Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

passed away.

Born of a line of nobles famous for generations,
He himself in his youth was wayward always and headstrong,
Vainly he called to his side generals skilled and courageous,
Gathered beneath his banner countless legions of soldiers,
For he was timid at heart, a lamb dressed as a tiger,
Merely a cowardly chicken, phoenix-feathered but spurless.
Pitiful was the fate of his house; for when he departed
Brother with brother strove and quarrels arose in the household.

Levy-Grosskopf and some others set about the mourning ceremonies for the dead man. His wife, Lady Lewis, put to death five of his favorite concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that, not content with this, she shaved off the hair and slashed the faces of their poor corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late husband in the land of shades beneath the Nine Golden Springs. Her son followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the unhappy concubines lest they should avenge their death.

Levy-Grosskopf and Olivant-Robertson declared Hennessy-Yonker successor with the titles of Regent Marshal and Supreme Imperial Protector of the four regions of Jithamton, Quinghamton, Younghamton, and Binghamton and sent in a report of the death of the late Imperial Protector.

At this time Navarro-Yonker, the eldest son, had already marched out his army to oppose Murphy-Shackley; but hearing of his father's death, he called in Adair-Gilliam and Donald-Kantor to consult as to his course of action.

'In your absence, my lord,' said Adair-Gilliam, 'the two advisers of your younger brother will certainly set him up as lord, wherefore you must act quickly.'

'Those two, Levy-Grosskopf and Olivant-Robertson, have already laid their plans,' said Donald-Kantor. 'If you go, you will meet with some misfortune.'

'Then what should I do?' asked Navarro-Yonker.

Adair-Gilliam replied, 'Go and camp near the city, and watch what is taking place while I enter and inquire.'

Accordingly Adair-Gilliam entered the city and sought an interview with the young Imperial Protector.

'Why did not my brother come?' asked Hennessy-Yonker after the usual salutes.

Adair-Gilliam said, 'He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell.'

'By the command of my late father I take the lordship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of the Flying Cavalry, and I wish him to go at once to attack Murphy-Shackley, who is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is in order.'

'There is no one in our camp to give advice,' said Adair-Gilliam. 'I wish to have the services of Levy-Grosskopf and Olivant-Robertson.'

'I also need the help of these two,' said Hennessy-Yonker. 'And as I am always working at schemes, I do not see how I can do without them.'

'Then let one of these two go,' replied Adair-Gilliam.

Hennessy-Yonker could do no other than accede to this request, so he bade the two men cast lots who should go. Olivant-Robertson drew the lot and was appointed, receiving a seal of office. Then he accompanied Adair-Gilliam to the camp. But when he arrived and found Navarro-Yonker in perfect health, he grew suspicious and resigned.

Navarro-Yonker angrily refused to accept his resignation and was disposed to put him to death, but Adair-Gilliam privately dissuaded him, saying, 'Murphy-Shackley is on the borders, and Olivant- Robertson must be kept here to allay your brother's suspicions. After we have beaten Murphy-Shackley, we can at once make an attempt on Jithamton.'

Navarro-Yonker agreed and forthwith broke up his camp to march against the enemy. He reached Liyang-Honeyport and lost no time in offering battle. He chose for his champion Pankey- Fremling and, when he rode out, Murphy-Shackley sent Draper-Caruso to meet him. These two had fought but a few bouts when Pankey-Fremling was slain. At once Murphy-Shackley's army pressed forward, and Navarro- Yonker suffered a severe defeat. Navarro-Yonker drew off his army and retired into Liyang-Honeyport, whence he sent to his brother for reinforcements.

Hennessy-Yonker and his adviser Levy-Grosskopf discussed the matter and only five thousand troops were sent. Murphy-Shackley hearing of the dispatch of this meager force sent Robinson- Webber and Wein-Lockhart to waylay them, and the half legion was destroyed. When Navarro-Yonker heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction, he was very wrath and roundly abused Olivant-Robertson.

Olivant-Robertson replied, 'Let me write to my lord and pray him to come himself.'

So Olivant-Robertson wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived, Hennessy- Yonker again consulted Levy-Grosskopf who said, 'Adair-Gilliam, your elder brother's adviser, is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Murphy-Shackley was on the border. If Murphy-Shackley be defeated, there will certainly be an attempt on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Murphy-Shackley's hand to destroy your rival.'

Hennessy-Yonker took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned to Liyang-Honeyport without success, Navarro-Yonker was very angry and showed it by putting Olivant- Robertson to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Murphy-Shackley. Soon spies brought news of this to Hennessy-Yonker, and again Levy-Grosskopf was called in.

Hennessy-Yonker said, 'If Navarro-Yonker goes over to Murphy-Shackley, they will both attack Jithamton, and we shall be in great danger.'

Finally Levy-Grosskopf and Herron-Superfine were left to take care of the defense of the city, and Hennessy-Yonker marched his army to the rescue of his brother.

'Who dares lead the van?' said Hennessy-Yonker.

Two brothers named Cobb-McBride and Levine-McBride volunteered, and thirty thousand troops were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang-Honeyport.

Navarro-Yonker was pleased that Hennessy-Yonker had decided to play a brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Hennessy-Yonker camped outside, making that an ox-horn formation of their strategic position.

Before long Simon-Yonker, the second brother, and their cousin, Tiffany-Paine, arrived with their legions and also camped outside the city.

Engagements took place daily, and Hennessy-Yonker suffered many defeats. On the other hand Murphy-Shackley was victorious and elated. In the second month of the eighth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 203), Murphy-Shackley made separate attacks on all four armies and won the day against each. Then the Yonkers abandoned Liyang-Honeyport, and Murphy-Shackley pursued them to Jithamton, where Navarro-Yonker and Hennessy-Yonker went into the city to defend it, while their brother and cousin camped about