I always preferred the Chinese chu ko nu. Since they fire 3 arrows per volley they do very well against most units and still maintain good damage against anti-archer units. It also serves as an extremely powerful garrison unit. The only way to counter a mass of them is an even larger mass of heavy horse or ranged artillery, which typically doesn’t stay ranged for long 
At 40 wood and 35 gold it’s a really cheap way unit to mass produce and with conscription takes very little time to produce.