The Shenbi crossbow is indeed a good thing, mainly because of its powerful strength. Unfortunately, its manufacturing method has been lost to later generations.
Zhao Huan saw with his own eyes the manufacturing method of this crossbow at the Nufang Office and could not help but marvel at the ancient people's technology.
Because of its pulley mechanism, this crossbow is much more efficient to draw. It also features a trigger-like mechanism that allows for accurate firing. Even more impressive is that this crossbow can fire two or more arrows simultaneously, without sacrificing power.
Jiang Fan introduced: "Your Majesty, this Divine Arm Crossbow is a top-secret weapon of the Song Dynasty. It is extremely powerful. No matter how thick the armor is, it can penetrate it within 300 steps."
"Jiang Supervisor, quickly make me 100,000 crossbows. I want to establish a powerful crossbow army."
Jiang Fan was shocked: "Your Majesty, one hundred thousand is not a small number. Even if the crossbow workshop worked tirelessly for three years, it would take them three years to make them."
"Three months. I'll give you three months. If you can't make 30,000 crossbows, I'll kill you."
Jiang Fan was horrified and said tremblingly: "Your Majesty..."
Zhao Huan smiled faintly. "The Ministry of Revenue's Treasury, the Manufacturing Supervisor, the Palace Guards, the Infantry Sima Military Command, are all at your disposal. Produce 30,000 Divine Arm Crossbows for me within three months!"
Jiang Fan frowned and said, "Yes, yes, yes."
"Take me to Jiafang Office."
Jiang Fan, the military equipment supervisor, was quite competent and managed the military equipment supervisory office in an orderly manner. A handyman in the Jiafang Office was making armor, and it turned out that the production process of armor was so complicated.
The armour, shoulder armor, body armor and belly armor are made up of a total of 1,825 armor plates.
"Your Majesty, this is the armor made by our Armor Workshop. Do you want to swear to die for it?" Jiang Fan asked, pointing to a sample nearby.
Zhao Huan was quite interested: "Cao Dongsheng, change my clothes for me. I want to try this heavy thing."
Cao Dongsheng hurriedly ordered two eunuchs to help Zhao Huan put on the armor. The armor was very heavy, weighing 58 Song jin. Zhao Huan moved a little slowly after putting it on.
"Jiang Jianshi, why is this armor so heavy?"
"Your Majesty, the cavalry is formidable, and the Song Dynasty is short of horses. This armor is our weapon against the cavalry. Don't underestimate its heaviness; it can save your life on the battlefield."
Zhao Huan was shocked: "If I don't demonstrate it myself, you won't know how hard the soldiers work. This armor is our last barrier against swords and arrows. I will establish a heavy armored unit. Let's call it Infantry Armor!"
Jiang Fan bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This armor is impervious to arrows and swords. Our soldiers have sharp weapons to defend themselves, and we will surely defeat you!"
Zhao Huan took off his helmet and said, "You just said that this divine arm crossbow is extremely powerful and can penetrate even the thickest armor. You also said that this infantry armor is impervious to arrows and swords and spears. What will happen if I use this divine arm crossbow to shoot at this infantry armor?"
"This..." Jiang Fan couldn't help but look extremely embarrassed because he had boasted too much just now.
"Ha!" Zhao Huan laughed and said, "An impenetrable shield and an unbreakable spear cannot exist in the same era."
"Your Majesty, the Du Shui Jian is in front. The Du Shui Jian is not responsible for manufacturing, so there is no supervisory office." Jiang Fan led Zhao Huan to introduce.
"I just want to come here and take a look inside."
Upon hearing that the emperor was coming in person, the officials of the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau hurriedly lined up on both sides and bowed their heads to greet him.
Compared to Nufangshu and Jiafangshu, the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau was much quieter. As the department in charge of the nation's water conservancy, it only had a dozen officials.
"Supervisor Jiang, please introduce him to me." Zhao Huan went in and sat down in the main seat. Cao Dongsheng stood beside him, and the other guards stood at the door.
"Your Majesty, there is no need for Jiang Jiancheng to introduce me. I, Qiu Mingshan, am the Du Shui Envoy." An official with a square face stepped forward and said.
Another official in his forties stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am Zuo Dapang, the Deputy Commissioner of the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau."
Qiu Mingshan, this name is interesting. Zhao Huan almost blurted out, "Can you drive fast?"
"I came here for no other purpose than to build a ship!"
A group of officials looked at each other in confusion, wondering why the emperor was building a ship.
Qiu Mingshan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, there are many ships in the Yangtze River basin, and dragon boats are common. Large commercial and cargo ships are also privately owned. I wonder what your Majesty wants to build these ships for?"
Deputy Envoy Zuo Dapang said, "The official ships transporting grain to various places are also fully stocked. Your Majesty does not need to worry."
"I want to build a large ship, a seagoing ship. A hundred feet long and a thousand feet wide."
Everyone was completely baffled, and even the Military Equipment Supervisor Jiang Fan was a little surprised: "Your Majesty, why did Your Majesty build this huge ship?"
"All under heaven belongs to the king. All the people in the world are his subjects. However, the four seas are vast, and the nine states are vast. I want to build a dragon boat to explore the four seas."
As soon as this was said, everyone objected. You built a boat just to go sailing?
Jiang Fan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am the Inspector of Arms and should not be involved in state affairs. However, although the world is at peace, the various countries are still eyeing us covetously. Building such a huge ship will cost the country a huge amount of money. I am afraid, I am afraid that this is not appropriate."
Qiu Mingshan, the governor of the capital, also said, "Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty has no experience in building such a large ship. Small boats are not suitable for long sea voyages. Your Majesty, please reconsider your decision."
Zhao Huan slammed his chair and said, "I have made up my mind. There is no need for further discussion. You will study where in the coastal waters would be suitable for establishing an office. I will order all necessary materials to be obtained. As for the money and grain, the Ministry of Revenue will take care of it. I will build a great Song fleet and sail far and wide!"
Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, everyone dared not say anything more and could only bow in greeting.
Qiu Mingshan said: "Your Majesty, the coastal area of Fujian is suitable for building a supervisory office. There is abundant timber there, and transportation is convenient, which can save a lot of costs."
Zhao Huan nodded and said, "Promote Qiu Mingshan to the position of Dragon Ship Transport Envoy, responsible for supervising the construction of the treasure ship."
"I obey the decree!"
In fact, Zhao Huan knew that if the issue between Jin and Mongolia was not resolved, it would always be a major concern for the Song Dynasty. However, he still decided to mobilize the entire country to build ships.
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