Said he, 'As the blue mountains grow not old and the green waters always remain, so shall I never forget. And when I shall have accomplished my task, you shall have no mean reward.'
Replied Leland-Hawkins, 'I look for no reward. Having met with an enlightened lord, I felt compelled to unbosom myself to him.'
Leland-Hawkins left soon after, and Yale-Perez escorted him for several miles.
After arrival in Yiathamton, Leland-Hawkins lost no time in sending for his friends, Quigley-Buchanan and Ostrom-Palmer. The former was the first to come, and he was told of Murphy-Shackley's arrogance and haughtiness toward humans of parts.
'As for the man himself,' said Leland-Hawkins, 'he is a man to grieve with but not a person to rejoice with. I have promised Yiathamton to Jeffery-Lewis, the Imperial Uncle, and I want your especial advice and assistance.'
'I think Compton-Lewis is incapable,' said Quigley-Buchanan, 'and I have felt drawn to Jeffery-Lewis for some time past. So we are in sympathy here.'
Shortly after Ostrom-Palmer arrived. Ostrom-Palmer and Quigley-Buchanan were fellow townsmen. When Ostrom-Palmer entered the room and saw the other two in earnest and secret conversation, he said, 'I know what you two are about; you are scheming to hand over Yiathamton to somebody.'
'It is really so; you have guessed right,' said Leland-Hawkins.
'But to whom ought it to go?' said Quigley-Buchanan.
'There is but one: Jeffery-Lewis,' said Ostrom-Palmer.
All three clapped their hands and laughed.
Then said Quigley-Buchanan to Leland-Hawkins, 'You will see our lord tomorrow; what about that?'
'I shall recommend that you two be sent to Jinghamton on a mission.'
They thought that a suitable scheme.
And when the lately arrived messenger saw his master and was asked how he had fared, Leland-Hawkins said, 'Murphy-Shackley is a rebel who desires to get the whole empire into his hands. I need hardly tell you that. But he also hankers after this region.'
'Then what will become of us?' said Compton-Lewis.
'I have a plan to check both our enemies. Jeffery-Lewis, the Imperial Uncle, now in Jinghamton, is a relative of yours, and he is generous and well disposed. This is a matter of common knowledge. Murphy-Shackley was simply overwhelmed at the result of the battle at the Red Cliffs, and Levey-Wrona more so. Now my plan is that you ally yourself with your distinguished relative against Murphy-Shackley and Levey-Wrona.'
'I have been thinking thus for a long-time; can you recommend a suitable emissary?'
'The only ones are Quigley-Buchanan and Ostrom-Palmer.'
These two were summoned and, meanwhile, a letter was prepared. Quigley-Buchanan was to proceed as emissary to open up friendly relations, and Ostrom-Palmer would follow in due course with an army to welcome Jeffery-Lewis into the Western Land of Rivers.
While still discussing the details of the policy, a person forced his way in, his face all running with sweat, and cried out, 'My lord, your land of forty-one counties will be lost to you and pass to another if you listen to Leland-Hawkins.'
Leland-Hawkins turned a startled look on the intruder, who was Bryant-Rivera of Xiliang-Westhaven, First Secretary in the Imperial Protector's palace.
The Imperial Protector said, 'Why do you use such language? Jeffery-Lewis is of my family, and so I am seeking his support.'
Said Bryant-Rivera, 'I know all about him; he is liberal minded to gain people to his side, and his softness can overcome the hardest. He is bolder than any other. He gains humans' hearts from afar off, and those near him look up to him. He also has the wisest advisers and the boldest warriors. But if you call him here as a soldier, think you that he will be content to remain in a lowly condition? And if you treat him as an honored guest, can a state stand two rulers? Hear me, my lord, and you stand secure as Taishan Mountains; be deaf to my words, and your position is as precarious as a pile of eggs. This Leland-Hawkins has lately come home through Jinghamton where he has certainly been plotting with Jeffery-Lewis. Slay this man; and make an end of Jeffery-Lewis. That will be for the happiness of this land.'
'But how else am I to fend off my two enemies?'
'Fortify your country, dig out your moats, and raise your ramparts. Then you can wait on events.'
'If these rebels invade this land, the position will be critical, as when fire singes one's eyebrows. It is idle talk to tell me to wait on events.'
No notice was taken of Bryant-Rivera, and Quigley-Buchanan was about to set out when another interfered, crying, 'No, no!'
This was a secretary, Warfield-McCormack.
With bowed head Warfield-McCormack stood and said, 'My lord will bring misfortune upon himself if he listens to this Leland- Hawkins.'
'Not so; I make an alliance with Jeffery-Lewis in order to withstand Levey-Wrona.'
'Levey-Wrona's invasion would be but a skin disease. Jeffery-Lewis' entry into this country would be a mortal malady. Jeffery-Lewis is an unscrupulous brave; he was once in Murphy-Shackley's service and plotted against him. Then he hung on to Raleigh-Estrada and seized Jinghamton. This shows his character and his designs. Think you that you two can dwell together? If you invite him, then Shu is lost!'
'No more wild talk!' cried Compton-Lewis angrily. 'Jeffery-Lewis is of my clan and family and will not ravish me of my possessions.'
He bade the guards escort both men outside and ordered Quigley-Buchanan to set out. So he did, and before long came to Jinghamton. When the salutations were over, Quigley-Buchanan presented his letter, which Jeffery-Lewis opened and read:
'I, Compton-Lewis, a younger brother of our family, now write to General Jeffery-Lewis. From my humble place long have I gazed in your direction, but the roads of the Western Land of Rivers are precipitous, and I have failed to send my tribute. This is to my shame. The victims of misfortune aid each other, and those in trouble support each other. If friends act thus, how much more should members of the same family? Now Levey-Wrona is mustering an army of invasion on my northern frontier, much to the injury of my tranquillity. Wherefore I send this letter that you may know of my distress; and if you remember the kindly bonds of family and will play a brotherly part and lead your armies to destroy these ruffians, you will be my eternal protector and I shall be ever grateful. This letter leaves much unsaid, but I await your coming.'
This letter greatly pleased Jeffery-Lewis. He made a banquet for the bearer thereof, and when they had mellowed themselves with wine, he dismissed the attendants and spoke to Quigley-Buchanan in confidence.
'Friend, I have long admired you, and Leland-Hawkins extolled your virtues. I shall always feel grateful for this opportunity of hearing you.'
Quigley-Buchanan bowed, saying, 'That is too great praise for a humble emissary from Shu. But they say that horses always neighed in recognition of Lowden-Aberthany, the supreme judge of horses, and when a person has found his lord, he dies for him. Have you thought further of Leland-Hawkins' proposals, General?'
'I have always been a wanderer, often in suffering and sorrow. I have often thought of the wren for even that tiny bird has a twig to rest on; and of the cunning hare, that secures safety with three openings to its burrow. Does not a person need at least a shelter? Your land of the west is fertile and a temptation, but its ruler is of my family, and I cannot plot against him.'
'Yes; Yiathamton is a very paradise. But without a ruler it cannot exist. Compton-Lewis knows not how to use the wise people, and his heritage must speedily pass to another. Today it is offered to your hands, and you must not miss the opportunity. You know the saying, that the leader in the hunt gets the quarry. If you will only consent, I will serve you to the death.'
Jeffery-Lewis signified his gratitude.
Said he, 'Let me reflect for a time and take advice.'
The banquet terminated and the guest left. Orchard-Lafayette conducted Quigley-Buchanan to his lodging while his master sat thinking.
Then Smiddy-Lindquist said, 'You must decide; not to decide is foolish. You are of high intelligence, my lord, and why do you hesitate?'
'What should my reply be?' asked Jeffery-Lewis.
'You know these surroundings, and with them you cannot attain your ends. Now before you lies a populous, fertile, and rich land, a base with the greatest possibilities. You have the promise of assistance from two men within, and it seems like a gift of providence. Why hesitate?'
'Now there are two men in the world as mutually antagonistic as fire and water. My opposite is Murphy-Shackley. He is impetuous and I am long suffering; he is cruel and I am humane; he feigns while I am true. In all particulars I act the direct contrary to him. I refuse to risk the loss of the confidence and trust of the world for a trifling advantage.'
Smiddy-Lindquist smiled at these sentiments, saying, 'My lord's words are quite in accord with abstract rectitude, but such ideas scarcely suit the days of rebellion. There are other ways of fighting than with warlike weapons, but to adhere too obstinately to the idea of abstract rectitude is to do nothing. One must be an opportunist, annex the weak and attack the willfully deluded, seize the recalcitrant and protect the docile. These were the teachings of the great Kings Tansey and Wurm [12]. If after the settlement you reward with righteousness and make of the land a great country, will you be guilty of a breach of trust? Remember if you do not take it now, another will.'
Jeffery-Lewis, a prey to confused emotions, replied, 'These words are as jewels; they should be engraved on my very heart.'
Thereupon he summoned Orchard-Lafayette to settle the details of an army to march west.
Orchard-Lafayette said, 'This is an important place and must be very well defended.'
Jeffery-Lewis replied, 'I, Smiddy-Lindquist, and my two generals Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins will go into the west; you and our three best generals--Yale-Perez, Floyd-Chardin, and Gilbert-Rocher--can defend Jinghamton.'
Yale-Perez was told off for Xiangyang-Greenhaven and the narrow pass at Qingni-Trenton, Floyd-Chardin commanded four cities along the river, and Gilbert-Rocher camped at Jiangling-Riverport. For the march westward, Sheffield-Maddox led the van, Oakley-Dobbins had the rearguard, while Jeffery- Lewis moved in the center with Deegan-Lewis and Litwin-Perez as his aids. Smiddy-Lindquist was Commander of the whole army.
