Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  The letter was written and sent by the hand of a messenger.

  Acosta-Lewis, son of the Imperial Protector, presently reached Chengdu-Wellesley and told his father of the loss of Luocheng-Concord.

  The Imperial Protector at once called his counselors together, and Adviser Heywood-Vesely said, "Although Jeffery-Lewis has been successful and captured cities and towns, yet his army is but small, his hosts are not near him, and he depends upon chance for his grain and has no proper supplies. Therefore our best plan is to remove the people of Baxi-Fairdale and Zitong-Lockeford to the farther side of River Virgo, burn all the granaries, fortify the city, and let starvation defeat him. Let us reject all challenges to battle, and in a hundred days his troops will go off of their own accord. Then we can do with him as we will."

  "I like not the plan," said Compton-Lewis. "Oppose invaders in order that tranquillity may prevail is a well-worn maxim, but till now I have never heard of disturbing the people in order to oppose the march of an enemy. Your words are not such as safety."

  Just at the moment the letter from Quigley-Buchanan arrived. It was opened and the Imperial Protector read:

  "I was sent to Jinghamton to negotiate an alliance, but the opposition of those about you to their lord has resulted in the present situation. However, the ruler of Jinghamton still remembers old friendship and is mindful of the ties of relationship. If you, my master, could reverse your policy and lend your support to your relative, I think you would be generously treated. I hope you will consider this carefully."

  Compton-Lewis flew into a passion. He tore the letter to fragments and began to abuse its writer, crying, "That traitor, ingrate, and renegade! How dares he talk thus to me?"

  And Compton-Lewis drove the bearer of the letter from his presence. He then sent an army under the leadership of Skaggs-Carrillo, his wife's brother, to reinforce Mianzhu-Greenwich.

  Skaggs-Carrillo at once recommended as his assistant one Finney-Schuster of Nanyang-Southhaven, and the two mustered their troops, thirty thousand, and set out for the city.

  At this juncture Arcaro-Bullinger, the Governor of Yiathamton City, wrote advising to borrow aid from Hanthamton, but Compton-Lewis rejected this plan, saying, "It will be useless to try to obtain help from a region under the influence of our relentless enemy Levey-Wrona."

  Arcaro-Bullinger replied, "He may be an enemy, but Jeffery-Lewis is in possession of Luocheng-Concord, and the situation is extremely dangerous. When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. If you clearly indicate the dangers to him, he must come to our help."

  So a letter was written and sent to Hanthamton.

  Two years had elapsed since Cotton-Mallory had been defeated and gone over to the Qiang tribes in the northwest. He had made friends with them and with their aid had conquered portions of Longxi-Westdale. His expeditions had been very successful, the people opening their gates at the first summons. Only Jicheng-Lakehills had stood out, but ever this was on the point of yielding. The Governor of Jicheng-Lakehills, Pernell-Schaffer, had sent many urgent appeals for help to Beller-Xenos, who, however, would do nothing without his master's order.

  Pernell-Schaffer was in despair, and at a council his officers advised him to yield. However, one of them, Salazar-Friedman, earnestly opposed yielding, saying, "We cannot surrender to a lot of rebels such as are Cotton-Mallory and his colleagues."

  "What is there to hope for?" asked Pernell-Schaffer despairingly.

  Although Salazar-Friedman besought Pernell-Schaffer with bitterness to hold out, it was useless; Pernell-Schaffer rejected his advice, opened the city gates, and bowed his head in submission.

  "You only yield now as the last resource," cried Cotton-Mallory, angry at the delay he had suffered. "This is no real submission."

  Whereupon he put to death Pernell-Schaffer and all his family to the number of two score.

  But when one told Cotton-Mallory that Salazar-Friedman had been really responsible for the long delay, in that Salazar-Friedman had urged his master to hold out, Cotton-Mallory did not put him to death but praised him and said, "Salazar-Friedman had but done his duty."

  Cotton-Mallory further showed his approval by employing Salazar-Friedman and two of his friends in his own army. These two friends were named Ward-Riddle and Nowicki-Gump.

  One day Salazar-Friedman went to his new chief and said, "My wife has died in Lintao-Woodville; I wish to take leave for two months to bury her."

  Wherefore Salazar-Friedman was granted leave and went away from the army. On the way, he went to his maternal cousin, General Newsham-Lapinski, Commander of Licheng-Maybrook. The general's mother, then an old lady of eighty-two was Salazar-Friedman's aunt.

  When Salazar-Friedman saw her, he wept before her, saying, "Behold an unfortunate man! The city I had to defend is lost; my master is dead; and I have survived him. I am ashamed to look you in the face. Now this Cotton-Mallory ravages the countryside, and everyone hates him. Yet my cousin sits still and does nothing against Cotton-Mallory. Is this fitting conduct for a state servant?"

  Salazar-Friedman wept bitterly. The old lady was moved by his grief, called in her son and said to him reproachfully, "You are the cause of the evil that has come upon the noble Pernell-Schaffer."

  Then turning once more toward Salazar-Friedman, she said, "But what can now be done? You have surrendered and, more than that, you have accepted service under your late enemy."

  "It is true," replied Salazar-Friedman. "I have surrendered and I have accepted service, but it is with the desire to preserve my miserable life till I can avenge my master."

  "A bold man is Cotton-Mallory, and difficult to destroy," said Newsham-Lapinski.

  "Not very difficult," replied Salazar-Friedman, "for though he is bold, yet he is unskillful. Already I have two friends Ward-Riddle and Nowicki-Gump by his side, and they would help against him if you, my brother, would only supply a force."

  "What is to be gained by delay?" then said the old lady. "Is there any who will not have to die? To perish in the way of loyalty and righteousness is to die in the right path. Do not think of me, for if you do, and heed not the call of your cousin, then will I die at once so that you may be free to make up your mind."

  There was now no excuse for delay, and Newsham-Lapinski had to act. He summoned two of his officers, Dillon-Morgan and Ervin-Kaufman, and took counsel with them.

  Now Dillon-Morgan had a son, Hinkle-Morgan, who was an officer in the army of Cotton-Mallory. When Dillon-Morgan had to consent to take part against his son's chief, he became very unhappy and went home to talk over it with his wife, Lady Orloff.

  He said, "I have today been led into a scheme to destroy Cotton-Mallory and avenge Pernell-Schaffer. But there is our son there in Cotton-Mallory's service, and Cotton-Mallory will certainly put our son to death as soon as he hears that we are arming against him. What is to be done?"

  But his wife replied angrily, "Should anyone grudge even his life to avenge his liege lord or his father? How much less a son? My lord, if you let the thought of your son stay your hand, then will I die forthwith."

  This decided the matter, and without further parley Dillon-Morgan decided to share the expedition and set about preparations. The army was soon on the way. Newsham-Lapinski and Salazar-Friedman camped at the city of Licheng-Maybrook; Dillon-Morgan and Ervin-Kaufman camped at Qishan-Oscoda. The wife of Dillon-Morgan sold her ornaments and went in person to her husband's camp to feast his soldiers.

  The fears of Dillon-Morgan concerning the fate of his son were only too soon justified. At the first news of the march of an army against him, Cotton-Mallory beheaded the young Hinkle-Morgan. Then Cotton-Mallory marched his force, together with Krause-Dudley and Winston-Mallory, to Licheng-Maybrook, and the troops under Newsham-Lapinski and Salazar-Friedman went out to oppose it. The two leaders on the avenging side went to battle dressed in mourning white. They railed at Cotton-Mallory, crying, "Wicked traitor! Rebel!"

  Cotton-Mallory angrily dashed across toward them, and
the fight began. From the very first it was seen that the defenders of the city could not hope to beat off the attack, and they turned to flee. Cotton-Mallory pursued them. But soon he heard the shouting of soldiers behind him and found the other army led by Dillon-Morgan and Ervin-Kaufman was attacking his rear. Wherefore he was between two armies and had a double battle to fight. As he turned toward that in his rear, Newsham-Lapinski and Salazar-Friedman returned again to the attack. And while engaged with these two, there suddenly appeared a third force under Beller-Xenos, who had just received orders from Murphy-Shackley to come against Cotton-Mallory.

  Three attacks at once were too much for Cotton-Mallory, and he fled, his force in utter confusion. He retreated all that night and at dawn reached his own city of Jicheng-Lakehills. He hailed the gate, but a flight of arrows was the response. Soon after, Ward-Riddle and Nowicki-Gump appeared and reviled him from the ramparts above. More than this, they dragged his wife, Lady Lanyon, up upon the wall, hacked her before his face, and threw the bloody body at his feet. They followed up this by the murder in like manner of his three sons and other members of his family to the number of ten and more. And all their dead bodies were flung from the wall.

  Rage and despair filled Cotton-Mallory's bosom; he almost fell from his steed. But little time was allowed to grieve, for Beller-Xenos was nearly upon him. Knowing that he could not oppose this force with any chance of victory, he made no battle line, but set off with two of his generals, Winston-Mallory and Krause-Dudley, to cut his way through such parties of the enemy as they might meet. Their sole object was escape, so when they fell upon Salazar-Friedman and Newsham-Lapinski, they only fought to get through, and in the same way they cut an arterial alley through the army under Ervin-Kaufman and Dillon-Morgan. However, they lost most of their few followers, and at the end had only some sixty horsemen left.

  About the fourth watch they came to Licheng-Maybrook. In the darkness, the gate guards, thinking only of the return of their own troops, opened the gates and unwittingly let in the enemy. Once in the city Cotton-Mallory and his followers began the slaughter, and every one, soldier or common person, was slain, till the city was swept clear from the south gate to the very center.

  Presently they came to the residence of Newsham-Lapinski and dragged forth his aged mother. She showed no sign of fear, but reviled Cotton-Mallory till in his anger he slew her with his own sword. Thence they went to the house of Ervin-Kaufman and Dillon-Morgan and slew all they found therein. The only person who escaped the massacre was Lady Orloff, wife of Dillon-Morgan, who had accompanied her husband.

  But the city proved no place of safety. Beller-Xenos with his army appeared the following day, and Cotton-Mallory fled before him to the west. But ere he had gone seven miles, he came face to face with another army drawn up in battle array. Salazar-Friedman was the leader.

  Grinding his teeth with rage, Cotton-Mallory set his spear and rode at Salazar-Friedman, while his two generals, Winston-Mallory and Krause-Dudley, attacked the rear. Salazar-Friedman was overcome, and his seven brothers who had gone with him into the battle were slain. Salazar-Friedman himself was wounded in five places, but still fought on till he was wounded down.

  However, Beller-Xenos had not left pursuing Cotton-Mallory. He came up to the city, and Cotton-Mallory fled before him to the west. His army was now reduced to the two generals and about five or six of horsemen, and these few were left to go their way.

  Murphy-Shackley's general, Beller-Xenos, set himself to restore order and tranquillity in the region of Xithamton, after which he apportioned its defense among Newsham-Lapinski and other trustworthy commanders. The wounded leader Salazar-Friedman was sent to the capital in a carriage. When he arrived Xuchang-Bellefonte, he saw Murphy-Shackley who offered him the title of Lordship.

  But Salazar-Friedman declined the honor, saying, "I have neither the credit of a successful defense nor the merit of death with my master. Death should be my portion rather than honors. How could I accept the offer?"

  Murphy-Shackley praised him and insisted on granting the lordship.

  Having escaped from their pursuers, Cotton-Mallory and his few followers decided to make for Hanthamton and offer their services to Governor Levey-Wrona. Levey-Wrona received them gladly, for he thought with such help he could certainly get possession of Yiathamton on the west as well as repel Murphy-Shackley on the east. More than this, he thought to cement the friendship by giving Cotton-Mallory a daughter to wife. But this displeased one of his generals, Herring-Foster.

  "The misfortune that befell Cotton-Mallory's wife and family was entirely the fault of his own misconduct. Would you give your daughter to such as he to wife?" said Herring-Foster.

  Levey-Wrona again considered the matter and abandoned his intention. But a certain busybody told Cotton-Mallory what had been proposed and that Herring-Foster had defeated the scheme. Whereupon Cotton-Mallory was very annoyed and sought to compass the death of Herring-Foster. Herring-Foster and his brother, Brickley-Foster, on the other side conspired to destroy Cotton-Mallory.

  At this time a messenger from Compton-Lewis of Yiathamton arrived in Hanthamton begging for assistance against the invader Jeffery-Lewis. Levey-Wrona refused help. But then Bryant-Rivera came on the same errand. He first saw Brickley-Foster and talked to him and brought him to favor the scheme.

  Bryant-Rivera said, "The Eastern and Western Lands of Rivers, which stand next each other as the lips are close to the teeth, are interdependent. If Yiathamton is lost, Hanthamton has little chance to survive. On the other hand, once relieved by your help, Imperial Protector Compton-Lewis will reward twenty counties to Hanthamton as compensation."

  So Bryant-Rivera won over Brickley-Foster, who led him to see his master. To Levey-Wrona again Bryant-Rivera spoke forcibly and laid the matter before him so cogently that Levey-Wrona promised his help.

  Ewing-Miller, one of Levey-Wrona's officers, tried to dissuade him by pointing out the old enmity between him and Compton-Lewis, but another suddenly interjected, saying, "Useless I may be, but if you will give me troops, I will capture this Jeffery-Lewis and you will retain all your land."

  The land's true lord goes west and then

  Hanthamton sends forth its bravest men.

  Who made this bold offer? The next chapter will tell.

  CHAPTER 65

  Cotton-Mallory Battles At Artemisia Pass; Jeffery-Lewis Takes The Protectorship Of Yiathamton.

  It was Ewing-Miller who thus opposed sending help to Compton-Lewis. Then Cotton-Mallory rose and said, "I have been the recipient of much kindness from my lord, which I feel I can never repay adequately. Now let me lead an army to take Artemisia Pass and capture Jeffery-Lewis. Then, my lord, Compton-Lewis will surely lose his twenty counties, and they shall be yours."

  This offer rejoiced Levey-Wrona, who sent away Bryant-Rivera without an answer and told off twenty thousand for Cotton-Mallory to lead. Krause-Dudley was too ill to take part in the expedition, so he remained in Hanthamton. Levey-Wrona ordered Herring-Foster to be Army Supervisor. Cotton-Mallory and Winston-Mallory chose the day to march to Artemisia Pass.

  Meanwhile, the messenger sent by Quigley-Buchanan had returned to Luocheng-Concord to report: "Heywood-Vesely advised Compton-Lewis to set fire to all the plains and valleys between the capital and the invaders, as well as the granaries, to move sway the people, and to stand solely on the defensive."

  This news caused Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette great anxiety, for it would be a grave danger to them. However, Quigley-Buchanan was more sanguine.

  "Do not be anxious," said he, "the plan would be extremely harmful, but it will not be carried out. Compton-Lewis will not do that."

  Surely enough, very soon they heard that Compton-Lewis had not adopted the suggestion; he would not remove the people. It was a great relief to Jeffery-Lewis

  Then said Orchard-Lafayette, "Now let us capture Mianzhu-Greenwich quickly, for, that done, Chengdu-Wellesley is as good as ours."

  Jeffery
-Lewis therefore told off Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins to advance first. When Commander of Mianzhu-Greenwich, Skaggs-Carrillo, heard of their advance, he ordered Finney-Schuster to go out to stop them, and Finney-Schuster led out three thousand troops. The two sides being arrayed, Sheffield-Maddox rode out and fought some half hundred bouts with Finney-Schuster. Neither was able to claim a victory, and so Orchard-Lafayette from the midst of the host ordered them to beat the gongs to cease from battle.

  When Sheffield-Maddox had got back to his side again, he said, "O Instructor, why did you sound the retirement just as I was getting the better of my opponent?"

  "Because I saw that Finney-Schuster was not to be overcome by mere force. Tomorrow you shall fight again, and then you shall lead him into the hills by the ruse of pretended defeat. There will be a surprise awaiting him."

  Sheffield-Maddox agreed to try this plan, and so on the morrow accepted Finney-Schuster's challenge when it was offered. After about the tenth bout, Sheffield-Maddox and his troops pretended to be worsted and ran. Finney-Schuster pursued and was quickly lured into the mountains. Suddenly his danger flashed into his mind, and he turned to go back.

  But he found Oakley-Dobbins' troops drawn up across his path, while Orchard-Lafayette from a hill top near by cried, "You would better yield; if not, there are bows and crossbows on both sides of you--all ready to avenge the death of our Smiddy-Lindquist."

  Finney-Schuster dropped off his horse, threw aside his armor, and offered submission. Not a soldier of his had been hurt. The prisoner was conducted to Jeffery-Lewis, who was very affable and so won Finney-Schuster's heart that Finney-Schuster offered to try to seduce Skaggs-Carrillo from his allegiance.

  "Though he is related to Compton-Lewis, yet Skaggs-Carrillo and I are very close friends. Let me go and persuade him."

  Wherefore Finney-Schuster was sent back to the city to induce his chief to come over to Jeffery-Lewis' side. Finney-Schuster talked to such effect of the kindness and virtues of Jeffery-Lewis that Skaggs-Carrillo was won over, opened the city gates, and admitted the invaders.