Cao Cao listened to their words, his brows slightly furrowed, not expecting them to look down on border Generals so much. If not for these men guarding the frontier, the world would have long ago fallen into chaos.
However, he did not stand up to argue with Yuan Shao. The other's status was noble; his future achievements were determined at birth to be extraordinary, so it was perfectly normal for him to look down on border warriors.
Moreover, he himself was able to enter the General's Mansion because of Yuan Shao, slowly shedding his identity as an Eunuch, and gradually forming a faction with the others.
Thus, the few of them in the tavern continuously exchanged toasts, occasionally chatting about major affairs of the world, discussing strategies, and speaking eloquently.
Third Year of Zhongping, end of January!
Outside Yanmen Commandery City, in the large camp!
Liu Jin, clad in armor and with a sharp blade at his waist, sat in the main tent, handling some military affairs, appearing somewhat bored.
As the New Year passed, various regions had returned to normal, beginning new busy periods.
He began inspecting the military camp, instructing Generals to intensify troop training, and occasionally selecting one or two units to go to Dingxiang and Cloud Middle Commandery to eliminate bandits and maintain stability in the three commanderies.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the tent. A guard, with hands cupped in salute, bowed and said,
“Marquis,”
“Lu Zhi, the manager of the forging workshop, has sent someone with the items you requested. He asks you to inspect them to see if they are suitable.”
Liu Jin, sitting at the head, was slightly startled to hear this.
His mind couldn't help but recall the items he had asked Lu Zhi to forge before the New Year, and his eyes instantly lit up. Could it be the compound bow he had drawn earlier?
He had asked Lu Zhi to forge it back then, but the latter said it was somewhat difficult and needed a month to figure it out.
It wasn’t difficult in other places; the main problem was the gears of the compound bow, which ordinary blacksmiths truly couldn’t forge.
Only a highly skilled blacksmith would be able to forge those gears perfectly.
Because the compound bow relies on gears to store energy, it can then unleash power beyond its own strength and possesses extremely strong penetrating power, capable of piercing even ordinary armor.
It’s clear how terrifying this power is. If it could be forged and equipped in the army, their strength would definitely increase severalfold.
Liu Jin immediately put down the government affairs at hand, stood up directly, pushed aside the tent flap, and walked out!
Just outside the entrance stood several guards. The person in front held an item wrapped in a black cloth.
He immediately reached out to take it, pulling off the black cloth to reveal a brand new compound bow.
At both ends of the bow were two gears. The bowstring passed through them. With a gentle pull, the gears made a creaking sound, forming a half-moon shape.
With a slight release, the two gears on top began to creak again, slowly returning to their original state.
Liu Jin looked at its shape, a smile playing on his lips. It was almost identical to what he remembered.
He gripped the compound bow tightly, preparing to test its power.
If it could meet his expectations, he would begin to intensify its forging, equipping a compound bow army. This would be a dimensionality reduction strike against other troops.
Liu Jin immediately ordered his personal guards to summon all Generals above a thousand shi in the camp.
After giving his orders, Liu Jin led a few people to a remote, spacious camp.
He then ordered people to set up several targets in front.
After this was done, footsteps were heard from behind. Zhao Teng, Guan Yu, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Zhang Yang, Hao Zhao, Wu Xing, and other Generals arrived one after another.
Only Zhao Yun was leading his two thousand troops, guarding Yanmen Pass!
Upon arrival, the Generals bowed and said loudly,
“Marquis!”
Liu Jin nodded, looked at the Generals before him, and said with a smile,
“I summoned you here today to let you witness this compound bow in my hand.”
After saying this, he slightly raised the compound bow in his hand so that everyone could see it clearly.
The Generals gathered around looked at the so-called compound bow, appearing somewhat bewildered, and many even had strange expressions in their eyes.
Could this thing in front of them even be called a bow and arrow? Although it had a bowstring, it also had two wheels attached to the sides, looking rather peculiar.
Zhao Teng, with some curiosity, stepped forward and asked,
“Big Brother, what is this compound bow in your hand? Is it more powerful than a three-stone bow?”
Hearing this, everyone looked over with expectant expressions. If it truly was more powerful than a three-stone bow, then it would indeed be considered a divine weapon.
Liu Jin heard this and said with a smile,
“Whether it’s more powerful than a three-stone bow, only testing will tell.”
After saying this, with a sharp glint in his eyes, he held the compound bow, nocked a well-forged arrow onto the bowstring, and aimed at the target in front.
The surrounding Generals were slightly stunned for a moment. The target in front was a full two hundred paces away, approximately 240 meters.
Such a long distance already exceeded the range of a three-stone bow. Even a top-tier divine archer might barely be able to exceed this distance.
Although their Marquis possessed martial prowess, he had never been known as a divine archer. If he missed the target, he would lose face in front of the Generals.
Guan Yu was about to step forward to advise his Big Brother, suggesting that he pull the bow and shoot the arrow instead, so even if it missed, he wouldn't lose face.
Just then, Liu Jin had already drawn the bowstring. The two gears on the compound bow instantly began to rotate, making a creaking sound, as if reaching their limit.
With a whoosh, a sharp arrow shot out, and the sound of it cutting through the air resounded.
Whoosh~
Its speed was incredibly fast, impossible to catch any blur. The arrow shot towards the center of the target with a booming sound.
The sharp arrow mercilessly pierced through the bullseye, sending shattered wood fragments flying. Its momentum unchecked, it continued to fly backward.
After flying another few dozen paces, with a whoosh, it plunged into the ground.
The surrounding Generals watched this scene, their eyes wide with disbelief, some even exclaiming in surprise.
This scene was indeed shocking. It could unleash such powerful force, piercing through a target two hundred paces away and then flying another few dozen paces. Even the world's greatest divine archer probably wouldn't be so fierce.
Everyone looked at Liu Jin with expressions of awe, many muttering to themselves,
Could their Marquis be a legendary divine archer? Otherwise, how could he possess such terrifying strength?
One must know that they had been in the army for so long and had never seen such a terrifying range. To reach two hundred paces was already one in ten thousand in the army.
Liu Jin looked at the distance the arrow traveled, a smile on his face.
The power unleashed by this compound bow did not disappoint him; it had met his expectations. Being able to reach a distance of over two hundred paces was a complete victory over the bows and crossbows of this era.