While you wish them peace and prosperity on their travels, the monks must rough it. The Imperial coin is lacking, and fortune does not smile upon Arita this season. The monks are stoic and intentionally live a rugged lifestyle, therefore their haphazardly arranged supplies are simply another day in the life of a monk, for them. They will return at year's end, where you will be regaled with tales from the west, and what treasures they've found.
Summer, 7700 B.C.
It is a warm and moist summer's day when you are approached by three monks of the Sect of the Hand, a martial enclave of brave fighters. They warn that stability is lacking since you assumed the throne, and that many other rulers have their eyes on it. From the ronin who wander the island nation of Longzaru, to unknown lands to the west. The Sect of the Hand is one of the Imperial State's most favoured factions, and so their advice is taken into caution.
An immediate Imperial Court meeting is called, where some of your Cabinet suggest a plethora of options, until--
"O, Great Emperor! Behold, you need an elite guard! Men who exist outside of the Imperial Army's control! Loyal to you and the throne absolutely!"
"Oh?" You respond. You could use the detail. But perhaps an elite entity would be a better fit? You've only just become the new Emperor; you can feel the steely gaze of those who seek Arita and her borders for their own all the way in the Imperial Palace. This is not a trifling matter.
A) "Yes. Establish the elite guard at once!"
B) "No. Such is an imbalance. Imperial Conscripts are fine for the moment."