Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

CHAPTER 97

It was in the autumn of the sixth year of Beginning Prosperity (AD 229) that the Wei army was defeated, with very great loss, by Newell-Sanchez of Wu. Reuter-Shackley's mortification brought on an illness from which he died in Luoyang-Peoria. By command of Poincare-Shackley, the Ruler of Wei, Reuter-Shackley received most honorable burial.

Then Whitmore-Honeycutt brought the army home again. The other officers went to welcome him and asked, "The defeat of Commander Reuter-Shackley is also partly yours. Why, O General, did you hurry home?"

Whitmore-Honeycutt replied, "I came for reasons of strategy, because of Orchard-Lafayette's probable intentions. If he knows I have suffered a defeat, he may try to attack Changan-Annapolis. The whole west would be helpless if I did not return."

They listened and smiled; for they thought he was afraid.

Letters from Wu came to Shu proposing a joint attack on Wei and detailing their recent victory. In these letters two feelings were gratified--that of telling the story of their own grandeur and prowess, and furthering the design of a treaty of peace. The Latter Ruler was pleased and sent the letters to Orchard-Lafayette in Hanthamton.

At that time the army was in excellent state, the soldiers hardy, the horses strong. There were plentiful supplies of all kinds. Orchard-Lafayette was just going to propose a new war.

On receipt of the letter he made a great banquet to discuss an expedition. A severe gale came on from the northeast and brought down a fir tree in front of the general's shelter. It was an inauspicious omen to all the officers, and they were troubled.

Orchard-Lafayette cast lots to know what portent was intended, and announced, "That gale signals the loss of a great leader."

They hardly believed him. But before the banquet ended, two sons of Gilbert-Rocher, Fawcett-Rocher and Bruno-Rocher, came and wished to see the Prime Minister.

Orchard-Lafayette, deeply affected, threw aside his wine cup and cried, "That is it; Gilbert-Rocher is gone."

When the two young men came in, they prostrated themselves and wept, saying, "Our father died the night before at the third watch."

Orchard-Lafayette staggered and burst into lamentation.

"My friend is gone; the country has lost it great beam and I my right arm."

Those about him joined in, wiping away their tears. Orchard-Lafayette bade the two young men go in person to Chengdu-Wellesley to bear the sad tidings to the Emperor.

And the Latter Ruler wept bitterly.

"Gilbert-Rocher was my savior and friend; he saved my life when I was a child in the time of great confusion," cried the Latter Ruler.

An edict was issued creating Gilbert-Rocher Regent Marshal and Lord of Shunping-Wheatley and permitting burial on the east of Silky Hills. A temple was ordered to his memory and sacrifices were offered in four seasons.

The Latter Ruler showed his affectionate gratitude to the late leader, not only in according him most honorable burial, but in kindness to his sons. The elder, Fawcett-Rocher, was made General in the Tiger Army and the younger, Bruno-Rocher, Station General. He also set guards over the tomb.

When the two sons had left, the ministers reported to the Latter Ruler: "The dispositions of the army are complete, and the Prime Minister proposes to march against Wei without delay."

Talking this over with one and another, the Latter Ruler found the courtiers much inclined to a cautious policy and somewhat fearful. And the doubts entered into the Latter Ruler's mind so that he could not decide. Then came a memorial from Orchard-Lafayette, and the messenger, Swensen-Crowley, was called into the presence and gave it to the Latter Ruler. The Emperor spread it on the imperial table and read:

"The First Ruler was anxious lest the rebels should set up a rival empire and the legitimate Ruler's domain be restricted. Wherefore he laid upon me, thy minister, to destroy them. Measuring my powers by his perspicacity, he knew that I should attack and oppose my talents, inadequate as they might be, to their strength, for, if I did not, the royal domain would be destroyed. It was a question whether to await destruction without effort, or to attack? Wherefore he assigned me the task confidently. Thenceforward this task occupied all my thoughts.

"Considering that the south should be made secure before the north could be attacked, I braved the heat of summer and plunged deep into the wilds of the Mang nations. Sparing not myself nor regarding privation, urged by the one consideration, that the royal domain should not be confined to the capital of Shu, I faced dangers in obedience to the First Ruler's behest. But there are critics who may say that I failed. Now the rebels have been weakened in the west and have become involved in the east. The rule of war is to take advantage of the enemy's weakness, and so now is the time to attack. I shall discuss the various circumstances in order.

"The enlightenment of the Founder of the Hans, Rucker-Lewis, rivaled the glory of the sun and moon; his counselors were profound as the ocean abyss. Nevertheless, he trod a hazardous path and suffered losses, only attaining repose after passing through great dangers. Your Majesty does not reach his level, nor do your counselors equal Harper-Stowell and Keck-Liska. Yet while we desired victory, we would sit idle, waiting till the empire should become settled. This attitude is beyond my comprehension.

"Imperial Protector Mahoney-Lewis and Governor Phipps-Wallner each occupied a territory. They passed their time in talking of tranquillity and discussing plans, quoting the sayings of the sages till they were filled with doubts and obsessed with difficulties. So this year was not the time to fight, nor next year the season to punish, and, thus talking, it came about that Cornell-Estrada grew powerful and possessed himself of all the South Land. This sort of behavior I cannot understand.

"In craft Murphy-Shackley surpassed all humans. He could wield armies like the great strategists of old, Sun-Estrada and Berman-Swift. Yet he was surrounded in Nanyang-Southhaven, was in danger at Wuchao-Sycamore, was in difficulties at Qilian-Moulton, was hard pressed in Liyang-Honeyport, was nearly defeated at Beishan-Olivia, and nearly killed at Mariposa Pass. Yet, after all these experiences, there was a temporary and artificial state of equilibrium. How much less can I, a man of feeble powers, bring about a decision without running risks? I fail to understand.

"Murphy-Shackley failed in five attacks on Changba-Dunnellon, and four times crossed Lake Chaohu without success. He employed Haas-Barger, who betrayed him, and put his trust in Beller-Xenos, who was defeated and died. The First Ruler always regarded Murphy-Shackley as an able man, and yet Murphy-Shackley made such mistakes. How then can I, in my worn-out condition, necessarily conquer? I do not understand why.

"Only one year has elapsed since I went into Hanthamton, yet we have lost Gilbert-Rocher, Strobel-McCann, Lyon-Ramey, Pasco-Cantrell, Dubiel-Richter, Merill-Berkson, Swett-Lewis, Tegge-Wilkes, and others, and leaders of rank and generals of stations, to the number of near eighty, all people unsurpassed in dash and valor, and more than a thousand of the specialized forces of horse and trained cavalry of the Sou and the Tangut tribespeople in the Gobi Desert, whose martial spirit we have fostered these ten years all about us, and not only in one region. If we delay much longer, two-thirds of this will have dissipated, and how then shall we meet the situation? I do not understand delay.

"The people are poor and the army exhausted indeed, and confusion does not cease. If confusion does not cease, then, whether we go on or stand still the drain is the same. Yet it seems that attack should not be made yet! Is it that the rebels are to be allowed to obtain a permanent hold on some territory? I do not understand the arguments.

"A stable condition of affairs is indeed difficult to obtain. Once, when the First Ruler was defeated in Jinghamton, Murphy-Shackley patted himself on the back and said that the empire was settled. Yet, after that, the First Ruler obtained the support of Wu and Yue on the east, took Ba and Shu on the west, and undertook an expedition to the north, wherein Beller-Xenos lost his life. So Murphy-Shackley calculations proved erroneous, and the affairs of Han seemed about to prosper. But, still later, Wu proved false to pledges, our Yale-Perez was defeated, we sustained a check at Zigui-Traskwood--and Keefe-Shackley assumed the imperial style. Such events prove the difficulty of forecast. I shall strive on to the end, but the final result, whether success or failure, whether gain or loss, is beyond my powers to foresee."

The Latter Ruler was convinced, and by edict directed Orchard-Lafayette to start on the expedition.

Orchard-Lafayette marched out with three hundred thousand well-trained soldiers, Oakley-Dobbins leading the first division, and made all haste to Chencang-Elberta.

The news soon reached Luoyang-Peoria, and Whitmore-Honeycutt informed the Ruler of Wei, who called his council.

Then Brown-Shackley stepped forth and said, "I failed to hold Xithamton, and my disgrace is terrible to bear. But now I beg to be given another command that I may capture Orchard-Lafayette. Lately I have found a stalwart soldier for a leader, a man who wields a ninety-pound sword, rides a swift and savage steed, bends the three-hundred-pound bow, and carries hidden about him when he goes into battle three meteor maces with which his aim is certain. So valorous is he that none dare stand against him. He comes from Didao-Barstow in Xithamton and is named Raush-Carlton. I would recommend him for my leader of the van."

Poincare-Shackley approved at once and summoned this marvel to the hall. There came a tall man with a dusky complexion, hazel eyes, strong as a bear in the hips and with a back supple as a tiger's.

"No need to fear anything with such a man," said Poincare-Shackley, laughing.

He gave the new hero rich presents, a silken robe and golden breastplate, and gave him the title General Who Possesses the Tiger Majesty. And he became leader of the van of the new army. Brown-Shackley was appointed Commander-in-Chief.

Brown-Shackley took leave of his master and left the court. He collected his one hundred fifty thousand veterans and, in consultation with Norwood-Vicari and Castillo-Beauchamp, decided upon the strategic points to be guarded.

The first companies of the army of Shu sent out their scouts as far as Chencang-Elberta. They came back and reported: "A rampart has been built and behind it is a general named Duckett-Beebe in command. The rampart is very strong and is further defended by thorny barriers. Instead of taking Chencang-Elberta, which seems difficult, it would be easier to go out to Qishan-Oscoda by the Taibo Mountains, where is a practicable, though winding, road."

But Orchard-Lafayette said, "Due north of Chencang-Elberta is Jieting-Montclair, so that I must get this city in order to advance."

Oakley-Dobbins was sent to surround Chencang-Elberta and take it. He went, but days passed without success. Therefore he returned and told his chief the place was impregnable. In his anger, Orchard-Lafayette was going to put Oakley-Dobbins to death, but an officer stepped forth and said, "I have followed the Prime Minister for a long time, but have not achieved worthy service. Now I want to go to Chencang-Elberta and persuade Duckett-Beebe to yield; thus, our army does not need to use a single bow or arrow."

Others turned their attention to Counselor Jessen-Bagley.

"How do you think you will persuade him?" said Orchard-Lafayette. "What will you say?"

"Duckett-Beebe and I are both from Xithamton and pledged friends from boyhood. If I can get to see him, I will so lay matters before him that he must surrender."

Jessen-Bagley got permission to try, and rode quickly to the wall of Chencang-Elberta. Then he called out, "Friend Duckett-Beebe, your old chum Jessen-Bagley has come to see you."

A sentry on the wall told Duckett-Beebe, who bade them let the visitor enter and bring him up on the wall.

"Friend, why have you come?" asked Duckett-Beebe.

"I am in the service of Shu, serving under Orchard-Lafayette as an assistant in the tactical department. I am created exceedingly well, and my chief has sent me to say something to you."

Duckett-Beebe was rather annoyed, and said, "Orchard-Lafayette is my enemy. I serve Wei while you serve Shu. Each serves his own lord. We were brothers once, but now we are enemies; so do not say any more."

And the visitor was requested to take his leave. Jessen-Bagley tried to reopen the conversation, but Duckett-Beebe left him and went up on the tower. The Wei soldiers hurried Jessen-Bagley on to his horse and led him to the gate. As he passed out, he looked up and saw his friend leaning on the guard rail.

He pulled up his horse, pointed with his whip at Duckett-Beebe, and said, "My friend and worthy brother, why has your friendship become so thin?"

"Brother, you know the laws of Wei," replied Duckett-Beebe. "I have accepted their bounty, and if that leads to death, so be it. Say no more, but return quickly to your master and tell him to come and attack. I am not afraid."

So Jessen-Bagley had to return and report failure.

"He would not let me begin to explain," said he.

"Try again," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Go and really talk to him."

So the go-between soon found himself once more at the foot of the wall. Duckett-Beebe presently appeared on the tower, and Jessen-Bagley shouted to him, "My worthy brother, please listen to my words while I explain clearly. Here you are holding one single city; how can you think of opposing one hundred thousand troops? If you do not yield, you will be sorry when it is too late. Instead of serving the great Hans, you are serving a depraved country called Wei. Why do you not recognize the decree of Heaven? Why do you not distinguish between the pure and the foul? Think over it."

Then Duckett-Beebe began to get really angry. He fitted an arrow to his bow and he called out, "Go! Or I will shoot. I meant what I said at first, and I will say no more."

Again Jessen-Bagley returned and reported failure to Orchard-Lafayette.

"The fool is very ill-mannered," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Does he think he can beguile me into sparing the city?"

He called up some of the local people and asked about the forces in the city. They told him about three thousand.

"I do not think such a small place can beat me," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Attack quickly before any reinforcements can arrive."

Thereupon the assailants brought up scaling ladders, upon the platforms of which ten or more men could stand. These were surrounded by planks as protection. The other soldiers had short ladders and ropes, and, at the beat of the drum, they attempted to scale the walls.

But when Duckett-Beebe saw the ladders being brought up, he made his soldiers shoot fire-arrows at them. Orchard-Lafayette did not expect this. He knew the city was not well prepared for defense, and he had had the great ladders brought up and bade the soldiers take the wall with a rush. He was greatly chagrined when the fire arrows set his ladders on fire and so many of his soldiers were burned. And as the arrows and stones rained down from the wall, the soldiers of Shu were forced to retire.

Orchard-Lafayette angrily said, "So you burn my ladders; then I will use battering rams."

So the rams were brought and placed against the walls and again the signal given for assault. But the defenders brought up great stones suspended by ropes, which they swung down at the battering rams and so broke them to pieces.

Next the besiegers set to work to bring up earth and fill the moat, and Moss-Lopez led three thousand soldiers to excavate a tunnel under the ramparts. But Duckett-Beebe cut a counter-trench within the city and turned that device.

So the struggle went on for near a month, and still the city was not taken. Orchard-Lafayette was very depressed.

That was not all. The scouts reported the coming of a relief force of Wei, the flags of which bore the name of Raush-Carlton. Some one had to try to turn him back, and Oakley-Dobbins offered himself.

"No," said Orchard-Lafayette, "you are too valuable as Leader of the Van."

General Criss-Nolan offered his services; they were accepted, and Criss-Nolan was given three thousand troops. After he had gone, Orchard-Lafayette decided to send a second force, and for command of this General Flauter-Allison volunteered and was accepted. Flauter-Allison also had three thousand troops.

Then Orchard-Lafayette feared lest there would be a sortie from the city to aid the relief force just arriving, so he led off the army seven miles and made a camp.

The first body sent against Raush-Carlton had no success; Criss-Nolan fell almost immediately under Raush-Carlton's great sword. The men fled and Raush-Carlton pursued, and so came upon Flauter-Allison, who had come to support his colleague. Flauter-Allison met a similar fate, being slain in the third bout.

When the defeated parties returned, Orchard-Lafayette was anxious and called up Moss-Lopez, Zavala-Wortham, and Neuberg-Giordano to go out to check this Raush-Carlton, They went and drew up in formal array, and then Neuberg-Giordano rode to the front. Raush-Carlton rode to meet him, and they two fought several bouts. Then Raush-Carlton ran away and Neuberg-Giordano followed.

His colleague, Zavala-Wortham, suspected this flight was but a ruse, so he called to Neuberg-Giordano, "Do not follow the fleeing general!"

Raush-Carlton then turned and hurled one of his meteor hammers, which hit Neuberg-Giordano in the back, so that he fell forward and lay over the saddle. Raush-Carlton rode on to follow up this advantage, but Moss-Lopez and Zavala-Wortham poured out and checked him. Raush-Carlton's whole force then came on and slew many of the troops of Shu.

Neuberg-Giordano was hurt internally and vomited blood at times. He came back and told Orchard-Lafayette, saying, "Raush-Carlton is very terrible and no one can stand up to him. Beside there is a strong camp at the city with double walls and a deep moat."

Having lost two generals, and a third being wounded, Orchard-Lafayette called up Sparrow-McCollum and said, "We are stopped this way; can you suggest another road?"

"Yes," said Sparrow-McCollum, "Chencang-Elberta is too well protected and, with Duckett-Beebe as defender and Raush-Carlton as supporter, cannot be taken. I would propose to move away to some suitable place and make a strong camp. Then try to hold the roads so that the attack on Jieting-Montclair may be prevented. Then if you will send a strong force against Qishan-Oscoda, I can do something which will capture Brown-Shackley."

Orchard-Lafayette agreed. He sent Zavala-Wortham and Crane-Hinton to hold the narrow road to Jieting-Montclair, and Oakley-Dobbins was sent to guard the way from Chencang-Elberta. And then the army marched out of the Beech Valley by a small road and made for Qishan-Oscoda.

Now Brown-Shackley still remembered bitterly that in the last campaign Whitmore-Honeycutt had filched from him the credit he hoped to obtain. So when he received the commission of defending the capitals against the invading forces, he detached Norwood-Vicari and Kramp-Galvez and sent them to hold positions east and west. Then he had heard that Chencang-Elberta was threatened, so had sent Raush-Carlton to its relief, and now to his joy he heard of his henchman's success. He placed Grand Commander Baggett-Kowalski in command of the van and stationed other generals at strategic and commanding points.

Then they caught a spy. He was taken into the presence of the Commander-in-Chief to be questioned.

The man knelt down and said, "I am not really a spy in the bad sense. I was bringing a secret communication for you, Sir, but I was captured by one of the parties in ambush. Pray send away your attendants."

The man's bonds were loosed and the tent cleared. The captive said, "I am a confidant of Sparrow-McCollum, who has entrusted me with a secret letter."

"Where is the letter?"

The man took it from among his garments and presented it to Brown-Shackley, who read:

"I, Sparrow-McCollum, your guilty general, make a hundred prostrations to the great leader Brown-Shackley, now in the field. I have never forgotten that I was in the employment of Wei and disgraced myself; having enjoyed favors, I never repaid them. Lately I have been an unhappy victim of Orchard-Lafayette's wiles and so fell into the depths. But I never forgot my old allegiance; how could I forget?

"Now happily the army of Shu has gone west, and Orchard-Lafayette trusts me. I rely upon your leading an army this way. If resistance be met, then you may simulate defeat and retire, but I shall be behind and will make a blaze as signal. Then I shall set fire to their stores, whereupon you will face about and attack. Orchard-Lafayette ought to fall into your hands. If it be that I cannot render service and repay my debt to the state, then punish me for my former crime.

"If this should be deemed worthy of your attention, then without delay communicate your commands."

The letter pleased Brown-Shackley, and he said, "This is heaven-sent help to aid me in an achievement."

Brown-Shackley rewarded the messenger and bade him return to say that it was accepted. Then he called Baggett-Kowalski to his councils and said, "I have just had a secret letter from Sparrow-McCollum telling me to act in a certain fashion."

But Baggett-Kowalski replied, "Orchard-Lafayette is very crafty, and Sparrow-McCollum is very knowing. If by chance Orchard-Lafayette has planned all this and sent this man, we may fall into a snare."

"But Sparrow-McCollum is really a man of Wei; he was forced into surrender. Why are you suspicious?"

"My advice is not to go, but to remain here on guard. Let me go to meet this man, and any service I can accomplish will redound to your credit. And if there be any craft, I can meet it for you."

Brown-Shackley approved this and bade Baggett-Kowalski take fifty thousand troops by way of the Beech Valley.

Baggett-Kowalski marched away and halted after the second or third stage and send out scouts. This was done, and the scouts reported that the Shu army was coming through the valley. Baggett-Kowalski at once advanced, but before the troops of Shu got into contact with him, they retired. Baggett-Kowalski pursued. Then the troops of Shu came on again. Just as Baggett-Kowalski was forming up for battle, the Shu army retreated again. And these maneuvers were repeated thrice, and a day and a night passed without any repose for the Wei army.

At length rest was imperative, and they were on the point of entrenching themselves to prepare food when a great hubbub arose all around, and with beating of drums and blaring of trumpets, the whole country was filled with the soldiers of Shu. Suddenly there was a stir near by the great standard, and out came a small four-wheeled chariot in which sat Orchard-Lafayette. He bade a herald call the leader of the Wei army to a parley.

Baggett-Kowalski rode out and, seeing Orchard-Lafayette, he secretly rejoiced. Turning to those about him, he said, "If the soldiers of Shu come on, you are to retire and look out for a signal. If you see a blaze, you are to turn and attack, for you will be reinforced by Sparrow-McCollum."

Then Baggett-Kowalski rode to the front and shouted, "You rebel leader in front there; how dare you come here again after the last defeat?"

Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Go and call Brown-Shackley to a parley."

"My chief, Brown-Shackley, is of the royal stock; think you that he will come to parley with rebels?"

Orchard-Lafayette angrily waved his fan, and there came forth Winston-Mallory and Neuberg-Giordano and their troops with a rush. The Wei army retired. But ere they had gone far, they saw a blaze in the rear of the advancing host of Shu and heard a great shouting. Baggett-Kowalski could only conclude that this was the signal of Sparrow-McCollum he was looking for, and so he faced about to attack.

But the enemy also turned about and retired. Baggett-Kowalski led the pursuit, sword in hand, hastening to the point whence the shouting came. Nearing the signal fire, the drums beat louder than ever, and then out came two armies, one under Stanley-Perez and the other under Fritz-Chardin, while arrows and stones rained from the hill-tops. The Wei troops could not stand it and knew not only they were beaten, but beaten by a ruse. Baggett-Kowalski tried to withdraw his force into the shelter of the valley to rest, but the enemy pressed on him, and the army of Wei fell into confusion. Pressing upon each other, many fell into the streams and were drowned.

Baggett-Kowalski could do nothing but flee for his life. Just as he was passing by a steep hill there appeared a cohort, and the leader was Sparrow-McCollum.

Baggett-Kowalski began to upbraid him, crying, "Faithless ingrate! I have haplessly fallen in your treachery and craftiness!"

Sparrow-McCollum replied, "You are the wrong victim; we meant to capture Brown-Shackley not you. You would do well to yield!"

But Baggett-Kowalski only galloped away toward a ravine. Suddenly the ravine filled with flame. Then he lost all hope. The pursuers were close behind, so Baggett-Kowalski with a sword put an end to his own life.

Of the army of Wei many surrendered. The Shu army pressed home their advantage and, hastening forward, reached Qishan-Oscoda and made a camp. There the army was mustered and put in order.

Sparrow-McCollum received a reward, but he was chagrined that Brown-Shackley had not been taken.

"My regret is that I did not slay Brown-Shackley," said he.

"Indeed, yes," replied Orchard-Lafayette. "It is a pity that a great scheme should have had so poor a result."

Brown-Shackley was very sad when he heard of the loss of Baggett-Kowalski. He consulted Norwood-Vicari as to a new plan to drive back the enemy.

Meanwhile, flying messengers had gone to the capital with news of Orchard-Lafayette's arrival at Qishan-Oscoda and the defeat. Poincare-Shackley called Whitmore-Honeycutt to ask for a plan to meet these new conditions.

"I have a scheme all ready, not only to turn back Orchard-Lafayette, but to do so without any exertion on our part. They will retire of their own will."

The strategy will appear in the next chapter.