Chapter 19 Chapter Eighteen

Ricky was sitting in the reception room of a government building in Dahl, a place he'd never been before - and couldn't possibly be - as a bum. In fact, even now he still feels a little uncomfortable, as if he's in a place he shouldn't be.He tries to appear poised, honest, and likable.Dad said it was a gift of his, but he never realized it himself.If this gift is natural, it is likely to be self-defeating by being too artificial. He tried to relax himself as he watched an official skillfully operate a computer on his desk.The official was not a Dahl.In fact, the man was Gamble Dean Namaty, the man who had met Dad with Joranan, and Ricky was there.From time to time, Namati would look up from the table and give Ricky a hostile look.This Namati obviously didn't find Ricky likable.Ricky could see it.Ricky didn't try to smile amicably at Namati's glare.This would appear too contrived.He is just waiting.That's all he has to do.If Qiao Ruonan came, as expected, Rui Qi would have a chance to talk to him.

Sure enough, Qiao Ruonan came, striding in, with his signature enthusiastic and confident smile on his face. Namati raised his hand to say hello, and Qiao Ruonan stopped.They gathered together to talk in a low voice, Rich secretly observed, but pretended not to care on the surface.Obviously, Namati was against this meeting, and at the moment he was expressing his views bitterly, and Ricky couldn't help but hate him a little bit. Qiao Ruonan turned to look at Rui Qi, smiled slightly, and pushed Namati aside.This made Rui Qi realize that although Namati is the brains of this group of people, the real charismatic figure is undoubtedly Qiao Ruonan.

Qiao Ruonan walked straight towards him, stretching out a plump and moist palm. "Nice to meet, nice to meet! Professor Seldon's son. How are you?" "Very well, thank you, sir." "I heard that you have encountered some trouble in order to come here." "It's nothing, sir." "I suppose you have come with a message from your father. I hope he has changed his mind and decided to join me in the great cause of justice." "I'm afraid that's not the case, sir." Qiao Ruonan frowned slightly. "So he didn't know you came here?"

"No, sir. He sent me." "I see.—Are you hungry, boy?" "Not hungry yet, sir." "Then you don't mind if I eat something? I really don't have much time to enjoy this kind of ordinary life." He said with a smile on his face. "It's all right, sir." So they moved to a table and sat down.Qiao Ruonan opened a package of sandwiches and took a bite.It slurred his voice a little, and he said, "Then why did he send you, kid?" Ricky shrugged. "I think he probably thinks that I might be able to spy on some information that is not good for you, and he can use it to deal with you. He is wholeheartedly toward Prime Minister Demerzil."

"And you aren't?" "Of course not, sir. I'm a Dahl." "I know you're a Dahl, Mr. Seldon, but what does that mean?" "It means I'm an oppressed person too, so I'm on your side, and I want to help you. Of course, I don't want my father to know about it." "He has no reason to know. But how are you going to help me?" He cast a quick glance at Namati, who was leaning on his desk, listening to their conversation, hands folded across his chest. , with a gloomy expression. "You know anything about psychohistory?"

"No, sir. My father never talked to me about that—if he did, I wouldn't understand it. But I don't think he's made any progress with that stuff." "Are you sure?" "Couldn't be more sure. One of my dad's guys, Hugo Amarel, also a Dar, would tell me sometimes about psychohistory. I'm sure there's nothing going on there." "Aha! Can I meet Hugo Amarel sometime, you see?" "It won't help, I'm afraid. He's loyal to my father, though he doesn't like Demerzel very much. He won't betray him." "And you will?" Ricky seemed rather displeased, and muttered unconvinced: "I'm a Darling."

Qiao Ruonan cleared his throat. "Then I will ask you again. How are you going to help me, young man?" "I have important information to tell you, but you may find it hard to believe." "Really? Tell me. Even if I don't believe it, I'll tell you to my face." "It's about Prime Minister Ittu Demozir." "Oh?" Richie looked around anxiously. "No one else will hear what I'm saying?" "It's just Namati and me here." "Well, listen. That guy named Demerzel isn't human. He's a robot." "What!" Qiao Ruonan exclaimed.

Ricky felt the need to explain further. "A robot is a mechanically constructed human being. He is not a human being, but a machine." Namati couldn't help but blurted out: "Jojo, don't believe that. It's just ridiculous." But Qiao Ruonan gestured to him to be calm.His eyes started to sparkle. "Why do you say that?" "My father used to go to McGann. He told me a lot about it. In McGann they used to talk about robots." "Yes, I know. At least, I've heard of it." "The Megans believe that robots were once quite prevalent in their ancestral days, but have since been completely wiped out."

Namati narrowed his eyes. "But why do you think that Demerzel is a robot? I have also heard a little about the daydreams of the Mackenzie. As far as I know, robots are made of metal, aren't they?" "That's true," Rich admitted, "but I've heard that there are a few robots that are made to look very human, and they have infinite lifespans—" Namati shook his head violently. "Legends! Nonsensical legends! Jojo, why are we listening to—" But Qiao Ruonan quickly interrupted him. "No, Forrest. I want to hear him go on. I've heard the tales too."

"But that's bullshit, Jojo." "Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions that it's 'bullshit'. And even if it were true, there are plenty of people who live from birth to death on nonsense. It's not what people think it is.—Tell me, young man, aside Legends aside, what makes you think Demerzel is a robot? Let's just assume robots exist. So, what about Demerzel makes you say he's a robot? Himself Did I tell you?" "No, sir," Richie said. "Did your father tell you?" Qiao Ruonan asked. "No, sir. It's just my own idea, but I'm sure of it."

"Why? How can you be so sure?" "It's about his signs. He never changes. He never ages. He never shows emotion. He has a quality that makes him look like he's made of metal." Qiao Ruonan leaned back in his chair and stared at Richie for a long time.It was almost audible that his mind was buzzing.At last he said, "Just assume he's a robot, young man. Why should you care? What does it matter to you?" "Of course it's none of my business," Ricky said. "I'm human. I don't want fucking robots to rule the empire." Qiao Ruonan turned to Namati with an extremely eager expression. "Did you hear that, Gump? 'I'm human. I don't want fucking robots running empires.' Put him in the hologram and let him say that. Make him repeat that over and over , until it knocked into the hearts of every human being on Trantor—" "Hi!" Richie yelled, trying to catch his breath. "I can't say that on the hologram. I can't have my father find out—" "No, of course not," Qiao Ruonan hurriedly said, "We will not allow that. We just use that sentence. We will find other Dar people to do it. Find someone from each area to say that sentence , in their respective dialects, but with the same message: 'I don't want fucking robots to rule the empire.'” Namati said, "What if Demerzel proves he's not a robot?" "Really?" Qiao Ruonan said, "How can he prove it? It is impossible for him to do it. It is impossible from a psychological point of view. What? The great Demerzel, behind the throne The real power man, the one who has been in power since Cleon I and has been in power since the time of Cleon's father? To climb down and cry to the people that he is also a 'human'? It is not proved to him Being a robot is just as bad. Forrest, we drove the bad guys down a dead end that never got a chance, and it's all thanks to this fine young man in front of us." Richie's face turned red. Qiao Ruonan said: "Your name is Rich, right? Once our political party takes power, we will not forget you. Dar District will receive preferential treatment, and you will also gain a prominent position. One day you will become the leader of Dar District Leader, Ricky, and you will never regret what you did today. Do you regret it, now?" "I will never regret it for the rest of my life." Richie replied enthusiastically. "Now, you might as well go back to your father. You tell him we mean no harm to him, and that we hold him in high regard. You can tell him you found it out by your own investigations, or whatever you want. And If you come across any information that you think may be of use to us—particularly about psychohistory—be sure to let us know." "This bag is on me. But you said that Dahl will benefit in the future, are you sincere?" "Absolutely. Equality in the region, my boy. Equality in the world. We will root out all the evils of privilege and inequality and usher in a new empire." Richie nodded. "That's exactly what I was hoping for."