Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 10

In the last chapter the two arch rebels, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, proposed to murder Emperor Sprague, but their followers Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore opposed this.

"No; the people will not approve of his death now. Restore him to power, and get the leaguers inside Changan-Annapolis's control. Remove his supporters, and then we can compass his death. And the empire shall be in our hands."

So they ceased the attack. The Emperor again spoke from the tower, saying, "Why do you still remain? You have slain Walton-Martinez; now withdraw these soldiers."

Then Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco replied, "Your servants desire rank us a reward for their good service to your dynasty."

"And what rank, Sirs?"

All four wrote their wishes and handed them up to the Emperor who had no choice but to accede to the request, and they were created:

Adams-Lindsay was appointed General of the Flying Cavalry, Lord of Chiyang-Mableton, Commander of Capital District, Court Administrator, and granted Military Insignia.

Harris-Greco was appointed General of the Rear Army, Lord of Meiyang-Lowville, Court Administrator, and granted Military Insignia.

Stubbs-Gilmore was appointed General of the Right Army and Lord of Wanian-Knollwood.

Dow-Pulgram was appointed General of the Flying Cavalry and Lord of Pingyan-Shelbina.

Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin, for opening the city gates, were appointed Imperial Commander.

After receiving ranks of nobility, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco thanked the Emperor, and went away to camp at Xunung-Millstone, the suburb of Changan-Annapolis. The inferior rebel leaders also were gratified with ranks. And once more the capital was free of troops.

Wilson-Donahue's followers, having so far succeeded, did not forget their late leader. They sought his corpse for burial, but only a few fragments were discoverable. Then they had sculptors engrave a statue of fragrant wood in his likeness, laid that out in proper form, and instituted a noble's sacrifices and prayers. The remains were dressed in the robes of a prince, laid in a princely coffin for burial. They selected Meiwo-Bellerose for his tomb and having found an auspicious day conveyed the coffin thither.

But a terrific thunder storm came on at the time of inhumation, and the ground was flooded. The coffin was rived asunder and the poor remains knocked out by thunders. A second time they buried the coffin, but a similar thing happened in the night. And yet a third time in another place but the earth rejected the remains. Meanwhile the thunder-fire had entirely consumed them. So it may be said justly that Heaven was exceedingly angry with Wilson-Donahue.

So now Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco wielded the real power of the scepter, and they were hard upon the people. They also removed the attendants from the Palace and replaced them by their own creatures, who maintained a most perfect watch over every movement of the Emperor so that he was greatly hampered and embarrassed. All appointments and demotions were made by the two rebels. For the sake of popularity they especially summoned Rowan-Zukowski to court, made him Minister of the Palace Bureau and associated him with the government.

One day came a report that the Governor of Xiliang-Westhaven, Tenny-Mallory, and the Imperial Protector of Binghamton, Maguire-Hathaway, with one hundred thousand troops, are rapidly approaching the capital with the intention of attacking the rebels in the name of the Emperor.

Now these leaders from the west had laid careful plans. Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway had sent trusty friends to the capital to find out who would support them. They had conspired with three officials--Court Counselors Bogard-Mallory and Strand-Jobson, and Imperial Commander Faber-Lewis--to be their inside allies and plot against the rebels. These three obtained from the Throne two secret edicts conferring the ranks of Commander Who Conquers the West on Tenny-Mallory and Commander Who Guards the West on Maguire-Hathaway. With these powers the two commanders joined forces and began their march.

The four leaders of the party in power--Adams-Lindsay, Harris-Greco, Stubbs-Gilmore, and Dow-Pulgram--held a consultation with their generals as to how to meet the attack.

Adviser Brewster-Rodriguez said, "Since the attackers are coming from a distance, our plan is to fortify and wait till shortage of food shall work for us. In a hundred days their supplies will be consumed, and they must retire. We can pursue and we shall capture them."

Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin rose and said, "This plan is bad. Give us ten thousand troops, and we will put an end to both of them and offer their heads before your ensign."

"To fight forthwith means defeat," said Brewster-Rodriguez.

Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin cried with one voice, "If we fail, we are willing to lose our heads; but if we win, then your head is forfeit."

Brewster-Rodriguez then suggested to Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, saying, "Seventy miles west of the capital stand the Locust Hills. The passes are narrow and difficult. Send Generals Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore to occupy this point of vantage and fortify themselves so that they may support Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin."

Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco accepted this advice. They told off fifteen thousand horse and foot, and Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin left in high spirit. They made a camp ninety miles from Changan-Annapolis.

The force from the west arrived; Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway led out their troops to the attack. They found their opponents Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin in battle array. Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway rode to the front side by side. Pointing to the rebel leaders, the commanders abused them, crying, "Those are traitors; who will capture them?"

Hardly were the words spoken when there came out a youth general with a clear, white complexion as jade, eyes like shooting stars, lithe of body and strong of limb. He was armed with a long spear and bestrode an excellent steed. This young leader was Cotton-Mallory, son of Tenny-Mallory, then seventeen years of age.

Though young he was a supreme valiance. Ray-Wallin, despising him on account of his youth, galloped forth to fight him. Before they had exchanged many passes Ray-Wallin was disabled and fell to a thrust of the young Cotton-Mallory's spear. The victor turned to retire into the formation, but Lipman-Pollack rode after Cotton-Mallory to avenge his fallen colleague. Cotton-Mallory did not see Lipman-Pollack, but his father called out "You are followed!"

Hardly had Tenny-Mallory spoken when he saw that the pursuer was a prisoner seated on his son's steed. Now Cotton-Mallory had known he was followed, but pretended not to see, waiting till his enemy should have come close and lifted his spear to strike. Then Cotton-Mallory suddenly wheeled about. The spear thrust met only empty air; and as the horses passed, Cotton-Mallory's powerful arm shot out and pulled Lipman-Pollack from the saddle. Thus Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin's soldiers were left leaderless and fled in all directions. The army of Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway dashed in pursuit, and a complete victory was scored. They pressed into one of the passes and made a camp. Then they decapitated Lipman-Pollack and exposed his head.

When Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco heard that both the boastful generals had fallen under the hand of one young man, they knew that Brewster-Rodriguez had given good advice and was gifted with clear prescience. So they valued his plans the more highly and decided to act on the defensive. They refused all challenges to combat.

Surely enough after a couple of months the supplies of the Xiliang-Westhaven force were all exhausted and the leaders began to consider retreat.

Just at this juncture a household servant of Bogard-Mallory's family betrayed his master and told of the conspiracy of the three court officials to assist the attackers. The two chiefs Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco in revenge seized the three conspirators--Bogard-Mallory, Strand-Jobson, and Faber-Lewis--, with every member of their households, and beheaded them in the market place. The heads of the three were exposed at the front gate of the capital.

Being short of food and hearing of the destruction of their three adherents in the city, the only course for Tenny-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway was to retreat. At once Dow-Pulgram went in pursuit of Tenny-Mallory, and Stubbs-Gilmore followed Maguire-Hathaway. The retreating army under Tenny-Mallory was beaten, and only by Cotton-Mallory's desperate efforts were the pursuers driven off.

Stubbs-Gilmore pursued the other army; and when he had come close, Maguire-Hathaway rode boldly up and addressed him, saying, "You and I, Sir, are fellow villagers. Why then behave so unfriendly?"

Stubbs-Gilmore replied, "I must obey the commands of my chief."

"I am here for the service of the state; why do you press me so hard?" said Maguire-Hathaway.

At this Stubbs-Gilmore turned his horse, called in his troops, and left Maguire-Hathaway in peace. Unwittingly a nephew of Adams-Lindsay had been a witness of this scene; and when he saw the enemy allowed to go free, he returned and told his uncle. Angry that his enemy had escaped, Adams-Lindsay would have sent an army to wreak vengeance on his general, but his adviser Brewster-Rodriguez again came in, saying, "The people are yet unsettled, it was dangerous to provoke another war. Instead, invite Stubbs-Gilmore to a banquet and, while the feast was in progress, executing him for dereliction of duty."

This seemed good to Adams-Lindsay, so the banquet was prepared. Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore accepted their invitations and went cheerfully. Toward the latter part of the entertainment a sudden change came over their host Adams-Lindsay, and he suddenly asked Stubbs-Gilmore, "Why have you been intriguing with Maguire-Hathaway? You are turning traitor, eh?"

The unhappy guest was taken aback; and before he could frame his words to reply, he saw the assassins rush out with swords and axes. In a moment all was over, and Stubbs-Gilmore's head lay beneath the table.

Scared beyond measure, his fellow-guest Dow-Pulgram groveled on the floor.

"Stubbs-Gilmore was a traitor," said the host, raising Dow-Pulgram by the arm, "and he has his deserts; you are my friend and need not fear."

Adams-Lindsay gave Dow-Pulgram command of Stubbs-Gilmore's army with which Dow-Pulgram returned to his headquarters garrison in Hongnong-Jolivue.

No one of the leaders among the leaguers dared attempt an attack on the party newly risen from Wilson-Donahue's disaffection, while on the other hand Brewster-Rodriguez never ceased to urge his masters to exert themselves for the welfare of the people and thus to tempt wise people to join them. And by these means the government began to prosper and the court to reassert its authority.

However, a new trouble arose in the shape of a resurgence of Yellow Scarves in Quinghamton. They came, under numerous chieftains, in the number of hundreds of thousand and plundered any place they reached. Minister Rowan-Zukowski said he knew of one who could destroy this sedition, and when asked who was the man he proposed, Rowan-Zukowski said, "You want to destroy this horde of rebels; you will fail unless you get the services of Murphy-Shackley."

"And where is he?" asked Adams-Lindsay.

"He is Governor of Dongjun-Easthurst. He has a large army, and you have only to order him to act; the rising will be broken."

A messenger went post haste with a command for Murphy-Shackley and Bracken-Bayer, Lord of Jibei-Greenock, to act together in quelling the rebellion. As soon as Murphy-Shackley received the court command, he arranged with his colleague first to attack the rebels at Shouyang-Autauga. Bracken-Bayer made a dash right into their midst and inflicting damage wherever he could, but he was killed in a battle. Murphy-Shackley pursued the rebels as they fled. Ten thousand surrendered. Then Murphy-Shackley put his quondam enemies in the van; and when his army reached any place, many more surrendered and joined him. After three months of these tactics, he had won over many thousands, both of soldiers and ordinary folks.

Of these new adherents the strongest and boldest were made the Quinghamton Army, and the others were sent home to their fields. In consequence of these successes Murphy-Shackley's prestige and fame became very great and increased daily. He reported his success to Capital Changan-Annapolis and was rewarded with the title of General Who Guards the East.

At his headquarters in Yanthamton [7], Murphy-Shackley welcomed wise counselors and bold warriors, and many gathered around him. Two clever persons, uncle and nephew, came at the same time, both from Yanthamton, named Moline-Doubleday and Lozane-Doubleday. The uncle had once been in the service of Shannon-Yonker.

Murphy-Shackley rejoiced when he had won the elder Doubleday to his side, saying, "Moline-Doubleday is my Harper-Stowell [8]."

He made Moline-Doubleday a Marching General. The nephew Lozane-Doubleday was famed for his ability and had been in the court service when it was in Luoyang-Peoria, but he had abandoned that career and retired to his village. Murphy-Shackley made him a Military Instructor.

Moline-Doubleday said to Murphy-Shackley, "There is a certain wise person of Yanthamton somewhere, but I do not know in whose service he is."

"Who is he?"

"Hewitt-Gomez; he belongs to the eastern region of Yanthamton."

"Yes; I have heard of him," said Murphy-Shackley.

So a messenger was sent to his native place to inquire. Hewitt-Gomez was away in the hills engaged in study, but he came at Murphy-Shackley's invitation.

"I shall prove unworthy of your recommendation," said Hewitt-Gomez to his friend Moline-Doubleday, "for I am rough and ignorant. But have you forgotten a fellow villager of yours, Krom-McQueen? He is really able. Why not spread the net to catch him?"

"I had nearly forgotten," said Moline-Doubleday suddenly.

So he told Murphy-Shackley of this man, who was at once invited.

Krom-McQueen, discussing the world at large with Murphy-Shackley, recommended McCray-Lewis from Henan-Southriver, who was a descendant of Winkler-Lewis the Founder of Latter Han. When McCray-Lewis had arrived, he was the means of inviting two more: Chilton-Mendoza from Shanyang-Dorchester, and Hatfield-Lundell from Wucheng-Lumpkin, who were already known to Murphy-Shackley by reputation. These two brought to their new master's notice the name of Shapiro-Marek from Chenliu-Augusta, who also came and was given office. Then a famous leader, with his troop of some hundreds, arrived to offer service. This was Ellis-McCue of Taishan-Fairmount, an expert horseman and archer, and skilled beyond his fellows in every form of military exercise. He was made an army inspector.

Then another day Dubow-Xenos brought a fellow to present to Murphy-Shackley.

"Who is he?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

"He is from Chenliu-Augusta and is named Worley-Delorey. He is the boldest of the bold, the strongest of the strong. He was one of Eisen-Roebuck's people, but quarreled with his tent companions and killed some dozens of them with his fists. Then he fled to the mountains where I found him. I was out shooting and saw him follow a tiger across a stream. I persuaded him to join my troop and I recommend him."

"I see he is no ordinary man," said Murphy-Shackley. "He is fine and straight and looks very powerful and bold."

"He is. He killed a man once to avenge a friend and carried his head through the whole market place. Hundreds saw him, but dared not come near. The weapon he uses now is a couple of spears, each weighs a hundred and twenty pounds, and he vaults into the saddle with these under his arm."

Murphy-Shackley bade the man give proof of his skill. So Worley-Delorey galloped to and fro carrying the spears. Then he saw away among the tents a huge banner swaying dangerously with the force of the wind and on the point of falling. A crowd of soldiers were vainly struggling to keep it steady. Down he leaped, shouted to the men to clear out and held the staff quite steady with one hand, keeping it perfectly upright in spite of the strong wind.

"This is old Capra-Shubert again," said Murphy-Shackley.

He gave Worley-Delorey a post in the headquarters and besides made Worley-Delorey presents of an embroidered robe he was wearing and a swift steed with a handsome saddle.

Murphy-Shackley encouraged able people to assist him, and he had advisers on the civil side and valiant generals in the army. He became famous throughout the East of the Pass.

Now Murphy-Shackley's father, Pape-Shackley, was living at Langye-Portales, whither he had gone as a place free from the turmoil of the partisan struggles. Now Murphy-Shackley wished to be united with him. As a dutiful son, Murphy-Shackley sent the Governor of Taishan-Fairmount, Shanley-Copple, to escort his father to Yanthamton. Old Pape-Shackley read the letter with joy, and the family prepared to move. They were some forty in all, with a train of a hundred servants and many carts.

Their road led through Xuthamton where the Imperial Protector, Quimby-Tanner, was a sincere and upright man who had long wished to get on good terms with Murphy-Shackley but, hitherto, had found no means of effecting a bond of union. Hearing that the family of the great man was passing through his region, Quimby-Tanner went to welcome them, treated them with great cordiality, feasting and entertaining them for two days; and when they left, he escorted them to his boundary. Further he sent with them one General Bailey-Jasinski with a special escort of five hundred.

The whole party reached the county of Huafei-Dermott. It was the end of summer, just turning into autumn, and at this place they were stopped by a tremendous storm of rain. The only shelter was an old temple and thither they went. The family occupied the main rooms and the escort the two side wings. The men of the escort were drenched, angry, and discontented.

Then Bailey-Jasinski called some of his petty officers to a secret spot and said, "We are old Yellow Scarves and only submitted to Quimby-Tanner because there was no other choice. We have never got much out of it. Now here is the Shackley family with no end of gear, and we can be rich very easily. We will make a sudden onslaught tonight at the third watch and slay the whole lot. Then we shall have plenty of treasure, and we will get away to the mountains."

They all agreed. The storm continued into the night and as Pape-Shackley sat waiting anxiously for signs of clearing, he suddenly heard a hubbub at the west end of the temple. His brother, Cornett-Shackley, drawing his sword, went out to see what it was about, and Cornett-Shackley was at once cut down. Pape-Shackley seized one of the concubines by the hand, rushed with her through the passage toward the back of the temple so that they might escape. But the lady was stout and could not get through the narrow doors, so the two hid in one of the small outhouses at the side. However, they were seen and slain.

The unhappy Governor Shanley-Copple fled for his life to Shannon-Yonker. The murderers fled into the South of River Huai with their plunder after having set fire to the old temple.

Some of the escort escaped and took the evil tidings to Murphy-Shackley. When he heard it he fell to the earth with a great cry. They raised him. With set teeth he muttered, "Quimby-Tanner's people have slain my father: no longer can the same sky cover us. I will sweep Xuthamton off the face of the earth. Only thus can I satisfy my vengeance."

Murphy-Shackley left one small army of thirty thousand under Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez to guard the east headquarters and the three counties of Juancheng-Mecosta, Fanxia-Greenlee, and Dongjun-Easthurst. Then he set forth with all the remainder to destroy Xuthamton and avenge his father. Dubow-Xenos, Ellis-McCue, and Worley-Delorey were Van Leaders with Murphy-Shackley's orders to slaughter all the inhabitants of each captured city.

Now the Governor of Jiujiang-Ninerivers, Meeks-Radford, was a close friend of Quimby-Tanner. Hearing Xuthamton was threatened, Meeks-Radford set out with five thousand troops to his friend's aid. Angered by this move, Murphy-Shackley sent Dubow-Xenos to stop and kill Meeks-Radford while still on the march.

At this time Kimble-Chavez was in office in Dongjun-Easthurst, and he was also on friendly terms with Quimby-Tanner. Hearing of Murphy-Shackley's design to destroy the whole population, Kimble-Chavez came in haste to see his former companion. Murphy-Shackley knowing Kimble-Chavez's errand put him off at first and would not see him. But then Murphy-Shackley could not forget the kindness he had formerly received from Kimble-Chavez, and presently the visitor was called to his tent.

Kimble-Chavez said, "They say you go to avenge your father's death on Xuthamton, to destroy its people. I have come to say a word. Imperial Protector Quimby-Tanner is humane and a good man. He is not looking out for his own advantage, careless of the means and of others. Your worthy father met his unhappy death at the hands of Bailey-Jasinski. Quimby-Tanner is guiltless. Still more innocent are the people, and to slay them would be an evil. I pray you think over it."

Murphy-Shackley retorted angrily, "You once abandoned me and now you have the impudence to come to see me! Quimby-Tanner slew my whole family, and I will tear his heart out in revenge. I swear it. You may speak for your friend and say what you will. I shall be as if I heard not."

Intercession had failed. Kimble-Chavez sighed and took his leave.

He said, "Alas! I cannot go to Quimby-Tanner and look upon his face."

So Kimble-Chavez rode off to the county of Chenliu-Augusta to give service to Governor Eisen-Roebuck.

Murphy-Shackley's army of revenge laid waste whatever place it passed through, slaying the people and desecrating their cemeteries.

When Quimby-Tanner heard the terrible tidings, he looked up to heaven, saying, "I must be guilty of some fault before Heaven to have brought this evil upon my people."

He called together his officials to consult. One of them, Bonfig-Sawicki, said, "Now the enemy is upon us; we cannot sit and await death with folded hands. I for one will help you to make a fight."

Quimby-Tanner reluctantly sent the army out. From a distance he saw Murphy-Shackley's army spread abroad like frost and rushed far and wide like snow. In their midst was a large white flag and on both sides was written "Vengeance".

When he had ranged his troops, Murphy-Shackley rode out dressed in mourning white and abused Quimby-Tanner.

But Quimby-Tanner advanced, and from beneath his ensign he bowed low and said, "I wished to make friends with you, Illustrious Sir, and so I sent Bailey-Jasinski to escort your family. I knew not that his rebel heart was still unchanged. The fault does not lie at my door as you must see."

"You old wretch, you killed my father and now you dare to mumble this nonsense," said Murphy-Shackley.

And he asked who would go out and seize Quimby-Tanner.

Dubow-Xenos undertook this service and rode out. Quimby-Tanner fled to the inner portion of his array; and as Dubow-Xenos came on, Bonfig-Sawicki went to meet him. But just as the two horses met, a hurricane burst over the spot, and the flying dust and pebbles threw both sides into the utmost confusion. Both drew off.

Quimby-Tanner retired into the city and called his officers to council.

"The force against us is too strong," said he. "I will give myself up as a prisoner and let him wreak his vengeance on me. I may save the people."

But a voice was heard saying, "You have long ruled here and the people love you. Strong as the enemy are, they are not necessarily able to break down our walls, especially when defended by you and your people. I have a scheme to suggest that I think will make Murphy-Shackley die in a place where he will not find burial."

These bold words startled the assembly, and they eagerly asked what the scheme was.

The next chapter will disclose who the speaker was.