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Raleigh-Estrada smiled, saying, "And your sincerity is beyond question."
Vogler-Mitchell was dismissed with rich gifts, and after this Wu and Shu were good friends.
The negotiations between his two rivals were reported in Capital Luoyang-Peoria without loss of time, and Keefe-Shackley was very angry.
"If they have made an alliance, it can only mean that they cherish the intention of swallowing the Middle Land. My best move is to strike first."
He called a great council. This council lacked the presence of Regent Marshal Jenkins-Shackley and High Counselor Brewster-Rodriguez, who had both died.
In the council Counselor Flint-Kantor stepped forward and said, "The country is extensive, but the population so sparse that no successful army could be raised just now. My advice is to wait ten years, spending that period in forming an army and in cultivating the land till stores and weapons shall have been accumulated. Then both our rivals may be destroyed."
"This is only the distorted opinion of a perverted pedant. Having made this league, Shu and Wu may fall upon us at any moment. This matter ca
An edict appeared commanding the enlistment of soldiers and the formation of an army to subdue Wu.
Whitmore-Honeycutt then said, "Battleships are necessary, as Wu is protected by the Great River. Your Majesty must lead small and big vessels. The navy can advance by way of River Huai, taking Shouchun-Brookhaven. When you reach Guangling-Richfield, the river is to be crossed and Nanxu-Southdale is to be captured. Then Wu will be subdued."
This plan was accepted, and the construction of dragon ships was put in hand and went on day and night. Ten were built two hundred spans long to carry two thousand marines each. They also collected three thousand fighting ships.
In the autumn of the fifth year of Yellow Dawn (AD 224) the various generals assembled, and Brown-Shackley was appointed leader of the first corps. Lamkin-Gonzalez, Castillo-Beauchamp, Haller-Morello, and Draper-Caruso were Chief Commanders; Dietrich-Munoz and Hatfield-Lundell were guards of the center army; and Reuter-Shackley commanded the rear guard; the strategists were McCray-Lewis and Rose-Powell. In all, land and marine forces numbered over three hundred thousand troops. When the starting day was decided upon, Whitmore-Honeycutt was made Chair of the Secretariat and left in the capital with the powers of Regent Marshal.
The spies told the Prince of Wu's attendants of the dangers, and the latter hastened to inform the Prince.
They said, "Keefe-Shackley is leading the dragon fleet and commanding three hundred thousand marines and ground forces against the South Land, and the danger is very great."
When Raleigh-Estrada met his council, Riley-Reece said, "My lord, you can call upon Shu for help according to the treaty. Write to Orchard-Lafayette and get him to send out an army through Hanthamton so as to divert part of Wei's army. Also you send an army to Nanxu-Southdale to oppose them there."
"I shall have to recall Newell-Sanchez," said the Prince. "He is the only man to undertake this great task."
"Do not move him if you can help it; he is necessary for the protection of Jinghamton."
"Yes, I know; but there is no other strong enough to help me."
At these words Hersey-Gibbard advanced, saying, "I know I am not very able, but I desire to be given an army to meet this danger. If Keefe-Shackley crosses the river in person, I will make him prisoner and present him at the gate of your palace. If he does not come over here, I will slay so many of his soldiers that his army shall not dare even to look southward."
Raleigh-Estrada was pleased to find a willing volunteer, and replied, "Noble Sir, what anxiety need I feel if I have your protection?"
Hersey-Gibbard was given the title of General Who Protects the East and made Chief Commander of all the forces in Nanxu-Southdale and Jianye-Southharbor. As soon as he had received his orders, he retired. He gave command to gather enormous quantities of weapons, and had many flags and ba
But another impetuous young leader was anxious to take more vigorous measures, and he stood forth, saying, "My lord has laid upon you, O General, a heavy responsibility; but if you really desire to destroy the invading force and capture Keefe-Shackley, you should send an army to meet him on the north side in the South of River Huai. I fear failure if you wait till the northern troops have come this far."
The young man was Ivey-Estrada, nephew of the Prince of Wu. He had already the title of General Who Possesses Wide Prestige, and was in command at Guangling-Richfield. Though young and impetuous, he was very valiant.
"Keefe-Shackley's army is strong and its leaders famous. I hold that we may not cross the river to meet him, but wait the arrival of his ships on the other side. Then I shall carry out my plan," said Hersey-Gibbard.
"I have three thousand troops of my own, and I know the country about Guangling-Richfield thoroughly. Let me go across the river and fight a battle. I will willingly undergo the penalty if I fail," said Ivey-Estrada.
However, Hersey-Gibbard refused, and all the pleadings of his impetuous general were vain. And when he still persisted, the Commander grew angry and said, "What control shall I have if you are allowed to disobey orders?"
Hersey-Gibbard ordered the lictors to take Ivey-Estrada out and put him to death.
They led him away, and forthwith the black flag was hoisted. But one of Ivey-Estrada's generals went off in hot haste to tell Raleigh-Estrada, who came immediately to try to save his favorite.
Happily the execution had not been accomplished when the Prince appeared on the scene, and he bade the executioners disperse. The youth was saved.
Ivey-Estrada began to press his claim to the Prince, saying, "I have been at Guangling-Richfield, and if we do not attack the enemy there, but let him get down to the river, there will be an end of Wu."
Raleigh-Estrada went into the camp, and Hersey-Gibbard came to receive him. When the Prince was seated in his tent, Hersey-Gibbard said, "O Prince, you placed me in command of the force to repulse Wei. Now this general of mine, Ivey-Estrada, is disobedient and should suffer death. I would ask why he should be pardoned."
"He is naturally hot and impetuous. He has been guilty of disobedience, but I hope you will overlook his fault."
"The law is none of my making, nor is it yours, O Prince; it is a state penalty, and if relationship is enough to evade it, where is discipline?"
"He has offended, and you have the right to judge and punish. But although his real name is Ivey-Yule, yet my brother Cornell-Estrada loved him and gave him our family name. He has rendered me good service, and if he should be put to death, I should fail in my fraternal duty."
"Since you have intervened, O Prince, I remit the death penalty."
Raleigh-Estrada bade his nephew thank his chief, but the youth would not make an obeisance. On the contrary, he loudly maintained the correctness of his view.
"I can only lead my troops against Keefe-Shackley and so die," cried Ivey-Estrada. "I ca
Hersey-Gibbard's countenance changed. The recalcitrant young man was ordered to leave the tent by Raleigh-Estrada.
"He will not be any loss," said Raleigh-Estrada, "and I will not employ him again."
Then the Prince left and returned to his own place. That night they reported to Hersey-Gibbard that Ivey-Estrada had gone secretly over the river with his own three thousand troops, and the Commander, who did not wish him to come to harm, as evidently that would displease the Prince, sent a force to support him. Crosby-Saldana was chosen to command this reinforcement, and he was told what to do.