126 Beggars and Barbarians (2/2)
”Maybe not exactly here. Somewhere nearby.”
”And you're saying you're looking for a place to stay? You can't stay here.”
So that's it, Li Yang thought. He felt very sad. He'd been looking forward to sleeping in that bed.
”As for your colony plans,” said Morello. ”I must tell you the governor issues licenses only to people from our community. In other words, you won't be able to start a colony in his district. And from what I know, that's pretty much the case everywhere. Lots of people are very eager to give the New World a try. And everyone's got to to have enough space, enough land to grow a colony. I, personally, need a lot of space.”
He grinned at them, and continued:
”Because I'm a soft-hearted schmuck, I'll let you stay here tonight and get some rest. But you must be gone by noon tomorrow. Olga can stay,” he added, looking at Irina. ”Olga's okay. I can find a use for Olga.”
”But Terry,” said Irina, ”Those guys are so fucking stupid. They didn't tell you the most important thing. They want to start a mint.”
”So does everyone else.”
”They've got gold.”
”What?”
”They've brought metals with them. Gold, silver, and some copper. Correct?” she said, giving Li Yang and Jake a scornful look.
”Yes,” Jake said. Li Yang didn't dare look at him or Irina or Morello. He stared at the zebra hide on the wall.
Morello noticed.
”Hey, relax,” he said to Li Yang. ”It's plastic. Owning the real thing has been forbidden since forever. Irina says you got precious metals and that you want to start a mint here. Is that right?”
”Yes,” said Li Yang.
”Yes,” said Jake.
”What have you got?”
”Just a couple of kilos of gold and silver,” said Jake, ”And ten kilos of pure copper. That's all we could carry. We know where to get more, though.”
It took a great effort for Li Yang not to show any surprise when he heard that. Jake had told him the metal he'd brought was all that he had.
”I suppose you wouldn't want to tell me where you get it from,” said Morello.
”We wouldn't,” said Jake.
Morello nodded.
”That changes things,” he said. ”Or maybe not. We shall see. You're in luck. John Hardin is coming round for a drink with me tonight. He is our mayor in Cambridge and governor of our district. He really needs that drink, he's going to have a hell of a day tomorrow.”
”First of March,” said Jake.
”First of March,” agreed Morello. ”Okay, this is what we will do. You two jokers show up here again at eight thirty. Irina, can you make sure they're here?”
”Of course.”
”Good. Mr. Hardin will look you over, ask a few questions, and decide whether he wants you to pollute Cambridge with your presence. Got it?”
Yes, sir,” Li Yang and Jake said in unison.
”And now kindly fuck off,” said Morello. ”Not you, Irina. I need you to look at something.” He grinned at her.
”You'll find your way back? Good,” said Irina, without meeting their eyes or waiting for an answer. She added:
”I'll see you around a quarter past eight.”
They left with their heads hung low.
NOTICE
This work is available to read online exclusively at Webnovel.com.
If you are reading it at a different site, it has been copied and reproduced without the author's consent. The owner of that site is a thief.