“…… History is not to tell you what happened in what era, but why it happened and why it happened. Humanity originated in Africa, but why didn't it develop in Africa? Why hasn't the Eastern civilization, which has been ahead of the world for thousands of years, spread its influence around the world? Why did the Industrial Revolution originate in Western Europe? And not ancient India, ancient China? Cold historical examples do not arouse the reader's pleasure, or even strip the reader's reading experience. ”

"However, when historical researchers can analyze the causes and consequences of an ancient case like telling a story, and analyze the impact of its existence in history on the present, then it is equivalent to bringing readers into history, so that ordinary people can experience the joy of reading history, and let ordinary people understand the interaction between history and the present."

"Historical facts are an indispensable part of historical research, but the logic behind them is even more important. Some people explain why the Industrial Revolution did not occur in Greece, India, and China from an economic point of view, and explain it from different perspectives such as culture, race, and system, which is certainly justified, but these factors cannot explain why the Industrial Revolution did not occur in an earlier century or a later century. ”

"There are also those who explain why Africa is backward from an economic point of view, using the slave trade more than 200 years ago and the current per capita income of Africa to do a regression analysis, which unfortunately may be wrong, because the industrial revolution prompted the suzerains to continue to plunder resources from the colonies and limit the industrial development of the colonies, and the most affected countries were often these major slave-exporting countries. Because these countries were originally relatively high-income and relatively high-density countries, their resources and geographical conditions were relatively good, and then they became the objects of plunder by European countries. Although many analysts use instrumental variables, they are more likely to be institutional alternatives. In all these explanations, the economy seems to play only one insignificant role. ”

"And political factors, although they are a subject, are also the best way to study history for a long time. But this can only have a clear effect on the development of the European city-state system before and in ancient India and ancient China. At a time when more and more countries in the world are being disturbed by external factors, it is far from being able to analyze history in detail only by analyzing political factors, and by extension, humanities, systems, and cultures. ”

"I started my studies by interpreting history in the way that is now the mainstream Ranke School, and that was the source of my knowledge. So, I never looked down on the Ranke School because I had a better way to do it. History is changing, times are developing, and there will always be better and better ways to do it. People should acknowledge history, not deny it, and people should face themselves squarely, not deceive themselves."

Zhou Nan took a sip of water and calmed his breath a little. He looked at the quiet hundreds of scholars in the hall, and he unconsciously felt a sense of pride in his heart. Among them are famous historical humanists, philosophers, thinkers, and politicians from most of Europe.

Even Favre, who is now causing a lot of trouble in Britain, has acted as an uninvited guest with a group of unpopular academics. Now they are all sitting upright, holding a pen and writing and drawing.

There were also kings like King George VI of England, who also listened to Zhou Nan's speech in German like a student.

In addition to him, quite a few diplomats sat below.

But what disappointed them a little was that Zhou Nan didn't seem to want to mention current political issues at all, but gave a complete academic lecture.

In the current controversy against Favre, Zhou Nan is almost in a fair way, attacking their ridiculousness separately. Even Favre's school of annals was ridiculed by Zhou Nan, who thought it was ridiculous that they looked down on the traditional school now.

This made the old people of the Ranke School present also have a good impression of Zhou Nan, but it definitely did not make Favre and the group of people behind him feel angry.

pointed out the shortcomings of the Ranke School and the forgetting of the Annals School, and Zhou Nan attacked his good friend Toynbee's historical research.

Toynbee's historical research is not a comprehensive discipline, or a comprehensive research method. This is because all of the historical research papers and books that have been printed so far are studies conducted on the basis of civilization.

Ancient Egyptian civilization, ancient Greek civilization, ancient Roman civilization, ancient Indian civilization, ancient Chinese civilization and so on.

While it is true that this kind of research based on civilizations is better than that of countries, it still has very significant limitations. His research theory is an extension and development of the Ranke School, and it is also the best weapon used by the Ranke School against the Annals School.

However, it must be said that the advanced nature of his research methods is still not comparable to that of the Annals school. The Annals School was suggested by Zhou Nan, and Fevre established an advanced rough ideological and research framework in a short period of time.

After he was reminded by Zhou Nan, he didn't have enough time to study, or because of his official duties, he didn't even publish a few mature papers.

In the original history, he was therefore violently attacked by the school of annals between '46 and '48. This turmoil even spread to the whole world for a time, almost to the point of life and death.

As a result, he resigned from public service and returned to teach at the university, which gave him plenty of time to write.

At the age of '55, he quit his position as a professor and concentrated on his work. Forty-six years later, although he has entered his old age, he has created more and more works.

Although the study of civilization is more advanced than that of the traditional school of history, it is only a change of soup but not a change of medicine, and the fundamental ideas and methods have not changed.

Unless, he turns the angle into a global civilization.

But now, Zhou Nan has used a general history of the world to comprehensively expound the changes of history and its impact on the present, which is equivalent to walking in front of everyone.

This is also the general history of the world in Southern Zhou, and the reason why it can be among the historiographical schools all over the world. are the main reasons for the overall repercussions.

Zhou Nan's criticism was not intense, he just pointed out the shortcomings, and Favre He got Zhou Nan's guidance, realized his own shortcomings, and was only grateful to Zhou Nan.

And Toynbee was attacked by Zhou Nan this time, which was a tacit understanding formed by the two people. Because Zhou Nan stood on a fair standpoint, he deliberately pointed out Toynbee's current shortcomings first.

And he just needs to admit his shortcomings in the newspaper and continue his research, so that he will not be used by the Ranke School to confront the Almanac School.

At present, even he is unwilling to wade into this muddy water.

In this way, Zhou Nan was able to establish his own advanced academic concepts and fair attitude. When those schools did not prove that their academics were more advanced than Zhou Nan's, and did not find Zhou Nan's academic flaws, they would never have set up such a powerful opponent for themselves.

Although there is no beacon fire, academic disputes are the foundation of a person's life. The reason why Zhou Nan is now famous in Europe is of course due to the various current political solutions he gave later, but the most fundamental reason is that he has been recognized by the academic community.

His historical and humanistic research and the establishment of his humanitarian spirit have made him recognized by the industry, because with this foundation, his proposals will be accepted by so many people.

If you are an ordinary person who knows what to do but does not know why you want to do it, then his plan will definitely not be widely supported.

Because it may be difficult to do something, but if you want to find a thorn, it is a simple thing.

"All the present is the evolution of history, and history is not only a past, but also the basis for influencing the present and the future. We study these histories, but at the same time we serve the present and the future. This interpretation is not static, but also changes with the development of society, and no method can always be excellent, and there will always be a time when it will be eliminated. What we can do is to keep up with the times, instead of laughing at the backwardness of others because we are one step ahead of others. ”

"Historical Research ......"

George VI in the audience moved his body and smiled with Toynbee, who was sitting next to him: "This little friend of yours doesn't save you any face, isn't what he is doing now to laugh at all the scholars?" ”

Toynbee also laughed in a low voice: "That's also because he is afraid that he will be dragged into the water, which is understandable." ”

"So, this is a deliberate strategy of yours?"

Toynbee smiled: "I won't admit it." ”

George VI nodded and said, "I admit that he is indeed a very talented young man, but it is a pity that he is not willing to make some comments and suggestions on current affairs today. I hope that you can arrange a suitable time for him to attend my banquet. ”

"It's his honor...... Toynbee thought of Zhou Nan's commission, and deliberately mentioned: "His wife is actually an Englishman, and it is said that she is still your relative, and he has always cherished his British identity and has never given up his British identity." ”

Toynbee tells the story of Audrey's combination with Zhou Nan under a Dutch false identity and her acquisition of Swiss citizenship. Although her de facto status is now Swiss, her real legal status is still British. It is said that she also wanted to inherit her grandfather's title when she came to the UK this time. ”

George VI glanced at Toynbee and said with a smile: "It seems that you were also influenced by him, or did you receive a gift from him because of it?" ”

As a king, he had to receive all kinds of elite education from an early age, and he had to have the ability to analyze the hidden reasons behind any matter. Without this ability, he is not a qualified king.

Toynbee would not mention this matter to him for no reason, behind this, there must be Zhou Nan's request.