This is something that's eluding me a bit in TW3K - how do I recruit better troops, apart from doing the necessary reforms?

It's not as simple as constructing better barracks like in previous TW games. You have to do a combination of reforms, good generals, I think also provinces? I'm a bit confused on how do I get better troops than simple Archer Militia (who btw you can recruit even after you upgrade to normal Archers).

Any ideas?