Chapter 7 Chapter Six

Seldon poker-faced, nodded politely.He has long been tired of seeing Qiao Ruonan's various holographic images. However, as usual, the entity will always change more or less in response to changes in the environment, and will not be exactly the same as the carefully prepared holographic images.Perhaps, Seldon wondered, it was the reaction of onlookers to the Entity that made it appear different.Jo Ruonan was tall - not quite like Seldon (Translator's Note: This is a small mistake, when I also write confusedly) - but much more massive.But this is not to say that he must be tall and muscular. In fact, his body shape gives people a soft feeling, and he doesn't look very fat.A round face, thick hair more sandy brown than yellow, and light blue eyes.He was wearing a well-fitting overalls, with a slight smile on his face, which gave off a friendly and friendly feeling. Of course, to put it bluntly, it was just an illusion.

"Professor Seldon"—his voice was deep and well controlled, an orator's voice—"it is a pleasure to meet you. It is a great honor that you took the time to see me. I have brought a companion today, He's my right hand man, I'm sorry I didn't mention it to you beforehand, but I'm sure you won't mind. His name is Gamble Dean Namati - three names like you Seen. I believe you have seen him." "Yes, I've seen him. I remember that very well." Seldon looked at Namati with a sarcastic look. At the time of the last encounter, Namati was giving a speech in a university stadium.And now Seldon could look at him with ease.Namati is of medium build, with a thin, sallow face, dark hair, wide mouth and cleft cheeks.He didn't have Qiao Ruonan's shallow smile on his face, nor did he have any other obvious expressions - except for a look of caution.

"My friend Dr. Namati - he has a doctorate in ancient literature - asked to come" Qiao Ruonan said, the smile on his face became wider, "I apologize." Qiao Ruonan quickly glanced at Namati With a glance——Namati, who had his lips tightly shut at first, muttered inadvertently: "I'm sorry, Professor, I apologize for what happened in the stadium. I don't know much about the regulations to be followed in university assemblies. I'm a little bit confused. My own fanaticism has gone to my head." "It's understandable," Qiao Ruonan said, "and he didn't fully understand your identity at the time. I think we can all forget about that little unpleasantness now."

"I can assure you of that, gentlemen," said Seldon. "I don't really want to remember that. This is my son, Rich Seldon, so you see, I've brought a Companions." Ricky had grown a mustache, dark and bushy—the masculine symbol of the Dahl.He hadn't grown a beard when he first met Seldon eight years ago, a street kid, ragged and hungry.He is short in stature, but nimble and capable, and intentionally or unintentionally put on a condescending look, as if he wants to use this to elevate his spirit a few inches to make up for his lack of physical height. "Good morning, young man." Qiao Ruonan said.

"Good morning, sir," Richie replied. "Sit down, gentlemen," Seldon said. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" Qiao Ruonan waved his hand and declined. "No, thank you for your hospitality. But today we are not here as guests." He sat down in the designated seat. "Of course I hope to have the opportunity to be a frequent guest in the future." "If it's business, let's start now." "Professor Seldon, thanks to your magnanimity, you promised to let go of the past, but when I first heard about that little misunderstanding, I was a little surprised why you took the risk of doing that. It was a bit risky for you to do that at the time, you admit it. "

"Actually, I don't think so." "But I think so. So I went to the library and looked up information about you, Professor Seldon. You are a very interesting person. I found that you are from Helicon." "Yes, I was born there. The records are clear." "And you spent eight years on Trantor." "That's all public record." "And you made a name for yourself with a paper on mathematics—what did you call it?—psychohistory?" Seldon shook his head secretly.He has always regretted his rash actions at the beginning.Of course, he didn't expect it to be a "reckless move".He said: "It was just a spur of the moment when I was young, and it didn't accomplish nothing in the end."

"Really?" Qiao Ruonan looked at him with interest, "Now you are the dean of the mathematics department of a first-class university in Trantor, and you are only forty years old. I believe-by the way, I am already forty-two years old. , so in my opinion, your qualifications are not really old. Your current status shows that you must be a very outstanding mathematician." Seldon shrugged: "I wouldn't be so lightly asserting otherwise." "Or you have some friends in high places." "We're all happy to have some high-ranking friends, Mr. Qiao Ruonan, but I don't think you'll be able to find them with me. University professors rarely have high-ranking friends, or, as I expected, very few. Have any friends." He said with a smile.Qiao Ruonan also responded with a smile: "Then, have you considered treating the Emperor as a high-ranking friend, Professor Seldon?"

"Of course I am so happy, but where did I get such an honor?" "But in my impression the emperor is your friend." "I'm sure the record will tell you clearly, Mr. Qiao Ruonan, that I only visited His Majesty the Emperor once eight years ago. The visit lasted less than an hour, and I found no indication at the time that His Majesty had any special regard for me. Love. And I haven't had the chance to speak to him since then—nor have I seen him—except, of course, on the holographic TV." "However, Professor, it is not necessary to meet or talk with him in person to be a friend of the Emperor. It is enough to meet or talk with His Majesty's Prime Minister, Itu Demmerzel. Demerzel is your protection or, and since he was, we might say that the emperor was too."

"So have you found in the record that Prime Minister Demerzel provided me with the protection you speak of? Or any evidence sufficient to deduce that protection?" "Why bother looking up records when your relationship is well known? You know what I know. Let's talk honestly. Please"—he raised his hand—"stop trying to deny It's just a waste of time." "Actually," said Seldon, "what I want to ask is why you think he wants to protect me. For what?" "Professor! Do you really think I'm a three-year-old? I already mentioned your psychohistory, and that's what Demerzel wants."

"But I told you that it was just a whim of youth, and nothing came of it in the end." "You can say what you want, Professor. But I don't have to believe what you say. Come on, I'll cut to the chase. I read your original paper and tried to understand it with the help of my fellow mathematicians. .But they told me it was a daydream, there was no way—" "I very much agree with what they said," Seldon said. "But I have a feeling that Demerzel is waiting for psychohistory to be perfected before it can be put into practice. If he can wait, so can I. And whichever is more useful to you, thank you Professor Ton, is my waiting."

"why?" "Because Demerzir can't sit in his seat for long. Public opinion has gradually turned against him. Maybe one day the emperor will dislike an unpopular prime minister, fearing that he will drag him down and lose his throne, then At that time, he will find a replacement. And at that time, I may be favored by His Majesty the Emperor. At that time, you will still have a protector who can provide you with a peaceful working environment, abundant research funding, and the equipment and personnel required for the research." "And you will be that protector?" "Of course—for the same reason as Demerzel. I need a successful psychohistory technique that will allow me to rule the empire more effectively." Seldon nodded thoughtfully, pondered for a long time, and replied: "If it is true as you said, Mr. Qiao Ruonan, then why should I go into this muddy water? I am just a poor pedant, living a peaceful and comfortable life, and only need to bury my head in remote mathematical research and engage in some educational activities. You Said Demerzel is my current protector and you will be my future protector. Then I just have to go about my job peacefully. You can fight the Prime Minister to the death. No matter who wins, anyway I always have a protector—or, at least that's what you said verbally." The inherent smile on Qiao Ruonan's face seemed to fade a little.Namati, who was sitting next to him, turned his gloomy face to Qiao Ruonan, as if he wanted to say something.Qiao Ruonan waved his hand slightly, Namati coughed a few times and finally did not speak.Qiao Ruonan said, "Dr. Seldon, are you a patriot?" "Why do you ask? Of course I am patriotic. The Empire has kept human society peaceful and prosperous for thousands of years—at least generally peaceful—and kept it going." "That's true—but the pace of progress has slowed down in the past century or two." Seldon shrugged. "I haven't studied this issue." "You don't have to study it. You know, politically speaking, the last century or two has been a time of chaos. The monarchy is in decline, and is often severely weakened by assassination—" "Speaking like that," Seldon interrupted, "is a bit of a rebellion. I hope you don't—" "Okay." Qiao Ruonan leaned back on the seat. "Now you see how insecure your situation is. The Empire is in decline. I dare say it openly. My followers are also outspoken, because they know it is so. We need someone to assist the Emperor, this One must have the ability to control the empire, conquer the rebellions that have sprung up everywhere, command the country's armed forces, and lead the economy—" Seldon waved his hands impatiently. "And you're the one, right?" "I do try to do my best. It's not an easy job, and I suspect few people in the world would want to do it—with good intentions, of course. Clearly Demmerzel isn't up to it. In Under his rule, the decline of the empire accelerated, and it fell into total collapse." "And you can stop the crash?" "Yes, Dr. Seldon. With your help, relying on psychohistory." "Perhaps relying on psychohistory Dan Mozier can also prevent the collapse-if psychohistory does exist." Qiao Ruonan said in a deep voice: "Psychohistory does exist. Let's open the skylight and speak honestly, don't pretend to be like it As if it didn’t exist. But its existence doesn’t help Demerzel. Psychohistory is just a tool. It takes a good mind to understand it, and a strong arm to wield it.” "And you have those conditions, can you master it?" "Yes. I know my own strengths. I need psychohistory." Seldon shook his head. "Please do what you want. Unfortunately, I don't have what you want." "You have. I don't want to argue with you about this." Qiao Ruonan leaned forward, as close as if he wanted to send the sound into Seldon's ears himself, instead of being transmitted by sound waves. "You say you are a patriot. Then I tell you that I must replace Demerzel to avoid the destruction of the Empire. However, the replacement may inevitably weaken the Empire. That is not what I want. Mr. Wang You can teach me how to achieve my goals calmly and without bloodshed, without causing unnecessary harm or loss—this is also for the benefit of the empire." Seldon said: "Forgive me for being helpless. You are in a difficult situation, and I don't have the knowledge you want. Although I am happy to help you, there is really nothing I can do." Qiao Ruonan stood up abruptly. "Well, you already know what I think and what I expect of you. Think about it. I implore you to think more about the interests of the Empire. Maybe you will feel that you owe Demerzir's friendship - but against it is the interests of the entire human society of millions of planets. Pay attention. What you do will shake the foundation of the entire empire. I implore you to help me in the name of trillions of human beings in the galaxy. Consider it Empire." His voice turned into a strong and powerful moan that shook people's hearts. Seldon felt himself trembling too. "I'm always thinking about the Empire," he said. Qiao Ruonan said: "That's exactly what I hoped for. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet me." Seldon watched as Qiao Ruonan and the others walked away, and the door of the office slid open as they passed by.He couldn't help frowning.Something disturbed him deeply--but he didn't know what it was.