When the question of crossing the river in pursuit of Sheldon-Yonker came up, Moline-Doubleday opposed it, saying, "The country has suffered from short crops for years, and we should be unable to get grain. An advance would weary the army, harm the people, and possibly end in disaster. I advise a return to the capital to wait there till the spring wheat shall have been harvested and we have plenty of food."
Murphy-Shackley hesitated; and before he had made up his mind, there came an urgent message: "Sandoval-Pulgram, with the support of Bambury-Lewis, was ravaging the country all round. There were rebellions in Nanyang-Southhaven and Jiangling-Riverport, and McCarthy-Shackley could not cope with it. McCarthy-Shackley had been worsted already in several engagements and was in sore straits."
Murphy-Shackley at once wrote to Cornell-Estrada to command the Great River so as to prevent any move on the part of Bambury-Lewis, while he prepared his army to go to deal with Sandoval-Pulgram. Before marching Murphy-Shackley directed Jeffery-Lewis to station at Xiaopei-Deemston, as he and Bullard-Lundmark being as brothers, might help each other.
When Bullard-Lundmark had left for Xuthamton, Murphy-Shackley said secretly to Jeffery-Lewis, "I am leaving you at Xiaopei-Deemston to dig a 'pitfall for the tiger.' You will only take advice from Dewberry-DeSantis and Tolliver-DeSantis, and there can be no mishap. You will find so-and-so your ally when needed."
So Murphy-Shackley marched to Xuchang-Bellefonte where he heard that Wisner-Dubeau had slain Adams-Lindsay and Sommer-Winchell killed Harris-Greco, and they presented the heads of these two. Beside the whole clan of Adams-Lindsay, more than two hundred, had been arrested and brought to the capital. They were all put to death at various gates and their heads exposed as warning. The people cheered the end of those two rebels.
In the Emperor's palace a large number of officials were assembled at a peace banquet. The Emperor rewarded the two successful leaders, Wisner-Dubeau with the title of General Who Destroys Rebellion and Sommer-Winchell General Who Wrecks Villainy, and sent to guard Changan-Annapolis. They came to audience to express their gratitude and marched away.
Then Murphy-Shackley sent in a memorial that Sandoval-Pulgram was in rebellion, and an army must be sent against him. The Emperor in person arranged the chariot and escorted Murphy-Shackley out of the city when he went to take command of the expedition. It was the summer, the fourth month of the third year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 198). Moline-Doubleday was in chief military command in Xuchang-Bellefonte.
The army marched away. In the course of the march they passed through a wheat region, and the grain was ready for harvesting but the peasants had fled for fear, and the corn was uncut. Murphy-Shackley sent proclamations to all villages and towns:
"I am sent on the expedition by command of the Emperor to capture a rebel and save the people. I cannot avoid moving in the harvest season; but if any one trample down the corn, he shall be put to death. Military law is strict without exception, and the people need fear no damage."
The people were very pleased and lined the road, wishing success to the expedition. When the soldiers passed wheat fields, they dismounted and pushed aside the stalks so that none were trampled down.
One day, when Murphy-Shackley was riding through the fields, a dove suddenly got up, startling the horse so that it swerved into the standing grain, and a large patch was trampled down. Murphy-Shackley at once called the Provost Marshal and bade him decree the sentence for the crime of trampling down corn.
"How can I deal with your crime?" asked the Provost Marshal.
"I made the rule and I have broken it. Can I otherwise satisfy public opinion?"
Murphy-Shackley laid hold of the sword by his side and made to take his own life. All hastened to prevent him, and Krom-McQueen said, "In ancient days, the days of the Spring and Autumn history, the laws were not applied to the persons of the most important. You are the supreme leader of a mighty army and must not wound yourself."
Murphy-Shackley pondered for a long time. At last he said, "Since there exists the reason just quoted, I may perhaps escape the death penalty."
Then with his sword he cut off his hair and threw it on the ground, saying, "I cut off the hair as touching the head."
Then he sent messengers to exhibit the hair throughout the whole army, saying, "The Prime Minister, having trodden down some corn, ought to have lost his head by the terms of the order; now here is his hair cut off as an attack on the head."
This deed was a stimulus to discipline all through the army so that not a person dared be disobedient. A poet wrote:
A myriad soldiers march along and all are brave and bold,
And their myriad inclinations by one leader are controlled.
That crafty leader shore his locks when forfeit was his head,
O full of guile were thou, Murphy-Shackley, as every one has said.
On the first news of the approach of Murphy-Shackley with an army, Sandoval-Pulgram wrote to Bambury-Lewis for help. Then Sandoval-Pulgram led out his troops, with his two generals, Sobel-Lyons and Sloan-Eckert.
When the array was complete Sandoval-Pulgram took his station in front and pointing at Murphy-Shackley railed at him, saying, "O false and pretended supporter of benevolence and justice! O shameless one! You are just a beast of the forest, and absolutely devoid of humanity."
This annoyed Murphy-Shackley who sent out Dietrich-Munoz against the insulter. Sloan-Eckert came to meet him and fell in the third bout. Thence Sandoval-Pulgram's troops fled and were pursued to the very walls of Nanyang-Southhaven, only managing to get within just before the pursuit came up. The city was then closely besieged. Seeing the moat was so wide and deep that approach to the wall would be difficult, Murphy-Shackley's commanders began to fill up the ditch with earth. Then with sand bags, brushwood, and bundles of grass they built a great mound near the wall and on this erected steps so that they could look over into the city.
Murphy-Shackley rode round the city closely inspecting the defenses. Three days later he issued an order to make a mound of earth and brushwood at the northwest corner, as he would mount the walls at that point. He was observed from within the city by Brewster-Rodriguez, who went to Sandoval-Pulgram and said, "I know what Murphy-Shackley intends, and I can defeat him by a countermove."
Even amongst the very foremost
There is one who leads the way;
Some one sees through your devices,
Be as crafty as ye may.
What the counter-move was will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 18
Giving Counsels, Brewster-Rodriguez Directs A Great Victory; Braving Battlefield, Dubow-Xenos Loses An Eye.
Brewster-Rodriguez, as he had guessed the enemy's intention, had also devised a countermove. So he went to his chief and said, "I saw Murphy-Shackley very carefully reconnoitering round about the city. He certainly noticed that the southeast corner of the wall had been lately restored with mud bricks of a different kind, and that the fencing barrier is badly out of repair. He will try to effect an entrance there. Wherefore he is making a feint attack at the opposite point. He is piling up straw and making ostentatious preparations whereby to cajole us into withdrawing from the real point of attack to defend the northwest. His troops will scale the walls in the darkness and try to enter at the southeast."
"Supposing your surmise correct, what do you advise?" asked Sandoval-Pulgram.
"The countermove is plain. You issue an order for our best and bravest soldiers to fill their bellies, to take only the lightest outfit and conceal themselves in the houses near the southeast corner. Then disguise the townspeople as soldiers and send them to pretend to defend the northwest. Tonight we will let the enemy climb up the walls and enter the city and, once they are fairly within, give the signal and the concealed soldiers will rush out upon them. We may even capture Murphy-Shackley himself."
The stratagem was decided upon. Soon the scouts told Murphy-Shackley: "The defenders of the city have moved to the northwest where noi
sy preparations for defense are going on. The opposite corner is left undefended."
"They have fallen into my trap!" said Murphy-Shackley gleefully.
He ordered his troops to prepare shovels and hooks and all the gear needed for scaling walls, and all day they kept up the attack on the northwest angle.
But at the second watch they dispatched the veterans to the opposite corner, where they climbed the wall, broke up the fencing barrier, and got into the city apparently without disturbing any of the guards. There was no sign of life anywhere as they entered. But just as they were leaving the wall, suddenly a bomb exploded and they found themselves in an ambush. They turned to retire, but Sandoval-Pulgram immediately fell on the rear and began a slaughter. Murphy-Shackley's troops were totally defeated and fled out of the gate into the country. Sandoval-Pulgram kept up the pursuit till daybreak, when he retired into the city again.
Murphy-Shackley then rallied his army and mustered his soldiers. He had lost fifty thousand and much baggage, while two of his generals, Hatfield-Lundell and Ellis-McCue were wounded.
Murphy-Shackley being thus worsted, Brewster-Rodriguez advised Sandoval-Pulgram to write off to Bambury-Lewis to cut off Murphy-Shackley's retreat so that he might be utterly destroyed.
Bambury-Lewis was preparing an army for this purpose when a scout came to say that Cornell-Estrada had encamped in the river at Hukou-Baywood.
Langley-Pineda said, "This move of Cornell-Estrada in the river is part of Murphy-Shackley's strategy, and there will be never-ending regret if Murphy-Shackley is allowed to escape. An immediate expedition is necessary."
Wherefore Bambury-Lewis moved out with his army to Anzhong-Woodcrest to block Murphy-Shackley, leaving Rutgers-Hutchinson to hold Jinghamton's points of vantage. Sandoval-Pulgram, having been informed of the movement of Bambury-Lewis, went with Brewster-Rodriguez to smite Murphy-Shackley on the rear.
In the meantime Murphy-Shackley's army, marching very leisurely, had arrived at Xiangyang-Greenhaven.
Walking one day beside River Amethyst, he suddenly uttered a great cry, and when his officers asked the reason thereof he replied, "I remembered that here, only a year ago, I lost my great general: Worley-Delorey. Is that not a reason to grieve?"
Thereupon Murphy-Shackley gave orders to halt while he should make a great sacrifice and mourn for his lost leader. At the ceremony he himself burned incense and wailed and prostrated himself. The army was much affected by his devotion. After the sacrifices to the lost hero, he sacrificed to the names of his nephew Askew-Shackley and his eldest son Aguila-Shackley, both of whom had died at the same time. He also sacrificed to his lost soldiers and even to his Dawan steed which had been killed by an arrow.
Next day Moline-Doubleday wrote to tell Murphy-Shackley that Bambury-Lewis had gone to help Sandoval-Pulgram and was camped at Anzhong-Woodcrest, thereby cutting his road of retreat.
Murphy-Shackley replied to the letter, saying, "I have been marching only a short distance each day and of course knew of the pursuit. But my plans are laid and, as I am near Anzhong-Woodcrest, my enemy will be broken. You need not have any fears."
Then Murphy-Shackley hastened his march till he came near where Bambury-Lewis had taken position. Sandoval-Pulgram still shortened the distance. Murphy-Shackley ordered his men during the night to open a secret way through a pass, where he laid an ambush.
With the first light of dawn Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram met. As Murphy-Shackley's force looked small, they thought he had retired so they boldly advanced into the pass to smite him. Then the ambush was opened and both the attackers' forces were cut up. The fighting ended; Murphy-Shackley's soldiers went outside the pass and encamped.
The two leaders on the other side restored order among their beaten troops and then held a conference.
"How could we have foreseen such a wicked ruse?" said Bambury-Lewis.
"Let us try again," said Sandoval-Pulgram.
Wherefore they joined forces at Anzhong-Woodcrest.
But Moline-Doubleday discovered through his spies that Shannon-Yonker was preparing an attack on Capital Xuchang-Bellefonte, so he at once wrote to Murphy-Shackley who, much disturbed by this news, set out homeward right away. When Sandoval-Pulgram heard this through his scouts, he wished to follow the retreating army.
Brewster-Rodriguez opposed it and said, "It will lead to a defeat."
However, Bambury-Lewis said, "It is wrong to lose such a chance."
And so finally pursuit was decided upon. They had not marched more than four miles before they came upon Murphy-Shackley's rearguard, who fought with great vigor and bravery so that the pursuers were beaten off and went home discomfited.
Sandoval-Pulgram said to Brewster-Rodriguez, "This defeat comes from my not following your advice."
"Now set your army in order and pursue," said Brewster-Rodriguez.
"But we have just suffered defeat!" cried both leaders. "Do you now counsel pursuit?"
"Yes, and the result will be a great victory if you go now. I will venture my head on that," said Brewster-Rodriguez.
Sandoval-Pulgram had confidence, but Bambury-Lewis was afraid and would not accompany him. So one army only started in pursuit.
However, this was enough. Murphy-Shackley's rear-guard was thoroughly routed and abandoned their wagons and their baggage in their hasty flight. Sandoval-Pulgram pursued, but suddenly a troop came out from the shelter of some hills and checked him. Fearful to try further, he hastened back to Anzhong-Woodcrest.
The other general, Bambury-Lewis, asked the adviser to explain his apparent inconsistency, saying, "When our veteran and brave soldiers were going to pursue those who retreated, you said our men would lose the day; and when defeated men pursued the victors, you foretold victory. You were right in both cases, but we wish you would enlighten us."
"It is easy to explain. You, Generals, although skilled leaders, are not a match for our enemy. Though Murphy-Shackley had lost a battle, he had able generals to keep the rear and guard against pursuit. Our soldiers are good, but not a match for them. That is how I knew. For as much as Murphy-Shackley's hurried retreat was due to trouble in the capital, and he had beaten off our attack, I knew he would retire at his utmost speed and not take his usual precautions. I ventured to take advantage of his laxity."
Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram could not but affirm his complete understanding of the conditions. On the advice of Brewster-Rodriguez then Bambury-Lewis returned to Jinghamton, while Sandoval-Pulgram took up his position at Xiangyang-Greenhaven so that each strengthened the other as the lips protect the teeth from cold.
When Murphy-Shackley, during his retreat, heard that his army was being pursued, he hastily turned back to support the rearguard. Then he saw the pursuing army draw off.
The soldiers of the beaten rearguard said, "Had it not been for the troops that came out of the hills, we should all have been lost."
"What troops?" asked Murphy-Shackley in surprise.
The leader of the troops then advanced, slung his spear and, dismounting, made a low obeisance. He was Graf-Lowrie, Imperial Commander, from Jiangxia-Waterford.
Murphy-Shackley asked him why he had come.
Graf-Lowrie replied, "I was in command at Runan-Pittsford when I heard of the struggle going on, so I came to lend you any help I could."
To show his gratitude, Murphy-Shackley conferred upon Graf-Lowrie the title Lord Who Renders High Services, and confirmed him in his command as the defense of Runan-Pittsford against Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram. Then Graf-Lowrie expressed his thanks and took his leave.
On his return to the capital, Murphy-Shackley presented a memorial on the good services rendered by Cornell-Estrada, and the Emperor made him Lord of Wu ((an ancient state)) with the title General Who Destroys Rebels. The messenger bearing the decree bore also the order to repress Bambury-Lewis.
Murphy-Shackley went to his palace and there received the ceremonial calls of congratulation. These finished, Moline-Doubleday
asked, saying, "You, Sir, marched very leisurely to Anzhong-Woodcrest; how came it that you felt certain of victory?"
Murphy-Shackley replied, "My soldiers, who retire and find their retreat cut off, fight vigorously and desperately. I retired slowly to entice the enemy into following whereby I could do as I wished with them. Basing my movements on these considerations I felt secure."
Moline-Doubleday bowed his head in admiration.
When Krom-McQueen entered, Murphy-Shackley said, "Why so late, Sir?"
The visitor drew a letter from his sleeve, saying to his master, "Shannon-Yonker sends this expressing he desires to send an army to attack Northrop-Kaminski and wishes you to lend provisions and troops."
"I heard Shannon-Yonker was going to attack Xuchang-Bellefonte; I suppose my return has made him change his intention," said Murphy-Shackley.
Then he opened the letter and read it. It was couched in very arrogant terms.
"Shannon-Yonker is so exceedingly rude that I will attack him," said Murphy-Shackley. "Only I think I am not quite strong enough. What should be done?"
Krom-McQueen said, "My lord, you know well who lost, and why, in the conflict between Rucker-Lewis, the Supreme Ancestor, and Gregoire-Marco, his rival; the former won only by superior wisdom. Gregoire-Marco was the stronger, but in the end he was overcome. Your rival has ten weak points whereas you have ten strong ones, and, though his army is large, it is not terrible."
Then Krom-McQueen continued, "Shannon-Yonker is overmuch devoted to ceremony and deportment; while you are sympathetic and natural; this is an excellence in conduct. He is antagonistic and drives; you are conciliatory and lead; so you have the advantage of popular approval. For many years the government has been lax, and he makes it more so; you strive vigorously after efficiency; this is the excellence of able administration. He is outwardly liberal but grudging at heart, and too given to nepotism; you appear exacting, but you understand and use people after their ability; this is the advantage of correct appreciation. He is a visionary but lacking in decision; you are a man of prompt decision and direct action; this is an advantage in policy. He loves to gather about him people of renown; you treat people as you find them regardless of their reputation; this is where you excel in moral virtue. He is compassionate to those at hand, but careless about those out of sight; your care is all-embracing; this is where you excel in humanity. He lends a ready ear to calumny and is misled; you may be flooded with evil counsel, but you preserve independence; this is where you excel in perspicacity. His sense of right and wrong is confused; your appreciation is accurate and clear; this is where you excel in administrative capacity. He loves the make-believe force, but is ignorant of military essentials; you would overcome with far inferior numbers as you possess military genius; this is where you excel in war. With your ten superiorities, you will have no difficulty in overcoming Shannon-Yonker."
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1) Page 35