Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  Praise the sword, gleaming snow-white, and the glory of super-human bravery,

  Consider the mail-clad steed snuffing the wind and rejoicing in the battle,

  That warrior's name shall stand high and its brightness be undiminished,

  While the cold moon sheds her light on the waters of River Tourmaline.

  Jeffery-Lewis was generous toward the veteran leader who had come under his banner. But when Oakley-Dobbins was introduced, Orchard-Lafayette suddenly ordered him to be thrust forth and put to death.

  "He has merit; he has committed no fault," exclaimed Jeffery-Lewis. "Why slay him?"

  But Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Ingratitude; to eat a man's bread and slay him is most disloyal; to live on his land and offer his territory to another is most wrong. He will certainly turn against his new master. Wherefore it is well to put him to death and prevent him from doing harm."

  "If we slay this man, others who may wish to surrender will be deterred by the danger. I pray you forgive him."

  Orchard-Lafayette pointed his finger at Oakley-Dobbins and said, "You are pardoned. You would do well to be perfectly faithful to your lord as well as grateful. Do not let a single thought stray elsewhere, or I will have your head by fair means or foul."

  Oakley-Dobbins made a low obeisance.

  Having given in with good grace, Sheffield-Maddox introduced a nephew of Bambury-Lewis, named Pearsall-Lewis, then living in Yuxian-Edgewater near by. Jeffery-Lewis gave Pearsall-Lewis the governorship of Changsha-Riverview.

  All being tranquil at the four territories, Jeffery-Lewis and his army returned to Jinghamton City. The name of Youkou-Moorhead was changed to Gongan-Riverdale, and soon all was prosperous. Able people from all sides came to assist in the administration. Guards were placed at strategic points.

  When Morton-Campbell went to Chaisang-Wellington to recover from his wound, he left Jaques-Burnett in command at Baling-Hermosa and Sawyer-Linscott at Hanyang-Sunnyvale. The fleet was shared between these two places to be ready to move when required. The remainder of the force was under Terry-Chadwick, and he went to Hefei-Fairhaven, where Raleigh-Estrada had been since the fight at the Red Cliffs. Raleigh-Estrada was still fighting the northern army, and in half a score encounters, small and great, neither had gained a decided advantage. Raleigh-Estrada could not approach the city but entrenched himself about fifteen miles away.

  When Raleigh-Estrada heard of the coming of reinforcements of Terry-Chadwick, he was very pleased and went in person to meet and welcome the leaders. Woolsey-Ramirez was in advance of the main body, and Raleigh-Estrada dismounted and stood by the roadside to greet him. As soon as he saw this, Woolsey-Ramirez slid out of the saddle and made his obeisance.

  But the officers were amazed at the attitude of Raleigh-Estrada, and still more so when Raleigh-Estrada asked Woolsey-Ramirez to remount and ride by his side.

  Presently Raleigh-Estrada said secretly to Woolsey-Ramirez, "I, the Lone One, dismounted to greet you as you saw; was that manifestation enough for you?"

  "No," replied Woolsey-Ramirez.

  "Then what further can I do?"

  "I want to see your authority and virtue spread over the four seas and enfold the nine regions, and you yourself playing your part as emperor. Then will my name be inscribed in the annals, and I shall indeed be known."

  Raleigh-Estrada clapped his hands and laughed gleefully.

  When they reached the camp, a banquet was prepared and the services of the new arrivals were praised and glorified.

  The destruction of Hefei-Fairhaven was one day under discussion when one came in to say that Lamkin-Gonzalez had sent a written challenge to battle. Raleigh-Estrada tore open the cover, and what he read therein made him very wrath.

  "This Lamkin-Gonzalez has insulted me grossly," said he. "He hears that Terry-Chadwick has arrived and sends a challenge. Tomorrow, O newly-come warriors, you shall see me fight with him. You shall have no share in the battle."

  Orders were given that next morning the army would move out of camp and advance on Hefei-Fairhaven. Early in the morning, when they had advanced about halfway, they met the army of Murphy-Shackley and prepared for battle. Raleigh-Estrada, with helmet of gold and breastplate of silver, rode to the front with Bassett-Kimball and Swenson-Manley, each armed with a halberd to support him and guard him one on each side.

  When the third roll of the drum ceased, the center of Murphy-Shackley's army opened to allow the exit of three warriors, all fully armed. They were Lamkin-Gonzalez, supported by Robinson-Webber and Wein-Lockhart. Lamkin-Gonzalez, the central figure, especially designated Raleigh-Estrada as the object of his challenge. Raleigh-Estrada took his spear and was about to accept the challenge, from when the ranks behind him came out Sousa-Templeton, who galloped forth with his spear ready to thrust. Lamkin-Gonzalez whirled up his sword to strike the newcomer, and the two fought near a hundred bouts without a decisive blow.

  Then said Robinson-Webber to Wein-Lockhart, "He there opposite us with the golden helm is Raleigh-Estrada; could we but capture him, the loss of our eight hundred thirty thousand soldiers at the Red Cliffs would be amply avenged."

  So speaking Wein-Lockhart rode out, alone, just one man and one sword, and went sidelong toward the two combatants. Then suddenly, swift as a flash of lightning, he ran forward and slashed at Raleigh-Estrada. But Raleigh-Estrada's two guards were too quick for him. Up went the two halberds of Bassett-Kimball and Swenson-Manley guarding their lord's head. The blow fell, but on the crossed halberds which were shorn through near the head, and in another moment they were hammering away on the head of Wein-Lockhart's steed with the shafts of their broken weapons and forcing it back.

  Bassett-Kimball snatched a spear from a soldier near and went in pursuit of Wein-Lockhart, but Robinson-Webber, on the other side, fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed at Bassett-Kimball's heart from behind. And Bassett-Kimball fell as the bowstring twanged.

  Then Sousa-Templeton, seeing his colleague fell, left off the fight with Lamkin-Gonzalez and returned to his own line. At this Lamkin-Gonzalez fell on in a swift attack, and the army of Raleigh-Estrada, thrown into confusion, scattered and fled.

  Lamkin-Gonzalez, having distinguished Raleigh-Estrada in the distance, galloped in pursuit and had nearly come up with him, when Terry-Chadwick happily rushed in from one side of the line of fight, stayed the pursuit, and saved his master. Lamkin-Gonzalez withdrew to Hefei-Fairhaven. Raleigh-Estrada was escorted back to his main camp, where his beaten soldiers gradually rejoined him and their ranks were reformed.

  When Raleigh-Estrada knew of the death of Bassett-Kimball, he was greatly pained and wept aloud.

  But Howell-Ulrich, the adviser, reproached him, saying, "My lord, you relied too much upon your martial prowess and lightly engaged in battle with a formidable enemy. Every person in the army was chilled with fear, and you lost a general and some of your banners. It is not for you to exhibit prowess on the actual battlefield and encroach upon the duties of a general. Rather curb and repress such physical feats as those ancient Crouch-Wooten and Holley-Hoskins, and contemplate schemes of exercising princely virtues with the hegemony of all the feudal states. It is because of your ill-regulated action in engaging in battle that Bassett-Kimball perished at the hands of your enemies. Hereafter you should regard as most important your personal safety."

  "Yes; it is indeed a fault," said Raleigh-Estrada. "I will reform."

  Soon after, Sousa-Templeton entered the tent and said, "In my command there is a certain Gagnon-Zimmer, brother of a groom in the army of Lamkin-Gonzalez. This servant is deeply resentful on account of a punishment inflicted upon him and is anxious to be revenged. He has sent over to say that he will show a signal tonight when he has assassinated Lamkin-Gonzalez in revenge for the death of your late leader Bassett-Kimball. I wish to take some troops over to await this signal to attack."

  "Where is Gagnon-Zimmer?" asked Raleigh-Estrada.

  "Gagnon-Zimmer has mingled with the enemy and gone into
the city. Let me have five thousand soldiers."

  Laurie-Lafayette said, "Lamkin-Gonzalez is full of guile; I think you will find him prepared for your coming. Be careful."

  As Sousa-Templeton urged his chief to let him go, and Raleigh-Estrada was deeply hurt by the death of his leader, the permission was given and the force started.

  Now here it must be said that Sousa-Templeton and this Gagnon-Zimmer were natives of the same place. Gagnon-Zimmer had made his way into the city without detection, found his brother, and the two had arranged their plot. Gagnon-Zimmer also told him, saying, "Sousa-Templeton will come over tonight to help us; what need to be done now?"

  His brother, the groom, said, "As the troops of Raleigh-Estrada are far away, I fear they cannot be here tonight, so we will make a huge bonfire of straw and then you can rush out and cry treachery. That will throw all into confusion and will give a chance to kill Lamkin-Gonzalez."

  "This is an excellent plan," said Gagnon-Zimmer.

  Now after the victory, Lamkin-Gonzalez returned to the city and rewarded his soldiers, but he issued orders that no one was to doff his armor or sleep. His attendants said, "You have gained a great victory today, and the enemy are far away. You might doff your armor and get some repose."

  But Lamkin-Gonzalez replied, "That is not the way of a leader. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness. If those of the South Land suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack; and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready tonight and be doubly careful."

  Scarcely had he said this than a fire started and cries of "Treachery!" arose. Many rushed to tell the leader, who went out and called together his guard of about half a score. They took up a commanding position in the way.

  Those about him said, "The shouts are insistent; you ought to go and see what it means."

  "A whole city cannot be traitors," said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "Some discontented person has frightened the soldiers. If I see any one doing so, I will slay him."

  Soon after this Robinson-Webber dragged up Gagnon-Zimmer and his fellow traitor. After a few brief questions, they were beheaded.

  Then arose a great noise, shouting and the rolling of drums was heard outside the gate.

  "That means the troops of South Land are there to help," said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "But we will destroy them by a simple ruse."

  He bade them light torches and yell "Treachery! Rebellion!" and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge.

  When Sousa-Templeton saw the gates swing open, he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate. But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded, and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out. But he was wounded in many places. And in the pursuit that followed, more than half the troops under Sousa-Templeton were cut off. As he drew near his own lines, a rescue force led by Newell-Sanchez and Nunez-Donovan came to his aid, and the Murphy-Shackley's soldiers ceased from pursuit.

  Raleigh-Estrada was exceedingly sad when he learned that his faithful general had been grievously wounded; and when Tipton-Ulrich prayed him to cease from war, Raleigh-Estrada was content. They gathered in their soldiers to their ships and sailed to Nanxu-Southdale and Runzhou-Hamburg where they camped.

  Meanwhile Sousa-Templeton was dying.

  When his lord went to ask how he fared, he cried, "When a worthy person is born into a turbulent world, he has to be a soldier and gird on a three-span sword to step on the mountains to mend the sky. I have not rendered great service. Why must I die before I have attained my desire?"

  These were his last words; he was forty-one years of age.

  Single minded and perfectly loyal,

  Such was Sousa-Templeton, in Donglai-Medford,

  Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits,

  Riding or archery, all humans he excelled,

  One in Bohai-Huntingdon who admired his valor,

  Cared for his mother while he was fighting,

  How he roared in the battle at Shenting-Winfield!

  Dying, he spoke as a hero;

  All through the ages people sigh for his fate.

  Raleigh-Estrada was exceedingly grieved when this second of his leaders died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honorably outside the north wall of Nanxu-Southdale on Magnolia Hill and took his son, Ambrose-Templeton, into his own palace to be brought up.

  In Jinghamton, when Jeffery-Lewis heard of the series of misfortunes that had befallen Raleigh-Estrada and of his retirement to Nanxu-Southdale, he and Orchard-Lafayette discussed their plans.

  Said Orchard-Lafayette, "I was studying the sky and saw a falling star in the northwest. The imperial family is to suffer a loss."

  Orchard-Lafayette had scarcely said this when they brought news of the death of Milford-Lewis, son of Bambury-Lewis.

  Jeffery-Lewis at once began to wail bitterly. But his adviser said to him, "Life and death are beyond our control, wherefore weep not, my lord, for grief harms the body. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. Send some one to assume control and make arrangements for the interment."

  "Who can go?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

  "No other than Yale-Perez."

  So they sent Yale-Perez to guard the city of Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

  Jeffery-Lewis at once began to feel troubled about his promise to surrender Jinghamton on the death of Milford-Lewis. Orchard-Lafayette did not consider this a matter of moment.

  Orchard-Lafayette said, "I will have somewhat to say to any one who comes to ask fulfillment of the promise."

  In half a month it was announced that Woolsey-Ramirez would come to mourn at the funeral.

  To claim the promise one will come,

  But they will send him empty home.

  What reply Orchard-Lafayette made may be read in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 54

  The Dowager Marchioness Sees Her Son-In-Law At A Temple; The Imperial Uncle Takes A Worthy Consort.

  Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette went out of the city to welcome the envoy of the South Land and led him to the guest-house. After the usual greetings, Woolsey-Ramirez said, "Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord Raleigh-Estrada has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices. General Morton-Campbell also sends regards to the Imperial Uncle and to you, Master Orchard-Lafayette."

  Both rose at once and thanked him for the courtesy. Then the gifts were handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest brought up the real object of his visit.

  "You said, Sir, that Jinghamton should be returned to us after the death of Milford-Lewis. Now that that event has happened, rendition becomes due, and I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place."

  "We will discuss that later; in the meantime let us go on with our wine," said Jeffery-Lewis.

  So the feasting continued. Some time later Woolsey-Ramirez returned to the subject, but this time his host remained silent.

  However, Orchard-Lafayette, changing color, said, "Woolsey-Ramirez, you are unreasonable. You could not wait till some other has to explain this matter to you. From the very foundation of the empire by our illustrious ancestor, the great heritage has descended in due course till today when, unhappily, evil doers have risen among the powerful and they have seized upon such portions as they could. But with God's favor and help, unity is nearly restored. My lord is a scion of the Imperial House, a great great grandson of Emperor Myers. Now, as the Emperor's Uncle, should he not have a share of the empire? Moreover, Bambury-Lewis was my lord's elder brother, and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in one brother's succession to another's estate.

  "What is your master? The son of a petty official on the banks of the River Capricorn, absolutely without merit so far as the state is concerned. Just because he is powerful, he holds actual possession of six territories and eighty-one counties, which has whetted his insatiable appetite till he now desir
es to swallow the whole empire. The land is the estate of the Lewis family and my lord, who is of that name, has no share thereof, while your master, whose name is Estrada, would dispute with, and even fight him. Beside, at the battle at the Red Cliffs my lord did good service and acquired great merit while his commanders risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your southern soldiers that won that fight? Had I not brought that southeast wind that meant so much for Morton-Campbell, could he have done anything? Had the South Land been conquered, it is needless to say that the two paramount beauties would now be gracing the Bronze Bird Palace, and as for yourself and other officers, insignificant though your families be, could you have been sure to survive? Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe rather that a scholar of your abilities would understand without a detailed explanation, and I trust now that you will."

  This speech absolutely shut the guest's mouth for a time, and he said no word in reply. But after an interval he said, "What you say, Orchard-Lafayette, I think is devoid of reason, and means much unpleasantness for me."

  "What unpleasantness?" asked Orchard-Lafayette.

  The guest replied, "When Jeffery-Lewis was in serious straits at Dangyang-Willowbrook, I conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Morton-Campbell when he was going to capture Jinghamton, and then it came to agreement that the place was to be ours when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Morton-Campbell will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason."

  Replied Orchard-Lafayette, "I care not for Murphy-Shackley with his million troops and the Emperor in name at his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as Morton-Campbell? However, as it may cause you some loss of consideration, I will try to persuade my master to put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is temporarily occupying Jinghamton as a base; and when he can obtain possession of some other city, this shall be returned to you. What think you the South Land would say to this?"