Genius Club
Chapter 1328 - 21 Deterrence_2

Lin Xian leaned back, resting against the back of the chair, and continued:

"You’re so clever, you can surely think about what impact nuclear deterrence, once formed, will have on the world’s dynamics."

"We have reason to believe that in the coming decades, those developed countries will all possess nuclear weapons and also hold the power of discourse over the entire world; and these major powers, in order to ensure their rights and status are not usurped, will inevitably find ways to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, preventing other countries from acquiring them."

Einstein raised his head:

"I can’t say your idea is very realistic."

"Although the theory you proposed is somewhat feasible... after all, the principle of the atomic bomb is not complicated, but making an atomic bomb is a very difficult task, requiring a large number of super centrifuges and vast amounts of uranium ore."

"Indeed, building a nuclear reactor is not overly difficult, but the uranium purity and various intricate processes needed to make an atomic bomb are far beyond what those small countries can overcome."

"The problem, however, lies in the conflicts and disputes between those small countries, which often cannot escalate into world wars. Truly sparking a global war still requires the participation of those nuclear powers... In this case, how can we restrain these powers from using nuclear weapons?"

Lin Xian smiled faintly:

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

"Mr. Einstein, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to understand the rationale of nuclear deterrence. As long as nuclear retaliation plans and counter-strike systems are properly deployed, any country can launch an atomic bomb at the moment of a nuclear attack, destroying the opponent’s capital, perishing together."

"It cannot be denied, under this precondition, if one side breaks the rules, it will inevitably trigger a nuclear chain reaction, where atomic bombs start bombing worldwide; even if human civilization doesn’t get extinct, it would suffer great harm, and the consequences would be disastrous, leaving no country unscathed... Not Mi Country, not the Soviet Union either."

"But, thinking from another angle, isn’t this a good thing?"

"A good thing?"

Einstein raised his head:

"The consequence of human extinction is considered a good thing?"

"Of course."

Lin Xian spread his hands:

"It is precisely because such outcomes are too devastating, no country can bear them. Therefore, even Mi Country and the Soviet Union at present need to be extremely cautious... Once nuclear deterrence is formed, everyone knows that once the first atomic bomb is thrown, there will inevitably be hundreds, thousands of atomic bombs thrown back."

"Which foolish country would tear the face first with such a strategy that harms the enemy as much as oneself?"

"Mr. Einstein, remember why major powers dared to participate in World War I and World War II... It’s entirely because there were no such large-scale destructive weapons, powerful nations could suppress and occupy enemies without any damage to their homeland, reaping the benefits of war."

"Conversely, precisely because there are now such large-scale destructive weapons, no matter how powerful a nation is, it has to weigh whether its homeland can withstand nuclear retaliation... I think you understand as well, with the development of rocket technology, atomic bombs become increasingly un-defendable, even if interception in mid-air is possible, the explosive power of atomic bombs is greater in air burst than in ground burst."

"So, let me conclude."

Lin Xian coughed twice, clearing his hoarse throat:

"Without your equation of mass-energy conversion, without the atomic bomb, war would be profit for major powers, almost without cost; but because of the atomic bomb, nuclear deterrence, nuclear chain... this greatly increases the risk for major powers to start global wars, making the initiation of wars more prudent, even impossible."

"Unless these great powers announce that in future wars, nuclear weapons won’t be used... But that’s an enormous joke, what country would make such a promise?"

"On the contrary, all major countries will definitely find enough reasons to prioritize the use of nuclear weapons, for example... you attack my aircraft carrier, I will use nuclear weapons to attack your homeland; you attack my satellite, I will also use nuclear weapons to attack your homeland."

"Makes sense."

Einstein rubbed his chin, nodding thoughtfully:

"Once one possesses nuclear weapons, nobody would hide them, rather they’d publicize them widely, letting other countries know they aren’t easy to provoke, ultimately pursuing mutual destruction."

"That’s right."

Lin Xian noticed Einstein’s tone becoming much lighter:

"So... let’s revisit my previous statement, do you still think I’m mocking you?"

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

As the words fall.

The dancing segment of the masquerade ball began.

The venue’s main lights dimmed, laser beams crazily swept around, and cheerful yet eerie sounds played; the dance floor instantly erupted with cheers and shouts, heads swayed in rhythm with the music.

Einstein finally showed a rare smile.

He shook his head.

Chuckled lightly:

"Thank you, Douglas, it’s truly delightful meeting you."

"Although I don’t think the future will necessarily develop along the path you hypothesized, yet... I can’t find any loopholes in the future you envisioned for now either."