Chapter 6 Variations on a Theme I State Affairs

Unlike what I said to Patriarch Lazarus, I am actually working very hard to manage this planet.Of course, my focus is only on making policy and evaluating other people's work.I don't do the specific work, I leave those things to specialized administrators.Still, the problems of a planet with more than a billion people can still make one's hands scramble.This is especially true if the person is implementing a policy of hands-off management with as little interference as possible, because it means that he has to see and listen to see which subordinates are over-managing and unnecessary. too much management.Half my time is spent removing nosy government officials like the ones I have ordered banned forever from any public service.

After that, I usually remove that department, and all subdivisions it belongs to. I've never seen anything wrong with doing so, as long as the decommissioned parasites can find some other way not to starve to death. (It's not bad that they're starving—even better. But they're not starving.) It's important to spot these cancers and then eradicate them while they're still young.The more proficient a deputy patriarch is at this, the more cancers he can spot, and the busier he will be than ever.Everyone can see a forest fire, and seeing the first smoke is a skill. That leaves me little time for the really important work: thinking about how to make policy.The leadership team I lead is not about doing things well, but about not doing things badly.This sounds simple, but it's not.For example, preventing armed revolution is obviously one of my main responsibilities, which means ensuring social stability.But Grandpa Lazarus reminded me that it was not wise to expel would-be revolutionary leaders.In fact, many years before this, I have begun to doubt whether it is appropriate to do so.The event that raised my doubts was so trivial it took me ten years to notice it:

In those ten years, not a single assassination attempt was made against me. By the time Lazarus Dragon returned to Secundus to await his own death, this troubling sign had persisted for twenty years. It's ominous, and I realize it.Over a billion people lived so densely together, so uniformly and complacently, that for twenty years no one tried to kill me.No matter how healthy this society may seem, it is deeply abnormal.In the ten years since I noticed this problem, I have been haunted by it when I think about it.I found myself asking myself again and again: If it was Lazarus Long, what would he do?

I know a lot of what he's done before - that's why I'm emigrating, leading my people to other planets.If no one comes with me, I will go by myself. (When I go back and read this passage, it feels as if I wish to be assassinated, like in the mystery novel "The King Must Die". Not at all. I am surrounded by powerful and sophisticated security devices , I can't say too much about this. But I can talk about three negative protective measures; Never announced in advance. Ruler's job is dangerous - or should be - but I don't want to die because of it. This "worrying sign" is not that I am alive, but that There was no assassin. No one seemed to hate me enough to want to kill me. It was frightening. How could there be no such person? I must have done something wrong!)

When the Howard Clinic informed me that my grandfather had woken up (and reminded me not to forget that he had only slept "one night"), I was up and the necessary business was done.I rushed to the clinic immediately.After they sterilized me, I walked into my ancestor's room and found that he had just finished breakfast and was drinking coffee leisurely. He looked up, smiled and said, "Hello, Ella!" "Good morning, Grandfather." I approached him, ready to salute him as I had done "the night before" when I said goodbye to him.But I watched his reaction closely so that I knew whether he was going to accept or reject before he opened his mouth.Even within the family there were many different etiquettes, and Lazarus had always been a man who made his own rules.So I took this last step very carefully.

His body moved back a little, a movement I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't paying attention.He reminded me softly: "Son, there are strangers here." I stopped immediately. "At least I thought they were strangers," he added. "I tried to get acquainted with them, but we could only speak a few words in various languages ​​and gestures. But there were people around instead of dumb people. The Walking Dead, that's fine. We're getting on well. Hi, honey! Come here, sweet girl." He turned to one of the rejuvenation healers.As usual, there are two doctors on duty this morning, one is the female guardian and the other is the male guardian.I'm glad to see that my command - that women "dress attractively" - has been carried out.The woman was blond and elegant.If one likes tall women, she's still quite attractive. (I don't hate tall women myself, but I prefer smaller ones who can sit on my lap -- and I don't have the time these days, either.)

She walked over briskly and silently, smiling and waiting aside.She was wearing a dress that didn't really matter—women's clothes change so quickly that I couldn't keep up with them, and besides, at this time, every woman in New Rome tried to dress differently from the others.The dress shone blue and brought out her bright eyes just right, and it fit well in the few places it could cover her body; the overall effect of the dress was charming. "Ella, this is Ishtar—did I get your name right this time, dear?" "Yes, Patriarch." "Can you believe it, the young man standing over there is named 'Grarhead'. Ella, do you know much about the legends of Earth? If he knew what the name meant, he would have asked for another one. Perfect Knight, but never got anything. I keep wondering why Ishtar's face seems so familiar to me. Honey, have I ever married you before? Ask her for me, Ayla, she might Do not understand."

"No, Patriarch. Never, I'm sure." "She understands," I said. "Then it could be her grandmother - a lovely bitch, who wanted to kill me, so I left her." The Chief Surgeon spoke briefly in Grakta.I said, "Lazarus, she told me she had never had the honor of marrying you, formally or informally. But she would love to marry you if you would." "Ha! What a naughty little girl—that must have been her grandmother. On this planet, eight or nine hundred years ago, about this time. My memory is off by maybe half a century. Ask her , um, is Ariel Barstow her grandmother."

The healer looked overjoyed, and she spoke a few quick words in Grakta.After I listened, I said, "She said Ariel Barstow was her great-great-great-grandmother, and she was very happy to hear you talk about the relationship between her grandmother and you, which shows that she is your descendant... She And said that it would be a great honor for her and her siblings and other relatives if you would bring your blood ties back together, whether contractual or non-contractual. She added that all Can wait until after your rejuvenation is over, she's not rushing you. What do you think, Lazarus? If she's already used up her fertility quota, I'd be happy to make an exception for her to immigrate for extra births Alien."

"Isn't that called rushing me? You are too. But she said it politely, so I'll give her a polite answer too. Tell her I'm honored, and I'll remember her name—but don't tell She and I will be on the road on Thursday. And then gently tell her 'don't call us, we'll call you' - don't make her sad; she's a good kid." I relayed Lazarus' words in diplomatic terms; Ishtar laughed, curtseyed and stepped back.Lazarus said, "Son, find something to sit on for a while." Then he added in a low voice, "I'll tell you that, Ella. I'm pretty sure Ariel committed adultery and had a baby It's on me. But her adulterous woman is one of my descendants, so Ishtar is my descendant anyway, though maybe not in the direct line. But that doesn't matter. What are you doing here so early? I said However, you have two hours of free time after breakfast."

"I was up early, Lazarus. Is it true that you decided to go through the whole session? She seemed to think so." Lazarus looked miserable. "To save trouble, I have to answer this way. But how can I be sure that it is my own testicles that are attached to me?" "The gonads cloned from yourself are of course your own, Lazarus; that's essential." "Well... we'll see. Waking up early is a vice, Ella; getting up early stunts your development and keeps you from living long. Speaking of dying—" Lazarus looked up at the wall, "I Thank you for having that switch put back on. I wasn't going to use it on a fine morning like this, but one needs to have a choice. Grahead, please bring this gentleman a coffee and put the Bring that plastic envelope." While speaking, Lazarus still gestured.But I think the healer understood him.Or there is a telepathy between them; rejuvenation healers are usually very good at understanding people, and they need it.The male doctor immediately did as Lazarus ordered. He handed Lazarus an envelope and poured me another cup of coffee.I didn't really want to drink it, but I was going to drink it politely anyway.Lazarus continued, "Here is my new will, Ella. You read it, save it somewhere, and tell your computer. I have approved what it recorded, and then read it aloud to it and tell it to lock it in permanent memory. Now only the lawyers in Philadelphia are capable of defrauding you of my inheritance—they really are.” He waved the male doctor aside, "No more coffee, lad, thanks. Go and sit down. Sit down too, dear, Ishtar. Ella, who are these young men? Nurses?" Orders? Servants? Or whatever? They surround me like a hen around her chicks. I don't need extra services, I just need socialization and company." I can't answer him without knowing the situation.On the one hand, I don't need to know how the Huichun Clinic operates, on the other hand, it is a private clinic, not an institution managed by the directors.My meddling with Lazarus has already annoyed the director of the clinic, so I need to keep my hands on the clinic as little as possible, as long as my orders are carried out. I asked the female doctor in Grakta, "Ma'am, what are your occupations? The Patriarch wants to know. He said you are like servants." She replied in a low voice, "Sir, it will be our pleasure to serve him in any way he desires." She hesitated, then continued, "I am Ishtar Hadi, Chief Surgeon General of Rejuvenation, my assistant The probation officer is Assistant Physician Grahead Jones." I've been through two rejuvenation treatments and have been familiar with the concept of rejuvenation my whole life, so I'm not surprised that a person's displayed age doesn't match their calendar age.But I admit that I was a bit surprised to hear that this young woman was not only a medical doctor, but also the head of her department.She might be number three in the clinic, and when the director sulks behind closed doors—how stubborn is that professional head of hers—she could be number two, maybe even acting director, with The assistant is the one who looks after the shop. "By the way," I continued, "may I ask your calendar age, Ms. Director?" "Mr. Acting Patriarch can ask any question. I'm only a hundred and forty-seven years old, but I'm old. It's the only job I've had since I first came of age." "I did not imply any doubt about your qualifications, ma'am. But I am a little surprised that you are here on duty instead of sitting in the office. I admit, however, that I have no knowledge of the operation of the clinic." She smiled slightly, "Sir, you are personally very concerned about this treatment, and I feel the same way as you...I can't even explain why I feel this way. I am here because I don't want to take this task Leave it to others. He is the ancestor. I have carefully reviewed every guardian who serves him, and they are all the best in our place." I should have guessed. "We've gotten to know each other," I said, "and I'm glad to hear that. But, may I make a suggestion? Our patriarch was independent and highly individualistic. He didn't need much personal care, just leave It's essential." "Have we bored him, sir? Overly cautious? I can watch outside the door and listen inside, so that if he needs anything, he can come in right away." "Probably overly cautious. But stay where he can see him, he needs company." "What are you chattering about?" asked Lazarus. "I need to ask some questions, grandfather, and I don't understand how this clinic works either. Ishtar is not a servant, she is a rejuvenator, and very experienced - as are her assistants. They are more than happy to provide you required services." "I don't need servants; I feel fine today. If I need anything, I'll call you; they don't need to hang around me." He laughed, "But she's a sweet little thing; Would be nice. She moves like a kitten - no jerky bones, smooth movements. She really reminds me of Ariel. Did I tell you why Ariel wanted to kill me? " "No. If you want to tell me, I'd be more than happy to hear it." "Well, ask me when Ishtar is away. I think she knows some English, more than she shows. I promised you that if you come over, I will tell you stories. You want to hear what?" "Anything is fine, Lazarus. Scheherazade decides what she wants to talk about." "She is. But I can't think of any subject for a moment." "Well...you said 'early waking is a vice' when I came. Do you really mean it?" "Probably. That's what Grandpa Johnson said. He told me a story about a man who was sentenced to be shot at sunrise—but he overslept and missed it. He got his sentence commuted that day and went on to live." Forty or fifty years. He told the story to prove that point.” "Do you think this is a true story?" "As true as Scheherazade's story. I think the story is about 'sleep when you want to sleep; you may need to stay awake for a long time'. Ella, getting up early is not necessarily a vice, but it is certainly not a virtue .The old saying that the early bird gets its food is really telling the worms to stay home and sleep in the morning. I can't stand people who get complacent about being up early." "I don't want to show off, Grandpa. It's a habit I've had for a long time—a work habit. But I don't say it's a virtue." "Which? Working? Or getting up early? Neither is a virtue. Getting up early doesn't mean you get more work done... just like you don't increase the length of a rope by cutting one end off and attaching it to the other. If you have to work yawning and exhausting, you'll get less work done. Your mind will get muddled, you'll make mistakes, and have to do it all over again. Such busyness is wasteful and doesn't make people Pleasant. It will also be very repulsive to your neighbors because they could sleep in late without you making noise at hours they shouldn't be working. Early risers don't get accomplished, Ella- Achievement comes from lazy people who look for shortcuts." "You make me feel like I wasted four centuries." "It's possible, boy, if you've been getting up early and working hard all this time. But it's not too late to change. Don't worry about it; I've wasted a good chunk of my long life myself, But I thought I had a good time. Want to hear the story of a man who turned laziness into an art? His life is a living example of the 'principle of least effort'. It's a true story." "Of course I do. But I don't insist it has to be true." "Oh, I'm not bound by facts, Ira; I'm a solipsist at heart. Listen, my great king."