After Meng Yang finished explaining its strengths and weaknesses, Liu Xie nodded. "Excellent. I am very pleased with the power of this Ten-Shot Repeating Crossbow. You have done well."
"You have not disappointed my expectations of the Foundry Bureau."
He could naturally see the strategic value of the Ten-Shot Repeating Crossbow. After all, even in later ages, weapons capable of successive fire like this were regulated items.
"However, powerful as these Ten-Shot Repeating Crossbows are, as bed crossbows, they lack portability."
"Could you reduce their size so that soldiers can hold them in their hands, while retaining their ability to fire repeatedly?"
"They need not be as frighteningly powerful as bed crossbows. The power of ordinary crossbow bolts would suffice. The key is that they must fire repeatedly."
Liu Xie offered his idea.
The Ten-Shot Repeating Crossbow developed by the Foundry Bureau was certainly good, but it was a bed crossbow, suitable only for defending cities and fighting on open plains. Its size made it difficult to move.
What he wanted was a repeating crossbow like the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow, which would be more useful than the Ten-Shot Repeating Crossbow.
"Reduce its size? Retain its ability to fire repeatedly?"
Meng Yang was momentarily taken aback. He had never considered that before. After a little thought, he said, "I can try, but I cannot guarantee success."
Liu Xie nodded. "Do your best. I suggest you discuss it with Minister Zhuge. Minister Zhuge Liang is also quite accomplished in mechanisms. Perhaps your discussion will give you some inspiration."
The method of making the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow had already been lost in later ages, so Liu Xie did not know how to make one either.
But that was no matter. Wasn't Zhuge Liang still here?
Although historical records stated that Zhuge Liang invented