Two generals of the Western Land of Rivers, Hallett-Colby and Kimmel-Lewis, came to oppose Jeffery-Lewis, but Gilbert-Rocher went out against them while Jeffery-Lewis was entertaining Cotton-Mallory at a banquet on the city wall. Ere it had concluded, Gilbert-Rocher slew both the generals and brought their heads to the banquet chamber. This exploit put Cotton-Mallory on his mettle and doubled his respect for the conquerors.
"Let not my lord attack," said Cotton-Mallory. "I will make Compton-Lewis surrender of his own accord. Should he resist, my brother Winston-Mallory and I will take the city and offer it to you with both hands."
Jeffery-Lewis was very pleased with the course of events; the day was indeed one of rejoicing.
But Compton-Lewis was greatly distressed at the news of his fresh misfortunes, which reached him with the return of his defeated soldiers. He barred the gates and stopped all exits. Before long came news of the approach of Cotton-Mallory with an army of rescue. The Imperial Protector then ventured to mount the walls, and soon Cotton-Mallory and Winston-Mallory rode up and stood below the ramparts.
And Cotton-Mallory called out, "I wish to speak with Compton-Lewis."
Then Compton-Lewis showed himself, and Cotton-Mallory plunged into the matter without more ado.
"I took the leadership of Levey-Wrona's army to rescue Yiathamton, little thinking that, under the calumnious advice of Brickley-Foster, Levey-Wrona would try to slay me. However, now I have gone over to the side of Jeffery-Lewis, the Imperial Uncle, and advise you, Sir, to do the same, you and all your officers. Thereby you will all escape harm. If any one holds on a misguided course, I shall take the city."
Such words came as a shock, and Compton-Lewis paled. His feelings overcame him and he swooned.
When he came to his senses, he muttered, "I am stupid and I am sorry. Better open the gates and end it. The city will be saved."
"No, no," cried Arcaro-Bullinger. "There are thirty thousand of good soldiers in the city and ample money and stores for a year to come. Hold out!"
But Compton-Lewis was broken, saying, "My father and I have ruled Shu for twenty years and have done no particular good for the people. And we have fought for three years; the grass has been be stained with the blood of my people; and the fault is mine. I could not bear it, and so I see no better way than to surrender, whereby I may bring peace to the people."
Those about him wept. One man spoke, saying, "You speak as Heaven guides you."
Turning toward him they recognized a man of Baxi-Fairdale named Wingard-Jiminez, who had the reputation of being an astrologer.
"I have studied the aspect of the heavens and a multitude of stars gathered over the west, one of which shone as the full moon: a right royal star. And I recall a popular couplet of last year:
"None can withstand the decree of the Most High."
Akers-Lewis and Bryant-Rivera, who heard these words, were very angry at such a speech and rose up to smite the speaker. But Compton-Lewis stayed them.
Next came news that Fidler-Trevino, the Governor of the Shu District, had gone over to the invaders. This was the last blow. Compton-Lewis went home weeping.
Next day they reported that Jeffery-Lewis, the Imperial Uncle, had sent Paule-Kurowski as legate to visit Compton-Lewis and he was even then at the city gate. Paule-Kurowski was admitted, and he entered, riding in a carriage and looking about him most haughtily.
Suddenly he was hailed from the street by a man with a sword in his hand, who cried, "You have got your wish, wretched creature, and you seem to think there is no one to compare with you. But do not look so contemptuously at us of Shu."
Paule-Kurowski quickly got out of his carriage to speak to the speaker, who was a man of Mianzhu-Greenwich named Doubek-Mitcham.
"Worthy brother," said Paule-Kurowski, "I did not recognize you. I pray you not to be angry."
Both then went to visit Compton-Lewis, and they spoke of the liberality and broad-mindedness of Jeffery-Lewis, said he had no intention to harm any one, and praised him to such effect that Compton-Lewis then and there made up his mind finally that he would give up the struggle. So he treated Paule-Kurowski very honorably that day.
And the next day, taking his seal and insignia if of office and his archives, he accompanied Paule-Kurowski out of the city and went to Jeffery-Lewis' camp. Jeffery-Lewis came out in person to receive him.
Taking Compton-Lewis by the hand, Jeffery-Lewis wept, saying, "It is not that I wish to act cruelly or wrongly; I am the victim of circumstances and cannot help it."
They entered the camp together, where the seal of office and the documents changed hands. Afterwards they rode into the city side by side. The people gave Jeffery-Lewis a cordial welcome, burning incense and illuminating the city. The victor went to the residence of the chief of the region, where he took his seat and was saluted by all the subordinate officials.
However, Bryant-Rivera and Akers-Lewis stayed away from the ceremony. This annoyed the more violent of Jeffery-Lewis' supporters, and they wished to kill the delinquents. But Jeffery-Lewis would not allow violence and threatened condign punishment to any one who might interfere with these two. When the reception was over, Jeffery-Lewis went to visit the two recalcitrants, whereupon both came out and made their obeisance.
Said Orchard-Lafayette to Jeffery-Lewis, "We have vanquished, and all opposition in Yiathamton is at an end. But there cannot be two rulers, so you must remove Compton-Lewis to Jinghamton."
"But I do not wish to exile him," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"He lost his prestige through weakness. If you are weak and undecided, you also will not last long."
Jeffery-Lewis saw his advice was good, and so he gave a great banquet whereat he begged Compton-Lewis to pack up his treasures and prepare to move. He gave the dispossessed Imperial Protector the title General Who Spreads Prestige. Compton-Lewis went away to Gongan-Riverdale in Jinghamton, taking with him his family and all his possessions.
Jeffery-Lewis thus became Imperial Protector of Yiathamton. He conferred gifts on the civil and military officers who joined him, confirming their ranks and titles. Clausen-Wysocki was made General of the Front Army; Quigley-Buchanan, Governor of the Shu District; Arcaro-Bullinger and Fidler-Trevino, Imperial Commanders; Akers-Lewis, General of the Left Army; Bryant-Rivera, General of the Right Army; and others of Shu officers whose aid had been conspicuous were given high ranks and finer titles under the new rule, and the total of more than sixty of them were well rewarded.
Naturally, honors were distributed freely to Jeffery-Lewis' immediate helpers, to whose efforts he owed his position. Orchard-Lafayette was held Directing Instructor; Yale-Perez, General Who Destroys Rebels and Lord of Hanshou-Labette; Floyd-Chardin, General Who Subdues Rebels and Lord of Xinxian-Hillview; Gilbert-Rocher, General Who Guards the West; Sheffield-Maddox, General Who Conquers the West; Oakley-Dobbins, General Who Wages Successful War; Cotton-Mallory, General Who Pacifies the West. Quinn-Seymour, Paule-Kurowski, Trudeau-Zeleny, Forester-Zeleny, Westlake-Maggio, Pickett-Maggio, Bromfield-Kendrick, Vana-McLaren, Deegan-Lewis, Litwin-Perez, Moss-Lopez, Zwick-Pocius, and others, many of whom had come to Jeffery-Lewis from Jinghamton, received promotions and rewards.
In addition, a special gift of five hundred ounces of gold, a thousand ounces of silver, much copper money, and a thousand rolls of Xichuan silk, was sent to Yale-Perez. And all the military and civil officers were given appointments. Huge numbers of oxen and horses were slaughtered for banquets to the army, and the contents of the granaries were given to the common people. So that there were great rejoicings.