Sky Curtain: With a vermilion mirror, Jing travels through the modern world, shaking all dynasties.

Chapter 140 The First Emperor Arrives

Ski resort, rest area.

Jiang Chuan pulled Zhu Jingjing to sit on a bench and patiently explained to her how to breed animals.

"When it comes to selective breeding, it boils down to four words: pick the best and keep them!" He gently took the little princess's hand, holding her cool, soft hands in his palm. "For example, if you want a pack of fast dogs, you first eliminate the slow ones, and only let the fastest pairs of dogs have puppies. From the puppies, you then select the fastest ones to breed with. By filtering them generation after generation, the dogs will become better and better at running."

Zhu Jingjing blinked her almond-shaped eyes, asking with a look of understanding but not quite, "How many years would that take?"

"Decades, even centuries!" Jiang Chuan gestured. "Back in your Ming Dynasty, there was no systematic selective breeding. Dogs were only needed to guard the house. But these sled dogs were specially selected for hauling goods and people in the freezing cold. You see, they have large frames, thick fur, and great stamina. These are all the results of selection."

The little princess tilted her head and thought for a moment, then asked, "Brother, if dogs are like that, then horses are too—if we could breed strong and fast warhorses, they would definitely become a great weapon on the battlefield!"

Jiang Chuan nodded, his eyes filled with approval, and chuckled as he ruffled her hair. "Not bad, Jingjing, you can even apply what you've learned to other situations! Horses are indeed the same. Throughout history, famous horses have almost all been selectively bred. Emperor Wu of Han went on a long expedition to Ferghana for the Akhal-Teke horses, and the Six Steeds of Zhaoling in the Tang Dynasty were all top-quality horses chosen from hundreds. As long as you're willing to spend the time and use the right methods, you can pass on the best qualities from generation to generation."

The Great Ming Dynasty, Fengtian Hall.

Upon hearing Jiang Chuan's words, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up, and he became very interested.

He stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then turned to Empress Ma and said urgently, "Madam, did you hear that? The breeding method Jiang Chuan mentioned is still applicable to warhorses! Although our Great Ming already has firearms, warhorses are the foundation of cavalry, and we must not underestimate them!"

Empress Ma nodded slightly and said softly, "What Chongba said is absolutely right! Warhorses must be strong and good at running to be able to gallop across the battlefield and complement firearms. However, this breeding process is not something that can be accomplished overnight. As Jiang Chuan also said, it will take decades or even centuries."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, paced back and forth, and frowned slightly: "I know that we can't rush things. But if we don't start now, a hundred years from now, the horses of my Great Ming will still be the same as before."

Empress Ma pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "In my opinion, we should first establish a special horse farm in the army, gather the best horses from all over the country, and carefully select them as Jiang Chuan suggested. With generations of selection, we will have no worries about our Great Ming not having good horses!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and asked, "Then does Madam know how to judge which horse is good and which is not?"

Empress Ma laughed and said, "Chongba, have you forgotten those horse officials in the Ministry of War who deal with horses all year round? They know what's going on!"

"As you say, Madam, I will issue the order immediately!"

Modern-day Jiangchuan Tavern.

Jiang Chuan looked at the little princess, who was slumped over the table looking a bit listless, and couldn't help but laugh, "Jingjing, you had a great time at the ski resort today, but you still need to work hard at the tavern."

Zhu Jingjing nodded weakly, her chin resting on her arm, her eyelids drooping, and she mumbled an "o".

Seeing her listless appearance, Jiang Chuan's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer and whispered, "Jingjing, if Xiao Sizi comes later and sees you looking so dejected, she'll be disappointed!"

Upon hearing this, the little princess suddenly raised her head, her eyes lighting up instantly.

She quickly sat up straight, smoothed her slightly messy hair, patted her cheeks vigorously, and tried to look more energetic.

"Brother's right, I can't lose face in front of Sizi!" Zhu Jingjing puffed out her small chest, blinked hard, and forced away the last vestiges of sleepiness. "I'm her older sister, and an older sister can't do this!"

As they were talking, the tavern door suddenly opened.

Zhu Jingjing thought it was Si Zi, so she quickly straightened her clothes and went to greet her with a smile.

But before she could take two steps, she froze.

The person who came was not Xiao Sizi, but a middle-aged man!

He was dressed in a black robe, with a leather belt around his waist, and a crown with tassels, twelve jade beads hanging down his forehead.

Jiang Chuan was also taken aback. This seemed to be the attire of the Qin Dynasty, and the newcomer's brows exuded imperial majesty, which startled him!

The Qin Dynasty, Xianyang Palace.

The last rays of sunlight slanted into the hall, casting a yellowish glow on the bamboo slips spread out on the imperial desk. Ying Zheng sat high on his throne, his vermilion brush hovering in the air. After finishing reviewing the last scroll of memorials, he put down his brush and let out a long sigh.

The cicadas chirped incessantly outside the palace, and the eunuchs stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to utter a sound.

Ying Zheng rubbed his wrists, got up and walked to the palace gate, gazing at the distant, continuous palaces in a daze.

"Your Majesty has worked hard all day. Would you like to move to the side hall to rest for a while?" the personal attendant asked cautiously.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, put his hands behind his back, and walked towards the east side hall. As he passed through the corridor, sunlight filtered through the pillars, casting shadows on his dark robe.

The door to the side hall was ajar. Ying Zheng raised his hand and pushed it open, but the interior was not the familiar furnishings he knew.

A dim, yellowish light washed over me, warm and gentle, unlike sunlight or candlelight.

A strange and rich fragrance filled the air, one he had never smelled before.

Everywhere you look, there are several oddly styled wooden tables, tall chairs, and long cabinets along the wall filled with glass bottles and jars of various shapes.

modern.

"May I ask if you are the First Emperor?" Jiang Chuan stepped forward and asked, bowing respectfully.

Ying Zheng scrutinized him closely, and after a long while, he said, "I recognize you. You are Jiang Chuan!"

Jiang Chuan was taken aback, then suddenly realized that Qin must also have that sky screen, and Ying Zheng recognized him through it!

He quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said respectfully, "It is my honor that Your Majesty recognizes me."

Ying Zheng's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized Jiang Chuan from head to toe, then glanced at the strange furnishings in the tavern. He said in a deep voice, "I saw you chatting with that Ming princess in the heavens, and I thought it was just an illusion. I never imagined such a place actually existed! Is this the future of my Great Qin, a thousand years later?"

Jiang Chuan nodded and smiled, "Exactly! Your Majesty, please sit down. Since we have the honor of meeting, how about we have a drink of this modern beverage?"

Ying Zheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Jiang Chuan quickly took a glass cup, poured in some white wine, and presented it with both hands.

Ying Zheng took the cup, but did not drink it immediately. He first raised the cup to his eyes and examined it carefully.

The wine in the glass was clear and transparent, without any impurities, quite different from the cloudy wine he usually drank. He swirled it gently, and the wine flowed down the side of the glass, releasing a rich aroma that was even more intense than when he entered.

"Is this the wine of later generations?" Ying Zheng asked in a low voice, his gaze still fixed on the cup, seemingly in disbelief.