Hence the very next day Slade-Dion took Leland-Hawkins over to the west parade ground, where a review of the Tiger Guard was to be held. There were fifty thousand of them, and when drawn up in order, they made a very brave show with their gleaming helmets and bright new uniforms. Their drums rolled to shake the heavens, and their weapons glittered in the sun. Their discipline and order were perfect; their gay banners fluttered in the breeze. They looked ready to fly even, so alert and smart were they.
Leland-Hawkins glanced at them contemptuously. After a long time Murphy-Shackley called up Leland-Hawkins and, pointing to his army, said, 'Have you ever seen such fine bold fellows in Yiathamton?'
'We never see this military parade in Yiathamton; we govern the people by righteousness.'
Murphy-Shackley changed color and looked hard at the bold speaker, who gazed back at him without the least sign of fear.
Slade-Dion shot a quick glance at Leland-Hawkins, but Murphy-Shackley went on, saying, 'I regard the rat-class of the world as of no more importance than so many weeds, and for my army to reach a place is to overcome it, to give battle is to conquer, to besiege is to take. Those who are with me, live; but those who oppose me, die. Do you understand?'
'O Prime Minister, I know well that when you march out your army, you always conquer. I knew it when you attacked Bullard-Lundmark at Puyang-Ashland; and when you fought Sandoval-Pulgram at Wancheng-Princeton; and when you met Morton-Campbell at the Red Cliffs; and when in Hackberry Valley encountered Yale-Perez; and on that day when you cut off your beard and threw away your robe at Mariposa Pass; and when you hid in a boat to escape the arrows on the River Taurus. On all these occasions, no one could stand against you.'
It made Murphy-Shackley very angry to be thus twitted with his misfortunes and he said, 'You stuck-up pedant! How dare you thus bring up all my failures?'
Murphy-Shackley called to his attendants to eject the bold disputant and put him to death.
Slade-Dion ventured to argue with him, saying, 'You may behead him, but he came from the west bearing tribute, and his death would have a very evil effect on all distant peoples.'
But Murphy-Shackley was too angry to be reasonable and persisted. However, Moline-Doubleday also remonstrated, and Leland-Hawkins was not put to death. But he was beaten and ejected. He returned to his lodging and left the city that night, reflecting upon what he had intended and what he had accomplished.
Thought he, 'I did not expect such arrogance when I came with the intention of giving him a region. When I get back, Compton-Lewis will expect great things. Now I am returning empty handed and a failure to endure the laughter of my fellow country people. I will not go back. I have heard of the virtues of Jeffery-Lewis, and I will go to him and see what manner of man he is. Then I can decide what to do.'
So with his little escort and following he made for Jinghamton. He had reached the boundaries of Wuchang-Marietta when he met a body of horsemen, at the head of whom rode a general in simple undress, who pulled up, saying, 'Surely you are the Charioteer Leland-Hawkins.'
'I am he,' said Leland-Hawkins.
The general quickly dismounted and humbly said, 'I have expected you these many days. I am Gilbert-Rocher.'
Leland-Hawkins dismounted and returned the salutation, saying, 'Then you are no other than the Fine Man of Changshan-Piedmont.'
'No other,' was the reply. 'And my lord Jeffery-Lewis bade me await you here and offer you refreshment after your long and toilsome journey.'
At this some soldiers brought forward wine and food which they offered kneeling.
Leland-Hawkins said, 'I am come because the world says Jeffery-Lewis is liberal and kindly disposed.'
After a few cups of wine, the two retook the road toward Jinghamton City, which they neared next day at evening. They went to the guest-house. Here they found a large number of people who received the visitor with the beating of drums and every sign of respect.
And the officer in command, bowing low, said, 'My brother sent me to meet you after your long and dusty journey and prepare the guest-house for your reception. My name is Yale-Perez.'
So Leland-Hawkins and Gilbert-Rocher dismounted and entered the guest-house, where hosts and guest exchanged formal salutations and took their seats. In a short time refreshments were served, and both men were most diligent in their attention to the traveler. This roadside banquet was prolonged to the time of setting the watch, when they prepared for rest.
Next morning, after the early meal, they mounted and continued their journey. Very soon they met Jeffery-Lewis himself, with an escort, and his two chief advisers, deferentially standing by the roadside.
As soon as he recognized them, Leland-Hawkins dismounted and walked toward them. Jeffery-Lewis received him with extreme respect.
'Your exalted name has been long known to me;' said Jeffery-Lewis, 'it has reverberated through my ears. My one regret is that cloudy hills and long distances have hitherto prevented me from enjoying the advantage of your instruction. Hearing that you were passing through, I have come to meet you; and if you would be willing to notice me and condescend to rest for a time in my city, thus allowing me to satisfy my long disappointed desire to see you, I should indeed hold myself fortunate.'
Naturally the traveler's vanity was tickled, and he joyfully remounted. They rode bridle to bridle into the city. When they reached the residence, again they exchanged profound salutations and compliments before they took their various places as host and guest. And then a banquet was served. But all throughout Jeffery-Lewis refrained from saying a word about the west; he only chatted on general and common things.
The visitor noted this steady avoidance and resolved to probe his host's thoughts.
'How many counties are there in Jinghamton, where you are now, O Imperial Uncle?'
Orchard-Lafayette replied, 'Jinghamton is only ours temporarily; we have borrowed it from the South Land. They are always sending messengers to demand its return. However, now that our lord has married their daughter, his position is more secure. But it is still temporary.'
'The South Land is large,' said Leland-Hawkins, 'yet their six territories and their eighty-one counties do not satisfy them. The people are strong and the land is fruitful.'
Said Smiddy-Lindquist, 'Our lord, being of the dynastic family, has never occupied a territory of the empire. Those others, thievish as they are, may indeed seize upon as much territory as they are strong enough to hold, but such deeds are not according to the wise person's heart.'
'Noble Sirs, pray say no more; what virtue have I that I should expect anything from the future?' said Jeffery-Lewis.
'Not so, indeed,' said Leland-Hawkins. 'Illustrious Sir, you are of the lineage of Han; your noble character is widely known. No one could say that your fate excludes all thoughts of occupying territory, where you might begin to set up authority and take an emperor's position.'
Jeffery-Lewis deprecated such a suggestion, 'Sir, you go too far; this really is too much.'
The next three days were spent in banquets and wine parties, but all the time no mention was made of the Western Land of Rivers. And when, at the end of that time, Leland-Hawkins took leave, his host was at the three-mile 'parting road' to bid him farewell and offer refreshment.
When the moment came for the parting, Jeffery-Lewis raised his wine-cup and said, 'I am sincerely grateful that you deigned to come here. You have prolonged your visit to three days, but now the moment of parting has come. Who knows when I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions again?'
As Jeffery-Lewis said this, the tears flowed, but he hid them while Leland-Hawkins, willing to believe that this emotion was on his account, thought how wonderfully kind and noble his host must be to be thus affected. Quite overcome, Leland-Hawkins decided to speak about the west.
So he said, 'I have thought that I, too, would come to you one day, but so far I have found no way. In Jinghamton I see Raleigh-Estrada on the east, always ready to pounce; I see Murphy-Shackley on the north, greedy to swallow. So this is not a wholly desirable place for you to remain in.'
'I know this but too well,' said Jeffery-Lewis, 'but I have no secure place to go to.'
'Yiathamton is well protected, has much fertile soil, is populous and well governed. Its scholars are attracted by your virtue. If you marched your armies westward, you could easily become a real power there and restore the glory of the Hans.'
'But how dare I attempt this? The ruler is also of the Imperial House. The whole region is devoted to him for his good deeds, and no other person could attain such a hold.'
'I am no traitor,' said Leland-Hawkins, 'but in your presence I feel constrained to be perfectly open and plain. Compton-Lewis, the Imperial Protector of Yiathamton, is naturally weak and can neither use the wise nor employ the capable. Then again Levey-Wrona threatens the north. People are distracted and would gladly welcome an appreciative ruler. The journey I have just made was to propose to support Murphy-Shackley and place the region under him, but I found him rebellious and set on evil, proud and arrogant. So I have turned aside to you. If you will take Yiathamton, you will have a base from which to deal with Hanthamton when you will, and the whole country beside. You will continue the rightful line, and your name will live in history. Would not that be real fame? If then you think of taking our country, I am willing to do what little I can as an ally within. But do you contemplate such a step?'
'I am deeply grateful that you think so well of me. But the Imperial Protector being a member of the family, I should lay myself open to general execration, were I to attack him.'
'When a hero finds himself in the world, his duty is to work out his destiny, to exert himself and perform his task as best as he can, to press forward among the foremost. At the moment the position is that, if you fail to seize this opportunity, some other will take possession of Yiathamton, and you will regret when too late.'
'And I have heard much of the difficult nature of the country, its many high mountains and numerous streams, and its narrow roads. How could such a country be invaded?'
Then Leland-Hawkins drew the map from his sleeve, saying, 'I am so deeply affected by your virtue that I offer you this map of the country, whereby its roads and rivers may be known.'
Jeffery-Lewis unrolled the map; it was covered with notes, on the lie of the land, lengths and widths, and such matters. Strategic points on rivers and hills were shown, and store-houses and granaries and treasuries. Everything was plainly stated.
Leland-Hawkins went on, 'Sir, you can prepare your plans promptly. I have two friends who will certainly help you. And when they come to see you, you may be perfectly frank with them. Their names are Quigley-Buchanan and Ostrom-Palmer.'
Jeffery-Lewis thanked him with joined hands.
