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Chapter 1249: Stop Pretending 2
"...I personally think that Your Majesty would be more suitable than anyone else to rule the New World, but doing so would likely trigger a war. The European kings will not easily give up their interests in the New World and will certainly do their best to stop it, including the Netherlands and Holland."

Sometimes the simpler the reason, the more convincing it is. After listening to what the emperor said, Helmont's thin face, which was not very sunny to begin with, was immediately filled with worry.

Although he is an alchemist, or chemist, he is not a nerd and is very sensitive to current affairs. Based on his previous cognition and life experience, it is easy for him to make corresponding judgments.

From a personal perspective, I certainly don’t want the Ming Empire to be at odds with the Netherlands. After all, that is my hometown. Who would be willing to watch their hometown being affected by war?

But from a rational point of view, war is inevitable. The New World does not belong to any party, and its original owners are too weak to protect their own interests.

It doesn't matter who the latecomers are or how many there are. Either everyone is legal or everyone is a robber. We cannot accuse them from a legal or moral perspective.

The Ming Empire needed the resources of the New World, and so did the European countries. If the two sides could not reach a mutually acceptable solution on the allocation of resources, war would be inevitable.

The question is, can anyone come up with a solution that satisfies all parties? The answer must be no. This problem is more difficult than analyzing the content of various components in the air. The only solution is war. This is also the most effective and fair way for mankind to resolve conflicts in history, without a doubt.

"That's why I called you here to ask about the situation. The Chinese believe that knowing yourself and the enemy will ensure victory in every battle. The war here does not just refer to war, but communication. War is just one of many ways of communication.

If I had to choose, I would not want to go to war. It would be best to resolve the dispute at the negotiation table. But others may not think so, or they simply do not understand my thoughts. No one understands each other, and everyone is suspicious of each other, so the danger of war is getting higher and higher. "

Before this, Hong Tao always regarded Helmont as a window to understand the Netherlands. However, as they were chatting, he suddenly had a new idea. The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. So he quietly changed the original intention of the conversation and no longer dwelled on too specific issues. Instead, he began to sing a high-sounding tone, or to give ideological guidance.

"Your Majesty, what you said makes sense, but I am not well-known in the Netherlands, and I am not familiar with the nobles. Your Highness doesn't even know my name, so even if he wants to help, he can't do it."

Many people in later generations have a fixed view that people who engage in scientific research have low emotional intelligence and a dull political sense. This phenomenon does exist and is not an isolated case. But the situation in the 17th century was completely different, even the opposite.

Most scholars of this era, whether engaged in research in mathematics, physics, philosophy, religion, etc., are multi-talented. Not only are they proficient in many subjects, they are also concerned about current affairs and have unique insights. They can even be considered half-politicians.

Helmont was obviously one of them, and he soon understood the emperor's intention from the conversation. However, his response was very negative, not because he was unwilling to contribute to ending the war, but because his ability was limited.

In Europe, where class hierarchies were clearly defined, few nobles were willing to listen to a commoner's advice on state affairs, let alone a king. If there was no acquaintance to introduce him, he would probably be rejected even if they met him, let alone have any influence.

"You alone are definitely not enough, but there are more than 40 scholars from various European countries in the Royal Academy. I think most of them don't want to see the Ming Empire and European countries fighting each other. If they are willing to work for peace, I can provide an opportunity."

But Hong Tao was waiting for this sentence, and his target was all the European scholars in the Royal Academy. What Helmont needed to do at this time was not to persuade Prince Hendrik, but to go back and explain the situation to many scholars, and be a willing and opinionated messenger. "The attack on the New World is an imperial military secret. Can it be discussed openly in the academy?" Helmont did not agree or refuse immediately, but raised another question.

"That's absolutely fine. I can tell you everything I said to you today. If the professors are willing, I can also invite you to a dinner party to exchange views with His Royal Highness face to face."

The answer is yes, Hong Tao said as he stood up and walked towards the back hall. Today's conversation has reached a critical point, and the next step is to wait for the reaction of European scholars. Unless most of them are indifferent to this matter, they will be led by themselves.

The reaction of the scholars was exactly like the story in the Three Kingdoms, which was a bit like being in Cao's camp but with one's heart in Han. According to the report of the spy planted by the East Factory in the bar of the Royal Academy, after listening to Helmont's narration, the professors immediately became excited and talked a lot.

Some cursed Spain for what it deserved, some ridiculed the Netherlands for being fence-sitters, and some analyzed whether the Habsburg family was behind the scenes, trying to divert conflicts when the war was going unfavorably.

There were also those who were concerned about their own country and accused the king of not getting involved in this dispute. However, few people criticized the Ming Empire for invading the Spanish territory in America.

This is also human nature. As the saying goes, one should be grateful to the person who has helped him. They enjoy much higher treatment and respect than those in Europe in the Royal Academy, use the most advanced experimental research equipment, and are not subject to any religious restrictions. It cannot be said that their souls have been completely bought. When faced with seemingly true or false questions, they will involuntarily lean towards the Ming Dynasty.

But don’t think that’s the end of it. In addition to their special talents that are far superior to those of ordinary people, scholars also have meticulous logical thinking and rational judgment. After venting their emotions in the bar, they go home and sleep, and then they start to reflect on their thoughts the next day. The more they think about it, the more questions they have, and they have to get together again for collective consultation.

After several meetings, European scholars selected three representatives to enter the palace to meet the emperor, intending to find out the whole story, understand the emperor's true intentions, and then decide whether to participate and how deeply to participate.

"These three questions are very complicated and crucial. I need some time to prepare before I can give a more comprehensive answer. These few days... I have to speed up my official duties. Four days later, on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, the seal in the palace will be free.

The academy will be on holiday soon, so it's a good time to have an open class. I will be the main speaker, and the topic will be the country's strategic security. I will focus on answering these three questions in class."

Those who came to the palace to meet the emperor were Galileo, Descartes and Mersenne. They were the academic leaders in the academy, surrounded by a group of professors and students, and they were always arguing over many academic issues.

If their organization were placed in society, it would be the underworld. They would spare no effort to refute the other party's theory. Whoever wins will have more supporters and followers, and their voice will also increase accordingly.

But at this moment, the three of them have joined forces again, to challenge a bigger force together, and they are ready to fight. Facing this situation, Hong Tao knew that he couldn't escape, so he simply gritted his teeth and did the opposite.

Not only do they need to refute it in theory, but they also need to expand it, make it known to everyone, and suppress it. Only in this way can they be willing to be scientific donkeys, explore new theories and develop new technologies day and night, and create conditions for the Ming Empire to lead the world.

(End of this chapter)