Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 485 The World's Most Dangerous Marriage Destroyer

After the International Congress of Mathematicians in Nice, Lin Ran did not rush back to Washington.

His journey was only halfway complete.

He also shoulders a mission.

That was to visit Europe as the president's special envoy.

Nixon was preoccupied with war and domestic conflicts and had no time to fly across the Atlantic in the fall of 1970.

His gaze was fixed on the map of Southeast Asia and on the divided public opinion in the country caused by the Kent shooting.

Not to mention, an unprecedented political earthquake surrounding Hoover continues to reverberate in Washington.

The turbulent year of 1970 consumed all of Nixon's energy.

By 1969, Nixon had completed his political tour of major European countries: Belgium, England, West Germany, Italy, and France.
All the major countries have been appeased or warned.

What is needed now is not a formal presidential visit, but a closer dialogue.

Despite his growing power, Kissinger was still seen by European political figures as an advisor and a scholar with a Jewish accent, lacking the status to truly represent the full authority of the empire.

As for the vice president or secretary of state, their influence over the president is incomparable to that of Lin Ran.

Lin Ran is the most suitable candidate.

His meetings with political leaders in major capital cities were always largely similar in content, yet they were all imbued with a heavy sense of reality:
Political leaders from various countries demanded that America continue to safeguard European security, especially under the military shadow of Soviet Russia; they needed a stable dollar to support the post-war economic boom; they hoped the war in Annan would end soon, as it had become a chronic disease dragging down Western unity; and finally, they cautiously expressed their condolences and concern over the Hoover affair, hoping that America's internal political turmoil would subside as soon as possible.

On the contrary, the welcome banquets hosted by royal families or heads of government of various countries each have their own unique characteristics.

The female guests' attire, reflecting the style of the era, left a deep impression on Lin Ran.

In Rome, the air is filled with the warmth and extravagance of Southern Europe.

The female guests opted for bolder A-line skirts and bright geometric patterns, short and voluminous hairstyles, and exaggerated gogo boots.

Paris is the richest city in the world.

At the Élysée Palace, it seems that every lady is engaged in a silent competition.

Some insisted on the traditional Dior look, while younger, more avant-garde women wore flowing gypsy dresses and loose scarves around their necks, a combination of bohemian style and hippie aesthetics.

Here at Buckingham Palace, the banquet exudes a serene, Edwardian-era conservative aesthetic, with female guests dressed in high-necked, long-sleeved velvet gowns, their hair meticulously styled, as if striving to resist the restlessness of a changing era.

Lin Ran felt a little regretful that at this moment, he could only wear a Western suit and not a Zhongshan suit or a Tang suit.

"What a pity." Lin Ran held a wine glass full of cocktails, standing in the Musicians' Gallery and looking down at the guests dancing in twos and threes after the banquet on the first floor.

This place has a superb location, on the second floor of the Chinese Affairs Room in Buckingham Palace, at one end of the banquet hall. It is usually provided for bands to play during banquets, providing background music for dinners and balls.

It offers a superb commanding view, overlooking the entire banquet hall.

Lin Ran had just escaped the pleasantries of English politicians, members of the English royal family, and English businessmen downstairs when he came to this secluded second-floor space at the invitation of a servant.

He thought the Queen was waiting for him there, but found that there was no one there at all.

There were only two pre-prepared cocktails.

The scene and space gave Lin Ran a sense of familiarity, not in the place itself, but in the feeling.

Lin Ran's memory returned to 1960, to the Elephant Party fundraising dinner he attended with John Morgan Sr., and the second floor seemed to have the same feeling at that dinner.

"No way, the Queen is really quite old. She shouldn't be like this," Lin Ran pondered. "If she is, how am I supposed to refuse? Sigh, I regret not bringing Jenny along."

A few minutes later, Queen Elizabeth, wearing a light blue high-necked evening gown and a huge sapphire brooch, slowly walked up the steps accompanied by a lady-in-waiting.

"Professor, I hope you will forgive me for taking you away from that grand noise."

"But I think the best diplomacy often happens in the quietest corners," Queen Elizabeth whispered in his ear.

Because this is the musicians' gallery, and the band is still playing, the two people have to stand very close to hear each other.

Queen Elizabeth's words reassured Lin Ran; we were conducting diplomacy.

But the close proximity made him a little nervous; the other person's perfume was too overpowering.

"Your Majesty, it is my honor to receive your guidance."

I was just about to report to you my observations on the European continent.

"Your support is of paramount importance to America." Lin Ran remained still, only turning his head to speak to Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth nodded and said, "War is always exhausting, Professor."

Whether it's your fighting in Saigon or our own economic war.

But what I want to talk about tonight isn't tactics, it's stability.

The Queen did not discuss politics; instead, she turned her gaze to the railing and looked down at the guests dressed in silk and wearing medals.

Queen Elizabeth: "You are a renowned mathematician. I trust America, I trust the White House, and I believe that with your assistance, the White House can handle any situation."

Adversity is temporary, victory is eternal.

The communication between the two sides was very short, lasting only about five minutes, and Queen Elizabeth mostly used diplomatic language.

“Professor, I hope you won’t be in Huntsville when I visit Washington next, so I can continue to learn from you. Queen Sofia is my niece, and she would like to speak with you; you’ve met before,” Queen Elizabeth said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the wooden door at the other end of the musicians' corridor was gently pushed open again.

The lady who walked in was Queen Sofia, who had come to attend the banquet.

She was wearing an elegantly tailored Spanish-style long dress.

Queen Elizabeth smiled and gestured to her maid, "I need to go down and attend to the other guests, Professor, Sophia, please make yourselves at home."

The Queen turned and left the Musicians' Gallery, leaving the two guests of special status in this secluded space.

Lin Ran looked at Queen Sofia. Of course he recognized her and knew why she was in London instead of Madrid.

It's obvious that Juan was caught cheating, so the other party doesn't want to stay in Madrid.

Juan, the husband of Queen Sofia, had countless affairs throughout his life. Some say he had 5,000 women, making him half a Chamberlain, while others say he had 1,500.

In short, regardless of which statement is correct, the numbers are exceptionally large.

This whole thing is so ridiculous that the Spanish police chief, when questioned by parliament, said that Juan had been injected with female hormones and testosterone suppressants "to reduce his libido, because people know he is such a passionate person, which is a problem for the country."

The lawmakers at the hearing looked incredulous.

As for Queen Elizabeth, they were distant cousins.

Both women are great-granddaughters of Queen Victoria, and they are related by blood.

Sofia married Prince Juan Carlos in 1961, and was photographed driving in Windsor Great Park with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne.

Queen Sofia was apparently informed of this private meeting.

She nodded to Lin Ran, but her gaze immediately fell on Queen Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded at her, her eyes full of encouragement.

They were practically about to give each other a thumbs-up in encouragement.

Looking at the melancholy queen, Lin Ran instantly understood the queen's true intentions.

"Sophia, it's been a long time," Lin Ran said softly.

Sophia approached gracefully. She did not sit down immediately, but walked to Lin Ran's side and turned her gaze to the banquet hall.

Just like the queen just now.

However, her eyes held no queenly scrutiny, only weariness.

“Professor, it’s such a pleasant surprise to see you in London,” Sofia said softly, her English tinged with a Greek accent and spoken slowly, as if every word had been carefully chosen. “Madrid is still scorching hot.”

She turned slightly to face Lin Ran, this time standing even closer than Queen Elizabeth had just been.

Her gaze was fixed directly into Lin Ran's eyes.

"Just before I came to London, I had to face a heartbreaking truth."

You know, royal marriages are always fraught with national responsibility and diplomatic considerations.

I always thought that as long as I played my role well and fulfilled my obligations, this contract could be maintained.

But I was wrong. I discovered that he not only lacked restraint, but he also lacked basic respect.

This is not a rumor, not speculation, but conclusive evidence: he has a long-term, steady lover.

She took a step forward, leaning slightly forward, trying to get Lin Ran to support her.

Lin Ran thought to himself, "This is nothing yet; there are still hundreds or thousands more to come."

Thinking of this, Lin Ran felt quite sorry for the beautiful queen in front of him.

"Everyone in the world says you're the smartest person in the world. What do you think I should do?"

Queen Sofia took Lin Ran's hand this time. His hand was very cold, the complete opposite of the Madrid climate she had mentioned earlier.

Lin Ran subtly withdrew his hand and naturally picked up the wine glass beside him. "Your Majesty, first of all, please accept my deepest sympathy and respect for all that you have suffered."

Reality is more complex than mathematics.

Many mathematical problems do not have a unique solution, and this is even more true in reality.

In mathematics, the optimal solution is often based on constraints.

Your future choices offer countless solutions.

It seems you also face various constraints: your status, royal family, responsibilities to your children, and your personal happiness.

But I think your personal happiness should never be relegated to a secondary position.

Your Majesty, I want to talk not about Spanish politics, but about the dignity that a woman should have.

If a man, especially one who shoulders the heavy responsibility of the nation, cannot even remain loyal and respectful to his wife, how much credibility can he have when fulfilling other contracts?

I know that leaving an heir to the throne would be extremely costly for you. It would trigger political turmoil, media frenzy, and pressure from all sides.

But think about it: if you continue to stay in an environment that disrespects you for a long time, to what extent will your spirit and dignity be depleted?
This drain will ultimately affect your ability to educate your children, fulfill your public duties, and even your standing within your family.

As Lin Ran spoke, he began to feel uneasy. What if Sofia really did get divorced, and Princess Diana also got divorced, and then they would become the focus of media attention?

Then the other party will say that it was the professor who advised me to get a divorce.

The guests attending the dinner were talking amongst themselves, saying that during the ball at Buckingham Palace, the professor and Queen Sofia had both disappeared.

That would truly be a situation where one couldn't explain oneself no matter how hard they tried.

In addition, it sparked a global media frenzy.

"Damn it!" That was the only thought in Lin Ran's mind.

He then forced himself to continue, “Your Majesty, I think what you need is not a temporary solution, but a completely new beginning that respects your life balance.”

If you feel that this relationship has completely eroded your core values ​​and personal dignity, then perhaps the bravest and most humane solution is to resolutely take that step.

Lin Ran thought about how Juan would have affairs with thousands of people in the future, and how the queen's distress and sorrow were clearly visible in the photos. She still couldn't bear to say something like, "Just bear with it."

As for the media, let them hype it up.

As for Juan himself, not to mention that he is not yet the king, and Spain is still under the absolute rule of General Franco, even if he were the king, he couldn't do anything to himself.

Besides, he really didn't do it.

History will remember a strong and principled queen, not a tool for enduring humiliation.

I think you are not just a symbol, you are Sofia.

"Your happiness and dignity are more important than any royal contract," Lin Ran said after taking a sip of his cocktail.

As Queen Sofia listened to Lin Ran's words, the pain on her face was gradually replaced by a resolute light.

She knew that Lin Ran's words were full of sincere comfort and encouragement.

This moved her even more than the Queen's encouragement.

She nodded slowly, took a deep breath, as if she had made a difficult decision.

“Professor, what you told me today is more powerful than anything I’ve ever heard from anyone else.”

You are the first person, the very first person to advise me to prioritize my self-respect.

She raised her glass. "Thank you, Professor."

At least now I know that whatever choice I make, someone will understand me.

She put down her glass, her eyes blazing with fury: "I need time, but I will no longer tolerate disrespect."

Then the other person leaned close to Lin Ran, gave him a light kiss, stood up, curtsied, and left.

Before leaving, she turned her head and said, "Professor, please forgive my intrusion."

Now, I think I should go downstairs. Enjoy your London night.

Lin Ran was exasperated. What kind of situation was this?

That night, he didn't even dare to stay at Windsor Castle, but instead returned to Winfield Palace, fearing that something else might happen that night.

Lin Ran thought that if the other party said it would take time, it would be at least several months, right?
Before he even left Europe, Queen Sofia, with the support of her family, the Greek royal family, announced to the world in a brief but strongly worded statement her decision to separate from Prince Juan Carlos and initiate divorce proceedings.

Along with the statement, a list of evidence provided by Queen Sofia's legal team was also released.

This list exposes Prince Juan's correspondence, travel records, and financial transactions with a steady, long-term partner over the years.

What's worse, this happened in London, and what's the most powerful thing about London? Journalists, of course.

This place was not only infiltrated by Soviet Russia, but also by London journalists.

Soon, everything that happened that night was vividly described in the media.

The professor and Sophia disappeared all night, even though they only talked for twenty minutes.

The professor had been plotting this for a long time, mobilizing America's investigation bureau to investigate evidence of Juan's infidelity, and then compiling it and handing it over to Sofia.

When Lin Ran saw this report, he thought he had been discovered by London reporters.

If the explosiveness of the divorce itself was 1, Juan's infidelity evidence raised it to 5, but Lin Ran's involvement directly increased the explosiveness of the whole thing to 10,000, enough to burn the heat map black.

The professor caused a rift in the royal family.

The Story the Professor and Sofia Had to Tell

Secret Talks at Buckingham Palace: Did the Professor Destroy His Marriage?

"The Trembling of European Royalty: Who Will Be the Next Woman Targeted by a Professor?"

From Europe to America, and even to Soviet-affiliated media, everyone was rushing to report on the matter.

Lin Ran was completely devastated.

He expected it to explode, but he didn't expect it to explode like this.

The media in America were equally frenzied.

The weekly White House press briefings have become a professors' exclusive event.

The reporters' questions all revolved around this explosive news.

Nixon was overjoyed; nobody was paying attention to the Vietnam War or the protests, everyone was focused on the professor.

When asked about this in an interview, Nixon said, "I'm sorry, I don't know the specifics, but I think if there is any affection between the professor and Princess Sofia, I would wish them well."

Nixon's answer was actually aimed at Jenny. The Hearst family had always been supporters of the Democratic Party, and the earliest Hearst was a Democratic senator.

If it were Johnson, he certainly wouldn't have stirred things up.

Nixon's silence only fueled the fire.

President Nixon declared he would wish the professor and Princess Sofia his best.

President Nixon personally testified that the two had a long-standing relationship.

Blessings from the White House

The main focus was on an upgrade, which quickly turned speculation into fact.

Lin Ran looked at the newspaper and thought to himself that he had underestimated the reporters' imagination and inflammatory skills.

Of course, what really caused things to spiral out of control was Queen Sofia's public interview, which was the ultimate bombshell that detonated public opinion.

She gave an exclusive interview to the French magazine Paris Match in Greece.

This interview did not shy away from any sensitive issues; she shared with the world her emotional journey in deciding to end the marriage.

When asked, "What force ultimately gave you the courage to break free from the traditional shackles of royalty?" Queen Sofia paused for a few seconds, her eyes reflecting both nostalgia for the past and determination for the future:
"I must admit that I had a brief but important conversation with the professor at Buckingham Palace that night in London."

He didn't talk about Juan or any specific evidence; he was simply a wise man who discussed optimal solutions and constraints.

"He reminded me that my personal happiness and dignity should not be a secondary condition under any contract."

He told me that the bravest and most humane solution is to resolutely take that step.

He made me realize that I am not just a symbol; I am Sofia.

"That was not just diplomatic rhetoric; it was sincere advice from a friend."

It was the professor's words that made me finally decide: dignity is more important than a crown.

He gave me the strength to take that step, a woman who had originally lived for others.

This statement was like pouring a bucket of cold water into a pot of boiling oil.

"Professor, I think your trip to Europe is to strengthen the unity of the liberal camp, not to disrupt European royal marriages, right?"

On the streets of Berlin, Lin Ran, wearing sunglasses and a hat, was being searched for by reporters from all over Europe. Sitting opposite him was Jenny, who had flown in from Washington, and her expression was clearly not good.

She didn't make any emotional accusations; instead, she talked about work.

Jenny knew very well that the best way to talk to Lin Ran about this topic was to start with work.

"Professor, do you know how the Washington Post describes you?"
The special gift our presidential envoy, the professor, brought back from Europe was not a communiqué to strengthen allies, nor top-secret intelligence about Soviet Russia, but a divorce storm that shook the foundations of European royalty.

The professor's mission on this trip is to maintain stability.

He should go and reassure allies about their concerns regarding the dollar and war.

But at Buckingham Palace, he used his most brilliant mind in the world to persuade the wife of a European heir to the throne to leave.

Queen Sofia's statement in an interview that he gave her strength is the ultimate irony of all of America's diplomatic efforts.

The professor is mathematically perfect.

But in the art of international politics, it is a kind of arrogant arrogance.

He used simple moral standards to judge royal marriages.

We must warn all members of European royal families and heads of state: keep a close eye on your spouses.

The professor is now the world's most dangerous marriage destroyer.

Where is his next destination? We can't be sure.

But one thing is certain: wherever he goes, the constraints of royal marriages will be redefined, and contracts will give way to dignity.

Unless you can guarantee you won't cheat and that you have no moral flaws in your marriage.

This high-ranking White House official, entrusted with important responsibilities by successive presidents, inadvertently proved a disturbing fact to the world: in 1970, the personal influence of an American woman with exceptional intelligence and a moral aura could easily crush the entire Atlantic Alliance's painstaking political and diplomatic efforts.

The White House must now answer: Is the professor a diplomatic asset, or an unbridled bomb that could detonate social order in Europe at any moment?

(End of this chapter)