Chapter 960

In the red-lacquered wooden chair of the official residence, Xiao Ming looked directly into Dick’s eyes.

“You are a clever man, but not clever enough. I will not be so foolish as to send troops to mainland Europe now, and your foolishness lies in thinking that the Great Yu Empire can be easily eliminated like a native tribe.”

Dick was silent. He had to admit that this failure stemmed from the arrogance brought by their centuries of overseas colonization. Otherwise, they would not have taken this action at all.

And now, facts proved that he was fighting an industrial power in Asia.

“Esteemed Emperor, you are the wisest monarch I have ever seen in Asia. Indeed, I think both Britain and France will reconsider their relationship with the Great Yu Empire. The Great Yu Empire will have a place on the list of civilized nations.”

Dick flattered. In the two hundred years of European colonization history, Europe had actually adopted two foreign policies.

For the indigenous tribes of Africa and South America, they classified them as primitive natives who had not yet entered civilized society. This was because these natives had not yet formed a complete social structure, lived primarily by hunting, and some tribes even cannibalized their enemies’ bodies.

These types of natives were completely excluded from civilization by them. The policy they implemented during colonization was massacre.

This was because they needed the natives’ land and resources, and these uncivilized tribes were worthless to them. After all, many tribes had no writing or language, and did not accept modern civilization. They were barbaric and dangerous, and their goods could not obtain sufficient profit from these natives.

After colonizing India, they further delineated a level of civilization: a semi-civilized society, slightly higher than primitive natives.

For such countries that had basic social structures, written languages, and their own commodities, but lacked scientific development, they adopted a policy of colonial trade.

Because the common people of such countries had sufficient purchasing power, their goods could be sold in these regions.

At the same time, these countries also had a certain capacity for counterattack, which they needed to treat cautiously.

Previously, their classification of the Great Yu Empire was the second type of country, similar to India. Their goal was to make the Great Yu Empire a second India.

But now, it was clear that the Great Yu Empire should be ranked among the civilized nations on an equal footing with them.

Thinking of this, Dick explained in detail to Xiao Ming, hoping this Emperor would be pleased, for this was equivalent to glory for a nation, as Europe finally looked favorably upon this civilization.

Dick’s explanation ended. Not only Xiao Ming, but Qian Dafu, Xie Yuan, Ding Chang, and everyone else burst into laughter.

Even the translator had a hint of mockery in his eyes.

“Councilor Dick, you seem to be mistaken. In our eyes, you Europeans are the second-class nations! And the Great Yu Empire now is THIS!”

Xie Yuan gave a thumbs up, confident and composed.

Xiao Ming helplessly shook his head. He understood Dick’s sentiment. In fact, just like in modern times, it was difficult for the West to change long-held notions overnight.

Even today in the 21st century, Western nations still view his country with prejudice, and internal propaganda often paints a negative picture, leading many Westerners to believe his country remains in the backward state of World War II.

So Dick was the same. Though his life was at stake, he unconsciously revealed his true thoughts.

“Arrogant British! One day, you will tremble in the shadow of the Great Yu Empire!” Xiao Ming’s eyes narrowed. “Now, confess honestly!”

Dick’s body trembled. He understood that his little trick had been completely seen through, and the Great Yu Empire now had no fear of them.

Sighing inwardly, he had no choice but to describe Britain’s situation in detail to Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming listened, and at the same time, had the translator record it. This would be the firsthand information he gained today.

An hour later, Dick had said all he could. Xiao Ming had Xie Yuan re-imprison Dick and Wilson.

“Your Majesty, over three thousand prisoners of war who eat and live for free are wasting our Great Yu Empire’s money. I, your humble general, believe it would be better to send them to the mines for forced labor.” Xie Yuan looked at Wilson with a dangerous gaze.

Although they won this war, the navy also suffered its greatest losses since its establishment. He felt aggrieved in his heart.

“You may deal with them as you see fit. Just make sure these two don’t die. I’m waiting for them to send a ransom for their release,” Xiao Ming said with certainty.

According to the Dutch, in Europe, there was a rule of ransoming captured generals. This Wilson and Dick, holding such important positions, must come from powerful families and would be worth a lot of money.

At that time, he might make exorbitant demands.

Receiving Xiao Ming’s instruction, Xie Yuan felt relieved. He had the soldiers take the two away and instructed them to “treat them well.”

At this point, Xiao Ming took the document from the translator and frowned. In the previous narration, Dick had meticulously described the current state of Britain’s development.

Overall, steam engine technology was developing very rapidly in Britain. Perhaps spurred by the Great Yu Empire, Queen Victoria allocated a large sum of money to support the application of steam engines.

The concentration of funds and talent reportedly led to the development of an improved second generation of steam engines. At the same time, under this promotional policy, nobles and capitalists quickly established a batch of steam engine factories.

Besides vigorously developing steam engines in mainland Britain, Britain also exported steam engines to mainland Europe to earn money for developing domestic technology. Now, the entire Europe was swept by a steam engine craze.

And France was not to be outdone. It competed with Britain for steam engine market profits in Europe, cooperating with Britain while also competing.

“Your Majesty, no matter what, Europe is a threat to us. The current flourishing of steam engine technology in Europe is not a good thing,” Qian Dafu lamented. “Especially these two traitors have caused a leap in Europe’s basic science. Coupled with Europe’s cultural and educational levels being even above the Great Yu Empire’s, they can easily use these technologies to compete with us.”

Xiao Ming nodded gently. He understood Qian Dafu’s worry, just as all civil and military officials in court also worried.

However, he himself knew very well that Europe’s technological accumulation could in no way catch up with the technology crystal’s accumulation.

The current Britain possessed at most a high school level of technology. This knowledge would at best allow it to develop its steam engine industrial capacity to the level of World War I.

However, in Xiao Ming’s opinion, this knowledge was not very important to Europe. At the current level of European science, natural development would acquire all of it in thirty years.

The most crucial problem now was the changes brought about by the Great Yu Empire’s development itself. These changes were clearly visible and tangible.

For example, electricity. Britain could not obtain ready-made technology from the two, but it did get a clear research direction. Then, scientists would naturally exert effort in this direction, because it was a direction that did not require verification or squabbling.

Historically, the slow pace of scientific development was due to many detours and delays caused by opposition. Now, the Great Yu Empire had become a beacon of technological development.

Unknowingly, it was leading the world in technological development.