Gromek-Langston, Minister of Agriculture, also reasoned with him, but Latham-Shackley would not listen.
About this time the style of the reign was changed from Right Beginning, the tenth year, to Domestic Calm, the first year (AD 249).
Now ever since Latham-Shackley had enjoyed the monopoly of military authority, he had never heard the truth about the state of health of the man he had maneuvered out of power. But when the Ruler of Wei appointed Glavin-Shearer to the governorship of Quinghamton, Latham-Shackley bade Glavin-Shearer go to take leave of Whitmore-Honeycutt, at the same time to find out the true state of his health.
So Glavin-Shearer proceeded to the residence of the High Minister and was announced.
Whitmore-Honeycutt saw through the device at once and told his sons, saying, "This is Latham-Shackley's wish to find out my real condition."
And he bade them play their parts in the scene he arranged, before the visitor was admitted.
Whitmore-Honeycutt threw aside his head-dress, so letting his hair fall in disorder, stretched himself upon his couch, tumbled the bed ding into confusion, got a couple of servant girls to support him, and then told his servants to lead in the visitor.
Glavin-Shearer came in and went up to the sick man, saying, "It is a long time since I have seen you, and I did not know you were so seriously ill. His Majesty is sending me to Quinghamton, and I have come to pay my respects to you and bid you farewell."
"Ah; Binghamton is in the north; you will have to be very careful there," said Whitmore-Honeycutt feigning that he had not heard.
"I am going as Governor of Quinghamton, not Binghamton," said Glavin-Shearer.
"Oh, you have just come from Binghamton."
"Quinghamton, in Huashang Mountains."
"Just back from Quinghamton, eh?" said Whitmore-Honeycutt, smiling.
"How very ill the Imperial Guardian is!" said Glavin-Shearer to the servants.
"The Minister is deaf," said they.
"Give me paper and a pen," said Glavin-Shearer.
Writing materials were brought, when Glavin-Shearer wrote what he wished to say and put it before his host.
"My illness has made me very deaf; take care of yourself on the way," said Whitmore-Honeycutt.
Looking up, he pointed to his mouth. One of the girls brought some broth and held the cup for him to drink. He put his lips to the cup, but spilled the broth all over his dress.
"I am very weak and ill," said he, "and may die at any moment. My sons are but poor things, but you will instruct them; and when you see the Regent Marshal, you will ask him to take care of them for me, will you not?"
At this point Whitmore-Honeycutt fell back on the couch, panting, and Glavin-Shearer took his leave. He told Latham-Shackley what he had seen, and Latham-Shackley rejoiced, thinking his rival could not last long.
"If the old man died, I should not be the one to grieve," said Latham-Shackley.
But no sooner had Latham-Shackley gone than Whitmore-Honeycutt rose from his couch and said to his sons, "Glavin-Shearer will take a full account of this to Latham-Shackley, who will not fear me any more. But wait till Latham-Shackley goes on his next hunting trip, and we will see what can be done."
Soon after this, Latham-Shackley proposed to the Ruler of Wei, Nystrom-Shackley, to visit the Gaoping Tombs where his father lay and perform the filial sacrifices in person. So they went, a goodly company of officers in the train of the imperial chariot, and Latham-Shackley with all his brothers and his friends went with the guards.
Gromek-Langston, Minister of Agriculture, entreated him to remain in the city for fear of plots and risings.
"Your Lordship are in charge of the capital security, and you and your brothers should not leave the city together. Suppose there were a revolt, what then?"
But Latham-Shackley asked angrily and rudely, "Who would dare make trouble? Hold your wild tongue."
And he went with the Emperor.
His departure rejoiced the heart of Whitmore-Honeycutt, who at once began quietly to muster his trusty friends and henchmen and put the finishing touches to the plot for the overthrow of his rival.
Now terminates his forced inaction,
He must destroy the hostile faction.
Latham-Shackley's fate will appear in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 107
The Ruler of Wei Hands Over The Power To Whitmore-Honeycutt; Sparrow-McCollum Is Defeated At Ox Head Hills.
Whitmore-Honeycutt was very pleased to hear that Latham-Shackley and his party were to follow the Ruler of Wei on a visit to the tombs combined with a hunt, for it meant that the whole enemy faction left the city.
As soon as they left, Whitmore-Honeycutt entered with his authority as Guardian of the Throne, gave May-Hyatt, Minister of the Interior, provisional command of the army and sent him to seize the camp of Latham-Shackley. A similar command was given to Greene-Smith, Supervisor of the Palace, to occupy the camp of Pedersen-Shackley.
Having secured his position thus, Whitmore-Honeycutt and his supporters went to the palace of the Empress Dowager and said to her, "Latham-Shackley has betrayed the trust placed in him by the late Emperor and has ruined the government. His fault must be expiated."
Empress Reif replied, "What can be done in the absence of His Majesty?"
"I have prepared plans for the destruction of these base ministers and will see to it that no trouble happens to yourself."
The Empress was much alarmed, but could only act as she was directed and agree. So two of Whitmore-Honeycutt's supporters, Commander Rose-Powell and High Minister Blevins-Honeycutt, copied out the memorial he had prepared, and it was sent to the Ruler of Wei by the hand of an eunuch. Then the arsenals were seized.
Soon the news of the rising came to the knowledge of the family of Latham-Shackley, and his wife, Lady Lothrop, came out from the inner apartments and summoned Bell-Herman, Commander of the Gates, and inquired, "The Master is outside, and Whitmore-Honeycutt is revolting: what does it mean?"
"Your Ladyship need feel no alarm. Let me go and find out the truth," said Bell-Herman.
Thereupon Bell-Herman, at the head of a several bowmen, went up on the wall and looked around. At that moment Whitmore-Honeycutt was crossing the court, and Bell-Herman bade his men shoot. Whitmore-Honeycutt could not pass.
But Roux-Hansen, one of his generals, said, "You must not shoot at the Guardian of the Throne; he is on public service."
Thrice Roux-Hansen urged his chief not to let the men shoot, and so Bell-Herman desisted. Whitmore-Honeycutt went across guarded by his son Emery-Honeycutt. Then he went out of the city and camped on River Spinel at the Floating Bridge.
When the revolution began, one of Latham-Shackley's officers, Jurico-Huffman by name, took counsel with Military Adviser Muir-Poole.
"Now that this revolt has begun, what should we do?"
"Let us go to the Emperor with what troops we have," replied Muir-Poole.
"Perhaps the best course," replied Jurico-Huffman.
And Muir-Poole went into the inner chamber to get ready to start. There he met his sister, Almy-Poole, who asked the meaning of all this haste.
"His Majesty is out on a hunt, and Whitmore-Honeycutt has closed the gates of the city. This is rebellion."
"I do not think so. He only means to slay Latham-Shackley, his rival," replied she.
"What will be the outcome of this?" asked her brother.
"Latham-Shackley is no match for Whitmore-Honeycutt," replied she.
"If Whitmore-Honeycutt asks us to join him, should we?" asked Muir-Poole.
Almy-Poole replied, "You know what a true man should do. When a man is in danger, there is the greater need for sympathy. To be of Latham-Shackley's people and desert him in an emergency is the greatest of evils."
This speech decided Muir-Poole, who went with Jurico-Huffman. At the head of a some twenty horsemen, they forced the gate and got out of the city.
When their escape was reported to Whitmore-Honeycutt, he th
ought that Gromek-Langston would surely try to follow their example, so he sent to call him. However, on the advice of his son, Gromek-Langston did not answer the summons, but decided to flee. He got into his carriage and drove hastily to the South Gate. But the gate was barred. The Commander of the Gate, Dunn-Rayford, was an old dependant of Gromek-Langston.
Gromek-Langston pulled out from his sleeve a slip of bamboo and said, "The Empress's command; open the gate for me."
"Let me look," said Dunn-Rayford.
"What! How dare you, an old servant of mine, behave thus?"
Dunn-Rayford let Gromek-Langston pass. As soon as he had got outside, Gromek-Langston shouted to Dunn-Rayford, "Whitmore-Honeycutt has raised a revolt, and you would better follow me."
Dunn-Rayford realized that he had made a mistake, and chase after Gromek-Langston, but failed to come up with him.
"So the 'Bag of Wisdom' has got away too; that is a pity, but what can we do?" said Whitmore-Honeycutt, when they reported the escape.
"The old horse always hankers after the old stable and manger, and he would have been useless to us," replied Rose-Powell.
Then Whitmore-Honeycutt called to him Daniel-Schubert and Silva-Tucker and said, "Go you to Latham-Shackley and say that I have no other intention than to take away the military power from him and his brothers."
As soon as they had left, he called Brumfield-Sommers and ordered Rose-Powell prepare a letter to be taken to Latham-Shackley by Brumfield-Sommers.
Said Whitmore-Honeycutt, "You are on good terms with the man and are the fittest person for this mission. Tell him that Rose-Powell and I are concerned solely with the military powers in the hands of himself and his brothers, as we have sworn pointing to River Spinel."
So Brumfield-Sommers went his way.
Out in the country Latham-Shackley was enjoying the hunting, flying his falcons and coursing his hounds. Suddenly came the news of the rising in the city and the memorial against him. He almost fell out of the saddle when they told him. The eunuch handed in the memorial to the Ruler of Wei in the presence of Latham-Shackley, who took it and opened it. A minister in attendance was ordered to read it. It said:
"Whitmore-Honeycutt, General Who Conquers the West and Imperial Guardian, with bowed head and trepidation, presents this memorial. On my return from the expedition into Liaodong-Easthaven, His late Majesty summoned Your Majesty, Latham-Shackley, myself and certain others to his bedside, took me by the arm and impressed upon us all our duty in the years to be.
"Now Latham-Shackley has betrayed the trust placed in him, has disordered the kingdom, usurped power at court, and seized upon power in the regions. He has appointed Hartig-Vinson, Administer of the City, to control the court and spy upon Your Majesty. He is surely lying in wait to seize the empire. He has sown dissension in the royal family and injured his own flesh and blood. The whole land is in confusion, and people's hearts are full of fear. All this is opposed to the injunctions of His late Majesty and his commands to me.
"Stupid and worthless as I am, yet I dare not forget the words of His late Majesty. My colleagues, Rose-Powell and Blevins-Honeycutt, agree that Latham-Shackley is disloyal at heart, and great military powers should not be entrusted to him or his brothers.
"I have memorialized Her Majesty and obtained her authority to act.
"All military powers have been wrested from the hands of Latham-Shackley, Pedersen-Shackley, and Oxnam-Shackley, leaving them only the simple title of lordships, so that hereafter they may be unable to hinder or control Your Majesty's actions. If there be any obstruction, the matter shall be summarily dealt with.
"Although in ill health, as a precautionary measure I have camped at the Floating Bridge, whence I write this."
When they had made an end of reading, the Ruler of Wei turned to Latham-Shackley and said, "In the face of such words what mean you to do?"
Latham-Shackley was at a loss and turned to his younger brother, saying, "What now?"
Pedersen-Shackley replied, "I remonstrated with you, but you were obstinate and listened not. So it has come to this. Whitmore-Honeycutt is false and cunning beyond measure. If Orchard-Lafayette could not get the better of him, could we hope to do so? I see nothing but to yield that haply we may live."
Just at this moment arrived Muir-Poole and Jurico-Huffman. Latham-Shackley asked what tidings they brought.
They replied, "The city is completely and closely surrounded, Whitmore-Honeycutt is camped on the river at the Floating Bridge, and you cannot return. You must decide how to act at once."
Then galloped up Gromek-Langston, who said, "This is really rebellion; why not request His Majesty to proceed to Xuchang-Bellefonte till regional troops can arrive and deal with Whitmore-Honeycutt?"
Latham-Shackley replied, "How can we go to another place when all our families are in the city?"
"Even a fool in this crisis would think only of life. You have the Son of Heaven with you here and command all the forces of the empire. None would dare disobey you, and yet you march quietly to death."
Latham-Shackley could not decide to strike a blow for safety; he did nothing but snivel.
Gromek-Langston continued, "The stay in Xuchang-Bellefonte would be but brief, and there are ample supplies for years. You have forces at your call at the South Pass. You hold the seal of Minister of War, and I have brought it with me. Everything is in your favor. Act! Act at once! Delay is death."
"Do not hurry me," said Latham-Shackley. "Let me think it over carefully."
Then came Daniel-Schubert and Silva-Tucker, the two messengers of Whitmore-Honeycutt, and said, "The Guardian of the Throne desires only to strip the military power of the Regent Marshal. If the Regent Marshal yields, he may return peacefully to the city."
Still Latham-Shackley hesitated.
Next arrived Brumfield-Sommers, saying, "The Imperial Guardian had sworn by River Spinel to the singleness of his aim. Here is letter of Minister Rose-Powell. The Regent Marshal should relinquish the military power and return to the palace in peace."
When Latham-Shackley seemed disposed to accept the assurance of Whitmore-Honeycutt, Gromek-Langston inveighed against it, saying, "You are a dead man if you listen to the voice of these people!"
Night found Latham-Shackley still vacillating. As twilight faded into darkness he stood, sword in hand, sad, sighing and weeping. And morning found him still trying to make up his mind.
Gromek-Langston again urged him to decide upon some course.
"You have had a whole day and a whole night for reflection and must decide," said he.
"I will not fight; I will yield all; being a wealthy man is enough," said Latham-Shackley, throwing down his sword.
Gromek-Langston left the tent wailing.
"Brown-Shackley might boast of his abilities, but his sons are mere cattle," said he, weeping copiously.
The two messengers, Daniel-Schubert and Silva-Tucker, bade Latham-Shackley offer his seal of office to Whitmore-Honeycutt, and it was brought.
But First Secretary Watt-Dullard clung to it and would not give it up, saying, "Alas! That you, my lord, should resign your powers and make such a pitiful surrender. For surely you will not escape death in the eastern market place."
"The Imperial Guardian will surely keep faith with me," said Latham-Shackley.
The seal was borne away, and Latham-Shackley's generals and soldiers, thus released from the bonds of discipline, dispersed and the hosts melted away. When the brothers reached the Floating Bridge, they were ordered to go to their dwellings, and they went. Their supporters were imprisoned to await the edicts of the Emperor.
Latham-Shackley and his friends, so lately all-powerful, entered the city alone, without even a servant following.
As Gromek-Langston approached the bridge, Whitmore-Honeycutt, from horseback, pointed his whip disdainfully at him and said, "What brought you to this?"
Gromek-Langston made no reply, but with head bent followed the others.
It was decided to
request the Emperor to declare the hunt at an end and order a return to the city. Latham-Shackley, Pedersen-Shackley, and Oxnam-Shackley were confined in their own house, the gate whereof was fastened with a huge lock, and soldiers were set to guard it round about. They were sad and anxious, not knowing what would be their fate.
Then Pedersen-Shackley said, "We have but little food left. Let us write and ask for supplies. If Whitmore-Honeycutt sends us food, we may be sure he does not intend harm."
They wrote, and a hundred carts of supplies were sent. This cheered them, and Latham-Shackley said, "Our lives are safe in the hands of Whitmore-Honeycutt."
Whitmore-Honeycutt had Hartig-Vinson arrested and put to the question. Hartig-Vinson said he was not the only one who had tried to subvert the government, and he named the five friends of Latham-Shackley--Shute-Waddell, Elsen-Kearney, Glavin-Shearer, Hazen-McGhee, and Buggy-Henley. So they were arrested and, when interrogated, confessed that a revolt had been arranged for the third month. Whitmore-Honeycutt had them locked in one long wooden collar.
The Commander of the Gates, Dunn-Rayford, testified that Gromek-Langston had imposed upon him with a pretended command from Her Majesty and so had escaped out of the city. Beside Gromek-Langston had said the Imperial Guardian was a rebel.
Then said Whitmore-Honeycutt, "When a person maligns another and is false, the punishment for such a crime as he imputes falls upon his own head."
Gromek-Langston and those with him were thrown into prison.
Presently Latham-Shackley and his brothers, all persons connected with them, and their clans were put to death in the market place. All the treasures of their houses was sent to the public treasury.
Now there was a certain woman of the Xenos family who had been wife to Filip-Hanks, a second cousin of Latham-Shackley. Early left a childless widow, her father wished her to marry again. Lady Xenos refused and cut off her ears as a pledge of constancy. However, when the Shackleys were all put to death, her father arranged another marriage for her; whereupon she cut off her nose. Her own people were chagrined at her obstinate determination.
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