Chapter 3 second quarter

Mayor Hera Burano stood on the podium and announced the formal opening of the meeting.She stared at all the councilors without any emotion in her eyes.However, everyone present knew that she already knew in her mind which MPs were present or not. Her gray hair was combed carefully into a peculiar hairstyle, neither feminine nor masculine, but in short her own unique hairstyle.Her face was plain, far from beautiful, but no one ever noticed it. She is the most capable administrator on the planet.Although, compared with the great heroes of the foundation's first two centuries, Sepher Harding and Huber Marlowe, she is definitely inferior, but no one has ever dared to make such a comparison.Of course, no one would associate her with Mule's previous hereditary mayor of the base—the Indepur family whose generations were inferior to each other.

Her speeches aren't particularly inspirational, and her gestures are rarely exaggerated, yet she has the ability to make sound decisions.And as long as she firmly believes that she is right, she will stick to it.Although she does not seem to have any charisma, she always has the ability to convince the majority of voters that her sound decisions are correct. According to Seldon's teachings, historical change is extremely difficult to escape from the usual track. (However, unforeseen accidents are always inevitable, but most Seldon followers forget this. The mutation caused by mules is the only exception that everyone remembers.) Therefore, no matter what happens, the base They should all be able to stay on Terminus all the time.Note the word "should" though.When the video recorded by Seldon five hundred years ago was reproduced just now, he told everyone in a calm tone that the probability of them continuing to stay on Terminus is 872 out of 1000.

At any rate, even for the faithful of Seldon, this represents a 218-in-10000 chance, corresponding to the fact that the capital has been relocated closer to the base federation center.Just now, Seldon also outlined the tragic consequences of this operation.That event, which had about one in eight chances, didn't happen, no doubt owes the mayor of Burano. Of course she would not allow this attempt to succeed.In the past, even in her declining popularity, she had always insisted that Terminus was the traditional stronghold of the Foundation, a fact that must always be maintained.So determined was Burano's attitude that her political opponents once depicted her resolute jaw as a large granite block in a political caricature. (Though, to be honest, it looks pretty penetrating.)

Now that Seldon had also expressed his support for her point of view, she at least gained an absolute political advantage at present.According to reports, she said a year ago that if the upcoming image of Seldon really supports her view, she will consider her job well done.In this case, she will resign from the position of mayor and transfer to the position of senior minister, so as not to be involved in political disputes with unpredictable futures in the future. However, no one really believed her words.She has always performed with ease in political struggles, which is beyond the reach of most mayors in the past.Now that the image of Seldon has appeared, it really doesn't look like she has any intention of retiring.

Her voice was crystal clear, with a strong "base accent" and no blush. (She used to serve as the base's ambassador to Mandias, but she didn't learn the tone of the old empire, although this tone is the most popular at present-in the past, due to the semi-forced implementation of the empire, the inner star provinces all used this tone kind of tone.) She said: "The Seldon crisis is over, and in a wise tradition we will never retaliate in word or deed to those who espouse wrong views. Many people of integrity once believed that they had good Reasons require results that Seldon does not want to see. Now, if these people want to regain face and self-esteem, the only way is to deny the Seldon plan itself. Therefore, no one should humiliate them. On the other hand, once supported People with wrong views should accept the fact of failure with a gentleman's demeanor, and don't need to show courage. This is the basic cultivation and demeanor of politicians. Since this matter has become a thing of the past, both of us should put it aside. to the back of the head."

At this point, she paused for a while, looked around every face in the assembly hall with a steady gaze, and then continued: "Members, half of the scheduled journey has passed, and the birth of the new Galactic Empire is now over. Only five hundred years remain. The past has been full of hardships and obstacles, but we have come a long way. Today, we are almost another galactic empire, and there are no more powerful foreign enemies." "If there is no Seldon plan, the period of the big fault between the old and new empires will inevitably last for 30,000 years. After 30,000 years of disintegration, human beings may no longer be able to rebuild a new empire. And in the entire galaxy, There may just be many isolated, dying worlds left."

"We owe it to Hari Seldon to be what we are today: and we will rely on his wise insights in the years to come. From now on, Senators, the real danger lies only with ourselves. Therefore , everyone should no longer have doubts about this plan. Let us reach a consensus now, calmly and firmly reach a consensus! ——From now on, there will be no open doubts, criticisms or slanders about the great Seldon plan .We must fully support this plan, because it has proved itself for five hundred years. It is the only guarantee of human security, and it cannot be thwarted. Do you agree?" There was a murmur of whispering in the venue, but the mayor barely raised his head.She didn't need to look at it at all to know that the result must be unanimous pass.She knew all the members of the council well, and of course she knew how each member would react.She has just won a comprehensive victory, and no one will dare to oppose her now.There might be trouble again next year, but not now.Next year's problems will be solved until next year.

But there are bound to be exceptions to everything... "Thought control, Mayor Burano?" Glenn Trevize asked loudly as he strode down the aisle, as if to speak for all the silent councilors.The seat of the Xinke Member is in the last row of the assembly hall, but he obviously has no intention of going to his seat. Burano still didn't look up, she just said, "What do you think, Senator Trevize?" "The government has no right to interfere with freedom of speech. Anyone has the right to discuss today's political affairs—including, of course, the members of Congress, ladies and gentlemen. This is what voters entrust us with. And any political issue cannot be separated from it." The scope of Seldon's plan."

Burano clasped his hands together and raised his head, his face still expressionless. "Mr. Trevize, you provoked this debate for no reason. It is not in line with the procedure of the meeting. However, I still ask you to express your opinion, and then I will reply immediately." "Please note that in the scope of the Seldon plan, there are no restrictions on freedom of speech, but the plan itself restricts some of our actions. Before the Seldon image appears and the final decision is made, everyone can express their views on the current situation. However, after Seldon announced his decision, even in Parliament, there should be no further questioning. Of course, before Seldon appeared, no one should raise such questions as: "If Harry If Seldon said this, that, he was dead wrong.' Such remarks."

"But suppose someone does feel that way, Madam Mayor?" "Then he can still bring it up—provided he's just a normal guy and just discussing it in private." "So, you're saying that the restrictions on free speech you're proposing are specifically designed to regulate government officials?" "Exactly, this is not a new principle of the law of the base. The mayors elected by any party in the past have always followed this principle. Personal private opinions are irrelevant, and the opinions expressed by people with official status are the only ones. It would be taken seriously by others, and thus dangerous enough. At this time, we cannot sit idly by and ignore this behavior."

"Madam Mayor, may I point out that the principle you mentioned has been quoted very rarely over the years, and it is all about certain special issues of the council. A big topic like the Seldon Plan has no final conclusion. , has never been regulated by it.” "The Seldon plan especially needs to be protected, and any doubts may lead to unmanageable consequences." "May I ask if you believe it, Mayor Burano—" Trevize suddenly turned around, facing the rows of councilors under the stage.At this time, the meeting hall was already completely silent, and all the councilors seemed to hold their breath, as if they were waiting for the result of this duel. "Do you believe, fellow members of Congress, that we have reason to suspect that the Seldon Plan does not exist?" "Today, everyone has witnessed that the plan is still in operation." Mayor Burano said.Although Trevize's tone became more and more impassioned, her voice became more and more calm. "Just because we can still see it in action today, ladies and gentlemen, that's why we can see that the so-called Seldon Plan - the one we've been forced to believe - actually doesn't exist at all." "Member Trevize, you have completely violated the procedure of deliberation, and I forbid you to continue to spout nonsense." "As a Councilman, I have that right, Mayor." "Your rights have been forfeited, Mr. Congressman." "You cannot deprive me of my rights. The restrictions on free speech you just proposed have no legal effect. This proposal has not yet been voted on by the Council, Mayor. And even if it is passed, I still have the right to challenge its legality. .” "I am announcing your disenfranchisement, Mr. Councilor, independently of my proposal to protect the Seldon Plan." "Then why are you?" "You have been accused of treason, Mr. Congressman. In order to show respect for the parliament, I do not wish to arrest you in the chamber. However, people from the Security Bureau are waiting at the door now. Once you leave the hall, they will You will be detained immediately. Now please leave the meeting obediently, if you act rashly, then you will be regarded as an active criminal, and people from the Security Bureau will immediately enter the parliament hall, I believe you do not want this to happen. " Trevize couldn't help frowning, and there was a dead silence in the hall at this moment. (Could it be that everyone knew this was going to happen—except for him and Comp?) He turned to look for the exit and saw nothing, but he knew Mayor Burano wasn't bluffing. Furious, he stammered, "On behalf of... on behalf of a constituency that cannot be ignored, Mayor Burano..." "No doubt they will be disappointed in you." "What evidence do you have to make such ridiculous accusations against me?" "We will bring it up when the time is right, but I can assure you that we have sufficient evidence. You are a very reckless young man. You should know one fact - not even your friends will ever Will be willing to join your mutiny." Trevize turned sharply to Compu, who stared at him motionlessly from his blue eyes. The mayor of Burano said again in a calm tone: "I ask all those present to testify that during my statement just now, Congressman Trevize turned to look at Congressman Compu. Are you willing to withdraw now, Mr. Congressman? Or Said, you want to force us to arrest you in the assembly hall, so that you lose all your dignity?" Glenn Trevize immediately turned around and walked along the steps to the exit step by step.As soon as he stepped out of the council hall, there were two uniformed and heavily armed security personnel, one on the left and one on the right, sandwiching him in the middle. Hera Brano looked at his back seriously, moved her lips slightly, and whispered two words: "Idiot!"