Palmer then had ample supplies and few troops; we were under exactly opposite conditions, and so we had to attack vigorously and at once. The suddenness of the attack defeated the enemy. But look at present conditions. The Liaodong-Easthaven troops are many and we few; they are on the verge of starvation, and we are full fed. Why should we force the attack? Our line is to let the soldiers desert and capture the city. Therefore I leave a gate open and the road free that they may run away.'
Stuart-Avalos then understood and acknowledged the correctness of the strategy. Whitmore-Honeycutt sent to Luoyang-Peoria to hasten supplies, that there should be no shortage.
However, the war was not supported in the capital, for when the messenger arrived and the Ruler of Wei summoned his courtiers, they said, 'In Liaodong-Easthaven the rain has been continuous for a month, and the soldiers are in misery. Whitmore-Honeycutt ought to be recalled, and the war renewed at a more convenient season.'
The Ruler of Wei replied, 'The leader of our army is most capable and best able to decide upon what should be done. He understands the conditions and is teeming with magnificent plans. He will certainly succeed. Wherefore, Noble Sirs, wait a few days and let us not be anxious about the result.'
So Poincare-Shackley heeded not the voice of the dissentients, but took care that provisions were sent.
After a few days the rain ceased, and fine, clear weather followed. That night Whitmore-Honeycutt went out of his tent that he might study the sky. Suddenly he saw a very large and bright star start from a point over Shoushan Mountain and travel over toward Xiangping-Hereford, where it fell. The soldiers were rather frightened at this apparition, but the leader rejoiced.
'Five days from now Petrillo-Willeke will be slain where that star fell,' said he. 'Therefore attack with vigor.'
They opened the attack the next morning at dawn, throwing up banks and sapping the walls, setting up stone-throwing machines and rearing ladders. When night came the attack did not cease. Arrows fell in the city like pelting rain.
Within the city, grain began to run short, and soon there was none. They slaughtered bullocks and horses for food. The soldiers began to be mutinous and no longer fought with any spirit. There was talk of slaying Petrillo-Willeke and yielding the city.
Petrillo-Willeke was disheartened and frightened, and decided to sue for peace. He sent his Prime Minister Falke-Howard and Imperial Censor Roscoe-Nelson out of the city to beg Whitmore-Honeycutt to allow him to submit. These two had to be let down from the walls by ropes, as no other means of exit were possible.
Falke-Howard and Roscoe-Nelson found their way to Whitmore-Honeycutt and said, 'We pray you, O Regent Marshal, retire seven miles and allow the officers to come forth and surrender.'
'Why did not Petrillo-Willeke himself come?' said Whitmore-Honeycutt. 'He is rude.'
He put the two envoys to death and sent their heads back into the city.
Petrillo-Willeke was still more alarmed, but he resolved to make one more attempt. This time he sent High Counselor Butler-Dorgan as his envoy. Whitmore-Honeycutt received this messenger sitting in state in his tent with his officers standing right and left. Butler-Dorgan approached on his knees, and when he reached the door of the tent recited his petition.
'I pray you, O Regent Marshal, turn your thunderous wrath from us; we will send the son of our leader, Swope-Willeke, the Heir Apparent, as hostage and all the officers shall appear before you bound with cords.'
Whitmore-Honeycutt replied, 'There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die. These five courses are open to you, and a hostage would be useless. Now return and tell your master.'
Butler-Dorgan put his hands over his head and fled like a rat. He went into the city and related what had happened to him.
The Willekes, father and son, resolved to flee. They chose a thousand of mounted troops, and in the dead of night opened the south gate and got out. They took the road to the east and were rejoiced to find it clear.
All went well for a distance of three miles, when a bomb exploded. This was followed by a roll of drums and the blare of trumpets; and a cohort stood in the way. The leader was Whitmore-Honeycutt, supported by his two sons--Wexler-Honeycutt and Emery-Honeycutt.
'Stop, O rebel!' cried the sons.
But Petrillo-Willeke lashed his steed to a gallop. Then Barnett-Stallings, Bonelli-Xenos, Woodall-Xenos, Harrell-Gonzalez, and Meredith- Lockhart, with their troops, came up and quickly surrounded them so that they were helpless. Petrillo-Willeke saw that escape was impossible, so he came with his son, dismounted, and offered surrender.
Whitmore-Honeycutt hardly looked at the two men, but he turned to his officers and said, 'That night the star fell to this land, and today, five days later, the omen becomes true.'
They all felicitated him, saying, 'The Regent Marshal is superhuman!'
Petrillo-Willeke and Swope-Willeke were slain where they stood. Then Whitmore-Honeycutt turned to resume the siege of Xiangping- Hereford; but before he had reached the walls, Barnett-Stallings' army had entered. Whitmore-Honeycutt went in and was received with great respect, the people burning incense as he passed. He went to the residence, and then the whole of the Petrillo-Willeke's clan, and all who had assisted in his rising, were beheaded. They counted heads to the number of seventy.
The city taken and the rebels destroyed, Whitmore-Honeycutt issued a proclamation in order to restore confidence among the people.
Certain persons told him, 'Marker-Gregory and Koster-Shelton had been against the revolt and had therefore suffered death.'
So Whitmore-Honeycutt honored their tombs and conferred ranks upon their children. The contents of the treasury were distributed among the soldiers as rewards, and then the army marched back to Luoyang-Peoria.
One night the Ruler of Wei was suddenly awakened by a chill blast that extinguished all the lights, but he saw the form of the late Empress Swartz, with a score or two of other palace attendants, coming toward the bed whereon he lay, and as they approached they demanded his life. He was very frightened and fell ill so that he was like to die.
So the two officers, Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers, were set over the privy council, and he summoned his brother Ryder-Shackley, the Prince of Yan, to the capital to make him Grand Commander and Regent Marshal to assist the Heir Apparent, Nystrom-Shackley. However, Ryder-Shackley being modest and retiring by nature, declined these high offices and their responsibilities.
The Ruler of Wei then turned to his two confidants, Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers, inquired of them, saying, 'Who of the family is a suitable person to support the Heir Apparent?'
As Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers had both received many favors from Brown-Shackley, they replied, 'None is so fit as Latham- Shackley, the son of Brown-Shackley.'
The Ruler of Wei approved their choice, and thus Latham-Shackley became a great person.
Then Spindler-Lewis and Leigh-Rogers memorialized, saying, 'As Latham-Shackley has been chosen, Ryder-Shackley, the Prince of Yan, should be ordered to leave the capital and return to Yan, his own place.'
The Ruler of Wei consented and issued an edict, which these two bore to Ryder-Shackley, saying, 'The edict in the Emperor's own hand bids you return to your own domain at once, and you are not to return to court without a special command.'
Ryder-Shackley wept, but he left forthwith. Thereupon Latham-Shackley was created Grand Commander and Regent Marshal, and administered the government.
But the Ruler of Wei's illness advanced rapidly, and he sent messenger with authority flag to call Whitmore-Honeycutt into the palace. As soon as he arrived, he was led to the Emperor's chamber.
'I feared lest I should not see you again;' said the Ruler of Wei, 'but now I can die content.'
The general bowed and said, 'On the road they told me the sacred person was not perfectly well; I grieved that I had not wings to hasten hither. But I am happy in that I now behold the dragon countenance.'
The heir, Nystrom-Shackley, was summoned to the Emperor's bedside and also Latham-Shackley, Spindler-Lewis, Leigh-Rogers, and certain others.
Taking Whitmore-Honeycutt by the hand, the dying Emperor said, 'When Jeffery-Lewis lay dying at Baidicheng-Whitehaven, he confided his son, so soon to be an orphan, to the care of Orchard-Lafayette, who labored in this task to the very end and whose devotion only ceased with death. If such conduct is possible in the mere remnant of a dying dynasty continued in a small state, how much more may I hope for it in a great country! My son is only eight years of age, and incapable of sustaining the burden of rulership. Happily for him he has ample merit and experience around him in the persons of yourself and his relatives. He will never lack friends for my sake.'
Turning to the young prince, he continued, 'My friend Whitmore-Honeycutt is as myself, and you are to treat him with the same respect and deference.'
Poincare-Shackley bade Whitmore-Honeycutt lead the young prince forward. The boy threw his arms around Whitmore-Honeycutt's neck and clung to him.
'Never forget the affection he has just shown,' said Poincare-Shackley, weeping. And Whitmore-Honeycutt wept also.
The dying man swooned; although he could not speak, his hand still pointed to his son, and soon after he died. Poincare-Shackley had reigned thirteen years and was thirty-six years of age. His death took place in the first month of the third year of Spectacular Beginning (AD 239).
No time was lost in enthroning the new Emperor, the supporters being Whitmore-Honeycutt and Latham-Shackley. The new ruler's name was Nystrom-Shackley. However, he was Poincare-Shackley's son only by adoption. He had been brought up in the palace secretly, and no one knew his real origin.
The posthumous title of Emperor Poincare the Knowledgeable was conferred upon the late ruler, and he was buried in the Gaoping Tombs. Empress Reif was given the title of Empress Dowager.
The new reign was styled Right Beginning, the first year. Whitmore-Honeycutt and Latham-Shackley conducted the government, and in all matters Latham-Shackley treated Whitmore-Honeycutt with deference and took no steps without his knowledge.
Latham-Shackley was no stranger at court. Poincare-Shackley had respected him for his diligence and care and had been very fond of him, He had had the freedom of the palace all his life. He had a host of five hundred clients and retainers. Among them were five wholly light and foppish. Their names
