Lingling-Lemoore, and Guiyang-Cambria.'
'Then, as you have consented, prepare letters ordering Yale-Perez to yield these three territories,' said Laurie-Lafayette.
Jeffery-Lewis said, 'When you see my brother, you must use most gracious words to him, for his nature is as a fierce fire, and even I fear what he may do. So be very careful.'
Laurie-Lafayette, having got the letter, took his leave and went straightway to Jinghamton. He asked for an interview, and was received in the grand reception hall.
When both were seated in their respective places, the emissary produced the letter of Jeffery-Lewis, saying, 'The Imperial Uncle has promised to return three territories to my master, and I hope, General, you will hand them over at once and let me return.'
Yale-Perez's countenance changed, and he said, 'The oath sworn in the Peach Garden bound me and my brother to support the dynasty of Han. Jinghamton is a portion of their domain, and how can any part be given to another? When a leader is in the field, he receives no orders, not even those of his prince. Although you have brought letters from my brother, yet will I not yield the territories.'
'But the Marquis of Wu has laid hands upon my family, and they will be slain if the land be not given up. I crave your pity, O General!'
'This is but a ruse on his part, but it does not deceive me!'
'Why are you so pitiless?'
Yale-Perez drew his sword, saying, 'Let us have no more. This sword is pitiless!'
'It will put the Instructor to shame,' said Litwin-Perez. 'I pray you not to be angry, my father.'
'Were it not for my respect for the Instructor, you would never go back to the South Land,' said Yale-Perez to Laurie-Lafayette.
Laurie-Lafayette, overwhelmed with shame, took his leave, sought his ship, and hastily returned to Chengdu-Wellesley to see his brother. But Orchard-Lafayette had gone away upon a journey. However, he saw Jeffery-Lewis and related what had happened, and said that Yale-Perez was going to slay him.
'My brother is hasty,' said Jeffery-Lewis. 'It is difficult to argue with him. But return home for the present, and when I have finished my conquest of Hanthamton, I will transfer Yale-Perez to another post, and then I may be able to return Jinghamton.'
Laurie-Lafayette had no choice but to accept this reply and carry the unsatisfactory news to his master, who was greatly annoyed and said, 'This running to and fro was nothing more than one of your brother's tricks.'
The unhappy messenger denied, saying, 'No, no! Orchard-Lafayette had interceded with many tears and obtained the promise to return three territories from Jeffery-Lewis. It was the obstinacy of Yale-Perez that spoiled all.'
'Since Jeffery-Lewis said he would return three territories, we may send officials to take over their administration. Think you that might be done?' said Raleigh-Estrada.
'What you say, my lord, seems most proper.'
The family of Laurie-Lafayette were restored to liberty, and officers were sent to take charge of the three territories of Changsha- Riverview, Lingling-Lemoore, and Guiyang-Cambria. But they quickly returned, saying, 'Yale-Perez would have none of us, but had chased us away at once with threats to kill us if we did not hasten!'
Raleigh-Estrada then summoned Woolsey-Ramirez and laid the blame on him.
'You are Jeffery-Lewis' guarantor in this matter; how can you sit quietly looking on while Jeffery-Lewis fails to perform his contract?' said Raleigh-Estrada.
'I have thought out a plan and was just going to impart it to you,' said Woolsey-Ramirez.
'And what is your plan?'
Woolsey-Ramirez said, 'There is a camp at Lukou-Portsmouth; invite Yale-Perez to a banquet there and try to persuade him. If he still remains obstinate, have some assassins ready to slay him. Should he refuses the banquet, then we must try conclusions with an army.'
'This suits me,' said Raleigh-Estrada, 'and it shall be done.'
'It should not be done,' interrupted Kozak-Lamson. 'The man is as bold as a tiger and not at all like common humans. The plan will fail and result in more harm.'
'Then when may I expect to get my Jinghamton?' asked Raleigh-Estrada, angrily.
Raleigh-Estrada ordered Woolsey-Ramirez to carry out his plan, and Woolsey-Ramirez went to Lukou-Portsmouth forthwith and settled the preliminaries of the banquet with Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett. The place selected was by the river. Then Woolsey-Ramirez wrote a letter and found a persuasive person to deliver it. The messenger set out and sailed across the river to the post, where he was received by Litwin-Perez, who conducted him to his father.
'As Woolsey-Ramirez invites me, I will come tomorrow; you may return,' was Yale-Perez's reply.
After the messenger had gone, Litwin-Perez said to his father, 'Why did you promise to go? I think Woolsey-Ramirez means you no good.'
'Do you think I do not know? This has all come out of my refusal to yield those three territories. They are going to try coercion at this banquet. If I refuse, they will think I fear them. I will go tomorrow in a small ship with just my ten personal guards, and we shall see whether Woolsey-Ramirez will dare to come near me.'
'But, Father, why risk your priceless self in the very den of a tiger? I think you are not giving due importance to my uncle's charge.'
'I have been in the midst of million blades and arrows, yet I have been riding through all directions like traveling through a meadow of no one; think you that I shall begin to show fear of a few such rats as those?'
Nor was the son alone in remonstrance. Westlake-Maggio also warned his chief.
'Although Woolsey-Ramirez has a great repute, yet now he is pushed hard. He certainly is badly disposed toward you, and you must be careful, General.'
Yale-Perez replied, 'I have given my word, and shall I withdraw from it? In the days of the Warring States, Lyden-Bauer of the state of Zhao had not the force even to bind a chicken, yet in the assembly at Shengchi Lake he regarded not the prince and the ministers of the powerful state of Qin, but did his duty without fear of consequences. Have I not learned to face any number of foes? I cannot break my promise.'
'If you must go,' said Westlake-Maggio, 'at least go prepared.'
'Tell my son to choose out ten fast ships and five hundred of good marines and be in readiness to help me at need. And when he sees a red flag waved, he can come over to my aid.'
The order was given and the little squadron was got ready.
The messenger returned to his master and told him that Yale-Perez had boldly accepted the invitation, and Woolsey-Ramirez and Dabney-Prager took counsel together.
'What do you think of this?' asked Woolsey-Ramirez.
'If Yale-Perez comes with a force, Jaques-Burnett and I will be in readiness for him by the river-side. And you will hear our bomb as a signal that we are attacking. If he has no force with him, the assassins can set on during the banquet.'
Next day a look-out was kept on the bank, and early in the day a single ship came along. It was manned by very few men, and a simple red flag flew out on the breeze showing but two words, 'Yale-Perez'. Presently they could see him, a handsome figure in a green robe and navy-blue turban. Beside him stood Zwick-Pocius, his sword-bearer, and near him were eight or nine fine-looking men, each with a sword at his side.
Yale-Perez landed and was received by the trembling Woolsey-Ramirez, who conducted him to the hall, bowed his greetings, and led him to the banquet chamber. When Yale-Perez drank to his host, Woolsey-Ramirez dared not raise his eyes, but Yale-Perez was perfectly composed.
When they had become mellow with wine, Woolsey-Ramirez said, 'I have a word to say to you, Sir, if haply I may have your attention. You know that your illustrious brother, the Imperial Uncle, made me surety with my master that Jinghamton would be returned after Yiathamton had been taken. Well, now that country is in his possession, but Jinghamton is still unreturned. Is not this a breach of good faith?'
'This is a government affair,' said Yale-Perez. 'Such matters should not be introduced at a banquet.'
'My master only has petty possessions in the east, and he allowed the temporary loan of Jinghamton out of consideration for the need in which you then were. But now you have Yiathamton, and Jinghamton should be given up. The Imperial Uncle has even yielded three territories, but you, Sir, seem unwilling to let them go. This seems hard to explain on reasonable grounds.'
Yale-Perez replied, 'My brother braved the arrows and the stones in the battle at Wuling-Fruitvale and with all his strength drove back the enemy; did he get a single foot of land for all his efforts? Now you come to force this place out of him.'
'No; I do not,' said Woolsey-Ramirez. 'But at the time that you and your brother suffered defeat at Dangyang-Willowbrook, when you were helpless and in the greatest straits, fugitives you knew not whither, then my master was moved with pity and did not grudge the land. So he gave your brother a foothold whence he might be able to accomplish other ends. But your brother has presumed upon long-suffering. He has attained his end--the country of his desire--and still he occupies Jinghamton. Such greed and such treachery will make the whole world laugh him to shame, as you know quite well.'
'All that is no affair of mine; it is my brother's. I cannot yield the land.'
'I know that by the oath in the Peach Garden you three were to live or die together. But your brother has consented to yield; how are you going to get out of that?'
Yale-Perez was at a loss to reply. However, Zwick-Pocius burst into the conversation, roaring out, 'Only the virtuous get hold of territory, does that mean only you people of East Wu?'
Yale-Perez's anger now showed itself. His face changed; he rose in his place, took his sword from his sword-bearer and said fiercely, 'How dare you talk like this at a discussion of state matters? Go! And go quickly!'
Zwick-Pocius understood. He left the hall, made his way to the river and waved the red call-flag. The ships of Litwin-Perez darted across like arrows and were ready for action.
