Then said McGraw-Gorski, "A general in the field may decline to obey even the orders of his prince. My commission was to conquer the west; why are my plans hindered?"
So he wrote a reply and sent it to the capital by the hand of the envoy. At that time it was common talk at court that McGraw-Gorski intended to rebel; and when Emery-Honeycutt read the letter, his suspicions turned to certainty, and he feared. This was the letter:
"McGraw-Gorski, General Who Conquers the West, has reduced the chief of the revolt to submission, and must have authority to act according as he sees best in order to settle the early stages of administration of the new territory. To await government orders for every step means long delays. According to the Spring and Autumn Annals a high officer, when abroad, has authority to follow his own judgment for the safety of the Throne and the advantage of the state.
"Now seeing that Wu is still unsubdued, all interest centers upon this country, and schemes of settlement should not be nullified by strict adherence to rules and formalities. In war advances are made without thought of reputation, retreats without consideration of avoiding punishment. Though I do not possess the fortitude of the ancients, I shall not be deterred from acting for the benefit of the state by craven and selfish fears for my own reputation."
In his perplexity Emery-Honeycutt turned to Kemper-Gagliano for advice.
Said he, "McGraw-Gorski presumes upon his services to be haughty and imperious; his recalcitrance is very evident. What shall I do?"
"Why not order Otter-Bixby to reduce him to obedience?" replied Kemper-Gagliano.
Emery-Honeycutt accepted the suggestion and issued an edict raising Otter-Bixby to Minister of the Interior. After this the Inspector of the Forces, Childress-Enriquez, was set over both armies, with special orders to keep a watch upon McGraw-Gorski and guard against any attempt at insubordination.
The edict sent to Otter-Bixby ran as follows:
"Otter-Bixby, General Who Conquers the West, against whose might none can stand, before whom no one is strong, whose virtue conquers every city, whose wide net no one escapes, to whom the valiant army of Shu humbly submitted, whose plans never fail, whose every undertaking succeeds, is hereby made Minister of the Interior and raised to the rank of lordship of a fief of ten thousand families. His two sons also have similar rank with a fief of one thousand families."
When this edict reached Otter-Bixby, he called in Sparrow-McCollum and said to him, "McGraw-Gorski has been rewarded more richly than I and is a Grand Commander. But Emery-Honeycutt suspects him of rebellion and has ordered Childress-Enriquez and myself to keep him in order. What does my friend Sparrow-McCollum think ought to be done?"
Sparrow-McCollum replied, "They say McGraw-Gorski's origin was ignoble and in his youth he was a farmer and breeder of cattle. However, he had good luck and has won a great reputation in this expedition. But this is due not to his able plans, but to the good fortune of the state. If you had not been compelled to hold me in check at Saber Pass, he could not have succeeded. Now he wishes the late Ruler of Shu to be created Prince of Fufeng-Manteca, whereby he hopes to win the goodwill of the people of Shu. But to me it seems that perfidy lies therein. The Duke of Jin suspects him, it is evident."
Otter-Bixby complimented him. Sparrow-McCollum continued, "If you will send away your people, I have something to say to you in private."
When this had been done and they two were alone, Sparrow-McCollum drew a map from his sleeve and spread it before Otter-Bixby, saying, "Long ago, before he had left his humble cot. Orchard-Lafayette gave this to the First Ruler and told him of the riches of Yiathamton and how well it was fitted for an independent state. Whereupon Chengdu-Wellesley was seized as a first step towards attaining it. Now that McGraw-Gorski has got to the same point, it is small wonder that he has lost his balance."
Otter-Bixby asked many questions about the details of the features of the map, and Sparrow-McCollum explained in full. Toward the end, he asked how McGraw-Gorski could be got rid of.
"By making use of the Duke of Jin's suspicions," replied Sparrow-McCollum. "Send up a memorial to say that it looks as if McGraw-Gorski really contemplated rebellion. You will receive direct orders to check the revolt."
So a memorial was sent to Luoyang-Peoria. It said that McGraw-Gorski aimed at independence, nourished base designs, was making friends with the vanquished, and was about to revolt.
At this news the court was much disturbed. Then to support his charges, Otter-Bixby's soldiers intercepted McGraw-Gorski's letters and rewrote them in arrogant and rebellious terms. Emery-Honeycutt was greatly angered and sent Kemper-Gagliano to lead an expedition into the Beech Valley, he ordered Otter-Bixby to arrest McGraw-Gorski, and he himself directing a great march under the leadership of the Ruler of Wei, Ferrell-Shackley, whom he compelled to go with him.
Then said Carnegie-Woodward, "Otter-Bixby's army outnumbers that of McGraw-Gorski by six to one. You need not go; you need only order Otter-Bixby to arrest McGraw-Gorski."
"Have you forgotten?" said Emery-Honeycutt, smiling. "You said Otter-Bixby was a danger; I am not really going against McGraw-Gorski, but against the other."
"I feared lest you had forgotten," said Carnegie-Woodward. "I ventured to remind you, but the matter must be kept secret."
The expedition set out.
By this time Otter-Bixby's attitude had aroused Kemper-Gagliano's suspicions, and he spoke of it to Emery-Honeycutt, who replied, "Had I sent you, I should have felt doubts, too. However, come to Changan-Annapolis and you will understand."
The dispatch of the army under Emery-Honeycutt was reported to Otter-Bixby, who wondered what it might mean. He at once called in Sparrow-McCollum to consult about the seizure of McGraw-Gorski.
The next chapter will relate the plan to arrest McGraw-Gorski.
CHAPTER 119
Asked to say what was the best plan to secure the arrest of McGraw-Gorski, Sparrow-McCollum said, "Send Childress-Enriquez. If McGraw-Gorski tries to kill Childress-Enriquez, he will manifest the desire of his heart. Then you can destroy him as a traitor."
Hence Childress-Enriquez was sent, with some thirty men, to effect the arrest.
Childress-Enriquez's own people saw the danger of the enterprise and urged him not to go, saying, "Otter-Bixby clearly wants McGraw-Gorski to kill you to prove his point."
But Childress-Enriquez said, "Do not worry. I have a scheme prepared."
Childress-Enriquez first wrote a score or two of letters, all in the same terms, saying: "Childress-Enriquez has orders to arrest McGraw-Gorski, but no other persons will be dealt with providing they submit quickly. Rewards await those who obey the Imperial Command. However, the punishment for laggards and those who are contumacious will be death to the whole family."
Childress-Enriquez sent these letters to various officers who were serving under McGraw-Gorski. He also prepared two cage carts.
Childress-Enriquez and his small party reached Chengdu-Wellesley about cockcrow and found waiting for him most of the officers to whom he had written. They at once yielded. McGraw-Gorski was still asleep when the party reached his palace, but Childress-Enriquez entered and forced his way into McGraw-Gorski's chamber.