Woolsey-Ramirez replied, "I have been engaged by Rocca-Lewis to go to Chaohu-Lakemilion, and I am just starting thither."
Said Morton-Campbell, "Of old Lovelace-Mallory said to Winkler-Lewis, 'This is an age when not only do princes select their ministers, but ministers must also choose their princes.' Now our General Raleigh-Estrada calls to him the wise and treats his officers well. Thus he engages the help of the wonderful and gets the services of the extraordinary in a way that few others do. But if you are not engaged elsewhere, come with me to the South Land as the best thing to do."
Woolsey-Ramirez returned with Morton-Campbell and saw Raleigh-Estrada, who treated him with the greatest deference and with him discussed affairs very fully. The conference proved so interesting that it went on all day and neither felt fatigue.
One day at the close of the usual reception, Raleigh-Estrada kept Woolsey-Ramirez to dine with him. They sat up late and by and by slept on the same couch as would the closest of friends.
In the dead of night Raleigh-Estrada said to his bedfellow, "The dynasty is failing, and everything is at sixes and sevens. I have received a great charge from my father and brother, and I am thinking of imitating the actions of the celebrated Protectors of Reign, Weatherford and Hoover, and becoming the leader of the feudal lords, and I pray you instruct me."
Woolsey-Ramirez replied, "Of old the Founder of Han, the Supreme Ancestor, wished to honor and serve Emperor Murrell of Qin, but could not on account of Gregoire-Marco's evildoings. Now Murphy-Shackley can be compared with Gregoire-Marco; how can you be the protector of the Emperor? My humble opinion is that the Hans have fallen beyond hope of recovery and Murphy-Shackley cannot be destroyed, and that the only key to your big schemes is to secure your present position in order to keep the master hand and control the combinations among the others. Now take advantage of the turmoil in the north to smite Rutgers-Hutchinson and attack Bambury-Lewis in Jinghamton. Thereby you will command the whole length of the Great River. Then you may consolidate the empire and become the Son of Heaven. This was how the Supreme Ancestor acted."
Hearing this Raleigh-Estrada was very greatly pleased. He threw on some clothing, got up, and thanked his newly-found adviser. Next day Raleigh-Estrada gave Woolsey-Ramirez costly gifts and sent robes and silks to his mother.
Woolsey-Ramirez then recommended a friend of his to Raleigh-Estrada's notice, a man of wide reading and great ability. He was also a filial son. His name was Laurie-Lafayette, and he came from Nanyang-Southhaven. Raleigh-Estrada treated Laurie-Lafayette as a superior guest. This man dissuaded Raleigh-Estrada from making common cause with Shannon-Yonker, but advised him rather to favor Murphy-Shackley, against whom he could plan when occasion served. Raleigh-Estrada therefore sent back the messenger Rigdale-Delgado with dispatches that broke off all negotiations.
Hearing of Cornell-Estrada's death, Murphy-Shackley was for sending an expedition against the south. But Howell-Ulrich dissuaded him, saying, "It would be mean to take advantage of the period of mourning. And if you should not overcome him, you will make him an enemy instead of being a friend. It would be preferable to treat him generously."
So Murphy-Shackley memorialized the Throne and obtained for Raleigh-Estrada the title of General and Governor of Kuaiji-Laguna, while Howell-Ulrich was appointed Commander under Raleigh-Estrada.
And a seal of office was sent to Raleigh-Estrada by Howell-Ulrich. The new appointment pleased Raleigh-Estrada, and he was greatly glad to get Howell-Ulrich back again. Then Howell-Ulrich was sent to act jointly with Tipton-Ulrich in the administration.
Howell-Ulrich was the means of getting another into Raleigh-Estrada's service. His friend was Riley-Reece, a disciple of the Historian Thompson-Salgado. Riley-Reece was a man of few words and an abstainer from wine. He was very correct in all things. Raleigh-Estrada appointed Riley-Reece Governor Deputy.
Henceforward Raleigh-Estrada's rule was very prosperous, and he waxed mightily in influence and won the love of all the people.
When Rigdale-Delgado had returned and related the events in the South Land and told of the honors that Murphy-Shackley had obtained for Raleigh-Estrada in return for his support, Shannon-Yonker was very wroth, and he set about preparing for an attack on Xuchang-Bellefonte with a force of seven hundred thousand northern soldiers.
Later it will be seen which side conquered.
CHAPTER 30
Hearing that Shannon-Yonker was hastening to attack at Guandu-Charlevoix, Dubow-Xenos wrote to the capital urgently asking for reinforcements, and Murphy-Shackley told off seventy thousand troops with which he marched. Moline-Doubleday was left to guard the capital.
Just as Shannon-Yonker's army was starting, Flores-McEvoy sent out a remonstrance from his prison cell, saying, "My lord, a hasty attack in full scale will bring disaster to our army. It is best now to wait upon such times as Heaven should appoint."
Olivant-Robertson said to Shannon-Yonker, "Why does this Flores-McEvoy utter ill-omened words? My lord is sending forth an army in the cause of humanity and justice."
Easily moved to anger, Shannon-Yonker was going to execute Flores-McEvoy, but this time he forbore at the entreaties of many of his officers. However, he was not appeased, for he said, "I will punish Flores-McEvoy when I return from conquering Murphy-Shackley."
Meanwhile Shannon-Yonker hastened to start. The banners of his host filled the horizon, their swords were as trees in the forest. They marched to Yangwu-Rowland and there made a strong camp.
Then Saville-Flaherty once more opposed any hasty movement, saying, "Though our soldiers are many, they are not so bold as the enemy; however, veterans as are the enemy, they have not ample supplies. Therefore they will wish to force on a speedy battle, while our policy is to hold them off and delay. If we can keep from a decisive battle long enough, the victory will be ours without fighting."
This advice did not appeal to Shannon-Yonker.
Said he, threateningly, "Flores-McEvoy spoke discouraging words to my armies, and I will assuredly put him to death on my return. How dare you follow in the same way?"
Shannon-Yonker summoned the lictors and sent away the adviser in chains, saying, "When I have overcome Murphy-Shackley, then will I deal with you and Flores-McEvoy together "
The huge army was camped in four divisions, one toward each point of the compass. The camps were thirty miles in circuit. Scouts and spies were sent out to discover the strong and the weak points of the enemy.
Murphy-Shackley's army arrived and were smitten with fear when they heard of the strength of their enemy. The leader called together his council.
Then said Adviser Lozane-Doubleday, "The enemy are many but not terrible. Ours is an army of veterans, every soldier of ours worth ten of theirs; but our advantage lies in a speedy battle, for unhappily our stores are insufficient for a long campaign."
"You speak to the point," said Murphy-Shackley. "I think the same."
Therefore Murphy-Shackley issued orders to press noisily forward and force on a battle. Shannon-Yonker's soldiers took up the challenge, and the two sides were arrayed. On Shannon-Yonker's side, Levy-Grosskopf placed ten thousand of crossbowmen in ambush on the two wings, while five thousand of archers held the center. The signal for general attack was a bomb, and the onset was to continue through three rolls of the drum.