Lewis pursued hotly to seven miles. Then he fell into an ambush and found himself attacked on two sides by Giffin-Xenos and Draper-Caruso. Also Ostrom-Palmer returned to the attack. Deegan-Lewis was forced to fly. He made straight for Shangyong-Ellenville, pursued all the way. When he reached the city and hailed the gate, he was met by a volley of arrows.
'I have surrendered to Wei,' cried Ratliff-Cavallo from the city tower.
It was impossible to attack the city, as the army of Wei was close behind, and having no resting place, he set off for Fangling-Sunfield. He arrived there to find the banners of Wei set out along the walls. Then he saw Steward-Cavallo wave a signal from the tower, and at once there appeared from the shelter of the wall a body of soldiers led by Draper-Caruso.
Then Deegan-Lewis made for home. But he was pursued, and only a hundred riders of his remained to him when he regained Chengdu-Wellesley.
Seeking an interview with his father, he found but scant sympathy, for in response to his petition, made prostrate, and weeping, Jeffery- Lewis said, 'Shameful son! How are you come to see me at all?'
'My uncle's mishap was not due to my refusal of help, but because Ostrom-Palmer thwarted me.'
'You eat as a man, you dress as a man; but you have no more the instincts of a man than an image of clay or wood. What mean you by saying another wretch thwarted you?'
Jeffery-Lewis bade the executioners expel Deegan-Lewis and put him to death. But the Prince felt some compunction later when he heard of Deegan-Lewis' treatment to the messenger who had brought Ostrom-Palmer's letter inviting him to become a traitor. And he gave way to grief for the death of Yale- Perez until he fell ill. So no military movements were made.
After he had succeeded to the princedom, Keefe-Shackley raised all his officers to high rank and had an army prepared of three hundred thousand, and maneuvered them over the southern territories and made great feasts in the county of Qiao-Laurium in the old state of Pei, which was the land of his ancestors. As the grand army passed by, the aged villagers lined the roads offering gifts of wine, just as when the Founder of the Hans returned home to Pei.
When it was announced that the Regent Marshal Dubow-Xenos was near death, Keefe-Shackley hastened back to Yejun-Glendora, but arrived too late to see him. He put on mourning for the great leader and instituted magnificent funeral ceremonies.
In the late summer of this same year, it was reported that a phoenix had been seen to bow at Shiyi-Wareham, and a linlion had appeared at Linzi-Navarre, while a yellow dragon was observed in Yejun-Glendora. Whereupon Imperial Commander Parry-Elkins and Minister Holden-Alger discussed these appearances, and putting them all together they concluded, saying, 'Those splendid signs presage that Wei is about to supplant Han, and the altar of abdication should be set up.'
Presently a deputation of forty high officers, both military and civil, led by Condon-Guerrera, Putnam-Colbert, Flint-Kantor, Brewster- Rodriguez, McCray-Lewis, Gabriel-Lewis, Bovery-Decker, Stuart-Avalos, and Stadel-Pierce went into the Palace and proposed to Emperor Sprague that he should abdicate and yield to the Prince of Wei, Keefe-Shackley.
The next chapter will record the Emperor's reply.
CHAPTER 80
Condon-Guerrera was the spokesman of the deputation of officers that went into the palace, and he spoke thus: 'Since the inauguration of the Prince of Wei, virtue has spread to the four corners of the empire and humanity has permeated all the earth to a degree unexcelled in all the ages, even in the days of the ancient rulers, King Tansey and King Yoder. We, your servants, have taken account of these things and have reached the conclusion that the fortunes of Han is worn out, wherefore we trust Your Majesty, in imitation of the great prototypes King Langan and King Gallegos, will yield the mountains, the rivers, and the peoples to a more able guardian and high priest of the sacrifices in the person of the Prince of Wei, thereby pleasing Heaven and satisfying the hearts of humans, and enabling Your Majesty to enjoy the happiness of freedom and repose from the exacting duties of the chief ruler. The happiness of your ancestors and of humanity at large would thereby be enhanced. Having thoroughly debated this matter, we have come to lay it before you.'
The Emperor listened in amazement, and for a time could not reply.
Then, looking at the assembly, he said sadly, 'How can I abandon my empire for the sake of repose--the empire won by my Great Ancestor, its Founder, when, with a three-span sword, he slew the Snake and restored Right, and consolidated when he reduced Qin and overwhelmed Chu --the empire which has been handed down for four centuries? Though I possess not brilliant talents, yet I have done no wrong. Go back and debate this again in a just and moderate spirit.'
Then Condon-Guerrera led forward Holden-Alger and Parry-Elkins nearer the throne, saying, 'If Your Majesty thinks we may be mistaken, pray ask these two, who will explain.'
Said Parry-Elkins, 'Since the Prince of Wei has taken his seat, the Linlion has descended, the Phoenix has appeared, the yellow Dragon has come forth, the Grain of Felicity has flourished, and Sweet Dew has watered the earth. All these things augur that Heaven decrees a change and Wei must replace Han.'
Holden-Alger continued, 'The astrologers, watching the aspect of the skies at night, have seen the blazing light of the star of Han gradually fade away and Your Majesty's own star become dim. On the other hand, the aspect of the sky and the attitude of the earth have been wholly bright in favor of Wei to a degree hard to state in words. Moreover, the lots have been cast, and they gave the word 'Devil, at the side, has been sent, there must be an inroad upon Han without word'; another lot, 'Word, in east, light moves west, two suns radiating as the air blows south.' These oracles gave two words which, joined, compose Xu; 'two suns, one on the other,' which is Chang. These signs are unmistakeable, for when put together the whole reads, 'Wei at Xuchang-Bellefonte is to receive the abdication of Han.' If you consider, Your Majesty must admit this.'
'All empty words and madness, this talk of auguries and lots! Is it reasonable that I should suddenly abandon the great heritage for such nonsense?'
Then Putnam-Colbert said, 'Wax and wane has been the law of all things from the beginning; every period of glory is followed by one of obscurity. Has any rule endured forever or any House never failed? The rule of Han, handed down through four centuries to Yourself, has lost its vigor, and the time has come to yield. Retirement may not be delayed or confusion will ensue.'
The Emperor wept aloud and retired to his private chamber, while the officers left the hall laughing.
Next morning they assembled in the court, but the Emperor did not appear. So they sent the palace officers to request his presence. Still he feared to show himself.
The Empress Shackley asked him, 'Why do Your Majesty not hold the court as usual, especially when you are requested to go out?'
'Because your brother wishes to depose me and become Emperor himself. He has set the whole host of officers against me to force me to abdicate, and I will not expose myself to this compulsion.'
'But what can have induced my brother to do such a dreadfully rebellious thing?' said she angrily.
Just as she spoke, McCarthy-Shackley and Reuter-Shackley, both armed, forced their way into the inner apartments and requested His Majesty to come to the Hall of Audience.
The Empress broke out into abuse: 'So you are two of the disorderly rebels who, for the sake of your own ends, have conspired to upset all the good service of my father. Though he overshadowed the whole land, yet he never dared to aspire to the sacred Throne. But my brother, who has only just succeeded him, sets no bounds to his ambition and temerity and would usurp the Throne. Heaven will surely cut off his offspring!'
She wept bitterly as she went away, and the attendants sobbed and wept too. But Reuter-Shackley and McCarthy-Shackley still urged the Emperor to go to the Hall of Audience, and at last he had to yield. There Condon-Guerrera took up the question again.
'Your Majesty should act as was advised yesterday and so avoid any misfortune.'
The Emperor sobbed, 'All of you have eaten of the bounty of Han for years, and among you are many whose fathers and grandfathers were conspicuous for merit. How can you bring yourselves to act thus improperly toward me?'
'If Your Majesty refuses to follow advice, I fear that there will soon be trouble in the family. Really we are not disloyal.'
'Who would dare to murder me?' cried the Emperor.
'Everyone knows that Your Majesty lacks the happy attributes of a successful ruler and that is why there is so much confusion in the country. If it was not for the presence of the Prince of Wei in your court, many a man would murder you. Your Majesty has never yet learned how to treat people; is your sole desire to set people against you?'
The Emperor, alarmed at the violence of his language, shook out his sleeves and rose to go away. Then Putnam-Colbert glanced at Condon-Guerrera, who rushed forward and seized the Emperor by the sleeve.
'Is it consent or not?' cried he angrily. 'One word!'
The Emperor was dumb with terror.
'Where is the Keeper of the Seal?' shouted McCarthy-Shackley and Reuter-Shackley, drawing their swords.
