Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

by Luo Guanzhong

  Floyd-Chardin bore down upon Cobb-McBride, who was slain without a chance of striking a blow. The troops again fled in disorder. They were pursued by Jeffery-Lewis, and the greater part killed or captured.

  Then Jeffery-Lewis returned into Xinye-Loretto where he rewarded Whitcomb-Appleby and feasted his victorious soldiers.

  Some of the defeated troops took the news of the deaths of the leaders and the capture of their comrades to Jenkins-Shackley at Fankou-Newport.

  Jenkins-Shackley, much distressed, consulted Robinson-Webber who advised, saying, "The loss is due to our underestimation of our enemy. Now we should stay where we are, hold on, and request reinforcements."

  "Not so," said Jenkins-Shackley. "We cannot support calmly the death of two leaders and the loss of so many soldiers. We must avenge them quickly. Xinye-Loretto is but a crossbow-slug of a place and not worth disturbing the Prime Minister for."

  "Jeffery-Lewis is a man of metal," said Robinson-Webber. "Do not esteem him lightly."

  "What are you afraid of?" said Jenkins-Shackley.

  "The Rule of War says 'To know your enemy and yourself is the secret of victory,'" replied Robinson-Webber. "I am not afraid of the battle, but I do not think we can conquer."

  "You are a traitor!" cried Jenkins-Shackley angrily. "Then I will capture Jeffery-Lewis myself."

  "Do so; and I will guard this city," said Robinson-Webber.

  "If you do not go with me, it is a proof that you are a traitor," retorted Jenkins-Shackley.

  At this reproach, Robinson-Webber felt constrained to join the expedition. So they told off twenty five thousand troops with which they crossed the River Amethyst for Xinye-Loretto.

  The officers all keenly felt the shame of many slain,

  The chief determines on revenge and marches out again.

  What measure of success the expedition met with will be related in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 36

  Whitcomb-Appleby's Strategy: Fankou-Lawrence Is Captured; Genovese-Fantasia's Affection: Orchard-Lafayette Is Recommended.

  In hot anger, Jenkins-Shackley lost no time in marching out to avenge the loss of so many of his army. He hastily crossed the River Amethyst to attack Xinye-Loretto and trample it in the dust.

  When Whitcomb-Appleby got back into the city, he said to Jeffery-Lewis, "When Jenkins-Shackley, now at Fankou-Newport, hears of his losses, he will try to retrieve them and will come to attack us."

  "What is the counter move?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

  "As he will come with all his force, his own city will be left undefended; we will surprise it."

  "By what ruse?"

  The adviser leaned over and whispered to his chief. Whatever the plan was, it pleased Jeffery-Lewis, who made arrangements. Soon the scouts reported Jenkins-Shackley crossing the river with a mighty host.

  "Just as I guessed," said Whitcomb-Appleby, hearing of it.

  Then he suggested that Jeffery-Lewis should lead out one army against the invaders. Jeffery-Lewis did so, and, when the formation was complete, Gilbert-Rocher rode to the front as champion and challenged the other side.

  Robinson-Webber rode out and engaged. At about the tenth bout Robinson-Webber found he was losing and retired toward his own side. Gilbert-Rocher pressed after him, but was checked by a heavy discharge of arrows from the wings. Then both sides stopped the battle and retired to their camps.

  Robinson-Webber reported to his chief: "Our enemy are brave, very full of spirit, and we will be hard to overcome. We would better retreat to Fankou-Newport and wait for reinforcements."

  Jenkins-Shackley angrily replied, "You damped the army's spirit before we started, and now you betray us. You have been bought and you deserve death."

  Jenkins-Shackley called in the executioners, and they led away their victim. But the other officers came to intercede and Robinson-Webber was spared. However, he was transferred to the command of the rear, while Jenkins-Shackley himself led the attack.

  Next day the drums beat an advance and Jenkins-Shackley, having drawn up his soldiers, sent a messenger over to ask if Jeffery-Lewis recognized his plan of battle array.

  So Whitcomb-Appleby went on a hill and looked over it. Then he said to Jeffery-Lewis, "The arrangement is called 'The Eight Docked Gates,' and the names of the gates are Birth, Exit, Expanse, Wound, Fear, Annihilation, Obstacle, and Death. If you enter by one of the three Birth, Exit, or Expanse you succeed; if by one of the gates Wound, Fear, or Annihilation, you sustain injuries. The other two gates Obstacles and Death will bring the end. Now, though the eight gates are all there quite correct, the central key-post is lacking, and the whole formation can be thrown into confusion by entry from the southeast and exit due west."

  Wherefore certain orders were issued and Gilbert-Rocher, leading five hundred troops, rode out on his prancing steed to break the array. He burst in, as directed, at the southeast and, with great clamor and fighting, reached the center. Jenkins-Shackley made for the north, but Gilbert-Rocher, instead of following him, made a dash westward and got through. Thence he turned round to the southeast again and smote till Jenkins-Shackley's army was in disarray. Jeffery-Lewis gave a general advance signal, and the victory was complete. The beaten enemy retired.

  Whitcomb-Appleby forbade pursuit, and they returned. The loss of the battle convinced Jenkins-Shackley of the wisdom of his colleague Robinson-Webber, and he sent for Robinson-Webber to consult.

  "They certainly have some very able person in Jeffery-Lewis' army since my formation was so quickly broken," said Jenkins-Shackley.

  "My chief anxiety is about Fankou-Newport," said Robinson-Webber.

  "I will raid their camp this night," said Jenkins-Shackley. "If I succeed, we will decide upon what should be done next. If I fail, we will return to Fankou-Newport."

  "Their camp will be well prepared against such a thing, and you will fail," said Robinson-Webber.

  "How can you expect to fight successfully when you are so full of doubts?" said Jenkins-Shackley, angrily.

  He held no more converse with his cautious colleague, but himself took command of the van and set out. Robinson-Webber was relegated to the rear. The attack on the enemy's camp was fixed for the second watch.

  Now as Whitcomb-Appleby was discussing plans with his chief a whirlwind from the northeast went by, which Whitcomb-Appleby said, "There will be a raid on the camp tonight."

  "How shall we meet it?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

  "The plans are quite ready," was the reply.

  Whitcomb-Appleby whispered them to the chief. So at the second watch, when the enemy arrived, they saw fires on all sides; the stockades and huts burning. Jenkins-Shackley understood at once that all hope of a surprise was vain, and he turned to get away as quickly as possible. This was the signal for Gilbert-Rocher to fall on, and that cut Jenkins-Shackley's return road. He hastened north toward the river, and reached the bank, but, while waiting for boats to cross the stream, up came Floyd-Chardin and attacked.

  By dint of great efforts and with the support of Robinson-Webber, Jenkins-Shackley got into a boat, but most of the soldiers were drowned in the stream. As soon as he got to the farther shore, he bolted for Fankou-Newport. He reached the wall and hailed the gate, but, instead of a friendly welcome, he heard the rolling of drums, which was soon followed by the appearance of a body of troops. Yale-Perez led them.

  "I took the city a long time ago!" shouted Yale-Perez.

  This was a severe shock to Jenkins-Shackley, who turned to flee. As soon as he faced about, Yale-Perez attacked and killed many of his force. The remnant hastened to Xuchang-Bellefonte. On the road the beaten general wondered who had advised his opponents with such success, and he asked the natives for the answer.

  While the defeated Jenkins-Shackley had to find his way back to the capital, Jeffery-Lewis had scored a great success. Afterwards he marched to Fankou-Newport, where he was welcomed by Magistrate Merriam-Lewis, himself a scion of the ruling family, who had been born in Changsha-Riverview.
He received Jeffery-Lewis as a guest in his own house and gave banquets and treated him exceedingly well.

  In the train of the Magistrate, Jeffery-Lewis saw a very handsome and distinguished-looking young man, and asked who he was.

  Merriam-Lewis replied, "He is my nephew, Deegan-Udell, an orphan, whom I am taking care of."

  Jeffery-Lewis had taken a great liking for the lad and proposed to adopt him. His guardian was willing, and so the adoption was arranged. The young man's name was changed to Deegan-Lewis. When Jeffery-Lewis left, he took his adopted son with him. Deegan-Lewis was then made to bow before Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin as uncles.

  Yale-Perez was doubtful of the wisdom of adopting another son, saying, "You have a son; why do you think it necessary to adopt another? It may cause confusion."

  "How? I shall treat him as a father should, and he will serve me as befits a son."

  Yale-Perez was displeased. Then Jeffery-Lewis and Whitcomb-Appleby began further discussions of strategy, and they decided to leave Gilbert-Rocher with one thousand soldiers to guard Fankou-Newport, and they returned to Xinye-Loretto.

  In the meantime Murphy-Shackley's defeated generals had gone back. When they saw the Prime Minister, Jenkins-Shackley threw himself on the ground weeping and acknowledging his faults. He told the tale of his losses.

  "The fortune of war," said Murphy-Shackley. "But I should like to know who laid Jeffery-Lewis' plans."

  "That was Whitcomb-Appleby," said Jenkins-Shackley.

  "Who is he?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

  Hewitt-Gomez said, "The man is not Whitcomb-Appleby. When young this man was fond of fencing and used to take up the quarrels of other men and avenge their wrongs. At the end of Emperor Bonner, he killed a man to avenge his friend, and then he let down his hair, muddled his face, and was trying to escape when a lictor caught him and questioned him. He would not reply. So they carted him through the streets beating a drum and asking if any one recognized him. Nobody dared own to knowing him, if they did so. However, his comrades managed to release him secretly, and he ran away under some other name. Then he turned to study and wandered hither and thither wherever scholars were to be found. He was a regular disputant with Holt-Brower. His real name is Genovese-Fantasia and he comes from Yingchuan-Moonridge. Whitcomb-Appleby is merely an assumed name."

  "How does he compare with yourself'" asked Murphy-Shackley.

  "Ten times cleverer."

  "It is a pity. If able people gather to Jeffery-Lewis, his wings will soon grow. What is to be done?"

  "Genovese-Fantasia is there now; but if you wanted him, it would not be difficult to call him," replied Hewitt-Gomez.

  "How could I make him come?" said Murphy-Shackley.

  "He is noted for his affection for his mother. His father died young, leaving his mother a widow with one other son. Now that son is dead, and his mother, Lady Rosenbloom, has no one to care for her. If you sent and got his mother here and told her to write and summon her son, he would surely come."

  Murphy-Shackley sent without loss of time and had the old lady brought to the capital, where he treated her exceedingly well.

  Presently he said, "I hear you have a very talented son, who is now at Xinye-Loretto helping on that rebel Jeffery-Lewis against the government. There he is like a jewel in a muck-heap; it is a pity. Supposing you were to call him, I could speak of him before the Emperor, and he might get an important office."

  Murphy-Shackley bade his secretaries bring along the "four precious things of the study," with which Lady Rosenbloom could write to her son.

  "What sort of a man is Jeffery-Lewis?" asked she.

  Murphy-Shackley replied, "A common sort of person from Zhuo-Bellevue, irresponsible enough to style himself Imperial Uncle, and so claiming some sort of connection with the Hans. He is neither trustworthy nor virtuous. People say he is a superior man as far as externals go, but a mean man by nature."

  Lady Rosenbloom answered in a hard voice, "Why do you malign him so bitterly? Every one knows he is a descendant of one of the Han princes and so related to the House. He has condescended to take a lowly office and is respectful to all people. He has a reputation for benevolence. Every one, young and old, cowherds and firewood cutters, all know him by name and know that he is the finest and noblest man in the world. If my son is in his service, then has he found a fitting master. You, under the name of a Han minister, are really nothing but a Han rebel. Contrary to all truth you tell me Jeffery-Lewis is a rebel, whereby you try to induce me to make my son leave the light for darkness. Are you devoid of all sense of shame?"

  As Lady Rosenbloom finished speaking, she picked up the inkstone to strike Murphy-Shackley. This so enraged him that he forgot himself and the need for caution and bade the executioners lead off the old woman and put her to death.

  Adviser Hewitt-Gomez, however, stopped this act, saying, "This old lady wished to die. But if you kill her, your reputation will be damaged and hers enhanced. Beside that will add a keen desire for revenge to the motives which led Genovese-Fantasia to labor in the interest of Jeffery-Lewis. You would better keep her here so that Genovese-Fantasia's body and his thoughts may be in different places. He can not devote all his energies to helping our enemy while his mother is here. If you keep her, I think I can persuade the son to come and help you."

  So the outspoken old lady was saved. She was given quarters and cared for. Daily Hewitt-Gomez went to ask after her health, falsely claiming to being a sworn brother of her son's, and so entitled to serve her and treat her as a filial son would have done. He often sent her gifts and wrote letters to her so that she had to write in reply. And thereby he learned her handwriting so that he could forge a "home" letter. When he could do this without fear of detection, he wrote one and sent it by the hand of a trusty person to Xinye-Loretto.

  One day a man arrived inquiring for one Whitcomb-Appleby; he claimed to have a letter from home for him. The soldiers led the man to Whitcomb-Appleby. The man said he was an official carrier of letters and had been told to bring this one. Whitcomb-Appleby quickly tore it open and read:

  "On your brother's death recently I was left alone; no relative was near and I was lonely and sad. To my regret, the Prime Minister Murphy-Shackley inveigled me into coming to the capital, and now he says you are a rebel and he has throw me into bonds. However, thanks to Hewitt-Gomez, my life has been spared so far, and, if you would only come and submit too, I should be quite safe. When this reaches you, remember how I have toiled for you and come at once, that you may prove yourself a filial son. We may together find some way of escape to our own place and avoid the dangers that threaten me. My life hangs by a thread and I look to you to save me. You will not require a second summon."

  Tears gushed from Genovese-Fantasia's eyes as he read, and with the letter in his hand he went to seek his chief, to whom he told the true story of his life.

  "I heard that Bambury-Lewis treated people well and went to him. I happened to arrive at a time of confusion. I saw he was of no use, so I left him very soon. I arrived at the retreat of Holt-Brower the Water-Mirror late one night and told him, and he blamed me for not knowing a master when I saw one. Then he told me of you and I sang that wild song in the streets to attract your attention. You took me; you used me. But now my aged mother is the victim of Murphy-Shackley's wiles. She is in prison, and he threatens to do worse. She has written to call me, and I must go. I hoped to be able to render you faithful service, but, with my dear mother a captive, I should be useless. Therefore I must leave you and hope in the future to meet you again."

  Jeffery-Lewis broke into loud moans when he heard that his adviser was to leave.

  "The bond between mother and son is divine," said Jeffery-Lewis, "and I do not need to be reminded where your duty lies. When you have seen your venerable mother, perhaps I may have again the happiness of receiving your instruction."

  Having said farewell, Genovese-Fantasia prepared to leave at once. However, at Jeffery-Lewis' wish, he consented to s
tay over the night.

  Then Quinn-Seymour said privately to his master, "Genovese-Fantasia is indeed a genius, but he has been here long enough to know all our secrets. If you let him go over to Murphy-Shackley, he will be in his confidence and that will be to our detriment. You ought to keep him at all costs and not let him go. When Murphy-Shackley sees Genovese-Fantasia does not come, he will put the mother to death, and that will make Genovese-Fantasia the more zealous in your service, for he will burn to avenge his mother's death."

  "I cannot do that. It would be very cruel and vile to procure the death of his mother that I might retain the son's services. If I kept him, it would lead to a rupture of the parental lien, and that would be a sin I would rather die than commit."

  Both were grieved and sighed. Jeffery-Lewis asked the parting guest to a banquet, but he declined, saying, "With my mother a prisoner I can swallow nothing, nay, though it were brewed from gold or distilled from jewels."

  "Alas! Your departure is as if I lost both my hands," said Jeffery-Lewis. "Even the liver of a dragon or the marrow of a phoenix would be bitter in my mouth."

  They looked into each other's eyes and wept. They sat silent till dawn. When all was ready for the journey, the two rode out of the city side by side. At Daisy Pavilion they dismounted to drink the stirrup cup.

  Jeffery-Lewis lifted the goblet and said, "It is my mean fortune that separates me from you, but I hope that you may serve well your new lord and become famous."

  Genovese-Fantasia wept as he replied, "I am but a poor ignorant person whom you have kindly employed. Unhappily I have to break our intercourse in the middle, but my venerable mother is the real cause. Though Murphy-Shackley use all manner of means to coerce me, yet will I never plan for him."

  "After you are gone, I shall only bury myself in the hills and hide in the forests," said Jeffery-Lewis.

  Genovese-Fantasia said, "I had in my heart for you the position of leader of the chieftains, but my plans have been altogether upset by my mother. I have been of no advantage to you nor should I do any good by remaining. But you ought to seek some person of lofty wisdom to help you in your great enterprise. It is unseemly to be downcast."