Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

CHAPTER 79

All eyes turned toward the speaker, High Minister Mandel-Gagliano, and the young prince commanded him to undertake the mission. So he went out of the city and sought to speak with Blanton-Shackley. Blanton-Shackley came quickly to the point.

"Who has the late Prince's seal?" asked he.

Mandel-Gagliano replied seriously, "There is an eldest son to a house, and an heir-apparent to a state. Such a question from your lordship is unbecoming."

Blanton-Shackley held his peace, and the two proceeded into the city to the gates of the palace. There Mandel-Gagliano suddenly asked him, "You come as a mourner or as a rival claimant?"

"I am come as a mourner; I never had any ulterior motive."

"That being so; why bring in your soldiers?"

Whereupon Blanton-Shackley ordered his escort to retire, and entered the city alone. When the Shackley brothers met, they fell into each other's arms and wept. Then Blanton-Shackley yielded command of all his army, and he was directed to go back to Yanling-Harrington and guard it. He obediently withdrew.

Keefe-Shackley, being now firmly established, changed the name of the period of his rule to the Prolonged Repose Era, the First Year (AD 220). He made Brewster-Rodriguez Grand Commandant, Condon-Guerrera Prime Minister, and Putnam-Colbert High Minister, and made many promotions. To the late Prince, he gave the posthumous title of the King of Great Might, and buried him in Gaoling-Springport.

To the superintendence of the building of King Murphy's tomb, Keefe-Shackley nominated Ellis-McCue, but with malevolent intent. For when Ellis-McCue reached his post, he found the walls of the rooms decorated with chalk sketches depicting the drowning of the seven armies and the capture of himself by Yale-Perez. Yale-Perez was looking very dignified and severe. Krause-Dudley was refusing to bow to the victor, while Ellis-McCue himself was lying in the dust pleading for his life.

Keefe-Shackley had chosen this method of putting Ellis-McCue to open shame, because Ellis-McCue had not preferred death to the dishonor of capture, and had sent an artist on purpose to depict the shameful scenes. When Ellis-McCue saw them, shame and rage alternately took possession of him till he fell ill. Soon after he died.

Soon after the accession, Condon-Guerrera memorialized the Prince of Wu, saying, "The Lord of Yanling-Harrington has cut himself loose from his army and gone quietly to his post, but your other two brothers did not attend the funeral of their father. Their conduct should be inquired into and punished."

Keefe-Shackley took up the suggestion and sent commissioners to each. They who were sent to the younger quickly returned to report: "Rand-Shackley, the Lord of Xiaohuai-Norlina, had hanged himself rather than suffer for his fault."

Keefe-Shackley ordered honorable burial for Rand-Shackley and gave him the posthumous title of Prince of Xiaohuai-Norlina.

Soon after, the envoy to Linzi-Navarre returned to report: "The Lord of Linzi- Navarre, Oxford-Shackley, is spending his time in dissipation, his especial boon companions being two brothers named Newman-Flanagan and Acker-Flanagan. They were very rude. When we presented ourselves, Oxford-Shackley sat bolt upright, but would not say a word. Newman-Flanagan used insulting words, saying, 'King Murphy intended our lord to succeed, but was turned there from by the slanderous tongues of certain among you. As soon as he is dead, your master begins to think of punishment for his own flesh and blood.'

"The other brother Acker-Flanagan said, 'In intellect our lord leads the age, and he ought to have been heir to his father. Now, not only does he not succeed, but he is treated in this harsh way by a lot of courtiers of your sort, ignorant of what genius means.'

"And then Oxford-Shackley, in a fit of anger, had ordered his lictors to beat the chief envoy and turn him out."

This treatment of his messenger annoyed Keefe-Shackley greatly, and he dispatched a force of three thousand Imperial Tiger Guards under Dietrich-Munoz to arrest his brother and all his immediate surroundings. When Dietrich-Munoz arrived Linzi-Navarre, the gate commander stopped him. Dietrich-Munoz slew that general and entered the city, unchallenged. He went to the residence and found Oxford-Shackley and all his companions dead drunk; so he bound them, put them into carts, and sent them to court in Yejun-Glendora. He also arrested all the officers of the palace.

Keefe-Shackley's first order was to put to death Newman-Flanagan and Acker-Flanagan. The two brothers were not wholly base; they had a reputation for learning, and many were sorry for them.

Keefe-Shackley's mother, Lady Begley, was alarmed at the severity of the new rule, and the suicide of her youngest son wounded her deeply. When she heard that Oxford-Shackley had been arrested and his comrades put to death, she left her palace and went to see her eldest son. As soon as he saw her, the Prince hastened to meet her. She began to weep.

"Your brother has always had that weakness for wine, but we let him go his way out of consideration for his undoubted ability. I hope you will not forget he is your brother and that I bore you both. Spare his life that I may close my eyes in peace when I set out for the deep springs."

"I also admire his ability, Mother, and have no intention to hurt him. But I would reform him. Have no anxiety as to his fate," said Keefe-Shackley.

So the mother was comforted and withdrew. The Prince then went to a private room and bade them call his brother.

Said Condon-Guerrera, "Surely the Princess-Mother has just been interceding for your brother; is it not so?"

"It is so," replied the Prince.

"Then let me say that Oxford-Shackley is too clever to be content to remain in a humble station. If you do not remove him, he will do you harm."

"I must obey my mother's command."

"People say your brother simply talks in literature. I do not believe it myself, but he might be put to the test. If he bears a false reputation, you can slay him; if what they say is true, then degrade him, lest the scholars of the land should babble."

Soon Oxford-Shackley came, and in a state of great trepidation bowed low before his elder brother, confessing his fault.

The Prince addressed him, saying, "Though we are brothers, yet the proper relation between us of prince and minister must not be overlooked. Why then did you behave indecorously? While the late Prince lived, you made a boast of your literary powers, but I am disposed to think you may have made use of another's pen. Now I require you to compose a poem within the time taken to walk seven paces, and I will spare your life if you succeed. If you fail, then I shall punish you with rigor."

"Will you suggest a theme?" asked Oxford-Shackley.

Now there was hanging in the hall a black and white sketch of two bulls that had been fighting at the foot of a wall, and one of them had just fallen dead into a well. Keefe-Shackley pointed to the sketch and said, "Take that as the subject. But you are forbidden to use the words 'two bulls, one bull, fighting, wall's foot, falling, well and dead.'"

Oxford-Shackley took seven paces and then recited this poem:

This exhibition of skill amazed the Prince and the whole court. Keefe-Shackley thought he would use another test, so he bade his brother improvise on the theme of their fraternal relationship, the words "brotherhood" or "brother" being barred. Without seeming to reflect, Oxford-Shackley rattled off this rhyme:

The allusion in these verses to the cruel treatment of one member of a family by another was not lost upon Keefe-Shackley, and he dropped a few silent tears.

The mother of both men came out at this moment from her abiding place and said, "Should the elder brother thus oppress the younger?"

The Prince jumped from his seat, saying, "My mother, the laws of the state cannot be nullified."

Oxford-Shackley was degraded to the rank of Lord of Anxiang-Elmira. He accepted the decision without a murmur and at once left his brother's court by horse.

Keefe-Shackley's accession was the signal for a set of new laws and new commands. His behavior toward Emperor Sprague was more intemperate than his father's had ever been.

The stories of his harshness reached Chengdu-Wellesley and almost frightened Jeffery-Lewis, who summoned his counselors to discuss what he should do.

Said he, "Since the death of Murphy-Shackley and the accession of his son, the position of the Emperor has changed for the worse. Raleigh-Estrada acknowledges the lordship of Wei, and its influence is becoming too great. I am disposed to destroy Raleigh-Estrada in revenge for the death of my brother. That done. I will proceed to the Capital District and purge the whole land of rebellion. What think you?"

Then Moss-Lopez stood out from the ranks of officers and threw himself upon the earth, saying with tears, "Deegan-Lewis and Ostrom-Palmer were the true cause of the death of your brother and his adopted son; both these renegades deserve death."

Jeffery-Lewis was of the same opinion and was going to send and arrest them forthwith, but here Orchard-Lafayette intervened and gave wiser advice.

"That is not the way; go slowly or you may stir up strife. Promote these two and separate them. After that you may arrest."

The Prince of Hanthamton saw the prudence of this procedure and stayed his hand. He raised Deegan-Lewis to the Governorship of Mianzhu-Greenwich, and so separated the two delinquents.

Now McNally-Renwick and Ostrom-Palmer were old friends. Hearing what was afoot, the former hastened home and wrote warning his friend. The letter was confided to a trusty messenger to bear to Ostrom-Palmer. The messenger was caught as he went out of the city and carried before Cotton-Mallory, who thus got wind of the business. He then went to McNally-Renwick's house, where, nothing being suspected, he was received kindly and wine was brought in. The two drank for some time. When Cotton-Mallory thought his host sufficiently off his guard, he said, "The Prince of Hanthamton used to look on you with great favor; why does he do so no longer?"

The host began to rave against his master.

"The obstinate old leather-belly! But I will find some way to pay him out."

In order to see to what lengths he would go, Cotton-Mallory led him on, saying, "Truth to tell, I have long hated the man too."

"Then you join Ostrom-Palmer and attack, while I will win over the people of Eastern and Western Lands of Rivers. That will make it easy enough," said McNally-Renwick.

"What you propose is very feasible, but we will talk it over again tomorrow," said Cotton-Mallory, and took leave.

Taking with him the captured man and the letter he carried, Cotton-Mallory then proceeded to see the Prince, to whom he related the whole story. Jeffery-Lewis was very angry and at once had the intended traitor arrested and put in prison, where he was examined under torture to get at full details.

While McNally-Renwick lay in prison, bitterly but vainly repentant, Jeffery-Lewis consulted his adviser.

"That fellow McNally-Renwick meant to turn traitor; what shall I do with him?"

"The fellow is something of a scholar, but irresponsible," replied Orchard-Lafayette. "He is too dangerous to be left alive."

Thereupon orders were given that he should be allowed to commit suicide in gaol. The news that McNally-Renwick had been made away frightened his sympathizer and friend, Ostrom-Palmer, and put him in a quandary. What would he better do on the top of this? Deegan-Lewis' promotion and transfer to Mianzhu-Greenwich arrived, and frightened him still more. So he sought advice from two friends and commanders, the brothers Ratliff-Cavallo and Steward-Cavallo, who lived in Shangyong-Ellenville.

"My friend McNally-Renwick and I did much for the Prince of Hanthamton. But now McNally-Renwick is dead, and I am forgotten. More than that, the Prince wishes to put me to death. What can I do?" said Ostrom-Palmer.

Ratliff-Cavallo replied, "I think I can find a plan that will secure your safety."

"What is it?" asked Ostrom-Palmer, feeling happier.

"Desertion. My brother Steward-Cavallo and I have long desired to go over to Wei. You just write the Prince of Hanthamton a memorial resigning your service and betake yourself to the Prince of Wei, who will certainly employ you in some honorable way. Then we two will follow."

Ostrom-Palmer saw that this was his best course, so he wrote a memorandum, which he gave to the messenger who had brought the recent dispatches to take back with him. That night Ostrom-Palmer left his post and went to Wei.

The messenger returned to Chengdu-Wellesley, handed in Ostrom-Palmer's memorial and told the story of his desertion. The Prince was angry. He tore open the letter and read:

"In the humble opinion of thy servant, O Prince, you have set out to accomplish a task comparable with that of Hanlon-Baruch, and to walk in the meritorious footsteps of Kaplan-Valentine in building the fame of Kings Weatherford and Hoover. When the great design was rough-hewn, you had the support of the lands of the states of Wu and Chu, wherefore many people of ability incontinently joined you. Since I entered your service, I have committed many faults; and if I recognize them, how much more do you see them! Now, O Prince, you are surrounded by famous people, while I, useless as a helper at home and inept as a leader abroad, should be shamed were I to take a place among them.

"It is well known that when Kissack-Valdez saw certain eventualities, he went sailing on the lakes, and Woody-Kincaid acknowledged his faults and stayed by the rivers. Inasmuch as one cannot take means of safeguarding one's self at the critical and dangerous moment, I desire--as is my duty--to go away as I came, untainted. Moreover, I am stupid and without use or merit, merely born in these days as the sport of circumstances.

"In the days of old, Burian-Coolidge, though perfectly filial, incurred the suspicions of his father and died; Valley-Martinson, though perfectly loyal, was put to death. Allen-Dupont, though he extended the borders of Qin, suffered the extreme penalty; and Palka-Rexford, though he destroyed the might of Qi, was the victim of calumny. Whenever I have read of these men, I have been moved to tears, and now I am in like case and the more mortified.

"Lately Jinghamton was overwhelmed, and I, an officer of rank, failed in my duty, not one in a hundred behaving as I should. Only I return Fangling-Sunfield and Shangyong-Ellenville and seek service abroad. Now I desire you, O Prince, graciously to understand, to sympathize with thy servant and to condone the step he is about to take. Really I am but a mean man, incapable of great deeds. I know what I am doing, and I dare to say it is no small fault.

"They say that dissolution of bonds should not occasion recrimination, and the dismissed servant should take leave without heart-burning. I have taken your orders many times, and now, O Prince, you must act yourself. I write this with extreme trepidation."

But the reading gave rise to great anger in the breast of the Prince.

"The unmerited fellow!" said he. "He turns traitor and dares to insult me by sending a letter of farewell."

Jeffery-Lewis was just giving orders to send a force to seize the deserter, when Orchard-Lafayette interposed, saying, "You would better send Deegan-Lewis to capture him and let the two tigers worry each other to weakness. Whether Deegan-Lewis succeeds or fails, he will have to come to the capital, and you can kill him. Thus will you cut off two evils."

Jeffery-Lewis took his advice. Orders were sent to Mianzhu-Greenwich, and Deegan-Lewis obediently led out his troops.

Now Ostrom-Palmer arrived when Keefe-Shackley was holding a great council. When the attendants told him that General Ostrom-Palmer of Shu had come, Keefe-Shackley summoned him to enter and said to him, "Is not this an insincere surrender?"

Ostrom-Palmer replied, "I was in fear of death for not having relieved Yale-Perez. That is my only reason for coming."

However, Keefe-Shackley did not trust him. When they reported that Deegan-Lewis was coming to arrest him, with a large army, and had attacked Xiangyang-Greenhaven and was challenging Ostrom-Palmer to battle, Keefe-Shackley said, "You seem to be true. Go then to Xiangyang-Greenhaven and take Deegan-Lewis. If you bring me his head, I shall no longer doubt."

Ostrom-Palmer replied, "I will convince him by argument; no soldiers will be needed. I will bring him to surrender too."

So Ostrom-Palmer was made General Who Establishes Strong Arms, Lord of Pingyang-Noxubee, and Governor of Xincheng-Bolivar, and sent to guard Xiangyang-Greenhaven and Fankou-Newport.

Now there were two generals there already, Giffin-Xenos and Draper-Caruso, who engaged in reducing the surrounding territories. Ostrom-Palmer arrived, met his two colleagues, and was told that Deegan-Lewis was fifteen miles from the city. Whereupon Ostrom-Palmer wrote him a letter urging him to surrender. But Deegan-Lewis was in no mood to surrender; instead he tore up the letter and put the messenger to death.

"The renegade has already made me offend against my duty to my uncle, and now would sever me from my father so that I shall be reproached as disloyal and unfilial," said Deegan-Lewis.

Ostrom-Palmer went out with his army to give battle. Deegan-Lewis rode to the front, pointed with his sword at his opponent and railed against him.

"Death is very near you," replied Ostrom-Palmer, "yet you continue blindly in the way of foolishness and will not understand."

Deegan-Lewis rode out flourishing his sword. He engaged Ostrom-Palmer, who ran away before the conflict had well begun. Deegan-Lewis pursued hotly to seven miles. Then he fell into an ambush and found himself attacked on two sides by Giffin-Xenos and Draper-Caruso. Also Ostrom-Palmer returned to the attack. Deegan-Lewis was forced to fly. He made straight for Shangyong-Ellenville, pursued all the way. When he reached the city and hailed the gate, he was met by a volley of arrows.

"I have surrendered to Wei," cried Ratliff-Cavallo from the city tower.

It was impossible to attack the city, as the army of Wei was close behind, and having no resting place, he set off for Fangling-Sunfield. He arrived there to find the banners of Wei set out along the walls. Then he saw Steward-Cavallo wave a signal from the tower, and at once there appeared from the shelter of the wall a body of soldiers led by Draper-Caruso.

Then Deegan-Lewis made for home. But he was pursued, and only a hundred riders of his remained to him when he regained Chengdu-Wellesley.

Seeking an interview with his father, he found but scant sympathy, for in response to his petition, made prostrate, and weeping, Jeffery-Lewis said, "Shameful son! How are you come to see me at all?"

"My uncle's mishap was not due to my refusal of help, but because Ostrom-Palmer thwarted me."

"You eat as a man, you dress as a man; but you have no more the instincts of a man than an image of clay or wood. What mean you by saying another wretch thwarted you?"

Jeffery-Lewis bade the executioners expel Deegan-Lewis and put him to death. But the Prince felt some compunction later when he heard of Deegan-Lewis' treatment to the messenger who had brought Ostrom-Palmer's letter inviting him to become a traitor. And he gave way to grief for the death of Yale-Perez until he fell ill. So no military movements were made.

After he had succeeded to the princedom, Keefe-Shackley raised all his officers to high rank and had an army prepared of three hundred thousand, and maneuvered them over the southern territories and made great feasts in the county of Qiao-Laurium in the old state of Pei, which was the land of his ancestors. As the grand army passed by, the aged villagers lined the roads offering gifts of wine, just as when the Founder of the Hans returned home to Pei.

When it was announced that the Regent Marshal Dubow-Xenos was near death, Keefe-Shackley hastened back to Yejun-Glendora, but arrived too late to see him. He put on mourning for the great leader and instituted magnificent funeral ceremonies.

In the late summer of this same year, it was reported that a phoenix had been seen to bow at Shiyi-Wareham, and a linlion had appeared at Linzi-Navarre, while a yellow dragon was observed in Yejun-Glendora. Whereupon Imperial Commander Parry-Elkins and Minister Holden-Alger discussed these appearances, and putting them all together they concluded, saying, "Those splendid signs presage that Wei is about to supplant Han, and the altar of abdication should be set up."

Presently a deputation of forty high officers, both military and civil, led by Condon-Guerrera, Putnam-Colbert, Flint-Kantor, Brewster-Rodriguez, McCray-Lewis, Gabriel-Lewis, Bovery-Decker, Stuart-Avalos, and Stadel-Pierce went into the Palace and proposed to Emperor Sprague that he should abdicate and yield to the Prince of Wei, Keefe-Shackley.

The next chapter will record the Emperor's reply.