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Firstly, Gia Cát Lượng's choice of this mode of transportation instead of warhorses encourages the fighting spirit of the soldiers. His decision to use a pushcart rather than a horse demonstrates his determination to sacrifice himself for the battle, not riding to escape but disregarding personal safety for the sake of the troops.
Furthermore, engaging in battles forces the army to travel long distances. At the age of forty, Gia Cát Lượng's health is not as robust as it once was. Also, not being from a military background, using a specialized cart instead of riding a horse would benefit him more. The cart, designed like a large chair, with two large wheels at the back and two small wheels at the front, provides a more stable feeling than riding a horse, while also allowing him to adjust direction more effectively.
Thirdly, during battles, clearly distinguishing command ranks within the army will facilitate better troop deployment between generals and soldiers. Therefore, Gia Cát Lượng's choice to sit in a cart instead of riding a horse is also an expression of status, helping soldiers differentiate him from other commanders.
2. The reason Gia Cát Lượng always carries a feather fan in his hand, even in death
There are several hypotheses put forward to explain why Gia Cát Khổng Minh always carries a feather fan with him.
The first hypothesis suggests that Gia Cát Lượng uses the white feather fan to shield against wind and dust. In addition to its cooling function, representing the refined demeanor of a military advisor, this fan is considered a tool to protect the 'divine calculation' from dust and wind on the battlefield.
After the passing of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang led his troops in several expeditions northward. In the regions where Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi along with other Wei generals clashed, there were often strong winds and swirling dust, making Zhuge Liang's use of a feather fan to block the wind and sand quite sensible.
The second hypothesis suggests that Zhuge Liang always carried a fan to use in commanding military operations. Based on the records and studies of the Chinese historian Chu Yi Long, the white feather fan was easy to recognize by subordinates, which is the most crucial reason. During the Wei-Jin-Northern and Southern dynasties in this country, white-colored objects were often used by many generals to command troops. Therefore, it is highly probable that Zhuge Liang was influenced by this.
The third hypothesis suggests that the white feather fan was actually a gift from Zhuge Liang's wife, Huang Yueying, so Zhuge Liang always carried the fan with him to cherish his wife's affection.
From the above reasons, it can be seen that Zhuge Liang riding a wooden carriage and carrying a fan into the battlefield is actually a calculated, highly intelligent, and insightful move of the famous military advisor. Although the explanations above are not yet verified, everyone must admit that these two items are closely associated with the name and career of this renowned strategist.
(Source: Sohu, 163.com)
