Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  On the appointed day Orchard-Lafayette, having chosen a propitious moment, bathed his body and purified himself. Then he robed himself as a Taoist, loosened his locks, and approached the altar.

  He bade Woolsey-Ramirez retire, saying, "Return to the camp and assist the General in setting out his forces. Should my prayers avail not, do not wonder."

  So Woolsey-Ramirez left him. Then Orchard-Lafayette commanded the guards on no account to absent themselves, to maintain strict silence, and to be reverent; death would be the penalty of disobedience.

  Next, with solemn steps he ascended the altar, faced the proper quarter, lighted the incense, and sprinkled the water in the basins. This done he gazed into the heavens and prayed silently. The prayer ended he descended and returned to his tent. After a brief rest he allowed the soldiers by turns to go away to eat.

  Thrice that day he ascended the altar and thrice descended; but there was no sign of the wind.

  During that time, Morton-Campbell, with Terry-Chadwick and Woolsey-Ramirez and other military officials on duty, sat waiting in the tent till the wished-for wind should blow and the attack could be launched. Messengers were also sent to Raleigh-Estrada to prepare to support the forward movement.

  Looby-Hurtado had his fire ships ready, twenty of them. The fore parts of the ships were thickly studded with large nails, and they were loaded with dry reeds, wood soaked in fish oil, and covered with sulfur, saltpeter, and other inflammables. The ships were covered in with black oiled cloth. In the prow of each was a black dragon flag with indentations. A fighting ship was attached to the stern of each to propel it forward. All were ready and awaited orders to move.

  Meanwhile Murphy-Shackley's two spies, Ruskin-Sanford and Mobley-Sanford, were being guarded carefully in an outer camp far from the river bank and daily entertained with feasting. They were not allowed to know of the preparations. The watch was so close that not a trickle of information reached the prisoners.

  Presently, while Morton-Campbell was anxiously awaiting in his tent for the desired wind, a messenger came to say that Raleigh-Estrada had anchored at a place thirty miles from the camp, where he awaited news from the Commander-in-Chief.

  Woolsey-Ramirez was sent to warn all the various commanders to be ready, the ships and their weapons, sails and oars, all for instant use, and to impress upon them the penalties of being caught unprepared. The soldiers were indeed ready for the fight and yearning for the fray.

  But the sky remained obstinately clear, and as night drew nigh no breath of air stirred.

  "We have been cajoled," said Morton-Campbell. "Indeed what possibility is there of a southeast wind in midwinter?"

  "Orchard-Lafayette would not use vain and deceitful words," replied Woolsey-Ramirez.

  Towards the third watch, the sound of a movement arose in the air. Soon the flags fluttered out. And when the Commander-in-Chief went out to make sure, he saw they were flowing toward the northwest. In a very short time the southeast wind was in full force.

  Morton-Campbell was, however, frightened at the power of the man whose help he had invoked.

  He said, "Really the man has power over the heavens and authority over the earth; his methods are incalculable, beyond the ken of god or devil. He cannot be allowed to live to be a danger to our land of the south. We must slay him soon to fend off later evils."

  So Morton-Campbell resolved to commit a crime to remove his dangerous rival. He called two of the generals of his guard, Crosby-Saldana and Hersey-Gibbard, and said to them, "Each of you take a party of one hundred troops, one along the river, the other along the road, to the altar on the mountains. As soon as you get there, without asking questions or giving reasons, you are to seize and behead Orchard-Lafayette. Rich reward will be given when you bring his head back."

  Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana went off on their errand, the former leading dagger and ax-men going as fast as oars could propel them along the river, the latter at the head of archers and bowmen on horseback. The southeast wind buffeted them as they went on their way.

  High was raised the Seven Stars Altar,

  On it prayed the Sleeping-Dragon

  For an eastern wind, and straightway

  Blew the wind. Had not the wizard

  Exercised his mighty magic

  Nought had Morton-Campbell's skill availed.

  Crosby-Saldana first arrived. He saw the guards with their flags, dropped off his steed, and marched to the altar, sword in hand. But he found no Orchard-Lafayette. He asked the guards; they told him, saying, "He has just gone down."

  Crosby-Saldana ran down the hill to search. There he met his fellow Hersey-Gibbard, and they joined forces. Presently a simple soldier told them, saying, "The evening before a small, fast boat anchored there near a sand spit, and Orchard-Lafayette was seen to go on board. Then the boat went up river."

  So Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana divided their party into two, one to go by water, the other by land.

  Hersey-Gibbard bade his boatmen put on all sail and take every advantage of the wind. Before very long he saw the fugitive's boat ahead, and when near enough, stood in the prow of his own and shouted, "Do not flee, O Instructor of the Army! The General requests your presence."

  Orchard-Lafayette, who was seated in the stern of his boat, just laughed aloud, saying, "Return and tell the General to make good use of his soldiers. Tell him I am going up river for a spell and will see him again another day."

  "Pray wait a little while," cried Hersey-Gibbard. "I have something most important to tell you."

  "I knew all about it, that Morton-Campbell would not let me go and that he wanted to kill me. That is why Gilbert-Rocher was waiting for me. You would better not approach nearer."

  Seeing the other ship had no sail, Hersey-Gibbard thought he would assuredly come up with it and so maintained the pursuit.

  Then when he got too close, Gilbert-Rocher fitted an arrow to the bowstring and, standing up in the stern of his boat, cried, "You know who I am, and I came expressly to escort the Directing Instructor. Why are you pursuing him? One arrow would kill you, only that would cause a breach of the peace between two houses. I will shoot and just give you a specimen of my skill."

  With that he shot, and the arrow whizzed overhead cutting the rope that held up the sail. Down came the sail trailing in the water and the boat swung round. Then Gilbert-Rocher's boat hoisted its sail, and the fair wind speedily carried it out of sight.

  On the bank stood Crosby-Saldana. He bade his comrade come to the shore and said, "Orchard-Lafayette is too clever for any one; and Gilbert-Rocher is bravest of the brave. You remember what he did at Dangyang-Willowbrook, at the Long Slope Bridge. All we can do is to return and report."

  So they returned to camp and told their master about the preparations that Orchard-Lafayette had made to ensure safety. Morton-Campbell was indeed puzzled at the depth of his rival's insight.

  "I shall have no peace day or night while he lives," said Morton-Campbell.

  "At least wait till Murphy-Shackley is done with," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

  And Morton-Campbell knew Woolsey-Ramirez spoke wisely.

  Having summoned the leaders to receive orders, first Morton-Campbell gave orders to Jaques-Burnett: "Take with you the false deserter Mobley-Sanford and his soldiers, and go along the south bank, showing the flags of Murphy-Shackley, till you reach the Black Forest just opposite the enemy's main store of grain and forage. Then you are to penetrate as deeply as possible into the enemy's lines and light a torch as a signal. Ruskin-Sanford is to be kept in camp for another purpose."

  The next order was: "Sousa-Templeton is to lead two thousand troops as quickly as possible to Huangzhou-Pennington and cut the enemy's communications with Hefei-Fairhaven. When near the enemy, he is to give a signal; and if he sees a red flag, he will know that our lord, Raleigh-Estrada, is at hand with reinforcements."

  Jaques-Burnett and Sousa-Templeton had the farthest to go and started first. Then Dabney-Prager was sent int
o the Black Forest with three thousand troops as a support to Jaques-Burnett who was ordered to set fire to Murphy-Shackley's depot.

  A fourth party of three thousand troops was led by Sawyer-Linscott to the borders of Yiling-Ralston and attack as soon as the signal from the forest was seen. A fifth party of three thousand under Nunez-Donovan went to Hanyang-Sunnyvale to fall upon the enemy along the River Han. Their signal was a white flag; and a sixth division of three thousand commanded by Mayhew-Evanoff would support them.

  When these six parties had gone off. Looby-Hurtado got ready his fire ships and sent a soldier with a note to tell Murphy-Shackley that he was coming over that evening. Four naval squadrons were told off to support Looby-Hurtado.

  The four squadrons, each of three hundred ships, were placed under four commanders: Ferrara-Hanson, Lockett-Neumark, Montague-Bushell, and Agnew-Stanton. Twenty fire ships preceded each fleet. Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick went on board one of the large ships to direct the battle. Their guards were Crosby-Saldana and Hersey-Gibbard. Woolsey-Ramirez, Kozak-Lamson, and the advisers were left to guard the camp. Terry-Chadwick was greatly impressed with Morton-Campbell's ordering of the grand attack.

  Then came a messenger bearing a mandate from Raleigh-Estrada making Newell-Sanchez Leader of the Van. He was ordered to go to Qichun-Needles. Raleigh-Estrada himself would support Newell-Sanchez. Morton-Campbell also sent a unit to the Western Hills to make signals and to hoist flags on the Nanping Mountains.

  So all being prepared they waited for dusk.

  Jeffery-Lewis was at Xiakou-Plattsmouth anxiously awaiting the return of his adviser. Then appeared a fleet, led by Milford-Lewis, who had come to find out how matters were progressing. Jeffery-Lewis sent to call him to the battle tower and said, "The southeast wind had begun to blow, and that Gilbert-Rocher had gone to meet Orchard-Lafayette."

  Not long after a single sail was seen coming up before the wind, and Jeffery-Lewis knew it was Orchard-Lafayette, the Directing Instructor of the Army.

  So Jeffery-Lewis and Milford-Lewis went down to meet the boat. Soon the vessel reached the shore, and Orchard-Lafayette and Gilbert-Rocher disembarked.

  Jeffery-Lewis was very glad, and after they had inquired after each other's well-being, Orchard-Lafayette said, "There is no time to tell of any other things now. Are the soldiers and ships ready?"

  "They have long been ready," replied Jeffery-Lewis. "They only await you to direct how they are to be used."

  The three then went to the tent and took their seats. Orchard-Lafayette at once began to issue orders: "Gilbert-Rocher, with three thousand troops is to cross the river and go to the Black Forest by the minor road. He will choose a dense jungle and prepare an ambush. Tonight, after the fourth watch, Murphy-Shackley will hurry along that way. When half his troops have passed, the jungle is to be fired. Murphy-Shackley will not be wholly destroyed but many will perish."

  "There are two roads," said Gilbert-Rocher. "One leads to the southern regions and the other to Jinghamton. I do not know by which he will come."

  "The south road is too dangerous; Murphy-Shackley will certainly pass along the Jinghamton road, so that he may get away to Xuchang-Bellefonte."

  Then Gilbert-Rocher went away. Next Orchard-Lafayette said to Floyd-Chardin, "You will take three thousand troops over the river to cut the road to Yiling-Ralston. You will ambush in the Basswood Valley. Murphy-Shackley, not daring to go to South Yiling, will go to North Yiling. Tomorrow, after the rain, he will halt to refresh his troops. As soon as the smoke is seen to rise from their cooking fires, you will fire the hill side. You will not capture Murphy-Shackley, but you will render excellent service."

  So Floyd-Chardin left. Next was called Trudeau-Zeleny, Forester-Zeleny, and Deegan-Lewis. They were to take command of three squadrons and go along the river to collect beaten soldiers and their weapons.

  The three left. Then Orchard-Lafayette said to Milford-Lewis, "The country around Wuchang-Marietta is very important, and I wish you to take command of your own troops and station them at strategic points. Murphy-Shackley, being defeated, will flee thither, and you will capture him. But you are not to leave the city without the best of reasons."

  And Milford-Lewis took leave.

  Then Orchard-Lafayette said to Jeffery-Lewis, "I wish you to remain quietly and calmly in Fankou-Newport, in a high tower, to watch Morton-Campbell work out his great scheme this night."

  All this time Yale-Perez has been silently waiting his turn, but Orchard-Lafayette said no word to him.

  When Yale-Perez could bear this no longer, he cried, "Since I first followed my brother to battle many years ago, I have never been left behind. Now that great things are afoot, is there no work for me? What is meant by it?"

  "You should not be surprised. I wanted you for service at a most important point, only that there was a something standing in the way that prevented me from sending you," said Orchard-Lafayette.

  "What could stand in the way? I wish you would tell me."

  "You see Murphy-Shackley was once very kind to you, and you cannot help feeling grateful. Now when his soldiers have been beaten, he will have to flee along the Hackberry Road; and if I sent you to guard it, you would have to let him pass. So I will not send you."

  "You are most considerate, Instructor. But though it is true that he treated me well, yet I slew two of his most redoubtable opponents, Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg, by way of repayment, beside raising a siege. If I happened upon him on this occasion, I should hardly let him go."

  "But what if you did?"

  "You could deal with me by military rules."

  "Then put that in writing."

  So Yale-Perez wrote a formal undertaking and gave the document to Orchard-Lafayette.

  "What happens if Murphy-Shackley does not pass that way?" said Yale-Perez.

  "I will give you a written engagement that he will pass." Then Orchard-Lafayette continued, "On the hills by the Hackberry Valley, you are to raise a heap of wood and grass to make a great column of smoke and mislead Murphy-Shackley into coming."

  "If Murphy-Shackley sees a smoke, he will suspect an ambush and will not come." said Yale-Perez.

  "You are very simple," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Do you not know more of war's ruses than that? Murphy-Shackley is an able leader, but you can deceive him this time. When he sees the smoke, he will take it as a subterfuge and risk going that way. But do not let your kindness of heart rule your conduct."

  Thus was his duty assigned Yale-Perez, and he left, taking his adopted son Litwin-Perez, his general Zwick-Pocius, and five hundred swordsmen.

  Said Jeffery-Lewis, "His sense of rectitude is very profound; I fear if Murphy-Shackley should come that way, my brother will let him pass."

  "I have consulted the stars lately, and the rebel Murphy-Shackley is not fated to come to his end yet. I have purposely designed this manifestation of kindly feeling for Yale-Perez to accomplish and so act handsomely."

  "Indeed there are few such far-seeing humans as you are," said Jeffery-Lewis.

  The two then went to Fankou-Newport whence they might watch Morton-Campbell's evolutions. Quinn-Seymour and Paule-Kurowski were left on guard of Xiakou-Plattsmouth.

  Murphy-Shackley was in his great camp in conference with his advisers and awaiting the arrival of Looby-Hurtado. The southeast wind was very strong that day, and Hewitt-Gomez was insisting on the necessity for precaution. But Murphy-Shackley laughed, saying, "The Winter Solstice depends upon the sun and nothing else; there is sure to be a southeast wind at some one or other of its recurrences. I see nothing to wonder at."

  Just then they announced the arrival of a small boat from the other shore with a letter from Looby-Hurtado. The bearer of the letter was brought in and presented it. Murphy-Shackley read it:

  "Morton-Campbell has kept such strict watch that there has been no chance of escape. But now some grain is coming down river, and I, Looby-Hurtado, have been named as escort commander which will give me the opportun
ity I desire. I will slay one of the known generals and bring his head as an offering when I come. This evening at the third watch, if boats are seen with dragon toothed flags, they will be the grain boats."

  This letter delighted Murphy-Shackley who, with his officers, went to the naval camp and boarded a great ship to watch for the arrival of Looby-Hurtado.

  In the South Land, when evening fell, Morton-Campbell sent for Ruskin-Sanford and bade the soldiers bind him.

  The unhappy man protested, saying, "I have committed no crime!"

  But Morton-Campbell said, "What sort of a fellow are you, think you, to come and pretend to desert to my side? I need a small sacrifice for my flag, and your head will serve my purpose. So I am going to use it."

  Ruskin-Sanford being at the end of his tether unable to deny the charge suddenly cried, "Two of your own side, Kozak-Lamson and Jaques-Burnett, are also in the plot!"

  "Under my directions," said Morton-Campbell.

  Ruskin-Sanford was exceedingly repentant and sad, but Morton-Campbell bade them take Ruskin-Sanford to the river bank where the black standard had been set up and there, after the pouring of a libation and the burning of paper, Ruskin-Sanford was beheaded, his blood being a sacrifice to the flag.