The Mongol Yam's Night Watch: Postal Relays After Dark

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a neglected aspect of the Mongol Yam system: how its relay stations kept messages flowing through the night. Drawing on the Yuan shi and the travelogues of Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta, they uncover the use of beacons, lanterns, and specially trained horses for nocturnal riding. They discuss the yamchi's reliance on the stars, the dangers of wolves and bandits, and the ingenious relay of lit torches between stations. The episode also touches on the role of the qarāqchī (night watchmen) and the Yassa's rules for nighttime travel, revealing how the Yam was truly a 24-hour operation across the empire's vast steppes and deserts. #MongolEmpire #Yam #PostalSystem #NightRiding #YuanDynasty #MarcoPolo #IbnBattuta #YuanShi #Steppe #Beacon #Lantern #Yassa #Qaraqchi #HorseRelay #History #FexingoHistory #CentralAsia #Communication Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo