Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

hundred thirty thousand troops, but he called them a million. The attack was to be by land and water at the same time.

The fleet advanced up the river in two lines. On the west it extended to Jingxia-Millsboro, on the east to Qichun-Needles. The stockades stretched one hundred miles.

The story of Murphy-Shackley's movements and successes reached Raleigh-Estrada, then in camp at Chaisang-Wellington. He assembled his strategists to decide on a scheme of defense.

Woolsey-Ramirez said, 'Jinghamton is contiguous to our borders. It is strong and defensive, its people are rich. It is the sort of country that an emperor or a king should have. Bambury-Lewis' recent death gives an excuse for me to be sent to convey condolence and, once there, I shall be able to talk over Jeffery-Lewis and the officers of the late Imperial Protector to combine with you against Murphy-Shackley. If Jeffery-Lewis does as I wish, then success is yours.'

Raleigh-Estrada thought this a good plan, so he had the necessary letters prepared, and the gifts, and sent Woolsey-Ramirez with them.

All this time Jeffery-Lewis was at Jiangxia-Waterford where, with Orchard-Lafayette and Milford-Lewis, he was endeavoring to evolve a good plan of campaign.

Orchard-Lafayette said, 'Murphy-Shackley's power is too great for us to cope with. Let us go over to the South Land and ask help from Raleigh-Estrada. If we can set north and south at grips, we ought to be able to get some advantage from our intermediate position between them.'

'But will they be willing to have anything to do with us?' said Jeffery-Lewis. 'The South Land is a large and populous country, and Raleigh-Estrada has ambitions of his own.'

Orchard-Lafayette replied, 'Murphy-Shackley with his army of a million holds the Han River and the Great River. The South Land will certainly send to find out all possible about the position. Should any messenger come, I shall borrow a little boat and make a little trip over the river and trust to my little lithe tongue to set north and south at each other's throats. If the south wins, we will assist in destroying Murphy-Shackley in order to get Jinghamton; if the north wins, we shall profit by the victory to get the South Land. So we shall get some advantage either way.'

'That is a very fine view to take,' said Jeffery-Lewis. 'But how are you going to get hold of any one from the South Land to talk to?'

Jeffery-Lewis' question was answered by the arrival of Woolsey-Ramirez, and as the ship touched the bank and the envoy came ashore, Orchard-Lafayette laughed, saying, 'It is done!'

Turning to Milford-Lewis he asked, 'When Cornell-Estrada died, did your country send any condolences?'

'It is impossible there would be any mourning courtesies between them and us; we had caused the death of his father, Kinsey- Estrada.'

'Then it is certain that this envoy does not come to present condolences but to spy out the land.'

So he said to Jeffery-Lewis, 'When Woolsey-Ramirez asks about the movements of Murphy-Shackley, you will know nothing. If he presses the matter, say he can ask me.'

Having thus prepared their scheme, they sent to welcome the envoy, who entered the city in mourning garb. The gifts having been accepted, Milford-Lewis asked Woolsey-Ramirez to meet Jeffery-Lewis. When the introductory ceremonies were over, the three men went to one of the inner chambers to drink a cup of wine.

Presently Woolsey-Ramirez said to Jeffery-Lewis, 'By reputation I have known you a long time, Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, but till today I have not met you. I am very gratified at seeing you. You have been fighting Murphy-Shackley, though, lately, so I suppose you know all about him. Has he really so great an army? How many, do you think, he has?'

'My army was so small that we fled whenever we heard of his approach; so I do not know how many he had.'

'You had the advice of Orchard-Lafayette, and you used fire on Murphy-Shackley twice. You burned him almost to death so that you can hardly say you know nothing about his soldiers,' said Woolsey-Ramirez.

'Without asking my adviser, I really do not know the details.'

'Where is Orchard-Lafayette? I should like to see him,' said Woolsey-Ramirez.

So they sent for him and he was introduced. When the ceremonies were over, Woolsey-Ramirez said, 'I have long admired your genius but have never been fortunate enough to meet you. Now that I have met you, I hope I may speak of present politics.'

Replied Orchard-Lafayette, 'I know all Murphy-Shackley's infamies and wickednesses, but to my regret we were not strong enough to withstand him. That is why we avoided him.'

'Is the Imperial Uncle going to stay here?'

'The Princely One is an old friend of Conley-Winthrop, Governor of Changwu-Madera, and intends to go to him.'

'Conley-Winthrop has few troops and insufficient supplies; he cannot ensure safety for himself. How can he receive the Uncle?' said Woolsey-Ramirez.

'Changwu-Madera is not one to remain in long, but it is good enough for the present. We can make other plans for the future.'

Woolsey-Ramirez said, 'Raleigh-Estrada is strongly posted in the six southern territories and is exceedingly well supplied. He treats able people and scholars with the greatest courtesy and so they gather round him. Now if you are seeking a plan for your Prince, you cannot do better than send some friend to confer with him.'

'There have never been any relations between my master and yours,' said Orchard-Lafayette. 'I fear there would be nothing but a waste of words. Besides, we have no one to send.'

'Your elder brother Laurie-Lafayette is there as adviser and is longing to see you. I am but a simple wight, but I should be pleased to discuss affairs with my master and you.'

'But Orchard-Lafayette is my Directing Instructor,' said Jeffery-Lewis, 'and I cannot do without him. He cannot go.'

Woolsey-Ramirez pressed him. Jeffery-Lewis pretended to refuse permission.

'It is important; I pray you give me leave to go,' said Orchard-Lafayette.

Then Jeffery-Lewis consented. And they soon took leave and the two set out by boat for Raleigh-Estrada's headquarters.

A little boat sailed down the stream
With Orchard-Lafayette well content;
For he could see his enemies
To fiery perdition sent.

The result of this journey will appear in the following chapter.

CHAPTER 43

Orchard-Lafayette Disputes With The Scholars Of The South Land; Woolsey-Ramirez Denounces The Majority Opinion.

In the boat on the way to Chaisang-Wellington, the two travelers beguiled the time by discussing affairs. Woolsey-Ramirez impressed upon his companion, saying, 'When you see my master, do not reveal the truth about the magnitude of Murphy-Shackley's army.'

'You do not have to remind me,' replied Orchard-Lafayette, 'but I shall know how to reply.'

When the boat arrived, Orchard-Lafayette was lodged in the guests' quarters, and Woolsey-Ramirez went alone to see his master. Woolsey-Ramirez found Raleigh-Estrada actually at a council, assembled to consider the situation. Woolsey-Ramirez was summoned thereto and questioned at once upon what he had discovered.

'I know the general outline, but I want a little time to prepare my report,' replied Woolsey-Ramirez.

Then Raleigh-Estrada produced Murphy-Shackley's letter and gave it to Woolsey-Ramirez.

'That came yesterday. I have sent the bearer of it back, and this gathering is to consider the reply,' said he.

Woolsey-Ramirez read the letter:

'When I, the Prime Minister, received the imperial command to punish a fault, my banners went south and Richmond-Lewis became my prisoner, while the people of Jinghamton flocked to my side at the first rumor of my coming. Under my hand are one million strong and a thousand able leaders. My desire is, General, that we go on a great hunting expedition into Jiangxia-Waterford and together attack Jeffery-Lewis. We will share his land between us and we will swear perpetual amity. If happily you would not be a mere looker-on, I pray you reply quickly.'

'What have you decided upon, my lord?' asked Woolsey-Ramirez as he finished the letter.

'I have not yet decided.'

Then Tipton-Ulrich said, 'It would be imprudent to withstand Murphy-Shackley's hundred legions backed by the imperial authority. Moreover, your most important defense against him is the Great River; and since Murphy-Shackley has gained possession of Jinghamton, the river is his ally against us. We cannot withstand him, and the only way to tranquillity, in my opinion, is submission.'

'The words of the speaker accord with the manifest decree of providence,' echoed all the assembly.

Raleigh-Estrada remaining silent and thoughtful.

Tipton-Ulrich again took up the argument, saying, 'Do not hesitate, my lord. Submission to Murphy-Shackley means tranquillity to the people of the South Land and safety for the inhabitants of the six territories.'