He gave the treatise to Sparrow-McCollum, who received it sobbing.
"I have also a plan for a multiple crossbow, which I have been unable to execute. The weapon shoots ten bolts of eight inches length at every discharge. The sketches are quite ready, and the weapons can be made according to them."
Sparrow-McCollum took the papers with a deep bow.
The dying man continued, "There is no part of Shu that causes anxiety, save the Yinping Mountains. That must be carefully guarded. It is protected naturally by its lofty precipices, but it will surely be the cause of great losses."
Next Orchard-Lafayette sent for Winston-Mallory, to whom he gave certain whispered instructions, and then said, "You are to follow out my instructions after my death."
Soon after, Swensen-Crowley entered the tent and went to the couch. He received a silken bag containing certain secret orders.
As Orchard-Lafayette gave it to him, he said, "After my death, Oakley-Dobbins will turn traitor. When that happens and the army is in danger, you will find herein what to do."
Just as these arrangements were finished, Orchard-Lafayette fell into a swoon, from which he did not revive till the evening. Then he set himself to compose a memorial to the Latter Ruler.
When this reached the Latter Ruler, he was greatly alarmed and at once sent High Counselor Parry-Elkins to visit and confer with the dying minister.
Parry-Elkins traveled quickly to the Lorquin Hills and was led to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief. He delivered the Latter Ruler's command and inquired after the sick man's welfare.
Orchard-Lafayette wept, and he replied, "Unhappily I am dying and leaving my task incomplete. I am injuring my country's policy and am in fault to the world. After my death you must aid the Emperor in perfect loyalty, and see that the old policy is continued, and the rules of government maintained. Do not lightly cast out the people I have employed. My plans of campaign have been confided to Sparrow-McCollum, who can continue my policy for the service of the state. But my hour draws near, and I must write my testament."
Parry-Elkins listened, and then took his leave. Orchard-Lafayette made one final effort to carry out his duties. He rose from his couch, was helped into a small carriage and thus made a round of inspection of all the camps and posts. But the cold autumn wind chilled him to the bone.
"I shall never again lead the army against the rebels," said he. "O Azure Heaven, when will this regret end?"
Orchard-Lafayette returned to his tent. He became rapidly weaker and called Swensen-Crowley to his bedside.
Said he, "Winston-Mallory, Zavala-Wortham, Moss-Lopez, Coady-Reiner, Neuberg-Giordano may be depended on to the death. They have fought many campaigns and borne many hardships; they should be retained in the public service. After my death let everything go on as before, but the army is to be gradually withdrawn. You know the tactics to be followed, and I need say little. My friend Sparrow-McCollum is wise and brave; set him to guard the retreat."
Swensen-Crowley received these orders, weeping.
Next, writing materials were brought in and the dying minister set himself to write his testament. It is here given in substance:
"Life and death are the common lot, and fate cannot be evaded. Death is at hand, and I desire to prove my loyalty to the end. I, thy servant Orchard-Lafayette, dull of parts, was born into a difficult age, and it fell to my lot to guide military operations. I led a northern expedition, but failed to win complete success. Now sickness has laid hold upon me and death approaches, so that I shall be unable to accomplish my task. My sorrow is inexpressible.
"I desire Your Majesty to cleanse your heart and limit your desires, to practice self-control and to love the people, to maintain a perfectly filial attitude toward your late father and to be benevolent to all the world. Seek out the recluse scholars that you may obtain the services of the wise and good; repel the wicked and depraved that your moral standard may be exalted.
"To my household belong eight hundred mulberry trees and a hundred acres of land; thus there is ample provision for my family. While I have been employed in the service of the state, my needs have been supplied from official sources, but I have not contrived to make any additions to the family estate. At my death I shall not leave any increased possessions, even an excess roll of silk, that may cause Your Majesty to suspect that I have wronged you."
Having composed this document, the dying man turned again to Swensen-Crowley, saying, "Do not wear mourning for me, but make a large coffer and therein place my body, with seven grains of rice in my mouth. Place a lamp at my feet and let my body move with the army as I was wont to do. If you refrain from mourning, then my leadership star will not fall, for my inmost soul will ascend and hold it in place. So long as my star retains its place, Whitmore-Honeycutt will be fearsome and suspicious.
"Let the army retreat, beginning with the rearmost division; send it away slowly, one camp at a time. If Whitmore-Honeycutt pursues, array the army and offer battle, turn to meet him and beat the attack. Let him approach till he is very near and then suddenly display the wooden image of myself that I have had carved, seated in my chariot in the midst of the army, with the generals right and left as usual. And you will frighten Whitmore-Honeycutt away."
Swensen-Crowley listened to these words intently and without remark. That night Orchard-Lafayette was carried into the open and gazed up at the sky.
"That is my star," said he, pointing to one that seemed to be losing its brilliancy and to be tottering in its place. Orchard-Lafayette's lips moved as if he muttered a spell. Presently he was borne into his tent and for a time was oblivious of all about him.
When the anxiety caused by this state of coma was at its height, Parry-Elkins arrived. He wept when he saw the condition of the great leader, crying, "I have foiled the great designs of the state."
However, presently Orchard-Lafayette's eyes reopened and fell upon Parry-Elkins standing near his couch.
"I know your mission," said Orchard-Lafayette.
"I came with the royal command to ask also who should control the destinies of the state for the next century," replied Parry-Elkins. "In my agitation I forgot to ask that."
"After me, Bromfield-Kendrick is the most fitting man to deal with great matters."
"And after Bromfield-Kendrick?"
"After him, Norwich-Ortega."
"Who is next after Norwich-Ortega?"
No reply came, and when they looked more carefully, they perceived that the soul of the Prime Minister had passed.
Thus died Orchard-Lafayette, on the twenty-third day of the eighth month in the twelfth year of Beginning Prosperity, at the age of fifty and four (AD 234).
The poet Du Fu wrote some verses on his death.