Chapter 31 Chapter One

Merchant... Based on the inevitability of psychohistory, the economic dominance of the base is getting stronger and stronger, and the merchants are getting richer and richer.With wealth comes power... People usually don't remember that Huber Marlowe was just an ordinary merchant, but they will never forget that he later became the first commercial prince... —— "Galaxy Encyclopedia" Joran Seth put his neatly manicured fingertips together, and then said: "This is a mystery, in fact—this is an absolute secret—it may be another Seldon crisis. " The man sitting opposite Seth felt in the pocket of the smirno jacket he was wearing, took out a cigarette, and replied: "I don't know, Seth. It's almost routine for politicians to cry out about the 'Seldon crisis' at long elections."

"I'm not campaigning, Marlowe. We've got nuclear weapons now, and we don't know where they came from," Sutter said with a slight smile. Huber Marlowe, a businessman from Smirnor, smoked quietly and said almost casually: "Go on, if you have something to say, please express it all." Marlowe He has never been overly polite to people in the base. Even though he is a foreigner, he never thinks that he is shorter than a real base citizen. Seth pointed to the three-dimensional star map on the table, adjusted the control button, and a group of red lights appeared, which represented about half a dozen star systems.

"There is the Republic of Corell." Seth said softly. Trader Marlowe nodded: "I've been there before, it's a rat's den! You can call it a republic, but every time the 'leader' is elected as a 'leader', it's a member of the Ego family. Anyone who has any objections , you won’t be able to eat and walk around.” Then he pursed his lips and emphasized again: “I’ve been there before.” "But you came back again, not everyone is so lucky. Last year, three space merchant ships, although protected by the convention, disappeared for no reason in the territory of that republic. And those space ships were equipped with general nukes and force field shields."

"Did those space merchant ships say anything in their last communication?" "It's just a routine report, nothing else." "What did Corey say?" There was a mocking look in Seth's eyes: "This is impossible to ask. The biggest capital of the base based on the outer edge of the galaxy is the prestige of strong strength. Do you think we can ask each other about the whereabouts of the three spaceships?" huh? We've lost our spaceship, and we can't afford to lose face again." "Okay, so tell me, what exactly do you want me to do?"

Seth never wastes time for unnecessary troubles. As the mayor's confidential secretary, whether he is a member of the opposition party, a job seeker, a reformer, or a madman who claims to have completely solved the future historical trajectory of Seldon's plan, he All dealt with.With these actual combat experiences, he has already developed the ability to stay calm in times of crisis. Therefore, he said in an orderly manner: "I will tell you right away—three spaceships disappeared in the same star sector within a year. Defeating a nuclear-armed ship can only be done with a more powerful nuclear weapon. So, the question arises, if Corell has a nuclear weapon, where did he get it?"

"Where did they get it?" "There are two possibilities. First, it was made by the Kerils themselves..." "It's impossible!" "That's right, then, another possibility is that there are traitors inside us." "Do you really think so?" Marlowe's voice was very calm. The mayor's confidential secretary said calmly: "This possibility definitely exists. Since the Four Kingdoms accepted the 'Base Convention', we have faced the threat of many dissidents in each kingdom—in these disintegrated kingdoms, all There are many pretenders to the throne, as well as aristocratic interests with vested interests, who cannot be willing to serve the base willingly, and perhaps some of them have already begun to operate."

Marlowe said sullenly, "I see. What the hell are you going to tell me? Mind you, I'm a Smirnian." "I know that you are from Smirno—you were born in Smirno, one of the four kingdoms of Smirno Kingdom. You were only educated at the base. In terms of your origin, you are A foreigner. Your grandfather was no doubt a baron when your kingdom was at war with Anacreon and Loreth; and your family's lands were confiscated when Seif Cirmeck instituted the land reforms. gone." "No, God, what a mistake! My grandfather was a lowly commoner, a descendant of 'outsiders', a poor miner who lived his life digging coal. Before the base took over Smirnor He's dead, and I don't have any patronage from the former regime. However, I was born in Smirnor, but I don't feel inferior. You cunningly suggest that I am a traitor, and it doesn't frighten me at all. , I will not bow down to the base and beg for mercy. Now, are you going to order me to do something, or accuse me of being a traitor? That's up to you, I don't care."

"My good merchant, whether your grandfather was the king of Smirnor or the number one beggar on the planet, I don't even care. The reason why I take the trouble to mention your origin and ancestors is just to ask You express that I am not interested in the question. Obviously you will be mistaken, how about we start all over again—you are a Smirnian, you know the situation of foreigners, and you are a merchant, and the last One of the outstanding merchants; you have been to Keril and know something about the Keril people, which is why we want you to make another trip." Marlowe took a deep breath: "You want me to be a spy?"

"Absolutely not, you are still going there as a trader—just keep your eyes open, hoping you can find their source of nuclear energy—since you are a Smirnian, maybe I should remind you that the missing three merchant ships, two of which had Smirno's crew on board." "When am I leaving?" "When will your spaceship be ready?" "Within six days." "Then you will set off in six days. Detailed information can be obtained from the fleet headquarters." "Okay!" Marlowe, the trader's chief, stood up, shook Seth's hand firmly, and then walked out with big strides.

Seth loosened the five fingers of his right hand and slowly rubbed off the pressure he had just shaken. Then he shrugged and walked into the mayor's room. The mayor turned off the switch of the picture board, leaned on the chair and asked, "Serter, what do you think?" "He'll be a good actor." After Seth finished speaking, he stared thoughtfully ahead.