Chinese crossbow

The Chinese crossbow is an ancient ranged weapon combining a horizontally mounted bow and a stock, often featuring a trigger mechanism for ease of use. Unlike simple bows, it uses a stiff, powerful bow (called a "prod") mounted on a frame, allowing for greater force and accuracy. Chinese crossbows date back over a thousand years and were favored for their power, precision, and ability to be used effectively by less trained soldiers. They played a significant role in Chinese warfare, evolving in design to improve range, speed, and ease of operation.