Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 432: Building Lingyun Pavilion! Super Big Pie!
Chang'an, Zhuge's residence.

At this time in the study, Zhuge Liang was sitting behind the desk, looking at the stack of drawings in his hands, his brows tightly furrowed.

These blueprints were sent over by the Metallurgical Bureau yesterday, saying that they were the latest weapon they had developed, called the Ten-Shot Crossbow.

As for why the drawings of this weapon were sent to him, the people at the Metallurgical Bureau said it was an order from the Emperor.

The emperor hoped to simplify this ten-shot crossbow into a hand-held repeating crossbow for soldiers, and said that he could ask for his opinion.

"Is this a test given to me by His Majesty?"

After looking at the drawings for a long time, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but sigh and rubbed his eyebrows.

Although he had studied the art of Qimen Dunjia, the knowledge of Qimen was vast and all-encompassing, and he had never tried to apply it to mechanical weapons.

Now the emperor asked the Metallurgical Bureau to seek his advice on improving the ten-shot crossbow, but he had no idea how to start.

However, the emperor must have his reasons for doing this, and it is also a manifestation of trust in his ability.

Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang regained his spirit and carefully studied the drawings of the ten-shot crossbow.

But at this moment there was a knock on the door, and Zhuge Liang's thoughts were interrupted. He looked up and said, "Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and a woman in a green silk dress walked in with tea.

The woman's hair was slightly yellowish and her skin was wheat-colored, but her facial features were very delicate and beautiful. Instead of looking ugly, they complemented each other and added a different kind of charm.

She put the tray in her hand on the table, and then asked Zhuge Liang with concern: "Husband, why are you not going to bed so late?"

This woman was Zhuge Liang’s first wife, Huang Yueying.

Zhuge Liang pointed to the blueprint on the table and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty has given me a difficult problem and ordered me to help the Metallurgical Bureau improve the weapons."

"But my knowledge is still too shallow. I have studied these drawings for several hours, but still have nothing to show for it."

Zhuge Liang had nothing to hide from his wife.

The couple had a very good relationship and could talk about anything on weekdays. Huang Yueying was also very talented and could always chat with him.

"Ten-shot crossbow? Can I take a look?"

Huang Yueying couldn't help but say curiously when she heard this, with a hint of eagerness to try in her eyes.

She had long heard of the fame of the Metallurgical Bureau, which housed the most skilled Mohist disciples in the art of mechanical engineering, as well as the world's top craftsmen.

So she was very interested in this weapon blueprint produced by the Metallurgical Bureau.

"It's impossible."

Zhuge Liang nodded, drank the tea, and handed the blueprint to Huang Yueying.

Huang Yueying took the blueprint and looked at it carefully. She was soon surprised and said, "This... is such a terrifying weapon."

"The art of mechanical devices can actually be used in this way. The Mohist School is worthy of being the originator of mechanical devices. This design is really ingenious."

Zhuge Liang also nodded and said, "This ten-shot crossbow is indeed impressive, but Your Majesty hopes to simplify it and reduce its size so that it can be turned into a hand-held crossbow for soldiers."

"Yueying, do you have any ideas?"

Zhuge Liang knew that Huang Yueying was quite talented in creation, even better than him, so he asked this question.

Huang Yueying studied it carefully for a while, then shook her head and said, "I can't think of a suitable way either. It's really difficult to simplify this ten-shot crossbow into a handheld crossbow."

"Because the two are completely different things, it's easy to say but almost impossible to do."

"My suggestion is that you should not insist on simplifying the ten-shot crossbow, but design a new crossbow."

"Of course we can adopt some of the structure of the Ten-Shot Crossbow. This is easier than simplifying it."

Huang Yueying also said that there is no way to simplify it.

In her opinion, it would be more direct to find a way to redesign a repeating crossbow rather than simplifying it in a time-consuming and laborious manner.

"Redesign?"

Zhuge Liang was slightly stunned when he heard this, and then his face suddenly showed joy, "Yueying, you really have a brilliant idea, why didn't I think of it?"

His thinking had always been limited to "simplification", but Huang Yueying's words pointed out a path for him.

Why not redesign a repeating crossbow?
For a moment, Zhuge Liang felt that all the problems that were weighing on his mind disappeared in an instant. At the same time, his thoughts came to him like a spring. He reached out and took a piece of silk and started drawing on it with a charcoal pencil.

Huang Yueying couldn't help but smile when she saw this. She tidied the table for Zhuge Liang and gave him some advice from time to time.

With the joint efforts of the couple, they drew a rough sketch of a repeating crossbow in just over an hour.

"This crossbow can fire seven arrows in a row, which is more than the ordinary crossbow. Tomorrow I will discuss with the craftsmen of the Metallurgical Bureau to see if it can be improved to the level of ten consecutive shots."

Zhuge Liang wiped the stains left by the charcoal pencil on his hands with a wet wipe, then smiled at Huang Yueying.

Although this repeating crossbow is still somewhat crude and imperfect, it can be improved and perfected later. It is just a sketch now.

"My husband is really amazing."

Huang Yueying praised with a smile and reached out to straighten Zhuge Liang's collar.

Zhuge Liang held her hand and said with emotion: "Marrying you is the best decision I have ever made as a husband."

"If the research of this crossbow is successful, it will play a huge role in the fight against the bandits in the south. Yueying, you should be the first to make the contribution."

Huang Yueying shook her head and said, "I am already very satisfied to be able to help my husband, so why do I need any credit?"

"It's getting late, husband, you should go to bed early. I'll get some hot water to warm your feet."

After saying this, Huang Yueying walked out of the study slowly.

Zhuge Liang looked at her leaving figure, a gentle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and it took a long time before he looked away.

If you get a wife like this, what more can a husband ask for?
……

Early the next morning.

Zhuge Liang took the blueprint of the repeating crossbow that he had designed after working up most of the night into the palace to meet the emperor, intending to report his achievement.

Because he went to bed too late, he was delayed for some time. By the time he entered the palace, everyone else had already arrived.

"Kong Ming, why do you look so tired?"

When Liu Xie saw the dark circles under Zhuge Liang's eyes and the fatigue he could not hide, he could not help but ask with concern.

Zhuge Liang was very punctual on weekdays.

This is the first time I'm late.

Zhuge Liang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was studying the crossbow yesterday, so I went to bed late."

"But hard work pays off. I finally made some progress and designed the crossbow that Your Majesty wanted."

"Oh?" When Liu Xie heard Zhuge Liang's words, his eyes suddenly lit up and he felt a little excited.

Is the efficiency so fast?
Other ministers also cast curious glances. There was no court meeting yesterday as it was a day off, so they didn't know about the ten-shot crossbow.

Sima Yi's eyes were filled with doubt and uncertainty, and he thought to himself, "How could this fellow Zhuge Villager have gotten an important task assigned by His Majesty without telling me?"

"But how could he, a scholar, study mechanical crossbows? When did he even know the art of mechanical devices?"

While Sima Yi was wondering, Zhuge Liang had already presented the blueprint in his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I was inspired by my wife and thought it was impossible to simplify the ten-shot crossbow, so I took a different approach and redesigned a crossbow."

"This crossbow can currently fire seven times in a row, which is still some distance away from ten times in a row, but there is still room for improvement."

Zhuge Liang's words shocked everyone.

A seven-shot crossbow?

Jia Xu couldn't help but ask, "Is what Kong Ming said true? You, you actually developed a multi-shot crossbow?"

Currently, the highest burst of crossbows in the army is three.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

Seven rounds in a row is simply unrealistic!
Moreover, Zhuge Liang also said that there is room for improvement, and it may be possible to achieve ten consecutive shots. This is simply a fantasy!

Jia Xu came from a military background, and he deeply understood the significance of multi-fire bows and crossbows, which could be of great use in both offense and defense.

"How dare I speak nonsense in front of your majesty?"

Zhuge Liang said after smiling slightly.

Liu Xie took the drawing and looked at it several times. Although he couldn't understand it, he certainly didn't doubt Zhuge Liang's words, so he was very surprised.

"Great, great! Kong Ming is truly a genius!"

Liu Xie said with a big laugh, not sparing his praise and appreciation for Zhuge Liang.

"I will order the Metallurgical Bureau to conduct research and development later. If this crossbow can really meet the military standards, I will name it after your surname, Kong Ming."

"It's called Zhuge Liannu!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone couldn't help but look at Zhuge Liang with envy, and Sima Yi's eyes were almost red.

By naming the crossbow after the surname, whenever this crossbow is mentioned in the future, we will know who invented and manufactured it.

Just like the Jian'an machine and Jian'an plow, when you mention them you will know that they are related to the emperor. This is a good reputation that will last forever!

Zhuge Liang had never expected that the emperor would give him such an honor. Even with his character, he was very excited for a moment and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"But this crossbow was developed by me at the inspiration of my wife. If we talk about the merits, my wife's contribution is the greatest. I dare not take the credit for it."

Zhuge Liang did not forget Huang Yueying's help, and told the truth about the situation even though it would mean losing the opportunity to become famous forever.

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Husband and wife are one, why should we be obsessed with a mere name? If this crossbow can be successfully developed, I will not forget your wife's contribution."

"Okay, get up first. I have other things to announce today. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly in his heart, thanked the emperor, and got up to return to his seat.

Liu Xie placed the blueprints on the table, and then said to the civil and military officials in the hall: "Now that the great cause is about to be accomplished, I am impressed by the achievements of all of you, my dear ministers, and I want to build a Lingyun Pavilion to inspire the soldiers to fight against the enemy."

“Since I ascended the throne, all the ministers who have made great contributions to our Han Dynasty can have their portraits displayed in Lingyun Pavilion and be worshipped forever!

"The achievements and honors of those who enter Lingyun Pavilion will be preserved forever in Lingyun Pavilion, and will be passed down through the ages!"

"There is no limit on background to ascending to Lingyun Pavilion. Even the lowest-ranking soldier has the opportunity to ascend to Lingyun Pavilion based on his military merits!"

In front of all the civil and military officials in the hall.

Liu Xie announced the decision.

This was a decision he made after careful consideration.

There is no restriction on background to ascend to Lingyun Pavilion, as long as one has merits, one can ascend there. He did this not only to inspire the soldiers to fight against the enemy, but also as a small test of the future implementation of the imperial examination system.

After Liu Xie finished speaking, everyone in the hall was shocked.

Lingyun Pavilion?
For a moment, everyone thought of Emperor Wu’s “Qilin Pavilion” and Emperor Ming’s “Twenty-eight Generals of the Yuntai”.

These two are similar to Lingyun Pavilion, both of which display portraits of meritorious officials. Their reputation will be passed down through the ages and can be regarded as the greatest honor for officials.

But the Lingyun Pavilion mentioned by Liu Xie is different from the previous two, because the previous two are final judgments, and the meritorious ministers were included in it only after the unification of the world.

As the world was not yet unified, Liu Xie planned to establish Lingyun Pavilion and start recruiting meritorious officials into the pavilion, regardless of their background.

In other words, as long as the merits achieved in the future are sufficient, anyone will have the opportunity to be listed among the Lingyun Pavilion!
"Your Majesty has started again..."

After a brief moment of astonishment, Guo Jia instantly realized that this was the emperor's usual tactic - making big promises!

But this time the size of the pie was beyond his imagination.

Because it was not painted for one or two people, but for all the civil and military officials in the court and even all the soldiers!

It goes without saying how extraordinary the significance of Qilin Pavilion and the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai is. Throughout history, countless people have wanted to be among them.

Now, the emperor has clearly put this opportunity in front of everyone!

I would like to ask, is there anything more attractive than rising to prominence, bringing honor to your family, and leaving your name in history?
"Why don't men take Wu Gou and take over the Thirteen Prefectures of the Han Dynasty?"

"Please go to Lingyun Pavilion for a while and confer the title of Marquis of Wanhu on the scholar!"

Liu Xie chanted softly, and his clear and slightly seductive voice echoed throughout the hall.

"A man born in this world, how can he live his life in mediocrity? Only by making achievements and reaching the top of Lingyun Pavilion can his life be worthwhile!"

Liu Xie waved his sleeves and spoke with great heroism.

After hearing this straightforward yet powerful poem, all the ministers in the hall felt an indescribable sense of heroism rising in their hearts.

Only Lu Bu scratched his head, feeling somewhat puzzled - why did the next sentence His Majesty said sound so familiar?

"Why don't men take Wu Gou and take over the Thirteen States of the Han Dynasty!"

"This is the ambition of our military commanders!"

Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun and other generals were extremely excited and wanted to take up their weapons immediately to recover the Han Dynasty!
"Please go to Lingyun Pavilion for a while and confer the title of Marquis of Wanhu on the scholar..."

Kong Rong was greatly shocked and muttered to himself.

Even at his age, he felt his blood boiling when he heard this poem, let alone those young people?

Any scholar or writer in the world who has ambition in his heart will take this poem as his motto!
He could imagine that once the news about Lingyun Pavilion spread, scholars and literati from all over the country would be restless!
What scholars seek is nothing but fame, but if one could ascend to the Lingyun Pavilion and be granted the title of a marquis as a scholar, what a great honor that would be!

No one can refuse!
(End of this chapter)