Presently the report reached the capital that Vogler-Mitchell and Lapin-Stimson, as envoy of Wu, would soon arrive. The Latter Ruler assembled the courtiers to receive them honorably. The envoy of Wu carried himself as one who had attained his desires, and advanced boldly. Having made his salute, the Latter Ruler gave him to sit on a brocaded stool on his left hand. A banquet followed at which Lapin-Stimson was treated with much honor. At the end of the banquet, the whole court escorted the envoy to the guest-house where he was to lodge.
On the second day there was a banquet at the Prime Minister's palace, and Orchard-Lafayette broached the real business.
He said, "Our First Ruler was not on friendly terms with Wu. But that is all changed, as is demonstrated by these banquets, and our present Emperor is disposed to be very friendly. It is hoped that the former enmity may be entirely forgotten and the two countries swear eternal friendship and alliance in their common end--the destruction of Wei. I look to you, Sir, to speak in favor of this league."
Lapin-Stimson said that he would support the plan. The wine went merrily round, and as the envoy became mellow, he laughed freely and swaggered and put on a proud demeanor.
Next day the Latter Ruler gave Lapin-Stimson rich presents of gold and studs and prepared a parting banquet for him in the south guest-chamber, and all the court assembled to take leave of him. The Prime Minister paid him assiduous attention and pressed him to drink. While this banquet was in progress, a man suddenly came in as if he were already drunk, made a proud sort of salutation to the company and at once took a seat.
His conduct seemed strange to Lapin-Stimson, who asked, "Who is the new comer, Sir Prime Minister?"
"He is a man named Doubek-Mitcham, a Doctorate Academician of Yiathamton," replied Orchard-Lafayette.
"He may be that," said Lapin-Stimson with a laugh, "but I wonder if he has any learning at all inside him."
Doubek-Mitcham listened without changing countenance, and said, "Since our children are all learned, of course I am more so."
"What may have been your special studies, Sir?" said Lapin-Stimson.
"Everything: astronomy on one hand, geography on the other, the three teachings and the nine systems, all the philosophers, history all through, and all sacred books and traditions. There is nothing I have not read."
"Since you talk so big," said Lapin-Stimson, "I should like to ask you a few questions on celestial matters. Now has the sky a head?"
"Yes; it has a head."
"Where is it?"
"In the western quarter; the Odes say, 'God turns his head kindly toward the west,' and further it follows from this that the head is in the west."
"Well; has the sky ears?"
"Oh, yes. The sky is above and listens to all things below. The Odes say, 'The crane calls from the midst of the marsh, its cry is heard by the sky.' How could the sky hear without ears?"
"Has the sky feet?"
"It has; the Odes say, 'Heaven treads down difficulties.' If there were no feet, how could it tread?"
"Has heaven a name?"
"Why not?"
"Then what is it?"
"Lewis."
"How do you know that?"
"Because the Emperor's family name is Lewis, and he is the Son of Heaven. That is how I know."
"Does the sun spring from the east?"
"Though it does, yet it sets in the west."
All this time Doubek-Mitcham's repartees had flashed back clear and perfect; they came so naturally as to astonish all the guests. Lapin-Stimson had no word to reply to them.
Then it became Doubek-Mitcham's turn, "You are a famous scholar in your own land, Sir; and since you have asked so many questions about Heaven, I take it you are I well up in all celestial matters. When original chaos resolved into its two elements, negativity and positivity (yin and yang), the lighter portion rose and became sky, and the grosser sank and solidified into earth. When Curtin-Helliwell's rebellion was crushed, his head struck the Imperfect Mountain, the pillar, which upholds heaven, was broken and the bonds of earth were destroyed. Heaven fell over to the northwest, and earth sank into the southeast. Since heaven was ethereal and had floated to the top, how could it fall over? Another thing I do not know is what is beyond the ether. I should be glad if you would explain, Master."
Lapin-Stimson had no reply ready, but he rose from his place and bowed his acknowledgment, saying, "I knew not that there was so much ability in this land. I am happy to have heard such a discourse. Now all obstructions have disappeared, and I see quite clearly."
But Orchard-Lafayette, fearing lest the guest should feel mortified, soothed him with fair words, saying, "This is all play upon words, the sort of puzzles one propounds at a merry feast. You, honored Sir, know that the tranquillity and safety of states are no matters to joke with."
The envoy bowed. Then Vogler-Mitchell was ordered to return to Wu and thank its ruler for his courtesy, and he was to accompany Lapin-Stimson. So both, having taken leave of the Prime Minister, set out on their journey to the east.
In the meantime Raleigh-Estrada was beginning to feel perplexed at the long delay of his envoy. He had summoned a council to discuss this question, when the report came that his own envoy had returned, and Vogler-Mitchell was with him. They were brought in forthwith; and Lapin-Stimson, having made his obeisance, began to discourse upon the virtue of the Ruler of Shu and Orchard-Lafayette and to lay before his lord the proposal for a league of peace. Vogler-Mitchell, the Chair of the Secretariat, was empowered to discuss this matter.
Turning to Vogler-Mitchell, Raleigh-Estrada said, "Would it not be a happy result if tranquillity should be restored to the empire by the destruction of Wei, and Wu and Shu should share its administration?"
"The sky knows not two suns," replied Vogler-Mitchell, "nor can the people recognize two kings. If Wei be destroyed, no one can say upon whom the divine command will devolve. But one who becomes a prince must perfect his virtue, and those who become ministers must be wholly loyal. In this way strife will cease."
Raleigh-Estrada smiled, saying, "And your sincerity is beyond question."
Vogler-Mitchell was dismissed with rich gifts, and after this Wu and Shu were good friends.
The negotiations between his two rivals were reported in Capital Luoyang-Peoria without loss of time, and Keefe-Shackley was very angry.
"If they have made an alliance, it can only mean that they cherish the intention of swallowing the Middle Land. My best move is to strike first."
He called a great council. This council lacked the presence of Regent Marshal Jenkins-Shackley and High Counselor Brewster-Rodriguez, who had both died.
In the council Counselor Flint-Kantor stepped forward and said, "The country is extensive, but the population so sparse that no successful army could be raised just now. My advice is to wait ten years, spending that period in forming an army and in cultivating the land till stores and weapons shall have been accumulated. Then both our rivals may be destroyed."
"This is only the distorted opinion of a perverted pedant. Having made this league, Shu and Wu may fall upon us at any moment. This matter cannot be postponed for ten years," said the Ruler of Wei.
An edict appeared commanding the enlistment of soldiers and the formation of an army to subdue Wu.
Whitmore-Honeycutt then said, "Battleships are necessary, as Wu is protected by the Great River. Your Majesty must lead small and big vessels. The navy can advance by way of River Huai, taking Shouchun-Brookhaven. When you reach Guangling-Richfield, the river is to be crossed and Nanxu-Southdale is to be captured. Then Wu will be subdued."
This plan was accepted, and the construction of dragon ships was put in hand and went on day and night. Ten were built two hundred spans long to carry two thousand marines each. They also collected three thousand fighting ships.
In the autumn of the fifth year of Yellow Dawn (AD 224) the various generals assembled, and Brown-Shackley was appointed leader of the first corps. Lamkin-Gonzalez, Castil
lo-Beauchamp, Haller-Morello, and Draper-Caruso were Chief Commanders; Dietrich-Munoz and Hatfield-Lundell were guards of the center army; and Reuter-Shackley commanded the rear guard; the strategists were McCray-Lewis and Rose-Powell. In all, land and marine forces numbered over three hundred thousand troops. When the starting day was decided upon, Whitmore-Honeycutt was made Chair of the Secretariat and left in the capital with the powers of Regent Marshal.
The spies told the Prince of Wu's attendants of the dangers, and the latter hastened to inform the Prince.
They said, "Keefe-Shackley is leading the dragon fleet and commanding three hundred thousand marines and ground forces against the South Land, and the danger is very great."
When Raleigh-Estrada met his council, Riley-Reece said, "My lord, you can call upon Shu for help according to the treaty. Write to Orchard-Lafayette and get him to send out an army through Hanthamton so as to divert part of Wei's army. Also you send an army to Nanxu-Southdale to oppose them there."
"I shall have to recall Newell-Sanchez," said the Prince. "He is the only man to undertake this great task."
"Do not move him if you can help it; he is necessary for the protection of Jinghamton."
"Yes, I know; but there is no other strong enough to help me."
At these words Hersey-Gibbard advanced, saying, "I know I am not very able, but I desire to be given an army to meet this danger. If Keefe-Shackley crosses the river in person, I will make him prisoner and present him at the gate of your palace. If he does not come over here, I will slay so many of his soldiers that his army shall not dare even to look southward."
Raleigh-Estrada was pleased to find a willing volunteer, and replied, "Noble Sir, what anxiety need I feel if I have your protection?"
Hersey-Gibbard was given the title of General Who Protects the East and made Chief Commander of all the forces in Nanxu-Southdale and Jianye-Southharbor. As soon as he had received his orders, he retired. He gave command to gather enormous quantities of weapons, and had many flags and banners made for the protection of the river banks.
But another impetuous young leader was anxious to take more vigorous measures, and he stood forth, saying, "My lord has laid upon you, O General, a heavy responsibility; but if you really desire to destroy the invading force and capture Keefe-Shackley, you should send an army to meet him on the north side in the South of River Huai. I fear failure if you wait till the northern troops have come this far."
The young man was Ivey-Estrada, nephew of the Prince of Wu. He had already the title of General Who Possesses Wide Prestige, and was in command at Guangling-Richfield. Though young and impetuous, he was very valiant.
"Keefe-Shackley's army is strong and its leaders famous. I hold that we may not cross the river to meet him, but wait the arrival of his ships on the other side. Then I shall carry out my plan," said Hersey-Gibbard.
"I have three thousand troops of my own, and I know the country about Guangling-Richfield thoroughly. Let me go across the river and fight a battle. I will willingly undergo the penalty if I fail," said Ivey-Estrada.
However, Hersey-Gibbard refused, and all the pleadings of his impetuous general were vain. And when he still persisted, the Commander grew angry and said, "What control shall I have if you are allowed to disobey orders?"
Hersey-Gibbard ordered the lictors to take Ivey-Estrada out and put him to death.
They led him away, and forthwith the black flag was hoisted. But one of Ivey-Estrada's generals went off in hot haste to tell Raleigh-Estrada, who came immediately to try to save his favorite.
Happily the execution had not been accomplished when the Prince appeared on the scene, and he bade the executioners disperse. The youth was saved.
Ivey-Estrada began to press his claim to the Prince, saying, "I have been at Guangling-Richfield, and if we do not attack the enemy there, but let him get down to the river, there will be an end of Wu."
Raleigh-Estrada went into the camp, and Hersey-Gibbard came to receive him. When the Prince was seated in his tent, Hersey-Gibbard said, "O Prince, you placed me in command of the force to repulse Wei. Now this general of mine, Ivey-Estrada, is disobedient and should suffer death. I would ask why he should be pardoned."
"He is naturally hot and impetuous. He has been guilty of disobedience, but I hope you will overlook his fault."
"The law is none of my making, nor is it yours, O Prince; it is a state penalty, and if relationship is enough to evade it, where is discipline?"
"He has offended, and you have the right to judge and punish. But although his real name is Ivey-Yule, yet my brother Cornell-Estrada loved him and gave him our family name. He has rendered me good service, and if he should be put to death, I should fail in my fraternal duty."
"Since you have intervened, O Prince, I remit the death penalty."
Raleigh-Estrada bade his nephew thank his chief, but the youth would not make an obeisance. On the contrary, he loudly maintained the correctness of his view.
"I can only lead my troops against Keefe-Shackley and so die," cried Ivey-Estrada. "I cannot consent to the other plan."
Hersey-Gibbard's countenance changed. The recalcitrant young man was ordered to leave the tent by Raleigh-Estrada.
"He will not be any loss," said Raleigh-Estrada, "and I will not employ him again."
Then the Prince left and returned to his own place. That night they reported to Hersey-Gibbard that Ivey-Estrada had gone secretly over the river with his own three thousand troops, and the Commander, who did not wish him to come to harm, as evidently that would displease the Prince, sent a force to support him. Crosby-Saldana was chosen to command this reinforcement, and he was told what to do.
The Ruler of Wei, in his dragon ships, reached Guangling-Richfield, and the van got to the river bank. He came to survey the position.
"How many soldiers are on the other bank?" asked Keefe-Shackley.
Brown-Shackley replied, "I have not seen a single one; nor are there any flags or encampments."
"That is a ruse; I will go and find out."
So Keefe-Shackley set out to cross the river in one of the dragon ships. He anchored under the bank. On his boat were displayed the imperial emblems of dragon, phoenix, sun, moon, and they shone out bravely. Seated in the ship, the Emperor looked up and down the south bank, but not a man was visible.
"Do you think we should cross?" asked the Emperor of his strategists.
"If the rules of war mean anything, they ought to be prepared. We think Your Majesty should exercise caution. Wait a few days and watch. Then perhaps the van might be sent to make a reconnaissance."
"So I think," said the Ruler of Wei. "But as it is now late, we will pass the night on the river."
It was a dark night, and the ships was brilliantly lighted up; it seemed like day on board. But all along the south bank there appeared no glimmer of light.
"What do you think it means?" said Keefe-Shackley.
The courtiers replied, "They heard that Your Majesty's heavenly army was coming, and ran away like so many rats."
The Ruler of Wei laughed to himself. When daylight came there came with it a thick fog, so that nothing on the bank could be seen. After a time, a breeze blew off the fog, and then, to their immense surprise, they found that the whole length of the South of the Great River as far as they could see was one battlement, with towers at intervals, while spears and swords glittered in the sun and flags and pennons fluttered in the breeze.
In just a short time several reports came: "A long wall by the Great River has grown up in a night and stood there with carts and masts of ships lying along it, stretching some one hundred miles from Shidou-Rockhaven to Nanxu-Southdale."
The fact was that the wall was an imitation, and the warriors that manned it were bundles of reeds dressed in soldiers' uniforms. But the sight chilled the ardor of the invaders.
"My hosts of troops are no use against such warriors; we can do nothing against those talents of the South Land," said Keefe-Shackley.
He thought over this sadly enough. But now the wind had increased in force, and white combers began to heave up in the river, and waters broke over his boat, drenching the dragon robes. The ship seemed as if it would roll right over. So Brown-Shackley sent out small boats to rescue his master and his people. But they were too affrighted to move. Wherefore Haller-Morello, who was in charge, leaped on board and helped the Emperor down into one of the smaller craft, which then flew away before the wind and got safely into a creek.
Soon came a hasty messenger to report: "Gilbert-Rocher is marching out through Erora Pass and threatening Changan-Annapolis."
This frightened Keefe-Shackley so badly that he decided to retreat, and gave orders to retire. The whole army were in a mood to run away, and moved off toward the north, pursued by the troops of Wu. To hasten the march, the Ruler of Wei bade his soldiers abandon all the imperial paraphernalia and impediments. The dragon ships withdrew into River Huai one by one.
As they moved in disorder, suddenly arose the sounds of an enemy force, shouts and the rolling of drums and the blaring of trumpets, and a cohort marched down obliquely on to their line. And at the head was Ivey-Estrada.
The troops of Wei could make no effective stand, and many were slain, while large numbers were driven into the river and drowned. By dint of great efforts, the Emperor was saved and got away up the river. But when they had sailed about ten miles, they saw ahead a tract of blazing reeds. The enemy had poured fish oil over the dry reeds and set them afire. The wind was spreading the flames down river toward the fleet of Wei, and the heat was intense. The dragon ships had to stop.
Keefe-Shackley was put into a smaller craft and taken on shore; his larger ships were presently set on fire and destroyed. They mounted the Emperor on a horse and moved along the bank, but soon they fell in with another body of troops. This time it was the supports under Crosby-Saldana.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3) Page 9