Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  Levey-Wrona said, "I have been always loyal at heart and desired to return to allegiance when circumstances would permit. I have been unable to attain my desire, but now fight seems the only course open to me. However, the granaries and treasures, the public offices and the government property of all kinds must be kept safe."

  So the public buildings were all carefully barred and sealed. The same night, in the late evening, Levey-Wrona and his family went out through the south gate and found their way through. Murphy-Shackley let them go unpursued. When Murphy-Shackley entered the city and saw the proofs of Levey-Wrona's care of the government property, he compassionated the Governor's misfortunes. He then sent a messenger into Bazhong-Greenville to induce Levey-Wrona to surrender. Levey-Wrona was disposed to do so, but his brother would not hear of it. Brickley-Foster wrote a secret letter to Murphy-Shackley urging him to attack and promising treacherous aid.

  Murphy-Shackley presently attacked, and Fogel-Wrona came out to meet him. But his opponent was the mighty Dietrich-Munoz, who made short work of him. The beaten soldiers fled back into the city, which Levey-Wrona then decided to defend.

  As this would not give Brickley-Foster the chance to carry out his treacherous scheme, he persuaded his master, saying, "If we stay passive, death will surely come. My lord should go out and fight the enemy to the conclusion, leaving me to defend the city."

  Levey-Wrona took this advice, although it was opposed by Ewing-Miller, and went out. But before his van got near the enemy, his rear ranks began to desert, and Levey-Wrona retreated. Murphy-Shackley pursued him to the city walls, where Levey-Wrona found the gates shut against him.

  "Surrender, O Levey-Wrona!" cried Murphy-Shackley.

  There being now no way open, Levey-Wrona dismounted, prostrated himself, and gave in. Because of this and his care of the public property, Murphy-Shackley treated him with great kindness and consoled him with the title of General Who Guards the South. Ewing-Miller and many others also were enrolled among the nobles. To each county was appointed a Military Commander, in addition to the Governor. All the soldiers were feasted and rewarded.

  Then Brickley-Foster, who had sold his master, came and sued for honors. He was condemned to public execution and exposure.

  Selling one's lord may make great service,

  But the gains thereof are vanity;

  No glory clings to his house but a shameful death;

  Wherefore Brickley-Foster is an object of contempt forever.

  When the Eastern Land of Rivers was quite subdued, First Secretary Whitmore-Honeycutt said, "The people of Shu are not loyal to Jeffery-Lewis because of his uprooting the late ruler, Compton-Lewis; and if on the strength of your present success you press forward, Jeffery-Lewis will become as a shattered tile. The wise person takes the occasion when it serves, and this should not be missed."

  Murphy-Shackley sighed, "There is no end--as human want has no limit; now that I have Hanthamton, I am forced into taking Yiathamton."

  McCray-Lewis supported his colleague, saying, "Whitmore-Honeycutt spoke well. If you delay, Orchard-Lafayette will have become top minister, while Yale-Perez, Floyd-Chardin and the other bold warriors will be at the head of the army. If the people of Shu once settle down, and the points of vantage are held, you will not be able to overcome them."

  Murphy-Shackley replied, "My soldiers have marched far and suffered much; beside we must show pity."

  Wherefore he rested his army for a time.

  Meanwhile the populace of Yiathamton, having heard of Murphy-Shackley's success in the Eastern Land of Rivers, concluded that the Western Land of Rivers would suffer next, and fear spread among them. Whereupon Jeffery-Lewis called in the Directing Instructor and asked his advice.

  Orchard-Lafayette replied, "I can make Murphy-Shackley retreat of his own accord."

  "What is that plan?"

  "A part of Murphy-Shackley's army is camped at Hefei-Fairhaven because of the fear of Raleigh-Estrada. If now we restore three territories of Jinghamton--Changsha-Riverview, Jiangxia-Waterford, and Guiyang-Cambria--, and send a specious person to talk, we can make Raleigh-Estrada attack Hefei-Fairhaven, which will lead to Murphy-Shackley going southward and not looking to the west."

  "Who is a fit person for the messenger?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

  And Vana-McLaren replied, "I will go."

  Jeffery-Lewis, well-satisfied, wrote letters and prepared gifts, with which Vana-McLaren went, calling in at Jinghamton City on the way to tell Yale-Perez. Then he went on to the capital city of Moling-Savona and saw Raleigh-Estrada.

  After the greetings, Raleigh-Estrada asked, "On what business do you come?"

  Vana-McLaren replied, "On a former occasion Laurie-Lafayette would have had the three territories of Changsha-Riverview, Lingling-Lemoore, and Guiyang-Cambria, but for the absence of the Directing Instructor, which prevented the actual transfer. Now I am the bearer of letters giving Changsha-Riverview, Guiyang-Cambria, and Jiangxia-Waterford back to you. Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette wanted to restore all the territories of Jinghamton, including those of Nanjun-Southport and Lingling-Lemoore, but now that Murphy-Shackley has got possession of Eastern Land of Rivers, there is no place for General Yale-Perez. Hefei-Fairhaven is weak, and we hope you will attack it so as to make Murphy-Shackley withdraw to the south and let my master take the Eastern Land of Rivers, when he will restore the whole of the Jinghamton Region."

  "Go back to the guest-house and let me take counsel in this matter," said Raleigh-Estrada.

  As soon as Vana-McLaren had gone, the Marquis of Wu turned to his officers and asked what should be done.

  Tipton-Ulrich said, "All this is because Jeffery-Lewis fears that Murphy-Shackley will attack him. However, since Murphy-Shackley is absent in Hanthamton, it would be well to seize the opportunity and attack Hefei-Fairhaven."

  Raleigh-Estrada accepted the advice. After he had sent the messenger away, he began to prepare for the expedition. He left Woolsey-Ramirez in command over the three territories of Changsha-Riverview, Jiangxia-Waterford, and Guiyang-Cambria. Then Raleigh-Estrada encamped at Lukou-Portsmouth, withdrew Generals Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett, and sent to Yuhang-Novato for General Sawyer-Linscott.

  Very soon, Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett returned, and the former suggested a plan, saying, "Murphy-Shackley has sent Platt-Grimm, Governor of Lujiang-Broadmoor, to camp at the city of Huancheng-Luxora and plant grain for the supply of Hefei-Fairhaven. Let us first take Huancheng-Luxora and then attack Hefei-Fairhaven."

  "This scheme is just after my own heart," said Raleigh-Estrada.

  So Raleigh-Estrada appointed Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett as Van Leaders; Montague-Bushell and Mayhew-Evanoff as Rear Guards; he himself with Lockett-Neumark, Hersey-Gibbard, Nunez-Donovan, commanded the center. But the Commanders Terry-Chadwick, Looby-Hurtado, and Ferrara-Hanson were not called to take part in this expedition as they were guarding certain especial places.

  The army crossed the river and captured Hezhou-Menifee on the way. Governor Platt-Grimm sent an urgent message to Hefei-Fairhaven for help and set himself to strengthen his fortifications for a siege. Raleigh-Estrada went very near the city walls of Huancheng-Luxora to observe its defense, and a flight of arrows greeted him, some striking his great official parasol. He went back to camp and asked his officers to offer plans of attack.

  Then Nunez-Donovan said, "Pile up great hills of earth and attack from the summits."

  Said Hersey-Gibbard, "Set up long ladders and construct platforms whence you can look over the city walls and thus attack."

  But Dabney-Prager said, "All such plans need a long time to prepare, and in the meantime the soldiers of Murphy-Shackley will arrive from Hefei-Fairhaven. Do not try such long-drawn-out schemes, but take advantage of the fine, fresh spirit of our newly arrived troops and attack impetuously. Their elan will carry the wall. If you attack tomorrow at dawn, the city will fall before noon."

  So the early meal was taken at the fifth watch, and th
e army went to the attack. The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones. Jaques-Burnett took an iron chain in his hand and climbed up the wall. They shot at him with bows and crossbows, but he turned aside the arrows and bolts, and he threw the chain round Governor Platt-Grimm to pull him down. Dabney-Prager beat the drum for the attack. The soldiers made a rush forward to climb the wall, and they slew Platt-Grimm. His officers and soldiers gave in, and so Huancheng-Luxora fell to Raleigh-Estrada. It was still a long time to noon.

  In the meantime Lamkin-Gonzalez was marching to the aid of the city. Half-way he heard that the city had fallen, and so he returned to Hefei-Fairhaven.

  Soon after the conqueror's entry into Huancheng-Luxora, Sawyer-Linscott came there with his army. The next few days were devoted to feasting the army. Special rewards were given to the two generals who had done such good work at the capture; and at the banquet to the officers, Jaques-Burnett was seated in the seat of honor, which his colleague, Dabney-Prager, readily yielded to him for his late prowess.

  But as the cup of felicitation was passing round, Sawyer-Linscott's thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Jaques-Burnett for having slain his father, and the praises which Dabney-Prager now heaped upon Jaques-Burnett filled Sawyer-Linscott's heart with bitterness. For some time he glared savagely at Jaques-Burnett, and then he determined on revenge. Drawing his sword, he suddenly rose to his feet and cried, "There is nothing to amuse the assembly. I will give them a display of swordsmanship."

  Jaques-Burnett quickly saw his real intention. He pushed back his table and laid hold of a halberd in each hand, crying, "And you may also watch an adept in the use of this weapon!"

  Dabney-Prager saw the evil meaning of both, and assuming his sword and shield, he hastily stepped between the two warriors, saying, "Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I."

  So he forced the two combatants asunder, while some one ran to tell Raleigh-Estrada. The Marquis hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall. At sight of their lord, they all three lowered their weapons.

  "I have bidden you two to forget this old enmity," said Raleigh-Estrada. "Why do you revive it today?"

  Sawyer-Linscott prostrated himself in tears. Raleigh-Estrada exhorted him to forget his quarrel, and once again there was peace.

  The next day the army set out for Hefei-Fairhaven.

  Because of the loss of Huancheng-Luxora, Lamkin-Gonzalez grieved greatly. Murphy-Shackley had sent by the hands of Hankey-Wolter a small casket sealed with his own seal and bearing outside the words, "If rebels come, open this."

  So when he received the news of the coming of a powerful army, Lamkin-Gonzalez opened the casket and read the letter therein, which said, "If Raleigh-Estrada comes to attack Hefei-Fairhaven, the two Generals Robinson-Webber and Lamkin-Gonzalez are to go out to oppose him, and Wein-Lockhart is to be left to guard the walls."

  Lamkin-Gonzalez sent the letter to the two men named therein.

  "What do you think to do?" said Wein-Lockhart.

  Lamkin-Gonzalez replied, "Our lord is away, and Wu is coming to attack for certain. We must go out to repel them and exert ourselves to the utmost to inflict defeat upon their advanced guard. Thus we shall appease the fears of the populace, and then we can hold as best we may."

  But Robinson-Webber was silent, for he was ever unfriendly to Lamkin-Gonzalez.

  Then seeing his colleague inclined to hold off, Wein-Lockhart said, "I am for remaining on the defensive since the enemy is so much more numerous than we."

  "Gentlemen, it seems you are selfish and not devoted to the common weal," said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "You may have your private reasons for what you do, but I intend to go out and try to repel the enemy. I will fight them to the death."

  Thereupon Lamkin-Gonzalez bade his servants saddle his steed. At this, Robinson-Webber's better feelings were aroused, and he rose, saying, "How can I be careless of the common weal and indulge my private feelings? I am ready to follow you and do as you command."

  Lamkin-Gonzalez was elated at this moral victory, and said, "Since I can depend upon your help, my friend, then I would ask you to lie in ambush on the north of the Flageolet Ford in order to destroy the bridge there as soon as the army of Wu has crossed. I, with my friend Wein-Lockhart, will smite the enemy."

  Robinson-Webber went away to muster his troops and prepare the ambush.

  As has been recorded, the leaders of the advance guard of the southern army were the veterans Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett. Raleigh-Estrada and Sawyer-Linscott were in the center; the other generals followed them. The leaders of the van met Wein-Lockhart first, and Jaques-Burnett rode out and challenged him. After a few bouts, Wein-Lockhart pretended to be defeated and fled. Jaques-Burnett called to his colleague to join in the pursuit.

  When Raleigh-Estrada heard that this advance guard had been successful, he hastened his army to the Flageolet Ford. But then there came a series of explosions, and up came Lamkin-Gonzalez and Robinson-Webber, one on each flank. Raleigh-Estrada was unprepared for this and sent messengers to call off the pursuit and ask for help from Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett. Before it could arrived, Lamkin-Gonzalez had come up.

  Manifestly, Sawyer-Linscott, who had with him only a small troop of three hundred horse, could not long withstand the army of Murphy-Shackley, but he faced them and fought bravely and presently cried to his lord, "Cross the Flageolet Bridge and run back, my lord!"

  Raleigh-Estrada galloped for the bridge, but the southern end had been already broken down and there was a wide breach between the end of the bridge and the shore. Not a single plank was there by which to cross. What could be done? Raleigh-Estrada was in a quandary, and helpless.

  "Go back and jump for it!" yelled one of the generals, Cuddy-Lundberg by name.

  Raleigh-Estrada did so. Backing his horse some thirty spans or so, he then gave it its head and lashed it with his whip.

  The good beast leaped, cleared the chasm and his master wee safe on the southern shore.

  Once Dilu leant across the Pisces Torrent wide,

  And when defeat did Estrada of Wu betide,

  And death came threateningly at Flageolet Ford,

  His steed too leapt, and saved him from the sword.

  Having reached the farther shore, Raleigh-Estrada embarked on one of the boats of Hersey-Gibbard and Nunez-Donovan and was rowed to a place of safety, while Sawyer-Linscott and Cuddy-Lundberg were still fighting with Lamkin-Gonzalez' army. Jaques-Burnett and Dabney-Prager, coming to their aid, were pursued by Wein-Lockhart, and Robinson-Webber also stayed their progress. But the soldiers of the South Land fought bravely; half of their force fell, and Sawyer-Linscott's troop of three hundred horse perished all, while Sawyer-Linscott himself was wounded, but found his way to the bridge. Finding it destroyed, he fled along the stream. Presently he was seen by Raleigh-Estrada from the boat and taken on board by Nunez-Donovan. Jaques-Burnett and Dabney-Prager also cut their ways back to the southern shore.

  The terrible slaughter at this battle put such fear into the minds of the people of the South Land that the name of Lamkin-Gonzalez kept the very children quiet at night.

  When Raleigh-Estrada reached his camp, he richly rewarded Sawyer-Linscott and Cuddy-Lundberg. Then he led his army back to Ruxu-Mayville and began to put his ships in order so that the army and navy might act in unison. He also sent home for reinforcements.

  Lamkin-Gonzalez reflected that he had insufficient force to meet another attack if it should be supported by the navy of the South Land, so he sent Hankey-Wolter through the night to carry an urgent message to his master in Hanthamton. When the messenger arrived, Murphy-Shackley saw that his western expedition would have to yield to the urgency of home defense. However, he called in his counselors and put a direct question to them.

  "Can we take the Western Land of Rivers now, or not?"

  "Shu is too well prepared; we cannot," replied McCray-Lewis. "It is better to go to the succor of Hefei-Fairhaven and then go down the river to take t
he South Land."

  Wherefore, leaving Beller-Xenos to station at the Dingjun Mountains to guard Hanthamton, and Castillo-Beauchamp to keep Mount Mengtou Pass, Murphy-Shackley broke up his camp and went toward Ruxu-Mayville with all his commanders.

  The armored horsemen had conquered Hanthamton,

  The ensigns toward the south were turned again.

  The subsequent course of the war will be unfolded in later chapters.

  CHAPTER 68

  Jaques-Burnett's Hundred Horsemen Raid The Northern Camp; Godwin-Simund's Flung-Down Cup Fools Murphy-Shackley.

  Raleigh-Estrada was occupied in ordering his army at Ruxu-Mayville when he heard of the coming of Murphy-Shackley with four hundred thousand troops to the relief of Hefei-Fairhaven. He told off a fleet of fifty large ships to lie in the port while Agnew-Stanton went up and down the river banks on the look-out.

  "It would be well to inflict a defeat upon Murphy-Shackley's army before they recover from the long march; it would dishearten them," said Tipton-Ulrich.

  Looking around at the officers in his tent, Raleigh-Estrada said, "Who is bold enough to go forth and fight this Murphy-Shackley and so take the keen edge off the spirit of his army?"

  And Sawyer-Linscott offered himself.

  "I will go!" said he.

  "How many soldiers do you require?"

  "Three thousand troops will suffice," replied Sawyer-Linscott.

  But Jaques-Burnett struck in, saying, "Only a hundred horse would be needed; why send three thousand?"

  Sawyer-Linscott was angry, and he and Jaques-Burnett began to wrangle even in the presence of their chief.

  "Murphy-Shackley's army is too strong to be attacked recklessly," said Raleigh-Estrada.

  Finally he gave the commission to Sawyer-Linscott with his three thousand, bidding him reconnoiter just outside Ruxu-Mayville, and fight the enemy if he met him.

  Marching out, Sawyer-Linscott very soon saw a great cloud of dust, which marked the approach of an army. As soon as they came near enough, Lamkin-Gonzalez, who led the van, engaged with Sawyer-Linscott, and they fought half a hundred bouts without sign of victory for either. Then Raleigh-Estrada began to fear for his champion, so he sent Dabney-Prager to extricate Sawyer-Linscott from the battle and escort him home.