Chapter 21 Deterrence

Chapter 21 Deterrence

"Okay, Douglas."

Einstein changed his sitting position and looked at the gorilla opposite with interest:

"I'm very interested in your thoughts and want to hear it. But...don't you really think about taking off the hood temporarily?"

"Please don't get me wrong. It's not that I want to ruin your Halloween atmosphere. It's just that this gorilla... well, how should I put it, makes me feel a little uncomfortable."

Lin Xian was unmoved.

Of course he couldn't take off the hood.

If this Einstein is really the president of the future genius club, then if he sees his appearance early now, wouldn't he be directly cheating?

The current Einstein obviously has not yet acquired the ability of omniscience and omnipotence, and he certainly does not know who the person in the hood is.

Only in this way can we ensure the stability of the world line and ensure that when he joins the club as the ninth genius Rhine, it will be his first real meeting with Einstein.

"I'd also like to take off my hood and chat with you, Mr. Einstein."

Lin Xian's hoarse voice became embarrassed and regretful:

"But I'm very sorry. This headgear is difficult to put on and requires some skills... I also relied on a professional stylist to put it on for me. If I take it off now, I will be embarrassed during the dance."

"If you really feel uncomfortable, how about I change my position and sit next to you? In this way, you will only see my side face, and you won't have to see the gorilla's bloody mouth on the front."

Einstein was slightly startled after hearing this.

I really didn't expect it.

This young man named Douglas has such a strange brain circuit...

"All right."

He couldn't find any reason to refuse, so he moved to the side to make the seat available.

"Thanks."

Lin Xian stood up from the opposite side and sat next to Einstein in his original seat.

So far.

The two of them went from sitting across from each other to sitting next to each other. The distance between them became closer, and their relationship seemed to be closer.

"Mr. Einstein, you and I have completely different ideas."

Lin Xian said softly:

"[I think you are not only not a sinner in history, but more like a savior who creates long-term peace.]"

"hehe."

Einstein smiled helplessly:

"Douglas...why do you have such stupid ideas?"

"You have to know that now around the world, the United States and the Soviet Union already possess atomic bombs, and the principle of atomic bombs is not complicated. In the next few decades, perhaps a large number of countries will possess atomic bombs."

"Hey... Pandora's box has been opened. Human beings have mastered power that does not belong to them. If this continues, no matter where the atomic bomb falls in the future, hundreds of thousands of people will be killed and a city will be destroyed."

"So, for you to call me the savior of peace here is the ultimate irony in my opinion."

However.

Lin Xian calmly shook his head:

"Mr. Einstein, you are thinking in the wrong direction. Your achievements in the field of physics are unrivaled, but the pull between international relations and the structure of major powers... This is a science no less than the Theory of Relativity. "

"I want to explain a word to you. Do you think you can understand it?"

Lin Xian said word by word:

"[Nuclear deterrence]."

Einstein looked at the gorilla's profile and frowned:

"Nuclear deterrence?"

He muttered the word, lost in thought.

Lin Xian did not disturb Einstein, but quickly felt the "kite string" behind his head.

very good.

Just as I expected, the "kite string" is still strong and has not been broken; this means that the future trajectory and the world line have not changed as a result.

The current time and space is still the 0.0001764 world line.

Lin Xian was not surprised by this.

He also foretold the concept of "nuclear deterrence" to Einstein in advance on the premise that he was absolutely sure and would not cause changes in the world line.

Einstein, who is now in 1952, must not have known the term "nuclear deterrence".

According to normal historical development, the concept of nuclear deterrence would not be formally proposed by the Eisenhower government of the United States until one year later, at the end of 1953.

The core of nuclear deterrence is to use absolutely superior nuclear power as the backing to launch comprehensive nuclear retaliation to blackmail and threaten the enemy, so that the other party will be afraid of nuclear counterattacks and dare not launch an attack.

Regardless of whether Einstein was the president of the Genius Club or not.

At this moment, telling Einstein this concept a year in advance would definitely not cause a change in the world line, because——

[Whether it is the real Einstein or the president of the Genius Club, they can live until 1953 to see the news with their own eyes. This is a fact that they must know. 】

not to mention.

Nuclear deterrence exists in the current year of 1952, but it is hidden in secret and not made explicit.

Einstein in history, even though he knew about the existence of nuclear deterrence in 1953, was still desperate for the future, and died of depression in 1955.

In other words, a key point——

[Whether he knows about nuclear deterrence does not affect Einstein’s pessimistic judgment about the future of mankind. 】

The reason why Lin Xian brought it up here.

Just wanted to see Einstein's true attitude.

If Einstein can be convinced by himself, it means that he is most likely not the president of the Genius Club; the result of this reasoning is obvious, because even in the 21st century, where nuclear deterrence has guaranteed long-term peace decades later... the president of the Genius Club will The future of mankind is still pessimistic, and we are still trying to rely on geniuses to create a better future.

If Einstein cannot be convinced by himself and still firmly believes that mankind has no future...then he is more suspicious. Maybe he has other secrets.

Lin Xian leaned back on the chair and continued:

"You are so smart, you can definitely think of the impact that nuclear deterrence will have on the world structure once it is formed."

"We have reason to believe that in the next few decades, those developed countries will possess nuclear weapons and will also have the say in the entire world; and in order to ensure that their rights and status are not usurped, these major countries will inevitably find ways to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. , prevent other countries from possessing nuclear weapons.”

Einstein raised his head:

"I can't say that your idea is very realistic."

"Although the theory you proposed has certain feasibility... After all, the principle of an atomic bomb is not complicated, but making an atomic bomb is a very difficult matter. It requires a large number of super centrifuges and a large amount of uranium ore."

"Indeed, it is not difficult to build a nuclear reactor. The purity of uranium and various precision processes required to make an atomic bomb are far beyond the capabilities of small countries."

"But the problem is that wars and disputes between small countries often cannot escalate into world wars. To really trigger a world-class war, we still need the participation of nuclear weapons powers... In this case, how to restrain the big powers What about the use of nuclear weapons?”

Lin Xian smiled slightly:

"So, this is [nuclear deterrence] between major powers."

"Mr. Einstein, it should not be difficult for you to understand the principle of nuclear deterrence. As long as the nuclear retaliation plan and nuclear counterattack system are deployed, any country can launch an atomic bomb at the moment of a nuclear attack, destroying the other side's capital, and destroying each other. ”

"It is undeniable that under this premise, once one party fails to abide by the rules, it will inevitably cause a nuclear chain reaction, and atomic bombing will begin all over the world. Even if human civilization is not extinct, it will be severely damaged, and the consequences will be quite disastrous. , No country can survive alone... The United States cannot, and neither can the Soviet Union."

“But if you think about it from another perspective, isn’t that a good thing?”

"Good thing?"

Einstein raised his head:

"The consequences of human extinction can be considered a good thing?"

"certainly."

Lin Xian spread his hands:

"It is precisely because the consequences are too tragic that no country can bear it. Therefore, even the current United States and the Soviet Union need to be absolutely cautious... Once nuclear deterrence is formed, everyone knows that as long as the first atomic bomb is thrown, There will definitely be hundreds or thousands of atomic bombs thrown back."

"Which stupid country would be the first to break up with this tactic of injuring the enemy by a thousand and damaging itself by a thousand?"

"Mr. Einstein, please recall why major countries dared to participate in World War I and World War II...It was entirely because without such weapons of mass destruction, powerful countries could remain unharmed on their own soil. Suppress and occupy the enemy and gain war benefits."

"On the other hand, precisely because of the availability of such weapons of mass destruction, no matter how powerful a country is, it must consider whether its homeland can withstand nuclear retaliation... I think you also understand that with the rocket With the development of technology, atomic bombs will become increasingly indefensible. Even if they can be intercepted by air, the atomic bomb itself is more powerful than ground explosion. "

"So, let me sum it up."

Lin Xian coughed twice and cleared his hoarse voice:

"Without your mass-energy equation and without atomic bombs, war would be a benefit to the big powers and would be almost costless; but precisely because of atomic bombs, nuclear deterrence, and nuclear chains... this would greatly increase It has reduced the risk of major powers launching a global war, making it more cautious and even impossible to initiate a war.”

"Unless these major powers announce that they will not use nuclear weapons when fighting each other in the future... this is simply a big joke. How can any country make such a commitment?"

"The truth is exactly the opposite. Major countries will definitely find reasons to prioritize the use of nuclear weapons. For example... if you attack my aircraft carrier, I will use nuclear weapons to attack your homeland; if you attack my dam, I will also use nuclear weapons to attack your homeland. "

"That makes sense."

Einstein held his chin and nodded seriously:

"Once you have nuclear weapons, no one will hide them. Instead, they will definitely advertise them widely to let other countries understand that they are not easy to mess with. In the worst case, they will die together."

"That's right."

Lin Xian could tell that Einstein's tone was much more relaxed:

"So... let's go back now and look at what I just said. Do you still think I was mocking you?"

"[Believe me, your mass-energy conversion equation will bring unprecedented long-term peace to this world; you are definitely not a sinner of mankind, but a savior of peace.]"

As the words fell.

The dancing part of the masquerade began.

The lights in the entire venue were dimmed, laser beams were spinning and shooting wildly, and cheerful and weird sounds were heard; cheers and roars suddenly broke out in the dance floor, and people began to sway to the rhythm of the music.

Einstein finally showed a rare smile.

He shook his head.

Chuckling:

"Thank you, Douglas, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Although I don't think the future will necessarily develop along the route you assume, but... I can't find any loopholes in your imagined future for the time being."

"Nuclear deterrence, nuclear chain, the fear of war among the great powers... Well, these are indeed some very interesting theories, and they are worth pondering."

"Anyway, thank you, Douglas."

Einstein stood up solemnly and stretched out his right hand to Lin Xian:

"Thanks to your chat with me, I am in a much better mood now, and at the same time, I am more optimistic about the future of mankind."

"For some reason, hearing you call me the savior, hearing you say that my mass-energy conversion equation will bring mankind a very long period of peace... Hahaha, hearing these words really makes me feel more relaxed and relieved."

Lin Xian also stood up and shook hands with Einstein:

"It is my honor to make you feel better, Mr. Einstein."

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"

A familiar and intense laugh came.

Lin Xian and Einstein turned their heads and found that a Shamatte with colorful clothes and chalk dust on his head attacked again.

He grabbed Einstein's arm and pulled him towards the dance floor:

"What are you waiting for, brother! The dance has started! Come and dance!"

"Hey, wait a minute."

Einstein shook off Henry Dawson's arm, returned to Lin Xian, and said with a smile:

"Douglas, I really want to talk to you for a while. I like your insights and I like chatting with you."

"It's just... As you can see, the Halloween dance has already started, and I don't want to disturb your interest. If you don't mind, can we change the time, change to a quiet place, and have a good chat?"

"Oh, I hope you don't refuse me. I really hope to have such an opportunity... I have many things I want to hear your opinion on."

Lin Xian nodded:

"Of course there is no problem. I am very happy."

To have such a good opportunity.

Lin Xian certainly wanted it.

This is definitely the biggest gain tonight.

Einstein had many questions to ask him, and he also had more questions to ask Einstein.

But... if they didn't meet at the masquerade, how would he disguise his voice and appearance next time?

There was no way.

He could only act according to circumstances and think of a way when the time came.

Einstein took out a pen from his pocket, tore off a piece of newspaper on the desk, scribbled an address, folded it and handed it to Lin Xian:

"This is a farm of mine in Brooklyn. Although it's a bit remote, it's quiet. I'm going to visit here on November 5th."

"I'll stay here from morning to night, and I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Douglas."

Lin Xian took the small note with the address:

"Me too, Mr. Einstein, I'll be there on time."

Henry Dawson blinked.

He looked at Lin Xian from left to right and then at Einstein, not understanding how these two people got to know each other and had such a good relationship.

He pointed at Lin Xian and asked Einstein:

"Who is this?"

Einstein smiled slightly:

"He is a young college student who has a very good understanding of the international situation."

"Wow! I think he is really extraordinary to be recognized by you!"

Henry Dawson waved to Lin Xian:

"Hello, King Kong."

Lin Xian also waved to him:

"Hello, Rainbow Pony."

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I like this guy!"

Henry Dawson burst into a shrill laugh again, hugged Lin Xian directly, and used his colorful hair to print a rainbow of chalk dust on Lin Xian's black coat:

"I'll give you a rainbow!"

After that, he took Einstein away at the speed of light.

"..."

Lin Xian watched this brainless and unhappy combination disappear into the crowd, and brushed off the chalk dust on his woolen coat. He was really speechless.

He opened the small note Einstein gave him and looked at the address written on it——

"Hiss."

Took a breath of cold air.

He was very familiar with this address.

The western suburbs of Brooklyn...

Not far from the welfare home where CC is!

In other words.

CC and her friends saw Einstein passing by the welfare home several times before, and his destination should be this farm.

Is this Einstein's "home"?

What secrets are hidden in this farm...?