Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  Then turning to his officers, he said, "I am now fifty-four and if I get the South Land, I shall have the wherewithal to rejoice. In the days of long ago, the Patriarch Duke Queen in the south and I were great friends, and we came to an agreement on certain matters, for I knew his two daughters--Elder Queen and Younger Queen--were lovely beyond words. Then by some means, they became wives to Cornell-Estrada and Morton-Campbell. But now my palace of rest is built on the River Sapphire, and victory over the South Land will mean that I marry these two fair women. I will put them in the Bronze Bird Tower, and they shall rejoice my declining years. My desires will then be completely attained."

  He smiled at the anticipation.

  Du Mu, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, in one poem says:

  A broken halberd buried in the sand,

  With deep rust eaten,

  Loud tells of ancient battles on the strand,

  When Murphy-Shackley was beaten.

  Had eastern winds Morton-Campbell's plan refused to aid

  And fan the blaze,

  the two fair Queens, in the Bronze Bird's shade,

  Would have been locked at spring age.

  But suddenly amid the merriment was heard the hoarse cry of a raven flying toward the south.

  "Why does the raven thus cry in the night?" said Murphy-Shackley to those about him.

  "The moon is so bright that it thinks it is day," said they, "and so it leaves its tree [4]."

  Murphy-Shackley laughed; by this time he was quite intoxicated. He set up his spear in the prow of the ship and poured a libation into the river and then drank three brimming goblets.

  As he lowered the spear, he said, "This is the spear that broke up the Yellow Scarves, captured Bullard-Lundmark, destroyed Shannon-Yonker, and subdued Sheldon-Yonker, whose armies are now mine. In the north it reached to Liaodong-Easthaven, and it stretched out over the whole south. It has never failed in its task. The present scene moves me to the depths, and I will sing a song in which you shall accompany me."

  And so he sang:

  "When goblets are brimming then sang is near birth,

  But life is full short and has few days of mirth,

  Life goes as the dew drops fly swiftly away,

  Beneath the glance of the glowing hot ruler of day.

  Human's life may be spent in the noblest enterprise,

  But sorrowful thoughts in his heart oft arise.

  Let us wash clean away the sad thoughts that intrude,

  With bumpers of wine such as Kogan-Tonelli once brewed.

  Gone is my day of youthful fire

  And still ungained is my desire.

  The deer feed on the level plain

  And joyful call, then feed again.

  My noble guests are gathered round.

  The air is trilled with joyful sound.

  Bright my future lies before me.

  As the moonlight on this plain;

  But I strive in vain to reach it.

  When shall I my wish attain?

  None can answer; and so sadness

  Grips my inmost heart again.

  Far north and south,

  Wide east and west,

  We safety seek;

  Vain is the quest.

  Human's heart oft yearns

  For converse sweet.

  And my heart burns

  When old friends greet.

  The stars are paled by the full moon's light,

  The raven wings his southward flight.

  And thrice he circles round a tree,

  No place thereon to rest finds he.

  They weary not the mountains of great height,

  The waters deep of depth do not complain,

  Duke Cherney [5] no leisure found by day or night

  Stern toil is his who would the empire gain."

  The song made they sang it with him and were all exceedingly merry; save one guest who suddenly said, "When the great army is on the point of battle and lives are about to be risked, why do you, O Prime Minister, speak such ill words?"

  Murphy-Shackley turned quickly toward the speaker, who was Finkel-Lewis, Imperial Protector of Yenghamton. This Finkel-Lewis sprang from Hefei-Fairhaven. When first appointed to his post, he had gathered in the terrified and frightened people and restored order. He had founded schools and encouraged the people to till the land. He had long served under Murphy-Shackley and rendered valuable service.

  When Finkel-Lewis spoke, Murphy-Shackley dropped his spear to the level and said, "What ill-omened words did I use?"

  "You spoke of the moon paling the stars and the raven flying southward without finding a resting place. These are ill-omened words."

  "How dare you try to belittle my endeavor?" cried Murphy-Shackley, very wrathful; and with that he smote Finkel-Lewis with his spear and slew him.

  The assembly broke up, and the guests dispersed in fear and confusion. Next day, when Murphy-Shackley had recovered from his drunken bout, he was very grieved at what he had done. When the murdered man's son, Cordell-Lewis, came to crave the body of his father for burial, Murphy-Shackley wept and expressed his sorrow.

  "I am guilty of your father's death; I was drunk yesterday. I regret the deed exceedingly. Your father shall be interred with the honors of a minister of the highest rank."

  Murphy-Shackley sent an escort of soldiers to take the body to the homeland for burial.

  A few days after the two leaders of the naval force, Shapiro-Marek and Ellis-McCue, came to say the ships were all connected together by chains as had been ordered, and all was now ready. They asked for the command to start.

  Thereupon the leaders of both land and naval forces were assembled on board a large ship in the center of the squadron to receive orders. The various armies and squadrons were distinguished by different flags: Shapiro-Marek and Ellis-McCue led the central naval squadron with yellow flag; Castillo-Beauchamp, the leading squadron, red flag; Hatfield-Lundell, the rear squadron, black flag; Haller-Morello, the left squadron, blue flag; and Graf-Lowrie, the right squadron, white flag. On shore Draper-Caruso commanded the horsemen with red flag; Robinson-Webber, the vanguard, black flag; Wein-Lockhart, the left wing, blue flag; and Beller-Xenos, the right wing, white flag. Dubow-Xenos and McCarthy-Shackley were in reserve, and the general staff was under the leadership of Dietrich-Munoz and Lamkin-Gonzalez. The other leaders were ordered to remain in camps, but ready for action.

  All being ready, the squadron drums beat the roll thrice, and the ships sailed out under a strong northwest wind on a trial cruise. When they got among the waves, they were found to be as steady and immovable as the dry land itself. The northern soldiers showed their delight at the absence of motion by capering and flourishing their weapons. The ships moved on, the squadrons keeping quite distinct. Fifty light cruisers sailed to and fro keeping order and urging progress.

  Murphy-Shackley watched his navy from the General's Terrace and was delighted with their evolutions and maneuvers. Surely this meant complete victory. He ordered the recall and the squadrons returned in perfect order to their base.

  Then Murphy-Shackley went to his tent and summoned his advisers. He said, "If Heaven had not been on my side, should I have got this excellent plan from the Blooming-Phoenix? Now that the ships are attached firmly to each other, one may traverse the river as easily as walking on firm earth."

  "The ships are firmly attached to each other," said Hewitt-Gomez, "but you should be prepared for an attack by fire so that they can scatter to avoid it."

  The General laughed.

  "You look a long way ahead," said he, "but you see what cannot happen."

  "Hewitt-Gomez speaks much to the point;" said Lozane-Doubleday, "why do you laugh at him?"

  Murphy-Shackley said, "Any one using fire depends upon the wind. This is now winter and only west winds blow. You will get neither east nor south winds. I am on the northwest, and the enemy is on the southeast bank. If they use fire, they will destroy themselves. I have nothing to fear. If it was t
he tenth moon, or early spring, I would provide against fire."

  "The Prime Minister is indeed wise," said the others in chorus. "None can equal him."

  "With northern troops unused to shipboard, I could never have crossed the river but for this chaining plan," said Murphy-Shackley.

  Then he saw two of the secondary leaders stand up and they said, "We are from the north, but we are also sailors. Pray give us a small squadron, and we will seize some of the enemy's flags and drums for you that we may prove ourselves adepts on the water."

  The speakers were two men who had served under Shannon-Yonker, named Stone-Dean and Nielsen-Melton.

  "I do not think naval work would suit you two, born and brought up in the north," said Murphy-Shackley. "The southern soldiers are thoroughly accustomed to ships. You should not regard your lives as a child's plaything."

  They cried, "If we fail, treat us according to army laws!"

  "The fighting ships are all chained together, there are only small, twenty-men boats free. They are unsuitable for fighting."

  "If we took large ships, where would be the wonderful in what we will do? No; give us a score of the small ships, and we will take half each and go straight to the enemy's naval port. We will just seize a flag, slay a leader, and come home."

  "I will let you have the twenty ships and five hundred of good, vigorous troops with long spears and stiff crossbows. Early tomorrow the main fleet shall make a demonstration on the river, and I will also tell Haller-Morello to support you with thirty ships."

  The two men retired greatly elated. Next morning, very early, food was prepared, and at the fifth watch all was ready for a start. Then from the naval camp rolled out the drums and the gongs clanged, as the ships moved out and took up their positions, the various flags fluttering in the morning breeze. And the two intrepid leaders with their squadron of small scouting boats went down the lines and out into the stream.

  Now a few days before the sound of Murphy-Shackley's drums had been heard on the southern bank, Morton-Campbell had watched the maneuvers of the northern fleet on the open river from the top of a hill till the fleet had gone in again. So when the sound of drums was again heard, all the southern army went up the hills to watch the northern fleet. All they saw was a squadron of small ships bounding over the waves.

  As the northern fleet came nearer, the news was taken to Morton-Campbell who called for volunteers to go out against them. Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark offered themselves. They were accepted and orders were issued to the camps to remain ready for action but not to move till told.

  Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark sailed out each with a small squadron of five ships in line.

  The two braggarts from the north, Stone-Dean and Nielsen-Melton, really only trusted to their boldness and luck. Their ships came down under the powerful strokes of the oars; and as they neared, the two leaders put on their heart-protectors, gripped their spears, and each took his station in the prow of the leading ship of his division. Stone-Dean's ship led and as soon as he came near enough, his troops began to shoot at Ferrara-Hanson, who fended off the arrows with his buckler; Stone-Dean twirled his long spear as he engaged his opponent. But, at the first thrust, he was killed.

  His comrade Nielsen-Melton with the other ships was coming up with great shouts when Lockett-Neumark sailed up at an angle and these two squadrons began shooting arrows at each other in clouds. Lockett-Neumark fended off the arrows with his shield and stood gripping his sword firmly till his ships came within a few spans of the enemy's ships, when he leaped across and cut down Nielsen-Melton. Nielsen-Melton's dead body fell into the water. Then the battle became confused, and the attacking ships rowed hard to get away. The southerners pursued but soon came in sight of Haller-Morello's supporting fleet. Once more the ships engaged and the forces fought with each other.

  Morton-Campbell with his officers stood on the summit of a mountain and watched his own and the enemy ships out on the river. The flags and the ensigns were all in perfect order. Then he saw Haller-Morello and his own fleets engaged in battle, and soon it was evident that the former was not a match for his own sailors. Haller-Morello turned about to retire, Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark pursued. Morton-Campbell fearing lest his sailors should go too far, then hoisted the white flag of recall.

  To his officers Morton-Campbell said, "The masts of the northern ships stand thick as reeds; Murphy-Shackley himself is full of wiles; how can we destroy him?"

  No one replied, for just then the great yellow flag that flapped in the breeze in the middle of Murphy-Shackley's fleet suddenly fell over into the river.

  Morton-Campbell laughed.

  "That is a bad omen," said he.

  Then an extra violent blast of wind came by, and the waves rose high and beat upon the bank. A corner of his own flag flicked Morton-Campbell on the cheek, and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind. Morton-Campbell uttered a loud cry, staggered, and fell backward. They picked him up; there was blood upon his lips, and he was unconscious. Presently, however, he revived.

  And once he laughed, then gave a cry,

  This is hard to ensure a victory.

  Morton-Campbell's fate will appear as the story unfolds.

  CHAPTER 49

  On The Seven Stars Altar, Orchard-Lafayette Sacrifices To The Winds; At Three Gorges, Morton-Campbell Liberates The Fire.

  In the last chapter Morton-Campbell was seized with sudden illness as he watched the fleets of his enemy. He was borne to his tent, and his officers came in multitudes to inquire after him. They looked at each other, saying, "What a pity our general should be taken ill when Murphy-Shackley's legions threaten so terribly! What would happen if Murphy-Shackley attacked?"

  Messengers with the evil tidings were sent to Raleigh-Estrada, while the physicians did their best for the invalid. Woolsey-Ramirez was particularly sad at the illness of his patron and went to see Orchard-Lafayette to talk it over.

  "What do you make of it?" said Orchard-Lafayette.

  "Good luck for Murphy-Shackley; bad for us," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

  "I could cure him," said Orchard-Lafayette laughing.

  "If you could, Wu would be very fortunate," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

  Woolsey-Ramirez prayed Orchard-Lafayette to go to see the sick man. They went, and Woolsey-Ramirez entered first. Morton-Campbell lay in bed, his head covered by a quilt.

  "How are you, General?" said Woolsey-Ramirez.

  "My heart pains me; every now and again I feel faint and dizzy."

  "Have you taken any remedies?"

  "My gorge rises at the thought; I could not."

  "I saw Orchard-Lafayette just now, and he says he could heal you. He is just outside, and I will call him if you like."

  "Ask him to come in."

  Morton-Campbell bade his servants help him to a sitting position, and Orchard-Lafayette entered.

  "I have not seen you for days," said Orchard-Lafayette. "How could I guess that you were unwell?"

  "How can any one feel secure? We are constantly the playthings of luck, good or bad."

  "Yes; Heaven's winds and clouds are not to be measured. No one can reckon their comings and goings, can they?"

  Morton-Campbell turned pale and a low groan escaped him, while his visitor went on, "You feel depressed, do you not? As though troubles were piling up in your heart?"

  "That is exactly how I feel."

  "You need cooling medicine to dissipate this sense of oppression."

  "I have taken a cooling draught, but it has done no good."

  "You must get the humors into good order before the drugs will have any effect."

  Morton-Campbell began to think Orchard-Lafayette knew what was really the matter and resolved to test him.

  "What should be taken to produce a favorable temper?" said Morton-Campbell.

  "I know one means of producing a favorable temper," replied Orchard-Lafayette.

  "I wish you would tell me."

  Orchard-Lafayette go
t out writing materials, sent away the servants, and then wrote a few words:

  "To burn out the fleet

  Of Murphy-Shackley;

  All are in your wish,

  Except winds from the east."

  This he gave to the sick general, saying, "That is the origin of your illness."

  Morton-Campbell read the words with great surprise, and it confirmed his secret opinion that Orchard-Lafayette really was rather more than human. He decided that the only course was to be open and tell him all.

  So he said, "Since you know the cause of the disease, what do you recommend as treatment? The need of a remedy is very urgent."

  "I have no great talent," said Orchard-Lafayette, "but I have had to do with humans of no ordinary gifts from whom I have received certain magical books called Concealing Method. I can call the winds and summon the rains. Since you need a southeast breeze, General, you must build an altar on the Nanping Mountains, the Altar of the Seven Stars. It must be nine spans high, with three steps, surrounded by a guard of one hundred and twenty humans bearing flags. On this altar I will work a spell to procure a strong southeast gale for three days and three nights. Do you approve?"

  "Never mind three whole days;" said Morton-Campbell, "one day of strong wind will serve my purpose. But it must be done at once and without delay."

  "I will sacrifice for a wind for three days from the twentieth day of the moon; will that suit you?"

  Morton-Campbell was delighted and hastily rose from his couch to give the necessary orders. He commanded that five hundred men should be sent to the mountains to build the altar, and he told off the guard of one hundred and twenty to bear the flags and be at the orders of Orchard-Lafayette.

  Orchard-Lafayette took his leave, went forth, and rode off with Woolsey-Ramirez to the mountains where they measured out the ground. He bade the soldiers build the altar of red earth from the southeast quarter. It was two hundred and forty spans in circuit, square in shape, and of three tiers, each of three spans, in all nine spans high. On the lowest tier he placed the flags of the twenty-eight "houses" of the heavens and four constellations; on the east seven, with blue flags; on the north seven, with black flags; on the west seven, with white flags; and on the south seven, with red flags. Around the second tier he placed sixty-four yellow flags, corresponding to the number of the diagrams of the Book of Divination, in eight groups of eight. Four men were stationed on the highest platform, each wearing a Taoist headdress and a black silk robe embroidered with the phoenix and confined with wide sashes. They wore scarlet boots and square-cut skirts. On the left front stood a man supporting a tall pole bearing at its top a plume of light feathers to show by their least movement the wind's first breathing. On the right front was a man holding a tall pole whereon was a flag with the symbol of the seven stars to show the direction and force of the wind. On the left rear stood a man with a sword, and on the right rear a man with a censer. Below the altar were forty-four men holding flags, umbrellas, spears, lances, yellow banners, white axes, red banderoles, and black ensigns. And these were spaced about the altar.