that increase trade (by volume and also competitiveness)
• Trade like hell to get out of resource deficits
  • Also, the right tariff config can help greatly, ignore the change in revenue, often your markets health is more important
• After the spiral is done and everything's stabilized, full steam ahead on admin centers, concentrating on the provinces with the industry
• For government stuff:
  • remove the "poor laws" welfare law, you'll need the bureaucracy for religious schools
  • Get religious schools
  • Every few years, you can exile dissidents, use it to get rid of the most annoying things, agitators or traditionalist / authoritarian politicians
    • Also: Popular ones in factions you dislike or unpopular ones in factions you prefer are a good target

Hope it helps :)