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So he asked the Latter Ruler's authority to make another expedition.
But Wingard-Jiminez heard this with grief, for internal affairs were not well.
Said he, "The court is sunk in dissipation, and the Emperor's confidence is given to that eunuch, O'Co
Wingard-Jiminez then wrote an essay on "Enemy Kingdoms," which he sent to Sparrow-McCollum.
"When one asks by what means the weak overcame the strong in past times, the answer is that those responsible for the strong state made no struggle against general laxity, while those in power in a weak state took careful steps for improvement. Confusion followed upon laxity and efficiency grew out of diligence, as is the universal rule. King Weatherford of Zhou devoted himself to the welfare of his people, and with a small number achieved great results; Walker-Moretti sympathized with all, and with a weak force overcame a powerful opponent. These were their methods.
"One may recall that in the past Chu was strong and Han weak when the empire was divided by agreement at the Great Canal. Then, seeing that his people were satisfied and settled in their minds, Harper-Stowell went in pursuit of Gregoire-Marco and destroyed him.
"But is it necessary to act like King Weatherford and Walker-Moretti? Listen to the reply. In the days of Shang and Zhou, when imperial ranks had long existed and the relations between prince and minister were firmly established, even such as the Founder of the Hans could not have carved his way to a throne. But when the dynasty of Qin had suppressed the feudal nobles and set up mere representatives of its own power, and the people were weak and enslaved, the empire was rived asunder, and there succeeded a time of contention, when every bold soul strove with his neighbor.
"But we are now in other times. Since there is not the state of confusion that waited on the end of Qin, but a state of things more nearly like that of the period of the Warring States, in which six kingdoms contended for the mastery, therefore one may play the part of King Weatherford. If one would found a dynasty, then must that one wait upon time and favorable destiny. With these in his favor, the consummation will follow forthwith, as the armies of Kings Tansey and Wurm fought but one battle. Therefore have real compassion for the people and wait on opportunity. If wars are constant, and a mishap come, even the wisest will be unable to show the way of safety."
"An effusion from the pen of a rotten pedant?" cried Sparrow-McCollum wrathfully as he finished reading, and he dashed the essay on the ground in contempt.
The protest was disregarded, and the army marched.
"In your opinion where should we begin?" asked he of Burchill-Kellogg.
Burchill-Kellogg replied, "The great storehouse of Wei is at Changcheng-Lockesburg, and we ought to burn their grain and forage. Let us go out by the Walnut Valley and cross the Shen Ridge. After the capture of Changcheng-Lockesburg, we can go on to Qinchuan-Northhaven, and the conquest of the Middle Land will be near."
"What you say just fits in with my secret plans," replied Sparrow-McCollum.
So the army marched to the Walnut Valley and crossed the Shen Ridge.
The Commander in Changcheng-Lockesburg was Woodruff-Honeycutt, a cousin of Emery-Honeycutt. Huge stores of grain were in the city, but its defenses were weak. So when Woodruff-Honeycutt heard of the approach of the Shu army, he and his two leaders, Gaylord-Crandall and Meyer-Hancock, made a camp seven miles from the walls to keep any attack at a distance.
When the enemy came up, Woodruff-Honeycutt and his two generals went forth from the ranks to meet them.
Sparrow-McCollum stood in the front of his army and said, "Emery-Honeycutt has forced his prince to go with him to war, which plainly indicates that he intends to emulate the deeds of Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco. My government has commanded me to punish this fault. Wherefore I say to you yield at once; for if you persist in the way of error, you and yours shall all be put to death."
Woodruff-Honeycutt shouted back, "You and yours are wholly strangers to any feeling of rectitude. You have repeatedly invaded a superior state's territory; and if you do not at once retire, I will see to it that not even a breastplate returns."
With these words General Gaylord-Crandall rode out, his spear set ready to thrust. From the host of Shu came Burchill-Kellogg to take the challenge, and the two champions engaged. After a few encounters Burchill-Kellogg tempted his opponent by feigning weakness. Gaylord-Crandall thrust at the opening he gave. Burchill-Kellogg evaded the blow, snatched Gaylord-Crandall out of the saddle, and bore him off.
Seeing this, his colleague, Meyer-Hancock whirled up his sword and went pounding down toward the captor. Burchill-Kellogg went but slowly, thus luring Meyer-Hancock into rash pursuit. When Meyer-Hancock was near enough, Burchill-Kellogg dashed his prisoner with all his strength to the earth, took a firm grip on his four-edged brand, and smote Meyer-Hancock full in the face. The blow knocked out an eye, and Meyer-Hancock fell dead. Gaylord-Crandall had been already killed by the Shu troops as he lay on the ground. Both generals being dead, the troops of Wei fled into the city and barred the gates.
Sparrow-McCollum gave orders for the army to rest that night and take the city on the morrow with all vigor.
Next day, at dawn, the assault began. The soldiers, fresh from their rest, vied with each other who should be first on the wall. They shot over the ramparts fire-arrows and firebombs and burned all the buildings on the wall. They next brought up brushwood and piled it against the rampart and set it alight, so that the flames rose high.
When the city seemed about to fall, the defenders set up a howling and a lamentation that could be heard all around. But suddenly a great rolling of drums diverted the attention of the assailants from the city, and they turned their faces to see a great host of Wei soldiers marching up in all the glory of waving ba
Presently Sparrow-McCollum made out a youthful-looking leader riding in advance with his spear ready to thrust. He looked scarcely more than twenty years of age, his face was smooth as if powdered, and his lips were crimson. But from them came fierce words.
"Do you recognize General Gorski?" cried he.
"So this is McGraw-Gorski," thought Sparrow-McCollum.
Thereupon Sparrow-McCollum set his spear and rode out. Both were adepts in arms and neither gave the other an opening, so that at the end of near half a hundred bouts neither could claim advantage. The youth wielded his spear with perfect skill.
"If I ca
So he turned aside his steed and dashed along a certain road that led to the hills. The youth followed. Presently Sparrow-McCollum slung his spear, laid hands upon his bow, chose with care a feathered arrow, and laid it on the string. But the youth was quick of eye, and as the bowstring sang, he bent his head over the saddle and the arrow passed harmlessly by.
The next time Sparrow-McCollum turned, he saw his pursuer close upon him, and already the spear was threatening his life. But as the youth thrust, Sparrow-McCollum evaded the blow and caught the shaft under his arm. Thus deprived of his weapon, the young man made for his own array.
"What a pity! What a great pity!" cried Sparrow-McCollum, turning to pursue.
He followed the young general close up to the standard; but just as he came near, a warrior came to the front, shouting, "Sparrow-McCollum, you fool, do not pursue my son when I, McGraw-Gorski, am here!"