As soon as Chu Yuanchen said this, there was silence in the Xuanwu Hall at first, and then there was noise again.
The emperor hid his displeasure and just smiled and said, "Achen, you don't understand."
The word "I don't understand" caused Chu Yuanchen to smile lightly. He did not say anything, but that extremely arrogant smile fell into the emperor's eyes, as if saying: If I don't understand, who else will understand?
The emperor slowly turned the jade plate with his fingers. He had witnessed the power of the bed crossbow with his own eyes. It was absolutely true and he would not be affected by Chu Yuanchen's few words.
The ministers were somewhat hesitant.
Everyone knows that when it comes to actual combat, no one present can compare to Chu Yuanchen. He said that the bed crossbow is useless... But if the bed crossbow can really hit the target every time from a thousand steps away, how can it be useless? !
Everyone had their own thoughts. The emperor took a quick look and saw everything clearly, and his good mood was half ruined.
His face was slightly cold, and he said: "Whether the bed crossbow is useful or not, Ah Chen, just come with me to take a look and you will know. We can't just talk about military operations on paper." He was just about to point at Chu Yuanchen's nose and say that he was pretending to be knowledgeable and talking about military operations on paper.
After the emperor finished speaking, he flicked his sleeves and walked out of the Xuanwu Hall first, followed by the others.
Zhao Yuanrou had been waiting for this scene impatiently. She couldn't help but glance at Chu Yuanchen's back, feeling very disdainful in her heart.
When they were in the theater, Chu Yuanchen had no interest in her drawings and was only interested in Sheng Xi Yanxian. At that time, she thought he was short-sighted. Now it seems that he is not only short-sighted, but he also has no sensitivity to weapon reform.
She just waited, and after a while Chu Yuanchen looked horrified.
A crossbow bed had already been placed on the training ground in front of the Xuanwu Hall.
For the soldiers, the appearance of the bed crossbow is not unfamiliar to them, but the bed crossbow in front of them is a little special. In addition to the usual three combined powerful crossbows, there is also a long black barrel-shaped object installed on the arrow path.
"This is called a sight." The emperor introduced it loudly, "Using it, you can see a leaf ten miles away."
Ten miles is actually not too far. If the target is large, you can see it with your eyes. But if it is a leaf, it will be difficult.
The emperor added: "The patterns on the leaves can also be seen clearly."
The Minister of War pondered and asked, "Your Majesty, do you use this sight to observe the target?"
The emperor nodded with a smile.
General Wu narrowed his eyes, not quite understanding, and asked, "Your Majesty, then..."
The emperor interrupted him and said in a good-tempered tone, "You will know it at a glance, my dear."
The emperor said cheerfully, "I have tried it a few days ago. Now I will come with you to see the power of this crossbow."
Song Yuan waved his hand, and several imperial guards pushed a target to a position about a thousand steps away from the crossbow.
"I'll try it myself!"
The emperor laughed and stepped forward in high spirits.
When he was still the crown prince, he had led troops to Lingnan once, and at that time, he also brought a few bed crossbows, so the emperor was not unfamiliar with it. In addition, he had tried it several times in the palace, and now he first put a giant iron arrow on it, and then used the reel to pull the string to full.
The emperor looked at the target clearly through the sight, aimed at the bull's eye, and pulled the trigger.
The heavy arrow flew out from the bowstring with a sharp sound of breaking through the air like the wind and lightning. Everyone only saw a black shadow passing by, and then, with a loud "bang", the iron arrow accurately hit the bull's eye of the target.
The iron arrow was so powerful that it pushed the target back hundreds of meters after hitting the center of the target. The target was hit hard on the ground, split at the red star, and broke into two pieces.
Everyone gasped and was almost stunned.
In the army, there are many people who are good at archery and riding, but there are very few who can hit the target with every arrow. Even if they can hit the target with every arrow, the range of the bow and arrow is only 300 steps at most, which is really not worth mentioning compared to the bed crossbow, not to mention the power.
Just now, when the emperor said that he never missed a target, they were actually somewhat skeptical. But now that they saw it with their own eyes, their eyes were filled with shock.
The emperor laughed out loud and said with regret: "This arena is still too small. If the sight is improved, we can see farther and more clearly."
There was regret on his face and obvious boasting in his voice.
The Minister of War complimented him with a delighted look on his face: "This creature is very brave. It shouldn't be used in a military exercise. When the two armies fight, it will be able to show its skills."
The emperor clapped his hands and nodded, "That's right, it's only useful on the battlefield."
Someone immediately followed up and said, "I am greatly honored to have obtained this divine object. It is a blessing for us and for the people."
"With this item, Darong will be able to dominate the battlefield in the future, defeat all enemies, and have people from all directions come to pay tribute to him."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
…
The series of compliments touched the emperor's heart. He felt more and more refreshed. He looked at Chu Yuanchen again and smiled faintly, "Ah Chen, what do you think of this bed crossbow now?"
Chu Yuanchen still said the same thing: "This thing is useless."
He stood there nonchalantly, as if he really didn't take the crossbow seriously at all, and even ignored its power. It seemed that staying here to take a look was a waste of time.
The emperor looked unhappy, and suppressed his dissatisfaction and said, "How is it useless?"
The emperor pointed at the crossbow and sneered, "It can hit a target a thousand steps away. Can you do it?"
Chu Yuanchen asked: "Who is the emperor targeting?"
"Everything!" The emperor blurted out, holding his breath, "Including you."
There was a great noise all around.
Some people secretly blamed Chu Yuanchen for not giving the emperor enough face, and some people were more sensitive and thought of what happened on the day Chu Yuanchen returned to Beijing. For a moment, their emotions were in turmoil.
Chu Yuanchen just smiled, his peach blossom eyes narrowed, and his usual casualness disappeared in an instant, replaced by a sharp edge.
"Your Majesty, would you like to try it?"
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he was smiling, but this smile made people feel scared.
Yelu Qi knew this smile very well. Once upon a time, under the city wall of Yan State's capital, Chu Yuanchen shot and killed the monarch of Yan State with one arrow with such a smile.
After the fall of the State of Yan, Chu Yuanchen walked into the palace of the King of Yan, sat on the throne, and said to them with the same smile: Either surrender or die.
Yelu Qi's eyes were deep.
"Achen." The emperor flashed a malicious smile, then said worriedly, "You are just too competitive. If I accidentally hurt you, how can I explain to your grandfather?"
He sighed, and after putting on enough pretense, he changed the subject and said, "However, Achen, you are the commander of the troops, and you may have used the bed crossbow a lot. Since you think this bed crossbow is not appropriate, there must be something wrong with it."
He seemed to be afraid that Chu Yuanchen would regret it, and said quickly: "It would be great if Chen is willing to try for me."
The final word is the hammer.
Chu Yuanchen smiled and clasped his fists and said, "Yes!"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, unable to believe how a peaceful crossbow test could turn into such a situation.
"Your Majesty. Iron arrows have no eyes."
"Yes, Your Majesty, if something goes wrong, it will be difficult to recover."
"Your Majesty, please think twice."
The emperor raised his hands and said, "You don't need to persuade me anymore." He looked righteous and said, "I intend to use this crossbow for the imperial guards. Ah Chen came to test the crossbow for me out of loyalty. How can I let him down..."
The emperor was still speaking in high-sounding words, but Sheng Xiyan was too lazy to listen any more. She stared at Chu Yuanchen's figure with bright eyes and clenched her fists nervously.
There is tension, but no fear.
She believed that Chu Yuanchen was definitely not a person who spoke without purpose. If he dared to say it, he must be absolutely sure.
She believed him.
Chu Yuanchen suddenly looked at her at this time, and he easily found her in the crowd.
The two looked at each other, Chu Yuanchen blinked his right eye at her, and Sheng Xiyan's heart suddenly calmed down.
Chu Yuanchen asked the eunuch to bring his Wuti to him. He went into the training ground without even putting on any light armor.
As soon as he spurred the horse, the black hoof was in tune with its master, spread its hooves, and galloped to the location of the target, then leisurely stomped its hooves. Chu Yuanchen leaned over and touched the horse's head. The man and the horse seemed to be enjoying the autumn, and did not even look in the direction of the bed crossbow.
The emperor still did it himself.
He looked directly at Chu Yuanchen with a cold gaze, without a doubt that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even if Chu Yuanchen died under the iron arrow, it was just an accident. Everyone knew that Chu Yuanchen asked for it and that he overestimated his own abilities.
The emperor's heart was pounding with excitement, and this excitement made him smile unconsciously.
Beiyan has surrendered, and there is no more major trouble in the northern border. As long as Chu Yuanchen is gone, the Zhenbei Palace can finally be cut off from inheritance.
The emperor adjusted the crossbow, and the black iron arrow emitted a cold light, and the arrow was aimed at Chu Yuanchen.
He pulled the trigger.
An extremely heavy iron arrow, driven by three powerful crossbows at the same time, shot towards the target. Almost everyone could hear the loud noise the moment the iron arrow was released.
Chu Yuanchen was still facing away from the bed crossbow.
They all clearly remembered the fate of the target just now, and couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for Chu Yuanchen.
Then, seeing that the iron arrow was less than a hundred meters away from Chu Yuanchen, Wu Ti suddenly moved. It was not known whether it was intentional or not, but it only ran two steps and then stopped. The iron arrow flew past them, and then fell to the ground without any remaining force.
Wuti turned his horse around and sniped at the iron arrow.
Horses can't talk, but the disdain they express is more infuriating than anything else.
emperor:"……"
He took a deep breath, told himself not to bother with the horse, then adjusted the crossbow and shot the second arrow. The iron arrow still flew past them and fell.
The crow stepped forward twice, then kicked with its hind legs, kicking the iron arrow far away.
This time, Wuti snorted again in the direction of the emperor.
Sheng Xiyan covered her mouth to stop laughing. She touched her sleeve pocket and decided to treat it to maltose later! The maltose she made was delicious.
emperor:"……"
Arrogant, too arrogant. The emperor had never seen such an arrogant horse in his life. It was just like its owner, and he hated it.
The crossbow that Darong was using now could only fire three arrows in a row at most. The emperor simply placed three iron arrows on the arrow path, adjusted the crosshairs and the sight, aimed at the direction of Chu Yuanchen, and did not give him any room to react. He shot three arrows in a row, one arrow after another, and each arrow was more powerful than the last.
Many people were worried about Chu Yuanchen.
Didn't he say he wanted to try out the crossbow? Why does the emperor seem to want to kill Chu Yuanchen?!
Chu Yuanchen did not hide this time. He pulled the reins and Wu Ti unexpectedly ran straight towards the iron arrow, without any deviation.
Someone couldn't help but let out a cry, but for fear of disturbing the royal driver, he quickly covered his mouth and turned his head away, not daring to look again.
It seems that one can imagine what a bloody scene will be next.
The emperor stared at Chu Yuanchen intently with a look of satisfaction on his face. Just as the iron arrow was about to hit Chu Yuanchen's head, Chu Yuanchen suddenly leaned over the horse's back, and the iron arrow flew directly over his head without even touching a hair.
At the same time, Wuti had already approached the emperor.
Chu Yuanchen tilted his head slightly, and from an angle that no one else noticed, he smiled wickedly at the emperor, his eyes filled with murderous intent that seemed to overflow. Facing Chu Yuanchen's dark, gloomy peach blossom eyes, the emperor was terrified, and the murderous intent in Chu Yuanchen almost swallowed him up.
Chu Yuanchen wants to kill him!
The emperor realized this clearly, and then he saw Chu Yuanchen put his hands on his waist.
This is the usual position of the sword.
The emperor's eyes suddenly widened, filled with panic. He watched Chu Yuanchen's hand suddenly pulled out from his waist. Fear finally overwhelmed his reason, and he shouted, "Protect the driver!"
He retreated backwards in panic, too fast and too quickly, and his foot was caught on the wheel of the crossbow, causing him to fall to the ground.
His face turned pale and blue, and he shouted desperately, "Guard the driver! Guard the driver!"
The imperial guards rushed into the parade ground and silently watched the emperor who had fallen to the ground and Chu Yuanchen who was ten feet away from the crossbow.
The others were also confused. They only saw Chu Yuanchen dodged the iron arrow beautifully and came to report to the emperor. Then the emperor suddenly fell to the ground with a loud scream, as if he had seen a ghost.
Chu Yuanchen had nothing in his hands. He had already dismounted from his horse and was now cupping his fists towards the emperor, saying, "I am glad that I have fulfilled your orders."
Imperial Guards: “…”
The imperial guards didn't know whether to capture Chu Yuanchen, so they could only stand in front of the emperor for the time being.
The emperor slowly stood up, his breathing disordered. Chu Yuanchen repeated, "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled your mission."
"Chu Yuanchen..."
The emperor called his name almost with gritted teeth.
He realized belatedly that Chu Yuanchen was not allowed to bring weapons into the royal garden, let alone a sword. In other words, all he did just now was bluffing, deliberately trying to scare him and embarrass himself in front of so many people.
And I was actually surprised by his murderous intent.
The emperor's chest heaved.
"Your Majesty." Chu Yuanchen curled his lips and kept his fists together. "I think this thing is useless."
It was still the same words, but after witnessing this scene with their own eyes, everyone believed it this time.
This thing is useless.
Chu Yuanchen personally proved that this thing is useless!
After several consecutive arrows, not only did he not suffer any serious damage, but he also didn't even knock off a hair.
But it was obvious that Chu Yuanchen did not give his all. Instead, he seemed to be doing it with ease, as if he was just having fun, and there was no sign of nervousness at all.
This crossbow equipped with a strange "sight" posed no threat to him at all.
In fact, some of the military commanders present had already seen through the situation, but they did not dare to spoil the emperor's fun, and not everyone was as bold as the Prince of Zhenbei.
Most people still didn't quite understand, and Zhao Yuanrou was even more unbelievable. She had imagined today's situation countless times, but had never thought it would be like this.
How is this possible!
Zhao Yuanrou shook her head slowly. How could such a powerful crossbow fail to amaze the audience?
She doesn't believe it!
Chu Yuanchen didn't wait for the emperor to ask again. He stroked Wu Ti's mane and said to himself, "The iron arrow makes too much noise and shoots too slowly. Adding this sight requires additional adjustments and preparations. I just calculated that it takes at least ten breaths for you to shoot an arrow. On the battlefield, no one will stand still and wait for ten breaths, just for your arrow."
"If we skip these extra steps, it only takes five breaths for the crossbow to fire an arrow. It's not worth it to waste time in exchange for a useless '100% hit rate'."
"The advantage of the crossbow is that its arrows are heavy, have great killing power, and have a long range. It can penetrate the enemy's crossbows when defending, and can destroy the city gates and walls when attacking. It is not its accuracy."
Chu Yuanchen shook his head, a faint smile on his lips, and said: "The battlefield changes rapidly. If there is a chance to take the life of the enemy commander, I trust the bow and arrow in my hand more than this crossbow that will only waste time and opportunity."
The smile on his face deepened, but did not reach his eyes.
He said, "Your Majesty, whether it is useful or not, we can't just talk about military affairs on paper."
These are the words the emperor said to Chu Yuanchen just now, and now, Chu Yuanchen returned them in full.
There was silence all around.
In terms of military achievements, no one could compare to Chu Yuanchen, who was the one who conquered Northern Yan. They also heard that even the Marshal of Northern Yan was killed by Chu Yuanchen's bow and arrow. Killed in one strike.
No wonder he didn't care about the improvement of the bed crossbow. I'm afraid he thought of all the consequences as soon as the emperor said it. He is worthy of being the first general of Darong!
emperor:"……"
The imperial guards had already helped the emperor up. His dragon robe was covered in dust and was no longer as smooth as before.
He was still a little stunned.
He had such high hopes for this bed crossbow, but in Chu Yuanchen's eyes, it was just a "useless thing"... No, it really was a useless thing!
There was a buzzing in the emperor's ears, and he could hardly hear what he said.
Over the years, the Zhenbei Palace has become very famous, especially in the military, where it is almost like a deity.
The emperor originally intended to use this crossbow to let the army see who was stronger, the imperial court or the Zhenbei Palace, but all his hopes were shattered by Chu Yuanchen's few words.
Useless things!
He had waited so long for this useless thing, spent so much effort, and even went to great lengths to organize this crossbow test.
The emperor pretended to be calm and said: "This sight can be improved to see twenty miles away. Then, it can be used as a long-range concealed weapon..." Even if it is hidden far away, it can still kill the enemy commander!
"Your Majesty." Chu Yuanchen seemed a little helpless and asked, "Do you know how far the range of the bed crossbow is?"
emperor:"……"
He subconsciously glanced at the Minister of War, who quickly said, "Usually it's 700 to 800 steps."
The emperor is currently using a bed crossbow, and the three powerful crossbows on it are all selected from a hundred, which increases the range to a thousand steps, which is already the limit.
In other words, it is useless to aim far with the scope. The arrow will fall before it reaches half its flight. How can you talk about "taking the enemy's head from a thousand miles away"?
Zhao Yuanrou clasped her hands tightly in front of her, and her palms hurt from her nails digging into her skin.
The telescope was supposed to be mounted on a cannon, "no matter whether it was a large or small cannon, it could make it hit the target every time." She had privately asked Zhou Jingxun about it, and only then did she know that the court had only a few cannons, and they were weak, and basically could not be used on the battlefield.
If she had only presented the Thousand Li Mirror, a small gadget like this, she was afraid that the emperor would not take it seriously.
So, Zhao Yuanrou thought about it again and again and decided that he should start by improving the weapons.
Since the heavy weapons of the Great Rong Dynasty are crossbows and crossbow carts, the telescope can also be used on them to achieve the effect of hitting the target every time.
She had thought of everything when she was drawing, why is it that now everything seems to be broken?!
Zhao Yuanrou was extremely upset. If she hadn't thought that the Thousand-Li Mirror would be more effective, she might as well have directly improved the □□ and let Darong have real heavy weapons.
She has now missed a great opportunity to show herself in front of everyone and may even incur the emperor's wrath.
The emperor's previous bounty made her feel proud in the Zhao family. If the emperor got angry, what would she do next...
Zhao Yuanrou couldn't help but look at Chu Yuanchen. Did he already know this would be the outcome? !
Can the Prince of Zhenbei really be so perceptive?
"Achen."
The emperor spoke up, his voice somewhat dry, "You are absolutely right. I was not thoughtful enough."
The Emperor announced to the world today that he would use the new crossbow to show the power of the country, but the result was that he lost all face in front of the civil and military officials and the envoys from the State of Yan.
The emperor felt a lump in his chest, and a sweet and fishy taste filled his throat.
But he couldn't get angry, especially not at Chu Yuanchen.
The emperor said calmly: "This useless thing should be burned." He didn't want to see it again!
His mood was terrible, from high spirits to low spirits.
He turned and went back into the hall with heavy steps. Others did not dare to say anything and followed him.
After sitting down again, the emperor no longer had the interest he had just had. He waved his hand casually and let the dancers and music enter the hall.
The atmosphere in the Xuanwu Hall was particularly solemn.
"emperor."
Along with a gentle voice, a beautiful young man in a red Qilin robe walked in.
The hall, which was already quiet to begin with, became even quieter. Whenever Xiao Shuo walked past someone, that person would subconsciously hold their breath.
Such a gentle-looking young man, but no one knows how much blood of countless people is on his hands.