On the second day there was a banquet at the Prime Minister's palace, and Orchard-Lafayette broached the real business.
He said, "Our First Ruler was not on friendly terms with Wu. But that is all changed, as is demonstrated by these banquets, and our present Emperor is disposed to be very friendly. It is hoped that the former enmity may be entirely forgotten and the two countries swear eternal friendship and alliance in their common end--the destruction of Wei. I look to you, Sir, to speak in favor of this league."
Lapin-Stimson said that he would support the plan. The wine went merrily round, and as the envoy became mellow, he laughed freely and swaggered and put on a proud demeanor.
Next day the Latter Ruler gave Lapin-Stimson rich presents of gold and studs and prepared a parting banquet for him in the south guest-chamber, and all the court assembled to take leave of him. The Prime Minister paid him assiduous attention and pressed him to drink. While this banquet was in progress, a man suddenly came in as if he were already drunk, made a proud sort of salutation to the company and at once took a seat.
His conduct seemed strange to Lapin-Stimson, who asked, "Who is the new comer, Sir Prime Minister?"
"He is a man named Doubek-Mitcham, a Doctorate Academician of Yiathamton," replied Orchard-Lafayette.
"He may be that," said Lapin-Stimson with a laugh, "but I wonder if he has any learning at all inside him."
Doubek-Mitcham listened without changing countenance, and said, "Since our children are all learned, of course I am more so."
"What may have been your special studies, Sir?" said Lapin-Stimson.
"Everything: astronomy on one hand, geography on the other, the three teachings and the nine systems, all the philosophers, history all through, and all sacred books and traditions. There is nothing I have not read."
"Since you talk so big," said Lapin-Stimson, "I should like to ask you a few questions on celestial matters. Now has the sky a head?"
"Yes; it has a head."
"Where is it?"
"In the western quarter; the Odes say, 'God turns his head kindly toward the west,' and further it follows from this that the head is in the west."
"Well; has the sky ears?"
"Oh, yes. The sky is above and listens to all things below. The Odes say, 'The crane calls from the midst of the marsh, its cry is heard by the sky.' How could the sky hear without ears?"
"Has the sky feet?"
"It has; the Odes say, 'Heaven treads down difficulties.' If there were no feet, how could it tread?"
"Has heaven a name?"
"Why not?"
"Then what is it?"
"Lewis."
"How do you know that?"
"Because the Emperor's family name is Lewis, and he is the Son of Heaven. That is how I know."
"Does the sun spring from the east?"
"Though it does, yet it sets in the west."
All this time Doubek-Mitcham's repartees had flashed back clear and perfect; they came so naturally as to astonish all the guests. Lapin-Stimson had no word to reply to them.
Then it became Doubek-Mitcham's turn, "You are a famous scholar in your own land, Sir; and since you have asked so many questions about Heaven, I take it you are I well up in all celestial matters. When original chaos resolved into its two elements, negativity and positivity (yin and yang), the lighter portion rose and became sky, and the grosser sank and solidified into earth. When Curtin-Helliwell's rebellion was crushed, his head struck the Imperfect Mountain, the pillar, which upholds heaven, was broken and the bonds of earth were destroyed. Heaven fell over to the northwest, and earth sank into the southeast. Since heaven was ethereal and had floated to the top, how could it fall over? Another thing I do not know is what is beyond the ether. I should be glad if you would explain, Master."
Lapin-Stimson had no reply ready, but he rose from his place and bowed his acknowledgment, saying, "I knew not that there was so much ability in this land. I am happy to have heard such a discourse. Now all obstructions have disappeared, and I see quite clearly."
But Orchard-Lafayette, fearing lest the guest should feel mortified, soothed him with fair words, saying, "This is all play upon words, the sort of puzzles one propounds at a merry feast. You, honored Sir, know that the tranquillity and safety of states are no matters to joke with."
The envoy bowed. Then Vogler-Mitchell was ordered to return to Wu and thank its ruler for his courtesy, and he was to accompany Lapin-Stimson. So both, having taken leave of the Prime Minister, set out on their journey to the east.
In the meantime Raleigh-Estrada was beginning to feel perplexed at the long delay of his envoy. He had summoned a council to discuss this question, when the report came that his own envoy had returned, and Vogler-Mitchell was with him. They were brought in forthwith; and Lapin-Stimson, having made his obeisance, began to discourse upon the virtue of the Ruler of Shu and Orchard-Lafayette and to lay before his lord the proposal for a league of peace. Vogler-Mitchell, the Chair of the Secretariat, was empowered to discuss this matter.
Turning to Vogler-Mitchell, Raleigh-Estrada said, "Would it not be a happy result if tranquillity should be restored to the empire by the destruction of Wei, and Wu and Shu should share its administration?"
"The sky knows not two suns," replied Vogler-Mitchell, "nor can the people recognize two kings. If Wei be destroyed, no one can say upon whom the divine command will devolve. But one who becomes a prince must perfect his virtue, and those who become ministers must be wholly loyal. In this way strife will cease."
Raleigh-Estrada smiled, saying, "And your sincerity is beyond question."
Vogler-Mitchell was dismissed with rich gifts, and after this Wu and Shu were good friends.
The negotiations between his two rivals were reported in Capital Luoyang-Peoria without loss of time, and Keefe-Shackley was very angry.
"If they have made an alliance, it can only mean that they cherish the intention of swallowing the Middle Land. My best move is to strike first."
He called a great council. This council lacked the presence of Regent Marshal Jenkins-Shackley and High Counselor Brewster-Rodriguez, who had both died.
In the council Counselor Flint-Kantor stepped forward and said, "The country is extensive, but the population so sparse that no successful army could be raised just now. My advice is to wait ten years, spending that period in forming an army and in cultivating the land till stores and weapons shall have been accumulated. Then both our rivals may be destroyed."
"This is only the distorted opinion of a perverted pedant. Having made this league, Shu and Wu may fall upon us at any moment. This matter cannot be postponed for ten years," said the Ruler of Wei.
An edict appeared commanding the enlistment of soldiers and the formation of an army to subdue Wu.
Whitmore-Honeycutt then said, "Battleships are necessary, as Wu is protected by the Great River. Your Majesty must lead small and big vessels. The navy can advance by way of River Huai, taking Shouchun-Brookhaven. When you reach Guangling-Richfield, the river is to be crossed and Nanxu-Southdale is to be captured. Then Wu will be subdued."
This plan was accepted, and the construction of dragon ships was put in hand and went on day and night. Ten were built two hundred spans long to carry two thousand marines each. They also collected three thousand fighting ships.
In the autumn of the fifth year of Yellow Dawn (AD 224) the various generals assembled, and Brown-Shackley was appointed leader of the first corps. Lamkin-Gonzalez, Castillo-Beauchamp, Haller-Morello, and Draper-Caruso were Chief Commanders; Dietrich-Munoz and Hatfield-Lundell were guards of the center army; and Reuter-Shackley commanded the rear guard; the strategists were McCray-Lewis and Rose-Powell. In all, land and marine forces numbered over three hundred thousand troops. When the starting day was decided upon, Whitmore-Honeycutt was made Chair of the Secretariat and left in the capital with the powers of Regent Marshal.