Metcalf-Lafayette immediately placed his late lord's son Coyle-Estrada on the throne, and the opening of the new reign was marked by the adoption of the style Great Prosperity, the first year. A general amnesty was proclaimed. The late ruler received the posthumous style of Raleigh-Estrada the Great Emperor and was buried in Jiangling-Riverport.
When these things were reported in the Wei capital, Wexler-Honeycutt's first thought was to attack the South Land.
But his plans were opposed by First Secretary Liddell-Cummins, saying, "Remember what a strong defense to Wu is the Great River. The country has been many times attacked by our ancestors, but never conquered. Rather let us all hold what we have till the time be expedient to possess the whole empire."
Wexler-Honeycutt replied, "The way of Heaven changes thrice in a century, and no three-part division is permanent. I wish to attack Wu."
Emery-Honeycutt, his brother, was in favor of attack, saying "The occasion is most opportune. Raleigh-Estrada is newly dead, and the present ruler is a child."
An expedition was decided upon. Stengel-Corcoran, General Who Conquers the South, was sent with one hundred thousand troops against Nanjun-Southport. Rossetti-Jennings, General Who Guards the South, was given one hundred thousand troops to go against Wuchang-Marietta. Barnett-Stallings, General Who Conquers the East, led one hundred thousand troops against Dongxing-Evergreen. They marched in three divisions. Emery-Honeycutt was made Commander-in-Chief of the campaign.
In the winter of that year, the tenth month, Emery-Honeycutt marched the armies near to the Wu frontiers and camped. Emery-Honeycutt called together Stengel-Corcoran, Rossetti-Jennings, Barnett-Stallings, and various other commanders to decide upon plans.
He said, "The county of Dongxing-Evergreen is most important to Wu. They have built a great rampart, with walls right and left to defend Lake Chaohu from an attack in the rear. You gentlemen will have to exercise extreme care."
Then he bade Stengel-Corcoran and Rossetti-Jennings each to take ten thousand troops and place themselves right and left, but not to advance till Dongxing-Evergreen had been captured. When that city had fallen, these two were to go forward at the same time. Barnett-Stallings was to lead the van. The first step was to construct a floating bridge to storm the rampart. The two walls should then be captured.
News of the danger soon came to Wu, and Metcalf-Lafayette called a council to take measures.
Then said Crosby-Saldana, General Who Pacifies the North, "Dongxing-Evergreen is of the utmost importance as its loss would endanger Wuchang-Marietta."
"I agree with you," said Metcalf-Lafayette. "You say just what I think. You should lead three thousand marines up the river in thirty ships, while on land Rifkin-Shafer, Weiss-Padgett, and Skerry-Hutchins will follow in three directions with ten thousand troops each. The signal for the general attack will be a cluster of bombs."
Crosby-Saldana received the command, and, with three thousand marines and thirty battleships, he sailed in the Great River to Dongxing-Evergreen.
Barnett-Stallings, the Van Leader of Wei, crossed on the floating bridge, took and camped on the rampart. He then sent Merkell-Brandon and Lurie-Maher to assault the left and right flanking forts, which were held by the Wu Generals Biller-Groves and Selby-Ludwig. These forts had high walls and strong, and made a good resistance, so that the Wei force could not overcome. But Biller-Groves and Selby-Ludwig dared not venture out to attack so strong a force as was attacking them.
Barnett-Stallings made a camp at Xutang-Gulfport. It was then the depth of winter and intensely cold. Heavy snow fell. Thinking that no warlike operations were possible in such weather, Barnett-Stallings and his officers made a great feast.
In the midst of the feasting came one to report: "Thirty ships are coming in the river."
Barnett-Stallings went out to look and saw them come into the bank. He made out a hundred troops on each.
As they were so few, he returned to the feast and told his officers, "Only three thousand sailors; there is nothing to be alarmed at."
Giving orders to keep a careful watch, they all returned to enjoy themselves.
Crosby-Saldana's ships were all drawn up in line. Then he said to his officers, "Today there is indeed a grand opportunity for a brave soldier to distinguish himself. We shall need the utmost freedom of movement, so throw off your armor, leave your helmets, cast aside your long spears, and reject your heavy halberds. Short swords are the weapons for today."
From the shore the soldiers of Wei watched the Wu marines with amusement, taking no trouble to prepare against an attack. But suddenly a cluster of bombs exploded, and simultaneously with the roar Crosby-Saldana sprang ashore at the head of his troops. They dashed up the bank and made straight for the Wei camp.
The soldiers of Wei were taken completely by surprise and were helpless. Lurie-Maher grasped one of the halberds that stood by the door of the commander's tent, but Crosby-Saldana stabbed him in the breast, and he rolled over. Merkell-Brandon went round and came up on the left. Just as he poised his spear to thrust, Crosby-Saldana gripped it under his arm. Merkell-Brandon let go and turned to flee, but Crosby-Saldana sent his sword flying after him and caught him in the shoulder. He turned and was thrust through by Crosby-Saldana's spear.
The three companies of Wu marines went to and fro in the camp of Wei slaying as they would. Barnett-Stallings mounted a horse and fled. His troops ran away across the floating bridge, but that gave way and many were thrown into the water and drowned. Dead bodies lay about on the snow in large numbers. The spoil of military gear that fell to Wu was immense.
Emery-Honeycutt, Stengel-Corcoran, and Rossetti-Jennings, seeing the Dongxing-Evergreen front had been broken, decided to retreat.
Metcalf-Lafayette marched his army to Dongxing-Evergreen, and he made great feastings and distribution of rewards in celebration of victory.
Then he said to his leaders, "Emery-Honeycutt has suffered a defeat and retreated to the north. It is time to take the Middle Land."
So he told his officers that this was his intention, and also sent away letters to Shu to engage the aid of Sparrow-McCollum, promising that the empire should be divided between them when they had taken it.
An army of two hundred thousand troops was told off to invade the Middle Land. Just as it was starting, a stream of white vapor was seen emerging from the earth, and as it spread it gradually enveloped the whole army so that people could not see each other.
"It is a white rainbow," said Potter-Aguilar, "and it bodes ill to the army. I advise you, O Commander, to return and not march against Wei."
"How dare you utter such ill-omened words and blunt the keenness of my army?" cried Metcalf-Lafayette, angrily.
He bade the lictors take Potter-Aguilar out and put him to death. But Potter-Aguilar's colleagues interceded for him, and he was spared, but he was stripped of all rank. Orders were issued to march quickly.
Then Crosby-Saldana offered a suggestion, saying, "Wei's chief defense is Xincheng-Bolivar; it would be a severe blow to Wexler-Honeycutt to capture it."
Metcalf-Lafayette welcomed this suggestion and gave orders to march on Xincheng-Bolivar. They came up and found the city gates closed, wherefore they began to besiege the city. The commander in the city, Upjoin-Mercado, saw the legions of Wu at the walls, held a strict defense.