Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 275: Clash of Two Historical Perspectives

“Heroes and Wise Kings?”

Paul expressed some surprise.

“Exactly! Only strong heroes and wise kings can lead the people to victory. This has been proven time and again at major turning points throughout the vast course of history.”

Mond Landon shared his view with a smile, but he quickly noticed Paul’s non-committal reaction.

“What’s the matter, Count Grayman? Don’t you agree with this viewpoint?”

Paul responded with a smile, waving his hand: “It’s not that I disagree. I’m not a scholar of history and don’t have a firm conclusion in this area. However, I have heard a completely opposite perspective from others.”

“Oh? Do elaborate.”

“Your view that only heroes and wise kings can lead people to victory can be termed the ‘Heroic Perspective’.”

Mond nodded: “That term does seem apt.”

Paul continued, “I have heard from others about a ‘People’s Perspective’.”

This time, Mond Landon was the one surprised: “The People’s Perspective? What is that about?”

Paul thought for a moment and then repeated the phrase he had heard verbatim: “The people, and only the people, are the driving force in creating world history.”

Contrary to Paul’s expectation, Mond didn’t immediately show opposition but was intrigued: “Where does this viewpoint originate from?”

Paul countered: “Then how did your ‘Heroic Perspective’ come about?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Let’s leave aside the mythological age, which is vague and lacks reliable historical records. Let’s take the ancient Gubera Empire as an example. Before its establishment, humans were pressured by foreign races from all sides. It was under Emperor Leon’s leadership and campaigns that the greatest empire in human history was born. Emperor Leon, with his extraordinary talent and strategy, led the human armies to fend off wave after wave of invasions. Subsequently, the Gubera Empire experienced five generations of wise rulers who accumulated an overwhelming power compared to foreign races. Eventually, under the command of many generals like Elian, humans began their grand counterattack. From then on, orcs retreated to the plains, dwarves to the mountains, and elves deep into the forests. If you study history carefully, you’ll find the enormous role played by individuals like Leon and Elian, who are admired for their exceptional qualities. Without them, humans wouldn’t have achieved their current status or experienced such epic history.”

Mond spoke passionately and emphasized, “This is a widely accepted view in historical circles.”

Paul nodded: “Yes, that’s true. I’ve also read in detail about the history of the Gubera Empire and its heroic deeds. But have you considered that these heroes were merely making the right choices at crucial historical moments? It was the common people who provided them with various options.”

Seeing Mond’s incredulous look, Paul emphasized, “I must declare once again, this is something I heard from someone else.” He didn’t want to appear too unconventional.

Paul continued: “The unification achieved by the Gubera Empire was possible because, under the threat of foreign races, not just the nobility but also the vast majority of common people longed for a stronger collective to provide protection. Apart from the foreign threat, there were many other significant factors, such as the need for large-scale projects for agricultural development and roads for commercial expansion. Each force believed it should be the one to accomplish this, and Emperor Leon was simply the strongest among them. Therefore, his leading the unification was logical. Of course, his strength was also inseparably linked to the support of his people.”

“Gubera Empire’s counterattack and grand expedition against foreign races occurred because the empire nurtured an ever-growing population that inevitably required more land for sustenance. It wasn’t just the foresight of emperors and famous generals; even the landless younger sons and soldiers longing for wealth played a significant role in promoting these expeditions, even as primary drivers. The entire society developed a desire for expansion.”

Mond reflected thoughtfully, “This just explains the cause, and many, including myself, agree with these points. But as for the outcome—like the success of the expeditions—heroes were the decisive factor.”

Paul shook his head: “From the People’s Perspective, heroes should be considered secondary. In the case of the grand expedition, the main factors determining victory weren’t just the outstanding military capabilities of people like Elian, but because the empire could smelt more metal, forge more weapons, produce more food, form more disciplined armies, and its centralized agricultural society compared to the loose tribal alliances of foreign races… In short, a myriad of factors gave the human army an unparalleled advantage. Without these, even if Elian and others were favored by gods, they couldn’t have achieved victory. How did these factors come about? It was due to countless unnamed farmers, craftsmen, and soldiers throughout history. But history only records the names of those in power, hence the birth of the concept of wise kings and heroes.”

Mond expressed surprise, “This is the first time I’ve heard such a perspective that seemingly belittles heroes.”

“No, Mr. Scholar, you are mistaken!” Paul quickly denied, “This isn’t about belittling them. Their talents are undoubtedly exceptional, their achievements great, and their names worth commemorating—however, they are not irreplaceable.”

“From a macro perspective, history seems filled with inevitability. Humans, having mastered advanced technology and experienced a significant leap in productivity, were bound to form a centralized empire. A thriving empire would naturally develop a desire for expansion. Heroes just happened to be in that position. Without Emperor Leon or generals like Elian, others would have stepped in to play their roles and fulfill the missions history assigned to them.”

Just like his own arrival in this world merely catalyzed the industrial revolution that was bound to occur with the development of productive forces.

Mond, stiff and wide-eyed, said, “History is inevitable? This sounds like what those charlatans in the church preach, that everything has already been arranged by the Lord of Light.”

Seeing Mond’s reaction, Paul felt a great sense of vanity. He didn’t expect that some scattered information he had seen on the internet in his previous life would stun a scholar from the Scholar’s Tower.

He continued, “Specifically, history is inevitable in its broad direction, but individual events are more subject to chance, which can either accelerate or delay processes. The actions of heroic figures can, to some extent, hasten or slow down the course of history, but they cannot change its direction. The dominance of the ‘Heroic Perspective’ is also inevitable. Historians tend to focus their narratives around heroes, as they are limited by their recording methods and cannot document every individual’s name and deeds. They can only record those who are exceptionally prominent and outstanding. Readers of these historical records easily empathize with the heroes, inevitably leading to admiration. But if the focus is on analyzing social systems or describing production relations, it becomes tedious and is often skimmed over by many.”

Mond, silent for a long time, wanted to object but felt that Paul’s words were correct in some aspects.

“Even so… Alright, what you—no, this perspective—has some merit.”

In the end, Mond had to admit this, his worldview slightly shaken by the day’s conversation.

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