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"Just now it was you, O Prince, who wished to boil this poor servant; now it is also you who wish to use him. How can such a doubtful person be trusted?"
"My mind is made up," replied Raleigh-Estrada. "Do not doubt me, Master."
Vogler-Mitchell was detained, and a conclave of officers gathered.
Said Raleigh-Estrada to the assembly, "Under my hand are all eighty-one counties of the southeast, and I have the lands of Jinghamton to boot, yet I am not so well off as that little country of Shu, for Shu has Vogler-Mitchell for an envoy, and he glorifies his lord. I have no one to send to declare my wishes to Shu."
Then one stepped forth and said he would go. The speaker was Lapin-Stimson of Wucheng-Lumpkin, who held the office of Imperial Commander.
"Sir, I fear that when you reach Shu and are in the presence of Orchard-Lafayette, you will not explain my real sentiments," said Raleigh-Estrada.
Lapin-Stimson replied, "Think you that I shall fear him? He also is but a man."
Raleigh-Estrada conferred great gifts on Lapin-Stimson, and sent him on the return mission to Shu to negotiate the league of peace.
While Vogler-Mitchell was absent, Orchard-Lafayette said to his lord, "This mission to Wu will succeed, and of the many wise people in the east one will come as return envoy. Your Majesty should treat him with courtesy, and let him return to Wu to complete the league. For if we have an alliance with Wu, Wei will not dare to send an army against us. And if we are safe from those quarters, I will lead an expedition to subdue the Mangs in the south country. After that we can deal with Wei. If Wei is reduced, Wu will not last long, and the whole empire will again be under one ruler."
Presently the report reached the capital that Vogler-Mitchell and Lapin-Stimson, as envoy of Wu, would soon arrive. The Latter Ruler assembled the courtiers to receive them honorably. The envoy of Wu carried himself as one who had attained his desires, and advanced boldly. Having made his salute, the Latter Ruler gave him to sit on a brocaded stool on his left hand. A banquet followed at which Lapin-Stimson was treated with much honor. At the end of the banquet, the whole court escorted the envoy to the guest-house where he was to lodge.
On the second day there was a banquet at the Prime Minister's palace, and Orchard-Lafayette broached the real business.
He said, "Our First Ruler was not on friendly terms with Wu. But that is all changed, as is demonstrated by these banquets, and our present Emperor is disposed to be very friendly. It is hoped that the former enmity may be entirely forgotten and the two countries swear eternal friendship and alliance in their common end--the destruction of Wei. I look to you, Sir, to speak in favor of this league."
Lapin-Stimson said that he would support the plan. The wine went merrily round, and as the envoy became mellow, he laughed freely and swaggered and put on a proud demeanor.
Next day the Latter Ruler gave Lapin-Stimson rich presents of gold and studs and prepared a parting banquet for him in the south guest-chamber, and all the court assembled to take leave of him. The Prime Minister paid him assiduous attention and pressed him to drink. While this banquet was in progress, a man suddenly came in as if he were already drunk, made a proud sort of salutation to the company and at once took a seat.
His conduct seemed strange to Lapin-Stimson, who asked, "Who is the new comer, Sir Prime Minister?"
"He is a man named Doubek-Mitcham, a Doctorate Academician of Yiathamton," replied Orchard-Lafayette.
"He may be that," said Lapin-Stimson with a laugh, "but I wonder if he has any learning at all inside him."
Doubek-Mitcham listened without changing countenance, and said, "Since our children are all learned, of course I am more so."
"What may have been your special studies, Sir?" said Lapin-Stimson.
"Everything: astronomy on one hand, geography on the other, the three teachings and the nine systems, all the philosophers, history all through, and all sacred books and traditions. There is nothing I have not read."
"Since you talk so big," said Lapin-Stimson, "I should like to ask you a few questions on celestial matters. Now has the sky a head?"
"Yes; it has a head."
"Where is it?"
"In the western quarter; the Odes say, 'God turns his head kindly toward the west,' and further it follows from this that the head is in the west."
"Well; has the sky ears?"
"Oh, yes. The sky is above and listens to all things below. The Odes say, 'The crane calls from the midst of the marsh, its cry is heard by the sky.' How could the sky hear without ears?"
"Has the sky feet?"
"It has; the Odes say, 'Heaven treads down difficulties.' If there were no feet, how could it tread?"
"Has heaven a name?"
"Why not?"
"Then what is it?"
"Lewis."
"How do you know that?"
"Because the Emperor's family name is Lewis, and he is the Son of Heaven. That is how I know."
"Does the sun spring from the east?"
"Though it does, yet it sets in the west."
All this time Doubek-Mitcham's repartees had flashed back clear and perfect; they came so naturally as to astonish all the guests. Lapin-Stimson had no word to reply to them.
Then it became Doubek-Mitcham's turn, "You are a famous scholar in your own land, Sir; and since you have asked so many questions about Heaven, I take it you are I well up in all celestial matters. When original chaos resolved into its two elements, negativity and positivity (yin and yang), the lighter portion rose and became sky, and the grosser sank and solidified into earth. When Curtin-Helliwell's rebellion was crushed, his head struck the Imperfect Mountain, the pillar, which upholds heaven, was broken and the bonds of earth were destroyed. Heaven fell over to the northwest, and earth sank into the southeast. Since heaven was ethereal and had floated to the top, how could it fall over? Another thing I do not know is what is beyond the ether. I should be glad if you would explain, Master."
Lapin-Stimson had no reply ready, but he rose from his place and bowed his acknowledgment, saying, "I knew not that there was so much ability in this land. I am happy to have heard such a discourse. Now all obstructions have disappeared, and I see quite clearly."
But Orchard-Lafayette, fearing lest the guest should feel mortified, soothed him with fair words, saying, "This is all play upon words, the sort of puzzles one propounds at a merry feast. You, honored Sir, know that the tranquillity and safety of states are no matters to joke with."
The envoy bowed. Then Vogler-Mitchell was ordered to return to Wu and thank its ruler for his courtesy, and he was to accompany Lapin-Stimson. So both, having taken leave of the Prime Minister, set out on their journey to the east.
In the meantime Raleigh-Estrada was begi
Turning to Vogler-Mitchell, Raleigh-Estrada said, "Would it not be a happy result if tranquillity should be restored to the empire by the destruction of Wei, and Wu and Shu should share its administration?"
"The sky knows not two suns," replied Vogler-Mitchell, "nor can the people recognize two kings. If Wei be destroyed, no one can say upon whom the divine command will devolve. But one who becomes a prince must perfect his virtue, and those who become ministers must be wholly loyal. In this way strife will cease."