In the end, Ed decided to wait until after winter to exchange the salt, as going in winter was still somewhat dangerous.
The territory's salt usage is slowly decreasing, and Ed just hopes to hold on a little longer.
Previously, it could be used until spring plowing. After reducing the amount used, it should be able to last for two more months without much problem.
In the castle hall, Ed, with Andrew's help, used a specially made hemp rope to attach it to the groove in the bow.
Thus, a recurve compound bow, different from the style of modern bows and arrows, was completed.
The bow and arrow were made to fit Andrew's build; Ed believed that no one but Eric could pull it.
"Look at this bow, everyone," Ed said, handing it to Roderick after looking at the curious crowd.
Roderick took the bow. "Hmm, it's heavy," he said, somewhat surprised by its weight. He then began to examine the bow more closely.
The bow was made of sturdy yew wood, with both ends curved forward. Other materials were glued to the inside and outside of the bow walls, and then polished to an extremely smooth finish. The grip was wrapped in leather, making it very comfortable to hold. The bowstring was clearly a rope woven using a different technique; its slightly shiny surface indicated it had been waterproofed.
"Lord's carpentry skills are amazing!" Roderick thought to himself.
Roderick looked on with fascination as he examined the bow, stroking its smooth, delicate surface with his hand.
He then positioned himself and pulled the bowstring hard.
"Hmm?" The bow trembled only slightly.
Roderick looked at the bow in his hand with some suspicion, then continued to draw it.
"Hmm?" The bow is trembling a little more than before, but it's still some distance from being fully drawn.
Roderick blushed and stared incredulously at the bow in his hand.
The others, seeing the bow in Roderick's hand, were also eager to try it out. Somewhat reluctantly, Roderick handed the bow to another person.
This man made many preparations, shook his hands, jumped up a few times, and after a series of fancy movements, the bow didn't budge, making him even worse than Roderick.
Then other people tried, but none of them could draw the bow.
"Let me try." Andrew couldn't stand it anymore; so many people couldn't even draw a bow.
Andrew took a deep breath, gripped the bow tightly with his left hand, and pulled hard on the bowstring with his right hand, causing the bow to bend.
"Impressive, Lord Andrew! You truly deserve to be the territory's only warrior." At this moment, cheers erupted.
Andrew isn't having an easy time either. Even though he's managed to pull it open, it would be difficult for him to pull it open a few more times now.
Archers need to practice for a long time to be able to draw and retract the bow with ease.
Andrew handed the bow to Eric and said, "Go outside and try it out."
The group arrived outside the castle, where the target had already been set up in the distance, about a hundred meters away, just like last time.
Eric stood in front with his bow, and everyone looked at him expectantly.
Eric took his stance, drew the bow to its fullest extent,
With a "whoosh," the wooden target in front of them shattered into several pieces.
"ah!"
The process was so fast that the wooden plank broke a while before everyone could get out.
"This bow is indeed even more powerful than the last one!" everyone exclaimed inwardly.
"Find another target, and move it back another hundred meters," Ed ordered happily.
As long as the bow doesn't break, his efforts these past few days haven't been in vain.
Before long, a new target was set up 200 meters away.
Eric adjusted his posture and fired another arrow.
However, this time the arrow did not hit the target; it was still some distance away.
"Eric, fire upwards a little," Ed instructed.
Eric fired another arrow, slightly angled upwards.
This time, the arrow flew in a parabola and landed behind the target.
"My lord, this bow is truly amazing! Not only does it shoot far, but it is also incredibly powerful."
"If there were such a squad of archers, the enemy wouldn't be able to stop them at all if they didn't have iron armor." Andrew, as a warrior, had a long-term vision.
"Yes, Roderick, I'll tell you how to make it later. Make it according to the shape of this bow, and keep it a secret."
"Yes, my lord."