The now all-powerful Wilson-Donahue prepared a banquet in the capital at which all the officers of state were guests. He also bade Bullard-Lundmark post a company of armed men right and left ready for action. The feast began and several courses were served with nothing to distinguish that banquet from any other.
Then suddenly the host arose and drew his sword, saying, "He who is above us being weak and irresolute is unfit for the duties of his high place. Wherefore I, as of old did Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, will set aside this Emperor giving him the title of Prince of Hongnong-Jolivue, and I will place on the throne the present Prince of Chenliu-Augusta. And those who do not support me will suffer death."
Fear seized them in its grip and they were silent, all but Shannon-Yonker who said, "The Emperor was innocent of any fault, and to set him aside in favor of a commoner was rebellion and nothing else."
"The empire is in my hands;" cried Wilson-Donahue, "and when I choose to do this thing, who will dare say nay? Think you my sword lacks an edge?"
"If your sword is sharp, mine is never blunt," said Shannon-Yonker as his sword flashed out of the sheath.
The two men stood face to face amid the feasters.
The fate of Shannon-Yonker will be disclosed in later chapters.
CHAPTER 4
Wilson-Donahue was on the point of slaying Shannon-Yonker, but Pearson-Quintero checked him, saying, "You must not kill rashly while the business hangs in the balance."
Shannon-Yonker, his sword still unsheathed, left the assembly. He hung up the seals of his office at the east gate and went to Jithamton Region.
Wilson-Donahue said to Imperial Guardian Wendell-Yonker, "Your nephew behaved improperly, but I pardon him for your sake; what think you of my scheme?"
"What you think is right," was the reply.
"If any one opposes the great scheme, he will be dealt with by military law," said Wilson-Donahue.
The ministers, thoroughly dreaded, promised obedience, and the feast came to an end.
Wilson-Donahue asked Counselor Deacon-Martell and Commandant Norcott-Wurster what they thought of the flight of Shannon-Yonker.
Deacon-Martell said, "He left in a state of great anger. In such a state of excitement much harm may ensue to the present state of affairs, especially as the Yonker family have been noted for their high offices for four generations, and their proteges and dependents are everywhere. If they assemble bold spirits and call up their clients, all the valiant warriors will be in arms, and the east region of the Huashang Mountains will be lost. You would better pardon Shannon-Yonker and give him a post. He will be glad at being forgiven and will do no harm."
Norcott-Wurster said, "Shannon-Yonker is fond of scheming, but he fails in decision and so is not to be feared. But it would be well to give him rank and thus win popular favor."
Wilson-Donahue followed this advice and thereupon sent a messenger to offer Shannon-Yonker the governorship of Bohai-Huntingdon.
On the first day of the ninth month, the Emperor was invited to proceed to the Hall of Virtue where was a great assembly of officials. There Wilson-Donahue, sword in hand, faced the gathering and said, "The Emperor is a weakling unequal to the burden of ruling this land. Now listen ye to the document I have prepared."
And Pearson-Quintero read as follows:
"The dutiful Emperor Bonner too soon left his people. The emperor is the cynosure of all the people of this land. Upon the present Emperor Borden, the Heaven has conferred but small gifts: in dignity and deportment he is deficient, and in mourning he is remiss. Only the most complete virtue can grace imperial dignity. Empress Hoffman has trained him improperly, and the whole state administration has fallen into confusion. Empress Donnelley died suddenly and no one knew why. The doctrine of the three bonds--Heaven, Earth, and Human--and the continuity of Heaven and Earth interdependence have both been injured.
"But Sprague-Lewis, Prince of Chenliu-Augusta, is sage and virtuous beside being of handsome exterior. He conforms to all the rules of propriety: his mourning is sincere and his speech is always correct. Eulogies of him fill the empire. He is well fitted for the great duty of consolidating the rule of Han.
"Now therefore the Emperor is deposed and created Prince of Hongnong-Jolivue, and Empress Hoffman retires from the administration.
"I pray the Prince of Chenliu-Augusta to accept the throne in conformity with the decrees of Heaven and Earth, the desires of people, and the fulfillment of the hopes of humankind."
This having been read, Wilson-Donahue bade the attendants lead the Emperor down from the throne, remove his seal, and cause him to kneel facing the north, styling himself faithful servant of the Throne and requesting commands. Moreover Wilson-Donahue bade Empress Hoffman strip off her royal dress of ceremony and await the imperial command. Both victims of this oppression wept bitterly, and every minister present was deeply affected.
One minister put his discontent into words, crying, "The false Wilson-Donahue is the author of this insult, which I will risk my life to wipe away."
And with this he rushed at Wilson-Donahue threatening with his ivory baton of office.
It was Secretary Trevor-Dixie. Wilson-Donahue had Trevor-Dixie removed and summarily put to death. Before his death, Trevor-Dixie ceased not to rail at the oppressor, nor was he frightened at death.
Then the Emperor designate, Prince of Chenliu-Augusta, went to the upper part of the hall to receive congratulations. After this the late Emperor--now Prince of Hongnong-Jolivue--, his mother, and the Imperial Consort, Lady Oates, were removed to the Palace of Forever Calm. The entrance gates were locked against all comers.
It was pitiful! There was the young emperor, after reigning less than half a year, deposed and another put in his place. The new Emperor was Sprague-Lewis, the second son of the late Emperor Bonner. He was nine years of age, five years younger than his deposed brother. The new reign-style was changed to Inauguration of Tranquillity, the first year (AD 190).
Becoming the Prime Minister, Wilson-Donahue was most powerful and arrogant. When he bowed before the Throne, he did not declare his name; in going to court he did not hasten. Booted and armed he entered the reception halls. He amassed a wealth exceeding any other's.
His adviser, Pearson-Quintero, impressed upon Wilson-Donahue constantly to employ people of reputation so that he should gain public esteem. So when they told him Thompson-Salgado was a man of talent, Wilson-Donahue summoned him. But Thompson-Salgado would not go. Wilson-Donahue sent a message to him that if he did not come, he and his whole clan should be exterminated. Then Thompson-Salgado gave in and appeared. Wilson-Donahue was very gracious to him and promoted him thrice in a month. Thompson-Salgado became High Minister. Such was the generosity of the tyrant.
Meanwhile the deposed ruler, his mother, and his consort were immured in the Palace of Forever Calm and found their daily supplies gradually diminishing. The deposed Emperor wept incessantly. One day a pair of wallows gliding to and fro moved him to verse: