To build a catapult, carpenters are used most. The main structure of the catapult is made of wood, followed by stonemasons, who are used to process stone.

The trebuchet stones used by the army mostly use stones of roughly the same weight, and the stones are round or square, and are irregular in shape.

So this time Cao Liang proposed to let the masons chisel the stones into stone balls with equal diameters. Compared with the stones, the weight of the stone balls is easier to control. Stone bullets with the same weight can improve the range accuracy and stability of the catapult.

After Cao Liang proposed this plan, he immediately won Ma Jun's approval and appreciation. Although it was time-consuming and laborious to cut the stones into stone balls, the contrasting effect was quite amazing.

Stone bullets can also be used in city defense operations and field operations. Ordinary stones have edges and corners. When they hit the ground, they can kill a few people at most, and then the stone will hit the ground.

The biggest feature of stone bullets is that as long as they are on hard ground, huge stone bullets can roll over long distances. If the slope is relatively large, such rounded stone bullets can cause secondary damage to a large area.

You can imagine that the huge stone bullets roared down from the sky and instantly smashed the enemy soldiers into a pulp. After landing, the stone bullets continued to roll without stopping. Wherever they went, the enemy soldiers were turned upside down.

, difficult to resist.

One stone bullet is enough to make the enemy paralyzed, but if hundreds or even thousands of stone bullets are fired at the same time, the picture will not be too beautiful.

To build catapults, carpenters and stonemasons were used most, and blacksmiths were only used in a few places. Cao Liang asked Niu Guanshi to find several blacksmiths at once, which was obviously a waste.

Even Ma Jun told Duo clearly that he didn't need so many blacksmiths.

Of course Cao Liang would not feel it was a waste. He still lacked too many real blacksmiths.

But the Liannu thing is also a shady thing, and the Liannu is different from the catapult. Before the final assembly is completed, few people can realize that it is a catapult.

As for the repeating crossbow, the recognition level is very low. Even ordinary people will recognize that it is a crossbow. Although its killing ability is unknown, in terms of craftsmanship, it is enough to surpass ordinary crossbows.

Therefore, Cao Liang, the blacksmith who makes ironware, insists on using a trustworthy blacksmith from Honda Sho. The purpose of doing this is the same, which is to prevent the news from leaking out. Once the news is leaked, the consequences will be disastrous.

In order to form a combat effectiveness, the number of repeating crossbows is naturally indispensable. At least a few hundred-man troops must be equipped to form a scale on the battlefield.

Cao Liang decided to build part of the repeating crossbow first. After all, this thing was expensive to build. It was made entirely of fine steel. Even the arrow clusters were made of iron, which consumed a huge amount of iron.

In this era, both salt and iron were sold exclusively. Salt was related to the lives of thousands of families, while iron was to prevent individuals from possessing weapons.

Although the Cao Mansion is strong, if it really wants to build a repeating crossbow at any cost, it will definitely be stretched thin. Didn't you see that Manager Niu's face is almost green?

This made Cao Liang couldn't help but sigh. Although the weapons were good, they were too expensive. And this was just the development of two weapons. If a team of thousands of people were to be mobilized, it would not be as simple as burning money.

To be honest, Cao Liang still admires the Sima family. In terms of family status, the Sima family still cannot be compared with the Xun family of Yingchuan, the Chen family, and the Cui family of Qinghe. The consequences of a poor foundation will be insufficient property. If you want to support three thousand

Sima Yi's salary alone is far from enough for human sacrifice.

Cultivating dead soldiers is a particularly expensive project. Dead soldiers need to eat, drink, and train. The weapons and armor they use must be excellent, and everything costs money.

It seems that the Sima family has a good way of making money. At least it is not easy to support so many dead soldiers, and it lasts for more than ten years. Without a huge capital chain to guarantee it, it will collapse in minutes.

But where did the Sima family's wealth come from?

Cao Liang really didn't know this, so he could only slowly inquire about it.

If we could find a way to cut off the Sima family's financial path, it would probably be the biggest blow to the Sima family.

It was getting late, and after Cao Liang settled Ma Jun, he rushed back to Luoyang City with Fang Bu and Afu Agui.

Although the sun has set and the sky is getting dark, the flow of people has not diminished at all.

Especially Dongda City and Xida City are a paradise for tourists. The crowds here are crowded and bustling, creating a prosperous scene.

Cao Liang left the city through Qingyang Gate in the east of Luoyang. When he came back, he also walked through Qingyang Gate. At this time, he was catching up with a large gathering and there was a huge crowd. Their fast horses could not gallop, so they could only follow.

Walking slowly along with the flow of people.

As he was walking slowly, suddenly there was a noise in front of him, and there were a lot of people watching. Cao Liang was very curious, so he got off his horse and squeezed into the crowd, ready to see what happened.

Fang Bu said nothing and followed Cao Liang closely, guarding his left and right sides. Ah Fu and Ah Gui each led two horses and could only wait outside and were not allowed to go in.

Cao Liang squeezed in and took a look, but he saw a big man with thick eyebrows, big eyes and good features selling several swords there. He shouted loudly: "I'm Shi Bao, a Bohai family, living in the capital, selling cast iron."

I make a living by swords, and now I have forged a precious sword, which I want to sell to someone who knows swords. Dear fellow villagers, do you want to buy a sword?"

Lithos?

Cao Liang pondered secretly. He actually has the same name as Shi Bao, the founding hero of the Western Jin Dynasty, the general who conquered the east, and the Great Sima Shi Bao? Oh, no, I remember that Shi Bao was born in a poor family. He sold iron to make a living when he was young, and later met Sima Yi.

After appreciating his talent, he entered the official career. From then on, he rose to prominence and became a highly respected official.

There is always a horse with a thousand li, but not a Bole. There is no doubt that Shi Bao is a talent. However, before he met Sima Yi, he could only live on the streets of Luoyang selling iron without being appreciated by anyone. Without Sima Yi's

With guidance, perhaps Shi Bao is destined to be a skilled blacksmith in this life, and the Western Jin Dynasty will be missing a founding general.

It seems that Shi Bao has not yet met his destined Bole Sima Yi. How could Cao Liang miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? He quickly stepped forward and came to Shi Bao's stall.

Although Shi Bao shouted loudly and vigorously there, there were quite a few people watching and pointing, but no one was willing to pay for the sword.

Shi Bao is also very helpless. If he can't open the business today, he won't be able to pay the rent and will be kicked out by his landlord, leaving him sleeping on the streets.
Chapter completed!