1986: Old Stories in Northeast China

Listening to the second master's words, Chen Tiezhu looked up.

Only then did he notice that on the north side of the west wall, there was a large ox horn bow with the string unstrung.

The two large ox horns at both ends of the bow body looked quite eye-catching.

"This is what I played with when I was young, and I also killed the devils with it." The second master walked over and took off the bow.

"Later, when I had a gun, I used this thing less. After all, using a gun can make the prey suffer less. Hunting, after all, is killing."

After saying this, the second master untied the string wrapped around the bow body. He raised his leg and pressed the bow body, pulling the string directly to wind it.

The bow body, which was just long, now has an arc and looks very beautiful.

Chen Tiezhu took it and felt it was very heavy in his hand, and the cross-section of the bow wall was narrow.

"Second master, are these all ox horns on the bow arm?" Chen Tiezhu asked curiously.

Erye nodded, "This is also an old item, a big bow made of big ox horns, which the older generation used to call a leech bow. It can shoot farther than a loach bow made of small ox horns."

"The bow is also covered with ox tendons, which are harder than sheep tendons, so it takes some strength to pull it open. Take a mule or a horse out for a walk, and try it yourself."

Chen Tiezhu nodded and pinched the bowstring with his hand to test the strength.

This was also his first time to touch a bow, and what surprised him was that the bowstring actually rotated. It is estimated that the strength of the bowstring is also generated by these rotations.

Even with this small test with his fingers just now, he could feel the hardness and toughness of the bowstring.

Erye picked up the iron gall again, played with it in his hand, and watched leisurely.

He didn't tell the truth. It was true that he had played with it when he was young. Now he used a gun instead of a bow, not to save trouble, but because he couldn't pull the bow to the full extent.

As the old saying goes, a young man is better than a strong man.

As he got older, his strength decreased, and the big bow finally fell into the dust.

"Huh..."

Chen Tiezhu stood firm and let out a long breath.

He supported the bow with his left hand, and used his right thumb and index finger to pull the string, and used both arms to exert force. The bow arm was slightly bent, and the string was also pulled away by him for a distance.

However, this ox horn bow was really too "hard". When it was half-open, he felt that it was a little difficult to exert force, so he had to send the string back.

"It does have a tiger's strength, but that's it. You should stay at home peacefully." Second Master said.

Although he didn't show it on his face, he was a little impressed in his heart. He had the style of his past.

"Second Master, can I try again?" Chen Tiezhu frowned and said.

"When I was drawing the bow just now, I felt that I didn't have no strength, but that I couldn't use it. I felt that I could draw it, but I couldn't."

"Are you still not giving up? Drawing a bow does require some skills," Erye shook his head.

"The lower body should be stable, this is the root. Only when the root is stable can you exert force. When you hold the string with your fingers, you can't pinch it with your thumb, but use your index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to cooperate with each other, which is to hold the string."

"Because drawing the bow is not the purpose, you still have to hold the tail of the arrow with your fingers. Let you draw it again, you will give up this idea, and then you can do it."

Chen Tiezhu was happy. No wonder he always felt that he couldn't exert strength just now. It turned out that his posture was wrong.

He shook his shoulders, neck and arms, and staggered his feet forward and backward.

This time, his right hand held the bowstring with his index finger, middle finger and ring finger as Erye said.

He exerted force on his right arm, and under his pull, the bow was half open.

Erye frowned slightly, and the speed of the iron gall in his hand slowed down.

"Open it for me."

Chen Tiezhu shouted in a deep voice.

He exerted force on his right arm again, and the ox horn bow was pulled open by him, shaped like a full moon.

Erye opened his mouth slightly, and an iron gall in his hand fell to the ground.

He never thought that this bow was actually pulled open by Chen Tiezhu. This is not an ordinary bow.

"Hu..., hu..., hu..., Erye, although it is a bit difficult, I can pull it open."

After taking a few deep breaths, Chen Tiezhu said with a smile.

"How many times do you think you can pull the bow open with your strength?" Erye asked solemnly.

"This..., I'm a little bit unsure. If you can adapt to this intensity and method, as long as it is not too frequent, twenty or thirty times should be no problem." Chen Tiezhu thought for a while and said.

Listening to his words, Erye raised his eyes slightly, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"Uncle, Tiezhu can be pulled open, but you can't go into the mountain by yourself when the time comes." He Jianguo said.

"This is all a small matter, come with me to the yard, I will measure your strength." Uncle Er said and walked out.

Chen Tiezhu and He Jianguo looked at each other and could only follow.Doudou took a look, climbed down from the kang, and Goushengzi followed him out after he was hugged.

"Try to lift the largest stone lock with one hand." Erye said.

Chen Tiezhu didn't waste any words, walked over and clenched his right hand, and directly lifted the stone lock.

It was indeed a bit heavy. Although it didn't look big, it seemed to be more than 100 pounds.

"Lift"

After exhaling and speaking, Chen Tiezhu swung it hard, and the stone lock was lifted up by him.

Even now, his face was red and his neck muscles were bulging.

"Okay, okay, okay, put it down, put it down, it's really good, really good."

Erye said with a smile, and after Chen Tiezhu put down the stone lock, he also came to his side and pinched and pinched him.

Chen Tiezhu grinned, why did he use the same method as Erye and Goushengzi just now?

He Jianguo, who was standing by, thought it was quite interesting, so he also came over, grabbed the handle with one hand, and exerted force... The stone lock did not move at all.

He was a little skeptical, so he used both hands this time.

It did work, but it only lifted a little distance. Then, because he didn't have enough strength, the stone lock fell back to its original place, and he almost sprained his old waist.

"Uncle, this thing doesn't look big, why is it so heavy?" He Jianguo asked in surprise.

"It's filled with lead, 170 kilograms." Erye said casually.

He Jianguo was so surprised that his eyes widened and his mouth opened.

Tiezhu has so much strength in one hand?

"If you have a good hand, my old brother will not be lonely anymore." Erye continued.

"According to the Qing Dynasty's level, this bow can be called a top-level bow, with a force of 13. According to our current weight, it needs more than 150 kilograms."

"Second Master, if that's the case, why is it so hard for me to pull it?" Chen Tiezhu asked somewhat depressed.

"Silly boy, that's because you don't know how to exert force." Second Master said cheerfully.

"To pull a bow, you use the strength of your waist and back, but you use the strength of your arms. Go home and feel it well. When you can pull it smoothly, this bow will be given to you."

Chen Tiezhu was dumbfounded. There is such a good thing?