12232
第二回 萬方多難此登臨
Chapter 2: I have climbed up here from a world of endless trouble.
月球轉航中心是棟拱柱圓穹的建築，佔地約四萬坪，穹頂最高處離地面有五十公尺。內部裝潢得美輪美奐，一律採用月球上的高級建材，顯得雄麗罕匹、脫俗出塵。
The Moon Transit Center building consists of abutment columns and a dome. It covers an area of approximately 40,000 ping. The highest point of the dome is 50 meters above ground. The interior is beautifully decorated, using the finest building materials on the Moon, and displays a matchless, unconventional splendor.
地面舖的是一公尺見方、磨得晶瑩剔透的「月玉」。巧妙的是，走道兩旁都置有雅黃色的螢光燈，令月玉半透明的表層下，閃動著淺淺的光暈。月玉光暈有種特性，在交角三十度時，會產生霧濛濛的虛影，人走在其上，頗有漫步雲端的情趣。
The floor is covered with “Moon Jade”, each piece one-meter square and finely polished to a shining and translucent finish. On both sides of the hallway, cleverly installed fluorescent lamps emit a soft yellow light. Under this lighting, the surface of the semi-translucent Moon Jade gleams with a soft hue. A unique characteristic of Moon Jade is that wherever a 30-degree angle is formed, a fog-like phantom is produced. Walking on it, one has a sensation of strolling on clouds.
走道附近還有不少刻意栽培的花草，由於月球的重力比地球小六倍，這些花草都長得極為高大，繽紛簇映，幽香豔色。其中最為人喜愛的，是一種名叫「月姑娘」的草本植物。葉子呈淡藍色，圓形素沿，看上去很像一輪明月。
A great many shrubs and flowers have been especially planted around the walkway. Because the gravity on the Moon is 6 times less than that on Earth, these plants are extremely large in size. The clusters, fragrant and brightly colored, are found in rich variety. Among them, the most desirable plant is named the “Moon Lady”. Its light blue leaves are round and edged with white, giving them the appearance of a full moon.
路上行人不少，經常可以看到一些神思恍惚的夢遊人，還停留在迷離幻境之中。這時，總會有人好心地上前察視，看看是否能把他們喚回現實。幸好能到月球來的人，都是電腦當局篩選過的知識份子，大不了迷糊一陣子。在地球上情況就嚴重得多，文祥曾見過有人當眾醜態百出，人格尊嚴掃地，這也是他寧願遠離人群的原因之一。
Many pedestrians throng the walkway. It is not unusual to see individuals who seem to be walking in their sleep. They are still tangled in a welter of confusing circumstances. On such occasions, there would always be some kind-hearted person who would approach them to see if they could draw these sleepwalkers back to reality. Fortunately, those who come to the Moon are intellectuals selected by the Computer Authority Bureau. At most they will only experience a short period of confusion. However, this situation is much more serious on Earth. Wen Xiang has seen people make fools of themselves in public, completely losing their dignity. This is one of the reasons why he’d rather stay clear of people.
這裡有各種商店，人們逛商店本是一種懷舊的享受，真正的樂趣，卻在討價還價的過程。店裡的服務員，不論是真人還是生化人，都很親切地與顧客周旋。買賣結帳則由電腦處理，絕無不法的可能。因為不僅電子偵測系統無所不在，而且個人的經濟狀況，全都在電腦嚴密的掌控中，一進一出錙銖必較，絲毫不差。
There are many stores here. Window-shopping is a luxury reminiscent of the past. The real fun lies in bargaining. The sales people in the stores, no matter if they are real people or biochemical people, warmly greet each customer. Sales records are handled by computer so there is no possibility of any slip up. Not only is there an ubiquitous electronic surveillance system, but an individual's financial status is also strictly controlled by computer. Every sum earned or spent is accounted for right down to the last penny.
雖說電腦食譜變化繁多，文祥在吃了半年的自製食物後，總難免想換一下口味。他東張西望，最後看中了一家中國餐館，在一排西式建築中，紅牆綠瓦、飛簷雕棟，顯得十分搶眼。尤其那一面高挑的酒旆，上面還有一行草書：「玉兔金桂怡人香酒」，無風自動，更是招搖。
Although the computer menu offers many choices, after eating his own cooking for half a year, it was not surprising that Wen Xiang wanted to try something else for a change. He looked around and finally decided on a Chinese restaurant. In a row of western-style buildings, this red wall, green tile structure with extending eaves and carved columns and panels, was very eye-catching. Especially a flag, suspended up high, with a line of cursive script announcing, “Jade Rabbit, Golden Laurel, Alluring Fine Wine”. Even more striking was the fact that it was moving without the help of any breeze.
正中金字招牌上大書「月樓」二字，門前有一對朱紅的石獅子，雕工精細，神采生動。左右分立兩根合抱的朱紅圓柱，材質非木非玉，只見柱中光華流動，變幻不停。真正令人矚目的，則是門內那兩扇縷空的碧玉屏風，一扇是吳剛伐桂，另一扇則是嫦娥奔月。文祥搖了搖頭，覺得這種雕鏤繢飾是華貴有餘而韻味不足。管他呢！反正是來進餐的，俗不俗，還不是一樣進了消化系統？
In the center of the overhead panel, two large gold characters read: “Moon Tower”. Outside the front door, there was a pair of red stone lions, so exquisitely carved as to seem real. On either side of the door stood two round red pillars, each two arms length in circumference. They were composed of a material that was neither wood nor jade. A magnificent light could be seen flowing within the pillar, endlessly mutating in shape and color. What really caught the eye were two open-work carved jade screen panels, just inside the entrance. One panel depicted Wu Gang cutting the laurel tree, and the other depicted Chang E escaping to the Moon. Wen Xiang shook his head, feeling ornate carving of this kind was too overwrought and lacking in taste. But who was he to care? After all, he was only here for something to eat. Vulgar or not, as always, the food would pass into his digestive system.
文祥剛跨進大門，一位身著唐裝的侍者便迎了上來：「客倌，幾位？」
As Wen Xiang stepped through the door, a waiter dressed in Chinese costume approached him: “How many, sir?”
「就我一人。」文祥看了一下四周，問道：「有沒有清靜一點的雅座？」
“Just one.” Wen Xiang looked around and asked, “Do you have a quieter section?”
那侍者正仔細打量著文祥，突然他興奮地大叫：「你不是剛才那位……」
The waiter narrowed his eyes and studied Wen Xiang. Suddenly, he exclaimed, “Aren’t you the guy that just ….”
人人聞聲驚顧，文祥知道這一來麻煩大了。所幸他早有準備，立刻接口道：「你也看了轉播？那是我的孿生弟弟，我正要去找他。」
Everyone heard this and turned around to look in awe. Wen Xiang knew this meant trouble. Fortunately, he was prepared for this and he quickly said, “You saw the broadcast? That was my twin brother. Right now I'm trying to find him.”
「真的？令弟真有種，新聞說他只受了輕傷。你找到他以後，千萬要帶他來敝店，全部免費招待。」
“Really? Your brother really has guts. The news said he was only slightly hurt. When you find him, make sure you bring him here to our restaurant. Everything will be on the house.”
正在用餐的客人聽了，莫不大聲叫好，紛紛起立，向文祥致意。
All the customers who heard this loudly voiced their approval. Here and there people stood up to greet Wen Xiang.
角落上還有一人舉杯對文祥說：「有種！有種！恭喜你！」
A person in the corner even raised his glass to Wen Xiang and said: “Gutsy, very gutsy. Congratulations!”
文祥向他道了謝，又對侍者說：「我那個弟弟就是喜歡冒險，這算不了什麼！」
Wen Xiang thanked him and turned to the waiter: “That brother of mine gets a kick out of putting his life on the line. It wasn't anything, really!”
「算不了什麼？為我漢家兒爭光呀！」
“Wasn't anything? He's brought great honor to us Chinese!”
「爭光？怎麼你到現在還有人種歧視？」
“Honor? You mean you're still prejudiced against other races?”
「客倌！什麼人種歧視？那是舊時代的政治口號！老實說，誰不歧視誰？現在不談國家了，可是膚色歧視還在，有人把皮膚漂白了，又有氣味歧視！我說為漢家兒爭光，可是真心誠意的。這年頭生意不好做，人人都躲在家裡做春秋大夢。好不容易有了個大新聞，又是漢家人，大家出來聚聚，小店才有點人氣，好氣死我的法國芳鄰……」
“Sir! Racial prejudice? That was a political slogan from the old days. Actually, who isn’t prejudiced? Though we no longer talk about nations, there's still prejudice against the color of a person's skin. Some people have bleached their skin, and prejudice against odor still exists! When I said he brought great honor to us Chinese, I really meant it. It's hard to do business nowadays. People would rather stay home and dream their timeless dreams. At last we have a big story and the hero is Chinese. People are coming out, getting together. My little restaurant is lively, and that's sure to annoy my French neighbor no end…"
侍者邊說邊帶路，這時已經上了二樓，他轉身神秘地對文祥說：「您可知道，令弟的盤口是多少？」
As he was talking, the waiter led Wen Xiang to the second floor. He turned to Wen Xiang and asked furtively: “Did you know the odds against your brother?”
「盤口？什麼盤口？」
“Odds? What odds?”
「大夥都在賭呀，我賭他是一級輕傷，盤口是五賠一。」
“Everyone was betting. I bet that he would be lightly wounded. The odds were 5 to 1.”
文祥一聽，大倒胃口，再想想又覺得這些人也真可憐。生命原本為了生存，現在生命的意義不知何在，日復一日地活著，不找些短暫的目標，又待如何？自己呢？一個任務接著一個任務，不就是為了讓他們生活得興奮些，提供一點麻醉資訊嗎？
Wen Xiang was disgusted when he heard this. However, when he thought about it, he felt sorry for these people. The original purpose of life was survival. Today, with the meaning of life nowhere to be found, people still live on from day to day. If they don't find some short term goals, what were they to do? And what about himself? One mission after another. Wasn't it just to spice up the lives of others by given them with a little narcotizing information?
文祥就座後，侍者把垂簾放下，大廳中人物若隱若現，馬上感覺安靜了許多。雅座的另一端靠窗，窗前有透空的雕花欄干。文祥點了菜，便悠閒地俯瞰窗外往來穿梭的行人，一面回想方才遭隕石襲擊的經過。突然聽到背後悉悉索索的，他回頭一看，桌子另一端，已經坐了一位十來歲的少女，身著火紅勁裝，正目不轉睛地瞪著他。
After Wen Xiang was seated, the waiter let the curtain down. The figures in the lobby couldn't be seen distinctly. It immediately seemed much quieter. There was a window at the other end of the seat, facing a see-through, carved balustrade. Wen Xiang ordered his food and then casually watched the people passing back and forth outside his window, thinking about what had happened when the meteorite struck him. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound behind him. When he turned to look, a teenage girl was sitting at the other end of the table. She wore a bright red dress, and was looking intently at Wen Xiang.
這位少女長得相當可愛，其實在基因工程發達的今天，想找一個長相不佳的醜人，只怕比登天還難。好在各人的審美觀還有差別，否則人人成了一個模子範出來的複製品。文祥比較喜歡圓臉，而這位少女，不僅臉很圓，眼睛也圓，連嘴角也是向上翹起的圓弧。
This young girl was quite cute. Actually, now that genetic engineering was so advanced, trying to find a person of ill-favored appearance was far more difficult than going into space. Fortunately, people still had some different ideas regarding beauty. If not, everyone would be a copy of the same model. Wen Xiang liked a round face. This young girl not only had a very round face, her eyes were round, as well. Even the corners of her mouth curved upwards.
「小姐，我認識妳嗎？」文祥被看得有點不好意思了。
“Young lady, do I know you?” Wen Xiang was a little embarrassed by her stare.
「應該！不過這並不重要，我認識你！」
“You should! But that's not important. I know you!”
「不！妳認錯了！」文祥連忙解釋：「那是我弟弟，我們長得很像。」
“No. You’re mistaken!” Wen Xiang explained hurriedly: “That was my brother. We look very much alike.”
「別來這一套，首先我們約法一章，你如果不同意，我立刻就走！」
“Knock it off. For starters, let's make a deal. If you refuse, I’ll leave right this minute!”
文祥見少女態度直爽，笑說：「妳說說看。」
Wen Xiang noted this girl was very straightforward. He smiled: “Shoot.”
「把電腦關掉！我最討厭他們說小話，更討厭那些聽小話的人。」
“Turn off the computer! I hate their whispering. Even more, I hate people who listen to them.”
文祥大吃一驚，他從來沒有想過這個問題，關掉電腦？是呀，為什麼不可以？怎麼自己從來沒有想到？當然，自己與文娃相處甚歡，加上一個人獨處慣了，沒有電腦，恐怕連生活都有問題。
Wen Xiang was caught by surprise. He had never thought about this question. Turn off the computer? Sure, why not? How come he'd never thought about it? Of course, he was very comfortable in Wen Wa’s company. Besides, he was used to being alone. Without a computer, life would probably be very hard.
文祥有些不忍，對少女說：「我叫她不要表示意見就是，再說，只要微波所及，就是電腦的眼睛，沒有什麼瞞得過她的。」
Wen Xiang couldn't bring himself to do it, so he said to the girl, “I’ll just tell her to be quiet. Besides, wherever microwaves can reach, the eyes of the computer will be there as well. There's no fooling her.”
「你搞錯了，我不是要隱瞞什麼，只是這個世界蠢蛋太多，人人耳朵裡裝了個電腦，隨時就有小道命令，鬧得你根本搞不清面前到底算是個人，還是傀儡。」
“You’re mistaken. I don’t have anything to hide. It's just that there are so many fools in the world. Everyone has a computer implant in his or her ear. Whispered orders can arrive at any moment. It's become so confusing that you never know if the person you're with is a human being or puppet.”
文祥料不到居然有人會這樣想，這話相當有理，但他還是覺得沒有這個必要，便對少女說：「對不起，我不能關。」
It had never occurred to Wen Xiang there were people who thought this way. Her words made sense. However, he felt there was no need, so he said to the girl, “I’m sorry, I can’t turn it off.”
少女一聽，立刻起身，回頭就走。臨下樓時，還撂下一句話：「白跑一趟！原來也是個沒有靈魂的假機器人。」
When the girl heard this, she stood right up and left. Before she went downstairs, she left him with these words: “Wild goose chase! Just another phony robot without a soul.”
對這位莽撞的少女，文祥一笑了事，心想這女孩說的不錯，一般人多半如此。自己之所以憤世嫉俗，正是不恥與這類假機器人交往。可是，自己從來不受電腦控制，文娃也沒想控制過自己，難道不把她關掉，就代表沒有自我意志嗎？
Wen Xiang just laughed off her rudeness. But she had a point. Most people were like this. The reason why he was cynical was because he despised the company of phony robots. But no computer had ever controlled him. Wen Wa never thought of controlling him. Did it mean that by not turning her off, he had lost his own will?
管他呢！這種人少沾惹為妙，至於說可愛的女孩，只要開得出條件，任多理想的，都可以在夢中招之即來，揮之即去，又何必在真實世界自找麻煩。
Never mind! Better stay away from people like that. As for cute girls, as long as one could specify the qualifications, in dreams any kind of ideal girl could either be summoned or dismissed. Why ask for trouble in the real world?
可是文祥還是忍不住，他從雕花扶手探頭往下偷看。除了三兩行人外，在石獅子一側，有兩個人斜身靠著獅腹，一個上套迷彩太空裝，下身是白長褲，另一個披著一件風衣。少女甫出大門，兩人立刻迎了上去，三人交換了幾句話，便一同向西口走去。
But, Wen Xiang couldn't help it. He sneaked a glance down through the carved railing. Aside from 2 or 3 pedestrians, there were two people leaning against one of the stone lions. One wore a camouflage space suit with white trousers; the other was wearing a cape. As soon as the girl emerged from the door, they both went up to her. After exchanging a few words, the three of them headed for the west exit.
「文娃！妳知道他們是什麼人？」文祥心中一動，原來她還有同夥！
“Wen Wa! Do you know who they are?” Wen Xiang’s heart missed a beat. So someone was with her after all!
「知道。」
“Yes, I do.”
「怎麼？能不能告訴我？」文祥知道自我的分際，只要是電腦不能說的事，連問都不必再問。
“Well? Can you tell me?” Wen Xiang understood the limits. If the computer was forbidden to discuss anything, there was no use asking.
「不是不能說，是我們還有些疑問。」
“It's not that I can't say, it's just that there are still some questions about them.”
文祥點的「桂香雞丁」上來了。電腦不願說，人卻不受限制，文祥便問那侍者：「剛才有位紅衣少女，在這裡坐了一會，你認識她嗎？」
Wen Xiang's order, “Diced Chicken with Laurel Flavor” was delivered to his table. If the computer wouldn't talk about it, such restrictions didn't apply to people. Wen Xiang asked the waiter: “Just now a young girl in red sat here for a while. Do you know her?”
那侍者伸伸舌頭，說：「客倌，你一定是新來的，還是去找令弟吧！這裡來往的人很複雜，別自找麻煩！」
The waiter licked his lips and said, “Sir, you must be new around here. Why don't you just look for your brother! All kinds of people come here. Don’t go looking for trouble!”
「會有什麼麻煩？」
“What kind of trouble?”
「你知道火星盛會吧？這次各路好漢雲集，據說外太空也有生物參加，誰知道呢？像我這種小人物，連真人、生化人、機器人都分不清楚。前些日子，電腦當局派偵防機來調查，說我店裡有外星人，害得我生意都做不成了。」侍者拉拉雜雜地說到這裡，突然又上上下下打量文祥：「客倌，你不是外星人吧？至少，我知道令弟是地球人。」
“You know about the conference on Mars? This time, adventurers of every stripe will be there. It is said that even the extra-terrestrials will be there. Who knows? A nobody like myself can't tell the difference between real people, biochemical people, and robots. Some time back, the Computer Authority Bureau sent surveillance devices to reconnoiter this area and they reported there were aliens in my restaurant. It's ruined my business.” Suddenly in the midst of his rambling chatter, the waiter looked closely at Wen Xiang. “Sir, you’re not an alien, are you? At least, I know your brother is from planet Earth.”
「這樣說來，你見過外星人囉？」
“So you’ve seen aliens?”
「見個鬼咧！他們說外星人會佔據人的腦波，不用儀器是看不出來的。」
“Seen them! Hell, they say aliens can take control of a person's brain waves. Without use of an instrument, you can't tell the difference.”
「還要派偵防機？電眼不是到處都有嗎？」
“They used surveillance devices? Aren’t there electronic eyes everywhere?”
「就是呀！我們先前也以為電腦神通廣大，現在才知道，道高一尺，魔高一丈！」
“That’s right. We used to think the computer was so powerful it could do
anything. Now we know that no matter how powerful the computer may be, there is another force that is even more powerful.
侍者走後，文祥問文娃：「他說的是真的嗎？」
After the waiter left, Wen Xiang asked Wen Wa: “Was he telling the truth?”
「你知道我是不能評論任何人的。」
“You know I'm not permitted to comment on people.”
文祥與人隔絕太久了，又一直把文娃當做最好的朋友，是以沒經思索脫口就問。其實這個道理他是知道的，在二○二四宣言中，明定私用電腦只能提供資訊服務，不可作任何判斷。由於每個人的智力水準不一，以致對電腦所提供的資訊，理解程度也有不同。再加上各人的主觀意識，同樣一件事實，還是會有各種不同的解讀。
Wen Xiang had been away from the company of people too long. He had always regarded Wen Wa as his best friend. That's why he had spoken before thinking. Actually he knew the rules of the game. In the 2024 Declaration, it was clearly stated that personal computers were limited to information service. They were not allowed to make any judgement. Since each person is endowed with a different level of intelligence, their ability to comprehend information provided by their computer, was also different. When combined with each person's subjective views, a single incident could provoke a multitude of different interpretations.
當然，文祥又與一般人不同，他身負電腦所賦與的任務，常常需要與文娃溝通。但是除了任務以外的事，尤其是人際交往，文娃總知道分寸，絕不插口。
Of course, Wen Xiang was not your average person. His mission was to carry out assignments issued by the computer and that meant keeping in constant touch with Wen Wa. However, aside from talking about his assignments, especially when it came to socializing with people, Wen Wa tactfully never made any comment.
鄰座還有三個客人，一對穿著日式和服的中年夫婦，正和另一位西裝革履的男子高談闊論。如今只要是公共場所，都設有聲音調控器，如果嫌別人太吵，開啟音障設備即可隔音。文祥一時好奇，不僅不開，反而拉長耳朵，想聽聽最近一般人所關心的話題。
Three guests still remained at an adjoining table. A middle-aged woman wearing a Japanese kimono and a man in a tailored suit were talking enthusiastically. In this day and age, all public areas are equipped with a device for volume control. If one feels those around him have become too noisy, a sound block device can be activated and soundproofing will immediately go into effect. But at this moment, Wen Xiang was curious, so he didn't turn it on. On the contrary, he strained his ears, hoping to hear what people were interested in nowadays.
文祥聽了一會，原來那對日本夫妻，男的叫平和謙二，女的是洋子。平和謙二是一個劇作家，他的作品「火星怪獸」已經連續兩週在奇情寬頻網路上奪魁。這次帶著妻子，與該片導演佐佐木同去火星旅遊。他們談來談去，不外乎想盡各種點子，要把怪獸描述得更駭人聽聞，大有不嚇死人不肯干休的態勢。
After listening for a while, Wen Xiang learned the names of the Japanese couple. The husband's name was Hirawa Kenji and the wife was Yoko. Hirawa Kenji was a playwright. His work, “Monsters from Mars”, had been ranked number one in the broadband Internet "Fantasy" category for two consecutive weeks. Now he had brought his wife and, Sasaki, the film director on a trip to Mars. They talked of nothing but how to make the monster more fearsome and menacing. It sounded like they didn't intend to stop until some people had been frightened to death.
在他們一側的另一桌，有兩男兩女四個白人也在談話，而且個個愁眉鎖眼的，好像有什麼不能解決的事。文祥聽不到他們的聲音，這表示他們啟動了隔音障。
At another table next to them, four Caucasians, two men and two women, were also talking. Frowning, they seemed faced with some insoluble problem. Wen Xiang couldn't hear them, which meant they had activated the sound block.
平和謙二說：「佐佐木君的手法太保守了，可以再勇武些。」
Hirawa Kenji said: “Mr. Sasaki is too conservative in his approach. He needs to be bolder.”
佐佐木不以為然：「過分！是怪獸要多多加強。」
Sasaki didn't agree: “You exaggerate! It’s the monster that needs improvement.”
「在摩天大樓上，怪獸可以用三個。」
“On the skyscraper, we could use 3 monsters.”
「洋子也不能同意吧？」佐佐木對洋子說。
“Surely Yoko doesn't agree?” Sasaki asked Yoko.
「最好聽聽觀眾的意見。」洋子彎身說。
“Better get an audience opinion,” said Yoko, bowing as she spoke.
「觀眾？在哪裡？」
“Audience? Where?”
佐佐木看看左邊只有文祥一個人，而右側則有四位，但他也發現那邊沒有聲音。便伸過手去，拍拍一位黃衣女郎的後肩，示意她取消隔音障。
Sasaki looked to his left. There was only Wen Xiang, sitting by himself, and there were only four people on their right. However, he found he couldn't hear any sound from that side, either. He reached out his hand and touched the shoulder of a woman in yellow, indicating he wanted her to cancel the sound block.
那位女郎猶豫了一會，最後還是按了鈕，回過身來問道：「請問有什麼事？」
The woman hesitated for a moment, but finally pushed the button, and turning to him asked, “What do you want?”
佐佐木打量了那女郎一會，滿面堆歡地說：「女士，美麗得很哪！」
Sasaki eyed the woman for minute and smiling broadly said, "Madame, you are very beautiful!”
女郎無動於衷，冷冷地說：「這是摩登ｇｈ號第三○二八號模式，還有什麼事？」
Unimpressed, the woman said coldly: “This is a Modern gh model 3028. Anything else?”
「女士誤會了。」佐佐木連忙解釋：「我是火星怪獸的導演，佐佐木。」
“Madam, you misunderstand.” Sasaki explained hurriedly. “I’m Sasaki, the director of 'Monsters from Mars'”
他滿以為這一來一定會引起騷動，沒想到那三個人連頭都沒有抬一下。
He thought this announcement would rouse some interest, but the other 3 people didn't even look up.
「怎樣？」女郎也不以為意。
“So?” The woman wasn't impressed, either.
佐佐木大為不解，居然這些人有眼無珠！
Sasaki was puzzled. How could anyone fail to recognize him!
「妳沒看過火星怪獸？」
“Haven’t you seen 'Monsters from Mars'?”
「沒看過！」
“No, I haven’t!”
「怎麼會？那他們看過沒有？」佐佐木指指女郎身後的三個人。
“How come? How about them? Have they seen it?” Sasaki pointed at the 3 people behind the woman.
「都沒看過，好吧？對不起，我們很忙！」
“None of us have seen it, o.k? Excuse me, but we’re very busy!”
女郎提高了聲調，另外三個人也聽見了，六隻眼睛直瞪著佐佐木。一位年紀較輕的男士，把隔音障關了，傾過身問女郎道：「親愛的，什麼事？這個小日本找妳麻煩？」
The woman raised her voice so the other 3 people could hear. Six eyes were now fixed on Sasaki. A younger gentleman turned off his sound block and leaned over to ask the woman: “Darling, what's up? Is this little Jap bothering you?”
「豈有此理！什麼小日本？」日本人在二十世紀後期，曾經創造過輝煌一時的泡沫經濟。但囿於前瞻性的眼光太淺，過度依賴生產技術，經過千僖年的經濟蕭條，已是一蹶不振。最近電腦的分子工程大興，又一舉將日本精密工業淘汰精光。曾有一份電子報導，調侃現在的日本人是名符其實的「小日本」，惹得日本人心火難泯。
“What's this? What do you mean 'little Jap'?” During the latter part of the 20th century, the Japanese had for a while created a glorious economic bubble. However, they lacked the necessary vision and in their short sightedness had depended too much on their product technology. After the recession at the end of the millennium, Japan had gone downhill. Recently, computer molecular engineering had taken off with the result that the Japanese precision industry had been driven from market, once and for all. An electronic report had made fun of the Japanese, saying they had now really become "little Japs". The Japanese were furious.
平和謙二本來只在一旁聽著，這時忍不住恨恨地說：「不要小看小日本，有本事就不要看我們的火星怪獸！」
Hirawa Kenji had been sitting there, listening. But now he couldn't keep the hatred from his voice as he said, “Don’t underestimate us little Japs. See if you can resist watching our Monsters from Mars!”
「什麼火星怪獸？」那青年一頭霧水。
“What Monsters from Mars?” The young man was puzzled.
「喬治！我們的問題還沒有解決呢！」女郎懇求道。
“George!" The woman pleaded, "We still haven’t solved our own problems!”
「沒有知識！連世界上最賣座的電影都不知道！」平和謙二冷笑道。
“Ignorance! Never heard of the most popular movie in the whole world!” Hirawa Kenji laughed coldly.
「喔！原來你說的是日本電影！」喬治回頭向另一位女郎打趣道：「記得吧？就是那些什麼蟑螂、蒼蠅、蜥蜴，反正都不是人演的玩意！」
“Oh! You were referring to a Japanese movie!” George turned to another woman and said mockingly: “ Remember? All those cockroaches, flies, and lizards. Anyway, they weren't roles that called for humans to play.”
「什麼？你這是在罵人！」平和謙二氣得站了起來。
“What? You dare to insult me!” Hirawa Kenji angrily got to his feet.
「是嗎？我以為只是罵怪獸哩！」
“Oh? I thought I was insulting the monsters!”
佐佐木再也按捺不住，把桌子一推，挺身而起。在另一邊，兩位男士也站起來，摩拳擦掌，蠢蠢欲動。
Sasaki could no longer restrain his anger. He pushed the table aside and stood up. On the other side two men were standing, rubbing their fists, ready for action.
洋子無可奈何地說：「你們一點都沒學乖，這樣有什麼用呢？」
Yoko said resignedly, “You guys never learn. What’s the use of carrying on like this?”
平和謙二置若罔聞，作勢就要向前衝去。正要擦搶走火，只見一道白光閃過，四位男士八條腿同時一軟，全部昏倒就地。
Hirawa Kenji ignored her remarks and made as if he were ready to start swinging. Just as they were about to exchange blows there was a flash of white light. The legs of the four men went weak, and they all fell to the floor, unconscious.
三位女郎似乎已經司空見慣，只是憐憫地望了望地上，那黃衣女郎對另一位說：「茱蒂，妳看看這些男人，怎麼老是學不乖？」
The 3 women seemed used to this sort of thing and merely looked with pity at the men lying on the floor. The woman in yellow said to the other woman, “Judy, look at those guys. How come they never learn?”
「也難怪，年輕人精力充沛，傑克生不是常說，平常做夢是假的，不過癮。」
“Well, no wonder. Young men are too full of beans. Isn't Jackson always saying that dreams are artificial and therefore unsatisfying?”
「這一樣是假的呀！有什麼分別？」
“But this is also artificial! So where's the difference?”
「當然有分別，因為要真正發火了，才會爽快。他們現在雖然被電腦控制住了，但是憑著那股怒氣，在夢中一定正打得熱鬧哩！」
“Of course there are differences. There has to be real anger in order to feel exhilarated. At the moment they're being controlled by the computer, but on the basis of their anger, they'll be having a terrific fight in their dreams!”
文祥知道，這是電腦防止人們鬥毆的方法。每當有人腎上腺素大量分泌，可能發生肢體衝突時，各人的私用電腦就會發出電訊，刺激腦下垂體釋放一種麻醉性的內分泌「多啡命」。多啡命會讓人進入夢境，在夢中便可盡情地宣洩憤怒。只是醒來以後，人會倍感疲倦，什麼脾氣都沒有了。
Wen Xiang knew this was how computers kept people from getting into fights. Whenever someone generated a sufficiently large quantity of adrenaline that might possibly lead to blows, each personal computer would stimulate the pituitary by means of an electric signal to release serotonin, a tranquilizing neurotransmitter. Serotonin helps people to dream, and in those dreams they can release anger to their heart's content. After they wake up, they'll feel dead tired but all their anger will be gone.
文祥用餐完畢，看看離登梭時間還有幾個小時，便打算在轉航站內溜達溜達。這時的計時方法有二種，一是以地球格林威治的標準時作為「世界時」；一是日光時間，沿用二十四小時制。為了避免被人認出，他特意換了衣服，又戴上一頂低簷帽。
After Wen Xiang finished his meal several hours remained before he had to board the shuttle, so he decided to stroll around the transit station. Nowadays there are two ways to count time. One is Greenwich Standard Time, as used on Earth and is also known as “World Time”. The other is Daylight Time, which follows the 24-hour cycle. To avoid recognition, he changed clothes and wore a low brim hat.
走道上行人不少，一個個都是悠哉遊哉、東張西望地，看看哪裡有熱鬧可瞧。而這些行人也有特色，他們經常走著走著，便半睡半醒地跨進了夢鄉。好在電腦有週全的防備，旁觀者也都心領神會，除了同情地探視一下有無危險外，任誰都不會輕易打擾。
There were many people along the passageway, each of them leisurely strolling about, on the lookout for any possible excitement. There was something special about these pedestrians. As they walked they would semi-consciously enter their dreams. Fortunately, their computers had already taken full precaution. Observers understood this. Aside from taking a sympathetic look to make sure they weren't in any danger, no one bothered them in the least.
這種奇特的景觀，已是人類社會最真實的寫照。人們無休無止地追求刺激，日常生活太貧乏了，一般人乾脆將一天設定成三個夢境，一個夢緊接著另一個，永遠活在夢中。
Such an unusual sight had already become the most realistic reflection of society. People insatiably seeking one thrill after another. Daily life was too dull so the average person felt, heck with it, and sets himself for 3 dreams a day, one right after the other, enabling them to dream on and on.
為了制止這種病態現象，人類議會曾經舉行過聽證會，邀請了世界各地知名的專家學者，共同討論做夢的時限問題。有人認為八小時太長，有人卻嫌太短。甚至還有人提議，基於人權，時間應由做夢者自行決定，要多長有多長。
In order to halt this unhealthy tendency, the Human Consul had once organized a hearing. Renowned experts and scholars were invited from all over the world to discuss the question of limiting dream-time. Some felt that 8 hours was too long but others felt it was inadequate. Some even suggested that, based on human rights, the length of time should be decided by the dreamers. They could dream as long as they wished.
由於這次聽證會是透過網絡進行的，這個建議立即獲得熱烈的回響。數以萬計的人都急著上網表態支持，結果網絡擁塞，幾乎令聽證會中斷。
Because this hearing was held on the Internet, such a proposal immediately triggered a heated response. Tens of thousands of people eagerly went online to show their support. As a result, the Internet became overloaded and the hearing was nearly disrupted.
正當大家爭議不休之際，一個只有六歲大的孩童－－他是「放棄生存權」立法通過後，第一位遞補出生的小名人－－莫可可，在記者訪問時，一語道破了人們的心聲：「我喜歡做夢，不喜歡醒過來。」
Just when everyone was arguing, a 6-year-old celebrity, Mokoko, - the first child to be born after the “Renounce the Right of Survival” bill was signed – got right to the heart of the matter during a press interview, when he said, “I like to dream. I don’t like to wake up.”
這句話令大人嚇了一跳，如果一個人選擇永遠做夢，永遠不醒過來，那與死有什麼分別？難道人們渴望死亡？當然不是，誰都怕死，誰都希望與天地同壽。可是，怎麼會有這種「希望永遠活在夢中」的想法呢？
His words startled the adults. If a person chose to dream forever and never wake up, was there any difference from being dead? Was he saying people long for death? Of course not. Everybody is afraid of death and everyone hopes to live forever. How did this notion of “living forever in one's dreams" come about?
終於，大人物開始嚴肅地思考這個問題。這種高層次的哲學問題，怎能期望一般民眾有正確的瞭解？既然無法瞭解，又怎能讓他們發表意見？
Finally, influential people began to give serious thought to this question. How could the general public be expected to properly understand such a profound philosophical question? Since they could not understand, why should they be allowed to express their opinions?
於是，大人物們採取了「利益迴避」原則，中止了聽證會，最後決定夢境最長以八小時為限。如果願意，可以連續再做，但必須先醒過來三分鐘（這並非為了生理需要，因為電腦已能提供全套服務，包括餵食、排洩以及肌肉按摩等）。他們一致認為，這三分鐘是「自由意志」時間，人可以利用這個機會，作最理想的選擇。
Therefore, people of influence invoked the “conflict of interest” clause to stop the hearing. The final decision was that no dream should last longer than 8 hours. If one wished to, they could continue, but they must wake up for 3 minutes (this is not for biological needs because the computer is able to provide complete services, such as feeding, elimination, and muscle massage.). They unanimously felt that these 3 minutes would be “free will” time; an opportunity for individuals to decide what would be best for them.
只是這種善意，到頭來反而變成了擾民的苛政，因為幾十億甫由夢中醒來的人，沒有幾個搞得清楚，到底哪一個才是夢境！
However, in the end, these good intentions eventually became a tyrannical policy that brought suffering to the people. Because not many people among the billions who had just awakened from their dreams were able to say for sure which one was the dream!
好在人的長處，就是能適應環境，幾十年下來，人已習慣了真假不分。經常有人從一個夢裡走出來，立刻又栽進另一個夢裡。而人間，便成為夢之「地下道」了。
Fortunately for mankind, one of their virtues is an ability to adapt to new circumstances. After a few decades, people became accustomed to the blurred distinction between reality and illusion. Very often people would just step out of one dream and immediately tumble into another. And the world of man had become a “passageway” between one dream and the next.
到底月球上清醒的人還多些，文祥的家鄉有幾百萬人口，但是從早到晚，人人流連夢鄉，街道上連個遊魂都看不到。文祥是個覺醒者，令他慶幸的是，在月球上他還看到了希望，至少，並不是人人都在夢中。
After all, there were a greater number of clear-headed people on the Moon. The population of Wen Xiang’s hometown numbers in the millions. From morning to night, people wander in dreamland. There's not a soul to be seen on the streets. Wen Xiang is alert to what is taking place. He can still see hope on the Moon and this pleases him. At least, not everyone there is dreaming.
在一個小小的花園裡，文祥看到有不少人圍在一棵數抱的蒼柏下，那裡有個吟遊詩人，正自顧自地彈唱，其音有如珠鳴玉韻，悅耳動神。
In a small garden Wen Xiang saw many people gathered beneath an old cypress tree. The trunk was so thick it would take several people with extended arms to embrace it. Under the tree a wandering troubadour was playing his instrument and singing, oblivious to those around him. His voice was as lovely as a pearl, as clear as jade. It was pleasing to the ear and very moving.
文祥眼尖，看出唱者懷中抱著的琵琶，竟是手工製作的。這年頭一切物品都是由電腦大量生產，難得見到手工藝品，更想不到還有人帶到月球上來。
Wen Xiang had a sharp eye. He could see the singer's Pipa (Note 1) had been crafted by hand. In this day and age when everything is mass-produced by computer, it was very rare to see something that has been hand crafted, much less that someone would have brought it to the Moon.
唱者是個黃種老者，文祥走近一聽，他唱的竟是漢語，而且是李白的〈行路難〉：
The singer was an elderly oriental man. Wen Xiang drew closer to listen. The man was singing in Chinese and the lyrics were from Li Bai’s “The Wanderer's Lot is not an Easy One."
金樽清酒斗十千，玉盤珍羞值萬錢。
值杯投箸不能食，拔劍四顧心茫然。
欲渡黃河冰塞川，將登太行雪暗天。
閒來垂釣坐溪上，忽復乘舟夢日邊。
行路難！行路難！多歧路，今安在？
長風破浪會有時，直掛雲帆濟滄海。」
Gold cup of pure wine, at cost of many thousands.
Jade plate of delicacies, will set you back 10,000
Brushing aside chopsticks and cup, my appetite has fled
Drawing sword, I look about, uncertain where to head
I'd cross the Yellow River, but ice has choked its flow
I'd climb Taihang Mt., but the sky is dark with snow
With idleness upon me, I fish beside a stream
Abruptly find I'm on a boat, drawing near Chang An in dream
The wanderer's lot is not an easy one, not an easy one.
Once so many roads to take, but where am I today?
Turbulence of wind and wave, shall be mine again someday
And I shall hoist my sail of cloud and sail far away.
李白的〈行路難〉一共有三首，道盡人間得失。那老者唱來哀中含悲，充滿無奈的愁情。這一首是說一位胸懷豪情的俠士，自歎生不逢時，儘管眼前金樽玉盤，卻壯志難伸。感慨人生路途多歧，生活享受與既定目標無法兼顧，不如渡海飄然而去。
There are altogether 3 poems listed under Li Bai’s “THE HARD ROAD”. They speak of victories and setbacks. As the old man sang, his voice was heavy with grief, full of helpless sorrow. The song told of a bold gallant who laments being born too late. Though gold cup and jade plate were set before him, momentous deeds were never his. He bemoaned the many twists and turns along life's road. Life's luxuries are incompatible with youthful ambition. He might just as well vanish across the sea.
由於ＤＮＡ的再造工程發達，人人競逐青春，雞皮鶴髮已是鳳毛麟角。再加上老者聲調淒涼蒼勁，真把詩中隱含的悲情表露無遺。文祥雖然於詩文上造詣不深，但平素也常吟哦賞玩，李白的詩他都讀過，這種古韻卻是前所未聞。
Because DNA engineering had made great advances, everyone strives to look young. Wrinkles and white hair are rarely seen. Together with the mournful, wavering singing voice of this old man, the sadness concealed in the poem was completely bared. Though Wen Xiang had little experience with verse, he would chant poetry for pleasure in his leisure time. He had read all of Li Bai’s poems, but had never heard this archaic tune.
只聽那老者又繼續唱道：
The old man continued to sing:
「大道如青天，我猶不得出。
差逐長安社中兒，赤雞白狗賭梨栗。
彈劍作歌奏苦聲，曳裾王門不稱情。
淮陰市井笑韓信，漢朝公卿忌賈生。
君不見，昔時燕家重郭隗，擁篲折節無嫌猜。
劇辛樂毅感恩分，輸肝剖膽效英才。
昭王白骨縈蔓草，誰人更掃黃金臺？
行路難！歸去來！」
The Way is like the blue sky, no exit meets the eye.
Hanging out with Chang An playboy wastrels.
Betting on cocks and racing dogs for trifling sums.
Penniless, I hymn my doleful song of ambition.
Service under a prince is not what I had in mind.
Han Xin was jeered in Huaiyin market place.
Han Dynasty courtiers were jealous of Jia's superior genius.
You don't know how King Yen honored Guo Wei in days gone by.
Bowing low to welcome him without reservation.
Jia Xin and Yue Yi in gratitude for his favor.
Devoted their talents to his service.
Today vines and weeds entwine King Zhao's bones.
Who is there to sweep his terrace of gold?
The wanderer's lot is not an easy one,
Go home, don't delay.
這一段氣勢陡變，抑揚頓挫，既帶著嘲諷的腔調，笑那些不識英雄的市井蠢物，偏又夾雜著無限的憐憫，即令英雄偶而壯志得酬，終究世上知音難覓。
In this section the mood changed dramatically. The rising and falling cadence contained a tone of irony. It laughed at those fools in the world who did not recognize heroes. At the same time, the tone expressed infinite pity so that even heroes who had fulfilled their ambitions, in the end had no friends who understood them.
文祥本是個平凡人，既未經歷大風大浪，心中又無塊壘，對這一段倒是沒有很深的感受。只聽那老者把琴音調低了，若歎若泣地低吟著：
Wen Xiang was an ordinary person. He had never experienced great suffering and he was without grievance, so he wasn't moved by this part. The old man tuned the Pipa lower and in a voice between song and sorrow, sang lowly:
「有耳莫洗潁川水，有口莫食首陽蕨。
含光混世貴無名，何用孤高比雲月？
吾觀自古賢達人，功成不退皆殞身。
子胥既棄吳江上，屈原終投湘水濱。
陸機雄才豈自保？李斯稅駕苦不早。
華亭鶴唳詎可聞？上蔡蒼鷹何足道？
君不見，吳中張翰稱達生，秋風忽憶江東行。
且樂生前一杯酒，何須身後千載名？」
No need to wash one's ears with water from Ying River.
Nor chew leaves on Shouyan mountain.
Best to hide your brilliance and choose obscurity.
What's the point of being a solitary peak lofty as clouds or moon?
I note that men of talent from ancient times to now.
By not stepping down at the proper time, each of them was slain.
Zixu's corpse was tossed into the river Wu.
Quyuan drowned himself in the Miluo river.
Was Lu Ji's remarkable talent able to save him?
Li Si suffered by not opting for early retirement.
Never again to hear the cry of cranes at Hua Ting.
Much less hunt with falcon at Shang Cai.
You've not heard of Zhang Han from Wu, famed for breadth of wisdom?
The autumn wind brought the scent of home and he immediately returned.
Enjoy the glass of wine before you.
What use will fame be a thousand years from now?
古今一篇篇血淋淋的史實，莫非為了權利的爭奪，不幸飛鳥盡，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。不識時務的英豪，一旦功成名就，一個個下場皆堪憂。只有少數曠達的賢士高人，才能超越形表，視聲名如糞土。
All blood-spattered historic facts are nothing more than a struggle for power. Unfortunately, when the birds have gone, the bow is put away; when the cunning rabbits are dead, the hunting dogs are cooked and eaten. All heroes, should they be naïve in the ways of the world, can expect an unhappy end to their careers, even if they have performed great deeds and gained much fame. Only a few individuals of profound understanding can rise above outward appearances and look upon fame as if it were filth.
文祥聽了，大有所感，忍不住擊節贊賞。待那老人唱完，連忙走上前去，說道：「老先生唱得太好了！請問貴姓？」
When Wen Xiang heard him sing, he felt a great stir in his heart. He couldn't help but applaud in appreciation. When the old man finished, Wen Xiang walked up to him and said: “Great singing, sir. May I know your name?”
老人好像沒有聽到，閉著眼睛，四指在弦上一陣撥弄，又逕自彈唱起來。這次調性一變，竟是由宮而徵。樂音高了五度，調性哀怨幽凄，是蘇軾的〈卜算子〉：
The old man didn't seem to hear him. He closed his eyes and his four fingers strummed for a moment. Then he once again began to accompany himself as he sang. This time, the melody was different. The key had changed from do to so. It was 5 octaves higher and the tune was mournful and gloomy. It was Su Shi’s Pu suan-tzu:
「缺月掛疏桐，漏斷人初靜。
誰見幽人獨往來，縹緲孤鴻影。
驚起卻回頭，有恨無人省。
揀盡寒枝不肯棲，寂寞沙洲冷。」
“Crescent moon suspended from solitary tree,
Watchman's wooden gong, the world in silent sleep.
Alone, the outsider comes and goes, none have ever seen.
Fleeting glimpse of shadow, wild goose on the wing.
Startled, turning back to look,
With scorn, upon the unawakened.
Disdaining winter branch after close examination.
He opts for the sandbank's cold isolation.”
文祥一聽，詞中有話，這人分明是說，當今這個時代裡，眾人昏睡他獨醒，滿腔的憤慨，竟然找不到一個知音。
When Wen Xiang heard this, he knew the lyrics contained a hidden meaning. This person was clearly saying that while everyone was asleep in this era, only he was awake. There was scorn in his heart. He hadn't found a single person who shared his understanding.
他能有什麼冤屈呢？假如以前面那首古調來看，他的氣節迥非凡響。難道他是對時局不滿？對電腦當局心存疑慮？再不然，便是那些亡民遺臣之流，還活在 過去的歲月中？
What kind of grievance could he possibly have? Judging from the old tune he had just played, his resolution and pride were not the common kind. Could it be he was dissatisfied with present circumstances? Did he have reservations about the Computer Authority Bureau? Or maybe he was one of those who had lost their battle against the computer age and were stilling living in the past?
文祥知道，雖然電腦的服務無微不至，但人心不一，心向電腦的固然佔絕大多數，存心反對的也不在少。有人甚至認為，時代已經跨入新一波的變革，電腦只是另一種嗎啡，人類如果再不覺醒，必將成為落伍的寄生蟲。
Wen Xiang knew that though computer services were very thorough, people don't all think alike. The majority favored the computer, but there was a significant number who were intentionally opposed. Some even thought the age had entered a new wave of change where the computer was merely another kind of drug. If the human race did not wake up to this fact, they would become outdated parasites.
這種立論不能算錯，但是，從歷史發展來看，過去的人還不是各種社會制度下的寄生蟲？只不過以往人類醉生夢死的方式，是由少數人操控著多數人，少數人永遠可以找到一些主觀的理由，以之宣傳散播成為大眾生存的意義。現在呢？電腦控制了太陽的能量，把人養得肥肥胖胖的，人又有理由抱怨了？
There was nothing wrong with this argument. However from a historic viewpoint, weren’t people in the past also parasites in the various social systems under which they lived? The difference is that in the past, people passed their lives in a dream-like fashion. A minority controlled the majority. This minority could always find some self-serving pretense and propagate it as significant for the survival of the masses. And now? The computer controls solar power and the people are well fed. What complaints could the people possibly have?
待文祥轉回現實，發覺身邊已圍著幾個人，正指指點點地猜測他是否在神遊幻境。文祥見自己竟然獨立在路中，吟遊老者早已不知去向。他羞得滿面通紅，忙不迭地排開眾人，往前便走。誰知卻有一個漢子，不聲不響地，緊跟在他後頭。
As Wen Xiang returned to reality, he saw he was surrounded by several people who were pointing at him and wondering if he had been in his dream. Wen Xiang found himself standing alone in the middle of the road. The old troubadour had long since left. Flushed with embarrassment he hurriedly pushed his way through the crowd and walked straight ahead. He was unaware that, without making a sound, a man followed close at his heels.
走了不遠，文祥看到路邊有個雅座，他隨便找了個位子，坐了下來。
Wen Xiang didn't walk far. He spotted a nice place to sit by the road, and finding a seat, sat down.
那漢子毫不客氣，一屁股坐在對面，自我介紹說：「在下孔は咎，是自由作家。」
With no show of pretence the man sat right down facing Wen Xiang. Introducing himself, he said, “I’m Kong Wujiu, freelance writer."
文祥心想，今天怎麼老碰到這種事，是不是人心思變，現在又流行與陌生人交往了？但人家好意不便堅拒，只得說：「在下文祥，從事資料編碼。」
Wen Xiang wondered why he kept bumping into this sort of thing today. Did it mean people nowadays craved change and associating with strangers had therefor become fashionable? Anyway, it was awkward to refuse the good intentions of others, so he answered: “I’m Wen Xiang, data manager.”
「資料編碼？」
“Data manager?”
「是的，我負責將一些未分類的物質編碼定義。」
“Yes. I’m in charge of classifying unsorted material.
「原來是科學家，失敬，失敬。」
“Oh, a scientist. I’m awfully sorry.”
「談不上，我祗是編碼而已。」
“Not at all. I’m just coding them, that’s all.”
「嚄！編碼家！」
“Wow! A coding expert!”
文祥順手在桌面的飲料目錄上點了個「瓊石玉乳」，桌面正中立刻退縮成一個圓窪，一杯半透明的飲料，從托盤上自動移出。
Wen Xiang casually pressed the “red stone jade milk” item from the soft drink menu on the table. The center of the table immediately condensed into a concave surface and a semi-translucent drink appeared automatically on the surface.
「孔兄要點個什麼嗎？」
“Anything for you, Mr. Kong?”
「不必客氣。」孔は咎搖手說。
“No, thanks.” Kong Wujiu waved his hand as he spoke.
文祥喝了一口那瓊石玉乳，有股淡淡的清香，入口微甜。孔は咎端坐著，似乎有話要說，卻又開不了口。隔了半晌，文祥有點不耐煩了：「請問孔兄有何指教？」
Wen Xiang took a sip of his drink. It had a faint fragrance and tasted slightly sweet in his mouth. Kong Wujiu sat there, looking as if he had something to say but didn't quite know how to begin. After some time Wen Xiang became slightly impatient. “May I ask you what you want, Mr. Kong?”
「好吧！」孔は咎痛快地說：「明人不說暗話，剛才那兩首詩，如今能聽得懂的人，只怕屈指可數了。」
“O.K.!” Kong Wujiu said without any hesitation. “Let me be frank. Very few people today can understand those two poems.”
「怎麼說？」文祥心中一動。
“What do you mean?” Wen Xiang’s heart jumped.
「概念是很奇妙的東西，每一個概念都如同納須彌山的芥子，其中各有境界。應用語文的目的是希望聽者能懂，但有幾個人懂了什麼？何況詩詞本為抒情，對一個不具共同情懷的人，怎麼可能期望他懂？」
“Concepts are wondrous things. Every concept is like a mustard seed in which a Mt. Sumeru exists. Each seed has its own world. The purpose of using language is the hope that those who hear it will understand. But how many do? Besides, poetry is a way of expressing feelings. If the listener doesn’t feel as the speaker does, how can one hope he’ll understand?”
「孔兄所言甚是，現代人不過是些機器，詩詞早就失傳了。」
“Mr. Kong, you’re absolutely right. Modern people are nothing but machines. Poetry is long dead.”
「那麼，恕我冒昧，文兄在那幾首詩中，感受到了什麼？」
“Well, forgive my rudeness. How did you feel when you heard these poems, Mr. Wen?”
「談不上有什麼感受，只因過去曾在感情中打過滾，一時觸動了往日情懷。」
“It's not a question of feeling. I was once involved in a relationship, and for a moment was reminded of my old love affair."
「還有呢？」孔は咎掩不住臉上的失望。
“And?” Kong Wujiu's disappointment could be seen in his face.
「還有什麼？沒有了。」文祥被問得一頭霧水。
“And, what? That's all.” Wen Xiang was puzzled by his question.
「難道只是兒女之情？」
“Only a love affair?”
「沒錯，我的生活很平凡，就只有這些。」
“That’s right. I lead a very ordinary life. That's all it was.”
孔は咎意興闌珊，話題一轉，問道：「文兄是在基地工作嗎？」
Kong Wujiu completely lost interest and changed the subject, asking: “Are you working at the Base, Mr. Wen?”
「不，我正要去火星。」
“No. I’m on my way to Mars.”
「去火星？哪一班太空船？」
“Mars? Which spaceship?”
「麥哲倫ＣＴ二三號，就是下一班。」
“Magellan CT 23. The next flight.”
孔は咎沉吟了一下，起身說：「那我就不打擾了，我們船上再見。」
Kong Wujiu thought for moment and stood up: “Then I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll see you on board.”
文祥大為不解，這人沒頭沒腦地不請自來，又如此這般起身便走，到底是為什麼？
Wen Xiang didn't get it. This fellow had come up to him out of nowhere and then walked off, just like that. What was he up to?
「文娃，這個人的事能告訴我嗎？」
“Wen Wa, can you tell me anything about this guy?”
「他是一個名叫荻苑詩社的成員，社員有好幾百個，彼此交談時，一律用詩句。老實說，我們也很頭痛，弄不清你們人類為什麼盡說些讓人聽不懂的話。」
“He belongs to the Di Yuan Poetry Society. They have hundreds of members. Whenever they talk, they always speak in the idiom of poetry. To tell you the truth, it's really a headache for us. I don’t know why you humans use words we can’t understand.”
「噢！原來妳們不懂詩詞！」
“Oh! So you don’t understand poetry!”
「不是不懂，是懂得太多，以剛才那首詩為例，我們就有好幾百種解讀。」
“It’s not that we don’t understand. It's just that we understand poetry all too well. Take that poem just now for example; we have hundreds of ways to interpret it.
「好幾百種！」
“Hundreds?”
「是啊，每一首詩，我們都收集了歷代各家的評註。字句上的解釋彼此差異不大，但對詩句要表達的主旨，卻是各有各的看法，沒有一個標準。」
“Yes. We collect all the notations for each poem made by various scholars over the centuries. There is little difference between their definitions of the various words. However, everyone has their own idea of what the poem is really trying to express, so there’s no standard.”
「我不是詩人，但是我喜歡詩，詩的意境要看環境而定。」
“I’m not a poet but I like poetry. The sentiment in each poem depends on the setting.”
「你是說如果環境相同，意境就相同？」
“You mean if the setting were the same, the sentiment would be the same?”
「是的，但是我說的環境，是指各人心裡在某一個時候的感受。」
“Right. But the setting I'm referring to is what an individual feels at a certain point in time.”
「我不懂。」
“I don’t get it.”
「管他呢！反正現在沒有詩人了。」文祥想了一下，又問：「我也不懂，剛才問妳那個女孩，妳推三阻四的，這個人妳卻說了不少，到底妳的標準又在哪裡？」
“Never mind! Anyway, there are no more poets left.” Wen Xiang thought for a moment and said, “I don’t understand, either. I asked you about the girl just now, but you avoided answering. Yet on the other hand, you told me a lot about this guy. What's your standard?”
「那個女孩從來不跟我們打交道，所以知道的不多。」
“That girl has never had anything to do with us so we know little about her.”
「這些人常和你們打交道嗎？」
“Do these people have a lot to do with you?”
「也沒有，只是我想知道他們想些什麼？」
“Not really. I just wanted to know what they are thinking.”
「嗯，我知道了，利用我做耳目，是吧？」
“Mmm, I see. You used me to be your eyes and ears, right?”
「時間到了，咱們該上船了！」
“Time is up. We should be boarding!”
往火星的登船處在三號艙門，文祥找到路標，隨著指示往前走去。第三號艙門是一座仿羅馬式的建築，拱門係依「退凹層次」法，由一體成型的冰洲石層層錯落疊成介殼狀，石面上還有各種雕刻裝飾，顯得莊嚴宏整、氣派非凡，內部穹頂簇柱，巍然矗立。臨壁之處安置了各種精心培植的奇花異草，由於重力小，株株健壯挺拔。
The boarding gate for Mars was Gate no 3. Wen Xiang found the sign and followed the directions. Gate no. 3 was a facsimile of a Roman style building. The arch door was built by the “layers of receding concave” method. A complete piece of Iceland spar was covered with a motif of scales. On the surface of the stone, various decorative carvings were engraved, making the arch door look very solemn, majestic, and unusual. Inside the door, many lofty pillars supported the dome. Near the walls, there were carefully tended delicate and exotic plants. Because of the less powerful gravity force, every plant was strong and tall.
文祥的眼睛馬上被一朵鮮麗的大黃花吸引住了，只見那花瓣如碗、花蕊似珠、綠葉每每，可惜缺少那分綽約的神韻，看上去有如玉雕瓷塑，珍貴有餘而秀美不足。
Wen Xiang’s eyes were immediately attracted to a large, bright yellow flower. Each petal was as large as a rice bowl; the pistils and stamens were like pearls; and every leaf was green. Regrettably, it lacked an air of grace. Though appearing to be carved from jade or fashioned in porcelain, it seemed excessively precious yet was without beauty.
文祥在莫高峰下工作了半年，極目所見，非黑即白，景色單調異常。難得看到這麼豐富的色彩，他忍不住走到花前把玩欣賞。
Wen Xiang had been working half a year at the foot of Mogao Peak. As far as the eye could see, everything was either black or white. The view was extremely monotonous. He had rarely seen such a rich array of colors. He couldn't resist the temptation to walk over and admire the flowers from up close.
那花瓣橙黃肥厚，而表面光滑潤澤，觸手輕柔。突然，有一道光色較暗的條紋，閃進了文祥的眼簾。他仔細一看，竟然有人工刻畫的痕跡－－是一排文字！約有四平方公分大小，每字長短不定，很像是種拼音文字。
The orange-yellow flower petals were plump and their surface was smooth, lustrous, and soft to the touch. Suddenly, Wen Xiang’s eye fell on a line of darker color. He looked closer and was surprised to see it had been carved by human hand – it was a line of words! The area was about 4 square centimeters. Each word was of different length, and seemed to be some sort of phonetic spelling.
「文娃，妳知道這花瓣上有字嗎？」
“Wen Wa, did you know there is writing on these petals?”
文娃沒有即時回答，文祥知道電腦正在詳查各個電眼的影像記錄。原則上，電眼的分佈數量視人口密度而定，通常每公頃會有一個暗藏的電眼。像這種公共場所，通常每隔十公尺就會有一個，以便電腦確實掌握各人的動向。
Wen Wa didn't answer right away. Wen Xiang knew the computer was carefully checking all the images recorded from all electric eyes. Basically, the number of electric eyes installed depended on the density of the population. Generally, there was one hidden electric eye per hectare. For a public area like this, an electric eye had probably been installed every 10 meters to allow the computer to know what everyone was up to. .
這種電眼在早期是採用光學式的，由於光學式影像辨識法不可能成為大量且普遍的裝置，對電腦監控而言，就有出現盲點的可能。其實，有關影像辨識的理論，早就有所謂宏觀及微觀辨識兩派，但前者只有理論，後者卻能根據理論設計出實用的產品。
In early times, electrical eyes of this type were optical. However, large-scale installation of optical image identification systems was impossible. From the standpoint of computer surveillance systems, there was the possibility that blind spots might occur. Actually, image identification theory had already divided into two schools – the overview school and the detailed view school. The former remained a theory only, while useful products could be produced in accordance with the latter.
在宏觀立場，只要掌握了原始訊息，所謂的辨識不過是分析其時空變化的條件。換句話說，如果能徹底瞭解宇宙的規律及變化，則辨識指的不過是在某個時空事件上，所需理解的某個細節而已。
The overview school reasoned that as long as one controls the fundamental data, identification is nothing more than the analysis of changes in time and space. In other words, if the rhythm and changes of the universe are completely understood, then identification is the necessary understanding of a detail from a certain event that took place at a specific time and space.
微觀只是截取事件的某一段，不論是何種訊息，先擷取其原始的刺激元素，確定其「體」，以知其「用」，以及「因果」等條件（比如視覺的體為邊緣可分割的「物」，聽覺的體則為音形可分割的「音包」），然後在資料庫中搜尋其特徵值，以得到認知概念。
The detailed view takes a section of an event, no matter what kind of data, and first extracts the original stimulating elements. Once the “substance ” has been confirmed, such conditions as “function”, “cause and effect”, etc. can be identified (for example, the substance for vision would be the lineaments that distinguish one object from another; the substance for hearing would be the “sound unit” which is made distinctive by the shape of its sound waves). The database is then searched to distinguish the special features for an identification concept.
比如說，在連續收集的畫面中，舉凡沒有變化的訊息都可以忽略掉，其餘的必然是具動態的對象了。首先確定此變化對象，並分析出四維時空位置、能量大小、變化參數、結構特性等。如果是一處風景，其中的水流葉搖等慣性動態，電腦如已確知，即可視為無變化。這時若飛來一隻蒼鷹，此對象必然是在三維空間中運動，則其速度、方向及距離等參數都可計算出來，加上形狀顏色辨知，即能判斷是一蒼鷹，甚至可得知是否正在覓食。
For example, in a sequence of collected pictures, all unchanging data will be omitted. For certain, what remains will be the moving object. This moving object must first be confirmed. Its 4-dimensional location, the power of its energy, parameters, and structural characteristics will be analyzed as well. Should it be a scenic spot, the computer will have already confirmed inertial movement, such as flowing water and dancing leaves. These can be regarded as the changeless elements. If at this time, an eagle should fly by, this object must be moving in a 3-dimensional space. The parameters of its speed, direction and distance can all be calculated. Combined with the identification of shapes and colors, it will be identified as an eagle. The computer can even detect if this eagle is hunting for food or not.
宇宙中的變化，雖然有各種排列組合，卻都遵循著規律，重複不已。人們所謂的偶然事件，只是不瞭解事情發生的原因。對電腦而言，辨識的目的就是要求瞭解。因之當電腦遍佈太陽系之後，宏觀辨識便成為唯一可行之道。而且就像偵測運動軌跡一樣，只要在變化發生之處微分出導函數，一切都可昭然若揭。
The changes in the universe, though containing a variety of data structures, all follow set laws and occur again and again. The so-called “random incident” is nothing but an event where people have no idea what might have caused it. For the computer, the purpose of identification is to understand. So with computers installed throughout the solar system, overview identification becomes the only way to make this system work. Just like detecting the trace of movement. As long as a derivative is differentiated at the point of change, everything is clearly revealed.
這次，不需要人類的協助，電腦利用排列組合，找到了最簡單有效的方法。有種合成的矽晶體，對能量變化極為敏感，其振盪可利用微波載波，傳到電腦辨識中心。這種晶體可以大量佈置在偵測點上，只要形成一個封閉式網絡，就能達到宏觀辨識的目的。
This time, without any help from man, the computer used the data structure and found the simplest and most effective method. A synthetic silicon crystal is very sensitive to energy change. The waves of its oscillation can be carried by microwave and transmitted to the computer identification center. This kind of crystal can be mass-installed at all surveillance locations. Once a closed network is created, the purpose of overview identification is achieved.
自二○二六年後，電腦當局便將電眼全部改換成微波感應式，僅憑各點感應到的細微能量變化，從整體來分析，就可以得知此一變化的連續現象。比如說，有人經過某處，停留一會，做了某件事。在電腦中，只是一些代號的連續變化。電腦早就記錄了所有人的三維座標位置，再根據連續的時空變化，就知道是誰在何處。至於做了什麼事，則要查探該環境的各種變化，逐一分析。
Since 2026, the Computer Authority Bureau has replaced all electric eyes with microwave sensors. With only a small energy change from each sensor, the computer is able to analyze by means of overview and thereby learn the sequences of change. For example, a person passes by a certain place and stays there long enough to perform a task of some sort. Within the computer, it will merely be a sequential change of codes. The computer has already recorded everyone's 3 dimensional coordinates. In accordance with the ongoing change in time and space, the computer will always know the location of every individual. As for what a person might be doing, that can only be determined by painstaking analysis of the various changes in his or her surroundings.
因此電腦不難查出是何人在花上留字，但要知道刻的是什麼字，則要比較花的原始結構，與變化後的差異。等了好一會，文娃才說：「這正是我們期望你協助的地方，老實說，我們已查出留字的人。但是我們遍查各種資料，卻不知道刻的是什麼字。」
Therefore, it was not difficult for the computer to find out who left the message on the flower. However, if one wants to know the exact words, one would have to compare the difference between the original structure of the flower and its state after the change was made. After a lengthy pause, Wen Wa said: “This is exactly what we want you to help us with. Frankly, we’ve already found out what person left these words. However, we’ve gone through all our resources but sill don't know what words are carved there.”
「也許不是文字，說不定只是些圖畫。」
“Maybe they’re not words. Maybe they are just drawings.”
「是文字！」文娃斬釘截鐵地說：「而且是一種古老的文字，曾經通行於公元前一世紀，是中國一個少數民族的文字，他們自稱為『葛衣人』，後來被漢所滅。」
“They’re words!” Wen Wa said firmly. “It’s an ancient language which was used during the 1st century B.C. They are words from one of China's racial minorities. They called themselves the “Ge Yi” People. They were wiped out by the Han group.”
「那是誰寫的呢？」
“Who wrote them?”
「記得剛才那家餐館吧？」
“Remember that restaurant?”
文祥記起那家叫「月樓」的餐館，那個饒舌的侍者：「是那個侍者？」
Wen Xiang recalled the talkative waiter at the “Moon Tower” restaurant. “You mean the waiter?”
「不，是上樓找你的那個女孩，她叫衣紅。」
“No. It was the girl who came up stairs looking for you. Her name is Yi Hong.” (Note 2)
「好呀！妳不是說還有些疑問嗎？」
“Oh? Didn’t you say you still have some doubts about her?”
「是的，所以我們希望你接近她，替我們解開一個疑團。」
“Yes. So we’d like you to get near her and clear up a mystery for us.”
「嗯，用美男計？」
“Ah-ha! Using the 'handsome young man strategy'?”
「她有個同伴叫褲白。」
“She has a companion named Ku Bai.” (Note 2)
「褲白？穿白褲子的那個？」
“Ku Bai? The one in white pants?”
「對，還有一個叫風不懼。他們自稱是外星人後援會的一支，人稱霹靂小組。」
“Correct. There’s another one named Feng Buju. They claim to be a branch of an extra-terrestrial support group. Others call them ‘special forces’.”
「你難道忘了，那個穿紅衣的少女，曾要我把妳關掉！」
“Have you forgotten? That girl in red asked me to turn you off!”
「可以關，把我丟掉都可以，反正是演戲。」
“Sure, you can shut me off; even throw me out. Anyway, you'll only be pretending.”
「有那麼嚴重？」文祥想不到電腦也會耍手段。
“Is it that serious?” Wen Xiang never thought the computer was interested in games.
「這個外星人組織對我們很不友善，而且很多資料查不出來。不過，他們沒有什麼危險性。我的問題很簡單，只要能幫我們認出那幾個字就夠了。」
“This alien organization is very unfriendly to us so there’s little information about them. However, they’re not dangerous. My question is very simple. All you need to do is help us identify that writing. That's all.”
「就幾個字，有什麼用？」
“Just the writing? What use is it?”
「只要幾個字，我們就可以把其他的分析出來！」
“All we need are a few words and then we’ll be able to analyze the rest!”
「好吧！我該到哪裡找他們？」
“All right, then! Where can I find them?”
「不必找，她們也要去火星，有七天的時間，慢慢來，不用急。」