The Secret of the Saddle and Stirrups
The arrival of fifty ponies was like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of the Fire Tribe, stirring up ripples of excitement. These sturdy and docile creatures immediately became the tribe's treasures, especially the Hunting Team were assigned horses. They were all beaming with joy, wishing they could sleep with their horses around their necks.
After completing their daily task of clearing the fields, what they looked forward to most was horseback riding training. The temporarily fenced-off pasture was immediately bustling with activity, filled with shouts, the neighing of horses, and the occasional "plop" of someone falling off a horse, all mixed together, creating a clumsy yet spirited atmosphere.
However, their enthusiasm was quickly dampened by reality. Without saddles or harnesses, the bare backs of the horses were hard and slippery, causing them to sway from side to side. They could only barely stay upright by gripping the horse's belly tightly with their legs and pulling on its mane with their hands. When they started to run, the jolting was even more intense, making their internal organs feel as if they had shifted. After two days, many soldiers had their buttocks and inner thighs chafed raw and red, and walked with an awkward gait, yet they still gritted their teeth, their eyes filled with an indomitable spirit.
"This horse... it's good, but it's too hard to ride! It's harder than taming Bison!" A young soldier rubbed his sore backside and complained to his comrade, grimacing.
"Absolutely! Once I got on, I felt like I had no energy left to use; all I could think about was not falling off!"
"If only there were something to sit on, or a place to step on..."
Similar discussions frequently reached Wang Yan's ears. He observed them and understood their significance. The concepts and prototypes of Ma'an and stirrups, two revolutionary pieces of equipment for cavalry, had long been swirling in his mind. However, he did not rush to explain them to his father or others, but instead chose a more direct and persuasive approach—to produce them first.
He gathered some of the tribe's best leatherworkers and carpenters, and, away from the crowds, began a secret experiment in a secluded shed. The materials were readily available: sturdy cowhide, flexible rattan, Yingmu, and hemp rope. There were no metal parts; everything was kept simple and practical.
Ma'an: Two layers of thick cowhide are sewn together, with dry and soft straw and wool filling the middle to form a pad that is slightly concave in the middle and slightly convex at the front and back. Strong leather strips are then woven into a girth and breast belt to secure it to the horse's back without putting too much pressure on the horse.
Stirrups: This is crucial. Roughly carved from Yingmu into a ring or semi-ring shape, the top of which is connected to the sides of the Ma'an (in specially reinforced locations) with tanned, Jianren animal hide strips. The length has been repeatedly estimated and adjusted to ensure that the rider's feet can hang naturally and rest firmly on the ground.
After several days, the first set of rudimentary but fully functional Ma'an and stirrups was finally completed. They looked rough and simple, incomparable to the exquisitely crafted ones of later generations, but their core principles were already in place.
That day, Wang Yan, carrying this "secret weapon," found his father Jianshi, who was somewhat troubled by the slow progress of his horseback riding training, as well as core members such as Dali and Dazhuang.
"Father, uncles, I've made a little something that might make learning to ride a horse easier," Wang Yan said, showing off the saddle and stirrups.
Curious, the crowd gathered around. Jianshi picked up the wooden stirrup and examined it closely. "This is... a footrest?"
"Yes, it's called a 'stirrup'," Wang Yan explained, while carefully securing the Ma'an to the most docile ponies used for demonstration, then attaching the stirrups. "With the rider's legs on these, there's a stable support point, so they don't have to rely entirely on their leg strength to grip the horse's belly, and their upper body is more stable. The Ma'an padding also makes sitting more comfortable and reduces the bumps when running."
Looking at the simple structure, Dali and the others were skeptical. Jianshi, however, had a bright idea. He had the best riding skills (he had occasionally ridden tamed Bison or deer before) and had a deeper understanding of balance and power. "Let me try!" Without further ado, he mounted the horse with Wang Yan's help.
As Jian Shi stepped into the simple wooden Jianshi, he immediately felt the difference! His legs had a clear point of leverage, his back straightened naturally, and the soft, well-shaped Ma'an separated his body from the horse's back, making his posture ten times more stable! He lightly flicked the Jiangsheng, and the horse began to trot.
"Great! That's wonderful!" After riding a lap, Jianshi excitedly jumped off his horse (the stirrups made dismounting much easier), his face beaming with excitement. "Yan! This thing is so useful! With it, riding on horseback feels as stable as standing on flat ground! It's also much more flexible! Turning and controlling the horse are so much easier! Why didn't you tell me sooner!"
Seeing this, Dali, Dazhuang, and the others eagerly took turns mounting the horse and trying it out. Although they were a little clumsy at first, everyone immediately experienced the transformative effect of the stirrups. The young soldier who had complained of a sore backside almost shouted with joy after stepping into the stirrups, "It's stable! It's really stable! I feel like I could ride it all day!"
Seeing the mixture of surprise, realization, and excitement on everyone's faces, Wang Yan knew he had achieved his goal. What they saw and felt firsthand was far more convincing than a thousand words.
"Father," Wang Yan pressed on, "This Ma'an and stirrups, though simple in structure, are extremely useful. With them, our soldiers will learn to ride horses much faster, and their stability and stamina while riding will be greatly enhanced. Whether it's riding for travel, delivering messages, or even... in the future, if we need to fight on horseback, they will be of paramount importance."
Jianshi patted Wang Yan heavily on the shoulder, his eyes full of approval and determination. "Yan, you did the right thing! Make it first, let everyone see the benefits! This stuff must be distributed to every horse as soon as possible! But—"
He abruptly changed the subject, his expression turning serious as he surveyed the crowd. "This thing looks simple, but the idea behind it is far from simple! We must keep it a tribal secret! Just like our pottery making and salt refining! We can't easily let outsiders know about it, especially the Horse Tribe, the Fish Tribe, or even the Pottery Salt Tribe! From now on, select the most reliable and skilled craftsmen, arrange a separate place for them to secretly make Ma'an and stirrups! Everyone involved must keep this strictly confidential! The finished saddles and stirrups will only be issued to our warriors, and when using them, be careful not to reveal their full functionality in places where outsiders might be present, understand?"
"Understood!" everyone responded in unison, their expressions solemn. They all realized the immense value these two small items might hold. It wasn't just about making riding more comfortable; it could be a potential tactical advantage!
Soon, within the Fire Tribe, a new secret production plan quietly began. In a secluded workshop far from the main residential area, several rigorously selected craftsmen, under Wang Yan's guidance, began working day and night to make simple Ma'an and wooden stirrups. With the aid of this "secret weapon," the Hunting Team's horseback riding training progressed rapidly, and the warriors quickly developed a tacit understanding with their horses. The Fire Tribe's weakness in land mobility was being filled at a speed far exceeding expectations, and a veil of their own, unknown technology was being shrouded in secrecy.