Chapter 9 Chapter One

Terminus...its remote location (see star map) stands in stark contrast to its role in galactic history.Many scientists have pointed out that this is an inevitable result of history.Terminus lies at the very forefront of the galaxy's spiral arms and is the only planet accompanying a lone star there.It has very few natural resources and hardly any economic value.Five centuries after its discovery, still no immigrants have moved in.Until the encyclopediars landed... In the second generation of immigration, the role of Terminus changed, and it was no longer just an adjunct to the psychohistorians of Trantor.With Anak's rebellion and the gradual rise of Seve Harding's power...

—— "Galaxy Encyclopedia" In the bright corner of the office, Louis Pihaner was hard at work at his desk.A lot of work needs to be coordinated by him, and a lot of manpower needs to be planned by him, just like thousands of threads need to be carefully spun to make a beautiful tapestry. Fifty years have passed, and it took them fifty years to build this No. 1 encyclopedia base into a complete institution.Almost all of these fifty years have been spent on data collection and other preparations. Now, the first phase of work is finally complete.Five years from now, the first volume of the greatest tome the galaxy has ever seen will be published.After that, another volume will be published every ten years, and the schedule is as precise as a mechanical device.Additional volumes will be published, as well as special issues introducing the latest knowledge, etc., until...

When the buzzer on the desk beeped softly, Pihaner moved uneasily, almost forgetting that he still had an appointment.So he pressed the button to open the door hastily, and out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the burly figure of Sevor Harding at the door, but Pihaner did not look up. Harding walked in, smiling self-deprecatingly. He was indeed in a hurry, but he didn't show any displeasure.For he knew that Pihaner had always had this haughty indifference to anyone or anything that interfered with his work.So Harding just walked over to the chair on the other side of the desk, sat down, and waited patiently.

In the huge office, only the rustling sound of Pihaner's stylus on the paper can be heard now, other than that, there is no sound or movement.Harding took out a two-point coin from his vest pocket and flicked it into the air.The coin is tumbling through the air, stainless steel; the surface reflects the flashing light.Then Harding reached out and grabbed the coin again, and flicked it out, staring idly at the flickering reflection.On a planet where all metals are imported, stainless steel is indeed an appropriate material for currency. Pihana finally raised his head and blinked: "Stop!" His tone was full of displeasure.

"what?" "Stop throwing coins, it's annoying!" "Oh!" Harding quickly put the coin back into his pocket: "When you are done, please tell me, please? I have promised them that before the new sewer plan is put to a vote, I must go back to the city council." Pihaner sighed, then got up from the desk, and said to Harding, "I'm all right, but I hope you don't bother me with the business of the city government. Please, you can take care of it yourself, the encyclopedia work is over." Takes up all my time." "Have you heard the news?" Harding asked in a steady tone.

"What news?" "It's the news received two hours ago by the Ultrawave Receiving Station in Endpoint City that the Royal Governor of Anacreon County has declared himself king." "Oh? So what?" "That means," replied Harding, "that we are cut off from the inner realms of the Empire. We've expected this, but it doesn't help. Anacreon is just across from us and Trantor. , Santani, and the last trade route in the Vega system. Where are we going to import our metals from in the future? We haven't been able to get any steel and aluminum for the past six months, and there is nothing we can do now, unless The King of Anacreon has shown mercy."

Pihaner said "tsk tsk" repeatedly, and said impatiently: "Then import it from him." "But can we do that? Pihaner, listen to me. By the charter that established this base, the Encyclopedia Council has full executive power. As the mayor of End Point, the only authority I have is probably on one side. Blow your nose, if you want to sneeze, you have to ask you to countersign an administrative permit, everything is up to you and the council to decide. In the name of this city, I request you to call an emergency meeting as soon as possible , our prosperity depends upon unimpeded trade with the entire galaxy."

"Okay! How did you move the campaign speech here? Harding, listen to me now, the council did not prohibit the establishment of a city government on Terminus, and we understand that it is necessary. Because since the establishment of the base , In the past fifty years, the population has increased substantially, and the number of residents who have nothing to do with the encyclopedia has also increased. But this does not mean that the first and only purpose of our base is to publish books covering all human knowledge. The encyclopedia — no longer exists. We're a national scientific institution, you know? We can't, can't, and won't get involved in any local politics."

"Local politics? So you don't care, do you? Pihana, it's a matter of life and death - Terminus itself can't sustain a mechanized civilization, and there's an extreme lack of metal here. You should be well aware of that, In the surface rock formations of our planet, there is not a single trace of copper, iron or aluminum, and almost no other metals. If the so-called King Anacreon has us, just think about it, What is the fate of your encyclopedia?" "Eat us? Have you forgotten? We are an institution directly under the emperor, not part of Anacreon County or any other administrative region. Please keep this in mind! We are directly under the emperor's jurisdiction area, no one dares to touch us, and the Empire will take good care of Terminus."

"Then please tell me, now that the royal governor of Anacreon has set up his own family, why doesn't the empire stop it? And it's not just Anacreon, there are at least twenty counties in the outermost periphery of the empire, in fact, the entire The outer rim of the galaxy, it's all in its own right. I tell you, I don't trust the Empire to protect us." "Nonsense! What is the difference between a royal governor and a king? There have always been various political opinions in the empire, and different people have different ideas of governing the country. In the past, there have been governors who rebelled, and some emperors were deposed or assassinated because of it, but None of this has ever shaken the foundations of the Empire. Forget the news, Harding, it's none of your business." We are scientists through and through, and our business is the Galactic Encyclopedia.Oh, yes, I almost forgot, Harding—”

"What's up?" "Miss that paper of yours!" Pihaner said with anger in his voice. "You mean the 'Terminal Daily'? How could it be mine? It's a privately run paper. What, what did it do to you?" "For the past few weeks it has been advocating an expanded celebration of the base's fiftieth anniversary. It has suggested making the day a public holiday and some highly inappropriate celebrations." "What's wrong with that? After three months, the computer clock will open the vault. I think the first opening of the vault is a big deal, don't you?" "But it is not suitable for a stupid parade. Harding, the opening of the vault is only a matter for the council. If we get any important information, we will announce it to the public immediately. This is our basic position. Please be sure to report to the 'Daily ' Explain clearly." "I'm sorry, Pihaner. But I want to remind you that there's a little thing guaranteed in the Terminus Charter. It's called freedom of the press." "It's in the charter, but the council doesn't accept it. Harding, I'm the emperor's appointed representative to Terminus. In this regard, I have absolute power." From Harding's expression, it can be seen that he is trying his best, suppressing his anger and not wanting to flare up.He said sullenly, "I have one last piece of news to report to your appointed representative." "Is it still about Anacreon?" Pihaner pursed his lips, bored. "Yes, in two weeks Anacreon will send an envoy here." "Special envoy? Come here? Sent by Anacreon?" Pihaner pondered for a long time, and then asked, "What are you here for?" Harding stood up, pushed the chair back against the desk, and said to Pihaner, "I'll let you guess." After speaking, he left without looking back, without even saying hello.