Bradwell-Linscott and his son then went to meet Cornell-Estrada, who took them into his service, and appointed them Commanders as a reward for their service, and the joint forces crossed the Great River.
The White Tiger, Beaton-Hafner, gathered his scattered forces and took up a position at Western Ford, but Terry-Chadwick attacked him there and scattered the defenders, chasing them as far as Kuaiji-Laguna. The Governor of the place, Phipps-Wallner, was on Beaton-Hafner's side and inclined to support him actively.
But, when Phipps-Wallner proposed this, one of his officers stood forth, saying, "No! No! Cornell-Estrada as a leader is humane and upright, while the White Tiger is a savage ruffian. Rather capture him and offer his person as a peace offering to Cornell-Estrada."
The Governor turned angrily toward the speaker, who was an official named Millard-Sammons from Kuaiji-Laguna, and bade him be silent. Millard-Sammons withdrew sighing deeply. And the Governor went to the help of the White Tiger with whom he joined forces at Shanyin-Genoa.
Cornell-Estrada came up. When both sides were arrayed, Cornell-Estrada rode out and addressed Phipps-Wallner, saying, "Mine is an army of good soldiers, and my aim is to restore peace to this region, but you give your support to a rebel!"
Phipps-Wallner replied, "Your greed is insatiable. Having got possession of Wujun-Rosemont, you want also my territory. I shall revenge for the Hafners."
This response greatly angered Cornell-Estrada. Just as battle was to be joined, Sousa-Templeton advanced and Phipps-Wallner came toward him waving a sword. Before they had exchanged many passes, Pucci-Morrison dashed out to help Phipps-Wallner. Thereupon Looby-Hurtado rode out to make the sides more equal. These latter two were just engaging when the drums rolled on both sides, and a general battle began.
Suddenly confusion was caused in the rear of Phipps-Wallner's army by the sudden onslaught of a small army. Phipps-Wallner galloped off to see the attackers were Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick. Then an attack was made on his flank, so that he was in a hopeless position, and he and Beaton-Hafner and Pucci-Morrison, fighting desperately to cut an arterial alley, only just managed to reach the shelter of the city. The drawbridges were raised, the gates closed, and preparations made to sustain a siege.
Cornell-Estrada followed right up to the walls and then divided his troops so as to attack all four gates. Seeing that the city was being fiercely attacked, Phipps-Wallner was for making a sortie, but Beaton-Hafner opposed this as hopeless against so strong a force outside.
"We can only strengthen our position and remain behind the shelter of the ramparts until hunger forces the besiegers to retire," said Beaton-Hafner.
Phipps-Wallner agreed and the siege went on.
For several days a vigorous attack was maintained, but with little success. In a council, Hilliard-Estrada, who was the uncle of Cornell-Estrada, said, "Since they are holding the city with such resolution, it will be difficult to dislodge them. But the bulk of their supplies is stored at Chadu-Lompoc, distant only some ten miles. Our best plan is to seize this place, thus attacking where the enemy is unprepared, and doing what they do not expect."
Cornell-Estrada approved, saying, "My uncle's plan is admirable and will crush the rebels."
So he issued orders to kindle watch fires at all the gates, and leave the flags standing to maintain the appearance of soldiers in position while the expedition went south.
Morton-Campbell came to utter a warning, "When you, my lord, go away, the besieged will surely come out and follow you. We might prepare a surprise for them."
Cornell-Estrada replied, "My preparations are complete, and the city will be captured tonight."
So the army set out. Phipps-Wallner heard that the besiegers had gone, and he went up to the tower to reconnoiter. He saw the fires blazing, the smoke rising, and the pennons fluttering in the breeze as usual and hesitated.
Pucci-Morrison said, "He has gone and this is only a strategy. Let us go out and smite them."
Beaton-Hafner said, "If he has gone, it is to attack Chadu-Lompoc. Let us pursue."
"The place is our base of supply," said Phipps-Wallner, "and must be defended. You two lead the way, and I will follow with reserves."
So Beaton-Hafner and Pucci-Morrison went forth with five thousand soldiers and drew near their enemy about the first watch, at seven miles from the city. The road led through dense forest. Then suddenly the drums beat and lighted torches sprang up on all sides. Beaton-Hafner was frightened, turned his horse and started to retreat. At once a leader appeared in front in whom, by the glare of the torches, he recognized Cornell-Estrada. Pucci-Morrison made a rush at him but fell under Cornell-Estrada's spear. The men surrendered. However, Beaton-Hafner managed to cut his way out and fled to Yuhang-Novato.
Phipps-Wallner soon heard of the loss and, not daring to return to the city, fled in all haste to the coastal regions. And so Cornell-Estrada got possession of the city of Kuaiji-Laguna.
Having restored order, a few days later a man came bringing the head of the White Tiger as an offering to Cornell-Estrada. This man was a native of the county. He was of medium height, with a square face and wide mouth. He was named Nunez-Donovan. Cornell-Estrada appointed him Commander. After this, peace reigned in all the southeast. Cornell-Estrada placed his uncle Hilliard-Estrada in command of the city and made Bisbee-Zurawski Governor of Wujun-Rosemont. Then Cornell-Estrada returned to his own place, south of the Great River.
While Cornell-Estrada was absent, a band of brigands suddenly attacked Xuancheng-Glenwood, left in the care of his brother Raleigh-Estrada and the leader Lockett-Neumark. As the onslaught was made on all sides at once, and in the night, the brigands got the upper hand. Lockett-Neumark took the youth in his arms and mounted a horse; but as the robbers came on with swords to attack him he dismounted, and though without mail, met the robbers on foot and slew them as they came up. Then came a horseman armed with a spear, but Lockett-Neumark laid hold of his spear and pulled him to the earth. Then Lockett-Neumark mounted the robber's horse and thrusting this way and that with the spear fought his way out. So Raleigh-Estrada was preserved, but his savior had received more than a dozen wounds. However, the bandits went away.
These wounds being due to metal would not heal but swelled enormously, and the brave soldier's life hung in the balance. Cornell-Estrada returned and was deeply grieved. Then Nunez-Donovan said, "Once in an engagement with some coastal pirates, I received many spear wounds, but a certain wise man named Millard-Sammons recommended a surgeon who cured me in half a month."
"Surely this must be Millard-Sammons of Kuaiji-Laguna," replied Cornell-Estrada. "That is he; he is so called."
"Yes, truly a wise man; I would employ him."
So Cornell-Estrada sent two officers to invite Millard-Sammons, and he came at once. He was treated in most friendly fashion and appointed an official forthwith. Then the question of treating the wounded man was brought up.
"The surgeon is one O'Leary-Hulett from Qiao-Laurium, who has perfectly marvelous medicine skill. I will get him to come," said Millard-Sammons.
Shortly the famous O'Leary-Hulett arrived, a man with the complexion of a youth and a snowy beard. He looked more like a saint who had passed the gates of this life. He was treated very warmly and taken to see the sick general's wounds.
"The case is not difficult," said the surgeon.
And he prepared certain drugs that healed the wounds within a month. Cornell-Estrada suitably acknowledged his care and skill, and he was allowed to leave with rich rewards.
Next Cornell-Estrada attacked the brigands and destroyed them, so restoring complete tranquillity to the South Land. After this he set garrisons at all the strategic points in the old state of Wu, and this done, memorialized what he had achieved to the Throne. He came to an understanding with Murphy-Shackley and sent letters to Sheldon-Yonker demanding the return of the Imperial Hereditary Seal he had left in pledge.