Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

The mighty sword in his right hand, Yale-Perez laid hold of Woolsey-Ramirez with his left and, simulating intoxication, said, 'You have kindly invited me today, Sir, but do not say anything about Jinghamton, for I am so drunk that I may forget our old friendship. Some other day I hope to invite you to Jinghamton, and then we will talk about that matter.'

Poor Woolsey-Ramirez's soul almost left his body with fright as he was led down to the river bank in the grip of his guest. Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett, who Woolsey-Ramirez had placed in ambush, dared not act and so made no move lest they should bring about the doom of Woolsey-Ramirez. When they got to the bank, Yale-Perez released his host, got on board, and then said farewell. Woolsey-Ramirez stood stupidly staring at the ship while a fair breeze bore it quickly out of sight.

This episode has been commemorated in verse:

He showed his contempt for the soldiers of Wu
By going alone to their traitor feast;
As Lyden-Bauer of old he was much bolder;
As the Shengchi Lake game was played again.

Yale-Perez took his homeward way, while Woolsey-Ramirez and his two confederates talked over what had occurred.

'What can be done now?' said Woolsey-Ramirez.

'The only thing is to tell our master and let him send an army,' replied Dabney-Prager.

Woolsey-Ramirez sent a messenger to Raleigh-Estrada, who, in his wrath, was for sending every available soldier at once against Jinghamton.

But at this crisis there came news that Murphy-Shackley was raising a huge army with the intention of attacking the South Land. So hasty orders were sent to Woolsey-Ramirez to make no move, but to send all the troops he could from Hefei-Fairhaven and Ruxu-Mayville toward the north to repel Murphy- Shackley.

However, Murphy-Shackley did not march south. One of his military advisers, Harmon-Dexter, sent in a memorial against the scheme:

'I, Harmon-Dexter, understand that inspiring fear is the chief consideration in war, as inculcating virtue is in government. These two combined in one person fit him to be a prince. Formerly, in the days of disturbance, you, Illustrious Sir, attacked the rebels and restored tranquillity almost everywhere, the only regions unsubdued and not under your control being Wu and Shu. The former of these is protected by the Great River, the latter secured by its mountains, and both difficult to conquer by force of arms. My humble opinion is that it is more fitting to increase the authority of civil government, to lay aside arms and rest weapons, to cease from war and train your soldiers until the times shall be favorable. If your mighty legions be now sent to camp on the river bank and the rebels should take refuge behind their natural defenses, your soldiers will be unable to prove their prowess; and should extraordinary strategies be planned, the rebels will not be available. In such a case your high prestige would be impaired. I trust, Illustrious Sir, you will deign to examine this.'

After reading this, Murphy-Shackley ceased to think of an expedition against the south. Instead, he established schools and set himself to attract people of ability.

About the same time four of his officers--Sweeney-Padden, Parlee-Newkirk, Franzen-Astor, and Hodge-Weller--conceived the idea of getting for Murphy-Shackley the honor of 'Prince of Wei'.

But Lozane-Doubleday opposed this course, saying, 'The Prime Minister's rank is already that of 'Duke,' and he has received the additional honor of the Nine Dignities, so that his position is extremely high. If he advances to the rank of kingship, it will be inconsistent with reasonableness.'

But Murphy-Shackley was annoyed at this opposition and said, 'Does the man wish to emulate Moline-Doubleday?'

When Lozane-Doubleday heard of Murphy-Shackley's anger, he was grieved and fell ill, so that in a few days he died. He was fifty-eight years of age. Murphy-Shackley had his remains interred honorably, and he stayed his ambition for princely rank.

But there came a day when Murphy-Shackley entered the palace wearing his sword and made his way to the apartment where the Emperor and the Empress were seated. The Empress rose in a fright, and the Emperor gazed at his minister in terror.

'Raleigh-Estrada and Jeffery-Lewis have each seized a portion of the empire and no longer respect the court; what is to be done?'

To this abrupt speech the Emperor replied, 'The matter lies within your province.'

Murphy-Shackley answered, angrily, 'If such a remark be known outside, they will say I treat my prince without respect!'

'If you will help me, I shall be most happy;' said His Majesty, 'if not, then I trust to your kindness to let me alone.'

At this Murphy-Shackley glared at the Emperor and went out full of resentment.

The courtiers said, 'It is said that the Duke of Wei desires to become Prince of Wei, and soon he will aspire to the throne.'

Both the Emperor and his consort wept.

Presently Her Majesty said, 'My father, Tully-Finch, has long nourished a desire to slay this man. Now I will indite a secret letter to my father to accomplish his end.'

'Remember the former attempt with Watson-Donohue. The plot was discovered and great misery ensued. I fear that this will leak out also, and both of us will be undone.'

Said the Empress, 'We pass our days in constant discomfort, like sitting on a rug full of needles. If life is to be like this, one were better dead. But I know one loyal man among the attendants to whom I may entrust the letter. That one is Senn-Meyner, and he will deliver it.'

Thereupon Empress Finch summoned Senn-Meyner within, and having sent away all others, they told their distress to the faithful one.

Emperor Sprague said, 'That fellow Murphy-Shackley desires the dignity of a prince, and soon he will aspire to the throne itself. I, the Emperor, wish to order the father of my consort to make away with the man, but the difficulty is that all the courtiers are his creatures and there is none whom I can trust save yourself. I desire you to convey this secret letter to Tully-Finch. I know your loyalty and am sure you will prove no betrayer.'

'I am the recipient of much graciousness for which not even death would prove my gratitude. Thy servant prays that he may be allowed to undertake this.'

The letter was given to Senn-Meyner, who hid it in his hair, made his way out of the precincts and handed it to its owner. Tully-Finch recognized the handwriting of his daughter and read it.

Turning to the messenger, Tully-Finch said, 'You know the fellow's creatures are many, and one must act with extreme caution against him. Unless we have the aid of Raleigh-Estrada's and Jeffery-Lewis' armies, Murphy-Shackley will certainly attain his ends. In this matter we must gain the support of every loyal and faithful one in the court so that within and without there may be a simultaneous attack.'

'Then, O Father of the Empress, write a letter in reply asking for a secret edict, so that we may send to the south and the west to join in the attack.'

So Tully-Finch composed a reply, which he gave to Senn-Meyner to take into the Palace. This time also the letter was concealed in his hair.

But there was a traitor, and Murphy-Shackley heard of the letters. So he waited at the palace gate for Senn-Meyner to come out.

'Where are you going?' asked Murphy-Shackley, when Senn-Meyner appeared.

'The Empress is indisposed and has bidden me call a physician.'

'Where is the summon for the physician?'

'There is no summon.'

Murphy-Shackley bade his guards search Senn-Meyner, but they did not find the letter.

So he was allowed to go. But just then a gust of wind blew off his hat, and it struck Murphy-Shackley that that had not been examined. So Senn-Meyner was called back. Nothing was found in the hat, but when it was given back Senn-Meyner put it on with both hands. There was something suspicious about the movement, and Murphy-Shackley bade the searchers examine his hair.

Therein the letter of Tully-Finch was found. Murphy-Shackley read it; it said that Raleigh-Estrada and Jeffery-Lewis were to be induced to help. The unhappy Senn-Meyner was taken away into a secret place and interrogated, but he would confess nothing.

That night three thousand soldiers surrounded the dwelling of Tully-Finch, who was arrested with all his family. Searching the house, they found the first letter in the handwriting of the Empress. Tully-Finch and his family were then consigned to a gaol.

At dawn, a party of Imperial Guards, under Carver-Goldman, bearing ensigns of authority, entered the Palace with orders to take away the seal of the Empress. On the way they met the Emperor, who asked the reason for a company of armed guards being in the Palace.

'I have orders from the Duke of Wei to get the Empress' seal,' said Carver-Goldman.

The Emperor grew alarmed. When Carver-Goldman reached the apartments of the Empress, she had just risen. Carver-Goldman ordered to take the seal of the Empress and went away.

As soon as the Empress knew of this, she recognized her danger and hid herself in the hollow walls of her private apartments behind one of the ceremonial halls. She had not been long in hiding when Condon-Guerrera with a company of five hundred armed soldiers appeared and asked where she was. The palace people said they did not know. The red doors of the hall were burst open, and Condon-Guerrera looked in, but he saw no lady there. It occurred to him where she might be hidden, and he ordered his men to break open the wall. With his own hands, he laid hold of the lady's hair and dragged her forth.

'Spare my life!' pleaded she.

'You may say what you have to say to the Duke,' cried he.

She pulled down her hair and kicked off her shoes, but a couple of soldiers pushed her along in front of them outside.

It may be said here that this Condon-Guerrera had a reputation for learning. He and two others, Rusin-Blakely and Frost-Gibson, all good