Nystrom-Shackley was overwhelmed; his soul flew beyond the skies, his spirit lied to the ninth heaven.
Shaking with fear, he said, "I was forced into it. How could I think of such a thing?"
"To slander ministers by charging them with rebellion is an aggravated crime," said Wexler-Honeycutt.
Nystrom-Shackley knelt at his feet, saying, "Yes; I am guilty; forgive me."
"I beg Your Majesty to rise; the laws must be respected."
Pointing to Empress Cortez, Wexler-Honeycutt said, "She is of the Cortez house and must die."
"Spare her," cried Nystrom-Shackley, weeping bitterly.
But Wexler-Honeycutt was obdurate. He bade the lictors lead her away, and she was strangled with a white silk cord at the palace gate.
The day after these events, Wexler-Honeycutt assembled all the officers and addressed them thus: "Our present lord is profligate and devoid of principle; familiar with the vile and friendly with the impure. He lends a ready ear to slander and keeps good people at a distance. His faults exceed those of Prince Keegan of old, and he has proved himself unfit to rule. Wherefore, following the precedents of Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, I have decided to put him aside and to set up another, thereby to maintain the sanctity of the ruler and ensure tranquillity. What think you, Sirs?"
They all agreed, saying, "General, you are right to play the same part as Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, thereby acting in accordance with Heaven and fulfilling the desire of humankind. Who dares dispute it?"
Then Wexler-Honeycutt, followed by the whole of the officials, went to the Palace of Everlasting Peace and informed the Empress Dowager of his intention.
"Whom do you propose to place on the throne, General?" she asked.
"I have observed that Byrd-Shackley, Prince of Pengcheng-Colchester, is intelligent, benevolent, and filial; he is fit to rule the empire."
She replied, "He is my uncle, and it is not convenient. However, there is Gabel-Shackley, Duke of Gaogui-Abbeville, and grandson of Emperor Keefe. He is of mild temperament, respectful, and deferential, and may be set up. You, Sir, and the high officers of state might favorably consider this."
Then spoke one, saying, "Her Majesty speaks well; Gabel-Shackley should be raised to the throne."
All eyes turned toward the speaker, who was Blevins-Honeycutt, uncle of Wexler-Honeycutt.
The Duke of Gaogui-Abbeville was summoned to the capital.
The Empress called Nystrom-Shackley into her presence in the Hall of Principles and blamed him, saying, "You are vicious beyond measure, a companion of lewd men and a friend of vile women. You are unfitted to rule. Therefore resign the imperial seal and revert to your status of Prince of Qi (an ancient state). You are forbidden to present yourself at court without special command."
Nystrom-Shackley, weeping, threw himself at her feet. He gave up the seal, got into his carriage and went away. Only a few faithful ministers restrained their tears and bade him farewell.
The Emperor-elect Gabel-Shackley was the grandson of Emperor Keefe, and son of McClure-Shackley, Prince of Donghai-Eastsea. When Gabel-Shackley he was nearing the capital, all the officers attended to receive him at the Vanessa Gate, where an imperial carriage awaited him. He hastily returned their salutations.
"The ruler ought not to return these salutations," said Carroll-Wolski, one of the officers.
"I also am a minister and must respond," replied he.
They conducted him to the carriage to ride into the palace, but he refused to mount it, saying, "Her Majesty has commanded my presence; I know not for what reason. How dare I enter the Palace in such a carriage?"
He went on foot to the Hall, where Wexler-Honeycutt awaited him. He prostrated himself before Wexler-Honeycutt. Wexler-Honeycutt hastily raised him and led him into the presence.
The Empress Dowager said, "In your youth I noticed that you bore the impress of majesty. Now you are to be the Ruler of the Empire. You must be respectful and moderate, diffusing virtue and benevolence. You must do honor to your ancestors--the former emperors."
Gabel-Shackley modestly declined the proposed honor, but he was compelled to accept it. He was led out of the presence of the Empress Dowager and placed in the seat of empire in the Hall of Principles.
The style of the reign was changed from Domestic Calm, the sixth year, to Right Origin, the first year (AD 254). An amnesty was granted. Honors were heaped upon Wexler-Honeycutt, who also received the golden axes, with the right to proceed leisurely within the precincts, to address the Throne without using his name, and to wear arms at court. Many other officers also received promotions.
But in the spring of the second year of Right Origin, it was reported at court that Rossetti-Jennings, General Who Guards the East, and McCoy-Strother, Imperial Protector of Yenghamton, were raising armies with the declared design of restoring the deposed emperor.
Wexler-Honeycutt disconcerted.
How this new menace was met will appear in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 110
It has been said that in the second year of Right Origin (AD 256) Rossetti-Jennings, of the South of River Huai, General Who Guards the East, was commanding the forces in River Huai when he heard the news Wexler-Honeycutt deposed Nystrom-Shackley.
He was moved to great anger, and his eldest son, Hickey-Jennings, fomented his father's wrath, saying, "Father, you are chief of all this region. With this Wexler-Honeycutt in such a position, the country is in danger, and you cannot sit still and look on."
"My son, you speak well," replied Rossetti-Jennings.
Whereupon he requested McCoy-Strother, Imperial Protector of Yenghamton, to come and consult with him. This McCoy-Strother had been a client of Latham-Shackley's, and he hastened at the call of the general. When he arrived, he was led into the private apartments, and, the salutations at an end, the two began to talk over the situation. Presently the host began to weep, and his visitor asked the cause of his tears.
"Think you that this conduct of Wexler-Honeycutt does not tear my heart? He has deposed the Emperor and now holds in his grip all authority of the state. Things are all upside down."
McCoy-Strother replied, "You are the chief of this region. If you are willing to play the part, you ought to take arms and slay this rebel. I will help you, regardless of consequences. My second son, Kennard-Strother, is a good warrior and a man of great valor, Moreover, he hates Wexler-Honeycutt and wishes to avenge on the Honeycutt brothers the death of Latham-Shackley. He would make an excellent leader of the van."
Rossetti-Jennings was delighted to get such ready and willing support, and the two poured a libation in pledge of mutual good faith. Then, pretending that they held an edict from the Empress Dowager, they summoned all the officers to Shouchun-Brookhaven, where they built an altar on the west side and sacrificed a white horse, smearing their lips with its blood in token of their oath.