Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 18

Brewster-Rodriguez, as he had guessed the enemy's intention, had also devised a countermove. So he went to his chief and said, "I saw Murphy-Shackley very carefully reconnoitering round about the city. He certainly noticed that the southeast corner of the wall had been lately restored with mud bricks of a different kind, and that the fencing barrier is badly out of repair. He will try to effect an entrance there. Wherefore he is making a feint attack at the opposite point. He is piling up straw and making ostentatious preparations whereby to cajole us into withdrawing from the real point of attack to defend the northwest. His troops will scale the walls in the darkness and try to enter at the southeast."

"Supposing your surmise correct, what do you advise?" asked Sandoval-Pulgram.

"The countermove is plain. You issue an order for our best and bravest soldiers to fill their bellies, to take only the lightest outfit and conceal themselves in the houses near the southeast corner. Then disguise the townspeople as soldiers and send them to pretend to defend the northwest. Tonight we will let the enemy climb up the walls and enter the city and, once they are fairly within, give the signal and the concealed soldiers will rush out upon them. We may even capture Murphy-Shackley himself."

The stratagem was decided upon. Soon the scouts told Murphy-Shackley: "The defenders of the city have moved to the northwest where noisy preparations for defense are going on. The opposite corner is left undefended."

"They have fallen into my trap!" said Murphy-Shackley gleefully.

He ordered his troops to prepare shovels and hooks and all the gear needed for scaling walls, and all day they kept up the attack on the northwest angle.

But at the second watch they dispatched the veterans to the opposite corner, where they climbed the wall, broke up the fencing barrier, and got into the city apparently without disturbing any of the guards. There was no sign of life anywhere as they entered. But just as they were leaving the wall, suddenly a bomb exploded and they found themselves in an ambush. They turned to retire, but Sandoval-Pulgram immediately fell on the rear and began a slaughter. Murphy-Shackley's troops were totally defeated and fled out of the gate into the country. Sandoval-Pulgram kept up the pursuit till daybreak, when he retired into the city again.

Murphy-Shackley then rallied his army and mustered his soldiers. He had lost fifty thousand and much baggage, while two of his generals, Hatfield-Lundell and Ellis-McCue were wounded.

Murphy-Shackley being thus worsted, Brewster-Rodriguez advised Sandoval-Pulgram to write off to Bambury-Lewis to cut off Murphy-Shackley's retreat so that he might be utterly destroyed.

Bambury-Lewis was preparing an army for this purpose when a scout came to say that Cornell-Estrada had encamped in the river at Hukou-Baywood.

Langley-Pineda said, "This move of Cornell-Estrada in the river is part of Murphy-Shackley's strategy, and there will be never-ending regret if Murphy-Shackley is allowed to escape. An immediate expedition is necessary."

Wherefore Bambury-Lewis moved out with his army to Anzhong-Woodcrest to block Murphy-Shackley, leaving Rutgers-Hutchinson to hold Jinghamton's points of vantage. Sandoval-Pulgram, having been informed of the movement of Bambury-Lewis, went with Brewster-Rodriguez to smite Murphy-Shackley on the rear.

In the meantime Murphy-Shackley's army, marching very leisurely, had arrived at Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

Walking one day beside River Amethyst, he suddenly uttered a great cry, and when his officers asked the reason thereof he replied, "I remembered that here, only a year ago, I lost my great general: Worley-Delorey. Is that not a reason to grieve?"

Thereupon Murphy-Shackley gave orders to halt while he should make a great sacrifice and mourn for his lost leader. At the ceremony he himself burned incense and wailed and prostrated himself. The army was much affected by his devotion. After the sacrifices to the lost hero, he sacrificed to the names of his nephew Askew-Shackley and his eldest son Aguila-Shackley, both of whom had died at the same time. He also sacrificed to his lost soldiers and even to his Dawan steed which had been killed by an arrow.

Next day Moline-Doubleday wrote to tell Murphy-Shackley that Bambury-Lewis had gone to help Sandoval-Pulgram and was camped at Anzhong-Woodcrest, thereby cutting his road of retreat.

Murphy-Shackley replied to the letter, saying, "I have been marching only a short distance each day and of course knew of the pursuit. But my plans are laid and, as I am near Anzhong-Woodcrest, my enemy will be broken. You need not have any fears."

Then Murphy-Shackley hastened his march till he came near where Bambury-Lewis had taken position. Sandoval-Pulgram still shortened the distance. Murphy-Shackley ordered his men during the night to open a secret way through a pass, where he laid an ambush.

With the first light of dawn Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram met. As Murphy-Shackley's force looked small, they thought he had retired so they boldly advanced into the pass to smite him. Then the ambush was opened and both the attackers' forces were cut up. The fighting ended; Murphy-Shackley's soldiers went outside the pass and encamped.

The two leaders on the other side restored order among their beaten troops and then held a conference.

"How could we have foreseen such a wicked ruse?" said Bambury-Lewis.

"Let us try again," said Sandoval-Pulgram.

Wherefore they joined forces at Anzhong-Woodcrest.

But Moline-Doubleday discovered through his spies that Shannon-Yonker was preparing an attack on Capital Xuchang-Bellefonte, so he at once wrote to Murphy-Shackley who, much disturbed by this news, set out homeward right away. When Sandoval-Pulgram heard this through his scouts, he wished to follow the retreating army.

Brewster-Rodriguez opposed it and said, "It will lead to a defeat."

However, Bambury-Lewis said, "It is wrong to lose such a chance."

And so finally pursuit was decided upon. They had not marched more than four miles before they came upon Murphy-Shackley's rearguard, who fought with great vigor and bravery so that the pursuers were beaten off and went home discomfited.

Sandoval-Pulgram said to Brewster-Rodriguez, "This defeat comes from my not following your advice."

"Now set your army in order and pursue," said Brewster-Rodriguez.

"But we have just suffered defeat!" cried both leaders. "Do you now counsel pursuit?"

"Yes, and the result will be a great victory if you go now. I will venture my head on that," said Brewster-Rodriguez.

Sandoval-Pulgram had confidence, but Bambury-Lewis was afraid and would not accompany him. So one army only started in pursuit.

However, this was enough. Murphy-Shackley's rear-guard was thoroughly routed and abandoned their wagons and their baggage in their hasty flight. Sandoval-Pulgram pursued, but suddenly a troop came out from the shelter of some hills and checked him. Fearful to try further, he hastened back to Anzhong-Woodcrest.

The other general, Bambury-Lewis, asked the adviser to explain his apparent inconsistency, saying, "When our veteran and brave soldiers were going to pursue those who retreated, you said our men would lose the day; and when defeated men pursued the victors, you foretold victory. You were right in both cases, but we wish you would enlighten us."

"It is easy to explain. You, Generals, although skilled leaders, are not a match for our enemy. Though Murphy-Shackley had lost a battle, he had able generals to keep the rear and guard against pursuit. Our soldiers are good, but not a match for them. That is how I knew. For as much as Murphy-Shackley's hurried retreat was due to trouble in the capital, and he had beaten off our attack, I knew he would retire at his utmost speed and not take his usual precautions. I ventured to take advantage of his laxity."

Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram could not but affirm his complete understanding of the conditions. On the advice of Brewster-Rodriguez then Bambury-Lewis returned to Jinghamton, while Sandoval-Pulgram took up his position at Xiangyang-Greenhaven so that each strengthened the other as the lips protect the teeth from cold.

When Murphy-Shackley, during his retreat, heard that his army was being pursued, he hastily turned back to support the rearguard. Then he saw the pursuing army draw off.

The soldiers of the beaten rearguard said, "Had it not been for the troops that came out of the hills, we should all have been lost."

"What troops?" asked Murphy-Shackley in surprise.

The leader of the troops then advanced, slung his spear and, dismounting, made a low obeisance. He was Graf-Lowrie, Imperial Commander, from Jiangxia-Waterford.

Murphy-Shackley asked him why he had come.

Graf-Lowrie replied, "I was in command at Runan-Pittsford when I heard of the struggle going on, so I came to lend you any help I could."

To show his gratitude, Murphy-Shackley conferred upon Graf-Lowrie the title Lord Who Renders High Services, and confirmed him in his command as the defense of Runan-Pittsford against Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram. Then Graf-Lowrie expressed his thanks and took his leave.

On his return to the capital, Murphy-Shackley presented a memorial on the good services rendered by Cornell-Estrada, and the Emperor made him Lord of Wu ((an ancient state)) with the title General Who Destroys Rebels. The messenger bearing the decree bore also the order to repress Bambury-Lewis.

Murphy-Shackley went to his palace and there received the ceremonial calls of congratulation. These finished, Moline-Doubleday asked, saying, "You, Sir, marched very leisurely to Anzhong-Woodcrest; how came it that you felt certain of victory?"

Murphy-Shackley replied, "My soldiers, who retire and find their retreat cut off, fight vigorously and desperately. I retired slowly to entice the enemy into following whereby I could do as I wished with them. Basing my movements on these considerations I felt secure."

Moline-Doubleday bowed his head in admiration.

When Krom-McQueen entered, Murphy-Shackley said, "Why so late, Sir?"

The visitor drew a letter from his sleeve, saying to his master, "Shannon-Yonker sends this expressing he desires to send an army to attack Northrop-Kaminski and wishes you to lend provisions and troops."

"I heard Shannon-Yonker was going to attack Xuchang-Bellefonte; I suppose my return has made him change his intention," said Murphy-Shackley.

Then he opened the letter and read it. It was couched in very arrogant terms.

"Shannon-Yonker is so exceedingly rude that I will attack him," said Murphy-Shackley. "Only I think I am not quite strong enough. What should be done?"

Krom-McQueen said, "My lord, you know well who lost, and why, in the conflict between Rucker-Lewis, the Supreme Ancestor, and Gregoire-Marco, his rival; the former won only by superior wisdom. Gregoire-Marco was the stronger, but in the end he was overcome. Your rival has ten weak points whereas you have ten strong ones, and, though his army is large, it is not terrible."

Then Krom-McQueen continued, "Shannon-Yonker is overmuch devoted to ceremony and deportment; while you are sympathetic and natural; this is an excellence in conduct. He is antagonistic and drives; you are conciliatory and lead; so you have the advantage of popular approval. For many years the government has been lax, and he makes it more so; you strive vigorously after efficiency; this is the excellence of able administration. He is outwardly liberal but grudging at heart, and too given to nepotism; you appear exacting, but you understand and use people after their ability; this is the advantage of correct appreciation. He is a visionary but lacking in decision; you are a man of prompt decision and direct action; this is an advantage in policy. He loves to gather about him people of renown; you treat people as you find them regardless of their reputation; this is where you excel in moral virtue. He is compassionate to those at hand, but careless about those out of sight; your care is all-embracing; this is where you excel in humanity. He lends a ready ear to calumny and is misled; you may be flooded with evil counsel, but you preserve independence; this is where you excel in perspicacity. His sense of right and wrong is confused; your appreciation is accurate and clear; this is where you excel in administrative capacity. He loves the make-believe force, but is ignorant of military essentials; you would overcome with far inferior numbers as you possess military genius; this is where you excel in war. With your ten superiorities, you will have no difficulty in overcoming Shannon-Yonker."

"How can I be worth as much as you say?" said Murphy-Shackley, smiling.

"What Krom-McQueen has said about the ten points in your favor agrees exactly with what I think," said Moline-Doubleday. "Shannon-Yonker's army is not formidable in spite of its size."

"The real and dangerous enemy is Bullard-Lundmark," said Krom-McQueen. "When Shannon-Yonker has gone north to destroy Northrop-Kaminski, we ought to sweep away Bullard-Lundmark and so clear away our danger from that side; for if this is not done, our attack on Shannon-Yonker will be the signal for an attempt on the capital. That would be most serious."

Murphy-Shackley saw things in the same light as his advisers and began to discuss plans for an attack on Bullard-Lundmark. Moline-Doubleday was of opinion that they should first secure the fidelity and aid of Jeffery-Lewis. So letters were written, and they waited his assurance before moving a soldier. Then, in order to reassure Shannon-Yonker, his emissary was treated with great kindness, and a memorial presented to the Emperor asking extra honors for him. Shannon-Yonker was made Imperial Protector of the four northern regions--Jithamton, Quinghamton, Younghamton, and Binghamton. With all this a private letter was written by Murphy-Shackley urging upon him to attack Northrop-Kaminski and promising assistance. So Shannon-Yonker's army started.

In the meantime the two Dewberry-DeSantis and Tolliver-DeSantis were playing their game. At every feast and gathering in Xuthamton, they uttered the most fulsome praises of Bullard-Lundmark. Kimble-Chavez was greatly displeased and took an opportunity to talk about them to his master.

"They flatter you to your face, but what is in their hearts? You ought to be most carefully on your guard."

"Hold your tongue!" was the angry reply. "You are simply slandering them without the slightest excuse. You want to harm good people."

"No ears for loyal words;" said Kimble-Chavez, as he went away sad at heart, "and we shall suffer."

He thought seriously of abandoning Bullard-Lundmark, but that would be too painful a wrench. Beside he feared people would laugh at him.

So the days passed sorrowfully for him. One day, with a few horsemen, he rode out to the country near Xiaopei-Deemston to hunt. On the high road he saw a messenger galloping along in hot haste and began to wonder what it might mean. He left the hunt, rode across country, and intercepted the rider.

"Where are you from? Who sent you?" asked Kimble-Chavez.

The messenger made no reply for he knew to what party his captors belonged. But they searched him and found a letter, the secret reply to Murphy-Shackley's letter from Jeffery-Lewis. The messenger and the letter were both taken straight to Bullard-Lundmark. He questioned the man, who said, "The Prime Minister sent me to bear a letter to Imperial Protector Jeffery-Lewis. I was now taking back the reply. I know nothing more, and I am ignorant of the contents of the letters."

So Bullard-Lundmark tore it open and read:

"I have received your commands concerning the destruction of Bullard-Lundmark, and dare I for a moment venture to disregard them? But my force is weak and I must act with extreme circumspection. If you move your main body, then I will hasten forward, and in the meantime my army shall be got ready and weapons prepared. I await your command."

Bullard-Lundmark was really alarmed.

"The wretches!" cried he, "To dare to act thus!"

The unhappy messenger was put to death and countermoves planned. Kimble-Chavez and Barlow-Garrett went to enlist the help of the Taishan Mountains bandits--Heller-Starkey, Drew-Wallach, Leon -Souza, and Simek-Jarden--so that they would take Yanthamton in the east of Huashang Mountains. Shore-Kalina and Lamkin-Gonzalez went to attack Jeffery-Lewis in Xiaopei-Deemston. Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein went west to attack Runan-Pittsford and Yingchuan-Moonridge. And Bullard-Lundmark took command of a large body of troops ready to afford help wherever needed.

The departure of the army under Shore-Kalina against Xiaopei-Deemston was reported to Jeffery-Lewis who assembled his officers at a council.

Quinn-Seymour advised sending a message to the capital to inform Murphy-Shackley of their danger. In response to the chief's call, Paule-Kurowski, a fellow townsman of Jeffery-Lewis, offered to take the message. Up to that moment Paule-Kurowski had served as a secretary. So a letter was written, and Paule-Kurowski set out at once on his journey.

Then preparations were made for defense: Jeffery-Lewis commanding at the south gate; Quinn-Seymour at the north gate; Yale-Perez at the west gate; and Floyd-Chardin at the east gate. Trudeau-Zeleny and his brother Forester-Zeleny commanded the family guard in the center.

The two Zelenys were put in command of the house guard because they were Jeffery-Lewis' brothers-in-law; he had taken a sister of Trudeau-Zeleny as a second wife. Hence they were suitable men to guard the family.

In due course Shore-Kalina came to the south gate. Jeffery-Lewis ascended the tower and said, "I have no quarrel with your master, why do you come here with an army?"

"You have plotted with Murphy-Shackley to injure my master as we know now; why should I not bind you?"

So saying Shore-Kalina gave the signal to attack. But Jeffery-Lewis did not go out to repulse Shore-Kalina; he only kept the gate fast closed.

Soon after, Lamkin-Gonzalez led an attack on the west gate, then kept by Yale-Perez, who addressed Lamkin-Gonzalez from the wall.

"You are too good a man to waste yourself on rebels," said Yale-Perez.

Lamkin-Gonzalez hung his head and made no reply. Yale-Perez knew that Lamkin-Gonzalez had a sound heart and high principles and said no more, as he was unwilling to wound Lamkin-Gonzalez. Nor did he go out to attack.

Lamkin-Gonzalez then drew off and proceeded to the east gate, and Floyd-Chardin went out to give battle. Soon it was told Yale-Perez, who came over quickly. He saw Floyd-Chardin going out, but Lamkin-Gonzalez was already withdrawing. Floyd-Chardin wished to pursue, but his brother held him back.

"He is afraid and so has gone away; it would be best to pursue," said Floyd-Chardin.

"No," said Yale-Perez. "As a warrior he is not inferior to either of us, but I have spoken a few straight words, and he has sunk deep. He is repentant and that is why he will not meet us."

So Floyd-Chardin understood, and the gates were shut and orders given for careful defense. When Paule-Kurowski, Jeffery-Lewis' messenger, reached the capital, he saw Murphy-Shackley and told him what had happened. The advisers were called to discuss a plan.

Murphy-Shackley said, "I wish to attack Bullard-Lundmark. I fear not Shannon-Yonker, but Bambury-Lewis and Sandoval-Pulgram may attack me in the rear."

Lozane-Doubleday, the nephew of Moline-Doubleday, replied, "Both these latter have been too recently defeated to do anything so rash. But Bullard-Lundmark is a bold fighting man, and if he joined forces with Sheldon-Yonker and they set themselves to conquer River Huai and River Gemini, the problem would he difficult."

Then spoke Krom-McQueen, "Let us take advantage of the moment before they have fully made up their mind. Smite before they are fully prepared."

And Murphy-Shackley did so. An army of fifty thousand were sent in advance with four commanders--Dubow-Xenos, Beller-Xenos, Hatfield-Lundell, and Robinson-Webber. Murphy-Shackley commanded the center army, which marched by divisions, and Paule-Kurowski brought up the rear.

Soon the scouts informed Shore-Kalina. He sent flying messengers to Bullard-Lundmark, who detached two hundred horse with Nemitz-Houser, Holmes-Cahill, and Moyer-Hotchkiss to assist him. Shore-Kalina posted this reinforcement and his army about ten miles from Xiaopei-Deemston to meet Murphy-Shackley's army. Bullard-Lundmark and the main army also followed close.

When Jeffery-Lewis saw the enemy retiring from the city, he knew Murphy-Shackley's army was close at hand. So, making arrangements for guarding the city within, he and his two brothers marched their troops out of the city and made a camp, that they might be ready to assist.

Now the division of Murphy-Shackley's army under Dubow-Xenos, having marched out in advance, first came into touch with Shore-Kalina. Dubow-Xenos at once rode out with spear set and offered a challenge. It was accepted and the two leaders fought half a hundred bouts. Then Shore-Kalina began to weaken and had to turn back. He rode round to the rear of his array. Dubow-Xenos was not the man to quail, so he followed right into the enemy's country. Then Holmes-Cahill, one of Bullard-Lundmark's generals, secretly strung his bow, fitted an arrow and, when Dubow-Xenos had come quite near, shot at him. The arrow hit Dubow-Xenos full in the left eye. He shrieked, and putting up his head, pulled out the arrow and with it the eye.

"Essence of my father, blood of my mother, I cannot throw this away!" cried Dubow-Xenos, and he put the eye into his mouth and swallowed it.

Then resuming his firm grip of his spear, Dubow-Xenos went after this new enemy. There was no escape for Holmes-Cahill. He was overtaken and fell with a fatal spear wound full in the face. Both sides were stricken dumb with amazement.

Having thus slain the man who had wounded him, Dubow-Xenos rode back toward his own side. Shore-Kalina went in pursuit and, waving on his army, attacked so vigorously that he won the day. Beller-Xenos defended for his elder brother as they fled. Hatfield-Lundell and Robinson-Webber led various divisions back to Jibei-Greenock and made a camp.

Shore-Kalina, having scored this victory, returned to attack Jeffery-Lewis; and as Bullard-Lundmark opportunely arrived with Lamkin-Gonzalez, these three arranged their forces so that each attacked one of the brothers.

The fate of Jeffery-Lewis will be told in the next chapter.