16: Chapter 16 Beast Hunting Heavy Crossbow

Qiu Wansheng led Mo Shoutian through the back room and into the cargo shop's back courtyard.

The back courtyard looked even larger than the front yard, with storehouses on three sides and a large courtyard in the middle.

Several workers were skinning beasts on the other side of the courtyard. Seeing Qiu Wansheng personally bring someone in, they all glanced over in this direction.

Qiu Wansheng pointed at the longbows by the wall and said,

"These are all prepared for hunters heading into the mountains. The cheap ones cost two or three taels, and the expensive ones over ten. Take a look first to see if there is any that suits your hand."

Mo Shoutian walked over to the wooden rack, picked up a longbow, and tested it out.

The bow body was made of hardwood, wrapped with a layer of animal tendon on the outside. The craftsmanship was much better than his own bow, but the draw weight wasn't much stronger.

He put the bow back and tested a few others next to it.

Seeing that he wasn't satisfied after testing several in a row, a worker took down a heavy black bow from the innermost spot.

"Try this one."

This bow was a circle thicker than the other longbows, and its bowstring was also thicker; the worker had to use both hands to carry it over.

"People with little strength cannot pull this bow. In our shop, there are very few who can draw it to the full."

Mo Shoutian took the heavy bow, felt the back of the bow with his hand, and checked the bowstring.

"It's a good bow."

After finishing, he planted his feet firmly and pulled the bowstring backward bit by bit.

The bow body made a few soft clicks, and finally the bowstring pressed against the side of his face.

The workers nearby who were busy working all stopped what they were doing.

Someone smiled at the worker holding the bow and said,

"Didn't you say that only a few people can draw this bow to the full?"

That worker turned around and cursed,

"Go back to your work."

Several people chuckled a few times and continued skinning the beasts.

Mo Shoutian released the bowstring and drew it once more.

"How far can it shoot?"

The worker said,

"It still has force within a hundred paces; any further depends on the person shooting."

Mo Shoutian put the heavy bow back on the wooden rack.

"It's stronger than my bow, but it's still a bit lacking for dealing with truly large beasts."

The worker glanced at the old bow behind Mo Shoutian.

"How many years have you used that bow?"

"About ten years."

"You still can't bear to replace it after using it for ten years?"

"It fits my hand well."

Mo Shoutian said,

"No matter how good a bow is, it's useless if it can't hit the target."

Qiu Wansheng stood nearby and watched for a moment, then turned and walked toward the innermost storehouse.

"If none of these bows catch your eye, let's look at something else."

He took out the key at his waist and opened the storehouse door.

As soon as the door was pushed open, a scent mixing wood and tung oil wafted out.

There weren't many things in the storehouse. On a wooden rack in the exact center sat a very large crossbow.

The entire crossbow was about as long as a person, its stock several times thicker than an ordinary longbow, with two iron strips pressed onto it.

The crossbow string was as thick as a finger, connected to a windlass at the back of the crossbow body, and equipped with a wooden rack underneath specifically for securing it to the ground.

Mo Shoutian stepped closer to take a look.

"Is this thing specifically used to deal with large beasts?"

Qiu Wansheng nodded and gave a hum of affirmation.

Then he called two workers to lift the heavy crossbow off the wooden rack.

Carrying it was not easy for the two of them; after walking to the middle of the courtyard, they carefully placed the heavy crossbow on the ground.

Qiu Wansheng patted the crossbow body.

"When an ordinary bow shoots at a tiger or black bear, unless it hits a vital spot, it's hard to kill it with a single arrow. This thing is different. If you find the right spot, let alone tigers and black bears, it can pierce through skin and bones even for massive beasts."

Mo Shoutian walked behind the heavy crossbow, grabbed the bowstring, and pulled it slightly.

The crossbow string only moved a tiny bit.

"One person cannot use this thing."

"Of course not."

Qiu Wansheng pointed at the windlass at the back and said,

"The whole crossbow requires four or five people to operate together. Two people turn the windlass, and someone has to hold down the crossbow mount, arrange the string, and load the arrow. Being short even one person makes it exhausting."

Hearing him say this, Mo Shoutian squatted down and carefully examined the windlass and the wooden rack securing the heavy crossbow.

This crossbow couldn't be carried to chase wild beasts; they could only choose a position in advance, set it up, and then find a way to drive or lure the large beast to the pre-selected spot.

If they really used this thing, the people entering the mountain would need at least a dozen or so.

After looking closely for a while, Mo Shoutian stood up and asked,

"Where are the arrows?"

Qiu Wansheng beckoned to the workers.

The worker carried out several heavy arrows from the storehouse and placed them beside the heavy crossbow.

These heavy arrows were three to four times thicker than ordinary long arrows, and the iron arrowhead in the front alone was a full half-foot long.

Mo Shoutian picked one up and weighed it in his hand.

"Can it still be used after being fired?"

"As long as it's not broken, it can be used."

Qiu Wansheng said,

"Carrying too many of these arrows is also a burden; generally buying five or six is enough."

"How much silver for this crossbow?"

"Twenty-six taels, including the windlass and the crossbow mount underneath."

"What about the arrows?"

"One tael of silver each."

Mo Shoutian didn't say he would buy it immediately, and asked again,

"Has this thing really killed large wild beasts?"

"It has killed them."

Qiu Wansheng looked at him and said,

"However, buying this thing doesn't mean anyone can kill a large beast; it also depends on the person."

"Not long ago, a dozen or so hunters teamed up to enter the mountain, and they used this kind of heavy crossbow. They did hunt the large beast, but several people died, and two were carried back."

Qiu Wansheng looked at the crossbow, then looked at Mo Shoutian and said,

"I've said everything that needs to be said. No matter how good the gear is, it depends on how a person uses it."

Mo Shoutian nodded.

Ordinary wild boars driven to desperation can gore people to death, let alone those large beasts that are larger and smarter than their peers.

"I want this heavy crossbow, and give me six more arrows."

Qiu Wansheng glanced at him.

"You sure buy something worth over thirty taels of silver without hesitation."

"As long as the item is suitable."

Qiu Wansheng nodded.

"Brother Mo is a straightforward man. The heavy crossbow is twenty-six taels, and the six crossbow arrows are six taels, making a total of thirty-two taels."

Mo Shoutian counted out thirty-two taels of silver and handed them to Qiu Wansheng, without bargaining further.

After picking up the silver and weighing it, the worker nodded at Qiu Wansheng.

Mo Shoutian put away the remaining silver properly.

The worker brought coarse burlap, wrapped the six heavy arrows one by one, and then found a rope to tie the heavy crossbow and the crossbow mount together.

Mo Shoutian glanced at these things and asked,

"Shopkeeper Qiu, where in the city are livestock sold?"

"You want to buy a horse?"

"With people carrying these things, we won't be able to go very far."

"That's true."

Qiu Wansheng thought for a moment and said,

"There is a small livestock market in the west of the city, where horses, mules, and cattle are all available. If you're just using it to pack things, you don't need to buy a good horse; just pick one with steady legs and an honest temperament."

Mo Shoutian nodded and asked,

"Is it far from here?"

"Not too far. Go straight west along the street in front of the door, and you'll see it after crossing the stone bridge."

Qiu Wansheng called out to another worker again.

"When Brother Mo comes back after buying the livestock, help load the heavy crossbow up, and be careful not to damage the bowstring."

The worker glanced at the heavy crossbow on the ground and nodded in agreement.

Mo Shoutian shouldered his old bow.

"Shopkeeper Qiu, I'll come back after buying the livestock."

"Go ahead."

Qiu Wansheng reminded him again,

"After taking this thing back, find a few people to practice with it until they're familiar before heading into the mountain. You cannot make any mistakes when stringing and loading arrows, otherwise you'll hurt your own people before even hitting a beast."

"I know."

Mo Shoutian gave an acknowledgement and turned to walk out of the cargo shop.