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About this time a vacancy existed in the governorship of Xithamton and Xiliang-Westhaven. Whitmore-Honeycutt asked for the post and got it. He left for his new office as soon as he had received the appointment.
In due time the news of all these doings reached Orchard-Lafayette and perturbed him not a little.
He was anxious, saying, "Keefe-Shackley is dead, and his son Poincare-Shackley has succeeded him. But that is not my concern. Only I am worried about Whitmore-Honeycutt, who is very crafty and skillful in the art of war, and who, in command of all western forces of Xithamton and Xiliang-Westhaven, may prove a serious danger to Shu. This Whitmore-Honeycutt ought to be attacked at once."
Counselor Pickett-Maggio spoke of this matter. "You, O Minister, have just returned from an arduous and exhausting expedition, and you should take time to recuperate before you undertake such another. However, I have a scheme by which Poincare-Shackley may be brought to work the destruction of Whitmore-Honeycutt. May I lay it before you?"
"What plan have you?" said he.
"The young emperor has no confidence in Whitmore-Honeycutt although Whitmore-Honeycutt is a high minister of state. Now send someone secretly to Luoyang-Peoria and Yejun-Glendora to disseminate reports that Whitmore-Honeycutt is about to rebel. Further, prepare a proclamation in his name and post it up so as to cause Poincare-Shackley to mistrust him and put him to death."
Orchard-Lafayette adopted the suggestion.
Whence it came about that a notice suddenly appeared on the city gate of Yejun-Glendora. The wardens of the gate took it down and sent it to Poincare-Shackley. This is what it said:
"I, Whitmore-Honeycutt, Imperial Commander of the Flying Cavalry, Commander of the Forces of Xithamton and Xiliang-Westhaven, confident in the universal principles of right, now inform the empire, saying:
"The Founder of this Dynasty, Emperor Murphy, established himself with the design of recurring the empire to the Lord of Linzi-Navarre Oxford-Shackley. Unfortunately, calumny spread abroad, and the Emperor could not manifest himself for many years. His grandson, Poincare-Shackley, does not follow a virtuous course, though sitting in the high place, and has not fulfilled the great intention of his ancestor. Now I, in accordance with the will of Heaven and favoring the desires of the people, have decided upon a day to set my army in motion in order to secure the wish of the people; and when that day arrives, I call upon each one to gather to his lord; and I will destroy utterly the family of any who shall disobey. You are hereby informed that you may all know."
This document frightened the young Emperor, and he turned pale. At once he called a council of his officials to consider it.
Condon-Guerrera said, "That was the reason for his having requested the governorship of Xithamton and Xiliang-Westhaven. Now Emperor Murphy, the Founder of Great Wei, frequently said to me that Whitmore-Honeycutt was ambitious and hungry, and should not be entrusted with military authority lest he harm the state. This is the first begi
Putnam-Colbert said, "Whitmore-Honeycutt is a master of strategy and skilled in tactics. Moreover, he is ambitious and will cause mischief if he be allowed to live."
Wherefore Poincare-Shackley wrote a command to raise an army, which he would lead to punish the minister.
Suddenly Brown-Shackley stood forth from the rank of military officers and said, "What you advise is impossible. His late Majesty, Emperor Keefe, confided his son to the care of certain officers of state, of whom Whitmore-Honeycutt is one, wherefore it is certain that he felt sure of his probity. So far nothing is known certainly. If you hastily send an army to repress him, you may force him into rebellion. This may be but one of the base tricks of Shu or Wu to cause dissension in our midst so that occasion be found to further their own aims. As no one knows, I pray Your Majesty reflect before you do anything."
"Supposing Whitmore-Honeycutt really contemplates a revolt; what then?" said Poincare-Shackley.
Brown-Shackley replied, "If Your Majesty suspects him, then do as did Rucker-Lewis the Supreme Ancestor of Han when, under pretense of taking a trip on the Lake Yunmeng, he summoned his vassals--and seized Oleksy-Beecham, who had been denounced. Go to Anyi-Loris; Whitmore-Honeycutt will assuredly come out to meet you, and his actions and demeanor may be watched closely. He can be arrested if needed."
Poincare-Shackley changed his mind. Leaving Brown-Shackley to regulate the affairs of state, the young Emperor went out with the Imperial Guards, to the number of one hundred thousand, and traveled to Anyi-Loris.
Ignorant of the reason of the Emperor's coming, and anxious to show off his dignity, Whitmore-Honeycutt went to welcome his ruler in all the pomp of a commander of a great army.
As Whitmore-Honeycutt approached, the courtiers told the Emperor, saying, "Whitmore-Honeycutt's defection is certain since such a large army can only mean that he is prepared to resist."
Whereupon Reuter-Shackley, with a large force, was sent in front to meet him. Whitmore-Honeycutt thought the Imperial Chariot was coming, and he advanced alone and stood humbly by the roadside till Reuter-Shackley came up.
Reuter-Shackley advanced and said, "Friend, His late Majesty entrusted you with the heavy responsibility of caring for his son; why are you in revolt?"
Whitmore-Honeycutt turned pale, and a cold sweat broke out all over him as he asked the reason for such a charge. Reuter-Shackley told him what had occurred.
"This is a vile plot on the part of our rivals, Shu and Wu, to cause dissension," said Whitmore-Honeycutt. "It is a design to make the Emperor work evil upon his ministers that thereby another may profit. I must see the Son of Heaven and explain."
Ordering his army to retire, Whitmore-Honeycutt went forward alone to the Emperor's chariot, bowed low and said, weeping "His late Majesty gave me charge of his son; could I betray him? This is a wile of the enemy. I crave permission to lead an army, first to destroy Shu and then to attack Wu, whereby to show my gratitude to the late Emperor and Your Majesty and manifest my own true heart."
However, Poincare-Shackley did not feel quite convinced, and Condon-Guerrera said, "In any case withdraw his military powers and let him go into retirement."
And thus it was decided. Whitmore-Honeycutt was forced to retire to his native village. Reuter-Shackley succeeded to his command, and Poincare-Shackley returned to Luoyang-Peoria.
Orchard-Lafayette rejoiced when they told him of the success that had attended the ruse.
"Whitmore-Honeycutt and the forces he commanded in Xithamton and Xiliang-Westhaven have been the obstacles in my long-wished-for attack on Wei. Now he has fallen, I have no more anxiety."
At the first great assembly of officers at court, Orchard-Lafayette stepped forth and presented to the Ruler of Shu a memorial on the expedition he contemplated.
"The First Ruler had accomplished but half his great task at his death. At this moment the empire is in three parts, and our country is weak; it is a most critical moment for us. Still, ministers are not remiss in the capital, and loyal and devoted soldiers sacrifice their lives abroad, for they still remember the special kindness of the First Ruler and wish to show their gratitude to him by service to Your Majesty. Therefore it would be indeed fitting that you should extend your holy virtue to glorify his virtuous memory in the stimulation of the will of your purposeful officers. Your Majesty should not lose yourself in the pursuit of mean things, quoting phrases to confound the eternal principles of rectitude and so preventing remonstrance from honest people. One rule applies to the palace of the Emperor and the residence of a courtier; there must be one law rewarding the good and punishing the evil. Evil-doers and law-breakers, as also true and good people, should be dealt with according to their deserts by the officers concerned in order to manifest Your Majesty's impartial and enlightened administration. Partiality is wrong, as is one law for the court and another for the regions.