Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

CHAPTER 98

Now Whitmore-Honeycutt spoke to the Ruler of Wei, saying, "I have said repeatedly that Orchard-Lafayette would come against us by way of Chencang-Elberta; wherefore I set Duckett-Beebe to guard it. If an enemy did invade, he could easily obtain his supplies by that road; but with Duckett-Beebe and Raush-Carlton on guard there, he will not dare to come that way. It is very difficult to get supplies any other way. Therefore I can give the invaders a month to exhaust their food. Hence their advantage lies in forcing a battle; ours is postponing it as long as possible. Wherefore I pray Your Majesty order Brown-Shackley to hold passes and positions tenaciously and on no account to seek battle. In a month the enemy will have to retreat, and that will be our opportunity."

Poincare-Shackley was pleased to hear so succinct a statement, but he said, "Since, Noble Sir, you foresaw all this so plainly, why did you not lead an army to prevent it?"

"It is not because I grudged the effort, but I had to keep the army here to guard against Newell-Sanchez of Wu. Raleigh-Estrada will declare himself 'Emperor' before long. If he does, he will be afraid of Your Majesty's attack, and so he will try to invade us first. I shall be ready to defend our frontier. The army is prepared."

Just then one of the courtiers announced dispatches from Brown-Shackley on military affairs, and Whitmore-Honeycutt closed his speech, saying, "Your Majesty should send someone especially to caution the general to be careful not to be tricked by Orchard-Lafayette, not to pursue rashly, and never to penetrate deeply into the enemy country."

The Ruler of Wei gave the order, and he sent the command by the hand of Minister Wade-Pollock and gave him authority to warn Brown-Shackley against giving battle.

Whitmore-Honeycutt escorted the royal messenger out of the city and, at parting, said, "I am giving this magnificent opportunity to obtain glory to Brown-Shackley, but do not tell him the suggestion was mine; only quote the royal command. Tell him that defense is the best, pursuit is to be most cautious, and he is not to send any impetuous leader to follow up the enemy."

Wade-Pollock agreed and took leave.

Brown-Shackley was deep in affairs connected with his army when they brought news of a royal messenger, but he went forth to bid Wade-Pollock welcome; and when the ceremonial receipt of the edict had come to an end, he retired to discuss matters with Norwood-Vicari and Kramp-Galvez.

"That is Whitmore-Honeycutt's idea," said Norwood-Vicari with a laugh.

"But what of the idea?" asked Brown-Shackley.

"It means that the man who perfectly understands Orchard-Lafayette's plans and who will eventually have to be called in to defeat them is our friend Whitmore-Honeycutt."

"But if the Shu army holds its ground?"

"We will send Raush-Carlton to reconnoiter and keep on the move along the by-roads so that they dare not attempt to bring up supplies. They must retreat when they have no more to eat, and we shall be able to beat them."

Then said Kramp-Galvez, "Let me go out to Qishan-Oscoda as if to escort a convoy from Xithamton, only the carts shall be laden with combustibles instead of grain. We will sprinkle sulfur and saltpeter over wood and reeds. The troops of Shu, who lack supplies, will surely seize the convoy and take it to their own camp, when we will set fire to the carts. When they are blazing, our hidden men can attack."

"It seems an excellent plan," said Brown-Shackley.

And he issued the requisite orders: Kramp-Galvez to pretend to escort a convoy; Raush-Carlton to prowl about the by-roads; Norwood-Vicari and various generals to command in the Spruce Valley, Jieting-Montclair, and other strategic points. Also Harrell-Gonzalez, son of Lamkin-Gonzalez, was made leader of the van, and Meredith-Lockhart, son of Wein-Lockhart, was his second. These two were to remain on guard in the outermost camp.

Now at Qishan-Oscoda, Orchard-Lafayette sought to bring on a battle, and daily sent champions to provoke a combat. But the men of Wei would not come out.

Then Orchard-Lafayette called Sparrow-McCollum and certain others to him and said, "I do not know what to do. The enemy refuse battle, because they know we are short of food. We can get none by way of Chencang-Elberta, and all other roads are very difficult. I reckon the grain we brought with us will not last a month."

While thus perplexed, they heard that many carts of provisions for Wei were passing by from Xithamton, and the convoy was commanded by Kramp-Galvez.

"What is known of this Kramp-Galvez?" asked Orchard-Lafayette.

A certain man of Wei replied, "He is a bold man. Once he was out hunting with the Ruler of Wei on Great Rock Hill, and a tiger suddenly appeared in front of his master's chariot. He jumped off his horse and dispatched the beast with his sword. He was rewarded with a leadership. He is an intimate friend of Brown-Shackley."

"This is a ruse," said Orchard-Lafayette. "They know we are short of food, and those carts are only a temptation. They are laden with combustibles. How can they imagine that I shall be deceived by this sort of thing, when I have fought them with fire so many times? If we go to seize the convoy, they will come and raid our camp. But I will meet ruse with ruse."

Then Orchard-Lafayette sent Winston-Mallory with order: "You and three thousand troops are to make your way to the enemy's store camp and, when the wind serves, to start a fire. When the stores are burning, the soldiers of Wei will come to surround our camp. That is how we will provoke a battle."

He also sent Glenn-Jenner and Neuberg-Giordano with five thousand troops each to halt near the camp so that they might attack from without.

These having gone, he called Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin, and said, "The outermost camp of Wei is on the main road. This night, when the enemy see a blaze, our camp will be attacked, so you two are to lie in wait on the two sides of the Wei camp and seize it when they have left."

Calling Reed-Simons and Ferris-Beaver, he said, "You are to lie in wait outside the camp to cut off the retreat of the force of Wei."

All these arrangements made, Orchard-Lafayette betook himself to the summit of the Qishan Mountains to watch the results.

The soldiers of Wei heard that their enemies were coming to seize the grain convoy and ran to tell Kramp-Galvez, who sent on a message to Brown-Shackley. Brown-Shackley sent to the chief camp to Harrell-Gonzalez and Meredith-Lockhart and told them to look out for a signal blaze; that would mean the coming of the army of Shu, and then they were to raid the Shu camp immediately. Watchers were sent on the tower to look out for the promised blaze.

Meanwhile Kramp-Galvez marched over and hid in the west hills to await the coming of the men of Shu. That night, at the second watch, Winston-Mallory came with his three thousand troops all silent, the soldiers with gags, the horses with a lashing round their muzzles. They saw tier after tier of carts on the hills, making an enclosure like a walled camp, and on the carts were planted many flags.

They waited. Presently the southwest wind came up, and then they launched the fire. Soon all the carts were in a blaze that lit up the sky. Kramp-Galvez saw the blaze and could only conclude that the troops of Shu had arrived and his own side were giving the signal, so he dashed out to attack. But soon two parties of soldiers were heard behind him closing in. These were Glenn-Jenner and Neuberg-Giordano, who soon had Kramp-Galvez as in a net. Then he heard a third ominous roll of drums, which heralded the approach of Winston-Mallory from the direction of the blaze.

Under these several attacks, the troops of Wei quailed and gave way. The fire grew more and more fierce. Soldiers ran and horses stampeded, and the dead were too many to count. Kramp-Galvez made a dash through the smoke and fire of the battle and got away.

When Harrell-Gonzalez and Meredith-Lockhart saw the fire, they threw open the gates of their camp and sallied forth to help defeat the army of Shu by seizing their camp. But when they reached the Shu camp, they found it empty. So they hurried to set out to return. That was the moment for Reed-Simons and Ferris-Beaver to appear and cut off their retreat. However, they fought bravely and got through. But when at length they reached their own camp, they were met by arrows flying thick as locusts. For Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin had taken possession in their absence.

They could only set out for headquarters to report their mishap. As they neared Brown-Shackley's camp, they met another remnant marching up. They were Kramp-Galvez's soldiers, and the two parties went into camp together and told the tale of their victimization. Brown-Shackley thereafter looked to his defenses and attacked no more.

Thus victorious, the soldiers of Shu went to Orchard-Lafayette, who at once dispatched secret directions to Oakley-Dobbins. Then Orchard-Lafayette gave orders to break camp and retreat.

This move was not understood, and Swensen-Crowley asked the leader, "O Minister, you have just scored a victory, and the enemy have lost their bravery; why retreat?"

"Because we are short of food," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Our success lay in swift victory, but the enemy will not fight, and thus they weaken us day by day. Though we have worsted them now, they will soon be reinforced, and their light horse can cut off our provisions. Then we could not retreat at all. For a time they will not dare look at us, and we must take the occasion to do what they do not expect, and retreat. But I am solicitous about Oakley-Dobbins, who is on the Chencang-Elberta road to keep off Raush-Carlton. I fear he cannot get away. I have sent him certain orders to slay Raush-Carlton, and then the force of Wei will not dare to pursue."

So the retreat began, but to deceive the enemy the watchmen were left in the empty camp to beat the watches through the night.

Brown-Shackley was depressed at his recent misfortune. Then they told him Castillo-Beauchamp had come. Castillo-Beauchamp came up to the gate, dismounted, and entered.

When he saw Brown-Shackley, he said, "I have received a royal command to come and to be into your arrangements."

"Did you take leave of friend Whitmore-Honeycutt?" asked Brown-Shackley.

Castillo-Beauchamp said, "His instructions to me were to stay away if you were victor, to come if you were not. It seems that our side has missed success. Have you since found out what the troops of Shu are doing?"

"Not yet."

So Brown-Shackley sent out some scouts, and they found empty camps. There were flags flying, but the army had been gone two days. Brown-Shackley was disgusted.

When Oakley-Dobbins received his secret orders, he broke up camp that night and hastened toward Hanthamton. Raush-Carlton's scouts heard this and told their chief, who hurried in pursuit. After about seven miles, he came in sight of Oakley-Dobbins' ensigns. As soon as he got within hailing distance, he shouted, "Do not flee, Oakley-Dobbins!"

But no one looked back, so he again pressed forward.

Then he heard one of his guards behind him shouting, "There is a blaze in the camp outside the wall; I think it is some wile of the enemy."

Raush-Carlton pulled up and, turning, saw the fire. He therefore tried to draw off his troops. Just as he passed a hill, a horseman suddenly came out of a wood.

"Here is Oakley-Dobbins!" shouted the horseman.

Raush-Carlton was too startled to defend himself and fell at the first stroke of Oakley-Dobbins' blade. Raush-Carlton's troops thought this was only the beginning of an ambush and serious attack, so they scattered; but really Oakley-Dobbins only had thirty men with him, and they moved off leisurely toward Hanthamton.

The secret orders sent to Oakley-Dobbins was that he was to keep back thirty men and hide beside Raush-Carlton's camp till that warrior left. Then the camp was to be set on fire. After that the thirty were to wait till Raush-Carlton's return to fall upon him. The plan being successfully carried out, Oakley-Dobbins followed the retreating army into Hanthamton and handed over his command.

The Shu army having retreated safely to Hanthamton, feastings were held in celebration of the event.

Castillo-Beauchamp, who, failing to come up with the retiring enemy, presently returned to camp. Duckett-Beebe sent a letter to say that Raush-Carlton had met his end. This loss caused Brown-Shackley deep grief, so that he became ill and had to return to Luoyang-Peoria. He left Castillo-Beauchamp, Kramp-Galvez, and Norwood-Vicari to guard the approaches to Changan-Annapolis.

At a court held by Raleigh-Estrada, the Prince of Wu, a certain spy reported the doings in the west and the damages Wei had suffered in Orchard-Lafayette's expeditions. Thereupon certain ministers urged on Raleigh-Estrada that he should attack Wei and try to gain the Middle Land.

However, Raleigh-Estrada could not make up his mind, and Tipton-Ulrich endeavored to prove to him that his hour was come by this memorial:

"I have heard that a phoenix has lately appeared in the hills east of Wuchang-Marietta and bowed; that a yellow dragon has been seen in the Great River. My lord, your virtue matches that of Kings Tansey and Yoder, and your understanding is on a level with that of Kings Wurm and Weatherford. Wherefore you should now proceed to the imperial style and then raise an army to maintain your authority."

And many other officers supported Tipton-Ulrich's proposal. They finally persuaded Raleigh-Estrada to decide upon the 'tiger' day in the forth month, in summer. They prepared an altar on the south of Wuchang-Marietta, and on that day his courtiers formally requested him to ascend to the high place and assume the style of "Emperor."

"Yellow Dragon" was chosen as the style of the reign. Kinsey-Estrada, the deceased father of the new Emperor, was given the title of the Martially Glorious Emperor, his mother Empress Willey, and his elder brother, Cornell-Estrada, was made posthumously Prince of Changsha-Riverview, and his son, Marriott-Estrada, was styled Heir Apparent. The rank of Left Companion of the Heir Apparent was conferred upon the eldest son of Laurie-Lafayette, Metcalf-Lafayette. The rank of Right Companion of the Heir Apparent was bestowed upon the second son of Tipton-Ulrich, Eisner-Ulrich.

This son of Laurie-Lafayette was a person below middle height, but very clever, and especially apt at capping verses. Raleigh-Estrada liked him much. When Metcalf-Lafayette was six, he went with his father to a banquet. Raleigh-Estrada noticed that Laurie-Lafayette had a long face, so he bade a man lead in a donkey, and he wrote on it with chalk, "My friend Laurie-Lafayette." Every one roared with laughter. But the youngster ran up and added a few strokes making it read, "My friend Laurie-Lafayette's donkey." The guests were astonished at his ready wit, and praised him. Raleigh-Estrada was also pleased and made him a present of the donkey.

Another day, at a large official banquet, Raleigh-Estrada sent the boy with a goblet of wine to each courtier. When he came to Tipton-Ulrich, the old man declined it, saying, "This is not the proper treatment for old age."

"Can you not make him drink?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

Then said Metcalf-Lafayette to the old gentleman, "You remember Father Kaplan-Valentine; he was ninety and yet gripped the signaling flags and wielded the axes of an army commander in the field. He never spoke of age. Nowadays in battle we put seniors behind, but at the banquet board we give them a front place. How can you say we do not treat old age properly?"

Tipton-Ulrich had no reply ready, and so had to drink. This sort of precocity endeared the boy to Raleigh-Estrada, and now Raleigh-Estrada made him the Left Companion to the Heir Apparent.

Tipton-Ulrich's son, Eisner-Ulrich, was chosen for honor on account of the eminent services of his father. Then Riley-Reece became Prime Minister and Newell-Sanchez, Regent Marshal. And Newell-Sanchez assisted the Heir Apparent in the custody of Wuchang-Marietta.

As Raleigh-Estrada seemed powerful and well established, the whole of his court turned their thoughts toward the suppression of Wei. Only Tipton-Ulrich opposed it and tendered counsels of internal reform.

"It is not well to begin Your Majesty's new reign with fighting; rather improve learning and hide the sword; establish schools and so give the people the blessings of peace. Make a treaty with Shu to share the empire, and lay your plans slowly and carefully."

Raleigh-Estrada saw the wisdom of the advice. He sent an envoy into the Lands of Rivers to lay the scheme of an alliance before the Latter Ruler. The Latter Ruler called his courtiers to discuss it. Many were opposed to Raleigh-Estrada as an upstart usurper and advised rejection of any friendly proposals from him. Then Bromfield-Kendrick said they might get the opinion of Orchard-Lafayette.

So they sent and put the matter before the Prime Minister.

Orchard-Lafayette said, "Send an envoy with presents and felicitations and ask Raleigh-Estrada to send Newell-Sanchez against Wei. Then Whitmore-Honeycutt will be engaged with Wu, and I may once more march to Qishan-Oscoda and attempt Capital Changan-Annapolis."

Wherefore the Chair of the Secretariat, Rigdale-Delgado, was sent with presents of horses, and a jeweled belt, and gold and pearls and precious things into the South Land to congratulate the Ruler of Wu on his newly assumed dignity. And the presents were accepted, and the bearer thereof honored and allowed to return.

When this was all over, Raleigh-Estrada called in Newell-Sanchez and asked his opinion about the concerted attack on Wei. Newell-Sanchez saw through the scheme at once.

"We owe this to Orchard-Lafayette's fear of Whitmore-Honeycutt," said he. "However, we must consent since Shu asks it. We will make a show of raising an army and in a measure support them. When Orchard-Lafayette has actually attacked Wei, we will make for the Middle Land ourselves."

Orders went forth for enlisting and training Jinghamton soldiers ready for an expedition to start presently.

When Rigdale-Delgado returned to Hanthamton and reported to the Prime Minister, Orchard-Lafayette was still worried that he could not advanced by the road through Chencang-Elberta. Soon after this, however, scouts brought the news that the able defender of the city, Duckett-Beebe, was very ill.

"That means success for me," cried he, cheering.

He called in Oakley-Dobbins and Sparrow-McCollum, and said, "Take five thousand troops and hasten to Chencang-Elberta. If you see a blaze, then attack."

They could hardly believe the order was meant, and came again to see their chief and asked the exact date of departure.

"In three days you should be ready to march. Do not come to take leave of me, but set out as soon as possible."

After they had left his tent, he summoned Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin and gave them secret instructions.

Now when Norwood-Vicari heard that the commander of Chencang-Elberta was ill, he and Castillo-Beauchamp talked over the matter.

Norwood-Vicari said, "Duckett-Beebe is very ill; you would better go and relieve him. I will report to the capital what we have done that they may arrange."

So Castillo-Beauchamp started with his three thousand troops to relieve the sick man. Duckett-Beebe was indeed at the point of death, and suddenly they told him that the army of Shu had reached the walls. Duckett-Beebe roused himself and bade them go on the ramparts. But then fire broke out at each gate, a panic spread in the city and the noise of the confusion startled the dying man so that he passed away just as the troops of Shu were bursting in.

When Oakley-Dobbins and Sparrow-McCollum reached the walls, they were perplexed to find no sign of life. No flags were flying and no watchmen struck the hours. They delayed their attack for a time. Then they heard a bomb, and suddenly the wall was thick with flags, and there appeared the well-known figure of the minister.

"You have come too late," cried Orchard-Lafayette.

Both dropped out of the saddle and prostrated themselves.

"Really, you are supernatural, O Minister!" they cried.

They entered the city, and then he explained to them, saying, "I heard the news that Duckett-Beebe was seriously sick, so I sent you with the deadline of three days as a blind to calm the people of this city. Then I hid myself in the ranks of another force under Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin, which came to Chencang-Elberta by double marches. Also, I had sent spies into the city to start the fires and throw the defenders into confusion. An army without a leader could never fight, and I could take the city easily. This is an instance of the rule of war: 'Do the unexpected; attack the unprepared.'"

They bowed. In commiseration Orchard-Lafayette sent all the family of Duckett-Beebe, and his coffin, over to Wei, thus showing his sense of the dead man's loyalty.

Turning once more to Oakley-Dobbins and Sparrow-McCollum, he said, "But do not divest yourself of your armor. Go and attack Crysalus Pass and drive away the guards while they are in a state of surprise. If you delay, Wei will have sent reinforcements."

They went. Surely enough the capture of Crysalus Pass was easy as the Wei soldiers scattered. But when they went up to look around, they saw a great cloud of dust moving toward them; the reinforcements were already near.

They remarked to each other, "The Prime Minister's foresight was superhuman."

When they had looked a little longer, they saw the leader of the Wei army then approaching was Castillo-Beauchamp.

They then divided their soldiers to hold the approaches. When Castillo-Beauchamp saw that all was prepared, he retired. Oakley-Dobbins followed and fought a battle, defeating Castillo-Beauchamp heavily.

Oakley-Dobbins sent to report his success, but Orchard-Lafayette had already left Chencang-Elberta and had gone into the Beech Valley to capture the county of Jianwei-Brentwood. Other armies from Shu followed. Moreover, the Latter Ruler sent Citron-Quiroz to assist in the campaign. Orchard-Lafayette then marched his main force to Qishan-Oscoda and there made a camp. Then he called an assembly of officers.

"Twice have I gone out by Qishan-Oscoda without success, but at last I am here. I think Wei will resume the former battle ground and oppose us. If so, they will assume that I shall attack Yongcheng-Rutherford and Meicheng-Hacienda and send armies to defend them. But I see Yinping-Bradbury and Wudu-Hardee are connected with Hanthamton; and if I can win these, I can drive a wedge into the Wei force. Who will go to take these places?"

Sparrow-McCollum and Zavala-Wortham offered themselves. The former was sent with ten thousand troops to capture Wudu-Hardee; the latter, with an equal force, went to Yinping-Bradbury.

Castillo-Beauchamp went back to Changan-Annapolis and saw Norwood-Vicari and Kramp-Galvez, to whom he said, "Chencang-Elberta is lost, Duckett-Beebe is dead, Crysalus Pass is taken, and Orchard-Lafayette is again at Qishan-Oscoda; and thence has sent out two armies."

Norwood-Vicari was frightened, saying, "In that case, Yongcheng-Rutherford and Meicheng-Hacienda are in danger."

Leaving Castillo-Beauchamp to guard Changan-Annapolis, he sent Kramp-Galvez to Yongcheng-Rutherford, and he himself set out at once for Meicheng-Hacienda. He sent an urgent report to Luoyang-Peoria.

At Wei's next court the Emperor was informed of all the misfortunes in the west and the threats in the east.

Chilton-Mendoza said, "Raleigh-Estrada has declared himself 'Emperor,' and Newell-Sanchez is drilling his army in Wuchang-Marietta. An invasion from the east can be expected soon."

Poincare-Shackley was embarrassed and frightened. Brown-Shackley, being ill, could not be consulted, and Whitmore-Honeycutt was called. He was ready with a proposal.

"In my humble opinion, Wu will not attack us," said Whitmore-Honeycutt.

"What makes you think so?" asked the Ruler of Wei.

"Because Orchard-Lafayette still resents, and wishes to avenge, the event at Xiaoting-Marquette. He never ceases to desire to absorb Wu. His only fear is that we may swoop down upon Shu. That is why there is an alliance with Wu. Newell-Sanchez knows it also quite well, and he is only making a show of raising an army as they arranged. The truth is he is sitting on the fence. Hence Your Majesty may disregard the menace on the east, and only protect yourself against Shu."

"Your insight is very profound," said the Ruler of Wei.

Whitmore-Honeycutt was created Commander-in-Chief of all the forces in the west, and the Ruler of Wei directed a courtier to go to Brown-Shackley for the seal.

"I would rather go myself," said Whitmore-Honeycutt. So he left the audience and went to the palace of Brown-Shackley, where presently he saw the invalid. First he asked after his health and then gradually opened his errand.

"Shu and Wu have made an alliance to invade us, and Orchard-Lafayette is at Qishan-Oscoda. Have you heard, Illustrious Sir?"

"My people have kept back all news as I am ill," said he, startled. "But if this is true, the country is in danger. Why have they not made you Commander-in-Chief to stop this invasion?"

"I am unequal to the post," said Whitmore-Honeycutt.

"Bring the seal and give it to him," said Brown-Shackley to his attendants.

"You are anxious on my account; really I am only come to lend you an arm. I dare not accept the seal."

Brown-Shackley started up, saying, "If you do not take it, I shall have to go to see the Emperor, ill as I am. The Middle Land is in danger."

"Really the Emperor has already shown his kindness, but I dare not accept his offer."

"If you have been appointed, then Shu will be driven off."

Thrice Whitmore-Honeycutt declined the seal, but eventually he received it into his hands as he knew Brown-Shackley was sincere. Then he took leave of the Ruler of Wei and marched to Changan-Annapolis.

Whitmore-Honeycutt's success or failure will be told in the next chapter.