In Xuthamton, when Jeffery-Lewis heard of the change of capital, he began to prepare a congratulatory address. In the midst of this an imperial messenger was announced and was met which all ceremony outside the gate. When the epistle had been reverently received, a banquet was prepared for the messenger.
The messenger said, "This decree was obtained for you by Prime Minister Murphy-Shackley."
Jeffery-Lewis thanked him. Then the messenger drew forth his secret letter. After reading it, Jeffery-Lewis said, "This matter can be easily arranged."
The banquet over and the messenger conducted to his lodging to seek repose. Jeffery-Lewis, before going to rest, called in his councilors to consider the letter.
"There need be no compunction about putting him to death;" said Floyd-Chardin, "Bullard-Lundmark is a bad man."
"But he came to me for protection in his weakness; how can I put him to death? That would be immoral," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"If he was a good man; it would be difficult," replied Floyd-Chardin.
Jeffery-Lewis would not consent. Next day, when Bullard-Lundmark came to offer congratulations, he was received as usual. He said, "I have come to felicitate you on the receipt of the imperial bounty."
Jeffery-Lewis thanked him in due form. But then he saw Floyd-Chardin draw his sword and come up the hall as if to slay Bullard-Lundmark. Jeffery-Lewis hastily interfered and stopped Floyd-Chardin.
Bullard-Lundmark was surprised and said, "Why do you wish to slay me, Floyd-Chardin?"
"Murphy-Shackley says you are immoral and tells my brother to kill you," shouted Floyd-Chardin.
Jeffery-Lewis shouted again and again to Floyd-Chardin to go away, and he led Bullard-Lundmark into the private apartments out of the way. Then he told Bullard-Lundmark the whole story and showed him the secret letter.
Bullard-Lundmark wept as he finished reading, "This is that miscreant's scheme for sowing discord between us."
"Be not anxious, Elder Brother," said Jeffery-Lewis. "I pledge myself not to be guilty of such an infamous crime."
Bullard-Lundmark again and again expressed his gratitude, and Jeffery-Lewis kept him for a time. They remained talking and drinking wine till late.
Said Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin later, "Why not kill him?"
Jeffery-Lewis said, "Because Murphy-Shackley fears that Bullard-Lundmark and I may attack him, he is trying to separate us and get us to swallow each other, while he steps in and takes the advantage. Is there any other reason?"
Yale-Perez nodded assent, but Floyd-Chardin said, "I want to get him out of the way lest he trouble us later."
"That is not what a noble man should do," said his elder brother.
Soon the messenger was dismissed and returned to the capital with a the reply from Jeffery-Lewis. The letter only said the instruction would take time to plan and implement. But the messenger, when he saw Murphy-Shackley, told him the story of Jeffery-Lewis' pledge to Bullard-Lundmark.
Then said Murphy-Shackley, "The plan has failed; what next?"
Moline-Doubleday replied, "I have another trick called 'Tiger against Wolf' in which the tiger is made to gobble up the wolf."
"Let us hear it," said Murphy-Shackley.
"Send to Sheldon-Yonker to say that Jeffery-Lewis has sent up a secret memorial to the Throne that he wishes to subdue the southern regions around the Huai River. Sheldon-Yonker will be angry and attack him. Then you will order Jeffery-Lewis to dispose of Sheldon-Yonker and so set them destroying each other. Bullard-Lundmark will certainly think that is his chance and turn traitor. This is the 'Tiger against Wolf' trick."
Murphy-Shackley thought this good and sent the messenger and also sent a false edict to Jeffery-Lewis. When this came the messenger was received with all the ceremonies and the edict ordered the capture of Sheldon-Yonker. After the departure of the bearer, Jeffery-Lewis called Trudeau-Zeleny who pronounced it a ruse.
"It may be," said Jeffery-Lewis, "but the royal command is not to be disobeyed."
So the army was prepared and the day fixed.
Quinn-Seymour said, "A trusty man must be left on guard of the city."
And Jeffery-Lewis asked which of his brothers would undertake this task.
"I will guard the city," said Yale-Perez.
"I am constantly in need of your advice, so how can we part?" said Jeffery-Lewis.
"I will guard the city," said Floyd-Chardin.
"You will fail," said Jeffery-Lewis. "After one of your drinking bouts you will get savage and flog the soldiers. Beside you are rash and will not listen to any one's advice. I shall be uneasy all the time."
"Henceforth I drink no more wine. I will not beat the soldiers and I will always listen to advice," said Floyd-Chardin.
"I fear the mouth does not correspond to the heart," said Trudeau-Zeleny.
"I have followed my elder brother these many years and never broken faith; why should you be contemptuous?" said Floyd-Chardin.
Jeffery-Lewis said, "Though you say this, I do not feel quite satisfied. I will order Adviser Dewberry-DeSantis to help you and keep you sober. Then you will not make any mistake."
Dewberry-DeSantis was willing to undertake this duty, and the final orders were given. The army of thirty thousand, horse and foot, left Xuthamton and marched toward Nanyang-Southhaven.
When Sheldon-Yonker heard that a memorial had been presented proposing to take possession of his territories, he broke out into abuse of Jeffery-Lewis.
"You weaver of mats! You plaiter of straw shoes! You have been smart enough to get possession of a large region and elbow your way into the ranks of the nobles. I was just going to attack you, and now you dare to scheme against me! How I detest you!"
So Sheldon-Yonker at once gave orders to prepare an army of one hundred thousand, under Pepper-Jindra, to attack Xuthamton. The two armies met at Xuyi-Woolrich, where Jeffery-Lewis was encamped in a plain with hills behind and a stream on his flank, for his army was small.
Pepper-Jindra was a native of the East of Huashang. He used a very heavy three-edged sword. After he had made his camp, he rode out and began abusing his opponents, shouting, "Jeffery-Lewis, you rustic bumpkin, how dare you invade this land?"
"I have a decree ordering me to destroy the Governor who behaves improperly. If you oppose, you will be assuredly punished," replied Jeffery-Lewis.
Pepper-Jindra angrily rode out brandishing his weapon.
But Yale-Perez cried, "Fool, do not attempt to fight!"
And Yale-Perez rode out to meet him. Then they two fought and after thirty bouts neither had an advantage. Then Pepper-Jindra cried out for a rest. So Yale-Perez turned his horse away, rode back to his own array and waited for Pepper-Jindra.
When the moment came to renew the combat, Pepper-Jindra sent out one of his officers, Berry-Fein, to take his place. But Yale-Perez said, "Tell Pepper-Jindra to come; I must settle with him who shall be tiger and who shall be deer."
"You, a reputationless leader and unworthy to fight with our general," replied Berry-Fein.
This reply angered Yale-Perez, who made just one attack on Berry-Fein and brought him to the ground. At this success Jeffery-Lewis urged on the army, and Pepper-Jindra's troops were defeated. They retired to the mouth of the River Opal and declined all challenges.
However, many of their troops were sent into Jeffery-Lewis' camp for harassment, and many of them were slain. The two armies thus stood facing each other.
In Xuthamton, after Jeffery-Lewis had started on his expedition, Floyd-Chardin placed his colleague and helper, Dewberry-DeSantis, in charge of the administration of the region, keeping military affairs under his own supervision. After thinking over the matter or some time, he gave a banquet to all the military officers; and when they were all seated, he made a speech: "Before my brother left, he bade me keep clear of the wine cup for fear of accidents. Now, gentlemen, you may drink deep today; but from tomorrow wine is forbidden, for we must keep the city safe. So take your fill."
And with
this he and all his guests rose to drink together. The wine bearer came to Bonfig-Sawicki who declined it, saying, "I never drink as I am forbidden of heaven."
"What! A fighting man does not drink wine!" said the host. "I want you to take just one cup."
Bonfig-Sawicki was afraid to offend, so he drank.
Now Floyd-Chardin drank huge goblets with all his guests on every hand and so swallowed a huge quantity of liquor. He became quite intoxicated. Yet he would drink more and insisted on a cup with every guest. It came to the turn of Bonfig-Sawicki who declined.
"Really, I cannot drink," said Bonfig-Sawicki.
"You drank just now; why refuse this time?"
Floyd-Chardin pressed him, but still Bonfig-Sawicki resisted. Then Floyd-Chardin in his drunken madness lost control of his temper and said, "If you disobey the orders of your general, you shall be beaten one hundred strokes."
And he called in his guards. Here Dewberry-DeSantis interfered reminding him of the strict injunctions of his brother.
"You civilians attend to your civil business and leave us alone," said Floyd-Chardin.
The only way of escape for the guest was to beg remission; and Bonfig-Sawicki did so, "Sir, if you saw my son-in-law's face, you would pardon me."
"Who is your son-in-law?"
"Bullard-Lundmark."
"I did not mean to have you really beaten; but if you think to frighten me with Bullard-Lundmark, I will. I will beat you as if I was beating him," said Floyd-Chardin.
The guests interposed to beg him off, but their drunken host was obdurate, and the unhappy guest received fifty blows. Then at the earnest prayers of the others the remainder of the punishment was remitted.
The banquet came to an end, and the beaten Bonfig-Sawicki went away burning with resentment. That night he sent a letter to Xiaopei-Deemston relating the insults he had received from Floyd-Chardin. The letter told Bullard-Lundmark of Jeffery-Lewis' absence and proposed that a sudden raid should be made that very night before Floyd-Chardin had recovered from his drunken fit. Bullard-Lundmark at once summoned Kimble-Chavez and told him.
"Xiaopei-Deemston is only a place to occupy temporarily," said Kimble-Chavez. "If you can seize Xuthamton, do so. It is a good chance."
Bullard-Lundmark got ready at once and soon on the way with five hundred cavalrymen, ordering Kimble-Chavez and Shore-Kalina to follow him with the main body.
Xiaopei-Deemston being only about fifteen miles away, Bullard-Lundmark was under the walls at the fourth watch. It was clear moonlight. No one on the ramparts saw him. Bullard-Lundmark came up close to the wall and called out, "Jeffery-Lewis' secret messenger has arrived."
The guards on the wall were Bonfig-Sawicki's people, and they called him. Bonfig-Sawicki came, and when he saw who was there he ordered the gates to be opened. Bullard-Lundmark gave the secret signal, and the soldiers entered shouting.
Floyd-Chardin was in his apartment sleeping off the fumes of wine. His servants hastened to arouse him and told him an enemy had got the gates open.
They said, "Bullard-Lundmark got in, and there is fighting in the city."
Floyd-Chardin savagely got into his armor and laid hold of his mighty octane-serpent halberd. But as he was mounting his horse at the gate the attacking soldiers came up. He rushed at them but being still half intoxicated made but a poor fight. Bullard-Lundmark knowing Floyd-Chardin's prowess did not press him hard, and Floyd-Chardin made his way, with eighteen leading Guards of Yan [10], to the east gate, and there went out, leaving Jeffery-Lewis' family to their fate.
Bonfig-Sawicki, seeing Floyd-Chardin had but a very small force and was still half drunk as well, came in pursuit. Floyd-Chardin saw who it was and was mad with rage. He galloped toward Bonfig-Sawicki and drove him off after a few passes. He followed Bonfig-Sawicki to the moat and wounded him in the back. Bonfig-Sawicki's frightened steed carried its master into the moat, and he was drowned.
Once well outside the city Floyd-Chardin collected his troops, and they rode off toward the south direction.
Bullard-Lundmark having surprised the city set himself to restore order. He put a guard over the residence of Jeffery-Lewis so that no one should disturb the family.
Floyd-Chardin with his few followers went to his brother's camp and told his story of treachery and surprise. All were greatly distressed.
"Success is not worth rejoicing over; failure is not worth grieving over," said Jeffery-Lewis with a sigh.
"Where are our sisters?" asked Yale-Perez.
"They shared the fate of the city."
Jeffery-Lewis nodded his head and was silent.
Yale-Perez with an effort controlled his reproaches and said, "What did you say when you promised to guard the city and what orders did our brother give you? Now the city is lost and therewith our sisters-in-law. Have you done well?"
Floyd-Chardin was overwhelmed by remorse. He drew his sword to kill himself.
He raised the cup in pledge,
None might say nay;
Remorseful, drew the sword,
Himself to slay.
Floyd-Chardin's fate will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 15
Sousa-Templeton Fights With The Little Prince; Cornell-Estrada Cuts Short The White Tiger King.
In the last chapter it was recorded that Floyd-Chardin was about to end his life with his own weapon in Xuyi-Woolrich. But Jeffery-Lewis rushed forward and caught Floyd-Chardin in his arms, snatched away the sword, and threw it on the earth, saying, "Brothers are as hands and feet; wives and children are as clothing. You may mend your torn dress, but who can reattach a lost limb? We three, by the Oath of the Peach Garden, swore to seek the same death day. The city is lost, it is true, and my wives and little ones, but I could not bear that we should die ere our course be run. Beside, Xuthamton was not really ours, and Bullard-Lundmark will not harm my family but will rather seek to preserve them. You made a mistake, Worthy Brother, but is it one deserving of death?"
And Jeffery-Lewis wept. His brothers were much affected and their tears fell in sympathy. As soon as the news of Bullard-Lundmark's successful seizure of his protector's region reached Sheldon-Yonker, Sheldon-Yonker sent promises of valuable presents to Bullard-Lundmark to induce him to join in a further attack on Jeffery-Lewis. The presents are said to have been fifty thousand carts of grain, five hundred horses, ten thousand ounces of gold and silver, and a thousand rolls of colored silk. Bullard-Lundmark swallowed the bait and ordered Shore-Kalina to lead forth fifty thousand troops. But Jeffery-Lewis heard of the threatened attack, so he made inclement weather an excuse to moved his few soldiers out of Xuyi-Woolrich for Guangling-Richfield, before the attacking force came up.
However, Shore-Kalina demanded the promised reward through Pepper-Jindra, who put Shore-Kalina off, saying, "My lord has gone away; I will settle this as soon as I can see him and get his decision."
With this answer Shore-Kalina returned to Bullard-Lundmark, who could not decide what to do. Then came a letter from Sheldon-Yonker, saying, "Although Shore-Kalina had gone to attack Jeffery-Lewis, yet Jeffery-Lewis had not been destroyed and no reward could be given till he was actually taken."
Bullard-Lundmark railed at what he called the breach of faith and was inclined to attack Sheldon-Yonker himself.
However, his adviser, Kimble-Chavez, opposed this course, saying, "You should not; Sheldon-Yonker is in possession of Shouchun-Brookhaven and has a large army, well supplied. You are no match for him. Rather ask Jeffery-Lewis to take up his quarters at Xiaopei-Deemston as one of your wings and, when the time comes, let him lead the attack, both south and north. Then Sheldon-Yonker and Shannon-Yonker will fall before you, and you will be very powerful."
Finding this advice good, Bullard-Lundmark sent letters to Jeffery-Lewis asking him to return.
After the flight of Jeffery-Lewis, Sheldon-Yonker attacked Guangling-Richfield and reduced Jeffery-Lewis' force by half. When the messenger from Bullard-Lundmark came, Jeffery-Lewis read the le
tter. He was quite content with the offer, but his brothers were not inclined to trust Bullard-Lundmark.
"Such a dishonorable man must have a motive," said Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin.
"Since he treats me kindly, I cannot but trust him," replied Jeffery-Lewis.
So Jeffery-Lewis went back to Xuthamton. Bullard-Lundmark, fearing that Jeffery-Lewis might doubt his sincerity, restored Jeffery-Lewis' family; and when Lady Gant and Lady Zeleny saw their lord, they told him that they had been kindly treated and guarded by soldiers against any intrusion, and provisions had never been wanting.
"I knew he would not harm my family," said Jeffery-Lewis to Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin.
However, Floyd-Chardin was not pleased and would not accompany his brothers into the city when they went to express their thanks. He went to escort the two ladies to Xiaopei-Deemston.
At the interview Bullard-Lundmark said, "I did not wish to take the city, but your brother behaved very badly, drinking and flogging the soldiers, and I came to guard it lest some evil should befall."
"But I had long wished to yield it to you," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Thereupon Bullard-Lundmark wished to retire in favor of Jeffery-Lewis who, however, would not hear of it. Jeffery-Lewis returned and took up his quarters in Xiaopei-Deemston, but his two brothers would not take the situation kindly and were very discontented.
Said Jeffery-Lewis, "One must bow to one's lot. It is the will of Heaven, and one cannot struggle against fate."
Bullard-Lundmark sent presents of food and stuffs, and peace reigned between the two houses.
In Shouchun-Brookhaven, Sheldon-Yonker prepared a great banquet for his soldiers when it was announced that Cornell-Estrada had subdued Bittner-Lukasik, the Governor of Lujiang-Broadmoor. Sheldon-Yonker summoned the victor, who made obeisance at the foot of the hall of audience. Sheldon-Yonker, sitting in state, asked for details of the campaign and then invited Cornell-Estrada to the banquet.
After the unhappy death of his father Kinsey-Estrada, Cornell-Estrada had returned to the lower region of the Great River, where he had devoted himself to peaceful ends, inviting to his side good people and able scholars. Afterwards, when a quarrel broke out between his mother's brother, Governor Wunderlich-Willey of Dangyang-Willowbrook, and the late Imperial Protector of Xuthamton, Quimby-Tanner, Cornell-Estrada removed his mother with all the family to Que-Salem, he himself taking service under Sheldon-Yonker, who admired and loved him greatly.
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