Everyone's eyes converged, filled with curiosity and awe.
Wu Liang didn't waste words. He had several large, perfectly planed wooden boards brought over.
Then he picked up a piece of charcoal and started drawing directly on them.
The first thing he drew was a tower shield.
"Look closely, I call this a tower shield."
Wu Liang explained as he drew.
"It's five feet high, two and a half feet wide, and must be made by pressing together at least three layers of the hardest wood boards."
"The outside must be covered with the thickest wild ox hide, and the edges wrapped in iron sheets."
Wu Liang drew very meticulously, even clearly marking the positions and structures of the grip and arm straps behind the shield.
"Look here!"
He pointed to the side of the shield.
"Here, grooves and tenons must be made so that the shields can interlock tightly like this, forming a wall!"
The Artisans gathered around, staring wide-eyed at the huge, heavy shield on the wooden board.
They used shields before, but they were woven from rattan or small round shields made of single-layer wood, barely able to block stone spears and bone arrows.
The kind Wu Liang drew was practically a movable door!
If this thing were built, what could possibly harm someone hiding behind it?
Before they could recover from their shock, Wu Liang started drawing on another wooden board.
This time, he drew a heavy crossbow.
The complexity of this item was ten times higher than that of the loom!
A precise crossbow body, tough crossbow arms, a trigger and gear structure made of metal.
And the wooden arrow quiver that could hold ten crossbow bolts, as well as the stringing device designed using the lever principle... Wu Liang explained the principle and function of each component in the most straightforward language as he drew.
"...The crossbow bolts in the quiver will automatically fall into the arrow groove due to gravity."
"You pull this lever, and it will simultaneously string and cock the crossbow."
"Then, pull the trigger and fire!"
"Pull the lever again, and the next arrow will automatically fall into place, ready to fire again! Until all ten arrows in the quiver are shot!"
The Artisans were completely dumbfounded.
Their brains were utterly unable to comprehend something so far beyond their understanding.
A bow that could... fire continuously?
If this weapon were created, they couldn't even imagine its power!
But it was too complicated!
"Lord Wu Liang... this... can this thing really be made?"
Chief Steward Wula's voice was trembling.
The linkage structure of the trigger and lever seemed even harder to her than plucking stars from the sky.
"Of course it can!"
Wu Liang said decisively.
Then he switched to a relaxed tone:
"Don't worry, with me guiding you, don't feel any pressure!"
"As long as you strictly follow my drawings, and every part's dimension is absolutely precise, it can definitely be built!"
"Our Black Rock Tribe people are the best, I believe everyone can achieve this!"
Wu Liang's confidence and encouragement infected everyone present.
"That's right! We definitely can!"
"Yes, the loom blueprints were so difficult back then, and we still made it. We can do these too!"
"With Lord Wu Liang here, there's nothing we can't accomplish!"
"…"
Everyone responded enthusiastically, full of drive!
Everyone's eyes became fervent and resolute.
Next, Wu Liang drew a structural breakdown of the compound bow.
He explained in detail how to select materials and how to use animal sinews and horns to increase the bow limbs' elasticity and toughness.
Finally, he drew a saddle and stirrup.
"These two things are called a saddle and stirrup."
Wu Liang pointed at the blueprints.
"Fix the saddle on the horse's back, and people won't slip when riding."
"By placing your feet in the stirrup, we can completely free our hands while riding, and even stand on the horse's back!"
Although Wu Liang didn't explain what freeing hands and standing on horseback meant.
The Black Rock Tribe people present were all chosen from elite warriors.
They vaguely sensed that these two seemingly simple small items could greatly enhance combat power.
After finishing all the blueprints, Wu Liang straightened up and looked at the thoroughly shocked crowd before him.
"From today onwards, this place, I will rename it the Military Workshop!"
Wu Liang raised a hand, clenched it into a fist, and announced loudly.
"My tribesmen!"
"Your mission is to build these things on the blueprints, one by one!"
"Whatever materials you need, I will provide them! All the ironware and bronzeware in the Tribe will be supplied to you first!"
"Chief Steward Wula!"
"Here! Lord Wu Liang!"
Chief Steward Wula puffed out her chest, her face flushed with excitement as she straightened her back.
"You will be the Chief Steward of the Military Workshop!"
"I give you thirty days. Within thirty days, I must see the first qualified tower shield and the first functional heavy crossbow!"
Wu Liang's tone was unquestionable.
"Yes! Lord Wu Liang! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"
Chief Steward Wula responded loudly, her eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance.
This was not just a task, but an immense honor belonging to her!
After arranging all this, Wu Liang left the Military Workshop.
As soon as he left, the entire workshop immediately erupted into a buzz of activity.
The Artisans gathered around the wooden boards covered with designs, chattering excitedly.
"My goodness, can that thing called a heavy crossbow really fire arrows continuously?"
"That tower shield is bigger than our house door, who can lift it?"
"I think the most amazing thing is the stirrup! With them, can we use spears while on horseback?"
Chief Steward Wula shouted:
"Stop arguing! Did you all hear Lord Wu Liang's orders?"
"Thirty days! We only have thirty days! Everyone, get to work!"
"Form groups, measure dimensions, prepare materials! Anyone who lags behind will go dig mud in the swamp!"
At her command, the entire Military Workshop immediately sprang into action.
The sounds of sawing wood, hammering metal, and the shouts of Artisans rose and fell.
By the time Wu Liang returned to his dwelling, Akomann was already awake.
"Awake? Don't you want to rest a bit more?"
Wu Liang walked over with a gentle smile and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Where did you go?"
Seeing him, Akomann's eyes darted away, and she subconsciously pulled the blanket, trying to wrap herself tighter.
"I went out to take care of some things..."
"Last night was your first time, how did it feel?"
Wu Liang asked knowingly, a teasing smile on his face.
Akomann's cheeks flushed instantly, and she buried her head in the blanket.
"I... I want to go back to my own room."
Akomann's muffled voice came from under the blanket.
"That won't do!"