Liu Bang Rising (10): The Time Has Come
Two days after the time had come.
The prototype of the improved stirrup was completed. Using statistical averages, we had produced three different sizes of rings and carefully bound them with tough cowhide grooved to prevent slipping. The device was finally beginning to look like proper equipment.
“All right, let’s test it again.”
The honored first tester was, naturally, Cao Shen. Before mounting, he had received roughly an hour of intensive instruction from Xiahou Ying. He approached with a somewhat dazed look on his face.
“Are you ready?”
“...Yes. Let’s move straight into practical use.”
His voice carried the same exhaustion as his expression. When I subtly turned my head, I saw Xiahou Ying watching us with a stern face, arms folded.
So he’s utterly serious when it comes to his own field.
There are people like that—endlessly casual in daily life, yet more passionate than anyone the moment their obsession is triggered. The classic example of what we call a “nerd.”
What should I call it? Horse nerd? Riding nerd? …Horse fanatic?
Whatever the label, it was clear Xiahou Ying had spent the past hour thoroughly steeling Cao Shen’s mind.
I walked over to Hongniang and fastened the medium-sized stirrup—adjusted to Cao Shen’s foot measurements—to the saddle.
“Here we go.”
Cao Shen took one deep breath and mounted lightly. Once settled, he moved his leg with practiced skill and slipped his foot into the stirrup.
“How does it feel?”
“The strap still feels slightly high.”
“I see. One moment.”
I adjusted the buckle on the leather strap beside the saddle. Naturally it was not the precise metal buckle of later eras; it was a crude affair—a round ring carved from sturdy birch with an iron pin driven through to lock it.
“How about now?”
Cao Shen extended his leg several times, shifted his weight, then gave a light nod.
“Yes, much better. My knee feels comfortable.”
“And the slipping?”
Cao Shen rubbed his sole a few times before nodding again.
“Far more stable than before. The wrapped leather grips my foot firmly without letting it slide.”
“Whew. What a relief.”
A genuine sigh of reassurance escaped me. There was nothing quite like the thrill of theory proving itself in the field.
“Then could you try walking with it?”
“Yes. I’ll give it a go.”
Cao Shen began to move slowly. I watched his face, nerves taut.
…Did it work?
Fortunately he did not frown. After circling the stable once in a smooth arc, he returned and spoke.
“Not bad at all.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. It is completely different from before.”
Cao Shen pressed down on the stirrup and lifted his hips slightly.
“Having support beneath my feet makes shifting my weight far easier to control. I believe I can now truly feel the stability you described, madam.”
“Hehe. It seems Lord Xiahou’s lesson was effective.”
“…Well, yes.”
Cao Shen cleared his throat and adjusted his grip on the reins.
“Then, madam. May I increase the pace a little?”
“Of course. However, since you are not yet fully accustomed, please do not go too far.”
“Understood.”
He nodded, then promptly kicked Hongniang’s flanks. The mare accelerated without hesitation. Cao Shen skillfully gathered the reins, leaned forward, and galloped out toward the wide-open plain beyond the stable.
“I’m relieved. It seems Lord Cao has adapted well.”
Xiahou Ying stepped up beside me.
I chuckled and glanced at him.
“Even so, weren’t you a bit too strict with him? Earlier Lord Cao looked half out of his mind.”
“Falling from a horse can cost a man his life. Before I knew it my voice had risen.”
Xiahou Ying scratched the back of his head awkwardly in excuse.
Just then Xiao He sauntered in from the entrance.
“Cao Shen certainly looked energized.”
Since the first tester had been the intermediate-level Cao Shen, the second was naturally the complete novice Xiao He. I bowed to him respectfully, then lifted my head with a bright smile.
“It only proves how well the stirrup was made. So, Lord Xiao, are you prepared to mount?”
“Yes… well… I have steeled myself, at least…”
His expression remained reluctant. The hand that could wield a brush to debate the affairs of the world apparently trembled when holding reins.
This uncle is surprisingly timid.
Pretending not to notice, I nodded and indicated Xiahou Ying.
“Before you mount in earnest, Lord Xiahou will teach you the basic method of using the stirrup.”
“The method of using it?”
“Yes. In your case, Lord Xiao, I imagine you will be taking the ‘A thousand-li journey begins with a single step! Foundation course for beginners!’”
“Hmm… I would not call myself a complete beginner…”
“You are a beginner where stirrups are concerned. Though if you prefer, you may choose the ‘Now you too are a cavalry captain! Advanced course for intermediates!’ that Lord Cao just completed.”
“What is the difference?”
“The basic course begins with rope-assisted training while mounted. You will be securely tied with ropes and learn fundamental posture and balance under Lord Xiahou’s direction.”
I continued in a calm tone.
“The advanced course, by contrast, consists of receiving verbal explanation on the ground and then immediately mounting for live practice. You will experience real riding and internalize the stirrup’s feel for yourself, just as Lord Cao did.”
The basic course was an introductory lesson for those who had never ridden before; the advanced was retraining for those who already had experience. Naturally the first was far safer and more thorough, yet it also required more time.
“Which would you prefer, Lord Xiao?”
“So… choosing the latter means practicing the concept on the ground with words alone, then mounting immediately?”
“Correct. Once the concept is properly grasped, the stirrup is not difficult to apply.”
“Conversely, choosing the former… at least there would be no risk of falling and breaking bones.”
“Indeed. Lord Xiahou will stand watch, and we will secure you with ropes against any unforeseen mishap.”
“……”
Xiao He fell into thought. Pride and fear of riding alternated across his face.
“…I will take the basic course after all.”
In the end he chose survival over pride. I smiled brightly and tapped Xiahou Ying on the back. He stepped forward at once, voice ringing.
“Yes! I shall devote myself to Lord Xiao’s safe riding! Then let us begin the lesson immediately!”
“Haha… Please be gentle.”
Xiao He smiled awkwardly.
Some time later Cao Shen returned soaked in sweat and pronounced the stirrup a success, saying that steady practice would certainly prove helpful. Then came Xiao He’s turn.
“Wait, this is rather…”
“Put strength into your legs!”
“B-but the height…”
“Hold firm! At this speed you won’t die even if you fall!”
“Ugh…”
Xiahou Ying had grown relentlessly strict, raising his voice again and again. Usually so courteous to Xiao He, once he entered instructor mode nothing seemed to register.
Or perhaps he has some old grudge against him?
Thanks to the rigorous teacher, even my untrained eye could see Xiao He’s riding skill improving rapidly.
And after quite some time, Xiao He’s assessment was…
“It will… it will undoubtedly be valuable… Yes.”
Another passing verdict.
“Thank you for your honest evaluation.”
I smiled brightly and gave a light bow.
Mid-July.
The triple heat that had scorched the earth all month had its fury blunted by two full days of torrential rain.
“Madam. Urgent news has arrived once more from the Jixian area.”
When Shen Yiqi entered carrying a bamboo slip, I was performing the final inspection of the stirrup estimate to be sent to the forge.
I carefully pushed the bamboo slips aside, cleared my throat for no particular reason, and accepted the report.
Has the moment finally arrived?
The gap between the report’s recorded date and actual time was roughly ten days. Timing-wise, it was precisely “that day.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Chief Shen. Please close the door.”
My heart began to race. I swallowed dryly and broke the seal.
Inside was…
An eerie rumor has begun to spread that a silk cloth inscribed with the characters “Chen Sheng shall be King” was discovered inside the belly of a carp.
“Hah.”
An involuntary sigh escaped me.
It has truly begun…
According to the records, just before raising their banner Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had orchestrated a classic piece of propaganda. They secretly inserted a scrap of silk reading “Chen Sheng shall be King” into the belly of a caught fish, then released it back into the pond so fishermen would discover it. Wu Guang even imitated a fox’s cry every night, shouting, “Great Chu shall rise, and Chen Sheng shall be king!”
From a twenty-first-century perspective it was such crude fabrication that one could only think, They actually believed this? Yet to the people of ancient China, who revered the mandate of heaven as dearly as life itself, it was a divine oracle. Of course Chen Sheng’s later self-proclaimed title of King of Zhangchu would produce the opposite effect… Still, through this media ploy he obtained the mandate of heaven, declared himself king, and launched a full-scale rebellion.
“Chief Shen.”
“Yes, madam.”
“Summon the core members of the Abundance Society at once.”
“…Does this mean the time has come?”
Shen Yiqi stiffened, tension written across his face. My own heart was pounding, yet I kept my expression as calm as possible and nodded.
“Yes. The time has come.”
I took a short breath and continued.
“And as quickly as possible, choose someone swift of foot and tight-lipped and send him to Mangdang Mountain.”
“You wish to inform the village head.”
“Yes. His time has arrived.”
Liu Bang’s time. The opening curtain of a hero that had once felt impossibly distant. Simply speaking the words made my heart beat faster still.
And within that rhythm was not merely anticipation for the new future we would build together.
Clearly mixed inside it was…
…Sigh. I really am hopeless.
A sigh slipped out unbidden. Even amid this chaos, I found myself longing to see that shameless, incorrigible man’s face.
He will surely be shocked.
My hand naturally rose to rest on my lower belly. It had grown too round to pass off as mere weight gain—a clear testament to new life.
Thump—!
The little one began to kick as though waiting for the moment. If I viewed it through a mother’s lens, it felt as if the child was rejoicing at finally meeting their father.
Yes, yes. I missed him too.
I forcibly suppressed the smile threatening to break across my lips and faced Shen Yiqi once more with a solemn expression. My voice emerged firmer than before.
“I will write the letter to him myself. Chief Shen, simply prepare the messenger.”
“Understood.”
Shen Yiqi bowed and left the room at once.
Keep it as concise as possible.
I had decided the wording long ago. I took out the white silk prepared in advance and, without hesitation, brushed bold strokes across it.
The time has come.
— Lü Zhi
It was time to prepare a proper welcoming ceremony.