Chapter 109: Another Bargaining Chip

It was already afternoon when they emerged from the garrison governor's mansion. Wang Hu had hosted a banquet for the two men and decided to accompany Scholar Zhang back to Chang'an.

Inside the carriage, Scholar Zhang beamed at Wei Renshi. "With the General himself stepping forward, your great achievement is assured. Even if one were to set aside the merit itself, the Emperor would not leave such a gesture unacknowledged, simply knowing that the General has personally advocated for you."

"Is General Wang held in such high regard by His Majesty?" Wei asked.

Scholar Zhang nodded. "Indeed. During the Jingyuan mutiny, when Zhu Ci rebelled and the rebel forces breached Chang'an, it was General Wang who escorted the Emperor all the way to Fengtian, standing guard over his safety the entire time. Later, when Zhu Ci besieged Fengtian, the General remained by his side until the arrival of the Shence Army under the command of the Duke of Zhongwu finally lifted the siege. Following that, as the rebellion was quelled, it was again General Wang who escorted the Emperor back to Chang'an. Thus, he enjoys the Emperor’s deepest trust."

"The Duke of Zhongwu?" Wei Renshi paused, momentarily unable to recall the name, his knowledge of this period in the Tang Dynasty still lacking.

"Prince Li Sheng of Xiping," Scholar Zhang explained. "After he passed away, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor and the honorary name 'Zhongwu'."

Upon hearing the name Li Sheng, Wei remembered him—a celebrated general of the mid-Tang who had quelled countless rebellions and played a pivotal role in preventing the fragmentation of the empire.

"It is also a testament to General Wang's sincere patriotism," Zhang continued with a sigh. "Had he not seen the immense utility of this invention for the military, he would never have stepped forward personally. I had originally thought that merely getting the General to submit a memorial to the throne would be enough to achieve our goal. I never imagined it would go so smoothly, or that the old General himself would return to Chang'an to face the Emperor."

Wei Renshi pondered for a moment, then pulled a sheet of paper from his sleeve. "Actually, I had prepared for every eventuality last night, though I didn't expect things to go so easily today."

Scholar Zhang peered at the paper. "This is... a horn bow? But why does it look so strange? I have never seen a horn bow of this design."

Wei nodded. "Correct. I have improved upon the design. Although I have no physical prototype yet, I can guarantee it will be far less strenuous to draw than current bows, while possessing much greater power."

What Wei had produced was a compound bow.

In truth, compound bows had been crafted in China since ancient times. They appeared as early as the Shang Dynasty, and by the Eastern Zhou period, the technology was highly mature, with detailed techniques summarized in the *Kaogong Ji* (Records of Trades).

Contrary to popular belief, the bow's core—the limb—does not provide much elasticity; it serves primarily as a carrier or frame. The bow's power comes from the sinew glued to the back of the limbs and the horn glued to the front. The horn, typically from a bull, is sliced into thin strips. Because a pair of high-quality bull horns could cost as much as a whole bull, the expression "a bull wearing a bull" emerged. The sinew, taken from the bull's tendons, is applied to the back of the limbs.

Sinew is an exceptional animal fiber capable of withstanding immense tension, while horn excels at withstanding compression. When an object bends, the deformation on the inner and outer arcs is greatest; the greater the deformation, the greater the restorative force. Naturally, however, greater deformation requires greater pulling force. This sinew-and-horn compound bow remained in use from the Eastern Zhou period all the way to modern times.

However, the design Wei Renshi produced featured something new: pulleys at both ends. These pulleys were the defining difference between his design and ancient compound bows—a feature that utilized mechanical advantage to reduce the effort required to draw the bow. While the advanced materials of modern bows could not be replicated in this era, the pulleys could be. By using pulleys to ease the draw, an archer could fire more arrows, shoot further, and strike with greater power.

"After I returned last night, I stayed up late drawing this," Wei said. "I had intended to give it to the General as an extra bargaining chip if he had been unwilling to help. But since today went so smoothly, I didn't have the chance."

"This... why is this bow so peculiar?" Scholar Zhang took the drawing, studying it from all angles. "What are these circles for? And what is wrapped around them?"

"Do not underestimate these circles," Wei replied. "They allow an archer to fire more arrows with greater power while expending less energy. I have written the specific instructions on the following pages. Once you reach Chang'an, Scholar Zhang, you can find a skilled bowyer to build one and test it. But secrecy is paramount; we must not let the method leak, lest others learn to build them and turn them against the Tang."

"That is only natural," Zhang agreed. "There are no trivial matters in the military. If this bow is successfully crafted, it will be yet another great merit. I truly wonder how your mind works to conjure such things. It is excellent. With this, coupled with your credits for the agricultural tools, the land management proposals, and the horseshoes, your wish to be ennobled may truly be close at hand."

"Oh? And what rank do you think I might achieve, Scholar Zhang?" Wei asked with a smile.

"How high do you aim? Would you dare accept if they made you a Prince of a Commandery?" Zhang chuckled at the eager look on Wei's face. "In my estimation, they might bestow upon you the title of County Baron."

"I trust your judgment. It seems a County Baron is likely my ceiling," Wei nodded. "That's not bad—at least it grants the status of the nobility."

"Why are you so fixated on noble status?" Zhang asked curiously. "It carries no real administrative power."

"The privileges of nobility are enough," Wei said. "You know my situation. I am young and have no one to rely on. Now that my family has opened a distillery, without a noble title, anyone would feel free to bully us. I cannot always turn a crisis into an opportunity as I did with the river embankment. If I were a nobleman, the local government would at least show some restraint rather than helping the 'Nine Towers and One Pavilion' target my 'Dream Pavilion'. As for an actual office, I truly do not want one; there are too many constraints. I am accustomed to being lazy and unhurried; if I held office, I fear I would only make a mess of things."

Scholar Zhang listened and reflected. "Fair enough," he said. "A life of leisure and freedom is a fine thing indeed."