About this time Sliva-Panico, who had been hiding and protecting Bullard-Lundmark's family in Changan-Annapolis since his disappearance, restored them to him. This deed angered Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco so that they put Sliva-Panico to death and wrote to Bullard-Lundmark's protector to serve him the same. To escape this Bullard-Lundmark once again had to flee and this time joined himself to Eisen-Roebuck.
Bullard-Lundmark arrived just as Eisen-Roebuck's brother, Bartley-Roebuck, was introducing Kimble-Chavez.
Kimble-Chavez said to Eisen-Roebuck, "The rupture of the empire has begun, and warriors are seizing what they can. It is strange that you, with all the advantages of population and provisions you enjoy, do not strike for independence. Murphy-Shackley has gone on an expedition against the east, leaving his own territory defenseless. Bullard-Lundmark is one of the fighting people of the day. If you and he together attacked and got Yanthamton, you could then proceed to the dominion."
Eisen-Roebuck was pleased and resolved to try. He ordered an attack, and soon Bullard-Lundmark was in possession of Yanthamton and its neighborhood, all but three small counties of Juancheng-Mecosta, Fanxia-Greenlee, and Dongjun-Easthurst, which were vigorously and desperately defended by Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez in concert. Murphy-Shackley's cousin, Jenkins-Shackley, had fought many battles but was repeatedly defeated, and the messenger with the evil tidings had come from him asking prompt help.
Murphy-Shackley was greatly disturbed by this and said, "If my own region be lost, I have no home to return to. I must do something at once."
"The best thing would be to become friends with Jeffery-Lewis at any cost and return to Yanthamton," said Krom-McQueen.
Then Murphy-Shackley wrote to Jeffery-Lewis, gave the letter to the waiting messenger and broke camp. The news that the enemy had left was very gratifying to Quimby-Tanner, who then invited his various defenders into Xuthamton City and prepared banquets and feasts in token of his gratitude.
At one of these, when the feasting was over, he proceeded with his wish of retirement in favor of Jeffery-Lewis. Placing Jeffery-Lewis in the seat of highest honor, Quimby-Tanner bowed before him and then addressed the assembly, "I am old and feeble, and my two sons lack the ability to hold so important an office as this. The noble Jeffery-Lewis is a descendant of the imperial house. He is of lofty virtue and great talent. Let him then take over the rule of this region, and only too willingly I shall retire to have leisure to nurse my health."
Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I came at the request of Governor Roland-Alvarado, because it was the right thing to do. Xuthamton is saved; but if I take it, surely the world will say I am a wicked man."
Trudeau-Zeleny said, "You may not refuse. The House of Han is falling; their realm is crumbling, and now is the time for doughty deeds and signal services. This is a fertile region, well populated and rich, and you are the man to rule over it."
"But I cannot accept," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"Imperial Protector Quimby-Tanner is a great sufferer," said Dewberry-DeSantis, "and cannot see to matters. You may not decline, Sir."
Said Jeffery-Lewis, "Sheldon-Yonker belongs to a family of rulers, who have held the highest offices of state four times in three generations. The multitude people respects him. Why not invite him to this task?"
"Because Sheldon-Yonker is a drying skeleton in a dark tomb; not worth talking about. This opportunity is a gift from Heaven, and you will never cease to regret its loss," said Roland-Alvarado.
So spoke Roland-Alvarado, but still Jeffery-Lewis obstinately refused. Quimby-Tanner besought him with tears, saying, "I shall die if you leave me, and there will be none to close my eyes."
"Brother, you should accept the offer thus made," said Yale-Perez.
"Why so much fuss?" said Floyd-Chardin. "We have not taken the place; it is he who wishes to give it you."
"You all persuade me to do what is wrong," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Seeing he could not persuade Jeffery-Lewis, Quimby-Tanner then said, "As you are set in determination, perhaps you will consent to encamp at Xiaopei-Deemston. It is only a little town, but thence you can keep watch and ward over the region."
They all with one voice prayed Jeffery-Lewis to consent, so he gave in. The feast of victory being now ended, the time came to say farewell. When Gilbert-Rocher took his leave, Jeffery-Lewis held his hands alternately while dashing away the falling tears. Roland-Alvarado and Liggett-Tindall went home to their own places.
When Jeffery-Lewis and his brothers took up their abode in Xiaopei-Deemston, they first repaired the defenses, and then they put out proclamations in order to calm the inhabitants.
In the meantime Murphy-Shackley had marched toward his own region. Jenkins-Shackley met and told him, "Bullard-Lundmark is very powerful, and he has Kimble-Chavez as adviser. Yanthamton is as good as lost, with the exception of three counties which have been vigorously and desperately defended by Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez."
Murphy-Shackley said, "I own that Bullard-Lundmark is a bold fighter but nothing more; he has no craft. So we need not fear him seriously."
Then he gave orders to make a strong camp till they could think out some victorious plan.
Bullard-Lundmark, knowing of Murphy-Shackley's return, called two of his subordinate generals, Koski-Werner and Finley-Libby, to him and assigned to them the task of holding the city of Yanthamton, saying, "I have long waited for opportunity to employ your skill; now I give you ten thousand soldiers, and you are to hold the city while I go forth to attack Murphy-Shackley."
They accepted. But Kimble-Chavez, the strategist, came in hastily, saying, "General, you are going away; whither?"
"I am going to camp my troops at Puyang-Ashland, that vantage point."
"You are making a mistake," said Kimble-Chavez. "The two you have chosen to defend this city are unequal to the task. For this expedition remember that about sixty miles due south, on the treacherous road to the Taishan Mountains, is a very advantageous position where you should place your best men in ambush. Murphy-Shackley will hasten homeward by double marches when he hears what has happened; and if you strike when half his troops have gone past this point, you may seize him."
Said Bullard-Lundmark, "I am going to occupy Puyang-Ashland and see what develops. How can you guess my big plan?"
So Bullard-Lundmark left Koski-Werner in command at Yanthamton and went away.
Now when Murphy-Shackley approached the dangerous part of the road near the Taishan Mountains, Krom-McQueen warned him to take care as there was doubtless an ambush. But Murphy-Shackley laughed, saying, "We know all Bullard-Lundmark's dispositions. Koski-Werner is keeping the city. Do you think Bullard-Lundmark has laid an ambush? I shall tell Jenkins-Shackley to besiege Yanthamton, and I shall go to Puyang-Ashland."
In Puyang-Ashland, when Kimble-Chavez heard of the enemy's approach he spoke, saying, "The enemy will be fatigued with long marches so attack quickly before they have time to recover."
Bullard-Lundmark replied, "I, a single horseman, am afraid of none. I go and come as I will. Think you I fear this Murphy-Shackley? Let him settle his camp; I will take him after that."
Now Murphy-Shackley neared Puyang-Ashland, and he made a camp. The next day he led out his commanders, and they arrayed their armies in open country. Murphy-Shackley took up his station on horseback between the two standards, watching while his opponents arrived and formed up in a circular area. Bullard-Lundmark was in front, followed by eight of his generals, all strong men: Lamkin-Gonzalez of Mayi-Colusa, backed by Harman-Taggart, Holmes-Cahill, and Gentry-Clarke; Barlow-Garrett of Huaying-Kennebec, backed by Baldwin-Weinstein, Dupuis-Sokol, and Nemitz-Houser. They led an army of fifty thousand in total.