conspicuous were given high ranks and finer titles under the new rule, and the total of more than sixty of them were well rewarded.
Naturally, honors were distributed freely to Jeffery-Lewis' immediate helpers, to whose efforts he owed his position. Orchard-Lafayette was held Directing Instructor; Yale-Perez, General Who Destroys Rebels and Lord of Hanshou-Labette; Floyd-Chardin, General Who Subdues Rebels and Lord of Xinxian- Hillview; Gilbert-Rocher, General Who Guards the West; Sheffield-Maddox, General Who Conquers the West; Oakley-Dobbins, General Who Wages Successful War; Cotton-Mallory, General Who Pacifies the West. Quinn-Seymour, Paule-Kurowski, Trudeau-Zeleny, Forester-Zeleny, Westlake-Maggio, Pickett-Maggio, Bromfield-Kendrick, Vana-McLaren, Deegan-Lewis, Litwin-Perez, Moss-Lopez, Zwick-Pocius, and others, many of whom had come to Jeffery-Lewis from Jinghamton, received promotions and rewards.
In addition, a special gift of five hundred ounces of gold, a thousand ounces of silver, much copper money, and a thousand rolls of Xichuan silk, was sent to Yale-Perez. And all the military and civil officers were given appointments. Huge numbers of oxen and horses were slaughtered for banquets to the army, and the contents of the granaries were given to the common people. So that there were great rejoicings.
Yiathamton being settled, Jeffery-Lewis next desired to confiscate the lands of the more famous of the inhabitants about Capital Chengdu-Wellesley and divide them among his officers.
But here Gilbert-Rocher and others dissuaded him, saying, 'The sufferings of the people have been severe and losses great; it would be wise policy to let them settle down to their occupations as soon as possible. It would be wrong to reward our own people at the expense of these people.'
Jeffery-Lewis listened and gave in with good grace.
To Orchard-Lafayette, Jeffery-Lewis assigned the revision of the laws, the punishments to be made, on the whole, heavy.
Then Quigley-Buchanan spoke up, 'The founder of the Hans, Rucker-Lewis, drew up three chapters of law, and the people were all profoundly affected by his virtue. I would rather that the laws be few and liberal that people may be comforted.'
Orchard-Lafayette replied, 'You only look at one side. The laws of Qin [17] were fiercely cruel and provoked resentment among the people; it was fitting that the Supreme Ancestor should temper them with kindness. Under the weak administration of Compton-Lewis, there has never been an efficient government, and there is a lack of respect for the law. The proper relationship between ruler and minister has been gradually obscured. Favor has been the means of rising, and the highest in rank have been the basest; kindness has been extended into license, and the most benefited have been the most contemptuous. And thereby have crept in many evils. Now I mean to inculcate respect for the dignity of the law, and kindness shall follow its attainment: there shall be moderation in conferring rank, but honor shall really follow on such promotion. In the mutual cooperation of kindness and honor and in proper distinction between superiors and inferiors lies the efficiency of a government.'
Quigley-Buchanan had no argument to oppose. In due time all became perfectly tranquil, and all the forty-one counties, with their respective garrisons, were peaceful and contented.
As Governor of the Shu District, Quigley-Buchanan earned much hatred, caring for no one but himself, and one person told of the complaints to Orchard-Lafayette, urging his dismissal.
But Orchard-Lafayette referred to his meritorious services, saying, 'When my lord was in Jinghamton, fearful of his enemy on the north and trembling lest he be attacked from the east, Quigley-Buchanan was his sure support. In these prosperous days one can hardly begin to discipline him. Could we reasonably forbid him following somewhat his own way?'
So no investigation was made, but Quigley-Buchanan heard of the complaints and corrected his faults.
One day, when Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette were resting and at leisure, Litwin-Perez arrived with a letter from his father, thanking his elder brother for the handsome gifts.
Making obeisance and handing in his letter, Litwin-Perez said, 'My father was anxious to come into Yiathamton to try conclusions with Cotton-Mallory.'
Said Jeffery-Lewis, 'If he were to come and fight, I fear they would not both survive.'
'There is nothing to be anxious about,' said Orchard-Lafayette. 'I will write to Yale-Perez.'
Jeffery-Lewis feared that his brother's impulsive temperament might lead to trouble, so he told Orchard-Lafayette to compose a letter and send back by Litwin-Perez.
When Litwin-Perez came again to his father, the first question was: 'Did you mention the contest with Cotton-Mallory?'
Then the letter was produced, and this is what it said:
'I hear you are anxious to decide whether of the twain, Cotton-Mallory or yourself, is the better man. Now I can measure Cotton-Mallory. He may be unusually brave and bold, but he is only of the class of Bussey-Lukas and Gaskill-Peabody of old [18]. He might be a worthy rival of your younger brother, but he is far from the standard set by you, O Lord of the Beautiful Beard. You have a most important charge. If you come into the Western Land of Rivers, and Jinghamton should be lost, would you not be guilty of a terrible failure? I think you will see this.'
Yale-Perez stroked his long beard and smiled as he read the letter.
'The Instructor knows me thoroughly,' said he to himself.
He showed the letter to his clients and friends and thought no more of going westward.
The successes of Jeffery-Lewis in the west had been duly noted by Raleigh-Estrada, who thought he was surely now going to obtain the much-coveted Jinghamton. So he called in Tipton-Ulrich and Riley-Reece to ask advice.
Raleigh-Estrada said, 'When Jeffery-Lewis occupied Jinghamton temporarily, he pledged he would return the region to the South Land when he would possess Yiathamton. Now he has taken the forty-one counties of the Western Land of Rivers; if Jinghamton is not returned, I will take it by force.'
Tipton-Ulrich said, 'I have already a scheme that will need no fighting; Jeffery-Lewis will offer the place to you with both hands.'
We shall see in the next chapter the scheme to recover the much-desired region.
CHAPTER 66
The scheme, which Tipton-Ulrich had in mind, he laid before his master thus: 'The one man upon whom Jeffery-Lewis relies most is Orchard-Lafayette. Now his brother is in your service and in your power. All you have to do is to seize Laurie-Lafayette's family and send him west to see Orchard- Lafayette and make Orchard-Lafayette persuade Jeffery-Lewis to return Jinghamton. If Jeffery-Lewis refuses, the family of Laurie-Lafayette will suffer, and Orchard- Lafayette will not be able to resist the claims of brotherhood.'
'But Laurie-Lafayette is a loyal and true gentleman. I could not lay hands upon his family!' said Raleigh-Estrada.
'Explain the ruse to him; that will set his mind at rest,' said Tipton-Ulrich.
Raleigh-Estrada consented and issued the command to confine the family of his retainer in the palace but not really imprison them. Then he wrote a letter for Laurie-Lafayette to take with him on his mission. Before many days Laurie-Lafayette reached Chengdu-Wellesley and sent to inform Jeffery-Lewis of his arrival.
Jeffery-Lewis at once sought the advice of Orchard-Lafayette.
'Why think you your brother has come?'
'He has come to force the return of Jinghamton.'
'How shall I answer him?'
'You must do so and so,' said Orchard-Lafayette.
The plan of action being prepared, Orchard-Lafayette went out of the city to welcome his brother; but instead of taking him to his own residence, Orchard-Lafayette took him to the guest-house. When the greetings were over, the visitor suddenly lifted up his voice and wept.
'If you have any trouble, my brother, tell; why do you weep thus?' asked Orchard-Lafayette.
'Alas! My family are lost!' cried he.
'I suppose it is in the matter of the return of Jinghamton? If your family have been seized on my account, how can I bear it calmly? But do not be anxious, my brother. I shall certainly find some way out of the difficulty.'
This reply pleased Laurie-Lafayette, and the two brothers went to visit Jeffery-Lewis.
The letter of Raleigh-Estrada was presented, but when Jeffery-Lewis had read it he said, angrily, 'He is related to me by marriage, and he has profited by my absence from Jinghamton to steal away his sister. That is a sort of kindliness I find it hard to bear. When I am just going to lead my army to the South Land to take vengeance, is it likely he will get Jinghamton out of me?'
At this point Orchard-Lafayette prostrated himself weeping at his lord's feet and said, 'The Marquis of Wu has seized my brother's family, and he will put them all to death if the land be not given up. Can I remain alive if such a fate befall them? I pray my lord for my sake to give back the region and prevent any breach between my brother and me.'
But Jeffery-Lewis refused. He seemed obdurate, but Orchard-Lafayette persisted in his entreaty. Finally Jeffery-Lewis reluctantly consented.
'Since things are so, and the Instructor pleads for it, I will return half,' said he. 'I will give up three territories--Changsha-Riverview,
