Sky Curtain: My Great Qin must have an aircraft carrier!

As soon as Liu Bang finished speaking, the sky above began to change dramatically.

All the previous images faded away, replaced by a somber, leaden gray.

Tread-tap-

Countless pairs of military boots landed simultaneously, causing the earth to tremble.

A dark mass of troops emerged from the fog, tanks rolled across the land, and the sky was completely obscured by the shadows of fighter jets.

Amidst the thunderous cheers of the soldiers, a man holding a cane stood atop the high platform.

He simply stood there calmly, raising his right arm high, and millions of soldiers went into a frenzy.

This scene was so horrifying that it sent chills down the spines of everyone under the sky.

"What kind of monster is this?"

"His soldiers were more ferocious than Huang Chao's bandits and more fanatical than Hong Xiuquan's followers!"

"The first two failures at most caused chaos in a country, but this one is going to tear a hole in the very heavens!"

The people were trembling with fear, and the students who failed the exam had developed PTSD.

Both were students who failed the exam, but some chose to kill to vent their anger, while others chose to raise an army and establish their own independent regimes.

But the next one is a true master, a man who makes the whole world tremble.

Please welcome the German Führer, the strictest father of the squid, the ruthless man who beat the world, Butran!

As soon as the words were spoken, the million-strong army on the sky took a step forward in unison!

"Thump!"

The synchronized, deafening roar and terrifying killing intent pierced the sky, causing even emperors and generals to feel their hearts tremble.

Countless soldiers raised their right arms and saluted the man on the high platform.

"Hi, Butran!"

The sound gathered into a sea, piercing through the sky and pouring into everyone's ears.

Everyone felt their hearts pound and sensed that terrifying aura.

In 1889, a baby boy named Butran was born in Braunau, on the border of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

"Butterang? What a strange name. And where is the Austro-Hungarian Empire?"

"Judging from this, he's probably another madman whose personality has changed drastically after failing the exam."

"They look like people from later times, probably before the Gulf War?"

Ordinary people were abuzz with discussion, filled with curiosity about this blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner.

The two students who failed the exam had already shown them what a menace they were.

What tricks will this third one come up with?

Compared to the onlookers, the Qing Dynasty emperors were all on high alert.

For them, this was an excellent opportunity to learn about Western military affairs.

If we miss this opportunity, who knows when the next Tianmu (Sky Curtain) show will be?

The Butron family belonged to the middle class; the father was a customs official.

According to his father's plan, he should have followed in his footsteps, become a civil servant, and lived an ordinary life.

However, young Butran harbored a different dream—he wanted to become a painter, a great artist.

Upon hearing this, many scholars under the sky scratched their heads.

"A painter? What a frivolous idea!"

"A true man should cultivate himself, manage his family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world; how can he indulge in such a trivial pursuit as painting?"

Scholars and literati expressed great bewilderment at this.

Painting is fine as a hobby to cultivate one's character, but to pursue it as a lifelong endeavor is rather unorthodox.

Even Yan Liben, a great painter of the Tang Dynasty, warned his son never to make a living by painting.

Why would someone choose to become a painter instead of taking a stable official career?

"Barbarians are barbarians."

An old scholar stroked his beard and concluded, "This man's ambitions are so shallow that he is probably even more despicable than Hong Xiuquan."

"How much vision can someone who started as a painter possibly have?"

Many people agree with this.

Hong Xiuquan at least knew that the imperial examination was the proper path; he only resorted to crooked methods when he couldn't pass it.

This Butron, he's too lazy to even take the right path, what future can he possibly have?

To pursue his artistic dreams, Butran disregarded his family's objections and resolutely applied to the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.

As a result, he failed the exam both times.

Even the examiner advised Butran to go to architecture school and not waste his energy on art.

The series of setbacks plunged Butron into deep self-doubt.

To make matters worse, his parents passed away one after another, leaving Butran destitute and forced to make a living by selling postcards and landscape paintings.

Ultimately, he chose to leave and head to the German Empire, which was then the center of Europe.

At this time, Germany was in its golden age, attracting countless top scientists, philosophers, and writers.

In university classrooms, professors engage in lively discussions, while in cafes on the streets, young people deliver passionate speeches.

Everything here deeply attracted Butran, and he found an indescribable sense of belonging.

"It's truly prosperous, but compared to the new China of later generations, it still falls short."

Looking at the proud and spirited crowd, Ying Zheng felt a pang of envy.

The Qin Dynasty conquered the six states, but compared to these states in later generations, it seemed so meager.

Everyone's face radiated confidence, and it was clear at a glance that they lived a comfortable life and had no worries about making a living.

The Qin Dynasty, and indeed any dynasty ever depicted on the screen, cannot compare to it.

But compared to the new China, it is still several levels below.

"It would be great if Sky Screen could show more content from New China."

Ying Zheng muttered to himself, his curiosity pricking him like a cat's claws.

He desperately wanted to understand why the new China was so powerful.

Is it the system? The technology? Or something else entirely?

Taiji Hall during the Zhenguan era.

Li Shimin was also somewhat lost in thought; the power of those Western countries made him feel considerable pressure.

He only snapped out of his daze when Changsun Wuji coughed lightly beside him.

"Your Majesty, are you worried about the growing power of the West?"

Li Shimin sighed deeply, but did not deny it: "The prosperity of later generations is indeed something to be longed for."

"Although our Great Tang Dynasty is known as the Celestial Empire, it is still inferior to it."

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty need not belittle yourself. Today, the Tang Dynasty is admired by all nations and has people from all directions paying tribute."

"Furthermore, Your Majesty has broadened the imperial examination system, recruiting talents from all over the country; and promoted the use of phonetic symbols, so even farmers in the countryside can recite poems."

"Given time, the Tang Dynasty will certainly not be inferior to those of later generations."

As Li Shimin listened, he couldn't help but laugh. "What have you all learned lately that makes you speak so eloquently?"

The emperor and his minister exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed.

Yes, why envy others?

He, Li Shimin, was confident that he could create a golden age that would rival any other era!

Just then, the sunlight in the scene gradually dimmed, and the smell of fire and blood filled the air.

In 1914, World War I broke out.

Butran joined the German army as a volunteer and was assigned to the Bavarian Infantry Regiment as a messenger.

During the war, Butran displayed astonishing fervor and bravery, earning two Iron Crosses.

But Germany exhausted its last strength in the long war and finally collapsed.

In 1918, German representatives signed the Treaty of Versailles, marking the end of World War I.

But for Butron, this was just the beginning.

The background music on the sky became low and oppressive, like the rumble of thunder before a storm.

Everyone watching this scene had a vague feeling that something was about to happen.