Chinese crossbows go back to at least the Warring States period and were a strategic edge of the Qin and Han armies —
诸葛亮 (Zhuge Liang, 181-234) is traditionally credited with refining the repeating crossbow
诸葛连弩. The character
弩 stacks
奴 (slave/servant) over
弓 (bow), evoking a bow that has been 'subdued' or 'mechanized' so it can be aimed and held without arm strength.
