"Distinguished passengers, the aircraft is about to arrive at its final destination, Amsterdam. Before the aircraft comes to a complete stop, please remain seated and do not move..." A round-faced stewardess skillfully introduced the landing procedures to the passengers in the aisle at the front of the cabin.

Zhao Tianlin looked at the round-faced stewardess, feeling she seemed a bit rounder than before departure. After the stewardess finished the instructions and began helping passengers fasten their seatbelts and collecting trash from the folding tables, a passenger shouted, "I can't put my shoes on!"

This shout received agreement from most people; passengers expressed the same feeling one after another. Zhao Tianlin didn't say anything. He had already tried to put on his leather shoes and found his feet had swollen to the point where he could barely squeeze them in without knowing when it happened.

The stewardess didn't respond initially. Seeing everyone was too agitated, she carefully explained, "Passengers, due to the long flight of the new model aircraft, everyone couldn't exercise, so a certain degree of swelling is a natural physical reaction. Please don't worry; after getting off the plane and moving around for a while, your bodies will recover."

Zhao Tianlin remained silent. Looking at the stewardess's obviously rounder face, he felt it wasn't easy for her either; she still had to go back and forth providing travel services for everyone. Since the passengers chose to fly voluntarily, if they couldn't stand it, wouldn't it be fine not to choose air travel next time?

Fortunately, the passengers only complained a few words and didn't lose their due rationality. Soon, the voice of the crew came over the broadcast, "Passengers, we have entered Dutch airspace. The aircraft is expected to land within 40 minutes."

The passengers had all heard that the Netherlands was a country of windmills. At this moment, they all leaned towards the windows, looking out at the green land of the Netherlands. Finally, someone shouted, "Is that a windmill? Is it turning?"

Many passengers excitedly expressed they saw it, but after a while, someone said puzzledly, "Why aren't there as many as I imagined? I thought there should be windmills everywhere."

This voiced the thoughts of many passengers. Since it dared to call itself the 'Country of Windmills,' the windmill density should be higher. Looking down at the Netherlands, windmills seemed more like an embellishment and didn't present the appearance of providing massive power for the Netherlands as imagined.

Zhao Tianlin wasn't so excited. The Netherlands bordered the sea, the wind duration was long, and the wind force wasn't small. The reason for using windmills extensively was largely because the Dutch terrain was low to begin with, and the groundwater salinity of the new land reclaimed from the sea was high. It easily formed patches of saline-alkali swamps. The Netherlands used the power provided by windmills to drain the swamp water. As precipitation continued, the salt content of the saline-alkali land continuously decreased. Then alfalfa and other plants were planted to turn those saline-alkali lands into pastures.

But Zhao Tianlin didn't show off; he just waited quietly for the plane to land. Just as the crew said, less than an hour later, the plane landed. After a 10,000-kilometer flight, the passengers finally returned to the ground. Regardless of whether their feet were swollen, everyone struggled to stuff their feet into their shoes, took their luggage, and disembarked.

Zhao Tianlin wasn't in a hurry. The aircraft had 60 passengers. He waited until everyone got off before leaving with his secretary, dragging their suitcases. As soon as he exited the cabin, he saw someone holding a banner outside the airport exit fence: "Welcome Professor Zhao Tianlin to Amsterdam."

Walking over, those who came to welcome him included Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Lu Zhengxiang, US Ambassador to the Netherlands Peterson, and Dean of the Law School of the University of Amsterdam Jansen. Behind these people was a large group of reporters. Seeing Zhao Tianlin shake hands with Dean Jansen of the University of Amsterdam Law School, a clicking sound immediately rang out.

"Welcome to Amsterdam. I welcome you on behalf of the University of Amsterdam." After Jansen finished speaking, his granddaughter, about ten years old, stepped forward and presented flowers to Zhao Tianlin. The little girl hadn't developed yet, and her face completely lacked the dense layer of fine hair on the skin of Dutch women. She was fair and clean, with pink skin and deep facial contours, looking adorable. Zhao Tianlin first bent down to take the flowers, then squatted down and asked, "My name is Zhao Tianlin. What is your name?"

The little girl was a bit shy, but meeting Zhao Tianlin's gaze at eye level, she soon calmed down. She answered politely, "My name is Beatrix. Welcome to the Netherlands, Dr. Zhao."

"Thank you for coming to welcome me personally, and thank you for your flowers." Zhao Tianlin extended his hand to Beatrix, and a large hand and a small hand shook together.

The reporters took another round of photos, and applause and good-natured laughter came from the crowd.

When the group prepared to leave, the reporters immediately began to ask questions: "Professor Zhao, are you here to advertise China Airlines' long-range aircraft?"

Zhao Tianlin smiled. "Reporter friends, the Chinese government does not interfere in corporate operations. Although China Airlines is a state-owned enterprise, it is also a normal commercial operation. I flew here simply because the plane is fast. If airplanes were still traditional short-haul flights, I might have chosen to take a ship. With the development of aviation, more and more people will choose to travel by plane. When government personnel from more countries choose planes, just because they took a plane, should we say they are advertising for the airline? Everyone is just a passenger."

Hearing this, both the Chinese and American ambassadors smiled. Especially US Ambassador to the Netherlands Peterson; the smile on his face was quite intriguing. Current China was a country appearing frequently in newspapers. Many serious political newspapers and magazines often compared China and the Soviet Union, two major powers claiming to be socialist countries.

In the Soviet Union, enterprises were managed by the government. Many Communist factions and socialist factions in Europe held this position, believing that economic problems could only be solved by state-led economies. Especially now, the economic crisis starting from the US erupted quickly and fiercely, greatly affecting the world economy. Discussions about economic systems became the focus of newspapers again.

US Ambassador to the Netherlands Peterson heard Zhao Tianlin claim at this time that the Chinese government did not interfere in corporate operations and felt this was Zhao Tianlin releasing a signal to the world on behalf of the Chinese government, aiming to eliminate the concerns of foreign enterprises investing in China.

The reporters came prepared, and someone immediately raised a new question. "Professor Zhao, China's economy has been very good so far. Do you think China can avoid this economic crisis?"

"We live on the same earth. Matters of any country on earth will be transmitted to every country; no one can avoid it. According to chaos theory, a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil might cause a tornado in the United States. Therefore, it is impossible for us in China to avoid this financial crisis from the beginning."

"Then will the Chinese government's economy decline because of this?" The reporters immediately pressed.

"I believe China's economy will continue to maintain good development. Because China's economy is like a train that has just started, possessing sufficient energy to continue rushing forward. Mr. Reporter, the income of the Chinese people is very low now. To use an analogy, China is a bottle with only one-tenth of water inside, so to fill this bottle, nine-tenths more water is needed. This space is very large. As long as China's economy continues to grow, even if it encounters external storms, China can withstand them."

"Dr. Zhao, where do you think the problem with the US economy lies?"

Hearing this question, the US Ambassador to the Netherlands couldn't help but focus his attention. He heard Zhao Tianlin answer, "Gentlemen reporters, I am a law professor, not an economics professor. I am a layman in economics. The US economy indeed has problems. As for what exactly the problem is, I am incapable of answering. What I can be sure of is that the US government is doing its utmost to solve the economic problems, and we look forward to the US government emerging from this economic crisis as soon as possible."

Hearing Zhao Tianlin express his view on the US economy in such a cautious manner, US Ambassador to the Netherlands Peterson felt Zhao Tianlin's goodwill towards the US. Or rather, the Chinese government's goodwill towards the US. This economic crisis started in the US, and newspapers in various countries were cursing the US, believing the US dragged the world economy down to its current level.

China's economy was very good now. If a member of China's core layer like Zhao Tianlin attacked the US, it would immediately become the headline of major newspapers worldwide. Now, although Zhao Tianlin admitted the US economy had problems, he didn't belittle the US government, nor did he hit a man when he was down; this was great goodwill.

The interview went on for a good while before Zhao Tianlin hurriedly left on the grounds of needing rest after a long flight. Getting into the Chinese Embassy car, Zhao Tianlin let out a long sigh of relief. Such an interview wasn't easy. Although Zhao Tianlin held no public office now, foreign culture's view of power differed from China's. In China, the view on power was "when the person leaves, the tea cools." In Europe and America, people in the circle were the powerful ones. Even without public office, Zhao Tianlin was still considered to have a great influence on the policy formulation of the Chinese central government. When Zhao Tianlin was Vice Premier, he could get central documents at any time and know the central government's attitude and policies, making it easy to determine boundaries. Now Zhao Tianlin had to be more cautious than before.

At this time, Lu Zhengxiang said with emotion, "Brother Zhao, I wonder if the domestic side knows that Europe has already started discussing whether China can save the world economy."

Zhao Tianlin's eyebrows couldn't help raising; he hadn't expected Europe to be desperate to this extent. Just as he wanted to answer how China could possibly have the ability to save the world economy, he heard Lu Zhengxiang continue to sigh, "Eight years ago, in 1922, the ambassadors sent by Europe and America to China weren't taken seriously in their own countries. Now European and American diplomats in China are already elites in their diplomatic circles. Eight years ago, Europe and America thought China was a country with no future, even believing Africa had more prospects than China. I wouldn't dare dream of it, but in just eight years, China has actually become a country that might save the world economy. Brother Zhao, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe it."

Seeing Lu Zhengxiang so excited, Zhao Tianlin wanted to advise him not to be so excited first; the central government had absolutely no intention of saving the world economy. Any slightly serious economist in the world knew what level China's economy was at. If China really wanted to save the world economy, let China's economy increase tenfold first.

Before Zhao Tianlin could speak, Lu Zhengxiang sighed again. "Brother Zhao, I just couldn't help myself saying these things. Please don't worry, Brother Zhao; as an ambassador, I will never let foreign countries misunderstand China's policies. One more thing, how long does Brother Zhao plan to stay in Europe?"

Zhao Tianlin finally had a chance to speak, so he replied, "I plan to take an ocean liner to the United States."

"Just now US Ambassador to the Netherlands Peterson chatted with me about this. He said I'm afraid it will be half a month before we can invite Brother Zhao to board a ship."

Zhao Tianlin knew that not only his alma mater Harvard University hoped he would go to the US this time, but the US government also hoped Zhao Tianlin would visit. So theoretically, the US government should have arranged the ship and shouldn't wait for half a month.

Seeing Zhao Tianlin looking puzzled, Lu Zhengxiang couldn't help laughing. "Haha, Brother Zhao, the US side arranged a luxury cruise ship for you, not a regular ocean liner. Tickets for this luxury cruise ship were originally hard to get. However, after the outbreak of the US economic crisis, many cruise companies found that half of the guests who originally booked tickets had either committed suicide or gone bankrupt, or were going bankrupt. Europe isn't much better; many people wish they could stay in their offices all the time to receive news at any moment. How could they take a cruise? European and American cruise companies have reduced ship arrangements. And the US side insisted on arranging the best cruise ship for Brother Zhao, so we can only ask Brother Zhao to wait a while longer."

Hearing this, Zhao Tianlin couldn't help smiling bitterly. As a scholar and educator, cultivating moral character and educating people, Zhao Tianlin had little interest in a luxurious life. Although China was still poor in these years, the country operated very smoothly, and everyone wasn't worried about the future. Compared with the performance of Europe and America under the impact of this economic crisis, China's situation was really very comfortable.

In the following days, a car with diplomatic plates appeared in the Dutch countryside. The car didn't drive fast, traveling back and forth in the scenic countryside. Even in the Netherlands, tall windmills weren't everywhere. But whenever the car stopped by the gravel road in the Netherlands and Zhao Tianlin got out to take photos, he could always see some windmills within sight.

Unable to go home often, plus the work needs of being the General Secretary of the International Human Rights Organization Presidium, Zhao Tianlin had gradually developed a habit of taking photos over these three or four years. No professional camera was needed; a convenient entry-level camera was enough to meet Zhao Tianlin's needs. In the Netherlands in May, on the flat and damp land, windmills, pastures, farmlands, and tulip fields all showed a very beautiful side of the Dutch countryside.

If necessary, Zhao Tianlin would of course also photograph the dark side. At this time, Zhao Tianlin went to the Dutch countryside not to investigate human rights issues, but purely because the number of ship voyages to the US had decreased recently, and tickets couldn't be bought, so he had to stay in the Netherlands for a few days first.

Learning that Professor Zhao Tianlin had arrived in the Netherlands, the University of Amsterdam immediately invited Zhao Tianlin to visit this famous European university. Zhao Tianlin politely refused, not because he looked down on the Netherlands, but because the flight of nearly ten thousand kilometers made Zhao Tianlin feel exhausted. His head was buzzing, and tinnitus was quite severe.

The University of Amsterdam expressed complete understanding and very thoughtfully found a place for Zhao Tianlin to stay in the scenic countryside, and also sent a lecturer from the Law School, Jansen, to act as a guide for Zhao Tianlin. The group went out to take photos and tour whenever they had time every day, and their bodies felt much better.

Looking at the map, there were quite a few small enclaves within the borders of the Netherlands and its southern neighbor Belgium, making the region look as arbitrary as an amoeba. This confusion could be traced back to the Middle Ages when pieces of land were divided by different local noble families. In 1831, 99 years ago, when Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands, the border demarcation between these two countries was chaotic and very complex.

Both the Netherlands and Belgium were small European countries. This minor issue didn't affect the security of the two countries, and dealing with it was too troublesome. So much so that after 99 years, successive governments of the two regimes hadn't been able to define the exact jurisdiction.

Traveling along this peculiar border was also a very novel experience for Harvard Law Doctor Zhao. His relaxed mood only changed after a Dutch border police officer stopped Zhao Tianlin's car. Seeing Zhao Tianlin's oriental face, the officer's serious expression became somewhat surprised. "Are you Chinese?"

"Yes," Zhao Tianlin replied.

The officer didn't say much, but the wary look on his face disappeared immediately. He checked the passport and also looked at Lecturer Jansen's university lecturer ID. The officer politely returned the documents to the two and explained to them, "Gentlemen, please wait a moment. Personnel repatriation is underway ahead. It will be over in a while."

"Repatriating whom?" Lecturer Jansen was very puzzled.

Anger flashed across the officer's face. He pursed his lips and exhaled heavily through his nose, venting his displeasure. After a few times, he said, "France is repatriating Dutch people working in France back to their country. France is too excessive!"

Zhao Tianlin was stunned and wanted to ask in detail, but the officer turned and left. Zhao Tianlin could only look at Lecturer Jansen next to him. Lecturer Jansen was equally surprised. But he immediately had an idea. "Professor Zhao, why don't we return to Amsterdam now and ask Dean Jansen about the situation? He must know what happened."