Travels Of Marco Polo: Twenty Four

When the great Khan holds the court, he is guarded, by 12000 horsemen, who are called quiestian meaning faithful servants of lord, and this he (quiestian) does, not from fear, but regard to his (Khan's )high dignity.  Of these 12000 are four captains, so that each commands 3000; and they keep guard in turn, for three days and three nights, eating and drinking at the expense of the prince. Then they go away and another party comes and so they proceed through out the whole year.

____________________________________1. The number must have been inflated to impress the readers, a style followed by ancient writers.

2. A system of forced unpaid labour known as corvee was prevalant in  ancient times through out the world. Food was free and it was an attraction in a world where food producing were in the stage of expansion. Corvee extended to military was known as Mercenaries. Here in addition to booty and plunder, the women were an addional attraction. It was a world of 'might is right'.