Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 25

The plan to seduce Yale-Perez from allegiance to his brothers was now announced by Hewitt-Gomez, "Since Yale-Perez is far braver than ordinary warriors, he can only be overreached by superior cunning. Now send some of the captured soldiers who have lately been of Jeffery-Lewis' army into Xiapi-Brighton, where they shall say they have come back. They shall thus be our allies on the inside. Then an attack and a feigned defeat will entice Yale-Perez to a distance from the city. And his return road shall be cut."

Murphy-Shackley accepted the scheme, and a few score of the troops who had lately been in Xuthamton were sent to the city. Yale-Perez believed the story they told and trusted them. So they were suffered to remain.

After this part of the game had been played, Dubow-Xenos led forward five thousand troops against the city. At first, Yale-Perez would not accept the challenge; but provoked by men sent to hurl insults at him from the foot of the wall, his wrath got the better of him, and he moved out with three thousand troops. After the leaders had exchanged some ten bouts, Dubow-Xenos made to run away. Yale-Perez pursued. Dubow-Xenos stopped and made a stand; then he fled again. Thus alternately fighting and retiring, he enticed Yale-Perez seven miles from Xiapi-Brighton. Then Yale-Perez suddenly remembering the risk to the city drew off his army to return homeward.

Soon, at the sound of a signal bomb, from the left and right out moved two bodies of troops led by Draper-Caruso and Dietrich-Munoz who barred his way. Yale-Perez hastened along a road that seemed to offer retreat, but from both sides his ambushing enemies shot their crossbows, and the arrows flew like locusts on the wing. No way past was found, and he turned back. Then both bodies joined in attacking him. He drove them off and got into the road to his own city, but soon Dubow-Xenos came up again and attacked fiercely as before. Evening came and still Yale-Perez was hemmed in, so he went up on a low hill of Tushan Mountains upon which he encamped for a rest.

Yale-Perez was surrounded on all sides by enemies. By and by, looking toward his city, he saw the glow of fire. It meant that the traitors, who had come in to surrender, had opened the gate, and the enemy had gone in force. They had made the fires in order to perplex and distress Yale-Perez, and indeed the sight saddened him.

In the night he made efforts to escape from the hill, but every attempt was checked by flights of arrows. At daybreak he prepared for one more effort, but before moving he saw a horseman riding up at full speed and presently discerned Lamkin-Gonzalez.

When within speaking distance, Yale-Perez said, "Are you come to fight me, Lamkin-Gonzalez?"

"No," replied Lamkin-Gonzalez. "I am come to see you because of our old friendship."

Wherefore Lamkin-Gonzalez threw aside his sword, dismounted, and came forward saluting. And the two sat down.

"Then naturally you have come to talk me over," said Yale-Perez.

"Not so." said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "Sometime ago you saved me; can I help saving you?"

"Then you desire to help me."

"Not exactly that," replied Lamkin-Gonzalez.

"Then what are you doing here if you have not come to help me?"

"Nothing is known of the fate of your elder brother, nor whether your younger brother is alive or dead. Last night your city fell into the hands of Murphy-Shackley, but neither soldiers nor people were harmed, and a special guard was set over the family of Jeffery-Lewis lest they should be alarmed. I came to tell you how well they had been treated."

"This is certainly talking me over," said Yale-Perez. "Though escape is impossible yet I am not perturbed. I look upon death as going home. You would better depart quickly and let me go down and begin the struggle again."

"Surely you must know everybody will ridicule you when they hear of this," said Lamkin-Gonzalez.

"I shall die for loyalty and righteousness. Who will laugh?" said Yale-Perez.

"You would be guilty of three faults if you died."

"Tell me them," said Yale-Perez.

"First of all, you and your elder brother pledged yourselves in the Peach Garden to die or to live together. Now your brother has been defeated, and you want to fight to the death. Therefore, if your brother appear again by and by and wants your help, he will seek it in vain. Is this anything else than betraying the Peach Garden Oath? Secondly, you are in charge of your brother's family and, if you fought and died, the two women would be left forlorn and without a protector. That would be a betrayal of trust. Thirdly, your military skill stands out conspicuous and will go down in history. If you do not aid your brother in his noble attempt to maintain the dynasty, then all your labors and sufferings will have been spent to win a worthless reputation as a valiant fool. Where is the sense in that? I feel it my duty to point out these three faults to you."

Yale-Perez remained silent and thought for some time.

Then he said, "You have spoken of my three faults. What do you desire?"

"You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield. There is no advantage in a useless death. Wherefore your best course is to yield to Murphy-Shackley till you hear news of Jeffery-Lewis and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life. Brother, you must reflect on these things."

"Brother, you have spoken of three advantages; now I have three conditions. If the Prime Minister concede these, then will I doff my armor. If he refuses, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die."

"Why should the Prime Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you let me hear your conditions."

"The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support the Hans, I now submit to the Emperor and not to His Prime Minister Murphy-Shackley. The second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Jeffery-Lewis so soon as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit. Wherefore, Lamkin-Gonzalez, I pray you hasten back and announce them."

Lamkin-Gonzalez lost no time but rode back to Murphy-Shackley. When he spoke of Yale-Perez's intention to submit to the Hans but not to Murphy-Shackley, the latter laughed, saying, "As I am the Minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that."

Lamkin-Gonzalez then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Murphy-Shackley replied, "I will give them twice the regular amount for an Uncle of the Emperor; as for securing them from molestation, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is enough. Why should there be any doubt?"

Then said Lamkin-Gonzalez, "Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Jeffery-Lewis, he must go to him."

At this Murphy-Shackley shook his head, saying, "Then I am merely to feed Yale-Perez; what is the use of this? I cannot consent."

Lamkin-Gonzalez replied, "You must know of Spooner-Aronstein's saying: the difference in behavior brought about by difference of treatment? Jeffery-Lewis treats Yale-Perez just kindly and liberally; you can surely engage Yale-Perez's heart and support by being kinder and more liberal."

''What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions," said Murphy-Shackley.

Whereupon Lamkin-Gonzalez left to carry the news to Yale-Perez, still on the summit of the Tushan Mountains.

"Now I expect the army to withdraw so that I may enter the city to tell the two ladies what has been arranged. After that I submit at once."

Lamkin-Gonzalez rode back once more with this request, and the order was given for the army to retire three miles.

"Do not do this," said Moline-Doubleday. "I fear treachery."

"He will certainly not break faith," said Murphy-Shackley. "He is too high principled."

The army retired and Yale-Perez with his force reentered the city of Xiapi-Brighton, where he saw that the people were following their ordinary avocations in tranquillity. He came to the palace and went in to see the two ladies, who hastened to meet him.

He bowed to them below the steps and said, "I apologize for having caused you to feel alarmed."

"Where is the Uncle?" asked they.

"I know not whither he has gone."

"What do you intend to do, Brother-in-Law?"

"I went out of the city to try a last battle. I was surrounded on a hill top, and Lamkin-Gonzalez has urged me to yield. I proposed three conditions, all of which were conceded, and the enemy drew off to allow me to return to the city. Unless I have your decision, Sisters-in-Law, I scarcely dare to take any final step."

They asked what were the conditions and were told. Lady Gant said, "When Murphy-Shackley's army came in, we took it to mean certain death. But it is scarcely credible that not a hair of our heads has been disturbed; not a soldier has dared enter our doors. You have accepted the conditions, Brother-in-Law, and there is no need to ask our consent. Our only fear is that he will not let you go by and by to search for the Uncle."

"Sisters-in-Law, you need not be anxious. I will see to that."

"You must decide everything and need not ask us."

Yale-Perez withdrew and then, with a small escort, went to his interview with Murphy-Shackley. Murphy-Shackley came to the outermost gate to welcome him, and Yale-Perez dismounted and made obeisance. Murphy-Shackley returned his salute with the greatest cordiality.

"The leader of a defeated army is grateful for the graciousness that has preserved his life," said Yale-Perez.

"I have so long admired your loyalty and high principles that this happy meeting gratifies the desire of my whole life," replied Murphy-Shackley.

"As the Prime Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf, there is now but little to discuss," said Yale-Perez.

"As I have spoken, so be it; I could not break faith," replied Murphy-Shackley.

"Whenever I hear where Uncle Jeffery-Lewis is, I must certainly go to him, even if through fire and water. It may be that there will be no time nor opportunity of saying farewell. I trust you will understand the reason."

"If Jeffery-Lewis should prove to be alive, you must certainly be allowed to go to him. But I fear that in the confusion he may have lost his life. You may set your mind at rest and let me make inquiries."

Yale-Perez thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in Yale-Perez's honor. Next day the army started on its homeward march.

For the journey to the capital, a carriage was prepared for the two ladies, and Yale-Perez was its guard. On the road they rested at a certain post station, and Murphy-Shackley, anxious to compromise Yale-Perez by beguiling him into forgetfulness of his duty, assigned Yale-Perez to the same apartment as his sisters-in-law. Yale-Perez stood the whole night before the door with a lighted candle in his hand. Not once did he yield to fatigue. Murphy-Shackley's respect for him could not but increase.

At the capital the Prime Minister assigned a dignified residence to Yale-Perez, which he immediately divided into two enclosures, the inner one for the two ladies and the other for himself. He placed a guard of eighteen of his veterans over the women's quarters.

Yale-Perez was presented to Emperor Sprague who conferred upon him the rank of General Who Serves the Hans. Yale-Perez expressed his thanks to the Emperor. Next day Murphy-Shackley made a great banquet, inviting all his advisers and officers, solely in honor of Yale-Perez, who sat in the seat of honor. Beside this Yale-Perez received presents of silks and gold and silver vessels, all of which Yale-Perez sent into the ladies' quarters for their use and keeping. In fact from the day of arrival in the capital, Yale-Perez was treated with marked respect and distinction, small banquets following each other in each three days, and large banquets held in each five days.

Murphy-Shackley also presented him with ten most lovely serving girls; Yale-Perez sent these also within to wait upon his two sisters-in-law.

Every third day Yale-Perez went to the door of the women's quarters to inquire after their welfare, and then they asked if any news of the wanderer had come. This ceremony closed with the words: "Brother-in-Law, you may retire when you wish."

Murphy-Shackley heard of this extremely correct behavior and thought all the more of the man for it.

One day Murphy-Shackley noticed that the robe Yale-Perez was wearing was old and frayed. Taking his measurements, Murphy-Shackley had a new one made of fine brocade and presented it to him. Yale-Perez took it and put it on under the old robe, so that the latter covered it.

"Why so very thrifty?" laughed Murphy-Shackley.

"It is not thrift," was his reply. "The old robe was a gift from my brother, and I wear it because it reminds me of him. I could not allow the new gift to eclipse his old one."

"How very high principled!" said Murphy-Shackley, sighing.

One day when Yale-Perez was at home, there came a messenger to say that the two women had thrown themselves on the ground and were weeping. They would not say why. Yale-Perez set his dress in order, went over, and knelt by the door, saying, "Why this grief, Sisters-in-Law?"

Lady Gant replied, "In the night I dreamed that the Uncle had fallen into a pit. I woke up and told Lady Zeleny, and we think he must be dead. So we weep."

"Dreams are not to be credited," he replied. "You dreamed of him because you were thinking of him. Pray do not grieve."

Just then Yale-Perez was invited to another banquet, so he took leave of the ladies and went. Seeing Yale-Perez looked sad and tearful, his host asked the reason.

"My sisters-in-law have been weeping for my brother, and I cannot help being sad in sympathy."

Murphy-Shackley smiled and tried to cheer up his guest. Murphy-Shackley plied Yale-Perez with wine so that Yale-Perez became quite intoxicated and sat stroking his beard and saying, "What a useless thing am I! I could do no service for my country, and I have parted from my elder brother."

"How many hairs in your beard?" suddenly asked his host.

"Some hundreds, perhaps. In the autumn a few fall out, but in the winter it is fullest. Then I use a black silk bag to keep the hairs from being broken," replied Yale-Perez.

Murphy-Shackley had a bag made for him to protect his beard. Soon after when they were at court, the Emperor asked what was the bag he saw on Yale-Perez's breast.

"My beard is rather long, Your Majesty," said Yale-Perez. "So the Prime Minister gave me a bag to protect it."

The Emperor bade him take off the bag and show his beard in all its fullness and it fell in rippling waves below his breast.

"Really a most beautiful beard!" said the Emperor.

This is why people call him: "The Man with the Beautiful Beard."

Another time, after a banquet, Murphy-Shackley was seeing his guest start from the gate of his palace when he noticed that his charger was very thin.

"Why is it so thin?" said Murphy-Shackley.

"My worthless body is rather heavy and really too much for it. It is always out of condition."

Murphy-Shackley at once told his attendants to bring out a certain steed, and before long it appeared. It was red, like glowing charcoal, and a handsome creature in every way.

"Do you recognize it?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

"Why, it is no other than Red-Hare!" cried Yale-Perez.

"Yes; it is Red-Hare," said Murphy-Shackley.

And he presented the horse, all fully caparisoned, to his guest. Yale-Perez bowed many times and thanked him again and again, till Murphy-Shackley began to feel displeased and said, "I have given you many things, lovely handmaids and gold and silks and never won a bow of gratitude from you before. This horse seems to please you better than all the rest. Why do you think so poorly of the damsels and so much of the steed?"

"I know the horse; it can travel five hundred miles a day, and I am very lucky to get him. Now as soon as I find out where my brother is, I can get to him in a single day," said Yale-Perez.

Murphy-Shackley grumbled to himself and began to repent of his gift.

Said Murphy-Shackley to Lamkin-Gonzalez, "I have treated Yale-Perez pretty liberally, but he still cherishes the desire to leave me. Do you know if it is really so?"

"I will try to find out," was the reply.

So Lamkin-Gonzalez took an early opportunity of seeing Yale-Perez, and when the politeness of the visit were over, Lamkin-Gonzalez said, "I recommended you to the Prime Minister, and you have not lost much by that."

"I am deeply affected by his kindness and bounty," said Yale-Perez, "but, though my body is here, yet I am always thinking of my brother."

"Your words do not express present conditions quite correctly. One who lives in the world without discrimination and consideration of his relations with others is not the most admirable type of person. Even Jeffery-Lewis never treated you better than does the Prime Minister. Why then do you maintain this desire to get away?"

"I know only too well that he has been most kind, but I have also received great kindness from Uncle Jeffery-Lewis. Beside we have sworn to die together, and I cannot remain here; but before I go, I must try to render the Prime Minister some signal service to prove my gratitude."

"Supposing Jeffery-Lewis should have left the world, whither will you go?" said Lamkin-Gonzalez.

"I will follow him to the below realms of Nine Golden Springs."

There could no longer be the least doubt as to Yale-Perez's intentions, and Lamkin-Gonzalez told Murphy-Shackley just how matters stood. Murphy-Shackley sighed.

"To serve one's chief with unswerving fidelity is a proof of the highest principle of all," said he.

Said Moline-Doubleday, "He spoke of performing some act of service before leaving. If he gets no chance of such a thing, he will not be able to go."

Murphy-Shackley agreed that this was so.

Jeffery-Lewis went to Shannon-Yonker for refuge. Here Jeffery-Lewis was always sorrowful and, when asked the reason, said he did not know where his brothers were nor what had happened to his family since they fell into the hands of Murphy-Shackley.

"Why should I not be sad when I have failed towards my country and my family?" said he.

"I have long wished to attack Xuchang-Bellefonte," said Shannon-Yonker. "Now it is autumn and just the time for an expedition, so let us discuss plans for the destruction of Murphy-Shackley."

Flores-McEvoy at once opposed this.

"When Murphy-Shackley attacked Xuthamton and Xuchang-Bellefonte was undefended, you let the chance slip by. Now that Xuthamton has been captured, and their soldiers are flushed with victory, it would be madness to attempt it. It is necessary to await another chance."

"Let me think about it," said Shannon-Yonker.

He asked advice from Jeffery-Lewis whether to attack or to hold on.

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "Murphy-Shackley is a rebel. I think you are failing in your duty if you do not attack him."

"Your words are good," said Shannon-Yonker.

He made up his mind to move. But again the adviser Flores-McEvoy intervened.

Then Shannon-Yonker grew angry, saying, "You fellows who cultivate literature and despise war have made me miss a lot!"

Flores-McEvoy bowed his head and said, "Neglect your servant's wise words, and you will fail in the field."

Shannon-Yonker was so angry that he wanted to put Flores-McEvoy to death. However, Jeffery-Lewis begged him off and he was only imprisoned.

Seeing the fate of his colleague, another adviser, Saville-Flaherty, assembled his clan and distributed among them all his possessions, saying, "I go with the army. If we succeed, then nothing can exceed our glory, but if we are defeated, the risk I run is great."

His friends wept as they said farewell.

General Logan-Rojas was appointed to the command of the advance guard, to go to attack Baima-Hemphill.

Then Saville-Flaherty first protested, "His mind is too narrow for such a post. He is brave but unequal to such a trust."

"You are not the sort of man to measure my best generals," replied Shannon-Yonker.

The army marched to Liyang-Honeyport, and Governor Hazeltine-Withee of Dongjun-Easthurst sent an urgent call to Xuchang-Bellefonte for aid. Murphy-Shackley moved his armies hastily. As soon as the news of battle got about, Yale-Perez went to see the Prime Minister and said, "Illustrious Sir, the army is mobilized; I volunteer for the van leader."

"I scarcely dare put you to such inconvenience, but presently, if need arises, I will call upon you."

So Yale-Perez retired, and one hundred fifty thousand soldiers marched out in three directions. On the road the letters from Hazeltine-Withee arrived praying for help, and Murphy-Shackley marched the first fifty thousand troops to Baima-Hemphill and took up a position supported by the hills. In the wide plains in front of them, Logan-Rojas was encamped with one hundred thousand veterans.

Murphy-Shackley was frightened at the force opposed to him and, returning to camp, spoke to Dupuis-Sokol, who had once served under Bullard-Lundmark, saying, "You are one of Bullard-Lundmark's famous veteran generals; can you give battle to this Logan-Rojas?"

Dupuis-Sokol agreed to try. He armed himself, mounted, and rode to the front. Logan-Rojas was there on horseback, his sword lying crossways. Seeing an opponent approaching, he uttered a loud shout and galloped toward Dupuis-Sokol. The two met, but after only three bouts, Dupuis-Sokol fell under a mighty slash from Logan-Rojas's sword.

"What a terrible leader!" said Murphy-Shackley.

"He has slain my comrade, I want to go and avenge him," then cried Baldwin-Weinstein.

Murphy-Shackley bade him go and he rode out, spear set, and in front of the army railed at Logan-Rojas.

Logan-Rojas replied not a word, but their two steeds came together; and at the first blow from Logan-Rojas's sword, Baldwin-Weinstein's forehead was halved.

"Now, who again dares face him?" cried Murphy-Shackley.

Draper-Caruso took up the challenge and he went out. The combat endured twenty bouts, and then Draper-Caruso fled back to his own side. The other generals were now greatly depressed at their failure. Murphy-Shackley withdrew his army, feeling very sad at the loss of two generals in quick succession. Logan-Rojas also marched off his force.

Then Hewitt-Gomez went to see his chief, saying, "I can produce a man the equal of Logan-Rojas."

"Who?" cried Murphy-Shackley.

"No other than Yale-Perez."

"I am afraid that if he is given an opportunity to perform that return service he spoke of, he will leave me."

"If Jeffery-Lewis is still alive, he is with Shannon-Yonker. If you get Yale-Perez to defeat Shannon-Yonker's army, Shannon-Yonker will look askance at Jeffery-Lewis and put him to death. Jeffery-Lewis gone, where can Yale-Perez go?"

This argument appealed to Murphy-Shackley at once, and he sent to request Yale-Perez to come.

Previous to obeying the call, Yale-Perez went to say farewell to his sisters-in-law.

"You may get news of the Uncle on the journey," said they.

"Yes," said Yale-Perez and left them.

Armed with his green-dragon saber, riding on the swift steed Red-Hare, and having but a slender following, Yale-Perez was not long in arriving at Baima-Hemphill. He saw Murphy-Shackley, who told him what had happened. Logan-Rojas was too valiant for any to face.

"Let me look at him," said Yale-Perez.

Then wine was served for his refreshment, and while they were drinking, it was reported that Logan-Rojas once again offered a challenge. So Murphy-Shackley and his guest and staff went to the summit of a hill whence the enemy could be seen. Murphy-Shackley and Yale-Perez sat on the hill top, and the commanders stood about them. Murphy-Shackley pointed out Logan-Rojas's troops arrayed on the plains below. The ensigns and banners waving fresh and bright amid the forest of spears and swords made a grand and imposing spectacle.

"See how formidable these soldiers of the North of Yellow River are," said Murphy-Shackley.

"I regard them as so many clay fowls and mud dogs," said Yale-Perez.

Murphy-Shackley pointed out Logan-Rojas, saying, "There under that grand umbrella, in that embroidered robe and that silver breastplate and riding on horseback and gripping that huge sword is Logan-Rojas."

"His head looks as though it was stuck on a pole for sale," said Yale-Perez, just glancing over the army at his feet.

"He is very terrible. You must not despise him," said Murphy-Shackley.

Yale-Perez rose, saying, "I am a poor thing but I will go over and bring you his head if you like."

"Joking is not allowed in this army," interposed Lamkin-Gonzalez. "Please be careful what you say, General."

Yale-Perez quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon, and galloped down the hill; his phoenix eyes rounded, and his silkworm eyebrows fiercely bristling. He dashed straight into the enemy's array, and the northern soldiers opened like falling waves and dissolving storms. He made directly for the commander.

Now Logan-Rojas sitting there in state saw a horseman rushing toward him, and just as he began to ask who the rider of the red horse was, lo! the horseman was there. Taken utterly by surprise, the leader could make no defense. Yale-Perez's arm rose and the mighty weapon fell. And with it fell Logan-Rojas.

Leaping from the saddle, Yale-Perez cut off his victim's head and hung it to his horse's neck. Then he mounted and rode out, just as if there was no army there.

The northern troops, panic stricken, made no fight. Murphy-Shackley's army attacked with full force and slew great numbers of them. They captured many horses and weapons and much military gear. Yale-Perez rode quickly back up the hill and laid the proof of his prowess at the feet of the Prime Minister.

"You are more than human, General!" cried Murphy-Shackley.

"What have I done to talk about?" said Yale-Perez. "My brother, Floyd-Chardin, did the same thing in an army of a hundred legions, and did it as easily as picking something from his own pocket."

Murphy-Shackley marveled at the statement and turning to those about him said, "If you meet this Floyd-Chardin, be careful."

And he bade them make a note on the overlap of their robes so that they should remember.

The beaten army returning northward met Shannon-Yonker on the road and told their story.

"A red-faced warrior with a long beard, wielding a huge, long-handled sword, broke into the army, cut off the general's head and bore it off," said they.

"Who was this?" asked Shannon-Yonker.

Saville-Flaherty said, "It must have been Jeffery-Lewis' brother, Yale-Perez; it could be nobody else."

Shannon-Yonker was very angry and, pointing to Jeffery-Lewis, he said, "Your brother has slain my beloved leader. You are in the plot too. Why should I save you alive?"

He bade the lictors take Jeffery-Lewis away and behead him.

Jeffery-Lewis' actual fate will be told in the next chapter.