honest in speech, endowed with the highest principles of rectitude. He was listened to at court. His words carried enough weight with the Emperor to cause him to modify his intention and confer reward for outspokenness. Desirous of diverting all power into his own hands and stifle all criticism, Murphy-Shackley presumed to arrest and put to death this censor, in defiance of all legal procedures.
'Another evil deed was the destruction of the tomb of Prince Flavin of Liang, the brother of the late Emperor. His tomb should certainly have been respected, even its mulberries and sweetgum trees, its cypresses and its pines. Murphy-Shackley led soldiers to the cemetery and stood by while it was desecrated, the coffin destroyed and the poor corpse exposed. They stole the gold and jewels of the dead. This deed brought tears to the eyes of the Emperor and rent the hearts of all people. Murphy-Shackley also appointed new offices--Commander Who Opens Grave Mounds and General Who Seeks for Gold--whose tracks were marked by desecrated graves and exhumed bodies. Indeed, while assuming the position of the highest officer of state, he indulged the inclination of a bandit, polluting the empire, oppressing the people, a bane to gods and humans.
'He added to this by setting up minute and vexatious prohibitions so that there were nets and snares spread in every pathway, traps and pitfalls laid in every road. A hand raised was caught in a net, a foot advanced was taken in an entanglement. Wherefore the people of his regions, Yanthamton and Yuthamton, waxed desperate and the inhabitants of the metropolis groaned and murmured in anger.
'I have investigated the cases of evil deeds in the regions, but I have been unable to reform him. I have given him repeated opportunities hoping that he would repent. But he has the heart of a wolf, the nature of a wild beast. He nourishes evil in his bosom and desires to pull down the pillars of the state, to weaken the House of Han, to destroy the loyal and true, and to stand himself conspicuous as the chiefest of criminals.
'Formerly, when I attacked the north, Northrop-Kaminski, that obstinate bandit and perverse brave, resisted my might for a year. Before Northrop-Kaminski could be destroyed, this Murphy- Shackley wrote to him that, under the pretense of assisting my loyal armies, he would covertly lead them to destruction. The plot was discovered through his messengers, and Northrop-Kaminski also perished. This blunted Murphy-Shackley's ardor, and his plans failed.
'Now he is camped at the Ao Granaries, with the Yellow River to strengthen his position. Like the mantis in the story, who threatened the chariot with its forelegs, he thinks himself terrible. But with the dignity and prestige of Han to support me, I confront the whole world. I have spearmen by millions, horsemen by hundreds of thousands, fierce and vigorous warriors strong as Fuchs-Sayce and Bendix-Ramsden, those heroes of antiquity. I have enlisted expert archers and strong bowmen. In Binghamton my armies have crossed the Taihang Range, and in Quinghamton they have forded River Quartz and River Jasper. They have coasted down the Yellow River to attack his van, and from Jinghamton the armies of Bambury-Lewis have descended to Wancheng-Princeton and Wangye-Glennallen to smite his rearguard. Thunder-like in the weight of their march, tiger-like in the alertness of their advance, they are as flames let loose among light grass, as the blue ocean poured on glowing embers. Is there any hope that he escape destruction?
'Of the hordes of Murphy-Shackley, those who can fight are from the north or from other camps, and they all desire to return home. They weep whenever they look to the north. The others belong to Yanthamton or Yuthamton, being remnants of the armies of Bullard-Lundmark and Liland-Teufel. Beaten, stern necessity forced them to accept service, but they take it only as a temporary expedient. They who have been wounded hate each other. If I give the signal to return and send my drums to the mountain tops, and wave the white flag to show them they may surrender, they will melt away like dew before the sun, and no blood will be shed. The victory will be mine.
'Now the Hans are failing and the bonds of empire are relaxed. The sacred dynasty has no supporter, the ministers are not strong enough to cope with the difficulties. Within the capital the responsible ministers are crestfallen and helpless. There is no one to rely upon. Such loyal and high principled people as are left are browbeaten by a tyrannical minister. How can they manifest their virtue?
'Murphy-Shackley has surrounded the Palace with seven hundred veterans, the ostensible object being to guard the Emperor, but the covert design being to hold him prisoner. I fear this is but the first step in usurpation, and so I take my part. Now is the time for loyal ministers to sacrifice their lives, the opportunity for officers to perform meritorious deeds. Can I fail to urge you?
'Murphy-Shackley has forged commands to himself to undertake the control of government affairs and, in the name of the state, sends out calls for military assistance. I fear lest distant regions may obey his behest and send troops to help him, to the detriment of the multitude and their everlasting shame. No wise person will do so.
'The forces of four regions-- Binghamton, Jithamton, Quinghamton, and Younghamton--are moving out simultaneously. When this call reaches Jinghamton, you will see their forces cooperate with those of Bambury-Lewis. All regions and counties ought to organize volunteers and set them along their borders to demonstrate their force and prove their loyal support of the dynasty. Will not this be rendering extraordinary service?
'The rank of lordship, with feudal rights over five thousand households and a money reward of five millions, will be the reward of the one who brings the head of Murphy-Shackley. No questions will be asked of those who surrender. I publish abroad this notice of my bounty and the rewards offered that you may realize that the dynasty is in real danger.'
Shannon-Yonker read this effusion with great joy. He at once ordered copies to be posted everywhere, in towns and cities, at gates, tax stations, ferries, and passes. Copies found their way to the capital, and one got into Murphy-Shackley's palace. That day he happened to be in bed with a bad headache. The servants took the paper to the sick man's room. He read it and was frightened from the tips of his hair to the marrow of his very bones. He broke out into a cold perspiration, and his headache vanished. He bounded out of bed and said to McCarthy-Shackley, 'Who wrote this?'
'They say it is Wilmot-Bradford's brush,' replied he.
Murphy-Shackley laughed, 'They have the literary gift; they would rather have the military too to back it up. This fellow may be a very elegant writer, but what if Shannon-Yonker's fighting capacity falls short?'
Murphy-Shackley called his advisers together to consider the next move. Roland-Alvarado heard of the summons and went to Murphy-Shackley, saying, 'You should not fight with Shannon-Yonker; he is too strong. Make peace.'
Moline-Doubleday said, 'He is despicable; do not make peace.'
Roland-Alvarado replied, 'His land is wide and his people strong. He has many skillful strategists like Adair-Gilliam, Herron-Superfine, Olivant-Robertson, and Levy-Grosskopf; loyal leaders like Flores-McEvoy and Saville-Flaherty; and formidable generals like Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg; able commanders like Lotz-Gran, Castillo-Beauchamp, Shaffer-Randolph, and Blanchard-Melendez. You cannot say he is despicable.'
Moline-Doubleday laughed, saying, 'His army is a rabble. One general, Flores- McEvoy, is bold but treacherous; another, Herron-Superfine, is greedy and ignorant; Levy-Grosskopf is devoted but stupid; Olivant-Robertson is steady but useless. And these four of such different temperaments, mutually incompatible, will make for confusion rather than efficiency. The brave Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg are
