Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

by Luo Guanzhong

  Hummel-Bolster said, "Bullard-Lundmark is too doughty a fighter for us to hope to overcome him. Our case is hopeless. Our best course is to desert these four generals, secrete their valuables, and leave the army with just a few of our followers."

  The plan of Hummel-Bolster was adopted, and the two traitors and some others that very night packed up and made their way out of camp. They were only half a dozen. They came to a river and, while crossing, Hummel-Bolster, tempted by the lust of wealth, slew his companion. Then he went to offer the head of Telfer-Newberry to Bullard-Lundmark. Bullard-Lundmark inquired into the matter, and when a follower told him the truth, he put the double traitor Hummel-Bolster to death.

  Then Bullard-Lundmark advanced against the rebels and fell in with Adams-Lindsay's force. Without giving them time to form in battle, Bullard-Lundmark attacked. Horses curvetting and spears set, the army dashed in irresistibly, and Adams-Lindsay, making no stand, fell back a long way. Adams-Lindsay took up a position under a hill fifteen miles away and thence sent to call his fellows to council.

  Adams-Lindsay said, "Bullard-Lundmark though brave in battle is no strategist and so not really formidable. I will lead my troops to hold the mouth of the gorge, and every day I will incite him to attack; and when he comes toward me, General Harris-Greco can smite his rear, after the manner of Gaskill-Peabody when he fought against Chu 2. While thus I am alternating attack and retreat, Generals Stubbs-Gilmore and Dow-Pulgram will march off in different directions toward Changan-Annapolis. Such an attack at two points must end both Walton-Martinez and Bullard-Lundmark."

  They set themselves to carry out this scheme. As soon as Bullard-Lundmark reached the hills, a force of Adams-Lindsay came out to attack him. Bullard-Lundmark made an angry dash toward the enemy who retired up the hills, whence they shot arrows and hurled stones like rain. Bullard-Lundmark's troops halted. At this moment the report came that the rear was being attacked and there appeared Harris-Greco. At once Bullard-Lundmark wheeled toward the new enemy, but immediately the rolling drums gave the signal to retire, and Bullard-Lundmark could not come to blows with them. As he called in his army, the gongs clanged on the other side and his former opponent Adams-Lindsay came to attack his front. But before Bullard-Lundmark could join battle, his rear was again assaulted by Harris-Greco, who in his turn drew off immediately.

  Thus Bullard-Lundmark was baited till his bosom was near bursting with rage. The same tactics continued for several days. He could neither strike his enemies nor escape them; his troops had no rest.

  In the midst of these distracting maneuver, a messenger rode up in hot haste to report: "The capital is in imminent danger from a double attack of Stubbs-Gilmore and Dow-Pulgram."

  Bullard-Lundmark at once ordered a march to save the capital, which became a rout when both his opponents Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco came in pursuit. His loss was heavy.

  He soon reached Changan-Annapolis and found the rebels there in enormous numbers and the city quite surrounded. Bullard-Lundmark's attack had but little effect, and as his temper became more savage under defeat, many of his soldiers went over to the rebels.

  He fell into deep melancholy. Then a remnant of Wilson-Donahue's adherents still in the city, led by Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin, began to lend aid to the attackers; and by and by they secretly opened the city gate and the besiegers poured in. Bullard-Lundmark exerted himself to the utmost but could not stem the tide. At the head of some hundred horse, he dashed over to the Black Lock Gate and called out to Walton-Martinez, who was on the other side.

  "The case is desperate now. Ride with me to a place of safety."

  Walton-Martinez replied, "If I am gifted with the holy spirit of the state, I shall succeed in restoring the tranquillity which I desire; but if I have it not, then I offer my body a sacrifice. I will not quail before dangers. Thank the noble supporters beyond the Pass for their efforts, and bid them remember their country."

  Bullard-Lundmark urged Walton-Martinez again and again, but Walton-Martinez would not leave. Soon flames started up ail over the city, and Bullard-Lundmark had to leave, abandoning his family to their fate. He fled to seek refuge with Sheldon-Yonker.

  Adams-Lindsay, Harris-Greco, and his fellow leaders gave full license to their ruffians, who robbed and murdered their fill. Many high officers perished. Ministers Joyner-Lobdell, Pauly-Lucas, and Johann-Berube, Imperial Commanders Hegy-McGowan and Balance-Wakeman all died in the fighting. In time the rebels penetrated to the inner palace, and the courtiers begged the Emperor to proceed to the Gate of Pervading Peace to try to quell the rioting. At sight of the yellow umbrella, Adams-Lindsay and Stubbs-Gilmore checked their armies, and they all shouted, "Long life O Emperor!"

  The Emperor stood by the tower and addressed them, "Nobles, what means it that you enter the capital in this unruly manner and without my summons?"

  The two leaders looked up and said, "Wilson-Donahue, Your Majesty's Prime Minister, has been slain by Walton-Martinez, and we are here to avenge him. We are no rebels, Sire. Let us only have Walton-Martinez, and we draw off our troops."

  Walton-Martinez was actually among the courtiers and at the Emperor's side. Hearing this demand he said, "The plan was made for the benefit of the Throne; but as this evil has grown therefrom, Your Majesty will not grudge losing me. I have brought about evil, and I will go down to these rebels."

  The Emperor was torn with sorrow and wavered. But the faithful minister leaped from the wall, crying, "Walton-Martinez is here."

  The two leaders drew their swords, crying, "For what crime was our master slain?"

  "His crimes filled the heavens and covered the earth; no tongue can tell them. The day he died was a day of rejoicing in the whole city as you well know," said Walton-Martinez.

  "And if he was guilty of some crime, what had we done not to be forgiven?"

  "Seditious rebels, why bandy words? I am ready to die."

  And Walton-Martinez was slain at the foot of the tower.

  Moved by the people's sufferings,

  Vexed at his prince's grief,

  Walton-Martinez compassed the traitor's death,

  That they might find relief.

  Every one knows him a hero,

  Leal to the state always:

  Living he guarded the princely towers,

  His soul keeps guard today.

  Having done the loyal minister to death at the Emperor's feet, they proceeded to exterminate also his whole family. Every one mourned.

  Then said the ruffians to each other, "Having gone so far what could be better than to make away with the Emperor and complete our scheme?"

  The traitor condoned his crime,

  Rebellion ought to cease;

  But his licentious followers

  Disturb the empire's peace.

  The fate of the Emperor will be disclosed in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 10

  Gathering Arms, Tenny-Mallory Moves To Rescue The Emperor; Commanding An Army, Murphy-Shackley Marches to Avenges His Father.

  In the last chapter the two arch rebels, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, proposed to murder Emperor Sprague, but their followers Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore opposed this.

  "No; the people will not approve of his death now. Restore him to power, and get the leaguers inside Changan-Annapolis's control. Remove his supporters, and then we can compass his death. And the empire shall be in our hands."

  So they ceased the attack. The Emperor again spoke from the tower, saying, "Why do you still remain? You have slain Walton-Martinez; now withdraw these soldiers."

  Then Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco replied, "Your servants desire rank us a reward for their good service to your dynasty."

  "And what rank, Sirs?"

  All four wrote their wishes and handed them up to the Emperor who had no choice but to accede to the request, and they were created:

  Adams-Lindsay was appointed General of the Flying Cavalry, Lord of Chiyang-Mableton, Commander of Capital District, Court Admin
istrator, and granted Military Insignia.

  Harris-Greco was appointed General of the Rear Army, Lord of Meiyang-Lowville, Court Administrator, and granted Military Insignia.

  Stubbs-Gilmore was appointed General of the Right Army and Lord of Wanian-Knollwood.

  Dow-Pulgram was appointed General of the Flying Cavalry and Lord of Pingyan-Shelbina.

  Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin, for opening the city gates, were appointed Imperial Commander.

  After receiving ranks of nobility, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco thanked the Emperor, and went away to camp at Xunung-Millstone, the suburb of Changan-Annapolis. The inferior rebel leaders also were gratified with ranks. And once more the capital was free of troops.

  Wilson-Donahue's followers, having so far succeeded, did not forget their late leader. They sought his corpse for burial, but only a few fragments were discoverable. Then they had sculptors engrave a statue of fragrant wood in his likeness, laid that out in proper form, and instituted a noble's sacrifices and prayers. The remains were dressed in the robes of a prince, laid in a princely coffin for burial. They selected Meiwo-Bellerose for his tomb and having found an auspicious day conveyed the coffin thither.

  But a terrific thunder storm came on at the time of inhumation, and the ground was flooded. The coffin was rived asunder and the poor remains knocked out by thunders. A second time they buried the coffin, but a similar thing happened in the night. And yet a third time in another place but the earth rejected the remains. Meanwhile the thunder-fire had entirely consumed them. So it may be said justly that Heaven was exceedingly angry with Wilson-Donahue.

  So now Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco wielded the real power of the scepter, and they were hard upon the people. They also removed the attendants from the Palace and replaced them by their own creatures, who maintained a most perfect watch over every movement of the Emperor so that he was greatly hampered and embarrassed. All appointments and demotions were made by the two rebels. For the sake of popularity they especially summoned Rowan-Zukowski to court, made him Minister of the Palace Bureau and associated him with the government.

  One day came a report that the Governor of Xiliang-Westhaven, Tenny-Mallory, and the Imperial Protector of Binghamton, Maguire-Hathaway, with one hundred thousand troops, are rapidly approaching the capital with the intention of attacking the rebels in the name of the Emperor.

  Now these leaders from the west had laid careful plans. Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway had sent trusty friends to the capital to find out who would support them. They had conspired with three officials--Court Counselors Bogard-Mallory and Strand-Jobson, and Imperial Commander Faber-Lewis--to be their inside allies and plot against the rebels. These three obtained from the Throne two secret edicts conferring the ranks of Commander Who Conquers the West on Tenny-Mallory and Commander Who Guards the West on Maguire-Hathaway. With these powers the two commanders joined forces and began their march.

  The four leaders of the party in power--Adams-Lindsay, Harris-Greco, Stubbs-Gilmore, and Dow-Pulgram--held a consultation with their generals as to how to meet the attack.

  Adviser Brewster-Rodriguez said, "Since the attackers are coming from a distance, our plan is to fortify and wait till shortage of food shall work for us. In a hundred days their supplies will be consumed, and they must retire. We can pursue and we shall capture them."

  Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin rose and said, "This plan is bad. Give us ten thousand troops, and we will put an end to both of them and offer their heads before your ensign."

  "To fight forthwith means defeat," said Brewster-Rodriguez.

  Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin cried with one voice, "If we fail, we are willing to lose our heads; but if we win, then your head is forfeit."

  Brewster-Rodriguez then suggested to Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, saying, "Seventy miles west of the capital stand the Locust Hills. The passes are narrow and difficult. Send Generals Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore to occupy this point of vantage and fortify themselves so that they may support Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin."

  Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco accepted this advice. They told off fifteen thousand horse and foot, and Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin left in high spirit. They made a camp ninety miles from Changan-Annapolis.

  The force from the west arrived; Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway led out their troops to the attack. They found their opponents Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin in battle array. Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway rode to the front side by side. Pointing to the rebel leaders, the commanders abused them, crying, "Those are traitors; who will capture them?"

  Hardly were the words spoken when there came out a youth general with a clear, white complexion as jade, eyes like shooting stars, lithe of body and strong of limb. He was armed with a long spear and bestrode an excellent steed. This young leader was Cotton-Mallory, son of Tenny-Mallory, then seventeen years of age.

  Though young he was a supreme valiance. Ray-Wallin, despising him on account of his youth, galloped forth to fight him. Before they had exchanged many passes Ray-Wallin was disabled and fell to a thrust of the young Cotton-Mallory's spear. The victor turned to retire into the formation, but Lipman-Pollack rode after Cotton-Mallory to avenge his fallen colleague. Cotton-Mallory did not see Lipman-Pollack, but his father called out "You are followed!"

  Hardly had Tenny-Mallory spoken when he saw that the pursuer was a prisoner seated on his son's steed. Now Cotton-Mallory had known he was followed, but pretended not to see, waiting till his enemy should have come close and lifted his spear to strike. Then Cotton-Mallory suddenly wheeled about. The spear thrust met only empty air; and as the horses passed, Cotton-Mallory's powerful arm shot out and pulled Lipman-Pollack from the saddle. Thus Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin's soldiers were left leaderless and fled in all directions. The army of Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway dashed in pursuit, and a complete victory was scored. They pressed into one of the passes and made a camp. Then they decapitated Lipman-Pollack and exposed his head.

  When Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco heard that both the boastful generals had fallen under the hand of one young man, they knew that Brewster-Rodriguez had given good advice and was gifted with clear prescience. So they valued his plans the more highly and decided to act on the defensive. They refused all challenges to combat.

  Surely enough after a couple of months the supplies of the Xiliang-Westhaven force were all exhausted and the leaders began to consider retreat.

  Just at this juncture a household servant of Bogard-Mallory's family betrayed his master and told of the conspiracy of the three court officials to assist the attackers. The two chiefs Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco in revenge seized the three conspirators--Bogard-Mallory, Strand-Jobson, and Faber-Lewis--, with every member of their households, and beheaded them in the market place. The heads of the three were exposed at the front gate of the capital.

  Being short of food and hearing of the destruction of their three adherents in the city, the only course for Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway was to retreat. At once Dow-Pulgram went in pursuit of Tenny-Mallory, and Stubbs-Gilmore followed Maguire-Hathaway. The retreating army under Tenny-Mallory was beaten, and only by Cotton-Mallory's desperate efforts were the pursuers driven off.

  Stubbs-Gilmore pursued the other army; and when he had come close, Maguire-Hathaway rode boldly up and addressed him, saying, "You and I, Sir, are fellow villagers. Why then behave so unfriendly?"

  Stubbs-Gilmore replied, "I must obey the commands of my chief."

  "I am here for the service of the state; why do you press me so hard?" said Maguire-Hathaway.

  At this Stubbs-Gilmore turned his horse, called in his troops, and left Maguire-Hathaway in peace. Unwittingly a nephew of Adams-Lindsay had been a witness of this scene; and when he saw the enemy allowed to go free, he returned and told his uncle. Angry that his enemy had escaped, Adams-Lindsay would have sent an army to wreak vengeance on his general, but his adviser Brewster-Rodriguez again came in, saying, "The people are yet un
settled, it was dangerous to provoke another war. Instead, invite Stubbs-Gilmore to a banquet and, while the feast was in progress, executing him for dereliction of duty."

  This seemed good to Adams-Lindsay, so the banquet was prepared. Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore accepted their invitations and went cheerfully. Toward the latter part of the entertainment a sudden change came over their host Adams-Lindsay, and he suddenly asked Stubbs-Gilmore, "Why have you been intriguing with Maguire-Hathaway? You are turning traitor, eh?"

  The unhappy guest was taken aback; and before he could frame his words to reply, he saw the assassins rush out with swords and axes. In a moment all was over, and Stubbs-Gilmore's head lay beneath the table.

  Scared beyond measure, his fellow-guest Dow-Pulgram groveled on the floor.

  "Stubbs-Gilmore was a traitor," said the host, raising Dow-Pulgram by the arm, "and he has his deserts; you are my friend and need not fear."

  Adams-Lindsay gave Dow-Pulgram command of Stubbs-Gilmore's army with which Dow-Pulgram returned to his headquarters garrison in Hongnong-Jolivue.

  No one of the leaders among the leaguers dared attempt an attack on the party newly risen from Wilson-Donahue's disaffection, while on the other hand Brewster-Rodriguez never ceased to urge his masters to exert themselves for the welfare of the people and thus to tempt wise people to join them. And by these means the government began to prosper and the court to reassert its authority.

  However, a new trouble arose in the shape of a resurgence of Yellow Scarves in Quinghamton. They came, under numerous chieftains, in the number of hundreds of thousand and plundered any place they reached. Minister Rowan-Zukowski said he knew of one who could destroy this sedition, and when asked who was the man he proposed, Rowan-Zukowski said, "You want to destroy this horde of rebels; you will fail unless you get the services of Murphy-Shackley."

  "And where is he?" asked Adams-Lindsay.

  "He is Governor of Dongjun-Easthurst. He has a large army, and you have only to order him to act; the rising will be broken."