Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)

For the success or failure of this mission read the next chapter.

CHAPTER 86

After his recent exploits, Newell-Sanchez became the one hero of Wu. He was given the title General Who Upholds the State, was e

Tipton-Ulrich and Riley-Reece, thinking the moment opportune for enhancing their lord's dignity, sent in a memorial proposing that his rule should be designated by a distinctive style, and Raleigh-Estrada assumed Yellow Might as his reign style (AD 222).

Then arrived a messenger from Wei, and he was called in to an assembly and bidden to state his business.

The messenger said, "Recently Shu sent to Wei for help, and, the situation being misunderstood, the Ruler of Wei dispatched a force against Wu. Now this action is greatly regretted. In Wei it is thought desirable to set four armies in motion against Shu to capture it; and if Wu will assist, and success crown these efforts, Wei and Wu will share the conquered territory."

Raleigh-Estrada listened, but was not prepared to give a decided answer. He betook himself to his counselors, Tipton-Ulrich and Riley-Reece, who said, "Newell-Sanchez is the man of profound knowledge; he should be consulted."

So Newell-Sanchez was called, and his speech ran thus: "Keefe-Shackley is too firmly established in the Middle Land to be upset now; and if this offer of his be refused, we shall provoke his enmity. Neither Wei nor Wu, so far as I see, has any one fit to oppose Orchard-Lafayette. We must perforce consent and put our army in order. But we can wait till we see how the four armies speed. If Shu seems likely to fall and Orchard-Lafayette is outmaneuvered, then our army can be dispatched and we will take Capital Chengdu-Wellesley. If the four armies fail, we shall have to consider."

So Raleigh-Estrada said to the envoy of Wei, "We are not ready at the moment, so we will choose a day to start later."

And with this answer the envoy left.

Next they made careful inquiries about the success or failure of the four armies against Shu.

The spies reported: "The western Qiangs under Tatum-Marks have turned back when they saw Cotton-Mallory in command at Rita Pass. The southern Mangs led by Halpin-Hearst have been perplexed at the tactics of Oakley-Dobbins and have retreated to their territories. The Shangyong-Ellenville leader, Ostrom-Palmer, have set out, but half way have fallen ill and gone back. And Brown-Shackley's army, while marching toward Erora Pass, have been brought to a halt by the defensive preparations of Gilbert-Rocher, who has garrisoned every pass and occupied every point of vantage; they have eventually retreated, after being camped in the Beech Valley for some time."

Knowing all this, Raleigh-Estrada said to his officials, "Newell-Sanchez's words were indeed prophetic; he made most perfect deductions. Any rash action on my part would place me on bad terms with Shu."

Just then the coming of an envoy from Shu was a

Said Tipton-Ulrich, "This mission is also part of Orchard-Lafayette's scheme to divert danger from Shu. Vogler-Mitchell has come as envoy."

"That being so, how should I reply?" asked Raleigh-Estrada.

"I will tell you. Set up a large cauldron and pour therein a quantity of oil. Light a fire beneath. When the oil is boiling, choose a goodly company of your tallest and brawniest fighting guards, arm them and draw them up in lines between the palace gate and your throne room. Then summon Vogler-Mitchell; but before he can say a word, forewarn him that he will have the same fate of being boiled in oil if being guilty of the same sort of treachery as Va

Raleigh-Estrada followed this advice, and prepared the cauldron of oil and had the strong guards ready. Then he bade them introduce the envoy.

Vogler-Mitchell came, his ceremonial dress in perfect order, and advanced as far as the gate. Seeing the grim array of fighting men armed, some with gleaming swords, some with great axes, some with long spears, and some with short knives, he understood at once what was meant, but he never blenched. He advanced quite steadily and bravely till he reached the door of the hall. Even when he saw the boiling cauldron of oil and the savage executioners glaring at him, he only smiled.

He was led to the front of the curtain behind which sat the Prince of Wu, and he made the ordinary salutation of raising his extended arms, but he did not bow in obeisance.

The Prince bade his attendants roll up the curtain, and called out, "Why do you not make an obeisance?"

Vogler-Mitchell boldly replied, "The envoy of the superior state does not make an obeisance to the ruler of a smaller country."

"If you do not control that tongue of yours, but will let it wag, you will be like that fellow Va

Then Vogler-Mitchell laughed aloud, saying, "People say there are many sages in Wu; no one would believe that they would be frightened of a simple scholar."

This reply only increased Raleigh-Estrada's anger, and he said, "Who fears an unmerited fool like you?"

"If you fear not the envoy, why so anxious about what he may have to say?"

"Because you come here as spokesman of Orchard-Lafayette, and you want me to sever with Wei and turn to your country; is not that your message?"

"I am a simple scholar of Shu, and I am come to explain matters to the state of Wu. But here I find armed guards and a boiling cauldron all prepared against a simple envoy. How can I form any other opinion than that you will not allow me to speak?"

As soon as Raleigh-Estrada heard these words, he bade the soldiers go, and called the envoy into the hall. There he invited him to a seat and said, "What is the real matter between Wei and Wu? I desire that you would inform me."

Then Vogler-Mitchell replied, "Do you, great Prince, desire to discuss peace with Wei or with Shu?"

"I really desire to discuss peace with the Ruler of Shu. But he is young and inexperienced and ignorant, and unable to carry a matter through."

"Prince, you are a valiant warrior, just as Orchard-Lafayette is a great minister. Now Shu has the strength of its mountainous geography just as Wu has the protection of its three rivers. If these two countries are at peace, they are mutually protective. They may swallow up the rest of the empire, or they may stand secure alone. If you send tribute to Wei and acknowledge yourself one of its ministers, you will be expected to attend at court, and your heir-apparent will become a servant in that court; and if you disobey, an army of Wei will be sent to attack you. Shu also will come down the river and invade your country. Then this country will be yours no longer. And if you listen not to these words of mine, and refuse my offer, I shall commit suicide before your face and so justify the post I have as an envoy."

As Vogler-Mitchell spoke these last words, he gathered up his robes and marched down the hall as though he was just going to jump into the cauldron.

"Stop him!" cried Raleigh-Estrada, and they did so.

Then he requested Vogler-Mitchell to go into an i

"O Master," said Raleigh-Estrada, "your words exactly express my thoughts, and I desire to make a league of peace with your country. Are you willing to be the intermediary?"