Was Paul's preaching really according to God's plan?

How can we explain that the oldest NT writings come from someone (Paul) who never met Jesus, and never quotes anything from Him? He says he met Jesus on Damascus' road, but for this we only have his word, no independent witnesses, nothing else. Not only this, but he goes on to codify the main doctrines of the new faith. Even stranger, he does all this without quoting any of Master's teachings, just focuses on His death and resurrection, like His years on Earth did not matter a bit! After the Damascus incident, he goes away for 3 years and then stays with Peter for 14 days, and then goes away again for 14 years. So Peter and the others live with Jesus day and night for 3 long years, sharing meals and everything else with Him, and all Paul needs is 14 days? Come on now! Doesn't all this sound a little too weird to be the perfect plan of the Creator of Universe?