[U]pon every great high road... there are stations, with houses of accommodation for travellers, called yamb or post-houses At each station four hundred good horses are kept in constant readiness, in order that all messengers going and coming upon the business of the
grand khan, and all ambassadors, may have relays, and, leaving their jaded horses, be supplied with fresh ones. ... In the intermediate
space between the post-houses, there are small villages settled at the distance of every three miles, which may contain, one with another,
about forty cottages. In these are stationed the foot messengers, likewise employed in the service of his majesty. They wear girdles round
their waists, to which several small bells are attached, in order that their coming may be perceived at a distance; and as they run only three
miles, that is, from one of these foot-stations to another next adjoining, the noise serves to give notice of their approach, and preparation is
accordingly made by a fresh courier to proceed with the packet instantly upon the arrival of the former. Thus it is so expeditiously conveyed
from station to station, that in the course of two days and two nights his majesty receives distant intelligence that in the ordinary mode
could not be obtained in less than ten days.
- The Travels of Marco Polo
Based on the excerpt, one effect of Mongol control of Asia was -
O diffusing ideas about effective horsemanship
O connecting distant lands through communications
O encouraging sports and recreational competition
O constructing schools for local communities