Chapter 30 Chapter Six

Korov was finally released on the thirtieth day, and the ransom was five hundred pounds of the purest gold.He was released at the same time as the impounded spaceship—the Ascons considered it an evil object, so they left it alone. Then, just like when Peng Yates entered the Ascon galaxy, many small warships formed a neat cylindrical formation to lead Peng Yates and Grove out of the galaxy. When Gorov's clear but faint voice came through the high-definition ether beam, Peng Yates was looking at Gorov's spaceship, which formed a small blurred spot under the sunlight. Korov said, "But that's not what we want to do, Pence. A metal conversion plant can't do it. But where did you get that machine?"

"I didn't get it," Peng Yaci replied patiently: "I took the microwave oven on the ship and changed it. It has no practical value, because it consumes too much energy, so it can't be used for mass production. Otherwise, the base will not In order to find heavy metals, I sent people to run around the galaxy. This is a trick that every trader will play, but I believe that the trick of turning iron into gold is my first. It can impress the other party , and very successfully—yet only very temporarily.” "Well, but that trick isn't too clever." "At least I saved you from that damn place."

"That's not the problem at all, and I have to go back—once we're free of these force-escorted warships." "why?" "You once explained to that politician," Gorov's voice fidgeted, "your entire sales pitch is based on the fact that the transmutation device is just a means to an end, and it has no value in itself. What he bought was actually a Gold, not machines. From a psychological point of view, it was a good move, because it worked, but—" "But what?" Peng Yaci pretended to be puzzled, and asked in a gentle tone. The voice in the receiver became sharper: "But the machines we want to sell should be valuable in themselves, and they want to use them publicly. This can force them to introduce nuclear technology for their own benefit. .”

"I'm fully aware of this," Peng Yaci said softly, "You explained it to me before. But please think about the consequences of what I'm selling. As long as Farr has the transformation device, he can continue to Make gold as long as it takes to maintain it long enough for him to win the next election - the current Grand Duke's days are numbered." "Do you expect him to appreciate you?" Gorov asked coldly. "No—I'm counting on his brilliant plans for himself. The transmutation device can help him win the election, and then the other machines..."

"No, no! You've twisted the premise. It's not the transmutation device he trusts in, but gold—the immutable gold, and that's what I want you to understand." Peng Yaci smiled and changed to a more comfortable position.Well, he thought, the poor guy Gorov has been teased almost enough by him.It seems that if you don't tell him the truth, he will go crazy. So Peng Yaci said: "Don't worry, Gorov, I haven't finished my words. Actually, I also used some other devices this time." After a moment of silence, Gorov asked cautiously, "What other device?"

Peng Yaci gestured unconsciously, but of course Gorov couldn't see it. "Did you see those escorting warships?" "I see," Gorov said impatiently, "You should tell me directly." "I will, don't interrupt - it is Farr's private fleet that is escorting us now. This is the honor given to him by the Grand Duke, and Farr spent a lot of effort to win it." "so what?" "Where do you think he is taking us? The place we are going to is his private mine outside Ascon, listen to me—" Peng Yates' voice suddenly became irritable: "I told you You, I'm doing this just to make money, not to save the worlds of the galaxy. Yes, I sold him the transmutation device for nothing but the danger of being taken to the gas chamber, and that's not counting Within my quota."

"Tell me about the private mine again, Pang Yacy, what does that have to do with this matter?" "That's what we're paid for. We're going there to pick tin, Gorov, and I'm going to fill every cubic foot of my spaceship and your spaceship as well. Farr and I go down to collect You, old friend, cover me up there with all your weapons—in case Farr suddenly reneges on his word, and that tin is what he paid me for." "Is that the price for him to buy the transformation device?" "And all the nuclear power supplies in your and my spaceships, and sold him everything at double the price, plus a tip." He shrugged, as if to defend himself: "I admit to blackmailing He paid a sum, but my quota has to be sold out, right?"

Korov was obviously still puzzled, and he said weakly, "Can you explain it to me?" "Where do I need to explain? This is an obvious thing. Gorov, listen well, that guy thinks he is smart and thinks he can rest easy and eat me, because the Grand Duke listens to him very much, and he will never believe me. He took the transmutation device, which is punishable by death in Ascon. But he can always argue that he did it with patriotic motives, and was deliberately trying to lure me into charging me with selling prohibited substances. .” "It's really good." "Of course, but there's always nothing to say. You know what? Farr never knew there was such a thing as a microfilm camera."

Gorov couldn't help laughing suddenly. "You figured it out." Peng Yacy said, "It seems that he has gained the upper hand, and I have suffered a lot. But when I humbly helped him install the transformation device, I secretly hid a camera in it, and the second He took it away when he came for an inspection. The camera recorded in detail all his every move in that most secret place. Poor Farr, he tried his best to make the machine Squeezed dry to be satisfied. When he saw the first piece of gold, he clucked with joy like an old hen laying golden eggs." "Did you show him the video?"

"That was two days later. The poor fool had never seen an anaglyph, and he said he didn't believe in evil, but I've never seen a grown man so frightened in all my life. I told him again, Said I'd set up a projector in the downtown plaza for Ascon's millions to see in broad daylight, and then he'd be cut to pieces. He was terrified within half a second of me He fell on his knees, hugged my feet and begged desperately for mercy, saying that he would grant any request I had." "Did you really do that?" Korov barely stopped laughing: "I mean, installed a projector in the downtown square?"

"No, but it doesn't matter. He's already made a deal with me for everything you and I bring. The price he pays is to let us take as much tin as we can. At that time, he simply believed that I had nothing to offer." No. Our agreement is in writing, and I'll pass you a copy before I go down with him, as a precaution." "But you've hurt his pride," Gorov said. "Will he use those devices?" "Is there any reason for him not to use it? For him, that is the only way for him to make up for the loss, and if he can make a fortune, his self-esteem can also be compensated. In addition, he will also become the next Grand Duke—— For us, he's the right fit." "That's true," Korov said, "it's indeed a good deal. But anyway, your salesmanship is a little tricky. No wonder you were kicked out of the Spiritual Academy—don't you have any sense of morality?" "I don't care about that," said Pence, nonchalantly. "You should know what Sevor Harding says about morality."