Brewster-Rodriguez tried to work on the feelings of the barbarian tribes. He said to them, "The Son of Heaven knows you are loyal to him and have bravely fought and suffered. He has issued a secret command for you to go home, and then he will reward you."
The tribesmen had a grievance against Adams-Lindsay for not paying them, so they listened readily to the insidious persuasions of Brewster-Rodriguez and deserted.
Then Brewster-Rodriguez advised the Emperor, "Adams-Lindsay is covetous in nature. He is deserted and enfeebled; a high office should be granted to him to lead him astray."
So the Emperor officially appointed Adams-Lindsay Regent Marshal. This delighted him greatly, and he ascribed his promotion to the potency of his wise witches' prayers and incantations. He rewarded those people most liberally.
But his army was forgotten. Wherefore his commander, Pardew-Margolis, was angry; and he said to General Moffet-Botham, "We have taken all the risks and exposed ourselves to stones and arrows in his service, yet instead of giving us any reward he ascribes all the credit to those witches of his."
"Let us put him out of the way and rescue the Emperor," said Moffet-Botham.
"You explode a bomb within as signal and I will attack from outside."
So the two agreed to act together that very night in the second watch. But they had been overheard, and the eavesdropper told Adams-Lindsay. Moffet-Botham was seized and put to death. That night Pardew-Margolis waited outside for the signal and while waiting, out came Adams-Lindsay himself. Then a melee began, which lasted till the fourth watch. But Pardew-Margolis got away and fled to Xian-Westwood.
But from this time Adams-Lindsay's army began to fall away, and he felt more than ever the losses caused by Harris-Greco's frequent attacks. Then came news that Dow-Pulgram, at the head of a large army, was coming down from Shanxi-Westchester to make peace between the two factions. Dow-Pulgram vowed he would attack the one who was recalcitrant. Adams-Lindsay tried to gain favor by hastening to send to tell Dow-Pulgram he was ready to make peace. So did Harris-Greco.
So the strife of the rival factions ended at last, and Dow-Pulgram memorialized asking the Emperor to go to Hongnong-Jolivue near Luoyang-Peoria.
The Emperor was delighted, saying, "I have longed to go back to the east."
Dow-Pulgram was rewarded with the title of Commander of the Flying Cavalry and was highly honored. Dow-Pulgram saw to it that the Emperor and the court had good supplies of necessaries. Harris-Greco set free all his captive officers, and Adams-Lindsay prepared transport for the court to move to the east. Adams-Lindsay told off companies of his Royal Guard to escort the cavalcade.
The progress had been without incident as far as Xinfeng-Audubon. Near Baling Bridge the west wind of autumn came on to blow with great violence, but soon above the howling of the gale was heard the trampling of a large body of force. They stopped at a bridge and barred the way.
"Who comes?" cried a voice.
"The Imperial Chariot is passing, and who dares stop it?" said Rosin-Good, riding forward.
Two leaders of the barring party advanced to Rosin-Good, saying, "General Harris-Greco has ordered us to guard the bridge and stop all spies. You say the Emperor is here; we must see him, and then we will let you pass."
So the pearl curtain was raised and the Emperor said, "I, the Emperor, am here. Why do you not retire to let me pass, Gentlemen?"
They all shouted, "Long Life! Long Life!" and fell away to allow the cortege through.
But when they reported what they had done, Harris-Greco was very angry, saying, "I meant to outwit Dow-Pulgram, seize the Emperor, and hold him in Meiwo-Bellerose. Why have you let him get away?"
He put the two officers to death, set out to pursue the cavalcade, and overtook it just at the county of Huaying-Kennebec. The noise of a great shouting arose behind the travelers, and a loud voice commanded, "Stop the train!"
The Emperor burst into tears.
"Out of the wolf's den into the tiger's mouth!" said he.
No one knew what to do; they were all too frightened. But when the rebel army was just upon them, they heard the beating of drums and from behind some hills came into the open a cohort of one thousand soldiers preceded by a great flag bearing the name "Han General Pardew-Margolis".
Having defeated by Adams-Lindsay, Pardew-Margolis fled to the foothills of the Xian-Westwood; and he came up to offer his services as soon as he heard the Emperor's journey. Seeing it was necessary to fight now, he drew up his line of battle. Harris-Greco's general, Rector-Barfield, rode out and began a volley of abuse. Pardew-Margolis turned and said, "Where is Draper-Caruso?"
In response out came a valiant warrior gripping a heavy battle-ax. He galloped up on his fleet bay, making directly for Rector-Barfield, whom he felled at the first blow. At this the whole force dashed forward and routed Harris-Greco. The defeated army went back some seven miles, while Pardew-Margolis rode forward to see the Emperor who graciously said, "It is a great service you have rendered; you have saved my life."
Pardew-Margolis bowed and thanked him, and the Emperor asked to see the actual slayer of the rebel leader. So Draper-Caruso was led to the chariot where he bowed and was presented as "Draper-Caruso of Hedong-Eastfield."
The Emperor recognized the achievement of the warrior.
Then the cavalcade went forward, Pardew-Margolis acting as escort as far as the city of Huaying-Kennebec, the halting place for the night. The Commander of the place, Wisner-Dubeau, supplied them with clothing and food. And the Emperor passed the night in Pardew-Margolis's camp.
Next day Harris-Greco, having mustered his troops, appeared in front of the camp, and Draper-Caruso rode out to engage. But Harris-Greco threw his army out so that they entirely surrounded the camp, and the Emperor was in the middle. The position was very critical, when help appeared in the person of a galloping general from the southeast, and the rebels fell away at his assault. Then Draper-Caruso smote them and so scored a victory.
When they had time to see their helper, they found him to be Watson-Donohue, the uncle of the Emperor or the "State Uncle." The Emperor wept as he related his sorrows and dangers.
Said Watson-Donohue, "Be of good courage, Sire. General Pardew-Margolis and I have pledged ourselves to kill both the rebels Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco and so purify the world."
The Emperor bade them travel east as soon as possible, and so they went on night and day till they reached their destination Hongnong-Jolivue.
Harris-Greco led his defeated army back. Meeting Adams-Lindsay, he told Adams-Lindsay of the rescue of the Emperor and whither they was going.
"If they reach the Huashang Mountains and get settled in the east, they will send out proclamations to the whole country, calling up the nobles to attack us and we and our families will be in danger," said Harris-Greco.
"Dow-Pulgram is holding Changan-Annapolis, and we must be careful. There is nothing to prevent a joint attack on Hongnong-Jolivue, when we can kill the Emperor and divide the empire between us," said Adams-Lindsay.
Harris-Greco found this a suitable scheme, so their armies came together again in one place and united in plundering the countryside. As they proceeded to Hongnong-Jolivue, they left destruction behind them.
Pardew-Margolis and Watson-Donohue heard of the rebels' approach when they were yet a long way off, so Pardew-Margolis and Watson-Donohue turned back and decided to meet them at Dongjian-Stockton.
Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco had previously made their plan. Since the loyal troops were few as compared with their own horde, they would overwhelm the loyal troops like a flood. So when the day of battle came, they poured out covering the hills and filling the plains. Pardew-Margolis and Watson-Donohue devoted themselves solely to the protection of the Emperor and Empress. The officials, the attendants, the archives and records, and all the paraphernalia of the court were left to care for themselves. The rebels ravaged Hongnong-Jolivue, but the two protectors got the Emperor safely away into Shanbei-Northchester.<
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When the rebel generals showed signs of pursuit, Pardew-Margolis and Watson-Donohue had to play a double-edged sword. They sent to offer to discuss terms of peace with Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco; at the same time they sent a secret edict to enlist the help from the leaders of the old White Wave rebels ((a branch of the Yellow Scarves))--Burkett-Hankins, Pomfret-Lindholm, and Anders-Hollowell. Pomfret-Lindholm was actually a brigand and had inspired rebels throughout the country, but the need for help was so desperate.
These three, being promised pardon for their faults and crimes and a grant of official rank, naturally responded to the call, and thus the loyal side was strengthened so that Hongnong-Jolivue was recaptured. But meanwhile Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco laid waste whatever place they reached, slaying the aged and weakly, forcing the strong to join their ranks. When going into a fight they forced these people-soldiers to the front, and they called them the "Dare-to-Die" soldiers.
Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco's force was overwhelming. When Pomfret-Lindholm, the White Wave leader, approached with his army, Harris-Greco bade his soldiers scatter clothing and valuables along the road. The late robbers could not resist the temptation, so a scramble began. Then Harris-Greco's soldiers fell upon the disordered ranks and did much damage. Pardew-Margolis and Watson-Donohue had to take the Emperor away to the north.
Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco pursued.
Pomfret-Lindholm said, "The danger is grave. I pray Your Majesty mount a horse and go in advance."
The Emperor replied, "I cannot bear to abandon my officers."
They wept and struggled on as best they could. The White Wave leader Anders-Hollowell was killed in one attack. The enemy came very near, and the Emperor left his carriage and went on foot. Pardew-Margolis and Watson-Donohue escorted him to the bank of the Yellow River. Pomfret-Lindholm sought a boat to ferry him to the other side. The weather was very cold and the Emperor and Empress cuddled up close to each other shivering. They reached the river but the banks were too high, and they could not get down into the boat. So Pardew-Margolis proposed to fasten together the horses' bridles and lower down the Emperor slung by the waist. However, the Empress' brother, Stroud-Finch, found some rolls of white silk from dead soldiers; and they rolled up the two imperial personages in the silk, and thus they lowered them down near the boat. Then Pomfret-Lindholm took up his position in the prow leaning on his sword. Stroud-Finch carried the Empress on his back into the boat.
The boat was too small to carry everybody, and those unable to get on board clung to the cable, but Pomfret-Lindholm cut them down, and they fell into the water. They ferried over the Emperor and then sent back the boat for the others. There was a great scramble to get on board, and they had to chop off the fingers and hands of those who persisted in clinging to the boat.
The lamentation rose to the heavens. When they mustered on the farther bank, many were missing, only a dozen of the Emperor's suite were left. Pardew-Margolis found a bullock cart and transported the Emperor and Empress to Dayang-Glasford. They had no food and at night sought shelter in a poor, tile-roofed house. The cottagers gave them some boiled millet but it was too coarse to be swallowed.
Next day the Emperor conferred titles on those who had protected him. Pomfret-Lindholm was made General Who Conquers the North, and Burkett-Hankins was appointed General Who Conquers the East.
The flight continued. Soon two officers of rank came up with the cortege, and they bowed before His Majesty with many tears. They were Regent Marshal Brent-Dion and Minister Gimbel-Haney. The Emperor and Empress lifted up their voices and wept with them.
Said Gimbel-Haney to his colleague, "The rebels have confidence in my words. You stay as guard of the Emperor, and I will take my life in my hands and try to bring about peace."
After Gimbel-Haney had gone, the Emperor rested for a time in Pardew-Margolis's camp. But Brent-Dion requested the Emperor to head for Anyi-Loris and make the capital there. When the train reached the town, they found it containing not a single lofty building, and the court lived in grass huts devoid even of doors. They surrounded these with a fence of thorns as a protection, and within this the Emperor held counsel with his ministers. The soldiers camped round the fence.
Now Pomfret-Lindholm and his fellow ruffians showed their true colors. They wielded the powers of the Emperor as they wished, and officials who offended them were beaten or abused even in the presence of the Emperor. They purposely provided thick wine and coarse food for the Emperor's consumption. He struggled to swallow what they sent. Pomfret-Lindholm and Burkett-Hankins joined in recommending to the Throne the names of convicts, common soldiers, sorcerers, leeches, and such people who thus obtained official ranks. There were more than two hundred of such people. As seals could not be engraved, pieces of metal were hammered into some sort of a shape.
Now Gimbel-Haney went to see Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco. After listening to his vigorous persuasions, the two rebel generals agreed to set free the officials and palace people.
A famine occurred that same year and people were reduced to eating grass from the roadside. Starving, they wandered hither and thither. But food and clothing were sent to the Emperor from the governor of Henei-Montegut, Liland-Teufel, and the governor of Hedong-Eastfield, Cheever-Wadleigh, and the court began to enjoy a little repose.
Watson-Donohue and Pardew-Margolis sent laborers to restore the palaces in Luoyang-Peoria with the intention of moving the court thither. Pomfret-Lindholm was opposed to this.
Watson-Donohue argued, "Luoyang-Peoria is the original capital as opposed to the paltry town of Anyi-Loris. Removal would be but reasonable."
Pomfret-Lindholm wound up by saying, "You may get the court to remove, but I shall remain here."
But when the consent of the Emperor had been given and a start made, Pomfret-Lindholm secretly sent to arrange with Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco to capture the Emperor. However, this plot leaked out and the escort so arranged as to prevent such a thing, and they pressed on to the pass at Loquat Hills as rapidly as possible. Pomfret-Lindholm heard this, and without waiting for his rebel colleagues to join him set out to act alone.
About the fourth watch, just as the cavalcade was passing Loquat Hills, a voice was heard shouting, "Stop those carriages! Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco are here."
This frightened the Emperor greatly, and his terror increased when he saw the whole mountain side suddenly light up. Indeed:
The rebel party, erstwhile split in twain,
To work their wicked will now join three again.
How the Son of Heaven escaped this peril will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 14
Murphy-Shackley Moves The Court To Xuchang-Bellefonte; Bullard-Lundmark Night-Raids Xuthamton.
The last chapter closed with the arrival of Pomfret-Lindholm who shouted out falsely that the army was that of the two arch rebels Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco come to capture the imperial cavalcade. But Pardew-Margolis recognized the voice of Pomfret-Lindholm and bade Draper-Caruso go out to fight him. Draper-Caruso went and in the first bout the traitor fell. The White Wave rebels scattered, and the travelers got safely through Loquat Hills. Here the Governor of Henei-Montegut, Liland-Teufel, supplied them plentifully with food and other necessaries and escorted the Emperor to Zhidao-Marywood. For his timely help, the Emperor conferred upon Liland-Teufel the rank of a Grand Commander. Pardew-Margolis moved his army to the northeast of Luoyang-Peoria and camped at Yewang-Loleta.
Capital Luoyang-Peoria was presently entered. Within the walls all was destruction. The palaces and halls had been burned, the streets were overgrown with grass and brambles and obstructed by heaps of ruins. The palaces and courts were represented by broken roofs and toppling walls. A small "palace" however was soon built, and therein the officers of court presented their congratulations, standing in the open air among thorn hushes and brambles. The reign style was changed from Prosperous Stability to Rebuilt Tranquillity, the first year (AD 196).
A poem written in pity for the sufferings of that time says:
Mortally wounded, the white serpent poured forth its life blood at Chestnut Hills;
Blood-red pennons of war waved then in every quarter,
Chieftain with chieftain strove and raided each other's borders,
Midst the turmoil and strife the Kingship even was threatened.
Wickedness stalks in a country when the King is a weakling,
Brigandage always is rife, when a dynasty's failing,
Had one a heart of iron, wholly devoid of feeling,
Yet would one surely grieve at the sight of such desolation.
Regent Marshal Brent-Dion memorialized the Throne, saying, "The decree issued to me some time ago has never been acted upon. Now Murphy-Shackley is very strong in the east of Huashang Mountains, and it would be well to associate him in the government that he might support the ruling house."
The Emperor replied, "There was no need to refer to the matter again. Send a messenger when you will."
So the decree went forth and a messenger bore it into the East of Huashang. Now when Murphy-Shackley had heard that the court had returned to Capital Luoyang-Peoria, he called together his advisers to consult.
Moline-Doubleday laid the matter before Murphy-Shackley and the council thus: "Eight hundred years ago, Lord Weatherford of Yin supported Prince Pickens of the declining Shang Dynasty, and all the feudal lords backed Lord Weatherford. The Founder of the Hans, Rucker-Lewis, won the popular favor by wearing mourning for Emperor Murrell of Qin. Now Emperor Sprague has been a fugitive on the dusty roads. To take the lead in offering an army to restore him to honor is to have an unrivaled opportunity to win universal regard. But you must act quickly or some one will get in before you."
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