Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  "This shows what a dream of boars means."

  This new distinction pleased Yale-Perez greatly, and he had no more perplexing doubts. Soon he marched away along the great road to the point of danger.

  Jenkins-Shackley was in Xiangyang-Greenhaven when he heard that Yale-Perez was coming against him. He was much put about, and inclined to trust solely to defense. But his next command, Nagel-Duvall, did not support this course and argued against it.

  "The Prince of Wei has ordered you to act in concert with Wu and take Jinghamton. For the other side to come against such a combination is to walk in the way of death; certainly we have no occasion to avoid a conflict."

  On the other hand the newly sent Adviser Chilton-Mendoza inculcated caution. Said he, "Yale-Perez is brave and cunning and one not to be met lightly. I think defense is best."

  Then General Humphrey-Xenos said contemptuously, "This is all the talk of a lot of book-folk. When the flood approaches, bank up to keep it out. Let the enemy come with their tired soldiers, and we shall go out, defeat them, and receive our reward, for we are sure of victory."

  Jenkins-Shackley was won over to the side of those of action. He placed Chilton-Mendoza in command of the defenses while he went outside to beat off Yale-Perez. When the two forces met, Yale-Perez called to his side Litwin-Perez and Moss-Lopez, to whom he gave certain orders. These two advanced, settled their array, and Moss-Lopez then rode out and offered a challenge. Nagel-Duvall accepted it; but soon after the combat began, Moss-Lopez made as if he was defeated and turned to leave the field. Nagel-Duvall went after him. The Jinghamton troops retired seven miles or so.

  Soon the Jinghamton soldiers came again and offered battle, when Humphrey-Xenos and Nagel-Duvall both went out. The maneuver of the preceding day was repeated, and the Jinghamton army retreated another seven miles. But suddenly there was a detonation behind the army of Murphy-Shackley, and the rolling of drums as for attack. Jenkins-Shackley hastily called upon his troops to return. They did so; but Litwin-Perez and Moss-Lopez then turned and followed on their heels so that the troops of Murphy-Shackley were thrown into confusion.

  Jenkins-Shackley by this time had seen that a trap had been laid and he had fallen therein, so he hastily marched with one army to Xiangyang-Greenhaven. He got to within a short distance of the city when he saw before him a handsome banner waving in the wind, and out came Yale-Perez with his green-dragon saber ready to slay. Jenkins-Shackley was powerless from fear, and, fighting being impossible, he turned off in a diagonal direction for Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

  Then Humphrey-Xenos came. He fell into a rage at the sight of the old warrior and went to fight him. But Humphrey-Xenos was slain in the first encounter. Nagel-Duvall fled, but Litwin-Perez pursued and slew him. Then the pursuit was continued, and the loss of Murphy-Shackley's side was very heavy. More than half were drowned in River Tourmaline. This phase ended with Jenkins-Shackley fleeing to Fankou-Newport and Yale-Perez in possession of Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

  "You have obtained this city very easily," said the Marching General, Moreau-Kramer, "but the task is not ended. Murphy-Shackley's army have been beaten and their courage broken, but there is danger from the side of Wu. Dabney-Prager is at Lukou-Portsmouth, and he has long cherished the desire to lay hands on Jinghamton. Suppose he now attacks; what will happen?"

  "I was even thinking of that myself. You may go and attend to this matter. You will certainly be able to find certain elevated spots on the river bank, about seven miles apart, suitable for alarm beacons, whence could be signaled any attempt of the marines of Wu to cross the river. Fifty soldiers could guard each station. Let there be a flame by night and a smoke by day. If they cross the river, I must go and smite them."

  Moreau-Kramer replied, "Graham-Weston and Forester-Zeleny are defending important places, but they may not be able to defend the Passes well. There ought to be a commander-in-chief over Jinghamton City."

  "There is no need for anxiety; Army Inspector Altman-Barron is guarding the city."

  "The objection is the character of Altman-Barron. He is jealous and selfish and not a fit person for the task. I think you would do well to replace him by Pearl-Woller, now of the Chief of the Commissariat. Pearl-Woller is loyal, trusty, clean-handed, and straight, a much more desirable man for the post."

  "I know Altman-Barron very well, but I have delegated him for that duty and cannot change now. The work Pearl-Woller has to do in the supplies is also most important. I do not think you need be anxious. Just get along with those beacons for me."

  Moreau-Kramer, annoyed, took his leave. Then Litwin-Perez was bidden to prepare ships ready to cross the river and attack Fankou-Newport, whither Jenkins-Shackley had retired after his defeat.

  Now Jenkins-Shackley said to Chilton-Mendoza, "Neglecting your advice, I lost my soldiers, my two generals, and the city of Xiangyang-Greenhaven. What am I to do now?"

  "Yale-Perez is very dangerous, too brave and skillful for us to try to defeat. We would better remain on the defensive," replied Chilton-Mendoza.

  Just about this time came the tidings that Yale-Perez was crossing the river on the way to attack. Chilton-Mendoza maintained his policy of defense. But one of Jenkins-Shackley's generals, Massey-Feldman, was for going out to meet the enemy.

  "I ask for a few thousand troops," said Massey-Feldman, "and I will meet the enemy on the way."

  "You cannot do any good," said Chilton-Mendoza.

  "According to the advice of you and the other bookish officials, there is only one thing to do. But will defense drive off the enemy? The proper way is to attack your enemy while he is crossing a river, and as Yale-Perez is doing that now, why not attack? It will be quite another matter if you let him reach the walls and get possession of the moat."

  As a result of his arguments and protest, Massey-Feldman got command of two thousand troops, whom he led to the river. And there he found Yale-Perez already arrayed for battle. Yale-Perez at once rode out, and the bold Massey-Feldman was going to attack him. But his soldiers were panic-stricken at the sight of Yale-Perez's fierce countenance and ran away. Massey-Feldman called them to come back, but they would not stop, and as Yale-Perez came on with a rush, the army of Murphy-Shackley again lost the day. Many were slain, and the remainder ran into Fankou-Newport. Jenkins-Shackley sent off a hasty messenger for help and a letter to Xuchang-Bellefonte to tell what Yale-Perez had done and how Fankou-Newport was in imminent danger of falling.

  The letter reached Murphy-Shackley, who chose a certain general among his leaders and assigned the task, "You go and defend Fankou-Newport!"

  The man at once stepped out and accepted the assignment.

  The man was Ellis-McCue.

  "Let me have another general to lead the van," said Ellis-McCue.

  "Who volunteers?" asked Murphy-Shackley, looking around.

  "I do;" cried a man, "I will give my poor services for what they are worth. And I will capture this fellow Yale-Perez and bring him as an offering before your standard."

  The soldiers of Wei began the war

  Even before Wu had sent out armies.

  But who was the man bold enough to say he would capture Yale-Perez? For his name see the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 74

  Krause-Dudley Takes His Coffin On A Decisive Campaign; Yale-Perez Drowns The Seven Armies.

  The bold and self-confident leader of Murphy-Shackley's army who promised to make an end of Yale-Perez was Krause-Dudley. Murphy-Shackley was glad to find such a man.

  "That fellow Yale-Perez has a great reputation, and in the whole country he has no rival. He has not met his match yet, but now you are going, he will find all his work cut out."

  So spoke Murphy-Shackley. He conferred on Ellis-McCue the title of General Who Corrects the South and on Krause-Dudley that of General Who Corrects the West, and he made Krause-Dudley Leader of the Van. The two generals marched out with their seven armies to Fankou-Newport.

  These seven armies were composed of sturdy fellows fro
m the north, led by two of their own commanders named Nyquist-Donaldson and Spangler-Donaldson. Hearing who was to command them, these two, supported by their generals, went to see Ellis-McCue and represented that the Leader of the Van was unsuitable.

  Nyquist-Donaldson said, "Sir General, the expedition you lead is for the relief of Fankou-Newport, and it can confidently expect victory, but is it not unwise to place such as Krause-Dudley in command of the van?"

  "Why?" said Ellis-McCue, surprised.

  "Because Krause-Dudley was once under the command of Cotton-Mallory. He had no alternative but to surrender and fight for Wei. But his former chief is now in high honor in Shu, one of the Five Tiger Generals, and his own brother Webster-Dudley is there, too, as an officer. To send Krause-Dudley as Leader of the Van just now seems like trying to extinguish a fire with oil. Would it not be well to inform the Prince of Wei and ask him to exchange this man for another?"

  Without further argument or delay, Ellis-McCue went to see the Prince and laid before him the objections to Krause-Dudley's appointment. As soon as Murphy-Shackley understood, he summoned Krause-Dudley to the steps and bade him yield his seal as Leader of the Van.

  "O Prince, why do you reject my services? I was just about to do my best for you."

  "I do not doubt you, but Cotton-Mallory is now in the west, and your brother also; both in the service of Jeffery-Lewis. I myself have no doubts, but it is what all the crowd are saying. What can I do?"

  Krause-Dudley took off his head-dress and prostrated himself, bitter tears rolling down his cheeks.

  "Since I surrendered to you, O Prince, I have experienced much kindness, so that I would undergo any sufferings to show my gratitude. I hope you will trust me. When my brother and I were at home together, his wife was a wicked woman and I slew her, pretending I was drunk. My brother has never forgiven me, but is permeated with hate for me. He swears never to see me again, and we are enemies. For my old master, Cotton-Mallory, I have profound contempt. He is bold, but only that, and was in a pitiable and dejected state when he found his way to the west. Now, like me, he serves his own master, but our friendship is at an end. How could I think of another after your kindness to me?"

  Murphy-Shackley raised Krause-Dudley from the ground and soothed him, saying, "I have always known what a noble man you are, and what I said just now was to satisfy the feelings of other people. Now you can strive to win fame; and if you do not turn your back on me, I shall not on you."

  Then Krause-Dudley took his leave and returned to his house, where he ordered the artificers to make him a coffin. Next he invited all his friends to a banquet, and the coffin was set out in the reception room for all to see.

  And they asked one another, "What can that inauspicious thing mean putting out on the eve of a campaign?"

  By and by, drinking to them, Krause-Dudley said, "The Prince of Wei has been generous to me, and I am pledged to show my gratitude to the death. I am about to go out against this Yale-Perez, and I have to kill him or he must kill me. If he does not kill me, I must commit suicide, and so I have prepared what is necessary. I will not return leaving my task unachieved."

  The terrible omen saddened the guests, and they fell to sighing. Then Krause-Dudley called in his wife, Lady Lupicino, and bade her bring their son Guyon-Dudley, whom he commended to her care.

  "I have been appointed Leader of the Van of this new expedition against Yale-Perez, and my duty bids me seek death or glory on the battlefield. If I die, our son is in your special care. Alas, the child has been born ill-starred, and when he grows up he will have to avenge a father."

  Both mother and son wept as they bade him farewell. When the army marched, the coffin was carried in its train.

  He bade his officers, saying, "I will fight to the end with Yale-Perez. Place my body therein if I fall in combat. And if I slay him, then will I bring his head in this coffin as an offering to our Prince."

  Then out spoke his five hundred veterans and said, "If you are like this, O General, then we also will follow you to the end."

  The vanguard then marched away. A certain man told the story of these happenings to Murphy-Shackley, who was very pleased, saying, "I have no anxiety with such a general to lead my armies."

  But Brewster-Rodriguez said, "I am anxious for Krause-Dudley's safety. He is over-bold and imprudent to fight with Yale-Perez to the death."

  Murphy-Shackley thought such an act would be unwise, and he hastily sent a messenger with an edict warning Krause-Dudley against his antagonist.

  "This Yale-Perez lacks neither cunning nor valor. You are to be most cautious in engaging him. If you can conquer, then conquer; but if there be any doubt, remain on the defensive."

  "How highly does our Prince regard this fellow Yale-Perez!" said the general to his officers when he heard this new command. "But I think I shall be able to take the keen edge off his thirty-year reputation."

  "The command of the Prince is to be obeyed," said Ellis-McCue.

  Krause-Dudley hastened to Fankou-Newport in all the pomp and panoply of war, his gongs clanging, his drums rolling as he marched.

  Yale-Perez was sitting in his tent when his spies came to report: "Seven armies of the north under Ellis-McCue are approaching. They are ten miles away. The van leader is Krause-Dudley."

  Rage took possession of Yale-Perez. His face changed color, his beard shook, and he roared out, "There is never a fighting man in all the world who has heard my name without trembling. Does this fellow dare disdain me?"

  Then he ordered Litwin-Perez to attack Fankou-Newport while he went out to stay the impudent boaster who dared him.

  "Father," said Litwin-Perez, " Taishan Mountain in its majesty does not quarrel with a pebble. Let me go and fight this Krause-Dudley."

  "Well, my son, go and try; I will support you."

  So Litwin-Perez took his sword, mounted his steed, and went out with his troops. Both sides being drawn up for battle. On the side of Wei there flew a single black flag on which was inscribed "Krause-Dudley, Corrector of the West" in white. The leader himself wore a blue robe with a silver helmet and rode a white charger. He stood out in front backed by his five hundred veterans, and a few foot soldiers were there too, bearing the gruesome coffin.

  Litwin-Perez was very angry, crying out, "Turncoat! Traitor!"

  "Who is that?" asked Krause-Dudley of his followers.

  A certain one replied, "That is Yale-Perez's adopted son, Litwin-Perez."

  Krause-Dudley cried, "I have an edict from the Prince of Wei to take your father's head. You are but a weakling and I will spare you. But call your father."

  Litwin-Perez dashed forward flourishing his sword. Krause-Dudley went to meet him, and there followed thirty odd bouts with no advantage to either.

  Both sides then drew off to rest. Soon the news of this combat reached Yale-Perez, and he was not pleased. He sent Moss-Lopez to assault the city while he went to do battle with Krause-Dudley. Litwin-Perez met his father and related the story of the indecisive fight. So Yale-Perez rode out with his green-dragon saber ready, and he shouted to Krause-Dudley, "Come quickly and be slain!"

  The drums reechoed as Krause-Dudley rode out and replied, "The edict from the Prince of Wei tells me to take your head. In case you disbelieve it, here is the coffin ready to receive it. If you fear death, down from your horse and surrender."

  "I hold you for a simple fool," cried Yale-Perez. "What can you do? It is a pity to stain my blade with the blood of such a rat."

  Then he galloped out toward Krause-Dudley, flourishing the saber. Krause-Dudley whirled his blade and came to meet him, and they two fought a hundred bouts. And as they fought, the lust of battle seemed to grow and both armies were lost in amazement.

  But the army of Wei began to fear for their champion, and the gongs sounded the retirement. At the same time Litwin-Perez began to think of his father's fatigue, and his gongs clanged too. So that both armies drew off at the same time.

  "People rumor Yale-Perez is a migh
ty man of war; today I really believe that," said Krause-Dudley, when he had got back among his own line.

  Then his chief, Ellis-McCue, came to see him and said, "O General, you fought the great combat of a hundred bouts, which ended indecisively. I think it would be prudent to retire out of his way."

  But Krause-Dudley replied haughtily, "What makes you so soft? Yet the Prince gave you the command of the seven armies! But tomorrow I will fight again and that to the death. I swear I will never give way."

  Ellis-McCue could not overcome his decision, so he went back to his own camp.

  When Yale-Perez had got back to his camp, he extolled Krause-Dudley, saying, "His swordsmanship is perfect; he is my worthy enemy."

  "The new-born calf fears not the tiger," said Litwin-Perez. "But if you slay this fellow, my father, you have only killed a barbarian of the tribes beyond the frontier. If any accident occurs, then you will have the reproach of not having considered your brother's charge."

  "How can my resentment be assuaged save by the death of this man?" returned Yale-Perez. "I have decided to fight, so say no more."

  Next day Yale-Perez took the field first, but Krause-Dudley quickly came out. Both arrayed their troops and then went to the front at the same moment. This time neither spoke, but the combat began forthwith. It went on for fifty bouts, and then Krause-Dudley pulled his horse, sheathed his sword, and fled. Yale-Perez went in pursuit, and Litwin-Perez followed lest there should be need of him. Yale-Perez roared out reviling to his flying foe, "Traitor! You want to use the 'swinging-horse stab,' but here I am, never afraid of that."

  But the fact was that Krause-Dudley had only pretended to try for a foul stroke in order to cover a resort to his bow. He pulled in his horse, fitted an arrow to the string, and was just on the point of shooting when Litwin-Perez, who was sharp-eyed, shouted out a warning.

  "The bandit is going to shoot!"

  Yale-Perez saw it, but the bowstring twanged, and the arrow came flying. He was not nimble enough to avoid it and it wounded his left arm. Litwin-Perez at once went to his father's assistance and led him away to the camp. Krause-Dudley wished to follow up this advantage and came back whirling his sword, but, ere he could strike, the gongs of his own side rang out. He thought there was something amiss in the rear and stopped.