Chapter 97

"Let me see."

Rong Xi stepped closer and saw Qin Ke take an object down from the rack.

The object was cylindrical and extremely slender, divided into three sections: the barrel, powder chamber, and breech.

This was a hand cannon for individual soldiers. Its caliber was small and its frame relatively light. Gunpowder was stored in the powder chamber; once ignited, it could fire stone or iron shot. By later standards, its range should have been between one and two hundred meters.

Though it looked simple, it had been quite difficult for the craftsmen to produce on their first attempt. This finished product had only come after many failures.

"Want to try it?" Rong Xi asked with a smile.

Before the underground chamber had been built, Rong Xi had specifically marked out an area on the blueprints for use as a shooting range.

Qin Ke readily agreed.

The two went side by side to the shooting range, where a straw target stood a hundred meters away.

With the gunpowder and stone shot loaded into the barrel, Rong Xi raised his arm to aim at the center of the target, preparing to test it.

Qin Ke reached out and pressed a hand to his shoulder, his gaze gentle. "I'll go first."

Since it was their first time using the Firearm, Qin Ke feared its workmanship might be inadequate and cause an accidental injury, so he took the Firearm from Rong Xi's hand.

Knowing he could not argue with him, Rong Xi stepped back a few paces.

Qin Ke lit the fuse. The flame entered the powder chamber, causing the powder to burn violently and propel the stone shot forward at tremendous speed. In the blink of an eye, it pierced through the straw target.

Though it was somewhat cumbersome to use,