Chapter 13 Chapter Twelve

For the first time in six months, Marlowe relaxed, stripped naked, lay on his back in the solarium of his new home, stretched his thick black arms, tensed his muscles, and then completely relaxed. The man next to him put a cigar into Marlowe's mouth, lit it, got another for himself, and said, "You're overworked. Maybe you should take a long vacation." "Maybe, but wait till I get a seat in Parliament. I'm going to get that seat, and you'll have to help me." Jia Anke raised his eyebrows and said, "What does this have to do with me?" "Of course it does. One, you're an old hand at politics; two, Shahoren kicked you out of the cabinet, and this guy would rather lose one eye than let me step into Parliament. You You don't like me very much, do you?"

"That's right," replied the ex-Secretary of Education. "You're a Smeralian." "The law says no. I'm not religiously educated." "Come on. Discrimination and prejudice are legal or not. What does your own—this Izzy think? What does he say?" "As early as a year ago, he said that he would hold a seat for me," Marlow wrote lightly: "But I'm developing too fast, and he's not enough to watch anymore. Not deep enough, sharp teeth and loud throat-but only worth harassing the opponent, and it's almost impossible to cast a heavy blow. What I need is you."

"Shahoran is the smartest politician on the planet, and he treats you like a thief. I wouldn't say he's smarter than him, let alone he can hit hard and do dirty tricks," "I have money." "Helps. But it costs a lot of money to buy out prejudice—you Smeral scumbag." "All I have is money." "Okay, I'll look into it. But don't put on a happy face, say that I gave you a lot of encouragement and other nonsense. Who's here?" Mallory lowered the corner of her mouth. "Shahoran himself, I think. He's early, but I understand; I've been putting off for a month. Listen, Gaanker, go to the next room, turn on the monitor in a low voice, I want you to listen."

With a push with his bare feet, he opened the hidden door for the councilor, got up and put on his silk robe, and reduced the artificial daylight to normal intensity. Sha Horun was quite uncomfortable when he entered, and the serious-looking housekeeper withdrew lightly, closing the door behind him. Marlowe tightened his belt and said, "Sit whatever you want." Shahorun grinned, with a cloudy smile. He chose a comfortable chair, but he didn't let himself relax. He sat on the edge of the chair and said, "First of all, you set out the conditions, so we can talk about business."

"What conditions?" "You want to be coaxed? Well, what did you do, say, at Gory? Your report is incomplete." "The report was given to you a few months ago, and you were quite satisfied then." "Yes," Shahoran said, rubbing his fingers across his forehead thoughtfully, "but after that your activities became notable, and we know a lot about what you do, Marlowe. We know exactly how you excitedly set up a new How many factories were built, and how much money was spent. And this palace you built, " He looked around coldly, but had no intention of appreciating; "The money spent is more than my annual salary. You have shown the style to the upper class of the base—a very impressive and expensive style."

"So what? What's the point of proving that you've hired capable spies?" "That means you have a lot of money that you didn't have a year ago, which can mean a lot — like, a good deal with Gorry and we're kept in the dark. Where did you get all this money?" "Dear old man, you don't really think I'm going to tell you." "That's right." "I don't think you will. That's why I'm telling you. The money came directly from the treasury of Commander Gao Ruiguo." Sha Horun was dumbfounded for a moment. Marlow continued with a smile: "Unfortunately for you, the money comes from legitimate sources. I am the head of the merchant, and the money I earn is exchanged for some small accessories that I can supply." According to the stingy contract signed with the base, I get 50% of the profits; the other half, when the law-abiding citizens pay income tax at the end of the year, another part goes into the pocket of the government.”

"There was no trade contract mentioned in your report." "I didn't mention what I had for breakfast, or the name of my current mistress, or any other trivial matter." Marlowe's smile changed to sarcasm: "You sent me over—as you say— Keep your eyes open, I haven't closed it. You want to know what happened to the missing base merchant ship. I haven't seen or heard about it. You need to know if Gory has nuclear force. Nuke guns seen on bodyguards, nothing else. Guns have vestiges of the old empire on them, but for all I know, probably more cosmetic than practical. So far, I've followed instructions; but other than that , I am still a free trader. According to the law of the base, the head merchant has the right to open up new markets on his own, and get half of the profits from it. Are you unhappy? I can’t see it.”

Sha Horun cautiously turned his gaze to the wall, trying to control his anger and said: "The general habit of businessmen is to promote religion through trade." "I follow the law, not custom." "Sometimes custom is higher than law." "Then you go to court to appeal." Shahorun's gloomy dual limits almost stood out: "You are still a Smailan after all, and it seems that naturalization and education can't wash away the bad seeds in your blood. Listen well, try to understand, it's still the same. This More important than money and markets. The knowledge of the great Sheldon proves that we are the fate of the future empire, and we cannot turn around from the path leading to the empire, and religion is the most important means to the end. Through religion, in The Four Kingdoms were brought under their control just before they crushed us. That is the most powerful tactic known to control people and planets. The basic reason for developing trade is to be able to introduce the religion more quickly and to ensure that new The new economical system introduced by technology can be thoroughly and closely controlled by us."

He paused for breath, and Marlowe interjected quietly, "I know that theory, and I fully understand it." "Really? No idea. So of course you understand, your attempts to let trade run its course, flooding useless gizmos that have no effect on the planet's economy; sabotaging interstellar policy for profit; taking nuclear power out of our control A religion that ends up only overturning and outright negating a policy that has been successfully implemented for a century." "It's been long enough," Marlowe said nonchalantly, "Outdated policies are both dangerous and impossible to implement. No matter how successful your religion is in the Four Kingdoms, few other planets in the Borderlands are willing to accept it. When we master the Four Kingdoms, a large number of The exiles - the Galaxy knows how many - tell how Han Ding used the superstitions of the church and the people to overthrow the independent regime of the lay monarch. If this is not enough, look at the example of Asgon two decades ago. .no ruler on the outskirts knows that; just populate a base priest and it's a bloodbath. I'm not going to let Gory, or any planet, take what I know they don't want. No, man, if nuclear force To make them dangerous, a sincere friendship through trade is infinitely better than an unstable religious hegemony. Because a hegemony based on foreign spiritual power and hated, once a little empowered, it will collapse completely, and nothing but eternal Nothing remains but fear and resentment."

Shahoran sarcastically said: "That's very beautiful. Now back to the starting point of our discussion, what conditions do you have? What do you want me to give in exchange for what you have in your stomach?" "You think my beliefs can be sold?" "Why not?" The answer was cold and direct: "You don't make a living by buying and selling?" "There must be benefits." There was no malice in Marlowe's words: "What can you offer that I can't get now?" "You can keep three quarters of your profits, not just half."

Marlowe stopped with a smile: "Sounds good. It's just that according to your terms, the whole business will drop to less than a tenth of what it is now. Tell me something else." "You can get a seat in Parliament." "I'll definitely get it. I don't need to rely on you, and I'm not afraid of your tricks." Huo Lun clenched his fists suddenly: "You can save twenty years in prison, as long as I don't do anything. Calculate the profit!" "Unless you can pull off that scare, there's no profit to be made." "How's the trial for murder?" "Murder who?" Marlowe said contemptuously. Shahoren's voice became stern, though not louder than before: "Murder of an Ontarian priest on mission for the base." "Is it finally here? What proof do you have?" The mayor's secretary leaned forward: "Marlowe, I'm not bluffing. The investigation court has already been opened. As long as I sign and agree, the base's case against the merchant chief Marlowe will be established. You abandon the base's people and let foreign countries The mob beat him to death; you have five seconds, Marlowe, to avoid the punishment you deserve. To me, you'd better be on deaf ears; a dead enemy is safer than a dubious ally." Marlowe said solemnly, "I will make you happy." "Very good!" The secretary showed a wild smile; "It is the mayor who wants to seek reconciliation in advance, not me. Let's wait and see, don't say I am too much." The door opened in front of him, and Shahorun strode out. Marlowe looked up as Garank returned to the room. Marlowe said, "Did you hear that?" The politician sat down on the ground with a snap: "Since I know this venomous snake, I have never seen him get angry like that." "Well, what do you think?" "Well, to tell you, the foreign policy of gaining power through religious means is a kind of paranoia of his, but I have a feeling that his ultimate goal is not so holy. For this argument. I argued with him, and finally Kicked out of the cabinet; I don't need to tell you that." "No. In your opinion, what is the purpose of those less holy things?" Gaanke became serious: "Ah, he is not stupid. He must have seen the bankruptcy of religious policy early on, because there has been almost no new conquest in the past seventy years. It is obvious that he is planning for himself. Listen, any essential Even a doctrine based on faith and emotion is a dangerous weapon when used externally, because there is little guarantee that the weapon will not turn around and smash itself in the foot. Over the past century, the myths and rituals we support have become more and more dangerous weapons. It is becoming more and more prosperous, conforming, immutable and unshakable, and one day it will be out of our control." "How to say?" Marlowe asked, "Don't stop, I want to know what you think." "Well, suppose there is a person, a careerist, who uses the power of religion to deal with the base instead of maintaining the base." "You mean Su—" "That's right, I'm referring to Shahoren. Listen, buddy. If he mobilizes the churches of the vassal planets against the base in the name of maintaining orthodoxy, how much ground will we have? He only needs to raise the banner of piety and justice , come to crusade, for example, the heresy represented by you, and you will be able to establish yourself as the king in the end. After all, Han Ding also said: "Nuclear guns are good weapons, but each other may become a target." Marlowe slapped Guang Quzhu's thigh fiercely: "Okay, Lao Jia, get me into the parliament, and I will deal with him." Jia Anke paused slightly, and said meaningfully: "That's not necessarily the case. What happened to the priest who was lynched? Is it true?" "True enough," replied Marlowe cautiously. Gaanke whistled; "Does he have enough evidence?" "There should be," Marlowe added after a little hesitation; "Izzy was his man from the beginning, but they didn't expect me to know. Izzy is a personal certificate." Jia Anke shook his head: "Well, well, that's bad." "Bad? What's the bad? That priest violated the Foundation's own laws on that planet. He's clearly a bait for the Gore government, intentional or not. By all common sense, there's only one way I can go—and This path is perfectly legal. If Shahoran puts me on trial, he will only make himself the number one fool in the world." Gaanke shook his head again; "No, Marlowe, you're mistaken. I said he loves to play tricks. He won't try to convict you, he knows he can't; he's trying to hurt your standing in the hearts of the people You heard him say that custom sometimes trumps the law. You may be acquitted in court, but as soon as the people think you threw the priest out to the dogs, your reputation is ruined. You will be recognized as legitimate, Even reasonable; but in the people's suit, you become a cowardly dog, a heartless beast, a monster with a heart of stone. You will never get a seat, and may even lose the seat of the merchant, if the people vote against your Citizenship. You are not a local, and you should know that. What else do you think Shahoren wants to do?" Marlowe frowned and responded stubbornly: "That's how it is!" "Son," Garank said, "I'll be on your side, but I can't help you. You're a bull's-eye."