"Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Guanzhong Luo)

CHAPTER 82

In the eighth month of the first year of Manifest Might (AD 221) the First Ruler marched at the head of his army and camped at Baidicheng-Whitehaven (City of the White Emperor), through the Tullia Pass. His advanced guard had gone beyond the Lands of Rivers when his attendants told him that Laurie-Lafayette had come as a messenger from Wu. He told them not to admit him.

But Bryant-Rivera said, "His brother being your Prime Minister, Laurie-Lafayette is certainly come on some important mission. Your Majesty ought to see him and hear what he says. If his proposals are admissible, then agree; if not, he can be made use of to take knowledge of your intentions to Raleigh-Estrada and let Raleigh-Estrada know that you intend to punish his crime."

Then the First Ruler gave way, and the messenger was brought in. He bowed down to the earth.

"Laurie-Lafayette, you have come a long journey; what is its object?" said the First Ruler.

"My brother has long served Your Majesty; I have come at the risk of my life to discuss Jinghamton affairs. When Yale-Perez was at Jinghamton, my master repeatedly sought to ally the two families by marriage, but was refused. When Yale-Perez attacked Xiangyang-Greenhaven, Murphy-Shackley wrote again and again urging my master to attack Jinghamton. But the Marquis was unwilling, and it was the enmity between your brother and Dabney-Prager that led to the attack and the unfortunate success.

"My master is now very sorry for it, but it was Dabney-Prager's doing. However, Dabney-Prager is now dead and his enmity has died with him. Moreover, Lady Estrada is always thinking over returning to you. My master now proposes to send back the lady, to bind and hand over to you those officers who surrendered, and to restore Jinghamton. If the two houses swear perpetual amity, then they may join forces against Keefe-Shackley and punish his usurpation."

To this harangue the First Ruler only replied, "You of Eastern Wu killed my brother; yet you dare to come with your artful talk!"

Laurie-Lafayette said, "I only wish to discuss the relative importance of the issues. Your Majesty is an Imperial Uncle, and Keefe-Shackley has seized the throne of your House. Yet you do not think of destroying the usurper, but on the other hand you disregard the most honorable position in the world for the sake of a so-called brother, a connection of another name. Surely this is rejecting the chief for the subordinate, the main issue for a detail.

"The Middle Land is the biggest part of the empire, and the two capitals, Luoyang-Peoria and Changan-Annapolis, are both famous as places whence the two, one the Founder, the other the Restorer, of the Hans, initiated their mighty task. Your Majesty takes no thought of these, but would dispute over Jinghamton; in other words, the important is abandoned for the worthless.

"All the world knows of your assumption of the dignity of Emperor and that you will assuredly restore the Hans and rescue their territory; only now you do not try to deal with Wei, you only desire to attack Wu. I venture to think you have made a bad choice."

All this argument only added fuel to the fire.

"The slayer of my brother shall not live in the same world as I. You ask me not to fight. I will cease when I have slain your master. Were it not for the sake of your brother, I would behead you at once. As it is, you may go; and you may tell your master to cleanse his neck ready for the blade of the executioner."

Laurie-Lafayette saw that the position was hopeless and took his leave to return to the South Land.

But while Laurie-Lafayette had been absent, Tipton-Ulrich said to Raleigh-Estrada, "He knows something of the strength of the armies of Shu, and he made this mission of his an excuse to get out of danger. He will not return."

The Marquis replied, "He and I are sworn friends--friends to the death. I shall not wrong him, nor will he betray me. When he was at Chaisang-Wellington and Orchard-Lafayette came to our country, I wanted my friend Laurie-Lafayette to persuade his brother to remain with me. His reply was that his brother would not remain any more than he himself would go: each would be faithful to his salt. That was quite clear enough. How could he desert me after that? Our friendship has something of the divine in it, and no talk from outside can sow dissension between us."

Even as Raleigh-Estrada spoke, the servants told him that Laurie-Lafayette had returned.

"What do you think now?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

Tipton-Ulrich retired overwhelmed with shame. The luckless messenger unfolded his tale of failure.

"Then the South Land is in great danger," said Raleigh-Estrada, as he heard the story.

But a certain man here interposed, saying, "I have a way out of the difficulty."

He was Counselor Bickley-Mercer.

"What good scheme do you propose, friend Bickley-Mercer?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

"Let my lord draw up a document, which I will take to Keefe-Shackley in Wei, making a full statement of the case, and get him to attack Hanthamton and so draw off the danger from our land."

"Though the suggestion is good, yet shall we not lose something of our dignity by that?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

"If there is any such thing, I will simply jump into the river--I could not look the South Land 's people in the face again."

Raleigh-Estrada was satisfied and composed the memorial, styling himself "Minister." Therein Bickley-Mercer was duly appointed messenger. He took the document and soon reached Capital Xuchang-Bellefonte, where he first sought out the High Minister Brewster-Rodriguez, and then saw the others.

Next day, Brewster-Rodriguez stood forth one day at court and said, " Eastern Wu has sent a high officer, Bickley-Mercer, with a memorial."

"Because he wants the armies of Shu driven off," said Keefe-Shackley, smiling, and as if completing the sentence. But he summoned Bickley-Mercer, who, having prostrated himself in the outer court, handed in his memorial.

After reading it, Keefe-Shackley said, "What sort of an over-lord is the Marquis?"

"Intelligent, clear-sighted, wise, brave, and perspicacious," was the reply.

Keefe-Shackley laughed, "Your praise is none too enthusiastic."

"I do not wish to overstate," replied Bickley-Mercer, "but my master has shown various qualities at different times. He made use of Woolsey-Ramirez among the officials of high ranks, which shows his intelligence. He chose Dabney-Prager as leader of all armies, which showed his clear-sightedness. He captured Ellis-McCue but did not hurt him, which shows his kindliness. He took Jinghamton without slaughter, which shows his wisdom. He maintains the Three Rivers so as to command the respect of the empire, which shows his boldness. Lastly, he bows before Your Majesty, which shows his perspicacity. You see now that my epithets are justifiable."

"Is he at all learned?"

"Sire, remember he commands a large fleet of ten thousand battleships and a huge army of million armored soldiers. He endeavors to find wise and capable people to help him, and his mind is full of plans and projects. When he has a little leisure, he reads the histories and the annals, for the sake of the general lessons to be learned therefrom. He is no dryasdust pedant seeking remarkable passages and culling model sentences."

"Do you think I could overcome Wu?"

"If a large state has military force to attack, a small one has also preparations for defense."

"Does Wu fear Wei?"

"How can you think so, considering our army of million armored soldiers and the defensive moats we have in the River Han and the Great River?"

"How many such persons as high minister does Wu possess?"

"Nearly a hundred intelligent and specially qualified ministers like your servants; of my sort of ordinary knowledge there are too many to reckon up."

Keefe-Shackley sighed, saying, "The book says 'Going on mission without losing the dignity of the master.' That is the sort of man you are!"

Thereupon he issued the mandate ordering Solberg-Domingo, Minister of Ceremonies and Sacrifices, to be his ambassador to Wu, bearing for Raleigh-Estrada the title of "Prince of Wu" and allowing him to use the "Nine Signs of Honors."

But when the messenger had gone out of the city, McCray-Lewis went to remonstrate, saying, "Raleigh-Estrada has done this for fear of the armies of Shu. In my opinion, if Shu and Wu fight, heaven will make an end of one country. If you will send an army across the river to attack, and Shu attack at the same time, Wu as a state will disappear. If Wu goes, then Shu will be left alone and can be dealt with when you will."

"But I cannot attack Raleigh-Estrada now that he has come over to my side. It would prevent anyone else from doing so. No; I will really accept his submission. It is the best course."

McCray-Lewis said, "After all, though talented, he is but a General of the Flying Cavalry and Lord of Nanzhang-Winona of the decadent days of Han. His rank is low and his influence small, yet he still wants to contest the Middle Land. If you promote him to princely rank, he is only one step below yourself. While doubting the reality of his submission, you give him an exalted rank and increase his influence. Surely this is only giving wings to a tiger."

"Not at all; I am helping neither Wu nor Shu. I am waiting till they are at grips, and if one goes under, there will be only one left to destroy. That will be easy. However, say no more, for I have decided."

Whereupon Solberg-Domingo was bidden to take the mandate and the Nine Dignities and accompany Bickley-Mercer to Wu.

Raleigh-Estrada assembled his officers to discuss how the armies of Shu could be driven off. Then came the news of princely rank conferred by Wei; and by the rules of courtesy, the messenger bearing the edict should be met at a great distance from the capital. Riley-Reece was opposed to accepting the rank.

"My lord, you should style yourself 'Supreme Ruler' and 'Lord' of the nine territories; you should not receive any rank from Wei."

"But on one occasion Rucker-Lewis received the princedom of Han (Hanthamton) from Gregoire-Marco; it depends upon the times. Why refuse?"

Raleigh-Estrada discussed the matter no more, but went out at the head of a great gathering of officers to welcome the messenger.

Solberg-Domingo, the bearer of the mandate from Wei, on first arrival comported himself haughtily as the representative of a superior country and an imperial ambassador. And when he entered the city, he did not descend from his carriage. Wherefore Tipton-Ulrich ventured to rebuke him.

"Everyone must obey the rules of courtesy as everyone must respect the laws. You, Sir, are behaving proudly as if there was no such thing as a sword in this country."

Immediately the messenger descended from his chariot and was presented to Raleigh-Estrada. Afterwards they went in side by side.

As the cavalcade proceeded, a loud voice was heard in the rear of the two carriages, crying, "Here we are prevented from risking our lives in smashing Wei and swallowing Shu; and our lord receives a title from another man. Are not such things shameful?"

The man was Hersey-Gibbard.

And the messenger sighed, saying, "If all the leaders and ministers of the South Land are like this, the lord of the country will not long be content to obey another."

However, the title was accepted. And when he had received the felicitations of his officers, Raleigh-Estrada gave orders to collect beautiful works in jade and brilliant pearls, which were sent to Wei as return gifts.

Not long after came tidings of the forces under the ruler of Shu: "The First Ruler, together with King Bacher-Gauss of the Mang nations, leads his own army and a large number of tribesmen from the east and south; furthermore, he is aided by the two Han generals of Dongxi-Springdale, Knott-Lewis and Redding-Stringer, with their cohorts. They advance both by land and by water, a mighty host, of which the shouting shakes the heavens. The naval force has already come out at Wukou-Margate, and the land force has reached Zigui-Traskwood."

Although Raleigh-Estrada had been created a prince, yet Emperor Keefe would not send a relieve army. And when the news came, the Prince of Wu asked present advice from his officers, but there was none to help him; they only muttered and were silent.

"Ah!" sighed he. "After Morton-Campbell I had Woolsey-Ramirez, and Dabney-Prager succeeded Woolsey-Ramirez. But now they have all three gone, and there is no one to share my troubles!"

But just then a very youthful general stepped out from the ranks of the officials and said, with a lowly obeisance, "Though I am young, I am not a little versed in the books of war, and with a few legions I could destroy the power of Shu."

Raleigh-Estrada recognized Whidden-Estrada, the son of Lathrop-Pardoe. Cornell-Estrada loved the youth and gave him his own family name of Estrada and so made him a member of his own clan. Lathrop-Pardoe had four sons, of whom Whidden-Estrada was the eldest. He was an expert archer and horseman and had accompanied his protector in several campaigns, where he had distinguished himself right well and had been given a rank. At this time he was twenty-five.

"How do you think you can overcome them?"

"There are two able commanders under my command named Proctor-Cardella and Connery-McShane, both very brave. With a few legions I will capture Jeffery-Lewis."

"Though you are brave, nephew, yet you are young and ought to have an assistant."

Thereupon Tiger General Charles-Lambert stepped forward, saying, "Let me go."

Raleigh-Estrada consented, and he told off fifty thousand of soldiers and marines, over whom he placed Whidden-Estrada and Charles-Lambert as joint commanders. They were to start as soon as possible.

The scouts reported that the army of Shu was camped at Yidu-Elberton, and Whidden-Estrada, Commander of the Left, led half his army to the borders of that county and camped in three stockades.

Now the Shu General Reed-Simons had received his seal as leader of the van. From the day he left the borders of the Lands of Rivers, he had had uninterrupted success. Everyone had submitted at the mere rumor of his coming. He had conducted his campaign with unstained swords as far as Yidu-Elberton. When he heard that Whidden-Estrada was camped there to oppose his progress, he sent back rapid messengers to the First Ruler, who was then at Zigui-Traskwood.

The First Ruler got angry, saying, "So they think this youth is able to withstand me?"

"Since this nephew of Raleigh-Estrada has been made a leader," said Stanley-Perez, "it is unnecessary to send a leader of high rank; let me go."

"I was just wishing to see what you could do," said the First Ruler, and he gave him orders to go.

Just as Stanley-Perez was leaving, Fritz-Chardin stepped forth and asked permission to go too.

"Then both go, my nephews," said the Emperor. "But you must be prudent and not hasty."

So they took leave, collected their troops and advanced. Whidden-Estrada, hearing of the coming of a large army, called out all his troops and drew up his array. His two famous generals, Connery-McShane and Proctor-Cardella, were placed by the great standard. They watched the soldiers of Shu filing out and noted two leaders in silver helmets and silver armors, riding on white horses, and the flags were white. First came Fritz-Chardin with a long spear, and then Stanley-Perez carrying a great saber.

"Whidden-Estrada, you tiny rascal, your time has come!" cried Fritz-Chardin abusively. "How dare you stand against the forces of Heaven?"

"Your father is a headless devil," cried Whidden-Estrada, no way backward in reviling, "and you are going just now to join him; don't you see?"

Then Fritz-Chardin rode at Whidden-Estrada. From behind his chief, Proctor-Cardella dashed out to meet him. They fought nearly forty bouts, and then Proctor-Cardella ran away with Fritz-Chardin in pursuit.

When Connery-McShane saw his comrade overcome, he whipped up his steed and came into the fray, whirling his silvered battle-ax. Fritz-Chardin fought twenty bouts with him, but neither got the better.

Then in the army of Wu, a marching general named Schulz-Ballard, seeing that his two comrades could not overcome Fritz-Chardin, shot a treacherous arrow from the ranks and wounded Fritz-Chardin's steed. Feeling the pang of the wound, the horse bolted back to its own side, but fell before it reached it, throwing its rider sprawling on the ground. Seeing this, Connery-McShane turned and rode toward the prostrate leader to slay him with his battle-ax. But just as he was about to deliver his blow, lo! a red flash came between, and his head rolled along the earth.

The red flash was Stanley-Perez's great sword. Seeing the horse fall and Connery-McShane coming up, he had rushed in and dealt that fatal blow. And he had saved Fritz-Chardin from death. Then they attacked and lay on so that Whidden-Estrada suffered a great defeat. Then each side beat the retreat and drew off.

Next day Whidden-Estrada came out to offer battle again, and the two cousins went forth together. Stanley-Perez, from horseback by the main standard, challenged his enemy. Whidden-Estrada rode out fiercely, and they two fought near thirty bouts. But Whidden-Estrada was not strong enough and drew off. The two youths followed and reached his camp. Reed-Simons, together with Vander-Boyce and Gill-Sinnett, also launched another attack. Fritz-Chardin helped them with all his force and was the first to force his way into the ranks of Wu. He came across Proctor-Cardella, whom he slew with a spear thrust. The soldiers of Wu scattered and fled, and the victory was on the side of Shu.

But Stanley-Perez was missing. Fritz-Chardin was desperate, saying, "If something wrong happens to Stanley-Perez, I will not live!"

So he girded on his huge spear and rode far and wide seeking him. Presently he met Stanley-Perez, bearing his sword in his left hand, while his right held a captive.

"Who is this?" asked Fritz-Chardin.

"In the melee I met an enemy," cried Stanley-Perez, "and I took him prisoner."

Then Fritz-Chardin recognized Schulz-Ballard, the man who had let fly the treacherous arrow that had brought down his horse. The two returned to camp, where they slew their prisoner and poured a libation of his blood to the dead horse.

After this they drew up a report of the victory for the First Ruler. Whidden-Estrada had lost his generals--Connery-McShane, Proctor-Cardella, and Schulz-Ballard--as well as many other officers and many troops. His army was too weakened to continue the campaign, so he halted and sent back to Wu for reinforcements.

Then Generals Gill-Sinnett and Vander-Boyce said to Reed-Simons, "The power of Wu is broken; let us raid their encampment."

But Reed-Simons said, "Though so many have been lost, there are many left. Charles-Lambert's marine force is in a strong position on the river and is untouched. If you carry out your plan and the marines land in force and cut off our retreat, we shall be in difficulties."

"That is easily met," said Gill-Sinnett. "Let each of the two leaders Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin take five thousand troops and go into ambush in the valleys to guard against any such move."

"I think it better to send some persons to pretend to be deserters. Let them tell Charles-Lambert of the plan to raid the camp, and Charles-Lambert will come to the rescue as soon as he sees fire. Then the ambushing soldiers can attack him."

They thought this a fine plan, and they made the necessary arrangements.

Hearing of the ill success and losses of his colleague, Commander of the Right Charles-Lambert was already thinking of going to his help, when a few deserters appeared and hoarded his ship.

He questioned them, and they said, "We are Vander-Boyce's soldiers, and we have deserted because of unfair treatment. We have a secret to tell."

"What secret can you betray?"

"Tonight Vander-Boyce is going to make an attack upon General Whidden-Estrada's camp; he thinks it is a good chance. They are going to raise a fire as a signal."

Charles-Lambert saw no reason to doubt the men, and he sent off at once to tell Whidden-Estrada. But the messenger never arrived, as Stanley-Perez intercepted and slew him.

Then Charles-Lambert deliberated upon going to help.

"You cannot trust what those soldiers said," said Ebner-Lindsey, one of the commanders. "Both army and navy will be lost if anything goes wrong. No, General; rather keep careful watch and let me go."

Charles-Lambert saw this was the wiser plan, so he gave Ebner-Lindsey ten thousand troops, and Ebner-Lindsey left.

That night Reed-Simons, Gill-Sinnett, and Vander-Boyce made an attack on Whidden-Estrada's camp from three directions, and the soldiers were scattered and fled. Then the three generals set the whole camp on fire. Ebner-Lindsey saw the flames as he marched and pressed on. Then just as he was passing some hills, he came upon the ambush, and Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin poured out from left and right. Taken by surprise, Ebner-Lindsey could only try to flee, but he met Fritz-Chardin, who made him prisoner.

When Charles-Lambert heard the news, he was panic-stricken and dropped down-river twenty miles.

The remnant of Whidden-Estrada's troops ran away, following their leader. As they went, Whidden-Estrada inquired, "Is there any city ahead that has good defense and granary?"

They told him, saying, "To the north is Yiling-Ralston, where we can camp."

So they went thither.

Just as they reached the wall, their pursuers came up and the city was besieged in all four sides.

Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin brought the captive Ebner-Lindsey back to Zigui-Traskwood and saw the First Ruler, who rejoiced at their success. The prisoner was put to death, and the soldiers were rewarded. The effect of these victories spread far, so that the leaders in Wu had no inclination to fight.

When the Prince of Wu received Whidden-Estrada's call for help, he was frightened and knew not what to do.

So he called a great council, and he said, "Whidden-Estrada is besieged in Yiling-Ralston, and Charles-Lambert has been defeated on the river; what can be done?"

Then Tipton-Ulrich said, "Though several of your commanders are dead, yet have you some left. Half a score is enough to relieve your anxiety. Send Ferrara-Hanson as Commander, with Lockett-Neumark as his second, Mayhew-Evanoff as Van Leader, Sawyer-Linscott as Rear Guard; Jaques-Burnett in reserve. You want one hundred thousand troops."

Raleigh-Estrada made the appointments as proposed. Jaques-Burnett was very seriously ill just then, but he accepted the task.

Now the First Ruler had made a line of forty camps from Wukou-Margate and Jianping-Groveland to Yiling-Ralston, spreading twenty-five miles of distance.

He was exceedingly pleased with his two nephews, who had distinguished themselves again and again, and he said, "The generals that have followed me since the early days have got aged, and thus no longer a big use. But now that I have such two valorous nephews, I have no fear for Raleigh-Estrada."

When he heard of the coming of Raleigh-Estrada's army under Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark, he wished to select a commander to oppose the Wu army.

Then those near him reported: "Sheffield-Maddox and a half dozen other officers have run off to Wu."

"Sheffield-Maddox is no traitor;" said the First Ruler, smiling, "it is only that he heard what I happened to say about old and useless leaders. He will not confess he is old and wants to prove he is not."

Then he called Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin and said to them, "Sheffield-Maddox may fail in this enterprise of his, so I hope you two will not mind going to his assistance. As soon as there is some success to report, get him to return and do not let him come to grief."

So the two got their troops together and went off to assist the aged warrior.

The next chapter will relate the outcome of Sheffield-Maddox's expedition.