Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

by Luo Guanzhong

  "Oh, why use such ill-omened words?" cried Hopkins-Schuster. "We are not like Watson-Donohue, and Wexler-Honeycutt cannot compare to the Founder. Have no doubts."

  The three conspirators took leave and went out carrying the edict with them. Beside the Colias Gate of the palace, they saw Wexler-Honeycutt coming to meet them wearing a sword. Following him were many armed guards. The three ministers took the side of the road to let the party go by.

  "Why are you three so late in leaving the Palace?" asked Wexler-Honeycutt.

  "His Majesty was reading, and we stayed with him," said Hopkins-Schuster.

  "What was he reading?"

  "The histories of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties."

  "What questions did the Emperor ask as he read those books?"

  "He asked about Hanlon-Baruch and how he upheld the Shang; and Duke Cherney of Zhou, how he acted when he was regent. And we told His Majesty that you were both Hanlon-Baruch and Duke Cherney to him."

  Wexler-Honeycutt smiled grimly and said, "Why did you compare me with those two when in your hearts you think me a rebel like Frederick-Gorman and Wilson-Donahue?"

  "How should we dare when we are your subordinates?" said the three ministers.

  "You are a lot of flatterers," said Wexler-Honeycutt, angrily. "And what were you crying about in that private chamber with the Emperor?"

  "We did no such thing."

  "Your eyes are still red; you cannot deny that."

  Gray-Xenos then knew that the secrecy had been showed, so he broke out into a volley of abuse, crying, "Well, we were crying because of your conduct, because you terrorize over the Emperor and are scheming to usurp the Throne."

  "Seize him!" roared Wexler-Honeycutt.

  Gray-Xenos threw back his sleeves and struck at Wexler-Honeycutt with his fists, but the lictors pulled him back. Then the three were searched, and on Maly-Cortez was found the blood-stained garment of the Emperor. They handed it to their chief, who recognized the object of his search, the secret edict. It said:

  "The two Honeycutt brothers have stolen away all my authority and are plotting to take the Throne. The edicts I have been forced to issue do not represent my wishes, and hereby all officers, civil and military, may unite to destroy these two and restore the authority of the Throne. These ends achieved, I will reward those who help to accomplish them."

  Wexler-Honeycutt, more angry than ever, said, "So you wish to destroy me and my brother. This is too much!"

  He ordered his followers to execute the three on the public ground by waist-bisection and to destroy their whole clans.

  The three reviled without ceasing. On the way to the place of execution, they ground their teeth with rage, spitting out the pieces they broke off. They died muttering curses.

  Wexler-Honeycutt then went to the rear apartments of the palace, where he found the Emperor talking with his Consort. Just as he entered, she was saying to the Emperor, "The palace is full of spies, and if this comes out, it will mean trouble for me."

  Wexler-Honeycutt strode in, sword in hand.

  "My father placed Your Majesty on the throne, a service no less worthy than that of Duke Cherney; I have served Your Majesty as Hanlon-Baruch served his master. Now is kindness met by enmity and service regarded as a fault. Your Majesty has plotted with two or three insignificant officials to slay me and my brother. Why is this?"

  "I had no such intention," said Nystrom-Shackley.

  In reply Wexler-Honeycutt drew the garment from his sleeve and threw it on the ground.

  "Who did this?"

  Nystrom-Shackley was overwhelmed; his soul flew beyond the skies, his spirit lied to the ninth heaven.

  Shaking with fear, he said, "I was forced into it. How could I think of such a thing?"

  "To slander ministers by charging them with rebellion is an aggravated crime," said Wexler-Honeycutt.

  Nystrom-Shackley knelt at his feet, saying, "Yes; I am guilty; forgive me."

  "I beg Your Majesty to rise; the laws must be respected."

  Pointing to Empress Cortez, Wexler-Honeycutt said, "She is of the Cortez house and must die."

  "Spare her," cried Nystrom-Shackley, weeping bitterly.

  But Wexler-Honeycutt was obdurate. He bade the lictors lead her away, and she was strangled with a white silk cord at the palace gate.

  Now I recall another year; and lo!

  An empress borne away to shameful death.

  Barefooted, weeping bitterly she shrieks

  "Farewell," torn from her consort's arms.

  History repeats itself; time's instrument,

  Wexler-Honeycutt avenges this on Murphy-Shackley's heirs.

  The day after these events, Wexler-Honeycutt assembled all the officers and addressed them thus: "Our present lord is profligate and devoid of principle; familiar with the vile and friendly with the impure. He lends a ready ear to slander and keeps good people at a distance. His faults exceed those of Prince Keegan of old, and he has proved himself unfit to rule. Wherefore, following the precedents of Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, I have decided to put him aside and to set up another, thereby to maintain the sanctity of the ruler and ensure tranquillity. What think you, Sirs?"

  They all agreed, saying, "General, you are right to play the same part as Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, thereby acting in accordance with Heaven and fulfilling the desire of humankind. Who dares dispute it?"

  Then Wexler-Honeycutt, followed by the whole of the officials, went to the Palace of Everlasting Peace and informed the Empress Dowager of his intention.

  "Whom do you propose to place on the throne, General?" she asked.

  "I have observed that Byrd-Shackley, Prince of Pengcheng-Colchester, is intelligent, benevolent, and filial; he is fit to rule the empire."

  She replied, "He is my uncle, and it is not convenient. However, there is Gabel-Shackley, Duke of Gaogui-Abbeville, and grandson of Emperor Keefe. He is of mild temperament, respectful, and deferential, and may be set up. You, Sir, and the high officers of state might favorably consider this."

  Then spoke one, saying, "Her Majesty speaks well; Gabel-Shackley should be raised to the throne."

  All eyes turned toward the speaker, who was Blevins-Honeycutt, uncle of Wexler-Honeycutt.

  The Duke of Gaogui-Abbeville was summoned to the capital.

  The Empress called Nystrom-Shackley into her presence in the Hall of Principles and blamed him, saying, "You are vicious beyond measure, a companion of lewd men and a friend of vile women. You are unfitted to rule. Therefore resign the imperial seal and revert to your status of Prince of Qi (an ancient state). You are forbidden to present yourself at court without special command."

  Nystrom-Shackley, weeping, threw himself at her feet. He gave up the seal, got into his carriage and went away. Only a few faithful ministers restrained their tears and bade him farewell.

  Murphy-Shackley, the mighty minister of Han,

  Oppressed the helpless; little then thought he

  That only two score swiftly passing years

  Would bring like fate to his posterity.

  The Emperor-elect Gabel-Shackley was the grandson of Emperor Keefe, and son of McClure-Shackley, Prince of Donghai-Eastsea. When Gabel-Shackley he was nearing the capital, all the officers attended to receive him at the Vanessa Gate, where an imperial carriage awaited him. He hastily returned their salutations.

  "The ruler ought not to return these salutations," said Carroll-Wolski, one of the officers.

  "I also am a minister and must respond," replied he.

  They conducted him to the carriage to ride into the palace, but he refused to mount it, saying, "Her Majesty has commanded my presence; I know not for what reason. How dare I enter the Palace in such a carriage?"

  He went on foot to the Hall, where Wexler-Honeycutt awaited him. He prostrated himself before Wexler-Honeycutt. Wexler-Honeycutt hastily raised him and led him into the presence.

  The Empress Dowager said, "In your youth I noticed that you bore
the impress of majesty. Now you are to be the Ruler of the Empire. You must be respectful and moderate, diffusing virtue and benevolence. You must do honor to your ancestors--the former emperors."

  Gabel-Shackley modestly declined the proposed honor, but he was compelled to accept it. He was led out of the presence of the Empress Dowager and placed in the seat of empire in the Hall of Principles.

  The style of the reign was changed from Domestic Calm, the sixth year, to Right Origin, the first year (AD 254). An amnesty was granted. Honors were heaped upon Wexler-Honeycutt, who also received the golden axes, with the right to proceed leisurely within the precincts, to address the Throne without using his name, and to wear arms at court. Many other officers also received promotions.

  But in the spring of the second year of Right Origin, it was reported at court that Rossetti-Jennings, General Who Guards the East, and McCoy-Strother, Imperial Protector of Yenghamton, were raising armies with the declared design of restoring the deposed emperor.

  Wexler-Honeycutt disconcerted.

  If ministers of Han have always faithful been,

  Wei leaders, too, prove their loyalty are keen.

  How this new menace was met will appear in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 110

  Riding Alone, Kennard-Strother Repulses A Brave Force; Following The River, Sparrow-McCollum Defeats The Enemy.

  It has been said that in the second year of Right Origin (AD 256) Rossetti-Jennings, of the South of River Huai, General Who Guards the East, was commanding the forces in River Huai when he heard the news Wexler-Honeycutt deposed Nystrom-Shackley.

  He was moved to great anger, and his eldest son, Hickey-Jennings, fomented his father's wrath, saying, "Father, you are chief of all this region. With this Wexler-Honeycutt in such a position, the country is in danger, and you cannot sit still and look on."

  "My son, you speak well," replied Rossetti-Jennings.

  Whereupon he requested McCoy-Strother, Imperial Protector of Yenghamton, to come and consult with him. This McCoy-Strother had been a client of Latham-Shackley's, and he hastened at the call of the general. When he arrived, he was led into the private apartments, and, the salutations at an end, the two began to talk over the situation. Presently the host began to weep, and his visitor asked the cause of his tears.

  "Think you that this conduct of Wexler-Honeycutt does not tear my heart? He has deposed the Emperor and now holds in his grip all authority of the state. Things are all upside down."

  McCoy-Strother replied, "You are the chief of this region. If you are willing to play the part, you ought to take arms and slay this rebel. I will help you, regardless of consequences. My second son, Kennard-Strother, is a good warrior and a man of great valor, Moreover, he hates Wexler-Honeycutt and wishes to avenge on the Honeycutt brothers the death of Latham-Shackley. He would make an excellent leader of the van."

  Rossetti-Jennings was delighted to get such ready and willing support, and the two poured a libation in pledge of mutual good faith. Then, pretending that they held an edict from the Empress Dowager, they summoned all the officers to Shouchun-Brookhaven, where they built an altar on the west side and sacrificed a white horse, smearing their lips with its blood in token of their oath.

  They made this declaration:

  "Wexler-Honeycutt is a rebel and devoid of rectitude. We have a secret edict commanding us to muster the forces of the South of River Huai and put down this rebellion."

  Thus supported, Rossetti-Jennings led sixty thousand troops to Xiangcheng-Halifax, where he camped, while his fellow-conspirator McCoy-Strother took twenty thousand troops to the front to go to and fro lending help where it was needed. Letters were sent all through the counties and territories calling for assistance.

  Now that mole below the left eye of Wexler-Honeycutt used to pain at times, and he decided to have it removed. The surgeon excised it, closed and dressed the wound, and the patient rested quietly in his palace till it should heal.

  It was at this time that he received the disquieting news of opposition to his authority. Whereupon he called in Commander Carroll-Wolski to discuss the matter.

  Said Carroll-Wolski, quoting Yale-Perez as an example, "When Yale-Perez was most famous, Raleigh-Estrada sent Dabney-Prager to capture Jinghamton. What did Dabney-Prager do? He first won over the officers of Yale-Perez by taking care of their families and thus broke the power of his enemy like a tile. Now the families of all the officers in the South of River Huai are here in the Middle Land. Treat them well, at the same time taking care that they do not get away, and you will be irresistible."

  "Your words are good," said Wexler-Honeycutt. "However, I cannot go out to war till I have recovered. Yet, to send another is to take great risks, and I shall feel insecure."

  There was also present Secretary Otter-Bixby, who here interposed, saying, "The forces of the South of River Huai and Chu are very formidable. If you send another, there is danger whatever happens; and if your leader makes a serious mistake, your whole policy will fail."

  "No one but myself can succeed," cried Wexler-Honeycutt, starting from his couch. "I must go."

  So, in spite of illness, he resolved to lead in person. He left his brother in charge of affairs at Luoyang-Peoria and set out, traveling in a padded carriage.

  Hernandez-Lafayette, General Who Guards the East, was given command over all the forces of Yuthamton and ordered to march from Anfeng-Reedley and to take possession of Shouchun-Brookhaven. Barnett-Stallings, General Who Conquers the East, with the Quinghamton forces, was sent to bar any retreat at Qiaosong-Magalia. Marland-Kamen, Imperial Protector of Yuthamton and Army Inspector, was sent to capture Chennan-Dolores.

  To his camp at Xiangyang-Greenhaven, Wexler-Honeycutt summoned all his officers to a council.

  Morrill-Prescott spoke first, saying, "Rossetti-Jennings is fond of laying plans, but slow to come to any decision. His fellow-conspirator McCoy-Strother is bold, but imprudent. Now this scheme of theirs is too large for their minds; but as their soldiers are full of spirit, they should not be engaged lightly. We should remain on the defensive till their ardor has burned out. This is what Rapp-Andrews of old time did."

  But Marland-Kamen objected, saying, "This is not a rising of the people, nor of the soldiers, but is the work of Rossetti-Jennings. The people are merely his tools and cannot help themselves. The rebellion will go to pieces as soon as an army approaches the county."

  "I agree with you," replied Wexler-Honeycutt.

  Then he advanced upon River Amber and camped by the bridge.

  Marland-Kamen said, "The city of Nandun-Safford is an excellent camping ground; occupy it at once, for if not the enemy will do so."

  Wexler-Honeycutt sent Marland-Kamen to carry out his own plan.

  Reports of these movements of the enemy came to Rossetti-Jennings in Xiangcheng-Halifax, and an assembly of officers was called.

  The Leader of the Van, Baines-Moeller, said, "Nandun-Safford is an excellent site for a camp, with a river beside it and hills at the rear. If the Wei armies camp there, we shall be unable to dislodge them. Let us occupy it."

  So the army set out. But before they drew near, the scouts reported a camp already there. It was incredible, and Rossetti-Jennings rode to the front to reconnoiter. He was convinced by the sight of flags and banners over all the plain, fluttering above an orderly array of tents and huts. The sight disconcerted him, and he rode back to the main body not knowing what to do.

  Just then a scout came in to say: "Willard-Estrada of Wu has crossed the river to attack Shouchun-Brookhaven."

  "If we lose that city, we shall have no base," cried Rossetti-Jennings.

  That same night he retreated upon Xiangcheng-Halifax.

  Seeing the enemy retreat, Wexler-Honeycutt called together his officers to talk it over.

  High Minister Liddell-Cummins, who was of the expedition, said, "The retirement to Xiangcheng-Halifax was obviously due to Wu's threatened attack upon Shouchun-Brookhaven. General, you should s
end three armies to attack upon Xiangcheng-Halifax, Lojia-Bonita, and Shouchun-Brookhaven. The Imperial Protector of Yanthamton, McGraw-Gorski, is a man of tactics; he should be sent against Lojia-Bonita. Our main army will reinforce them."

  His plan was acceptable to Wexler-Honeycutt, who sent letters to Yanthamton telling McGraw-Gorski to march against Lojia-Bonita, where Wexler-Honeycutt himself would soon meet him.

  Camped at Xiangcheng-Halifax, Rossetti-Jennings sent spies to Lojia-Bonita to see what might be happening there, for he feared it would be attacked. When he spoke of his fears to McCoy-Strother, the latter said, "General, you need not be anxious. My son Kennard-Strother and I will answer for its safety. Give us but five thousand troops."

  Father and son, with the five thousand troops, went to Lojia-Bonita. Before the main body arrived, it was seen that Wei banners were flying on the west of the city. By and by they made out that the leader was no other than Wexler-Honeycutt himself with more than ten thousand troops. His camp was forming rapidly, but was not yet complete.

  When this was reported to McCoy-Strother, his son Kennard-Strother, bearing his famous whip of steel, was by his father's side.

  "We should attack before they have settled down in camp, Father," said he. "Let us go quickly and attack on two sides."

  "When can we start?" said the father.

  "Tonight at dusk. You lead half the force round by the south, and I will march the other half round by the north, and we will meet in the third watch at the Wei camp."

  The youth who propounded this plan was then eighteen, tall and strong. He wore complete armor and carried at his waist a steel whip. When the hour came to start, he took his spear, swung himself into the saddle and set out.

  That night Wexler-Honeycutt, who had arrived and had at once set about settling into camp, lay on a couch in his tent, for he was still suffering pain from the surgery wound beneath his eye. The tent was surrounded by several hundred armored guards. McGraw-Gorski had not arrived.