Chapter 200: The Peril of Göttingen

Catalina frowned, doubt clouding her expression.”Do you really think it’s possible?” she asked quietly. “The scholars of Göttingen are unbearably pedantic. Even if you offered them everything, they might still refuse to accept women. No matter how much knowledge I brought from New Granada, they never saw me as an equal—only as a fortunate woman who happened to learn a few things from men overseas.”

Francisco chuckled softly.”Under normal circumstances, I’d agree with you. But these are hardly normal times. Remember—I was kidnapped in Göttingen. Director Christian owes me a favor for that alone. And we saved Lichtenberg’s life, which means he owes us one as well.”

He paused, then continued, his tone turning practical.”On top of that, I’ll fund everything myself. The laboratory, the instruments, the salaries. The university won’t have to spend a single coin—only share some knowledge. I doubt they’ll reject an offer that costs them nothing and brings them prestige.”

Catalina remained unconvinced. The debate over educated women was centuries old. She remembered reading about Christine de Pizan, who had scandalized Europe by claiming that if girls were educated like boys, they would be equal in art and science. Even so, Christine had ended her life quietly, retreating into a convent—proof of how little the world truly changed.

Francisco noticed her distant look and laughed lightly.”You know, there was a woman who did manage it. Despite being rejected everywhere, she petitioned Frederick the Great himself for permission to study—and graduated with honors. People understand women’s potential well enough. What they lack is the courage to take the risk… and the willingness to pay for it.”

He tapped his own chest with a grin.”But that’s where your Husband comes in. I deal in future visions. And I know women will become a pillar of the world to come. Investing in educated women before the rest of Europe wakes up to their value—that’s exactly what someone with my abilities should do.”

He grew more serious.”Convincing men to abandon comfortable lives in Europe and travel to what they call the ’savage lands’ of America is nearly impossible. Monarchies compete fiercely for talented men. But women? Even the most educated among them are denied positions. No king is willing to hire them.”

Francisco spread his hands.”So instead of investing in men who will eventually be poached by European courts, I invest in women. I take them to New Granada—where everything is still blank. There, I can guarantee them real positions. Authority. Purpose. And in doing so, we build the foundations of an entire territory.”

Catalina rolled her beautiful eyes.”Even my dreams have to turn a profit with you,” she muttered.

Still, she smiled.

If she could educate other women in Göttingen, then when she returned to New Granada, she wouldn’t be alone—standing against a world ruled by men. Perhaps, together, they could claim real influence.

She nodded at last, accepting the idea, hoping—truly hoping—that Francisco could make it real.

On the other hand, Francisco was already thinking beyond women alone. His mind turned to other minorities—people Europe rejected without a second thought, regardless of the knowledge or skills they carried with them.

He knew he was at a disadvantage compared to his northern neighbors. There, an immigrant needed only to arrive, claim land, and begin a decent life. In South America, things were far more complicated. Fertile land was abundant, yes—but disease was everywhere. Fevers, poxes, infections that could kill a man within weeks. For many, that alone was enough to abandon the idea of crossing an ocean. After all, people migrated to seek a better life, not to gamble with death.

At present, the northern country was still small, hemmed in by two vast colonial empires: Spain and the United Kingdom. Expansion was cautious, limited mostly to indigenous territories. Francisco dared not push further—not yet. But he knew what would come next.

Once indigenous lands were exhausted, attention would turn outward. What was known today as New Spain would fracture into endless civil wars after independence. That chaos would give the northern republic the opportunity to expand—just as it would later take vast territories and grow into the richest and most powerful nation in the Americas.

A threat.

If his future country failed to absorb enough population—failed to secure its borders and build real wealth—it would never survive. It would not matter in the great wars to come. It would not become a power at all.

Francisco knew how South American independence would truly end. He never spoke of it aloud; the truth was too bitter. Small nations tearing themselves apart. Endless internal conflicts. Guerrilla wars. Criminal empires built on drugs and blood. Easy money where honest opportunity did not exist.

If he wanted to prevent that future, his country had to be rich—rich enough that people would not be tempted by violence and desperation.

With that thought, Francisco turned to Catalina and shared his idea.”I need to speak with Lichtenberg,” he said quietly. “He has always valued merit above birth or origin. He’ll understand the kind of people I’m looking for. Wait for me here—I’ll speak with them.”

Catalina smiled and leaned in to kiss him.”Go. But be careful. Even though we’re living inside the university now, the protests worry me. Someone might use the chaos as an excuse to move against you.”

Francisco nodded, his expression serious.”I know. I’ve already ordered the servants to accompany me whenever I walk through Göttingen. There will always be at least four at our door—two for me, two for you. Promise me you’ll never go out without them.”

She nodded.

Francisco turned and walked toward the director’s office. Inside, he found one of Christian’s assistants—the man responsible for managing nearly everything related to the university’s daily affairs.

The assistant looked up as Francisco entered.”Mr. Francisco,” he said politely. “I assume you’re here to see Director Christian.”

Francisco nodded, then frowned slightly.”You’re not Holzer. I don’t believe we’ve met before. Are you a new assistant?”

The assistant shook his head.”No. I’m Karl Weber. I usually work where Director Christian cannot. Unlike Holzer, I remain inside the university, handling whatever the Director assigns me.”

Francisco immediately understood why the man’s face was unfamiliar. He usually accompanied Christian in the library, which meant he often saw Hoizer instead. Karl, on the other hand, was always in charge of the university itself; unless he was reporting directly to Director Christian, there was little reason for Francisco to ever meet him.

Still, the fact that Karl recognized him—and that Hoizer was absent—said more than enough.

“Then the Director isn’t in his office,” Francisco said, frowning slightly as he wondered where Christian might be.

Weber shook his head again.”No, sir. With the protests ongoing, he’s in the library. He fears the demonstrators may turn against it and damage the collection. Until the unrest subsides, he has chosen to remain there. For now, I’m handling the administration of the university.”

Francisco nodded in understanding.”In that case, I should go see him. Thank you, Karl. I’ll see you later.”

Weber raised a hand quickly.”Wait, Mr. Francisco. I’m heading there as well. Why don’t we go together? It would be wiser. The city is… volatile these days. You would be safer with some protection.”

Francisco frowned, puzzled.”Last week I walked through Göttingen under a hood and encountered no danger at all. I’m more concerned that arriving with guards and a carriage might make matters worse. It would only announce that we are important figures, wouldn’t it?”

For a moment, Weber was speechless. Then he sighed.”You’re not wrong. But consider this—we’re going to the library. There are students protesting right outside its doors. Even if we dress like vagabonds, the moment we try to enter, our importance will be obvious. At least with guards, we can defend ourselves.”

Francisco paused, then nodded. He had overlooked that detail. Wandering the streets unnoticed was one thing; approaching the library was another entirely.

“Very well,” he said quietly. “Let’s go. Though I still don’t believe the danger is as great as you think. Most of the protesters are students. They’re angry about what’s happened in recent years—and given my kidnapping and Mr. Lichtenberg’s case, I can hardly say I stand entirely against them.”

Weber rolled his eyes.”With all respect, Mr. Francisco, they don’t truly care about you. Forgive my bluntness, but in the end, you are Hispanic. Their sympathy only goes so far. What they are fighting for is their own future—their own protection and interests.”

He lowered his voice as they walked.”What truly ignited this chaos were the fools in London trying to dictate the direction of research in Göttingen. Many of the projects Britain wants to block are the life’s work of our professors—and by extension, their students. If the new edicts are accepted, entire fields of study could be erased overnight. Careers destroyed. Scholars thrown into the streets.”

Francisco said nothing at first. The distant roar of the crowd echoed through the stone corridors, mingled with the smell of smoke and damp parchment carried by the wind.

Then he nodded slowly.

“I see,” he said. “Then this was never about rebellion alone.”

“No,” Weber replied grimly. “It’s about survival.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep