Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

At that moment, the "Chosen One" reward in Liu Liang's mind was activated again.

[Reward for suggestions: Popularization of double stirrups + improvement of high-bridge saddles]

[Note: Although a rudimentary form of the single-sided stirrup existed at the end of the Three Kingdoms period, the double-sided stirrup was not widespread. Modern designers can directly optimize the design, completely freeing the hands of cavalrymen.]

[Implementation Path: Construct stirrups by wrapping them with hardwood and sheet metal, and secure them to both sides of the saddle with leather straps. Raise the saddle bridge by 5-8 centimeters, ensuring its curvature conforms to the horse's back to prevent the rider from slipping off during high-speed charges...]

[Military Value: Increased stability for cavalry on horseback, allowing them to charge with long weapons (such as lances and halberds) wielded in both hands, doubling their close-combat lethality. Shorter recruit training periods significantly lower the barrier to entry for converting ordinary infantry into cavalry.]

This second reward confirmed Liu Liang's belief: as long as he offered advice and strategies to Liu Bei, he would receive a reward. He didn't need to worry about whether the strategy was good or bad for Liu Bei.

The drawings and descriptions of the stirrups and high saddle bridge are extremely detailed, far ahead of their time.

Liu Liang spent some time drawing a simple diagram on the rough linen provided by Jian Yong, based on his memory and understanding, and marked the key dimensions and materials.

He avoided the artisans in the military camp and went to Zhuojun City himself. He found a familiar and well-regarded blacksmith shop and also contacted a skilled leatherworker.

The requirements for the blacksmith were: to use hardwood as the core, wrap it with sheet metal, and create ten sturdy rings with holes on both sides for belts to pass through, while emphasizing load-bearing capacity and smooth edges.

The requirements for the leatherworker were: to make a batch of saddles with a bridge significantly higher than the norm, according to the dimensions and curvature he provided, with a soft inner lining but a sturdy overall structure, especially with reinforcement at the connection point with the stirrups.

The blacksmith and the leatherworker, though puzzled by the strange requests and designs, accepted the jobs because Liu Liang seemed to have an extraordinary demeanor and was generous with his payment, agreeing to pick them up in ten days.

Ten days later, Liu Liang went to the blacksmith shop alone.

The items were made as required, and he carefully inspected the sturdiness of the stirrups and the craftsmanship of the saddle, and was quite satisfied.

Just as he was having the blacksmith help him temporarily hang the stirrup leather straps on one of the saddles, intending to take it back to the camp to try it out on a horse, a crisp sound of hooves came from outside the blacksmith's shop, and then stopped at the door.

Liu Liang subconsciously looked up and saw a young knight dismount his horse with clean and swift movements.

The newcomer appeared to be no more than twenty years old, with a tall and upright figure, handsome face, and a spirited air between his brows. Although he was dressed in ordinary blue cloth clothes, he could not hide his calm and capable demeanor.

The most eye-catching thing was the white horse he was leading. It was exceptionally fine, pure white except for a slight yellow tinge around its hooves, and it looked radiant with life.

The young man tied up his horse, walked into the shop, and said in a clear and polite voice, "Shopkeeper, could you please check this horse's shoe for me? It seems a bit worn from the hurried journey the other day."

As the young man spoke, his gaze swept across the shop, naturally landing on the uniquely shaped double stirrups and high saddle in Liu Liang's hand. A hint of surprise and intense interest flashed in his eyes, but he quickly looked away politely without asking any further questions.

Liu Liang's heart skipped a beat.

The young man's demeanor and appearance, especially the white horse, reminded him of someone.

"Judging from his attire, is this general serving in the military?"

The young man was very forthright and made no attempt to hide anything. He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Zhao Yun of Changshan, courtesy name Zilong, and I currently serve under General Gongsun Zan. I am passing through Zhuojun on military business."

Zhao Yun!

That was one of his favorite figures from the Three Kingdoms period.

Liu Liang suppressed his excitement and returned the greeting, saying, "My name is Liu Liang, also known as Liu Zishan. I am currently serving as an advisor in the army of Duke Xuande in this prefecture."

He deliberately pointed out Liu Bei to observe Zhao Yun's reaction.

Zhao Yun was taken aback, then cupped his hands and asked, "So you are Master Zishan! I have long admired you! I have heard of your assistance to Lord Xuande in recruiting soldiers and pacifying the people in Zhuojun, as well as your strategies for procuring provisions. I have also heard of you while serving in the army in Jicheng. General Gongsun and Liu Youzhou's subordinates have also been discussing this recently, saying that Lord Xuande, with the assistance of his elder relatives, acts with great order and possesses both benevolence and decisiveness. It is a pleasure to meet you today!"

Liu Liang never expected that his reputation would reach Gongsun Zan's army, and even Zhao Yun had heard about it.

Suppressing his excitement, he returned the greeting, saying, "I never expected my humble name to have reached General Zhao's ears. I am ashamed. General Zhao, under General Gongsun's command, must have also achieved numerous military exploits."

Zhao Yun humbly replied, "I am still relatively inexperienced and will only do my duty."

However, his gaze was ultimately drawn to the horse tack, and he couldn't help but ask, "The object in your hand, sir, is peculiar in shape, seemingly related to riding? I've never seen stirrups with double rings and a high saddle bridge before. I wonder what its purpose is?"

Seeing that Zhao Yun had taken the initiative to ask, Liu Liang took the opportunity to explain.

He explained in detail the design principles of the double stirrups and high saddle bridge, especially their role in improving the stability and combat effectiveness of cavalry.

Zhao Yun was a top-notch cavalry general. Upon hearing this, his eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he immediately grasped the key point.

"Sir, are you saying that with the power of this thing, riders can sit firmly in the saddle, their legs providing leverage, thus freeing their hands to fully wield long weapons in a charge and thrust? If that's true, the power of cavalry charges in battle will more than double! Ordinary skilled riders will be able to perform tactical maneuvers that were previously only possible for elite troops! This thing... this thing can be called the courage of cavalry!"

Liu Liang laughed and said, "General, you are indeed an expert, your words hit the nail on the head. This item is newly completed and has not yet been tested in actual combat. Since you are a valiant general under General Gongsun, skilled in cavalry warfare, I wonder if you could test its effectiveness and offer some pointers?"

"That is exactly what I wish for, I dare not ask!" Zhao Yun agreed without hesitation, it was clear that he was really itching to do so.

The two arrived outside the shop, where Liu Liang helped Zhao Yun change the new saddle onto the white horse and adjust the stirrups.

Zhao Yun mounted his horse, put his feet in the stirrups, and gently squeezed the horse's belly.

At first, I just walked slowly, feeling the fit between my lower back and the high saddle bridge, and the solid feeling from my feet.

He then controlled the white horse to trot, accelerate, stop suddenly, and turn, his movements becoming increasingly fluid and bold.

He even tried to swing his arm sideways while galloping, simulating the action of stabbing with a gun. His body rose and fell with the horse's back, but he remained as stable as a rock thanks to the support of his feet and the saddle.

Finally, with a soft shout, the white horse suddenly accelerated and charged forward. Zhao Yun lowered his body, his eyes sharp, as if there were truly enemy formations ahead.

After galloping a distance, he reined in his horse and turned around, his face flushed.

Zhao Yun dismounted swiftly, stroking the brand-new saddle and stirrups, and bowed deeply to Liu Liang, saying, "Sir, you are truly a genius! The wonders of this thing cannot be fully appreciated without personally riding it! I feel as if I can control the horse as if it were my own arm, and my center of gravity is more stable than ever before. If I were to charge with a spear, its power would be far beyond anything I've ever seen before! If this technique were adopted by the army, it would be enough to change the landscape of cavalry warfare!"

Liu Liang quickly helped him up: "General, you flatter me. To have such a master as you acknowledge this item proves it is not just a figment of my imagination. It is fate that we met today. If you do not mind, I will give you this horse tack. I hope it will help you achieve great feats under General Gongsun."