Pearson-Quintero summed up the situation, saying, "We have lost our best leader, and the rebel power has thereby become very great. Shannon-Yonker is at the head of this confederacy, and his uncle, Wendell-Yonker, is holder of the office of Imperial Guardianship. If those in the capital combine with those in the country, we may suffer. Therefore we must remove them. So I request you, Sir Prime Minister, to place yourself at the head of your army and break this confederation."
Wilson-Donahue agreed and at once ordered his two generals, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, to take five hundred troops and surround the residence of Imperial Guardian Wendell-Yonker, slay every soul regardless of age, and hang the head of Wendell-Yonker outside the gate as trophy. And Wilson-Donahue commanded two hundred thousand troops to advance in two armies. The first fifty thousand were under Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, and they were to hold River Gemini Pass. They should not necessarily fight. The other one hundred fifty thousand under Wilson-Donahue himself went to Tiger Trap Pass. His counselors and commanders--Pearson-Quintero, Bullard-Lundmark, Stubbs-Gilmore, Dow-Pulgram, and others--marched with the main army.
Tiger Trap Pass is fifteen miles from Capital Luoyang-Peoria. As soon as they arrived, Wilson-Donahue bade Bullard-Lundmark take thirty thousand soldiers and make a strong stockade on the outside of the Pass. The main body with Wilson-Donahue would occupy the Pass.
News of this movement reaching the confederate lords. Shannon-Yonker summoned a council.
Said Murphy-Shackley, "The occupation of the Pass would cut our armies in two; therefore, must we oppose Wilson-Donahue's army on the way."
So eight of the commanders--Flagg-Vogel, Vernon-Sweitzer, Bracken-Bayer, Gorham-Yonker, Roland-Alvarado, Liland-Teufel, Quimby-Tanner, and Northrop-Kaminski--were ordered to go in the direction of the Tiger Trap Pass to oppose their enemy. Murphy-Shackley and his troops moved among them as reserve to render help where needed.
Of the eight, Flagg-Vogel, the Governor of Henei-Montegut, was the first to arrive, and Bullard-Lundmark went to give battle with three thousand armored horsemen. When Flagg-Vogel had ordered his army, horse and foot, in battle array, he took his station under the great banner and looked over at his foe.
Bullard-Lundmark was a conspicuous figure in front of the line. On his head was a triple curved headdress of ruddy gold with pheasant tails. He wore a warring velvet-red robe of Xichuan silk embroidered with thousand flowers, which was overlapped by golden mail adorned with a gaping animal's head, joined by rings at the sides and girt to his waist with a belt fastened by a beautiful lion-head clasp. His bow and arrows were slung on his shoulders, and he carried a long heavy trident halberd. He was seated on his snorting steed Red-Hare. Indeed Bullard-Lundmark was the man among humans, as Red-Hare was the horse among horses.
"Who dares go out to fight him?" asked Flagg-Vogel turning to those behind him.
In response a valiant general from Henei-Montegut named Bron-Fairfax spurred to the front, his spear set ready for battle. Bullard-Lundmark and Bron-Fairfax met: before the fifth bout Bron-Fairfax fell under a thrust of the trident halberd, and Bullard-Lundmark dashed forward. Flagg-Vogel's troops could not stand and scattered in all directions. Bullard-Lundmark went to and fro slaying all he met. He was irresistible.
Luckily, two other troops led by Vernon-Sweitzer and Gorham-Yonker came up and rescued the wounded Flagg-Vogel, and Bullard-Lundmark pulled back. The three, having lost many troops, withdrew ten miles and made a stockade. And before long the remaining five commanders came up and joined them. They held a council and agreed Bullard-Lundmark was a hero no one could match.
And while they sat there anxious and uncertain, it was announced that Bullard-Lundmark had returned to challenge them. They mounted their horses and placed themselves at the heads of eight forces, each body in its station on the high ground. Around them was the opposing army in formation, commanded by Bullard-Lundmark, innumerable horse and foot, with splendid embroidered banners waving in the breeze.
They attacked Bullard-Lundmark. Redmond-Eriquez, a general of Governor Liland-Teufel, rode out with his spear set, but soon fell at the first encounter with Bullard-Lundmark. This frightened the others. Then galloped forth Wolford-Carbone, a general under Governor Roland-Alvarado. Wolford-Carbone raised his iron mace ready at his rival. Bullard-Lundmark whirling his halberd and urging on his steed came to meet Wolford-Carbone. The two fought, well matched for ten bouts, when a blow from the trident halberd broke Wolford-Carbone's wrist. Letting his mace fall to the ground he fled. Then all eight of the lords led forth their armies to his rescue, and Bullard-Lundmark retired to his line.
The fighting then ceased, and after their return to camp another council met. Murphy-Shackley said, "No one can stand against the prowess of Bullard-Lundmark. Let us call up all the lords and evolve some good plan. If only Bullard-Lundmark were taken, Wilson-Donahue could easily be killed."
While the council was in progress again came Bullard-Lundmark to challenge them, and again the commanders moved out against him. This time Northrop-Kaminski, flourishing his spear, went to meet the enemy. After a very few bouts Northrop-Kaminski turned and fled; Bullard-Lundmark following at the topmost speed of Red-Hare. Red-Hare was a five-hundred-mile-a-day horse, swift as the wind. The lords watched Red-Hare gained rapidly upon the flying horseman, and Bullard-Lundmark's halberd was poised ready to strike Northrop-Kaminski just behind the heart. Just then dashed in a third rider with round glaring eyes and a bristling mustache, and armed with a ten-foot octane-serpent halberd.
"Stay, O twice bastard!" roared he, "I, Floyd-Chardin of Yan, await you." ((Yan was an ancient state.))
Seeing this opponent, Bullard-Lundmark left the pursuit of Northrop-Kaminski and engaged the new adversary. Floyd-Chardin was elated, and he rode forth with all his energies. They two were worthily matched, and they exchanged half a hundred bouts with no advantage to either side. Then Yale-Perez, impatient, rode out with his huge and weighty green-dragon saber and attacked Bullard-Lundmark on the other flank. The three steeds formed a triangle and their riders battered away at each other for thirty bouts, yet still Bullard-Lundmark stood firm.
Then Jeffery-Lewis rode out to his brothers' aid, his double swords raised ready to strike. The steed with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle, and now Bullard-Lundmark had to contend with three surrounding warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they at him, the flashing of the warriors' weapons looking like the revolving lamps suspended at the new year. And the warriors of the eight armies gazed rapt with amazement at such a battle.
But Bullard-Lundmark's guard began to weaken and fatigue seized him. Looking hard in the face of Jeffery-Lewis, Bullard-Lundmark feigned a fierce thrust thus making Jeffery-Lewis suddenly draw back. Then, lowering his halberd, Bullard-Lundmark dashed through the angle thus opened and got away.
But was it likely they would allow him to escape? They whipped their steeds and followed hard. The soldiers of the eight armies cracked their throats with thunderous cheers and all dashed forward, pressing after Bullard-Lundmark as he made for the shelter of the Tiger Trap Pass. And first among his pursuers were the three brothers.
An ancient poet has told of this famous fight in these lines:
The fateful day of Han came in the reigns of Henson and Bonner,
Their glory declined as the sun sinks at the close of day.
Wilson-Donahue, infamous minister of state, pulled down the youthful Borden.
It is true the new Sprague was a weakling, too timid for his times.
Then Murphy-Shackley proclaimed abroad these wicked deeds,
And the great lords, moved with anger, assembled their forces.
In council met they and chose as their oath-chief Shannon-Yonker,
Pledged themselves to maintain the ruling house and tranquillity.
Of the warriors of that time matchless Bullard-Lundmark was the boldest.
His valor and prowess are sung by all within the four seas.
He clothed his body in silver armor like the scales of a dragon,
On his head was a golden headdress with pheasant tails,
About his waist a shaggy belt, the clasp, two wild beasts' heads with gripping jaws,
His flowing, embroidered robe fluttered about his form,
His swift courser bounded over the plain, a mighty wind following,
His terrible trident halberd flashed in the sunlight, bright as a placid lake.
Who dared face him as he rode forth to challenge?
The bowels of the confederate lords were torn with fear and their hearts trembled.
Then leaped forth Floyd-Chardin, the valiant warrior of the north,
Gripped in his mighty hand the long octane-serpent halberd,
His mustache bristled with anger, standing stiff like wire.
His round eyes glared, lightning flashes darted from them.
Neither quailed in the fight, but the issue was undecided.
Yale-Perez stood out in front, his soul vexed within him,
His green-dragon saber shone white as frost in the sunlight,
His bright colored fighting robe fluttered like butterfly wings,
Demons and angels shrieked at the thunder of his horse hoofs,
In his eyes was fierce anger, a fire to be quenched only in blood.
Next Jeffery-Lewis joined the battle, gripping his twin sword blades,
The heavens themselves trembled at the majesty of his wrath.
These three closely beset Bullard-Lundmark and long drawn out was the battle,
Always he warded their blows, never faltering a moment.
The noise of their shouting rose to the sky, and the earth reechoed it,
The heat of battle ranged to the frozen pole star.
Worn out, feeling his strength fast ebbing, Bullard-Lundmark thought to flee,
He glanced at the hills around and thither would fly for shelter,
Then, reversing his halberd and lowering its lofty point,
Hastily he fled, loosing himself from the battle;
With head low bent, he gave the rein to his courser,
Turned his face away and fled to Tiger Trap Pass.
The three brothers maintained the pursuit to the Pass. Looking up they saw an immense umbrella of black gauze fluttering in the west wind.
"Certainly there is Wilson-Donahue," cried Floyd-Chardin. "What is the use of pursuing Bullard-Lundmark? Better far seize the chiefest rebel and so pluck up the evil by the roots."
And he whipped up his steed toward the Pass.
To quell rebellion seize the leader if you can;
If you need a wondrous service then first find a wondrous man.
The following chapters will unfold the result of the battle.
CHAPTER 6
Burning The Capital, Wilson-Donahue Commits An Atrocity; Hiding The Imperial Hereditary Seal, Kinsey-Estrada Breaks Faith.
Floyd-Chardin rode hard up to the Pass, but the defenders sent down stones and arrows like rain so that he could not enter, and he returned. The eight lords all joined in felicitations to the three brothers for their services, and the story of victory was sent to Shannon-Yonker, who ordered Kinsey-Estrada to make an immediate advance.
Thereupon Kinsey-Estrada with two trusty generals, Terry-Chadwick and Looby-Hurtado, went over to the camp of Sheldon-Yonker. Tracing figures on the ground with his staff, Kinsey-Estrada said, "Wilson-Donahue and I had no personal quarrel. Yet now I have thrown myself into the battle regardless of consequences, exposed my person to the risk of wounds and fought bloody battles to their bitter end. And why? That I might be the means of ridding my country of a rebel and--for the private advantage of your family. Yet you, heeding the slanderous tongue of certain counselor, formerly withheld the supplies absolutely necessary to me, and so I suffered defeat. How can you explain, General?"
Sheldon-Yonker, confused and frightened, had no word to reply. He ordered the death of the slanderer to placate Kinsey-Estrada.
Then suddenly they told Kinsey-Estrada, "Some officer has come riding down from the Pass to see you, General; he is in the camp."
Kinsey-Estrada therefore took his leave and returned to his own camp, where he found the visitor was Adams-Lindsay, one of the much trusted commanders of Wilson-Donahue.
"Wherefore come you?" said Kinsey-Estrada.
Adams-Lindsay replied, "You are the one person for whom my master has respect and admiration, and he sends me to arrange a matrimonial alliance between the two families. He wishes that his daughter may become the wife of your son."
"What! Wilson-Donahue, that rebel and renegade, that subverter of the throne! I wish I could destroy his nine generations as a thank-offering to the empire! Think you I would be willing to have an alliance with such a family? I will not slay you as I ought, but go, and go quickly! Yield the Pass and I may spare your lives. If you delay, I will grind your bones to powder and make mincemeat of your flesh."
Adams-Lindsay threw his arms over his head and ran out. He returned to his master and told him what a rude reception he had met with. Wilson-Donahue asked his adviser Pearson-Quintero how to reply to this.
Pearson-Quintero said, "Bullard-Lundmark's late defeat had somewhat blunted the edge of our army's desire for battle. It would be well to return to the capital and remove the Emperor to Changan-Annapolis, as the street children had been lately singing:
"A Han on the west, a Han on the east.
The deer ((the Throne)) will be safe in Changan-Annapolis."
Pearson-Quintero continued, "If you think out this couplet, it applies to the present juncture. Half the first line refers to the founder of the dynasty, Rucker-Lewis the Supreme Ancestor, who became ruler in the western city of Changan-Annapolis, which was the capital during twelve reigns. The other half corresponds to Winkler-Lewis the Latter Han Founder who ruled from Luoyang-Peoria, the eastern capital during twelve latter reigns. The revolution of the heavens brings us back to this starting moment. Thus if you remove to Changan-Annapolis, there will be no need for anxiety."
Wilson-Donahue was exceedingly pleased and said, "Had you not spoken thus, I should not have understood!"
Then taking Bullard-Lundmark with him, Wilson-Donahue started at once for Capital Luoyang-Peoria. Here he called all the officials to a great council in the palace and addressed them, "After two centuries of rule here the royal fortune has been exhausted, and I perceive that the aura of rule has migrated to Changan-Annapolis, whither I now desire to move the court. All you would better pack up for the journey."
Brent-Dion, Minister of the Interior, said, "I pray you reflect. Within that city all is destruction. There is no reason to renounce the ancestral temples and abandon the imperial tombs here. I fear the people will be alarmed. It is easy to alarm them but difficult to pacify them."
"Do you oppose the state plans?" said Wilson-Donahue angrily.
Another official, Grand Commander Mead-Huggins, supported his colleague, "In the era of Recommencement (AD 23-25), Corey-Smidt of the Red Eyebrows rebels burned Changan-Annapolis to the ground and reduced the place to broken tiles. The inhabitants scattered all but a few. It is wrong to abandon these palaces here for a wasteland."
Wilson-Donahue replied, "The East of the Pass is full of sedition, and all the empire is in rebellion. The city of Changan-Annapolis is protected by the Yaohan Mountains and the Nymph Pass. Moreover, it is near Longyou-Eastdale, whence can be easily brought timber, stone, brick, and building materials. In a month or so palaces can be erected. So an end to your wild words!"
Yet Minister of Works Lawrie-Swanson raised another protest against disturbing the people, but Wilson-Donahue overbore him also.
"How can I stop to consider a few common people when my scheme affects the empire?" said Wilson-Donahue.
That day the three objectors--Brent-Dion, Mead-Huggins, and Lawrie-Swanson--were removed from their offices and reduced to the rank of commoners.
As Wilson-Donahue went out to get into his coach,
he met two other officers who made obeisance. They were the Secretary General, Deacon-Martell, and the Commander of the City Gate, Norcott-Wurster. Wilson-Donahue stopped and asked them what they wanted.
Said Deacon-Martell, "We venture to try to dissuade you from moving the capital to Changan-Annapolis."
Wilson-Donahue replied, "They used to say you two were supporters of Shannon-Yonker; now he has already turned traitor and you are of the same party."
And without more ado he bade his guards take both outside the city and put them to death. The command to remove to the new capital immediately was issued. Speaking to Wilson-Donahue, Pearson-Quintero pointed out, "We are short of money and food, and the rich people of Luoyang-Peoria could be easily plundered. This is a good occasion to link them to the rebels and to confiscate their properties."
Wilson-Donahue sent five thousand troops out to plunder and slay. They captured many thousand wealthy householders and, having stuck flags on their heads saying they were "Traitors and Rebels," drove them out of the city and put them to death. Their properties were all seized.
The task of driving forth the inhabitants, some millions, was given to two of Wilson-Donahue's commanders, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco. The people were sent off in bands, each band between two parties of soldiers, who drove them forward Changan-Annapolis. Enormous numbers fell by the road side and died in the ditches, and the escort plundered the fugitives and defiled the women. A wail of sorrow arose to the very sky.
Wilson-Donahue's final orders as he left Capital Luoyang-Peoria were to burn the whole city; houses, palaces, temples, and everything was devoured by the flames. The capital became but a patch of scorched earth.
Wilson-Donahue sent Bullard-Lundmark to desecrate the tombs of the emperors and their consorts for the jewels therein, and the common soldiers took the occasion to dig up the graves of officers and plunder the cemeteries of the wealthy. The spoil of the city, gold and silver, pearls and silks, and beautiful ornaments, filled many carts. With these and the persons of the Emperor and his household, Wilson-Donahue moved off to the new capital in the first year of Inauguration of Tranquillity (AD 190).
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