IV.
The sergeant stopped the small company about a quarter of a mile fromthe city of Bari. His detachment numbered only ten but they were wellarmed with short swords and blunderbusses and wore mail and steelhelmets. On the face of it, they would have been a match for ten timesthis number of merchants.
It was hardly noon but the sergeant had obviously already been at hiswine flask. He leered at them. "And where do you think you go?"
The merchant who led the rest was a thin little man but he was richlyrobed and astride a heavy black mare. He said, "To Bari, soldier." Hedrew a paper from a pouch. "I hold this permission from Baron Mannerheimto pass through his lands with my people and chattels."
The leer turned mercenary. "Unfortunately, city man, I can't read. Whatdo you carry on the mules?"
"Personal property, which, I repeat, I have permission to transportover Baron Mannerheim's lands free from harassment from his followers."He added, in irritation, "The baron is a friend of mine, fond of thegifts I give him."
One of the soldiers grunted his skepticism, checked the flint on thelock of his piece, then looked at the sergeant suggestively.
The sergeant said, "As you say, merchant, my lord the baron is fond ofgifts. Aren't we all? Unfortunately, I have received no word of yourgroup. My instructions are to stop all intruders upon the baron's landsand, if there is resistance, to slay them and confiscate such propertiesas they may be carrying."
The merchant sighed and reached into a small pouch. The eyes of thesergeant drooped in greed. The hand emerged with two small coins. "Asyou say," the merchant muttered bitterly, "we are all fond of gifts.Will you do me the honor to drink my health at the tavern tonight?"
The sergeant said nothing, but his mouth slackened and he fondled thehilt of his sword.
The merchant sighed again and dipped once more into the pouch. This timehis hand emerged with half a dozen bits of silver. He handed them downto the other, complaining, "How can a man profit in his affairs if everyfew miles he must pass another outstretched hand?"
The sergeant growled, "You do not seem to starve, city man. Now, on yourway. You are fortunate I am too lazy today to bother going through yourthings. Besides," and he grinned widely, "the baron gave me personalinstructions not to bother you."
The merchant snorted, kicked his heels into his beast's sides and ledhis half dozen followers toward the city. The soldiers looked after themand howled their amusement. The money was enough to keep them soused fordays.
When they were out of earshot, Amschel Mayer grinned his amusement backover his shoulder at Jerome Kennedy. "How'd that come off, Jerry?"
The other sniffed, in mock deprecation. "You're beginning to fit intothe local merchant pattern better than the real thing. However, just forthe record, I had this, ah, grease gun, trained on them all the time."
Mayer frowned. "Only in extreme emergency, my dear Jerry. The baronwould be up in arms if he found a dozen of his men massacred on theoutskirts of Bari, and we don't want a showdown at this stage. It'staken nearly a year to build this part we act."
At this time of day the gates of the port city were open and the guardslounged idly. Their captain recognized Amschel Mayer and did no morethan nod respectfully.
They wended their way through narrow, cobblestoned streets, avoiding thecrowds in the central market area. They pulled up eventually before ahouse both larger and more ornate than its neighbors. Mayer and Kennedydismounted from the horses and left their care to the others.
Mayer beat with the heavy knocker on the door and a slot opened for aquick check of his identity. The door opened wide and Technician MartinGunther let them in.
"The others are here already?" Mayer asked him.
Gunther nodded. "Since breakfast. Baron Leonar, in particular, isimpatient."
Mayer said over his shoulder, "All right, Jerry, this is where we put itto them."
They entered the long conference room. A full score of men sat about theheavy wooden table. Most of them were as richly garbed as their host.Most of them in their middle years. All of them alert of eye. All ofthem confidently at ease.
* * * * *
Amschel Mayer took his place at the table's end and Jerome Kennedy sankinto the chair next to him. Mayer took the time to speak to each of hisguests individually, then he leaned back and took in the gathering as awhole. He said, "You probably realize that this group consists of thetwenty most powerful merchants on the continent."
Olderman nodded. "We have been discussing your purpose in bringing ustogether, Honorable Mayer. All of us are not friends." He twisted hisface in amusement. "In fact, very few of us are friends."
"There is no need for you to be," Mayer said snappishly, "but all aregoing to realize the need for co-operation. Honorables, I've just comefrom the city of Ronda. Although I'd paid heavily in advance to thethree barons whose lands I crossed. I had to bribe myself through adozen road-blocks, had to pay exorbitant rates to cross three ferries,and once had to fight off supposed bandits."
One of his guests grumbled, "Who were actually probably soldiers of thelocal baron who had decided that although you had paid him transit fee,it still might be profitable to go through your goods."
Mayer nodded. "Exactly, my dear Honorable, and that is why we'vegathered."
Olderman had evidently assumed spokesmanship for the others. Now he saidwarily, "I don't understand."
"Genoa, if you'll pardon the use of this name to signify the planet uponwhich we reside, will never advance until trade has been freed fromthese bandits who call themselves lords and barons."
Eyebrows reached for hairlines.
Olderman's eyes darted about the room, went to the doors. "Please," hesaid, "the servants."
"My servants are safe," Mayer said.
One of his guests was smiling without humor. "You seem to forget,Honorable Mayer, that I carry the title of baron."
Mayer shook his head. "No, Baron Leonar. But neither do you disagreewith what I say. The businessman, the merchant, the manufacturer onGenoa today, is only tolerated. Were it not for the fact that the baronshave no desire to eliminate such a profitable source of income, theywould milk us dry overnight."
Someone shrugged. "That is the way of things. We are lucky to havewrested, bribed and begged as many favors from the lords as we have. Ourtwenty cities all have charters that protect us from completedespoilation."
Mayer twisted excitedly in his chair. "As of today, things begin tochange. Jerry, that platen press."
Jerry Kennedy left the room momentarily and returned with Martin Guntherand two of the servants. While the assembled merchants looked on, inpuzzled silence, Mayer's assistants set up the press and a stand holdingtwo fonts of fourteen-point type. Jerry took up a printer's stick andgave running instructions as he demonstrated. Gunther handed aroundpieces of the type until all had examined it, while his colleague set upseveral lines. Kennedy transposed the lines to a chase, locked it up andplaced the form to one side while he demonstrated inking the smallpress, which was operated by a foot pedal. He mounted the form in thepress, took a score of sheets of paper and rapidly fed them, one by one.When they were all printed, he stopped pumping and Gunther handed thestill wet finished product around to the audience.
Olderman stared down at the printed lines, scowled in concentration, wethis lips in sudden comprehension.
But it was merchant Russ who blurted, "This will revolutionize theinscribing of books. Why, it can well take it out of the hands of theTemple! With such a machine I could make a hundred books--"
Mayer was beaming. "Not a hundred, Honorable, but a hundred thousand!"
The others stared at him as though he was demented. "A hundredthousand," one said. "There are not that many literate persons on thecontinent."
"There will be," Mayer crowed. "This is but one of our levers to prypower from the barons. And here is another." He turned to Russ."Honorable Russ, your city is noted for the fine quality of its steel,of the swords and a
rmor you produce."
Russ nodded. He was a small man fantastically rich in his attire. "Thisis true, Honorable Mayer."
Mayer said, tossing a small booklet to the other, "I have here the plansfor a new method of making steel from pig iron. The Bessemer method,we'll call it. The principle involved is the oxidation of the impuritiesin the iron by blowing air through the molten metal."
Amschel Mayer turned to still another. "And your town is particularlynoted for its fine textiles." He looked to his assistants. "Jerry, youand Gunther bring in those models of the power loom and the spinningjenny."
While they were gone, he said, "My intention is to assist you to speedup production. With this in mind, you'll appreciate the automatic flyingshuttle that we'll now demonstrate."
Kennedy and Gunther re-entered accompanied by four servants and a massof equipment. Kennedy muttered to Amschel Mayer, "I feel like theinstructor of a handicrafts class."
Half an hour later, Kennedy and Gunther wound up passing out pamphletsto the awed merchant guests. Kennedy said, "This booklet will givedetails on construction of the equipment and its operation."
Mayer pursed his lips. "Your people will be able to assimilate only sofast, so we won't push them. Later, you'll be interested in introducingthe mule spinning frame, among other items."
He motioned for the servants to remove the printing press and textilemachinery. "We now come to probably the most important of the devices Ihave to introduce to you today. Because of size and weight, I've hadconstructed only a model. Jerry!"
Jerry Kennedy brought to the heavy table a small steam engine, clever inits simplicity. He had half a dozen attachments for it. Within momentshe had the others around him, as enthusiastic as a group of youngsterswith a new toy.
"By the Supreme," Baron Leonar blurted, "do you realize this devicecould be used instead of waterpower to operate a mill to power the loomdemonstrated an hour ago?"
Honorable Russ was rubbing the side of his face thoughtfully. "It mighteven be adapted to propel a coach. A coach without horses.Unbelievable!"
Mayer chuckled in excitement and clapped his hands. A servant enteredwith a toy wagon which had been slightly altered. Martin Gunther liftedthe small engine, placed it in position atop the wagon, connected itquickly and threw a lever. The wagon moved smoothly forward, the firstengine-propelled vehicle of Genoa's industrial revolution.
Martin Gunther smiled widely at Russ. "You mean like this, Honorable?"
Half an hour later they were re-seated, before each of them a small pileof pamphlets, instructions, plans, blueprints.
Mayer said, "I have just one more device to bring to your attention atthis time. I wish it were unnecessary but I am afraid otherwise."
He held up for their inspection, a forty-five-caliber bullet. JerryKennedy handed around samples to the merchants. They fingered them inpuzzlement.
"Honorables," Mayer said, "the barons have the use of gunpowder. Musketsand muzzleloading cannon are available to them both for their warsagainst each other and their occasional attacks upon our supposedlyindependent cities. However, this is an advancement on their weapons.This unit includes not only the bullet's lead, but the powder and thecap which will explode it."
They lacked understanding, and showed it.
Mayer said, "Jerry, if you'll demonstrate."
Jerry Kennedy said, "The bullet can be adapted to various weapons,however, this is one of the simplest." He pressed, one after another, afull twenty rounds into the gun's clip.
"Now, if you'll note the silhouette of a man I've drawn on the woodenframe at the end of the room." He pressed the trigger, sent a singleshot into the figure.
Olderman nodded. "An improvement in firearms. But--"
Kennedy said, "However, if you are confronted with more than one of thebad guys." He grinned and flicked the gun to full automatic and in aGotterdammerung of sound in the confines of the room, emptied the clipinto his target sending splinters and chips flying and all butdemolishing the wooden backdrop.
His audience sat back in stunned horror at the demonstration.
Mayer said now, "The weapon is simple to construct, any competentgunsmith can do it. It is manifest, Honorables, that with your people soequipped your cities will be safe from attack and so will tradingcaravans and ships."
Russ said shakily, "Your intention is good, Honorable Mayer, however itwill be but a matter of time before the barons have solved the secretsof your weapon. Such cannot be held indefinitely. Then we would again beat their mercy."
"Believe me, Honorable," Mayer said dryly, "by that time I will have newweapons to introduce, if necessary. Weapons that make this one a verytoy in comparison."
Olderman resumed his office as spokesman. "This demonstration hasastounded us, Honorable Mayer, but although we admire your abilities itneed hardly be pointed out that it seems unlikely all this could be theproduct of one brain."
"They are not mine," Mayer admitted. "They are the products of manyminds."
"But where--?"
The Earthman shook his head. "I don't believe I will tell you now."
"I see." The Genoese eyed him emotionlessly. "Then the questionbecomes, _why_?"
Mayer said, "It may be difficult for you to see, but the introduction ofeach of these will be a nail in feudalism's coffin. Each will increaseeither production or trade and such increase will lead to the overthrowof feudal society."
Baron Leonar, who had remained largely silent throughout the afternoon,now spoke up. "As you said earlier, although I am a lord myself, myinterests are your own. I am a merchant first. However, I am not sure Iwant the changes these devices will bring. Frankly, Honorable Mayer, Iam satisfied with my world as I find it today."
Amschel Mayer smiled wryly at him. "I am afraid you _must_ adapt tothese new developments."
The baron said coldly, "Why? I do not like to be told I must dosomething."
"Because, my dear baron, there are three continents on the planet ofGenoa. At present there is little trade due to inadequate shipping. Butthe steam engine I introduce today will soon propel larger craft thanyou have ever built before."
Russ said, "What has this to do with our being forced to use thesedevices?"
"Because I have colleagues on the other continents busily introducingthem. If you don't adapt, in time competitors will invade your markets,capture your trade, drive you out of business."
Mayer wrapped it up. "Honorables, modernize or go under. It's each manfor himself and the devil take the hindmost, if you'll allow a sayingfrom another era."
They remained silent for a long period. Finally Olderman stated bluntly,"The barons are not going to like this."
Jerry Kennedy grinned. "Obviously, that's why we've introduced you tothe tommy gun. It's not going to make any difference if they like it ornot."
Russ said musingly, "Pressure will be put to prevent the introduction ofthis equipment."
"We'll meet it," Mayer said, shifting happily in his seat.
Russ added, "The Temple is ever on the side of the barons. The monkswill fight against innovations that threaten to disturb the presentway."
Mayer said, "Monks usually do. How much property is in the hands of theTemple?"
Russ admitted sourly, "The monks are the greatest landlords of all. Iwould say at least one third of the land and the serfs belong to theTemple."
"Ah," Mayer said. "We must investigate the possibilities of aReformation. But that can come later. Now I wish to expand on my reasonfor gathering you.
"Honorables, Genoa is to change rapidly. To survive, you will have tomove fast. I have not introduced these revolutionary changes withoutself-interest. Each of you are free to use them to his profit, however,I expect a thirty per cent interest."
There was a universal gasp.
Olderman said, "Honorable Mayer, you have already demonstrated yourdevices. What is there to prevent us from playing you false?"
Mayer laughed. "My dear Olderman, I have other inventions to reveal asrapidly as yo
u develop the technicians, the workers, capable of buildingand operating them. If you cheat me now, you will be passed by nexttime."
Russ muttered, "Thirty per cent! Your wealth will be unbelievable."
"As fast as it accumulates, Honorables, it shall be invested. Forinstance, I have great interest in expanding our inadequateuniversities. The advances I expect will only be possible if we educatethe people. Field serfs are not capable of running even that simplesteam engine Jerry demonstrated."
Baron Leonar said, "What you contemplate is mind-shaking. Do Iunderstand that you wish a confederation of all our cities? A joiningtogether to combat the strength of the present lords?"
Mayer was shaking his head. "No, no. As the barons lose power, each ofyour cities will strengthen and possibly expand to become nations.Perhaps some will unite. But largely you will compete against each otherand against the nations of the other continents. In such competitionyou'll have to show your mettle, or go under. Man develops at hisfastest when pushed by such circumstance."
The Earthling looked off, unseeing, into a far corner of the room. "Atleast, so is my contention. Far away from here a colleague is trying toprove me wrong. We shall see."