Zhang Chen took Diao Chan's hand and strolled through the garden.
"Chan'er, that day... you and I... I am not someone who would abandon you after the fact. Since we have become husband and wife in reality, I should rightfully give you a proper status. However, you should know that I already have a marriage engagement. Therefore, I can only take you as a concubine. Are you willing?"
Diao Chan paused slightly, silent for a long time, tears seemingly welling up in her eyes.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen frowned slightly and said, "I know this is unfair to you, but in life, one must keep their word. If you are unwilling, I will not force you. I will recognize you as my sworn sister, and you can still live in the manor. In the future, I will certainly not do anything improper again, and I will find a good match for you. How about that?"
"No!" Diao Chan grabbed Zhang Chen's hand and knelt in the snow, saying, "Chan'er, Chan'er's only wish in this life is to follow Lord. Never mind being a concubine, even being a slave or a maidservant, I am willing. It's just... Chan'er's background is humble, I'm afraid... afraid I am not worthy of Lord..."
"What are you doing? Get up quickly." Zhang Chen quickly helped her up and gently brushed the accumulated snow off her knees.
"What are you talking about humble or not humble? That's just worldly perspective," Zhang Chen said. "I come from a merchant background, originally looked down upon by the world, but haven't I walked step by step to where I am today? You don't need to belittle yourself like this. I say you are worthy, and no one will dare to look down on you."
Upon hearing these words, Diao Chan was extremely moved. For so many years, she had drifted without support, and this was the first time someone told her not to belittle herself.
Despite the biting cold wind, a strong warmth surged in Diao Chan's heart.
Diao Chan's cheeks were flushed, and she leaned her head on Zhang Chen's shoulder, whispering softly, "Everything... is up to Lord to decide."
Zhang Chen smiled slightly and pulled Diao Chan into his embrace.
"Lord..."
"What is it?"
"My concubine's... my concubine's shoes and socks are soaked with snow water, it's a bit uncomfortable. Shall we, go back?"
"Okay," Zhang Chen said, and with one swoop, he picked Diao Chan up.
"Lord, this... isn't good, is it..."
"You are already mine. What's not good about it?"
With that, Zhang Chen carried Diao Chan directly back to the west wing.
That night, candlelight flickered in the west wing, and seductive laughter could be heard from time to time...
Early the next morning, a messenger came to report that Xu Yuan, the director of the "Luban Hall" in the Heavenly Crafting Hall, was requesting an audience.
Zhang Chen was delighted to hear this, thinking that there must have been progress on the "Zhuge Repeating Crossbow" matter.
Historically, this item appeared too late. If it could be introduced earlier this time, it would definitely be a great advantage for him.
Zhang Chen quickly changed his clothes and came to the front hall.
Xu Yuan was already waiting here. Seeing Zhang Chen arrive, he quickly bowed and saluted, saying, "Lord."
"Mr. Xu, please sit down quickly," Zhang Chen said. "How is the matter progressing?"
Xu Yuan immediately took out a brocade box, handed it to Zhang Chen, and said, "Lord, please take a look."
Zhang Chen took the brocade box, opened it, and saw a remarkably delicate hand crossbow inside.
Zhang Chen took out the hand crossbow and examined it carefully, finding it indeed very similar to the descriptions from later generations.
The entire crossbow body was about two palms wide. Unlike ordinary bows and crossbows, there was a mechanism behind the bow, and the arrow groove on top was much higher than that of ordinary bows and crossbows.
Xu Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Lord's ingenuity is indeed very exquisite. After several days of research, this old man has finally not failed in his mission."
Zhang Chen held up the hand crossbow and found it to be very lightweight. He also tried pressing the mechanism and felt that the resistance was greater than that of ordinary bows and crossbows. He thought the range would also be farther.
Xu Yuan added, "As Lord said, this crossbow can hold ten arrows. After each shot, press the mechanism, pull the bowstring taut, and the next arrow will be placed on the string. Because it needs to hold ten arrows, to avoid making the crossbow body too heavy, the material used must be lightweight and hard. Lord, you can try the arrows in the brocade box."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced slightly and indeed saw ten arrows, each about eight inches long, in the box besides the crossbow.
Zhang Chen took out the arrows, loaded them one by one, and then ordered someone to fetch a set of armor and set it up in the center of the courtyard.
Before long, the messenger carried out the order. Xu Yuan said, "Lord, the force of this crossbow is stronger than that of ordinary bows and crossbows. It can penetrate armor at fifty paces and penetrate a body at seventy paces, absolutely no problem. Moreover, since the weight of the crossbow body gradually decreases with each shot, the power becomes even greater. The last arrow can even shoot a hundred paces!"
"Oh? It's that powerful?!" Zhang Chen couldn't help but be astonished. Looking at the armor standing in the courtyard, he said, "This spot is about fifty paces from where the armor is standing. Can this arrow truly penetrate the armor?"
Xu Yuan smiled and said, "Absolutely no problem. If not, this old man is willing to accept punishment."
"Mr. Xu, you speak too seriously," Zhang Chen smiled, aimed at the armor, and pressed down the mechanism forcefully.
With a "whoosh," a sound of breaking air rang out, and the arrow flew off the string, shooting towards the armor.
In just a moment, the arrow hit the armor squarely. The messenger quickly stepped forward, picked up the arrow that had fallen to the ground, looked at the armor, and exclaimed loudly.
"Lord, the crossbow bolt went straight through the armor, piercing it completely!"
Saying this, the messenger took off the armor and ran over to show it to Zhang Chen.
Indeed, there was a small hole on the armor, having entered the chest and exited the back, piercing straight through the armor.
"Sir is truly a great talent!" Zhang Chen was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Xu Yuan, saying, "With this item, every crossbowman can be worth ten, and they will certainly shine brightly in wartime!"
"Lord, there's more than that. This old man has also prepared a great gift for Lord. However, that item is heavy and inconvenient to carry. Please move to the 'Heavenly Crafting Hall' to see it."
"Oh? Good, I will go with you."
Saying this, Zhang Chen went to the "Heavenly Crafting Hall" with Xu Yuan.
Zhang Chen had not visited the "Heavenly Crafting Hall" since it was completed.
It was located in a quiet alley in the west of the city, far from the market and residential areas, with little disturbance. The sounds of hammering and sawing wood from inside would not bother others.
Upon entering, Zhang Chen saw something placed in the courtyard, covered with a red cloth. About a hundred paces away from it, a stone wall had been built.
"Lord, please look," Xu Yuan stepped forward and pulled off the red cloth.
Zhang Chen glanced at it and was immediately astonished.
In front of him was a magnified version of the "Zhuge Repeating Crossbow"!
"Mr. Xu, what is this?"
Xu Yuan smiled and said, "Inspired by Lord, this old man thought, if this item were scaled up proportionally, could a more powerful siege crossbow be made? So, I created this item. Lord, although this crossbow cannot shoot ten arrows at once, it can hold three, and its power is also greater than ordinary siege crossbows!"
Xu Yuan paused and added, "Ordinary siege crossbows can only hold one arrow, and reloading is extremely time-consuming. After one shot, the enemy will certainly exert all their strength to destroy the siege equipment, so there will be little chance to fire a second time. However, this crossbow is different. After three shots, no matter how sturdy the city wall is, it cannot withstand it! Lord, please watch."
Saying this, Xu Yuan waved his hand, and seven or eight strong men came over, took a specially made arrow, like a long spear, and loaded it in.
There was a device similar to a pulley on one side of the crossbow body. Three or four people held down the crossbow body and aimed. The rest pulled the pulley, and as the pulley was pulled, the bowstring gradually tightened.
"Fire!" Xu Yuan gave the command. The few people controlling the pulley released their hands, the bowstring instantly sprang back, and an arrow immediately flew off the string!
With a "boom," the stone wall collapsed, and dust flew a hundred paces away.
Zhang Chen was stunned by the scene before him and exclaimed loudly, "Good! With such a powerful item, taking cities and breaking camps will be effortless! Mr. Xu has made such a great contribution. This official will certainly reward you handsomely. Please accept my bow first."
Saying this, Zhang Chen bowed and saluted.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan quickly said, "How dare this old man accept this? It is already a great fortune for this old man to receive Lord's favor with this humble skill. By the way, this crossbow has not yet been named. Please bestow a name, Lord."
Zhang Chen pondered for a moment and smiled, "The commander is the Yuan Rong. This crossbow is so sharp, it can be called the king of crossbows, so let's name it 'Yuan Crossbow'! As for this small repeating crossbow, since it is Sir's work, let's name it after Sir. How about calling it 'Yuan Crossbow'?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan was slightly stunned, then immediately prostrated himself in worship, "Lord has fulfilled this old man's reputation. This great kindness, this old man will never forget."
For any craftsman, being able to name an item after oneself is a great honor. The Yuan Crossbow and the Yuan Crossbow will surely shine brightly on the battlefield in the future. By naming it after him, Zhang Chen undoubtedly also gave him the opportunity to become famous throughout the world. How could Xu Yuan not be deeply grateful?