Chapter 28 Chapter One

Mandel Gullab was a happy man.At least it seemed so to Seldon.Seldon couldn't help stopping to watch him work during his morning exercise.Gu Lebo, about forty-five early fifties, a few years younger than Seldon, his skin is a little rough due to working in the open-air ground of the imperial garden for a long time, but he has a happy heart , with clean-shaven cheeks, rosy and slightly bald forehead, and sparse sandy brown hair.While humming a little tune softly, he checked the shrub leaves for signs of pests.He wasn't chief gardener, of course.The chief gardener of the Royal Garden is a high-ranking official who has his own magnificent office in the huge palace complex and has a large team of gardeners under him.The opportunity for him to personally inspect the imperial garden will not exceed once or twice a year.Gullock was only one member of the team of gardeners.His title, as far as Seldon knew, was Gardener First Class, earned through thirty years of hard work.

When his work came to an end on a nearly perfectly level gravel path, Seldon called to him: "It's another miraculously fine day, Grab." Guller raised his head and his eyes lit up. "Yes, what a beautiful day, Mr Prime Minister, and I feel sorry for those who shut themselves indoors all day." "You can tell me in." "I did not include you, Mr Prime Minister, and you are nothing to be sorry for. But if you were in those buildings in this weather, we lucky few would indeed You feel a little sorry." "I appreciate your sympathy, Gulpo, but do you feel sorry for all of us, knowing that we have four billion Trantorians living under the dome?"

"In fact, I'm sorry for them. I'm thankfully not of Trantorian blood myself, so I'm qualified to be a gardener. There are very few people on this planet who can work in the open air, and I happen to be one of the few One of the lucky few." "But the weather isn't always so ideal." "That's true. I've also worked in pouring rain and howling winds. But as long as you're dressed appropriately... look—" Guller opened his arms and smiled, as if wanting to embrace the vast space of the Royal Garden into the bosom. "Here I am with my friends—trees, grasses, and animals of all kinds—and everything thrives in this gigantic geometry, even in winter. Have you ever seen the geometry of the garden Appearance, Your Excellency Prime Minister?"

"I'm watching right now, aren't I?" "I mean unfolding the blueprints so that you can really see the beauty of it as a whole - it's incredible. It was designed by Tap Sawand more than a hundred years ago, until now Little has changed today. Tapp was a great horticulturist, the greatest of all—he's from the same planet as me." "It's Anacreon, isn't it?" "Exactly. It's a faraway planet, at the edge of the galaxy, where there's still a great wilderness, and a sweet life. I came here when I was a young lad, when the current chief gardener had just returned from The appointment was made in the hands of the old emperor. Of course, now they are discussing to redesign the garden."

Gu Lebo sighed deeply and shook his head, "That would be a mistake. The current layout is just right, well-proportioned, harmonious, and pleasing to the eye. However, it is also a fact that the imperial garden has been redesigned many times in history. Emperors Tired of the old and always looking for the new, as if the new must somehow be better. Our present-day lord, may he live forever, is planning a redesign with the chief gardener. At least, for now the gardener There are such rumors." He immediately added the last sentence, as if he was slightly disturbed by spreading the court gossip.

"It won't be implemented so soon." "I also hope not so fast, Mr. Prime Minister. If you have a chance to spare some precious time in your busy schedule, please study the design drawing of the garden. It is really beautiful. If I have the ability, I must not let Every plant and tree in this area of ​​hundreds of square kilometers has changed." Seldon smiled. "You're a very dedicated man, Gullock. I wouldn't be surprised if you were head gardener one day." "God bless me with such a misfortune. The head gardener has no fresh air, no view of nature, and forgets everything he has learned from nature. He lives there" -Gullaber contemptuously One finger—"And I don't think he can tell the difference between a bush and a stream, unless one of his subordinates takes him to experience it for himself."

For a moment, Guller seemed to want to spit to show his contempt, but couldn't find a suitable place to spit. Seldon smiled at it. "Guller, it's been a lot of fun talking to you. When I'm overwhelmed by the daily grind of business, it's a real pleasure to take a moment to listen to your philosophy of life." "Oh, Prime Minister, I'm no philosopher. I don't have much formal education." "You don't need any formal education to be a philosopher. Just positive thoughts and life experience. Listen, Gullab. I might promote you." "Just leave me alone, Prime Minister, and I can't thank you enough."

Seldon left with a broad smile on his face, but the smile faded when his thoughts returned to the problem he was facing now.Ten years as Prime Minister-Gullab would have risen to terrible heights of sympathy if he had known how sincerely Seldon was tired of his present position.And how could Gulbe know that Seldon's advances in psychohistorical techniques indicated that he was about to face a dilemma?