Flight.
This has been a dream of mankind since ancient times.
In old tales, Jiang Ziya bore the aspect of a flying bear, one explanation being that a white tiger grew wings and was thus called a "flying bear."
In the Han Dynasty, there was also a title for top-tier generals: Feijiang, Flying General.
Both Li Guang and Lü Bu were called this, although neither of their endings was particularly good, though that is beside the point.
In any case, the single phrase on the light screen, "might as well just fly," had already stirred the curiosity of the Shu Han group. Even Huang Zhong, already past sixty, narrowed his eyes as if trying to engrave every detail of the screen into his mind.
These past few days had felt like a dream to him.
From a frustrated and unrecognized Colonel to General Huang who could witness auspicious signs and glimpse the future after death, it all felt too unreal.
The lord had said that this descendant seemed to be a young man of a later age. Then those speaking on the light screen must also be people of the same generation.
Huang Zhong's vision gradually blurred.
It was as though he saw a group of young scholars laughing and playing together. One of them turned around, and that face bore a resemblance to his son, Huang Xu.
Fate had forced him, a white-haired man, to bury his black-haired child. Even if he later slew Xiahou Yuan and restored the Han, what then?
To whom could he speak of such achievements?
What use were honors for wife and descendants when he had neither?
"Old General Huang, why are you crying?"
Zhang Fei squeezed over and threw an arm around his shoulders.
"Ah, once we master how those descendants grow wings, come find Old Zhang if you want any kind of wings. Whether it is catching eagles or going to Liaodong to find sea falcons, leave it all to me!"
Kongming whispered a few words to Liu Bei. Liu Bei nodded, gently pulled Zhang Fei away, and supported Huang Zhong.
"Old General Huang must be tired. Let me escort you back to rest."
Watching Liu Bei help Huang Zhong leave, Zhang Fei scratched his head and continued asking:
"Second Brother, what kind of wings do you want?"
Guan Yu did not answer. He simply grabbed Zhang Fei and pulled him away.
"Come, come. We agreed earlier. Today we brothers will spar at the training grounds."
Kongming remained where he stood, lightly fanning himself, smiling as he turned to Zhao Yun, whose expression was still unsettled.
"Zilong, will you not go to the blacksmith to try that new farming implement?"
Zhao Yun hesitated before saying:
"Strategist, I have something to ask."
…
Wen Mang hummed a tune as he packed a change of clothes, then dragged his suitcase and hailed a ride straight to the high-speed rail station.
The summer heat in Luocheng was unbearable. Not even a dog would stay.
In the car, he took out his phone and checked his account backend. The video views were not particularly high, but the data was excellent. Each video even had fans sending gifts.
That kind of treatment, truly impressive.
Since the fans were willing to spend, what was the harm in him spending a little in return?
For the third video, he would go all out and produce something high quality.
"Beep beep."
An unfamiliar number called. Wen Mang answered, and a pleasant female voice spoke.
"Is this Mr. Wen Mang? I am a professor from the History Department of Sichuan University, surname Chang. I would like to meet and speak with you. Would you have time?"
"So scammers are putting in this much effort now? With this energy, why not go teach in the mountains or plant trees in the northwest? Either would have more prospects than trying to scam a poor guy like me. My bank balance is three digits. Do not waste your effort. Goodbye."
Shaking his head, Wen Mang tossed the phone aside.
Scams these days were truly impossible to guard against.
…
"You say you may have discovered something that can greatly enhance cavalry combat power?"
Kongming poured Zhao Yun a cup of tea.
"Zilong, do not rush. Speak slowly."
At this time, Liu Bei was far from the Emperor Zhaolie of Chengdu. The greatest difference was his lack of manpower. He lacked generals, officials, and soldiers. His only cavalry unit was Zhao Yun's White Horse Volunteers.
Zhao Yun knelt, holding the tea, and spoke slowly.
"When I observed the light screen, I saw their cavalry. The cavalry of later generations is completely different from ours."
"Although their combat strength seems lacking, compared to our cavalry, their saddles are much lower, and on both sides they have cross-stirrups."
Kongming naturally knew what stirrups were. They were metal rings hanging from one side of the saddle to help a rider mount more easily.
"Since later generations use this, there must be a reason. I have thought on it for some time. If both sides have stirrups and the saddle is lowered, then a rider could control the horse using only his legs, freeing both hands."
Zhao Yun did not need to elaborate further.
Kongming understood immediately.
Why were generals like Lü Bu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei said to be invincible on horseback?
Because of their immense strength. With their legs alone, they could grip the horse and control it, freeing both hands to wield long weapons or draw a bow.
Why could ordinary cavalry not do the same?
It was not that they did not wish to, but that they could not.
Most could barely eat their fill. Where would they gain such strength?
Many so-called cavalry among the warlords were merely infantry on horseback. They rode to the battlefield, then dismounted to fight, because fighting on horseback actually reduced their effectiveness.
Even being able to hold the reins in one hand and a spear in the other already qualified as elite cavalry.
"In that case, this truly is an excellent method to enhance cavalry combat power. But why are you so troubled, Zilong?" Kongming asked.
Zhao Yun looked up, his expression bitter.
"Does the Strategist not see? Even someone as dull as I could understand its principles after a brief look and some thought. If all the Baima Yicong were equipped with double stirrups, then on the battlefield, Cao Cao's generals would understand it at a glance. Within a month, all of his cavalry would be equipped the same way."
There was no need to say more.
Kongming imagined it and felt a chill run through him.
Cao Cao already controlled rich horse-breeding lands. With this addition, it would be like giving wings to a tiger.
If they adopted double stirrups, Zhao Yun might win a battle, but would almost certainly lose the war.
Kongming looked deeply at Zhao Yun.
"Select one or two trusted men among the cavalry to test the double stirrups. If effective, train only your personal guards, and do so in a remote location."
No further words were needed.
They had reached a silent understanding.
It must be tested and refined, but not widely equipped. Cavalry using double stirrups could only be deployed once, and that one use must be decisive enough to determine the outcome of a battle.
"For the next two years, our focus remains on agricultural colonies," Kongming instructed. "After Red Cliffs, Cao Cao is weakened and cannot attack. Our goal is to consolidate Jing Province, secure Yi Province, and restrain Jiaozhou."
"All of this depends on sufficient grain. Thus, improving agricultural tools is also of utmost importance for you and the lord."
Kongming's eyes shone once more.
"If this double stirrup is so effective, then the same must be true for farming tools. While training the troops, do pay close attention to this matter."
Zhao Yun bowed and accepted the order, leaving with heavy thoughts.
Kongming stood by the window, his feather fan in hand as always. Though the weather was cold, Jing Province remained lush and green.
The scenery was unchanged, but his mindset had transformed completely.
Stretching lazily, he returned to his desk.
Back to handling affairs.
A servant cleaning nearby smiled and said:
"Master Kongming should leave earlier today, or Lady Huang will come looking for you again as she did yesterday."
Before the words had fully fallen, a clear voice sounded:
"I have told him countless times not to overwork himself, but when has he ever listened?"
Thinking of Huang Zhong, one could only sigh.
A lifetime wasted, achieving merit only at the brink of death. Yet there was no one to share that joy with.
Though he was eventually granted a marquisate, he had no wife to honor, no son to benefit.
Fun Fact: The Stirrup That Changed Everything.
Let's clear up a common misconception: the stirrup was not invented because ancient riders were clueless and kept falling off horses like beginners in a riding lesson. In fact, many of the most terrifying cavalry in history, especially the steppe nomads, were absolute monsters in the saddle without stirrups. They could shoot arrows, turn, stand, and fight on horseback with a level of balance that would make modern riders question their life choices.
Early "proto-stirrups" were basically the training wheels of horse gear. Think simple toe loops or foot rests made of rope or wood, mostly useful for getting on the horse rather than staying on it. And yes, some required you to ride barefoot, which sounds cool until you remember horses are large, fast, and not known for caring about your toes.
The real upgrade came with the true stirrup: paired, iron, and strong enough to support your full weight. This was not just a convenience, it required serious tech. You needed good ironworking and a solid saddle frame, otherwise your fancy new stirrup would snap mid-battle and turn you into a tragic anecdote.
The earliest solid evidence shows up in China around 322 CE, but historians are still arguing like it's an ancient group chat:
"Was it Chinese innovation?"
"Steppe invention?"
"Borrowed tech?"
No one has dropped the final answer yet.
Here's the twist that makes this even more interesting: the stirrup might not have been invented to make great riders better, but to make average riders usable.
Imagine you are running a massive empire and suddenly need thousands of cavalry. Problem: not everyone is a horseback prodigy raised on the open steppe. Solution: give them stirrups so they can at least stay on the horse and not embarrass the unit.
In other words, stirrups democratized cavalry.
Elite riders did not need them. Armies did.
And once this little piece of iron proved its value, it spread across Eurasia like the ancient version of viral tech, reaching from East Asia to Western Europe in just a few centuries.
So yes, the stirrup is small. But it quietly turned horseback riding from an elite skill into a scalable military system.
Not bad for something that is basically a metal foot loop.