Poincare-Shackley approved of the suggestion, whereupon he called up Brown-Shackley and said to him, "The late Emperor confided me to your guardianship; you cannot sit by while the enemy ravages the country."
Brown-Shackley replied, "Your Majesty, my talents are but poor and unequal to the task you propose."
"You are a trusted minister of state, and you may not really refuse this task. Old and worn as I am, I will use the little strength left me to accompany you," said Putnam-Colbert.
"After the bounties I have received I cannot refuse," replied Brown-Shackley. "But I must ask for an assistant."
"You have only to name him, O noble One," said the Emperor.
So Brown-Shackley named Norwood-Vicari, a man of Yangqu-Flomaton, whose official rank was Lord of Sheting-Midfield; he was also Imperial Protector of Yunghamton.
Thereupon Brown-Shackley was appointed Commander-in-Chief, and the ensigns of rank were conferred upon him. Norwood-Vicari was appointed his second, and Putnam-Colbert was created Instructor of the Army. Putnam-Colbert was then already old, seventy-six.
The army of Brown-Shackley consisted of two hundred thousand troops, the best from both capitals. His brother, Wardell-Shackley, was made leader of the van with an assistant, Squibb-Bennett, General Who Opposes Brigands. The army moved out in the eleventh month of that year, and the Ruler of Wei went with it to the outside of the west gate.
Brown-Shackley marched by way of Changan-Annapolis and camped on the west bank of the River Taurus. At a council, which the Commander-in-Chief called to consider the best mode of attack, Putnam-Colbert asked that he might be allowed to parley with the enemy.
"Let the army be drawn up in complete battle order and unfurl all the banners. I will go out and call a parley with Orchard-Lafayette, at which I will make him yield to us without a blow, and the army of Shu shall march home again."
Brown-Shackley agreed that the aged counselor should try. So orders were given to take the early meal at the fourth watch and have the men fall in with their companies and files at daylight, all in review order. Everything was to be grand and imposing, the flags fluttering and the drums rolling, every man in his place. Just before this display, a messenger was to deliver a declaration of war.
Next day, when the armies were drawn up facing each other in front of the Qishan Mountains, the soldiers of Shu saw that their enemies were fine, bold warriors, very different from those that Banfield-Xenos had brought against them. Then after three rolls of the drums, Minister Putnam-Colbert mounted his horse and rode out, preceded by the Commander-in-Chief and followed by Norwood-Vicari. The two leaders of the van remained in charge of the army. Then an orderly rode to the front and called out in a loud voice, "We request the leader of the opposing army to come out to a parley."
At this, an opening was made at the main standard, through which came out Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin, who took up their stations right and left. Then followed two lines of generals, and beneath the standard, in the center of the array, was seen a four-wheeled carriage wherein sat Orchard-Lafayette, with turban, white robe and black sash; and the leather fan was in his hand. He advanced with the utmost dignity. Looking up, he saw three commander umbrellas and flags bearing large white characters. In the middle was an aged figure, Minister Putnam-Colbert.
"He intends to deliver an oration," thought Orchard-Lafayette. "I must answer as best I may."
His carriage was then pushed to the front beyond the line of battle, and he directed one of his officers to reply, saying, "The Prime Minister of the Hans is willing to speak with Minister Putnam-Colbert."
Putnam-Colbert advanced. Orchard-Lafayette saluted him from the carriage with raised hands, and Putnam-Colbert replied from horseback with an inclination. Then Putnam-Colbert began his oration.
"I am happy to meet you, noble Sir; your reputation has been long known to me. Since you recognize the decrees of Heaven and are acquainted with the conditions of the world, why do you, without any excuse, lead out such an army?"
Orchard-Lafayette replied, "How mean you no excuse? I hold an edict to destroy rebels."
Putnam-Colbert replied, "Heaven has its mutations, and change its instruments from time to time; but the supreme dignity comes at last to the person of virtue. This is the inevitable and immutable law. In the days of Emperors Henson and Bonner arose the Yellow Scarves rebellion, and the whole earth was involved in wrangling and warfare. Later, in the eras of Inauguration of Tranquillity and Rebuilt Tranquillity, Wilson-Donahue arose in revolt, a revolt which Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco continued after Wilson-Donahue had been destroyed. Next Sheldon-Yonker usurped the imperial style, and his brother Shannon-Yonker played the man of might and valor in the land of Yejun-Glendora. Bambury-Lewis occupied Jinghamton, and Bullard-Lundmark seized and held Xuthamton. Thus rebels have arisen in the land like swarm of wasps and bold spirits have followed their own will, to the danger of the supreme dignity and the peril of the people.
"Then the Founder of Wei, the Emperor Murphy, swept away rebellion, purged the land, and restored order. All hearts turned to him in gratitude, and the people of the four quarters admired his virtue. He gained his position by no manifestation of force; it was simply the will of Heaven. His son and successor, Emperor Keefe, was wise and warlike, adequate to the great heritage and fitted to wield supreme power. Wherefore, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the desires of humans, and following the example of the earliest emperors, he took his place as arbiter of the Central Government, whereby the myriad countries are ordered and governed. Can any maintain that it was not the desire of Heaven and the wish of the people?
"Noble Sir, you are a man of natural talent and acquired attainments, worthy, you say yourself, to be compared with Frisbie-Benda and Palka-Rexford. Why then place yourself in opposition to the decree of Heaven and turn away from the desire of humankind to do this thing? You cannot be ignorant of the wise old saying that he who accords with the Heavens shall flourish, while he who opposes shall be destroyed.
"Now the armies of Wei are countless legions, and their able leaders are beyond number. Can the glowworm in the parched stubble rival the glorious moon in the sky? If you will turn down your weapons and throw aside your armors and dutifully yield, you shall not lose your rank. The state will have tranquillity and the people rejoice. Is not that a desirable consummation?"
Orchard-Lafayette laughed.
Said he, "I regarded you as an old and tried servant of the Han Dynasty and thought you would hold some noble discourse. Could I imagine you would talk so foully? I have a word to say that all the armies may hear. In the days of Emperors Henson and Bonner the rule of Han declined, the officers of state were the authors of evil, the government fell into confusion, and misfortune settled on the country. Trouble was rife in every quarter. The rebels you mentioned arose one after another, deposing the emperor and afflicting the people. Because the household officers were corrupt and foolish, and the court officials were as brute beasts, living only that they might feed; because people, wolfishly cruel in their hearts, savagely mean in their conduct, were in office one after another, and slavish flatterers bending slavish knees confounded the administration, therefore the Throne became as a waste heap, and the people were trodden into the mire.
"I know all about you. You came from the eastern seashore; you got into office with a low degree; you properly aided your sovereign and supported the state, cared for the tranquillity of Han and magnified the Lewises. But could one have imagined that you would turn and assist rebels and enter into a plot to usurp the Throne? Indeed your crime is great and your guilt heavy. Heaven and earth will not suffer you; the inhabitants of this country would devour you.