"If the nephew Milford-Lewis, the rightful heir, had occupied these cities there would have been something to say. But he is at Jiangxia-Waterford and not here."
"Would you like to see him?" said Orchard-Lafayette.
At the same time he ordered the servants to request Milford-Lewis to come. Thereupon Milford-Lewis at once appeared, supported by two attendants.
Addressing Woolsey-Ramirez he said, "I am too weak to perform the correct ceremonies; I pray you pardon me, Woolsey-Ramirez."
Woolsey-Ramirez said not a word; he was too much taken aback. However, he recovered himself presently and said, "But if the heir had not been here, what then?"
"The heir is living but from day to day; should he go, then--there will be something to talk about."
"Should he die, then you ought to return these cities to us."
"You state the exact facts," said Orchard-Lafayette.
Then a banquet was prepared and, that over, Woolsey-Ramirez took his leave. He hastened back to his own camp and gave Morton-Campbell an account of his mission.
"But what is there for us in the chance of Milford-Lewis' death?" said Morton-Campbell. "He is in his very first youth. When will these places fall to us?"
"Rest content, General; let me guarantee the return of these places."
"But how can you?" asked Morton-Campbell.
"Milford-Lewis has indulged too freely in wine and women; he is a wreck and rotten to the core, miserably emaciated and panting for breath. I will not give him half a year's life. Then I will go to Jeffery-Lewis, and he will be unable to deny the request."
But Morton-Campbell was still unmollified. Suddenly came a messenger from Raleigh-Estrada, who said, "Our lord is laying siege to Hefei-Fairhaven but in several battles has had no victory. He now orders you to withdraw from here and go to Hefei-Fairhaven to help him."
Thereupon Morton-Campbell marched back to Chaisang-Wellington. Having reached home, he began to give attention to the recovery of his health. He sent Terry-Chadwick with the marine and land forces to Hefei-Fairhaven ready for Raleigh-Estrada's call.
Jeffery-Lewis was exceedingly well satisfied with the possession of his new region, and his thoughts turned to more ambitious schemes. Then a certain man came to him to suggest a plan. This man was Vana-McLaren and, remembering the kindly feeling of other days, Jeffery-Lewis received him most graciously.
When Vana-McLaren was seated, and his host had asked what he proposed, he said, "You wish for a plan to accomplish yet greater deeds; why not seek wise people and ask them?"
"Where are these wise people to be found?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
Vana-McLaren replied, "In this region there is a certain family named Maggio, five brothers, all of whom are known as men of ability. The youngest is called Pickett-Maggio. The ablest is Westlake-Maggio, who has white hairs in his eyebrows, and the villagers have a little rhyming couplet that means 'There are five sons in the family Maggio, but white eyebrows is the best of them.' You should get this man to draw up a plan for you."
So Jeffery-Lewis told them to request his presence. Westlake-Maggio came and was received with great respect.
He was asked to suggest a plan for the security of the newly acquired region, and he said, "Attacked as it is on all sides, this region is not one in which one is permanently secure. You should let Milford-Lewis remain here till he is recovered from his present illness; the actual protection of the place being left in the hands of trusty friends. Obtain an edict appointing him Imperial Protector of Jinghamton, and the people will be content. Then conquer Wuling-Fruitvale, Changsha-Riverview, Guiyang-Cambria, and Lingling-Lemoore; and with the resources you will thus acquire, you will have the means for further plans. That should be your policy."
"Which of the four territories should be first taken?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"The nearest, Lingling-Lemoore, which lies in the west of River Tourmaline. The next is Wuling-Fruitvale, and after these the other two."
Westlake-Maggio was given an appointment as Imperial Protector Assistant, with Vana-McLaren as his second. Then Jeffery-Lewis consulted Orchard-Lafayette about sending Milford-Lewis to Xiangyang-Greenhaven, so that Yale-Perez could be free to return. Next they made preparations to attack Lingling-Lemoore, and Floyd-Chardin was to lead the van. Gilbert-Rocher was to guard the rear, while Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette were to command the main body. A fifteen thousand troops were left to hold Jinghamton. Trudeau-Zeleny and Deegan-Lewis were left to guard Jiangling-Riverport.
The Governor of Lingling-Lemoore was Thomson-Lewis. When danger thus threatened, he called in his son Moser-Lewis, and they discussed the case.
The son was very self-confident and said to his father, "Have no anxiety. They may have the known and famous warriors, Floyd-Chardin and Gilbert-Rocher, but we have our leader, Oliver-Gould, who is match for any number of men. He can withstand them."
So Moser-Lewis, with the famous leader, was entrusted with the defense. At the head of a full ten thousand troops, they made a camp about ten miles from the city, with the shelter of hills and a river. Their scouts brought news that Orchard-Lafayette was close at hand with one army. Oliver-Gould decided to check his advance and went forth to oppose him. When both sides were arrayed, Oliver-Gould rode to the front.
In his hand he held a battle-ax called Cleaver of Mountains. In a mighty voice he cried, "Rebels, how comes it that you have dared to enter our territory?"
From the center of the opposing army, where appeared a cluster of yellow flags, there came out a small four-wheeled carriage in which sat, very erect, a certain man dressed in white, with a turban on his head. In one hand he held a feather fan, with which he signed to the warrior to approach. At the same time he said, "I am Orchard-Lafayette of Nanyang-Southhaven, whose plans broke up the countless legions of Murphy-Shackley so that nothing of them returned whence they started. How then can you hope to oppose me? I now offer you peace, and it will be well for you to surrender."
Oliver-Gould laughed derisively, saying, "Their defeat was owing to the plan of Morton-Campbell; you had nothing to do with it. How dare you try to deceive me?"
So saying he swung up his battle-ax and came running toward Orchard-Lafayette. But Orchard-Lafayette turned his carriage and retired within the lines which closed up behind him. Oliver-Gould came rushing on. As he reached the array, the troops fell away on both sides and let him enter. Well within he looked round for his chief opponent. Seeing a yellow flag moving along quietly, he concluded that Orchard-Lafayette was with it and so followed it. When the flag had gone over the shoulder of a hill it stopped. Then suddenly as if the earth had opened and swallowed it up, the four-wheeled carriage disappeared, while in its place came a ferocious warrior, with a long octane-serpent halberd in his hand and mounted on a curvetting steed. It was Floyd-Chardin, who dashed at Oliver-Gould with a tremendous roar.
Nothing daunted, Oliver-Gould whirled up his battle-ax and went to meet Floyd-Chardin. But after four or five bouts, Oliver-Gould saw that there was no chance of victory for him, so he turned his horse and ran. Floyd-Chardin pursued, the air shaking with the thunder of his voice.
Then the ambushing troops appeared. Oliver-Gould, nothing daunted, rushed into their midst. But in front appeared another warrior barring the way, who called out, "Do you know me? I am Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont."
Oliver-Gould knew that all was over; he could neither fight nor fly. So he dismounted and gave in. He was fettered and taken to camp, where were Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette. Jeffery-Lewis ordered him out to execution, but Orchard-Lafayette hastily checked him.
"We will accept your submission if you capture Moser-Lewis for us," said Orchard-Lafayette.
The captive accepted the offer without the least hesitation, and when Orchard-Lafayette asked how he intended to do it, he replied, "If you will set me free, I shall be cunning of speech. If you raid the camp this evening, you will find me your helper on the inside. I will make Moser-Lewis a prisoner and wil
l hand him over to you. He being captured, his father will surrender at once."
Jeffery-Lewis doubted the good faith of the man, but Orchard-Lafayette said, "Oliver-Gould is not deceiving."
Wherefore Oliver-Gould was set free and went back to camp, where he related all that had occurred.
"What can we do?" asked Moser-Lewis.
"We can meet trick with trick. Put soldiers in ambush tonight outside our camp while within everything will appear as usual. When Orchard-Lafayette comes we shall capture him."
The ambush was prepared. At the second watch an army came out of the darkness and appeared in the gate. Each carried a torch and they began to set fire to all about them. Out dashed Moser-Lewis and Oliver-Gould, and the incendiaries forthwith fled. The two warriors pursued them, but the fugitives ran and then suddenly disappeared at about three miles from the camp. Much surprised the two turned to wend their way back to their own camp.
It was still burning for no one had extinguished the flames. Soon from behind them came out Floyd-Chardin. Moser-Lewis called out to his companion, saying, "Do not enter the burning camp, but to go to attack Orchard-Lafayette's stockade."
Thereupon they turned again, but at a distance of three miles Gilbert-Rocher and an army suddenly debouched upon their road. Gilbert-Rocher attacked and slew Oliver-Gould by a spear thrust. Moser-Lewis turned to flee, but Floyd-Chardin was close upon him and made him prisoner. He was thrown across a horse, bound, and taken to camp. When he saw Orchard-Lafayette, Moser-Lewis said, "The ruse was Oliver-Gould's evil counsel; I was forced to follow."
Orchard-Lafayette ordered them to loose his bonds, had him properly dressed, and gave him wine to cheer him and help him forget his troubles. When he was recovered, he was told to go to his father and persuade him to yield.
"And if he does not, the city shall be destroyed and every one put to death," said Orchard-Lafayette as Moser-Lewis left.
The son returned to the city and told his father these things. Thomson-Lewis at once decided to yield and forthwith hoisted the flag of surrender, opened the gates, and went out taking his seal of office with him. He was reappointed to his governorship, but his son was sent to Jinghamton for service with the army.
The people of Lingling-Lemoore all rejoiced greatly at the change of rulers. Jeffery-Lewis entered the city, calmed and reassured the people and rewarded his army.
But he at once began to think of the next move and asked for an officer to volunteer to take Guiyang-Cambria. Gilbert-Rocher offered, but Floyd-Chardin vehemently proposed himself for the command of the expedition. So they wrangled and contended.
Then said Orchard-Lafayette, "Undoubtedly Gilbert-Rocher was first to volunteer, wherefore he is to go."
Still Floyd-Chardin opposed and insisted on going. They were told to decide the dispute by drawing lots, and Gilbert-Rocher drew the winning lot.
Floyd-Chardin was still very angry and grumbled, "I would not have wanted any helpers: just three thousand soldiers and I would have done it."
"I also only want three thousand soldiers," said Gilbert-Rocher. "And if I fail, I am willing to suffer the penalties."
Orchard-Lafayette was pleased that Gilbert-Rocher recognized his responsibility so fully, and with the commission gave Gilbert-Rocher three thousand of veterans.
Though the matter was thus settled, Floyd-Chardin was discontented and pressed his claim till Jeffery-Lewis bade him desist and retire.
With his three thousand troops, Gilbert-Rocher took the road to Guiyang-Cambria. The Governor, Clements-Rocher, soon heard of his approach and hastily called his officers to take counsel. Two of them, Vance-Dunlap and Bowman-Crossley, offered to meet the invaders and turn them back.
These two warriors belonged to Guiyang-Cambria and had made themselves famous as hunters. Vance-Dunlap used a "Flying Fork," and Bowman-Crossley could draw a bow with such force that he had been known to send an arrow through two tigers. So strong were they, as well as bold.
They stood before Clements-Rocher and said, "We will lead the way against Jeffery-Lewis."
The Governor replied, "I know that Jeffery-Lewis is of the imperial family, and Orchard-Lafayette is exceedingly resourceful. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin are very bold. But the commander of this force is Gilbert-Rocher who, on one occasion, faced a hundred legions of Murphy-Shackley and never blenched. Our small force here cannot stand against such people. We shall have to yield."
"Let me go out to fight," said Vance-Dunlap. "If I cannot capture Gilbert-Rocher, then you can yield."
The Governor could not resist him and gave his consent. Then Vance-Dunlap, with three thousand troops, went forth; and soon the two armies came within sight of each other. When Vance-Dunlap's army was drawn up, he girded on his flying fork and rode to the front. Gilbert-Rocher gripped his spear and rode to meet him.
Gilbert-Rocher began to rail at Vance-Dunlap, saying, "My master is the brother of Bambury-Lewis to whom belonged this land. Now he is supporting his nephew, the heir and son of Bambury-Lewis. Having taken Jinghamton, I am come to soothe and comfort the people here. Why then do you oppose me?"
"We are supporters of the Prime Minister Murphy-Shackley and are no followers of your master," was the reply.
Gilbert-Rocher, waxing angry, firmly grasped his spear and rode forward. His opponent twirled the flying fork and advanced. The horses met, but after four or five encounters Vance-Dunlap, realizing that there was no hope of victory, turned and fled. Gilbert-Rocher followed. Suddenly turning, Vance-Dunlap got close to Gilbert-Rocher and flung the fork. Gilbert-Rocher deftly caught it and threw it back. Vance-Dunlap dodged away, but Gilbert-Rocher soon caught him up, seized, dragged him out of the saddle, and threw him to the ground. Then Gilbert-Rocher called up his soldiers and they bound the prisoner. Vance-Dunlap was taken to the camp, while his troops scattered and fled.
"I thought you would not dare a combat with me," said Gilbert-Rocher to the prisoner when they had returned to camp. "However, I am not going to put you to death. You are free. But persuade your master to yield."
Vance-Dunlap asked pardon, put his hands over his head, and fled like a frightened rat. When he reached his city, he told the Governor all these things.
"My original desire was to yield, but you insisted on fighting, and this is what it has brought you to."
So spoke the Governor. He bade Vance-Dunlap begone and then prepared his letter of submission and put up his seal. With a small party, Clements-Rocher went out of the city and wended his way to Gilbert-Rocher's camp. Gilbert-Rocher received him graciously, offered him wine, and then accepted the seal of office.
After the wine had gone round several times, Clements-Rocher became talkative, saying, "General, your surname is the same as mine, and five centuries ago we were one family. You are from Changshan-Piedmont, and so am I. Moreover we are from the same village. If you do not mind, we might swear brotherhood. I should be very happy."
Gilbert-Rocher was pleased and they compared ages. They were of the same year. However, Gilbert-Rocher was the elder by four months, and so Clements-Rocher made his bow as younger brother. The two men, having so many things in common, were very pleased with each other and seemed fitted to be close friends.
At eventide the feast broke up, and the late Governor returned to his dwelling. Next day Clements-Rocher requested Gilbert-Rocher to enter the city, where, after Gilbert-Rocher had assured the people of their safety, he went to a banquet at the state residence. When they had become mellow with wine, the Governor invited Gilbert-Rocher into the inner quarters, where wine was again served. When Gilbert-Rocher was a little intoxicated, his host bade a woman come forth and offer a cup of wine to the guest.
The woman was dressed entirely in white silk, and her beauty was such as to overthrow cities and ruin states.
"Who is she?" asked Gilbert-Rocher.
"My sister-in-law; she is of the Leaf family."
Gilbert-Rocher at once changed his look and treated her with deference. When she had offered
the cup, the host told her to be seated and join the party, but Gilbert-Rocher declined this addition to the evening and the lady withdrew.
"Why did you trouble your sister-in-law to present wine to me, Brother?" asked Gilbert-Rocher.
"There is a reason," said the host smiling. "I pray you let me tell you. My brother died three years ago and left her a widow. But this cannot be regarded as the end of the story. I have often advised her to marry again, but she said she would only do so if three conditions were satisfied in one man's person. The suitor must be famous for literary grace and warlike exploits, secondly, handsome and highly esteemed and, thirdly, of the same name as our own. Now where in all the world was such a combination likely to be found? Yet here are you, Brother, dignified, handsome, and prepossessing, a man whose name is known all over the wide world and of the desired name. You exactly fulfill my sister's ambitions. If you do not find her too plain, I should like her to marry you and I will provide a dowry. What think you of such an alliance, such a bond of relationship?"
But Gilbert-Rocher rose in anger, shouting, "As I have just sworn brotherhood with you, is not your sister-in-law my sister-in-law? How could you think of bringing such confusion into the relationship?"
Shame suffused Clements-Rocher's face, and he said, "I only thought of being kind to you; why are you so very rude to me?"
Clements-Rocher looked right and left to his attendants with murder in his eye. Gilbert-Rocher raised his fist and knocked him down.
Then he strode out of the place, mounted, and rode out of the city.
Clements-Rocher at once called in his two generals.
Vance-Dunlap said, "He has gone away in a rage, which means that we shall have to fight him."
"I greatly fear you will lose," said Clements-Rocher.
"We will pretend to be deserters," said Bowman-Crossley, "and so get among his soldiers. When you challenge him, we will suddenly catch him."
"We shall have to take some others with us," said Vance-Dunlap.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2) Page 17
