The big tree two hundred meters away, seen through this tube, made even the bird's nest atop it clearly visible, as if it were just a short distance away.
This thing lets you spot the enemy a bit earlier. Combined with explosive packs, it should be very effective for ambushes.
Fang Er said from the side.
Thank you, Brother Fang. This thing is amazing.
Yu Chi Bao Lin was inseparable from the four-times scope, saying happily. Don't rush, there's this too.
As Fang Er spoke, he also handed him the crossbow.
Along with the crossbow came twenty bolts.
These bolts were all handmade by Fang Er. The bamboo shafts were shaved round and straight, while the arrowheads were all three-edged steel armor-piercing bolts.
Yu Chi Bao Lin wasn't very interested in this, and directly hung it on his waist.
You brat, you don't know quality! Give it here, I'll show you its power.
Fang Er took back the crossbow and snatched the four-times scope, skillfully mounting it on the crossbow.
With great effort, he cocked the string and placed a bolt.
After scanning his surroundings, he raised his hand and aimed at a patch of woods in the distance.
More than a hundred meters away, a locust tree as thick as an arm was lined up in the crosshairs by Fang Er.
As the trigger was pulled, the bolt shot out with a "swish" instantly,
And then embedded itself in the tree trunk.
Yu Chi Bao Lin ran over in surprise to look, and Fang Er followed.
The arrowhead had completely penetrated the tree trunk.
This? This is a locust tree! That distance must be at least a hundred and fifty paces, right? And it still has such power?
Yu Chi Bao Lin said in disbelief.
Bows and crossbows of this era generally had a kill range of around a hundred meters.
Moreover, being able to penetrate armor within fifty meters was already very impressive. Beyond a hundred meters, let alone penetrating armor, whether it could even hit the target was a problem.
This small, exquisite crossbow had greatly shocked Yu Chi Bao Lin.
Fang Er had exchanged for three in total. Another one was completely dismantled by him to use as spare parts for these two. The bowstring was made of the finest bowstring, doubled, and used a compound bow's pulley system for leverage. Otherwise, Fang Er wouldn't have been able to draw this crossbow at all! Even so, Fang Er had to use ninety percent of his strength to cock it!
This was what Fang Er intended to use as a sniper crossbow!
It was only because Yu Chi Bao Lin was about to go to battle that Fang Er was willing to bring it out.
If these two combined are utilized well during an ambush, they can help you achieve remarkable feats. Still looking down on this little thing?
Fang Er tossed the crossbow to Yu Chi Bao Lin.
Yu Chi Bao Lin hastily caught it, afraid of dropping and breaking it, then said happily, "Hehe, Brother Fang is always so good to me. It'll be hard for this brother not to achieve merits this time."
Alright, I have nothing else for you. Hurry home and get ready.
Fang Er smiled and kicked him in the backside.
After sending off Yu Chi Bao Lin, Fang Er looked at the busy craftsmen on the construction site and began to make and modify parts for the waterwheel.
Niu Liang and the others had made four waterwheels, and two were still left to be installed. Fang Er wanted to convert them into powered waterwheels.
The bamboo cylinders originally used for drawing water were replaced with wide wooden planks, increasing the contact surface with the water flow and better utilizing the power of the water.
Due to limited conditions, Fang Er extravagantly used locust wood for the entire transmission system. Locust wood is hard and cheap.
However, due to traditional thinking, few people used locust wood for furniture, so a large pile of good lumber could be bought for one or two taels of silver.
Fang Er chose a locust wood half a meter thick, directed Niu Liang and the others to shape it into blanks, and then personally modified its shape bit by bit.
With the efforts of Fang Er and a few carpenters, in just two days, an ordinary water-drawing waterwheel was converted into a powered waterwheel.
With a "click."
The waterwheel was installed in place.
The water-splashing boards on top were struck by the water flow, driving the waterwheel to start rotating, much faster than a water-drawing waterwheel.
Behind the waterwheel was a long transmission shaft, three meters long, the other end extended to the bank, with supports in the middle. Where it contacted the supports, Fang Er made a simple bearing to reduce friction between the transmission shaft and the supports.
The transmission shaft and the waterwheel were connected by the meshing of two gears, one large and one small, to amplify the waterwheel's power. For every revolution of the waterwheel, the transmission shaft could rotate twenty times.
The next step was how to utilize the power.
Fang Er's first consideration was a hydraulic forging bed, which would allow them to use water power to forge steel in the future. What was lacking now were materials to build the forging bed.
Leaving the work there, after instructing Niu Liang to build a shed behind the waterwheel to prevent anyone from being injured by the transmission system,
Fang Er, with Zhu Zi, entered Chang'an City.
Yu Chi Jing De had already led the troops out.
The entire Chang'an City had also become tense, and there were fewer pedestrians on the streets.
However, the business at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was as booming as ever, with no seats available.
The prices were no longer what they used to be.
Ten taels of silver for a banquet, six taels of silver for a jar of Drunken Immortal Brew.
Li Er's national treasury was so empty it could run horses, yet these noble families were all rolling in wealth and still not content. On one hand, they found ways to evade taxes and engage in monopolistic practices, and on the other hand, they held most of the power in the Tang Dynasty.
It was no wonder that Li Er would later hate them to the bone and try every means to suppress them.
The manager of the restaurant was Da Li, the accountants were sent from the Cheng and Yu Chi families, and Hua Niang was in charge of the kitchen.
After calling them together and carefully inquiring about the recent business operations, Fang Er took Zhu Zi to Old Master Zhang's residence.
Zhang Residence.
Old Zhang Tou, the gatekeeper, heard someone knock and opened the door to see Fang Er. Without announcing him, he directly led them into the inner courtyard.
What wind blew Brother Fang over here? A rare guest, a rare guest! Please, have a seat.
Old Master Zhang, who was looking through account books in the courtyard, saw Fang Er enter, put away the books, and stood up to say to Fang Er.
Brother Zhang is too kind. What kind of rare guest am I? I've come today to ask for your help with something.
Fang Er was not polite and sat down by the stone table.
If there's anything, Brother, just say it. As long as I can help, there's no problem!
Old Master Zhang patted his chest and guaranteed.
Then thank you in advance, Brother.
Fang Er said.
Why be so formal with me! Thanks to your miracle medicine, Brother, I can hold my head high now. To be honest, your sister-in-law was found to be pregnant a few days ago. This is all thanks to you, Brother. I still need to thank you!
Old Master Zhang happily shared his joy with Fang Er.
What the heck!
The blue pill has this function? It shouldn't be!
However, Fang Er didn't ask. He clasped his hands and said to Old Master Zhang, "Congratulations, congratulations. When the time comes, I'll definitely notify Brother to come for a wedding toast!"
That's a must. By the way, Brother, you said you wanted me to help, what was it again?
Old Master Zhang asked.