Soldiers from Cathay

I've just finished Jade Empire and I'm absolutely stunned with chinese feel, so a warbvand with some monks and eastern warriors is a must.
I've read the rules of Battle Monks. Everything is great....exept weapons for ordinary soldiers. All units (exept peasants) are very expensive, so I fought that our little soldiers would have some maces.
I have to say, that at least pair of soldiers in my warband is a must! Have you use them with swords, spears, or don't use at all?

None of the above - i use equip them with bows or crossbows. The warband needs some shooters, and since monks are the better option for close combat i see this as the main role of the soldiers. I don´t give them additional close combat weapons so that they don´t get too expensive, they have to rely on their daggers.