In Wang Wenzuo's view, this bow should be called a repeating crossbow. Compared with the so-called "Zhuge repeating crossbow" restored in China, this bow combines the advantages of the Greek belly crossbow and the Chinese offset crossbow (god arm bow). The vertical holding method (not the horizontal holding method of the crossbow) greatly increases the firepower density on the front line and enhances the power (it has a longer saw and crossbow arm length than the horizontal holding method). It basically inherits the advantages of the bow and adds the possibility of After sliding the crossbow arm, the advantage of the crossbow's random waiting for firing is also maintained, and the semi-automatic firing function is realized with the arrow groove. The only drawback is that the power source of this thing still comes from human muscles, and manpower is sometimes scarce. If a strong bow is used to fire continuously, the physical energy of the soldiers will be exhausted quickly, and it cannot be used like a firearm. In addition, there are several parts in this repeating crossbow that require very high craftsmanship. If there were not exactly two coppersmiths in Chaichuanzha who specialize in making Buddha statues and Buddhist niches, this repeating crossbow would probably only remain in Wang Wenzuo's mind. .
Wang Wenzuo rested for a while and re-tested several times. Finally, he determined that this continuous launch device basically met his requirements, but the weight was a bit excessive and further improvements were needed. He returned to the desk and told Sancho: "Sancho, go get ten bolts of silk and give them to the two coppersmiths. Send a few more sergeants to keep a close eye on them. Don't let them escape. I want to take them back to Sixian City."
In the backyard of Liuheyoshi's house, there is an ancient maple tree, covering a pool of dark and cold water. The white-brown branches are like dry bones, and the leaves are dark red, like countless blood-stained palms. This tree is so old, much older than Chaichuan Gate. It once witnessed the first batch of Fuyu people who migrated from the mainland dig the first shovel of soil and erect the first wooden stake here; it also It witnessed the village growing, the population multiplying, and the barriers rising, just as it witnessed the Tang people conquering it and becoming the new owner of Chaichuan Gate.
Liu Pingji found his father under the tree. He sat quietly on the moss-covered boulder, with ten pieces of silk on his right hand, staring at the deep pool as dark as night.
"Grandpa! I heard that the Tang people are coming!"
Liu Chongguang raised his head and looked at his son: "Yes, I brought ten pieces of silk cloth!" His voice was a little hoarse: "Pingji, sit down!"
"It's so beautiful!" Liu Pingji sat down next to his father and gently stroked the silk cloth twice: "The general of the Tang Dynasty was so generous. He rewarded us with ten pieces of silk at once, which is much better than the temple!"
Liu Chongguang glanced at his son sadly. After all, he was still young and did not understand that Buddha put a price on everything in the world. He sighed: "Our Liu family is a craftsman who has served the temple for generations. We cast Buddha statues, make Buddhist niches, build stone pagodas, and build corridors. Every drop of sweat shed will become good fruits in the next life. How can we use a little money to do it?" How to measure the rewards. The Buddhist scriptures say: "The three realms are unstable, just like a house on fire. They are filled with sufferings, which are very frightening. There are always worries about birth, old age, illness and death. It is like this fire, which is blazing and endless!" Isn't it exactly what he is talking about in today's troubled times? Even if Even blessed people like your Majesty and ministers cannot escape impermanence. Shouldn’t humble people like us be more careful and pray to Buddha for atonement?”
"Grandma is right!" Liu Pingji nodded in confusion: "But we are only making a few copper pieces, so we don't need to atone for our sins, right?"
"What other good things can the general of the Tang Dynasty ask us to do? They are just murderers!" Liu Chongguang snorted coldly: "Didn't you notice when you came in just now? There are soldiers at the front door and the back door, and they are all in custody. our!"
"He's guarding us?" Liu Pingji didn't care at first. When his father said that there were soldiers from the Tang Dynasty guarding us, he was immediately frightened: "Is he going to kill us?"
"That's not the case!" Liu Chongguang picked up a dead leaf and sighed: "Have you forgotten what the Tang people did in the capital? They don't have to go to such trouble to kill us!"
When Liu Pingji heard this, his face turned pale. It turns out that father and son have been craftsmen building Buddhist temples for generations. When the Tang army captured Sixian City, they escaped and returned to their hometown, but they did not want to fall into the hands of Wang Wenzuo again. Liu Pingji witnessed with his own eyes what the Tang army did after they broke the city, and naturally he would not forget it.
"Why is that?" Liu Pingji asked: "There are wars going on everywhere right now, and it's winter again. There's no food in the wild. Only here is temporarily safe. Where else can we escape?"
"I don't know either!" Liu Chongguang shook his head: "But the copper pieces we cast a few days ago should be very important, so they sent someone to guard us!"
The questions of Liu Chongguang and his son were quickly answered. Two days later, they were kicked out of bed in the middle of the night, stuffed into a four-wheel carriage with all the tools, and left Chaichuanzha at dawn. Through the car window, the two of them could clearly see the neat ranks and long convoy of the Tang Army. It was obvious that the Tang Army was taking them away from Chaichuanzha.
"Oops!" Liu Chongguang stamped his feet suddenly,
"What's wrong, Grandpa, have you pulled down anything important?"
"No!" Liu Chongguang sighed: "The village is over!"
"The village is over? Not right? Isn't it good?" Liu Pingji asked in confusion.
"Idiot!" Liu Chongguang glared at his son with hatred: "Would the Tang people leave such a good village to others? Don't forget that there are many craftsmen in the village. They will definitely kill everyone before leaving. Kill them, and then set fire to everything. Fortunately, we, father and son, were still somewhat useful and saved our lives! Namo Amitabha!" At this point, Liu Chongguang knelt down towards the west, clasped his hands and recited the Purana Sutra devoutly.
Liu Pingji hurriedly knelt down to chant sutras with his father, but the motorcade was getting further and further away. The sun had already risen to half the sky, but Chaichuan Gate did not catch fire at all as his father said. He couldn't help but become suspicious.
"Grandpa, we have come this far, and the village is still in good condition. There is no fire at all!"
Liu Chongguang was also a little confused. Chaichuan Gate was located halfway up the mountain. If the fire could be seen clearly for dozens of miles, could it be that the Tang people were showing great kindness this time? Absolutely impossible!
"Perhaps they don't want to be seen by the surrounding villages and know that they are escaping, leading to pursuit. If they go further, they will set fire to them!"
But until the sun went down, Liu Chongguang and his son did not see the fireworks. It was obvious that Liu Chongguang's prediction had gone bankrupt.
"Grandpa, maybe the Tang people are not as bad as you think!"
Beside the campfire, Liu Pingji took a sip of hot soup and whispered.
"Shut up!" Liu Chongguang was startled. He looked around carefully to make sure that no one was paying attention to him. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Boy, do you want to die? I am only your son! You are talking nonsense. Lose your head!"
