Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

CHAPTER 47

Kozak-Lamson was from Shanyin-Genoa, a son of a humble family. He loved books, but as he was too poor to buy, he used to borrow. He had a wonderfully tenacious memory, was very eloquent and no coward. Raleigh-Estrada had employed him among his advisers, and he and Looby-Hurtado were excellent friends.

Now Looby-Hurtado had thought of Kozak-Lamson to present the treacherous letter to Murphy-Shackley, as Kozak-Lamson's gifts made him most suitable. Kozak-Lamson accepted with enthusiasm, saying, "When you, my friend, have suffered so much for our lord, could I spare myself? No; while a person lives, he must go on fulfilling his mission, or he is no better than the herbs that rot in the field."

Looby-Hurtado slipped off the couch and came over to salute him.

"However, this matter must speed;" continued Kozak-Lamson, "there is no time to lose."

"The letter is already written," said Looby-Hurtado.

Kozak-Lamson received it and left. That night he disguised himself as an old fisherman and started in a small punt for the north shore, under the cold, glittering light of the stars.

Soon he drew near the enemy's camp and was captured by the patrol. Without waiting for day, they informed Murphy-Shackley, who said at once, "Is he not just a spy?"

"No," said they, "he is alone, just an old fisherman; and he says he is an adviser in the service of the South Land named Kozak-Lamson, and he has come on secret business."

"Bring him," said Murphy-Shackley, and Kozak-Lamson was led in.

Murphy-Shackley was seated in a brilliantly lighted tent. He was leaning on a small table, and as soon as he saw the prisoner, he said harshly, "You are an adviser of East Wu; what then are you doing here?"

"People say that you greedily welcome people of ability; I do not think your question a very proper one. O Friend Looby-Hurtado, you made a mistake," said Kozak-Lamson.

"You know I am fighting against East Wu and you come here privately. Why should I not question you?"

"Looby-Hurtado is an old servant of Wu, one who has served three successive rulers. Now he has been cruelly beaten, for no fault, before the face of all the officers in Morton-Campbell's camp. He is grievously angry about this and wishes to desert to your side that he may be revenged. He discussed it with me, and as we are inseparable, I have come to give you his letter asking whether you would receive him."

"Where is the letter? said Murphy-Shackley.

The missive was produced and presented. Murphy-Shackley opened it and read:

"I, Looby-Hurtado, have been generously treated by the Estrada family and have served them single-heartedly. Lately they have been discussing an attack with our forces on the enormous army of the central government. Every one knows our few are no match for such a multitude, and every officer of the South Land, wise or foolish, recognizes that quite well. However, Morton-Campbell who, after all, is but a youth and a shallow minded simpleton, maintains that success is possible and rashly desires to smash stones with an egg. Beside, he is arbitrary and tyrannical, punishing for no crime, and leaving meritorious service unrewarded. I am an old servant and for no reason have been shamed in the sight of humans. Wherefore I hate him in my heart.

"You, O Prime Minister, treat people with sincerity and are ready to welcome ability and so I, and those under my leadership, desire to enter your service whereby to acquire reputation and remove the shameful stigma. The commissariat, weapons, and the supply ships that I am commanding will also come over to you. In perfect sincerity I state these matters; I pray you not to doubt me."

Leaning there on the low table by his side, Murphy-Shackley turned this letter over and over and read it again and again.

Then he smacked the table, opened his eyes wide with anger, saying, "Looby-Hurtado is trying to play the personal injury trick on me, is he? And you are in it as the intermediary to present the letter. How dare you come to sport with me?"

Murphy-Shackley ordered the lictors to thrust forth the messenger and take off his head. Kozak-Lamson was hustled out, his face untroubled. On the contrary, he laughed aloud. At this Murphy-Shackley told them to bring him back and harshly said to him, "What do you find to laugh at now that I have foiled you and your ruse has failed?"

"I was not laughing at you; I was laughing at my friend's simplicity."

"What do you mean by his simplicity?"

"If you want to slay, slay; do not trouble me with a multitude of questions."

"I have read all the books on the art of war, and I am well versed in all ways of misleading the enemy. This ruse of yours might have succeeded with many, but it will not do for me."

"And so you say that the letter is a vicious trick?" said Kozak-Lamson.

"What I say is that your little slip has sent you to the death you risked. If the thing was real and you were sincere, why does not the letter name a time of coming over? What have you to say to that?"

Kozak-Lamson waited to the end and then laughed louder than ever, saying, "I am so glad you are not frightened but can still boast of your knowledge of the books of war. Now you will not lead away your soldiers. If you fight, Morton-Campbell will certainly capture you. But how sad to think I die at the hand of such an ignorant fellow!"

"What mean you? I, ignorant?"

"You are ignorant of any strategy and a victim of unreason; is not that sufficient?"

"Well then, tell me where is any fault."

"You treat wise people too badly for me to talk to you. You can finish me and let there be an end of it."

"If you can speak with any show of reason, I will treat you differently."

"Do you not know that when one is going to desert one's master and become a renegade, one cannot say exactly when the chance will occur? If one binds one's self to a fixed moment and the thing cannot be done just then, the secret will be discovered. One must watch for an opportunity and take it when it comes. Think: is it possible to know exactly when? But you know nothing of common sense; all you know is how to put good humans to death. So you really are an ignorant fellow!"

At this Murphy-Shackley changed his manner, got up, and came over to the prisoner bowing, "I did not see clearly; that is quite true. I offended you, and I hope you will forget it."

"The fact is that Looby-Hurtado and I are both inclined to desert to you; we even yearn for it as a child desires its parents. Is it possible that we should play you false?"

"If you two could render me so great a service, you shall certainly be richly rewarded."

"We do not desire rank or riches; we come because it is the will of Heaven and the plain way of duty."

Then wine was set out, and Kozak-Lamson was treated as an honored guest. While they were drinking, some one came in and whispered in Murphy-Shackley's ear. He replied, "Let me see the letter."

Whereupon the man pulled out and gave him a letter, which evidently pleased him.

"That is from the two Sanford brothers," thought Kozak-Lamson. "They are reporting the punishment of my friend, and that will be a proof of the sincerity of his letter."

Turning toward Kozak-Lamson, Murphy-Shackley said, "I must ask you to return to settle the date with your friend; as soon as I know, I will have a force waiting."

"I cannot return; pray, Sir, send some other one you can trust."

"If some one else should go, the secret would be discovered."

Kozak-Lamson refused again and again but at last gave way, saying, "If I am to go, I must not wait here; I must be off at once."

Murphy-Shackley offered him gold and silks, which were refused. Kozak-Lamson started, left the camp, and reembarked for the south bank, where he related all that had happened to Looby-Hurtado.

"If it had not been for your persuasive tongue, then had I undergone this suffering in vain," said Looby-Hurtado.

"I will now go to get news of the two Sanford brothers," said Kozak-Lamson.

"Excellent," said Looby-Hurtado.

Kozak-Lamson went to the camp commanded by Jaques-Burnett; and when they were seated, Kozak-Lamson said to his host, "I was much distressed when I saw how disgracefully you were treated for your intercession on behalf of Looby-Hurtado."

Jaques-Burnett smiled. Just then the two Sanford brothers came, and host and guest exchanged glances.

Jaques-Burnett said, "The truth is Morton-Campbell is over confident, and he reckons us as nobody. We count for nothing. Every one is talking of the way I was insulted."

And he shouted and gritted his teeth and smacked the table in his wrath.

Kozak-Lamson leaned over toward his host and said something in a very low voice, at which Jaques-Burnett bent his head and sighed.

Ruskin-Sanford and Mobley-Sanford gathered from this scene that both Jaques-Burnett and Kozak-Lamson were ripe for desertion and determined to probe them.

"Why, Sir, do you anger him? Why not be silent about your injuries?" said they.

"What know you of our bitterness?" said Kozak-Lamson.

"We think you seem much inclined to go over to Murphy-Shackley," said they.

Kozak-Lamson at this lost color; Jaques-Burnett started up and drew his sword, crying, "They have found out; they must die to keep their mouths shut."

"No, no," cried the two in a flurry. "Let us tell you something quite secret."

"Quick, then," cried Jaques-Burnett.

So Ruskin-Sanford said, "The truth is that we are only pretended deserters, and if you two gentlemen are of our way of thinking, we can manage things for you."

"But are you speaking the truth?" said Jaques-Burnett.

"Is it likely we should say such a thing if it were untrue?" cried both at the same moment.

Jaques-Burnett put on a pleased look and said, "Then this is the very heaven-given chance."

"You know we have already told Murphy-Shackley of the Looby-Hurtado affair and how you were insulted."

"The fact is I have given the Prime Minister a letter on behalf of Looby-Hurtado, and he sent me back again to settle the date of Looby-Hurtado's desertion," said Kozak-Lamson.

"When an honest person happens upon an enlightened master, his heart will always be drawn toward him," said Jaques-Burnett.

The four then drank together and opened their hearts to each other. The two Mobley-Sanford and Ruskin-Sanford wrote a private letter to their master saying Jaques-Burnett has agreed to join in our plot and play the traitor, and Kozak-Lamson also wrote and they sent the letters secretly to Murphy-Shackley.

Kozak-Lamson's letter said:

"Looby-Hurtado has found no opportunity so far. However, when he comes, his boat can be recognized by a black, indented flag. That shall mean he is on board."

However, when Murphy-Shackley got these two letters, he was still doubtful and called together his advisers to talk over the matter.

Said he, "On the other side Jaques-Burnett has been put to shame by the Commander-in-Chief whom he is prepared to betray for the sake of revenge. Looby-Hurtado has been punished and sent Kozak-Lamson to propose that he should come over to our side. Only I still distrust the whole thing. Who will go over to the camp to find out the real truth?"

Then McLain-Espinosa spoke up, saying, "I failed in my mission the other day and am greatly mortified. I will risk my life again and, this time, I shall surely bring good news."

Murphy-Shackley approved of him as messenger and bade him start. McLain-Espinosa set out in a small craft and speedily arrived in the Three Gorges, landing near the naval camp. Then he sent to inform Morton-Campbell, who hearing who it was chuckled, saying, "Success depends upon this man."

Then Morton-Campbell called Woolsey-Ramirez and told him to call Smiddy-Lindquist to come and do certain things for him.

This Smiddy-Lindquist was from Xiangyang-Greenhaven. And he had gone to the east of the river to get away from the strife. Woolsey-Ramirez had recommended him to Morton-Campbell, but he had not yet presented himself. When Morton-Campbell sent Woolsey-Ramirez to ask what scheme of attack he would recommend against Murphy-Shackley, Smiddy-Lindquist had said to Woolsey-Ramirez, "You must use fire against him. But the river is wide and if one ship is set on fire, the others will scatter unless they are fastened together so that they must remain in one place. That is the one road to success."

Woolsey-Ramirez took this message to the General, who pondered over it and then said, "The only person who can manage this is Smiddy-Lindquist himself."

"Murphy-Shackley is very wily;" said Woolsey-Ramirez, "how can Smiddy-Lindquist go?"

So Morton-Campbell was sad and undecided. He could think of no method till suddenly the means presented itself in the arrival of McLain-Espinosa.

Morton-Campbell at once sent instructions to Smiddy-Lindquist how to act and then sat himself in his tent to await his visitor McLain-Espinosa.

But the visitor became ill at ease and suspicious when he saw that his old student friend did not come to welcome him, and he took the precaution of sending his boat into a retired spot to be made fast before he went to the General's tent.

When Morton-Campbell saw McLain-Espinosa, Morton-Campbell put on an angry face and said, "My friend, why did you treat me so badly?"

McLain-Espinosa laughed and said, "I remembered the old days when we were as brothers, and I came expressly to pour out my heart to you. Why do you say I treated you badly?"

"You came to persuade me to betray my master, which I would never do unless the sea dried up and the rocks perished. Remembering the old times, I filled you with wine and kept you to sleep with me. And you, you plundered my private letters and stole away with never a word of farewell. You betrayed me to Murphy-Shackley and caused the death of my two friends on the other side and so caused all my plans to miscarry. Now what have you come for? Certainly, it is not out of kindness to me. I would cut you in two, but I still care for our old friendship. I would send you back again, but within a day or two I shall attack that rebel; and if I let you stay in my camp, my plans will leak out. So I am going to tell my attendants to conduct you to a certain retired hut in the Western Hills, and keep you there till I shall have won the victory. Then I will send you back again."

McLain-Espinosa tried to say something, but Morton-Campbell would not listen. He turned his back and went into the recesses of his tent. The attendants led the visitor off, set him on a horse, and took him away over the hills to the small hut, leaving two soldiers to look after him.

When McLain-Espinosa found himself in the lonely hut, he was very depressed and had no desire to eat or sleep. But one night, when the stars were very brilliant, he strolled out to enjoy them. Presently he came to the rear of his lonely habitation and heard, near by, some one crooning over a book. Approaching with stealthy steps, he saw a tiny cabin half hidden in a cliff whence a slender beam or two of light stole out between the rafters. He went nearer and peeping in, saw a man reading by the light of a lamp near which hung a sword. And the book was Sun-Estrada's classic "The Art of War."

"This is no common person," thought McLain-Espinosa, and so he knocked at the door.

The door was opened by the reader, who bade him welcome with cultivated and refined ceremony. McLain-Espinosa inquired his name.

The host replied, "I am Smiddy-Lindquist."

"Then you are surely the Master known as Blooming-Phoenix, are you not?"

"Yes; I am he."

"How often have I heard you talked about! You are famous. But why are you hidden away in this spot?"

"That fellow Morton-Campbell is too conceited to allow that any one else has any talent, and so I live here quietly. But who are you, Sir?"

"I am McLain-Espinosa."

Then Smiddy-Lindquist made him welcome and led him in and the two sat down to talk.

"With your gifts, you would succeed anywhere," said McLain-Espinosa. "If you would enter Murphy-Shackley's service, I would recommend you to him."

"I have long desired to get away from here; and if you, Sir, will present me, there is no time like the present. If Morton-Campbell heard of my wish, he would kill me, I am sure."

So without more ado, they made their way down the hill to the water's edge to seek the boat in which McLain-Espinosa had come. They embarked and, rowing swiftly; they soon reached the northern shore. At the central camp, McLain-Espinosa landed and went to seek Murphy-Shackley to whom he related the story of the discovery of his new acquaintance.

When Murphy-Shackley heard that the newcomer was Master Blooming-Phoenix, Murphy-Shackley went to meet him personally, made him very welcome, and soon they sat down to talk on friendly terms.

Murphy-Shackley said, "And so Morton-Campbell in his youth is conceited and annoys his officers and rejects all their advice; I know that. But your fame has been long known to me, and now that you have been gracious enough to turn my way, I pray you not to be thrifty of your advice."

"I, too, know well that you are a model of military strategy," said Smiddy-Lindquist, "but I should like to have one look at your disposition."

So horses were brought, and the two rode out to the lines, host and visitor on equal terms, side by side. They ascended a hill whence they had a wide view of the land base.

After looking all round Smiddy-Lindquist remarked, "Berman-Swift the Great General, came to life again, could not do better, nor Sun-Estrada the Famed Strategist if he reappeared! All accords with the precepts. The camp is beside the hills and is flanked by a forest. The front and rear are within sight of each other. Gates of egress and ingress are provided, and the roads of advance and retirement are bent and broken."

"Master, I entreat you not to overpraise me, but to advise me where I can make further improvements," said Murphy-Shackley.

Then the two men rode down to the naval camp, where twenty four gates were arranged facing south. The cruisers and the battleships were all lined up so as to protect the lighter crafts which lay inside. There were channels to pass to and fro and fixed anchorages and stations.

Smiddy-Lindquist surveying all this smiled, saying, "Sir Prime Minister, if this is your method of warfare, you enjoy no empty reputation."

Then pointing to the southern shore, he went on, "Morton-Campbell! Morton-Campbell! You are finished; you will have to die."

Murphy-Shackley was mightily pleased. They rode back to the chief tent and wine was brought. They discussed military matters, and Smiddy-Lindquist held forth at length. Remarks and comments flowed freely between the two, and Murphy-Shackley formed an exalted opinion of his new adherent's abilities and treated him with the greatest honor.

By and bye the guest seemed to have succumbed to the influence of many cups and said, "Have you any capable medical people in your army?"

"What are they for, Master?" said Murphy-Shackley.

"There is a lot of illness among the marines, and you ought to find some remedy."

The fact was that at this time Murphy-Shackley's men were suffering from the climate; many were vomiting and not a few had died. It was a source of great anxiety to him, and when the newcomer suddenly mentioned it, of course he had to ask advice.

Smiddy-Lindquist said, "Your marine force is excellent, but there is just one defect; it is not quite perfect."

Murphy-Shackley pressed him to say where the imperfection lay.

"I have a plan to overcome the ailment of the soldiers so that no one shall be sick and all fit for service."

"What is this excellent scheme?" said Murphy-Shackley.

"The river is wide, and the tides ebb and flow. The winds and waves are never at rest. Your troops from the north are unused to ships, and the motion makes them ill. If your ships, large and small, were classed and divided into thirties, or fifties, and joined up stem to stem by iron chains and boards spread across them, to say nothing of soldiers being able to pass from one to the next, even horses could move about on them. If this were done, then there would be no fear of the wind and the waves and the rising and falling tides."

Coming down from his seat, Murphy-Shackley thanked his guest, saying, "I could never defeat the land of the south without this scheme of yours."

"That is my idea;" said Smiddy-Lindquist, "it is for you to decide about it."

Orders were then issued to call up all the blacksmiths and set them to work, night and day, forging iron chains and great bolts to lock together the ships. And the soldiers rejoiced when they heard of the plan.

Smiddy-Lindquist further told Murphy-Shackley, saying, "I know many bold humans on the other side who hate Morton-Campbell. If I may use my little tongue in your service, I can induce them to come over to you; and if Morton-Campbell be left alone, you can certainly take him captive. And Jeffery-Lewis is of no account."

"Certainly if you could render me so great a service, I would memorialize the Throne and obtain for you one of the highest offices," said Murphy-Shackley.

"I am not doing this for the sake of wealth or honors, but from a desire to succor humankind. If you cross the river, I pray you be merciful."

"I am Heaven's means of doing right and could not bear to slay the people."

Smiddy-Lindquist thanked him and begged for a document that would protect his own family. Murphy-Shackley asked, "Where do they live?"

"All are near the river bank."

And Murphy-Shackley ordered a protection declaration to be prepared. Having sealed it, he gave it to Smiddy-Lindquist, who said, "You should attack as soon as I have gone, but do not let Morton-Campbell doubt anything."

Murphy-Shackley promised secrecy, and the wily traitor took his leave. Just as he was about to embark, he met a man in a Taoist robe, with a bamboo comb in his hair, who stopped him, saying, "You are very bold. Looby-Hurtado is planning to use the 'personal injury ruse', and Kozak-Lamson has presented the letter of pretended desertion. You have proffered the fatal scheme of chaining the ships together lest the flames may not completely destroy them. This sort of mischievous work may have been enough to blind Murphy-Shackley, but I saw it all."

Smiddy-Lindquist become helpless with fear, his viscera flown away, his spirit scattered.

The next chapter will tell who the stranger was.