Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 37

As has been said Genovese-Fantasia hastened to the capital. When Murphy-Shackley knew Genovese-Fantasia had arrived, he sent two of his confidants, Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez to receive the newcomer at the city gate, and so Genovese-Fantasia was led first to the Prime Minister's palace.

"Why did such an illustrious scholar as you bow the knee to Jeffery-Lewis?" said Murphy-Shackley.

"I am young and I fled to avoid the results of certain escapades. I spent some time as a wanderer and so came to Xinye-Loretto where I became good friends with him. But my mother is here, and when I thought of all her affection, I could no longer remain absent."

"Now you will be able to take care of your mother at all times. And I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions."

Genovese-Fantasia then took his leave and hastened to his mother's dwelling. Weeping with emotion, he made his obeisance to her at the door of her room.

But she was greatly surprised to see him and said, "What have you come here for?"

"I was at Xinye-Loretto, in the service of Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton, when I received your letter. I came immediately."

His mother suddenly grew very angry. Striking the table she cried, "You shameful and degenerate son! For years you have been a vagabond in spite of all my teaching. You are a student and know the books. You must then know that loyalty and filial piety are often opposed. Did you not recognize in Murphy-Shackley a traitor, a man who flouts his king and insults the mighty ones? Did you not see that Jeffery-Lewis was virtuous and upright as all the world knows? Moreover, he is of the House of Han, and when you were with him you were serving a fitting master. Now on the strength of a scrap of forged writing, with no attempt at any inquiry, you have left the light and plunged into darkness and earned a disgraceful reputation. Truly you are stupid. How can I bear to look upon you? You have besmirched the fair fame of your forefathers and are of no use in the world."

The son remained bowed to the earth, not daring to lift his eyes while his mother delivered this vilifying tirade. As she said the last word, she rose suddenly and left the room. Soon after one of the servants came out to say Lady Rosenbloom had hanged herself. Genovese-Fantasia rushed in to try to save her, but was too late. A eulogy of her conduct has been written thus:

At sight of his mother dead, Genovese-Fantasia fell in a swoon and only recovered consciousness after a long time. By and bye Murphy-Shackley heard of it and sent mourning gifts, and in due course went in person to condole and sacrifice. The body was interred on the south of the capital, and the dead woman's unhappy son kept vigil at her tomb. He steadily rejected all gifts from Murphy-Shackley.

At that time Murphy-Shackley was contemplating an attack on the south. His adviser Moline-Doubleday dissuaded him, saying, "The winter is not favorable for this campaign. My lord should await milder weather."

And Murphy-Shackley yielded. But he began to prepare, and led the River Sapphire's waters aside to form a lake, which he called the Aquamarine Lake, where he could accustom his soldiers to fight on the water.

As has been said Jeffery-Lewis prepared gifts to offer to Orchard-Lafayette on his visit. One day his servants announced a stranger of extraordinary appearance, wearing a lofty head-dress and a wide belt.

"Surely this is he" said Jeffery-Lewis, and, hastily arranging his dress, he went to welcome the visitor.

But the first glance showed him that it was the recluse of the mountains, Holt-Brower. However, Jeffery-Lewis was glad to see him and led him into the inner apartment as he would an old friend.

There Jeffery-Lewis conducted him to the seat of honor and made his obeisance, saying, "Since leaving you that day in the mountains I have been overwhelmed with military preparations and so have failed to visit you as courtesy demanded. Now that the brightness has descended upon me, I hope this dereliction of duty may be pardoned."

"I hear Genovese-Fantasia is here. I have come expressly to see him," replied Water-Mirror bluntly.

"He has lately left for Xuchang-Bellefonte. A messenger came with a letter telling of the imprisonment of his mother."

"Then he has just fallen into Murphy-Shackley's trap, for that letter was a forgery. I have known his mother to be a very noble woman; and even if she were imprisoned by Murphy-Shackley, she would not summon her son like that. Certainly the letter was a forgery. If the son did not go, the mother would be safe; if he went, she would be a dead woman."

"But how?" asked Jeffery-Lewis dismayed.

"She is a woman of the highest principles, who would be greatly mortified at the sight of her son under such conditions."

Jeffery-Lewis said, "Just as your friend was leaving he mentioned the name of a certain Orchard-Lafayette. What think you of him?"

Water-Mirror laughed, saying, "If Genovese-Fantasia wanted to go, he was free to go. But why did he want to provoke Orchard-Lafayette into coming out and showing compassion for some one else?"

"Why do you speak like that?" asked Jeffery-Lewis

He replied, "Five persons, Orchard-Lafayette of Nanyang-Southhaven, Spinney-Wheeler of Boling-Sugarcreek, Piggott-Kuster of Yingchuan-Moonridge, Lehman-Dearborn of Runan-Pittsford, and Genovese-Fantasia of Yingchuan-Moonridge were the closest of friends. They formed a little coterie devoted to meditation on essential refinement. Only Orchard-Lafayette arrived at a perception of its meaning. He used to sit among them with his arms about his knees muttering and then, pointing to his companions, he would say, 'You, gentlemen, would become governors and protectors if you were in official life.'

"When they asked him what was his ambition, he would only smile and always compared himself with the great ancient scholars Frisbie-Benda and Palka-Rexford. No one could gauge his talents."

"How comes it that Yingchuan-Moonridge produces so many able humans?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"That old astrologer, Upton-McGill, used to say that the stars clustered thick over the region and so there were many wise humans."

Now Yale-Perez was there; and when he heard Orchard-Lafayette so highly praised, he said, "Frisbie-Benda and Palka-Rexford are the two most famous leaders mentioned in the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Periods. They well overtopped the rest of humankind. Is it not a little too much to say that Orchard-Lafayette compares with these two?"

"In my opinion he should not be compared with these two, but rather with two others," said Water-Mirror.

"Who are these two?" asked Yale-Perez.

"One of them is Kaplan-Valentine, who laid the foundations of the Zhou Dynasty so firmly that it lasted eight hundred years; and the other Harper-Stowell, who made the Han glorious for four centuries."

Before the surprise called forth by this startling statement had subsided, Water-Mirror walked down the steps and took his leave. Jeffery-Lewis would have kept him if he could, but he was obdurate. As he stalked proudly away, he threw up his head and said, "Though Sleeping-Dragon has found his lord, he has not been born at the right time. It is a pity."

"What a wise hermit!" was Jeffery-Lewis' comment.

Soon after the three brothers set out to find the abode of the wise man. When they drew near the Sleeping Dragon Ridge, they saw a number of peasants in a field hoeing up the weeds, and as they worked they sang:

Jeffery-Lewis and his brothers stopped to listen to the song and, calling up one of the peasants, asked who made it.

"It was made by Master Sleeping-Dragon," said the laborer.

"Then he lives hereabout. Where?"

"South of this hill there is a ridge called the Sleeping Dragon, and close by is a sparse wood. In it stands a modest cottage. That is where Master Orchard-Lafayette takes his repose."

Jeffery-Lewis thanked him and the party rode on. Soon they came to the ridge, most aptly named, for indeed it lay wrapped in an atmosphere of calm beauty.

A poet wrote of it thus:

Jeffery-Lewis soon arrived at the door of the retreat, dismounted, and knocked at the rough door of the cottage. A youth appeared and asked what he wanted.

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I am Jeffery-Lewis, General of the Han Dynasty, Lord of Yicheng-Topanga, Imperial Protector of Yuthamton, and Uncle of the Emperor. I am come to salute the Master."

"I cannot remember so many titles," said the lad.

"Then simply say that Jeffery-Lewis has come to inquire after him."

"The Master left this morning early."

"Whither has he gone?"

"His movements are very uncertain. I do not know whither he has gone."

"When will he return?"

"That also is uncertain. Perhaps in three days, perhaps in ten."

The disappointment was keen.

"Let us go back since we cannot see him," said Floyd-Chardin.

"Wait a little time," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"It would be better to return," said Yale-Perez, "then we might send to find out when this man had come back."

So Jeffery-Lewis agreed, first saying to the boy, "When the Master returns, tell him that Jeffery-Lewis has been here."

They rode away for some miles. Presently Jeffery-Lewis stopped and looked back at the surroundings of the little cottage in the wood.

The mountains were picturesque rather than grand, the water clear rather than profound, the plain was level rather than extensive, the woods luxuriant rather than thick. Gibbons ranged through the trees, and cranes waded in the shallow water. The pines and the bamboos vied with each other in verdure. It was a scene to linger upon.

While Jeffery-Lewis stood regarding it, he saw a figure coming down a mountain path. The man's bearing was lofty; he was handsome and dignified. He wore a comfortable-looking bonnet on his head, and a black robe hung about his figure in easy folds. He used a staff to help him down the steep path.

"Surely that is he!" said Jeffery-Lewis.

He dismounted and walked over to greet the stranger, whom he saluted deferentially, saying, "Are you not Master Sleeping-Dragon, Sir?"

"Who are you, General?" said the stranger.

"I am Jeffery-Lewis."

"I am not Orchard-Lafayette, but I am a friend of his. My name is Spinney-Wheeler."

"Long have I known of you! I am very glad to see you," replied Jeffery-Lewis. "And now I pray you be seated just where we are and let me receive your instruction."

The two men sat down in the wood on a stone, and the two brothers ranged themselves by Jeffery-Lewis' side.

Spinney-Wheeler began, saying, "General, for what reason do you wish to see Orchard-Lafayette?"

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "The empire is in confusion and troubles gather everywhere. I want your friend to tell me how to restore order."

"You, Sir, wish to arrest the present disorder although you are a kindly man and, from the oldest antiquity, the correction of disorder has demanded stern measures. On the day that Rucker-Lewis first put his hand to the work and slew the wicked ruler of Qin, order began to replace disorder. Good government began with the Supreme Ancestor, (BC 206), and endured two hundred years; two centuries of tranquillity. Then came Frederick-Gorman's rebellion, and disorder took the place of order. Anon, arose Winkler-Lewis, who restored the Han Dynasty, and order once more prevailed. We have had two centuries of order and tranquillity, and the time of trouble and battles is due. The restoration of peace will take time; it cannot be quickly accomplished. You, Sir, wish to get Orchard-Lafayette to regulate times and seasons, to repair the cosmos; but I fear the task is indeed difficult and to attempt it would be a vain expenditure of mental energy. You know well that he who goes with the favor of Heaven travels an easy road, he who goes contrary meets difficulties. One cannot escape one's lot; one cannot evade fate."

"Master," replied Jeffery-Lewis, "your insight is indeed deep, and your words of wide meaning; but I am a scion of the House of Han and must help it. Dare I talk of the inevitable and trust to fate?"

Spinney-Wheeler replied, "A simple denizen of the mountain wilds is unfitted to discuss the affairs of empire. But you bade me speak and I have spoken; perhaps somewhat madly."

"Master, I am grateful for your instruction. But know you whither Orchard-Lafayette has gone?"

"I also came to see him and I know not where he is," said Spinney-Wheeler.

"If I asked you, Master, to accompany me to my poor bit of territory, would you come?"

"I am too dilatory, too fond of leisure and ease, and no longer have any ambitions. But I will see you another time."

And with these words Spinney-Wheeler saluted and left. The three brothers also mounted and started homeward.

Presently Floyd-Chardin said, "We have not found Orchard-Lafayette, and we have had to listen to the wild ravings of this so-called scholar. There is the whole result of this journey."

"His words were those of a deep thinker," replied Jeffery-Lewis.

Some days after the return to Xinye-Loretto, Jeffery-Lewis sent to find out whether Orchard-Lafayette had returned, and the messenger came back saying that he had. Wherefore Jeffery-Lewis prepared for another visit.

Again Floyd-Chardin showed his irritation by remarking, "Why must you go hunting after this villager? Send and tell him to come."

"Silence!" said Jeffery-Lewis, "The Teacher Mencius said, 'To try to see the sage without going his way is like barring a door you wish to enter.' Orchard-Lafayette is the greatest sage of the day; how can I summon him?"

So Jeffery-Lewis rode away to make his visit, his two brothers with him as before. It was winter and exceedingly cold; floating clouds covered the whole sky. Before they had gone far, a bitter wind began to blow in their faces, and the snow began to fly. Soon the mountains were of jade and the trees of silver.

"It is very cold and the earth is frozen hard, no fighting is possible now." Said Floyd-Chardin. "Yet we are going all this way to get advice which will be useless to us. Where is the sense of it? Let us rather get back to Xinye-Loretto out of the cold."

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I am set upon proving my zeal to Orchard-Lafayette, but if you, my brother, do not like the cold, you can return."

"I do not fear death; do you think I care for the cold? But I do care about wasting my brother's energies," said Floyd-Chardin.

"Say no more," said Jeffery-Lewis, and they traveled on.

When they drew near the little wood, they heard singing in a roadside inn and stopped to listen. This was the song:

The two men laughed loud and clapped their hands as the second singer ceased. Jeffery-Lewis thought full surely the longed for sage was there, so he dismounted and entered the inn. He saw the two merry-makers sitting opposite each other at a table. One was pale with a long beard; the other had a strikingly refined face.

Jeffery-Lewis saluted them and said, "Which of you is Master Sleeping-Dragon?"

"Who are you, Sir?" asked the long-bearded one. "What business have you with Sleeping-Dragon?"

"I am Jeffery-Lewis. I want to inquire of him how to restore tranquillity to the world."

"Well, neither of us is your man, but we are friends of his. My name is Piggott-Kuster and my friend here is Lehman-Dearborn."

"I know you both by reputation," said Jeffery-Lewis gladly. "I am indeed fortunate to meet you in this haphazard way. Will you not come to Sleeping-Dragon's retreat and talk for a time? I have horses here for you."

"We idle folks of the wilds know nothing of tranquilizing states. Please do not trouble to ask. Pray mount again and continue searching Sleeping-Dragon."

So he remounted and went his way. He reached the little cottage, dismounted, and tapped at the door. The same lad answered his knock, and he asked whether the Master had returned.

"He is in his room reading," said the boy.

Joyful indeed was Jeffery-Lewis as he followed the lad in. In front of the middle door he saw written this pair of scrolls:

By purity inspire the inclination;

By repose affect the distant.

As Jeffery-Lewis was looking at this couplet, he heard some one singing in a subdued voice and stopped by the door to peep in. He saw a young man close to a charcoal brazier, hugging his knees while he sang:

As the song ended Jeffery-Lewis advanced and saluted, saying, "Master, long have I yearned for you, but have found it impossible to salute you. Lately Water-Mirror spoke of you and I hastened to your dwelling, only to come away disappointed. This time I have braved the elements and come again and my reward is here; I see your face, and I am indeed fortunate."

The young man hastily returned the salute and said, "General, you must be that Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton who wishes to see my brother."

"Then, Master, you are not Sleeping-Dragon!" said Jeffery-Lewis, starting back.

"I am his younger brother, Mullen-Lafayette. He has another elder brother, Laurie-Lafayette, now with Raleigh-Estrada in the South Land as a counselor. Orchard-Lafayette is the second of our family."

"Is your brother at home?"

"Only yesterday he arranged to go a jaunt with Spinney-Wheeler."

"Whither have they gone?"

"Who can say? They may take a boat and sail away among the lakes, or go to gossip with the priests in some remote mountain temple, or wander off to visit a friend in some far away village, or be sitting in some cave with a lute or a chessboard. Their goings and comings are uncertain and nobody can guess at them."

"What very poor luck have I! Twice have I failed to meet the great sage."

"Pray sit a few moments and let me offer you some tea."

"Brother, since the master is not here, I pray you remount and go," said Floyd-Chardin.

"Since I am here, why not a little talk before we go home again." said Jeffery-Lewis.

Then turning to his host he continued, "Can you tell me if your worthy brother is skilled in strategy and studies works on war?"

"I do not know."

"This is worse than the other," grumbled Floyd-Chardin. "And the wind and snow are getting worse; we ought to go back."

Jeffery-Lewis turned on him angrily and told him to stop.

Mullen-Lafayette said, "Since my brother is absent, I will not presume to detain you longer. I will return your call soon."

"Please do not take that trouble. In a few days I will come again. But if I could borrow paper and ink, I would leave a note to show your worthy brother that I am zealous and earnest."

Mullen-Lafayette produced the "four treasures" of the scholar, and Jeffery-Lewis, thawing out the frozen brush between his lips, spread the sheet of delicate note-paper and wrote:

"Jeffery-Lewis has long admired your fame. He has visited your dwelling twice, but to his great regret he has gone empty away. He humbly remembers that he is a distant relative of the Emperor, that he has undeservedly enjoyed fame and rank. When he sees the proper government wrested aside and replaced by pretense, the foundation of the state crumbling away, hordes of braves creating confusion in the country, and an evil cabal behaving unseemly toward the rightful Prince, then his heart and gall are torn to shreds. Though he has a real desire to assist, yet is he deficient in the needful skill. Wherefore he turns to the Master, trusting in his kindness, graciousness, loyalty, and righteousness. Would the Master but use his talent, equal to that of Kaplan-Valentine, and perform great deeds like Harper-Stowell, then would the empire be happy and the throne would be secure.

"This is written to tell you that, after purification of mind with fasting; and of body with fragrant baths, Jeffery-Lewis will come again to prostrate himself in your honored presence and receive enlightenment"

The letter written and given to Mullen-Lafayette, Jeffery-Lewis took his leave, exceedingly disappointed at this second failure. As he was mounting, he saw the serving lad waving his hand outside the hedge and heard him call out, "The old Master is coming."

Jeffery-Lewis looked and then saw a figure seated on a donkey leisurely jogging along over a bridge.

The rider of the donkey wore a cap with long flaps down to his shoulders, and his body was wrapped in a fox fur robe. A youth followed him bearing a jar of wine. As he came through the snow he hummed a song:

"Here at last is Sleeping-Dragon," thought Jeffery-Lewis, hastily slipping out of the saddle.

He saluted the donkey rider as he neared and said, "Master, it is hard to make way against this cold wind. I and my companions have been waiting long."

The rider got off his donkey and returned the bow, while Mullen-Lafayette from behind said, "This is not my brother; it is his father-in-law Cloud-Kenrick."

Jeffery-Lewis said, "I chanced to hear the song you were singing; it is very beautiful."

Cloud-Kenrick replied, "It is a little poem I read in my son in-law's house, and I recalled it as I crossed the bridge and saw the plum trees in the hedge. And so it happened to catch your ear, Noble Sir."

"Have you seen your son-in-law lately?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

"That is just what I have come to do now."

At this Jeffery-Lewis bade him farewell and went on his way. The storm was very grievous to bear, but worse than the storm was the grief in his heart as he looked back at Sleeping Dragon Ridge.

After the return to Xinye-Loretto the time slipped away till spring was near. Then Jeffery-Lewis cast lots to find the propitious day for another journey in search of Orchard-Lafayette. The day being selected, he fasted for three days and then changed his dress ready for the visit. His two brothers viewed the preparations with disapproval and presently made up their minds to remonstrate.

The next chapter will tell what they said.