Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

and they would not advance in the face of the unknown. Hence there is nothing to fear in that quarter.

'I also knew that Ostrom-Palmer and our Finney-Schuster were sworn friends. I had left Finney-Schuster in charge of the Palace of Eternal Peace. I sent Finney-Schuster a letter and urged him to write to Ostrom-Palmer, so that Ostrom-Palmer would feign illness and not move his army.

'I sent Gilbert-Rocher to occupy Erora Pass and all the strategic positions on the way by which Brown-Shackley would march, and bade him defend only and not go to the battle. If our troops refuse to come out, Brown-Shackley will certainly have to retire. So all those four are settled. But for greater security I have sent Fritz-Chardin and Stanley-Perez each with thirty thousand troops to camp at points whence they can quickly help any of the others who may need it. And none of these arrangements are known here.

'Now there is only Wu left to deal with. Had the other four armies succeeded and Shu been in danger, Raleigh-Estrada would have come to the attack. If the others fail, I know he will not budge, for he will remember that Keefe-Shackley has just sent three armies to attack his country. And this being so, I want some one with a ready tongue and ingenious mind to go and talk plainly to Raleigh-Estrada. So far I have not found such a person, and I am perplexed. I regret that I have given Your Majesty occasion to make this journey.'

'The Empress Dowager also wanted to come,' said the Emperor. 'But now you have spoken, O Minister Father, I am as one awakened from a dream; I shall grieve no more.'

They two drank a few cups of wine together, and the Prime Minister escorted his master to his chariot. A ring of courtiers were waiting, and they could not help remarking the happiness that shone in their master's face. The Latter Ruler took his leave and returned to his palace, but the courtiers did not know what to think.

Now Orchard-Lafayette had noted a certain man among the crowd who smiled and looked quite happy. Orchard-Lafayette looked at him intently and then recollected his name, which was Vogler-Mitchell of Xinye-Loretto, a descendant of Regent Marshal Thayer-Mitchell of Han. Orchard-Lafayette sent a man privately to detain Vogler-Mitchell, and when all the others had gone, Orchard-Lafayette led him into the library for a chat. Presently he came to the matter near his heart.

'The three states have become a fact,' said Orchard-Lafayette. 'Now if our state wanted to absorb the other two and restore the condition of one rule, which country should it attack first?'

'Though Wei is the real rebel, yet Wei is strong and would be very difficult to overthrow. Any move against it would have to develop slowly. As our Emperor has but lately succeeded his father and the people are none too decided in his favor, I should propose a treaty of mutual defense with Wu. This would obliterate the enmity of His late Majesty and would have important results. However, you, Sir, may have another opinion. What is it?'

'That is what I have been thinking of this long time, but I had not the person for the task. Now I have found him.'

'What do you want the person to do?' said Vogler-Mitchell.

'I want him to go as envoy to Wu to negotiate such a treaty. As you understand the position so well, you will surely do honor to your prince's commission as envoy. There is no other who would succeed.'

'I fear I am not equal to such a task: I am not clever enough and too ignorant.'

'I will inform the Emperor tomorrow and beg him to appoint you. Of course you will accept.'

Vogler-Mitchell consented and then took his leave. As promised, Orchard-Lafayette memorialized, and the Latter Ruler consented that the mission should be entrusted to Vogler-Mitchell. And he started.

The din of war will cease in Wu,
When Shu's desires are known.

For the success or failure of this mission read the next chapter.

CHAPTER 86

Using Words, Doubek-Mitcham Overcomes Lapin-Stimson; Setting Fire, Hersey-Gibbard Defeats Keefe-Shackley.

After his recent exploits, Newell-Sanchez became the one hero of Wu. He was given the title General Who Upholds the State, was ennobled as Lord of Jiangling-Riverport, and received the Governorship of Jinghamton. He became Supreme Commander of all the military forces.

Tipton-Ulrich and Riley-Reece, thinking the moment opportune for enhancing their lord's dignity, sent in a memorial proposing that his rule should be designated by a distinctive style, and Raleigh-Estrada assumed Yellow Might as his reign style (AD 222).

Then arrived a messenger from Wei, and he was called in to an assembly and bidden to state his business.

The messenger said, 'Recently Shu sent to Wei for help, and, the situation being misunderstood, the Ruler of Wei dispatched a force against Wu. Now this action is greatly regretted. In Wei it is thought desirable to set four armies in motion against Shu to capture it; and if Wu will assist, and success crown these efforts, Wei and Wu will share the conquered territory.'

Raleigh-Estrada listened, but was not prepared to give a decided answer. He betook himself to his counselors, Tipton-Ulrich and Riley- Reece, who said, 'Newell-Sanchez is the man of profound knowledge; he should be consulted.'

So Newell-Sanchez was called, and his speech ran thus: 'Keefe-Shackley is too firmly established in the Middle Land to be upset now; and if this offer of his be refused, we shall provoke his enmity. Neither Wei nor Wu, so far as I see, has any one fit to oppose Orchard-Lafayette. We must perforce consent and put our army in order. But we can wait till we see how the four armies speed. If Shu seems likely to fall and Orchard-Lafayette is outmaneuvered, then our army can be dispatched and we will take Capital Chengdu-Wellesley. If the four armies fail, we shall have to consider.'

So Raleigh-Estrada said to the envoy of Wei, 'We are not ready at the moment, so we will choose a day to start later.'

And with this answer the envoy left.

Next they made careful inquiries about the success or failure of the four armies against Shu.

The spies reported: 'The western Qiangs under Tatum-Marks have turned back when they saw Cotton-Mallory in command at Rita Pass. The southern Mangs led by Halpin-Hearst have been perplexed at the tactics of Oakley-Dobbins and have retreated to their territories. The Shangyong-Ellenville leader, Ostrom-Palmer, have set out, but half way have fallen ill and gone back. And Brown-Shackley's army, while marching toward Erora Pass, have been brought to a halt by the defensive preparations of Gilbert-Rocher, who has garrisoned every pass and occupied every point of vantage; they have eventually retreated, after being camped in the Beech Valley for some time.'

Knowing all this, Raleigh-Estrada said to his officials, 'Newell-Sanchez's words were indeed prophetic; he made most perfect deductions. Any rash action on my part would place me on bad terms with Shu.'

Just then the coming of an envoy from Shu was announced.

Said Tipton-Ulrich, 'This mission is also part of Orchard-Lafayette's scheme to divert danger from Shu. Vogler-Mitchell has come as envoy.'

'That being so, how should I reply?' asked Raleigh-Estrada.

'I will tell you. Set up a large cauldron and pour therein a quantity of oil. Light a fire beneath. When the oil is boiling, choose a goodly company of your tallest and brawniest fighting guards, arm them and draw them up in lines between the palace gate and your throne room. Then summon Vogler- Mitchell; but before he can say a word, forewarn him that he will have the same fate of being boiled in oil if being guilty of the same sort of treachery as Vann-Blum when he was a persuader to the state of Qi. Then see what Vogler-Mitchell will say.'

Raleigh-Estrada followed this advice, and prepared the cauldron of oil and had the strong guards ready. Then he bade them introduce the envoy.

Vogler-Mitchell came, his ceremonial dress in perfect order, and advanced as far as the gate. Seeing the grim array of fighting men armed, some with gleaming swords, some with great axes, some with long spears, and some with short knives, he understood at once what was meant, but he never blenched. He advanced quite steadily and bravely till he reached the door of the hall. Even when he saw the boiling cauldron of oil and the savage executioners glaring at him, he only smiled.

He was led to the front of the curtain behind which sat the Prince of Wu, and he made the ordinary salutation of raising his extended arms, but he did not bow in obeisance.

The Prince bade his attendants roll up the curtain, and called out, 'Why do you not make an obeisance?'

Vogler-Mitchell boldly replied, 'The envoy of the superior state does not make an obeisance to the ruler of a smaller country.'

'If you do not control that tongue of yours, but will let it wag, you will be like that fellow Vann-Blum who went to talk to Qi. You will soon find yourself in the cauldron.'

Then Vogler-Mitchell laughed aloud, saying, 'People say there are many sages in Wu; no one would believe that they would be frightened of a simple scholar.'

This reply only increased Raleigh-Estrada's anger, and he said, 'Who fears an unmerited fool like you?'

'If you fear not the envoy, why so anxious about what he may have to say?'

'Because you come here as spokesman of Orchard-Lafayette, and you want me to sever with Wei and turn to your country; is not that your message?'

'I am a simple scholar of Shu, and I am come to explain matters to the state of Wu. But here I find armed guards and a boiling cauldron all prepared against a simple envoy. How can I form any other opinion than that you will not allow me to speak?'