No wonder the typically composed Jia Xu would say such a thing: cavalry without stirrups, saddles, or horseshoes—what kind of cavalry is that? While horseshoes may not be as necessary in this world, the importance of saddles and stirrups has not diminished.
Without these two items, those who can wield long weapons during a cavalry charge are practically unrivaled valiant generals. Put it this way: even with the elite Xiliang Iron Cavalry, without saddles and stirrups, it would be optimistic to muster eight hundred to a thousand soldiers capable of wielding long weapons during a charge—anything more would be wishful thinking.
Do not underestimate these four words—"wielding and swinging". During a Xiliang horse charge, the speed without Inner Qi enhancement can reach fifty kilometers per hour. When both sides clash with long weapons, just the slightest bit of sway is enough to snap a cavalryman's ribs; kinetic force is perpetually terrifying like that.
